MediaFire vs Rapidshare: What Happened and the Best File Hosting in 2026
In 2009 the big rivalry in file hosting was MediaFire vs Rapidshare, and guest author Akif compared their features, limits and Rapidshare’s points scheme. Rapidshare shut down in 2015, while MediaFire is still going. Today the market looks very different, with Google Drive, Dropbox and WeTransfer dominating. Here’s how MediaFire works in 2026 and the best alternatives for sharing large files.
Quick answer: MediaFire still offers a free Basic account with 10 GB of storage and ad-supported downloads, plus paid Pro and Ultra plans. Rapidshare closed in 2015. For sharing files today, Google Drive (15 GB free), Dropbox, OneDrive and WeTransfer are popular, and MediaFire remains handy for public download links without the recipient needing an account.
Table of Contents
What happened to Rapidshare?
Rapidshare was once the market leader, funded by premium memberships and famous for its Collector’s Zone points scheme, which rewarded uploaders when their files were downloaded. Copyright pressure, falling traffic and competition from cloud storage led it to stop operating in 2015.
MediaFire in 2026
- Free Basic plan: 10 GB of storage, with ads shown on download pages.
- Paid plans: Pro and Ultra add more storage, larger uploads and ad-free downloads for recipients.
- Easy sharing: anyone with the link can download, no account needed.
- Apps: web, Android and iPhone apps for uploading and sharing.
Check current limits on MediaFire’s plans page (external site).
How to share a file with MediaFire
- Create a free account at MediaFire.com.
- Click Upload and choose files or folders from your computer or phone.
- When the upload finishes, click Share next to the file.
- Copy the link and send it by email, chat or post it on your site.
- Use folders to group files, and delete files you no longer need to save space.
Best alternatives for sharing large files
- Google Drive (external site): 15 GB free shared with Gmail and Photos; easy sharing with permissions.
- Dropbox (external site): excellent sync; see how to get free Dropbox space.
- WeTransfer (external site): send big files by email link without a long-term account.
- Microsoft OneDrive: 5 GB free, great for Office users.
- MEGA: end-to-end encrypted storage with a generous free tier.
Safety tips for file hosting sites
- Download only files from people you trust; file hosts are often used to spread malware.
- Watch out for fake “Download” buttons in ads on free download pages.
- Scan downloads with your antivirus before opening.
- Don’t share copyrighted material; accounts get suspended and links removed.
- Use passwords or expiring links for private files where available.
Which should you use?
- Public downloads for many people: MediaFire or Google Drive.
- One-off big file to a friend: WeTransfer.
- Ongoing sync across devices: Dropbox, Google Drive or OneDrive.
- Privacy-sensitive files: an end-to-end encrypted service.
FAQ
Is MediaFire still free?
Yes. The Basic plan is free with 10 GB of storage and ad-supported downloads.
Is Rapidshare still working?
No. Rapidshare shut down in 2015.
Is MediaFire safe?
The service itself is legitimate, but files are uploaded by users, so only download from trusted sources and scan files.
Originally written by guest author Akif of Mediafire Search. Updated for 2026 by QuickOnlineTips.
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Ye! I also agree that Rapidshare
mediafire is better than rapidshare.
Ya! I also agree that Rapidshare being the most popular file sharing site has a lot of restrction the non-premium users, while sveral others new megaupload or mediafire are still more friendly for free users this is why there is a decline in the popularity graph for Rapidshare users.
mediafire is better than rapidshare. Rapidshare Should be changed to Slowshare. I don’t know why most many peoples like to host their files on Rapidshare!!!???
Mediafire drives me mad with all the pop up advertising they throw at you when you download from their site
If you have firefox, or chrome. Then you can install AdBlockPlus, which you can block ads on any websites.
yes.. i have some free RS and HF accounts.. valid. till May 2011 it me up..
If you have to pick one, then go with MediaFire. It has few limitations than Rapidshare, but the upload limit per file is 50MB.
They should change RapidShare to SlowShare.
Go wih MediaFire.
check out upload2all.org,
it upload your files to all host sites !
multi upload !
nice writing. everyone is going for mediafire now. i guess it’s going to be short while when everyone will like mediafire more then rapidshare. but i am afraid, smeday, mediafire might act like rapidshare. putting some more and more restrictions. lets hope that’s not happen.
That’s a good article. never knew anything like that.
I avoid Rapidshare links as far as possible.
It’s a real pain to download unless you’re a Premium account holder AND your account has not been hacked.
Lots of stuff on Mediafire never get deleted due to copyright claims unlike RS. I’m definitely going for MF but most files are still hosted on RS, so there’s no way to escape it for the next 2-3 years.
Because rapidshare became extremely popular they started to put restrictions much more than its competitors. BTW the new interface of Mediafire is elegant.
Thanks for your comments so far on my article.
Rapidshare also allows you to convert points to cash. I have allways liked rapidshare better than any other file hosts.
You seem to have missed Megaupload. They’re easily the best File Storage website on the internet. Free users can download 1gb files, as opposed to Rapidshare’s horrible restrictions. Megaupload also allows large 1gb max uploads per file as well, not to mention after each download, even if it’s 1mb, Rapidshare makes you wait 7-15mins before being able to download again. Megaupload allows you to download gb’s of data before making you wait. Alot of people use Rapidshare, sure, but it can’t compare to the service of Megaupload – not to mention Megaupload files last alot longer.