MediaFire

MediaFire

File:MediaFire screenshot.png
Type of site	File Hosting/Sharing Service
Available in	English
URL	www.MediaFire.com
Commercial	Yes
Registration	Optional

File:Mediafire - uploading.png

uploading files to Mediafire

MediaFire is a free file and image hosting web site located in Harris County, Texas, USA. It has received much attention because it has rather few limitations for users without an account compared to many other file hosters. The domain mediafire.com attracted at least 8.7 million visitors annually by 2008 according to a Compete.com study.

Usage

The service is available for free and allows users to upload files of up to 100 MB each. The user is then supplied with a unique URL, which locates the file and enables anyone who knows it to download the file. Uploaded files will be stored as long as the user logs-in into his/her account at least once every 60 days or at least one of the files is downloaded every 30 days. Furthermore, images can be uploaded and displayed in galleries.

Major features

• No signup required
• No need to enter CAPTCHAs to access files. Entering a CAPTCHA is occasionally required when downloading large numbers of files in succession.
• No enforced waiting to access files
• Storage time for uploaded files 30/60 days (unlimited storage time if you log in every 60 days)
• Size of each file limited to 100 MB, but no limit for the overall amount of uploaded data
• No limit for the number of simultaneous downloads
• No limitation of bandwidth
• Interrupted downloads can be resumed using a download manager or a web browser that supports resuming
• Ability to delete files
• No discrimination against people based on their location

Major limitations

• Uploading encrypted ZIP or RAR archives is automatically blocked for non-paying users. However, less standardized forms of encrypted files are not blocked by the site.
• No upload via FTP
• No remote upload
• No resuming of interrupted uploads
• Does not allow folder download, each individual file must be downloaded separately

MediaPro

Around August 2008 so-called "MediaPro" accounts with extended features and fewer limitations for paying users were added. They offer the following advantages:

• Direct linking
• Maximal file size 10 GB
• Unlimited storage time
• Remote uploading
• No ads
• Redundant backups
• SSL encryption
• More statistical information
• Better support

The MediaPro accounts can be extended at additional costs to MediaPro Business accounts which allow a larger download data volume.

NOTE: Upgrading your account leads to a recurring monthly charge that must be disabled in the 'My Account' section after having made the initial payment if you only wish to pay for one month. This is not made terribly obvious in the upgrading process but is fairly standard in the industry.

Changes

• August 2008
  • The MediaPro version is added at a price of 6.97 US$ a month.

Reception

MediaFire was received with overall good critics in the media, winning the award "Top 100 Undiscovered websites", by PC magazine, referred to as: "At first the MediaFire storage service seems too good to be true..."by CNET, receiving positive reviews from Lifehacker, and also receiving the award "Top Websites of 2008", by PC magazine .

The Mediafire website cannot be accessed from the People's Republic of China.

External links

• Mediafire start page
• MediaFire KnowledgeBase