MEGA is a New Zealand based cloud storage service best known for two things: a big free allowance and end-to-end encryption by default. Files are encrypted in your browser or app before they are sent, and only people who hold the key can read them. For privacy-minded users, that is the headline feature, and it shapes everything else about how MEGA works.

FileHost.net sits at the other end of the spectrum. It is a public-facing host where the objective is to let viewers stream a video quickly and let you earn from that attention. This guide compares them as of November 2026 and explains why encryption and public streaming pull in different directions.

FileHost.net and MEGA at a glance

Facts as of November 2026. "Not published" means the provider does not state it publicly. Plans and limits change, so confirm on the official site before deciding.

FeatureFileHost.netMEGA
Free planFileHost.netFree account, no card neededMEGAAbout 20 GB free storageMEGA free allowances have changed over time and some bonus storage expires. Confirm the current figure when you register.
Paid plansFileHost.net$7.99/mo or $77.99/yearMEGAPro Lite about $4.99/mo (400 GB)Prices vary by region and billing cycle; some sources list higher figures. Pro Lite is quoted here at about 400 GB with 1 TB transfer.
Max file sizeFileHost.net5 GB free, 20 GB premiumMEGANo fixed limit published
StorageFileHost.netNo storage cap publishedMEGA20 GB free; 400 GB to multi-TB
File retentionFileHost.net60 days inactive (free); never (premium)MEGAFree accounts may be removed if inactiveMEGA states that inactive free accounts may be closed after a long period of inactivity.
Pay per viewFileHost.net$1.50 to $33 per 10,000 viewsMEGANo viewer payments
Payout minimumFileHost.net$10MEGANot applicable
Payout methodsFileHost.net10+ incl. crypto, Payeer, WebMoneyMEGANot applicable
Ads for viewersFileHost.netAd-supported; run your own on premiumMEGANo ads on shared links
Embeddable playerFileHost.netYes, iframe embed, custom colorMEGAEmbed via MEGA, key in link
Streaming qualityFileHost.netSecure HLS, up to 1080p by defaultMEGAStreams in browser, original quality
Remote uploadFileHost.netYes, dozens of hosts + direct linksMEGANo URL import
APIFileHost.netREST API: upload, remote, foldersMEGASDK and MEGAcmd tools
Privacy controlsFileHost.netProtected embeds, searchable toggleMEGAEnd-to-end encrypted by default
Download without accountFileHost.netYes, viewers need no accountMEGAYes, within a transfer quotaFree viewers are subject to a limited transfer quota that can be exhausted on big files.

Where FileHost.net stands out

  • Viewers stream from a standard embed player without needing a decryption key in the link.
  • View-based earnings, which an encrypted storage product has no mechanism to offer.
  • Remote upload from MEGA links, so you can bring existing files across without re-uploading.
  • Files for premium users never expire, and free inactive files are only removed after 60 days.
  • Web publishing features such as colour customisation and an API for uploads.

Where MEGA stands out

  • End-to-end encryption by default, including for shared links with keys.
  • A large free allowance compared with most storage providers.
  • Desktop and mobile sync clients plus a command line tool.
  • Chat and meetings features integrated in the same account.
  • Competitive pricing on the entry-level paid plan.

Trade-offs to weigh with MEGA

Choose FileHost.net if you

  • You want people to watch videos in an embed player on your pages.
  • You want to be paid for the traffic your videos attract.
  • You do not need end-to-end encryption on published videos.
  • You want a server-side workflow with an API and remote upload.

Choose MEGA if you

  • Privacy and end-to-end encryption are the priority.
  • You need a large free allowance for personal backups.
  • You share files with a small trusted group and want keys held by them.
  • You want a combined storage, chat and meeting suite from a single provider.

The encryption trade-off

MEGA is built so that the company cannot read your files. Your browser generates keys, encrypts the data and uploads the ciphertext. When you share a link, the key travels in the part of the URL that is not sent to the server. That design is excellent for confidential documents, family archives and anything that would be damaging if leaked.

It is also the reason MEGA is not a natural fit for public video delivery. A host that cannot see your files cannot easily create adaptive renditions, thumbnails or protected embeds on the server side, and every viewer must receive the key to decrypt in their own browser. MEGA does stream video in the browser, and for a private link that works well, but the experience is that of a file viewer and not a branded player.

FileHost.net takes the opposite approach. The host processes the upload so it can package it for streaming and show it in a player you can customise. The cost of that capability is that the platform can read the file, which is why you should not put confidential material there.

Free allowance, transfer quota and paid tiers

MEGA advertises about 20 GB of storage for free accounts, with a transfer quota that limits how much you can download. The quota is the part people notice, because it applies to both the owner and anyone receiving a link, and it can run out in the middle of a large video. The first paid tier, Pro Lite, is commonly priced around $4.99 a month for 400 GB of storage and 1 TB of monthly transfer; larger Pro tiers raise both numbers.

FileHost.net has a different shape. A free account can upload files up to 5 GB each and does not publish a storage cap, while premium costs $7.99 monthly, $37.99 for six months or $77.99 annually and raises the file limit to 20 GB. It is not a like-for-like swap: MEGA sells storage and transfer, while FileHost.net sells publishing features and shares the audience revenue.

If you are comparing on pure cost for private storage, MEGA is attractive. If you are comparing on cost to publish a video that many people will watch, count what a public viewer costs you in bandwidth quota and what they might earn you on a host that pays.

Using both together

A practical split is to keep private masters and raw footage in MEGA, where encryption protects them, and to publish the final public export on FileHost.net. Because FileHost.net supports MEGA links as a remote upload source, you can move a finished video without downloading it to your own machine first. After import, the published copy lives on FileHost.net servers, so deleting the MEGA copy later is safe.

Moving from MEGA to FileHost.net

  1. 1In MEGA, right-click the file and choose Get link, then copy the link with its key.
  2. 2Open the remote upload page in the FileHost.net dashboard. MEGA is a supported source.
  3. 3Paste the MEGA link and start the transfer. FileHost.net fetches and stores the video on its own servers.
  4. 4Check the file page once processing completes, then copy the embed code.
  5. 5Remember that the published copy is no longer end-to-end encrypted, so only move videos you intend to make public.

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Frequently asked questions

MEGA can stream videos in a browser and offers an embed option, but it is built for encrypted file storage. Heavy public traffic can exhaust the transfer quota of free users, so a video host is usually a better fit for public pages.

MEGA advertises about 20 GB for free accounts, with a limited download transfer quota. Paid Pro plans add storage and transfer, with Pro Lite commonly priced near $4.99 a month for 400 GB.

No. MEGA is a storage service without a revenue share. FileHost.net pays per view, with rates by viewer country and a $10 minimum payout.

No. FileHost.net processes videos on the server so it can stream them, which means it is not an end-to-end encrypted vault. Keep confidential material in an encrypted tool and publish only content intended for the public.

Yes. MEGA is a supported remote upload source. Paste the share link on the remote upload page and the server fetches the file.

Sources & last checked

MEGA details were last checked in November 2026 from the pages below. FileHost.net details come from our own premium, earn money and API documentation pages. Spotted something out of date? Tell us on the contact page.

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