Rapidshare.com is a German based file host that has been around since 2005, it is an incredibly popular host. The website boasts hosting over 10 petabytes of files on its servers. However in recent months, it has received many lawsuits against hosting copyrighted material, All of which Rapidshare has won by court ruling, Which stated that barring keywords from the site would be un-effective, and damage its userbase. However reviewing each individual file wouldn't be feasible with Rapidshare staff and its current popularity.
The colour scheme of the website is blue and silver, a very modern and typical choice for companies like Rapidshare. Everything is created from very basic shapes, with a web 2.0 feel for the buttons spread around.
The layout of the site is practical, with the upload now/header being the first thing you notice. With an optional sign up form placed below. Next to the form is used for advertisement of its "pro" features, Which is the main profit for file hosts. The ads aren't intrusive, nor do they interrupt your navigation.
With everything being on the front page, its easy enough to upload your files, any access your control panel (If you've created an account) However, the names of the buttons at the top (Rapids, Rapid tools and Rapidshare AG) Don't really tell the user what the button leads to, and without any mouse-over information, Means unnecessary browsing for possibly nothing.
Many people outside of Germany agree that Rapidshares quality has dipped as the years have gone on. With files being deleted quicker, Download limits being decreased and people being temporarily locked out of downloading. The "Pro" package doesn't even change much, with maybe an extra couple of kilobytes of speed and parallel downloads.
Rapidshare gets a 2/5 - It gets the job done quick and easy, But not enough aftercare for the user.
Megaupload.com is a Hong Kong based company, with not only hosts file for download, But includes a sister site similar to YouTube, except it includes a button for downloading the videos straight from the site with no 3rd party plugins needed. It also has an adult portion of the site which focuses on only 18+ content. Due to the many issues with copyright infringement, Megaupload has been banned in Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong.
This company has gone for simplicity when it comes to the looks of their website. Using Orange/gold as the main colour, Accompanied by a neutral grey for the background. Along with a charcoal black for the navbar. These colours are easy on the eyes, and compliment each other without being too over the top.
The layout is just as straightforward as Rapidshare, But slightly better. Instantly you are greeted with a `browse' button, for choosing your particular file, and a`Send' button to host it. Just below is 3 adverts for the 3 packages available from Megaupload, very unnecessary y advertising for them.
Navigation is straight to the point. With the top navbar greeting you with everything you will need for new members to advanced members. Each page is just one separate page, So you don't have to delve deep to get the information you're after.
Megaupload for me has awesome speeds for a free host, with no download limits. The only actual limitation being you cant have parallel downloads, But with the speeds, that's hardly an issue.
Megaupload.com gets a 5/5 - Its presents itself well, and gets the job done
MediaFire is a free file and image hosting web site that started in 2006 and is located in Harris County, Texas, United States. Mediafire doesn't have any known issues with the law.
They use a similar colour scheme as Rapidshare, the Deep intrusive blue is the main colour, with 'extra' information being in the paler areas. There is a very diverse amount of blues actually being used.
Mediafire presents itself clear and easy to navigate. Greeted with: "Welcome to MediaFire. Powerful for business, simple for everyone. The easy way to host and share any files including documents, presentations, videos, and images." Followed by a large green button for uploading, without at account. Straight away you can see they aren't making a big deal about you registering. They have a non-intrusive hyperlink underneath for those that wish to create an account. Similar to Rapidshare, in which it has a small range of information available at the bottom.
Navigation without an account is simple enough, a popup box handles the uploading/processing work for you, When you have an account, you are given a directory on Mediafire where you can arrange/categorize your files.
Mediafire has a great upload speed, and the download speed, even though it may not be as powerful, it is consistent. People without an account ARENT limited to anything other then the time files stay on the server.
Mediafire.com gets a 4/5 - It doesn't get the full 5 because of the file retention and time limits on hosting.
Hotfile is a one-click file hosting website that was founded by Hotfile Corp in 2001 in Panama City, Panama. Hotfile currently gets 21,000,000 daily visits.
The colour scheme matches that of megaupload.com. However Hotfile a lot more neutral space, which when combined with the dotty/scattered black text, makes it really hard for the eye to focus on. The top navbar has a nice diverse use of the orange and charcoal grey.
Hotfiles layout is all about getting you to upload, they don't even advertise their payed packages. The only giveaways that there are even paid packages is the "premium" tab up top. Everything on the FrontPage is designed to show you what information you need to get you uploading instantly. Followed up by a sleek but simple navbar for site browsing, and a Login/Personal panel for account based navigation and tools.
Hotfiles download speed is the lowest for me out of all the file hosts. The only redeeming factor is that files stays on Hotfile for ages before they're removed. Along with being able to download as much as you want (No Parallel downloads!)
Hotfile.com gets a 3/5 - The slow speeds bring this competitor down.
4shared provides a huge online storage facility for users to store their documents, photos, videos, audios, text, and other files to be shared with the public internet users. This file hosting web site provides a 10 GB of space for free.
At first 4shared looks more like a popup with its small uses of colour and icons everywhere. It takes a more relaxed approach to the user, everything is simple and there, scattered with tiny associate icons and positive quotes. Some people could mistake 4shared for a suspicious site in the simple design ofit. However they have come through many different designs, and have always been a top file host.
4shared presents it you all straight away. You have a search bar where you can search across the sites files to find something you're after, you can even narrow the search down. Underneath that we have our file uploader. Then to the right you can choose to register for there free service which offers 10GB of free space. Finally they advertise the other smaller services/pages they have.
4shared already has a vast library of media available, and with 10bg of storage available for free, this is what keeps 4shared above the rest, along with competitive download speeds.
4shared gets a 4/5 - The capacity alone.
