How to reduce file size for email?
Email limits, compression, cloud alternatives... Discover all methods and the modern solution that definitively eliminates this problem.
Size limits by email provider
Each provider has its own restrictions. Here are the exact limits and their consequences.
Gmail
25 MB- Multiple attachments count together
- Failure if exceeded
- No automatic compression
- Google Drive required
- Manual compression
- File splitting
Outlook
20 MB (Exchange)- Variable server limit
- Possible IT blocking
- Forced OneDrive synchronization
- Integrated OneDrive
- ZIP compression
- SharePoint
Yahoo Mail
25 MB- No automatic help
- Limited interface
- No cloud integration
- Manual compression
- Third-party services
- File division
Apple Mail
20 MB- iCloud Drive required
- iCloud limit
- No server control
- iCloud Drive
- Manual compression
- Third-party services
Visualize the impact difference
Real-time comparison between a standard email send and a secure FileVert link.
Why email blocks?
Comparison with a 50 MB file
Standard Email
Blocked by server
With FileVert
Sent via email
Why reduce file size?
Real problems caused by large files
Long loading time
Large files take longer to download and send, slowing down your workflow.
Automatic rejection
Email servers automatically reject files exceeding 5-25 MB depending on the provider.
Storage saturation
Inboxes fill up quickly, creating storage problems for your recipients.
Available compression methods
Comparison of different approaches to reduce your file size
ZIP/RAR
30-70%2-5 min • Variable • Universal
- Not effective on already compressed files
- Quality loss
- Processing time
Image optimization
50-90%1-3 min • Good • Web/Email
- Processing time
- Variable quality
- Manual workflow
Free tools - Studied references
Selection of free tools to compress your files by type
Images
TinyPNG
ExcellentOnline PNG/JPEG compression
🇳🇱 Netherlands
Sqoosh
ExcellentOnline image compression with preview
💻 Local (browser)
JPEG-Optimizer
GoodFree online JPEG optimization
🌐 International
ILoveIMG
Very goodOnline image compression and optimization
🇪🇸 Spain
ImageOptim
Very goodLocal macOS optimization
🌍 Open-source
Smallpdf
GoodOnline PDF compression
🇨🇭 Switzerland
Adobe Acrobat
ExcellentProfessional PDF optimization
🇺🇸 United States
iLovePDF
Very goodOnline PDF compression and manipulation
🇪🇸 Spain
Videos
HandBrake
Very goodOpen-source video compression
🌍 Open-source
FreeConvert
GoodOnline video conversion and compression
🇨🇦 Canada
Multi-formats
Compress2Go
GoodOnline compression for all file types
🇩🇪 Germany
Specific techniques by file type
Images
- • Reduce resolution (1920x1080 → 1280x720)
- • Crop unnecessary areas
- • Reduce JPEG quality (80% → 60%)
- • Avoid uncompressed formats (BMP, TIFF)
- • Adobe Acrobat: Optimize PDF
- • Right click → Compress
- • Up to 20% ZIP reduction
- • Choose version compatibility
Videos
- • Convert to ZIP
- • Reduce quality/resolution
- • Ephemeral transfer services
- • Create a GIF if short
DOC Documents
- • Remove unnecessary graphics
- • Latest Word version
- • Save as PDF
- • Keep text only
Why alternatives are problematic
Cloud, compression, third-party services: hidden costs of each approach
Google Drive / Dropbox
5-15 min
- Email integration
- Permanent storage
- Easy sharing
- Recipient registration required
- Permanent storage (costs)
- Platform dependency
- Data stored indefinitely
- Automatic content analysis
- No expiration control
Manual compression
10-30 min
- Free
- Quality control
- No dependency
- Time lost
- Degraded quality
- Broken workflow
- No encryption
- Exposed metadata
- No access control
FileVert: the modern solution
Definitively eliminate email limits without compression or cloud dependency. Direct transfer up to 200 GB in 2 clicks.
Drag and drop
Upload your files to FileVert
Link generated
Copy the secure link
Paste in email
Integrate the link in your email
Client download
Recipient clicks and downloads
Approach comparison
| Criterion | Standard email | Email + compression | Email + FileVert |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preparation time | 0 s | 5-15 min | 30 s |
| Max size | 25 MB | 25 MB | 200 GB |
| Quality | Original | Degraded | Original |
| Security | Basic | Basic | AES-256 |
| Cost | Free | Free | Free up to 2 GB |
Related guides
Discover our detailed guides to compress your files by type
Ready to send your files without limits
No more compression, no more splitting, no more frustration. Send 200 GB as simply as a normal email.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions about reducing email file size