Email attachments have been the default way to share files for decades. But they were never designed for the job. Here is a direct comparison of email attachments and EasySend for file sharing.
Size Limits
| Feature | EasySend | |
|---|---|---|
| Max file size | 25MB (Gmail), 20MB (Outlook) | 1GB free, 10GB Premium |
| E2E encryption | No (standard email) | Yes (AES-256-GCM) |
| Download tracking | No | Yes |
| Auto-expiry | Never (sits in inbox forever) | 3 days (configurable) |
| Revoke access | Impossible after sending | Delete anytime |
| Recipient needs | Email account | Nothing (click link) |
The Problem with Email Attachments
Email was built for text messages in the 1970s. File attachments were added as an afterthought using MIME encoding, which inflates file size by 33%. That 25MB limit is really about 18MB of actual file data.
Beyond size limits, email attachments have fundamental security problems:
- No encryption - standard email transmits attachments in plain text between mail servers
- Permanent copies - every attachment lives in both sender and recipient mailboxes indefinitely
- No access control - anyone who gets forwarded the email gets the attachment
- No tracking - you never know if the recipient actually downloaded the file
- No revocation - once sent, you cannot delete the attachment from the recipient's inbox
When Email Attachments Are Fine
For small, non-sensitive files going to known recipients, email still works:
- One-page PDF invoices under 5MB
- Simple text documents and spreadsheets
- Quick screenshots or low-res images
When to Use EasySend Instead
- Files over 15MB - anything approaching the email limit. Email too big guide
- Sensitive documents - contracts, financials, medical records. Secure document sharing
- Multiple files - bundle everything under one link instead of multiple attachments
- Non-email recipients - share via text, WhatsApp or any channel. Share without email
- Need tracking - know when files are downloaded. Download tracking
- Need to revoke - delete files after delivery is confirmed
The Workflow
Instead of attaching the file to an email, upload it to easysend.co and paste the share link in the email body. The recipient clicks the link and downloads. Same result, none of the limitations.
Try EasySend