Why sending video is hard
Video is the heaviest thing most people send. One minute of 4K footage can be hundreds of megabytes; a short film is many gigabytes. Email attachments stop near 25 MB. Messengers re-encode video to save bandwidth, which softens detail and can break sync. Public video sites need an upload, processing and a public page, which is wrong for a private draft.
A private link to the original file avoids all of that. The recipient streams or downloads exactly what you exported.
Formats, size and the free-plan limit
upload.am does not limit you to certain video formats. MP4, MOV, MKV, AVI, MXF and others can be uploaded and shared. The free plan allows 5 GB per file and 25 GB in total; for larger masters a paid plan raises the per-file cap to 20, 100 or 300 GB. See sending more than 2 GB for the practical details.
The in-browser player depends on the browser supporting the format. Common web formats play directly; very specialised codecs may need to be downloaded and opened in a professional player. The original is always available to download.
Share a video the way professionals do
Whether you are a freelancer, an agency or a family sharing holiday clips, a few habits save time:
Send a review copy
Export a lighter review version for feedback and keep the master for delivery. Both live in the same folder.
Lock unreleased footage
Use a password and a short lifetime so a leaked link stops working.
Limit the downloads
A download limit of one turns the link into a single delivery.
Deliver a whole project
Put clips, stills and music in one group link and let the client take a ZIP.
Give clients a home
For repeat work, set up a branded client portal instead of sending new links every time.
Collect footage from others
Let guests send you clips through an Upload Inbox without creating accounts.
Keep your footage safe, not just sent
A video you send is usually a video you cannot afford to lose. Because upload.am is also a backup and sync service, the free Windows app can back up your project folders to the cloud and the Android app can back up your phone camera roll. Files you upload from the web appear in your cabinet and, with live sync turned on, on your computer as well.
Troubleshooting a slow or failing upload
Large uploads depend on your connection. If your upload speed is low, a 4 GB file can take a while, but it will resume if the connection drops. Keep the tab open, avoid putting the computer to sleep, and use a wired connection when you can. If a file is over your plan limit you will see a clear message before the upload starts.
How to send a large video in four steps
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1
Drop the video
Drag the file onto the upload box or choose it from your device.
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2
Set the protection
Add a password, a download limit or a lifetime if the footage is sensitive.
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3
Copy the link
Paste the link into an email or message. The recipient can play it in the browser or download the original.
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4
Revoke when done
Switch the link off from your cabinet once the review or delivery is finished.
Frequently asked questions
Is my video compressed or re-encoded?
No. The original file is stored and delivered as uploaded.
What video formats are supported?
Any format can be uploaded. The in-browser player handles common web formats, and the original is always downloadable.
How big a video can I send for free?
Up to 5 GB per file on the free plan. Paid plans go to 20, 100 or 300 GB per file.
Can the recipient watch without downloading?
Yes, in the browser, when the format is supported.
Do I need an account?
No. You can send as a guest. An account adds storage, history and the apps.