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VPS → Moving Large Files
The best way to move large files to a VPS
Getting large files onto your VPS shouldn’t feel like a game of hurry-up-and-wait. Whether you’re moving huge backups, media libraries, or app files, the right method makes all the difference in speed, security, and sanity.
Let’s walk through your best options based on what you’re moving and how fast you need it done.
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Why moving large files needs special attention
Large file transfers bring unique headaches like timeouts, packet loss, failed uploads, and bandwidth throttling. Using the wrong method can cause delays, corrupted files, or even VPS downtime if resources get overwhelmed.
Moving big files the right way protects your data and keeps your server performing smoothly.
Best methods to move large files to a VPS
Different situations call for different tools. Here’s a breakdown of your best options:
Quick note: If your files already live online—like on Dropbox, Google Drive, or another server—it’s much faster and more efficient to pull the files directly onto your VPS. That way, you skip the slower process of downloading them to your computer and uploading them again. (For example, downloading from Dropbox to your laptop and then uploading to your VPS is slower and ties up your internet connection. It’s better to transfer directly: Dropbox ➔ VPS.)
1. SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol)
SFTP lets you transfer files directly to your server over an encrypted connection. It’s like a more secure, more reliable version of old-school FTP.
- Works well for files under 100 GB
- Encrypted for security
- Supports resume
- Easy to use
How to use it:
- Download and install FileZilla or your preferred SFTP client.
- Open FileZilla and go to File > Site Manager.
- Click “New Site” and set the protocol to “SFTP – SSH File Transfer Protocol.”
- Enter your VPS IP address, username, and password.
- Click “Connect.”
- Drag and drop your large files into the remote directory window.
2. Rsync over SSH
Rsync is a powerhouse tool for copying and syncing files. It’s super efficient because it only transfers changes instead of the entire file every time.
- Incremental updates
- Reliable over shaky connections
- Compression built-in
- Command line based
How to use it:
- Open your terminal (Linux or Mac) or install Git Bash (Windows).
- Enter the following command:
rsync -avz /local/path/ username@your-server:/remote/path/ - Replace /local/path/ with the folder or file you want to upload.
- Replace username with your VPS username and your-server with your VPS IP address.
- Replace /remote/path/ with your desired destination folder.
- Press Enter and watch your files transfer securely.
3. SCP (Secure Copy Protocol)
SCP is the simple, no-frills way to move files over SSH.
- Fast for single transfers
- Secure
- Straightforward syntax
How to use it:
- Open your terminal.
- Enter the command:
scp /local/file.zip username@your-server:/remote/folder/ - Replace /local/file.zip with your file.
- Replace username and your-server with your VPS login info.
- Press Enter to start the transfer.
4. Rsync with compression (rsync -z)
Sometimes, adding a simple -z to your rsync command can make a huge difference.
- Shrinks files in transit
- Best for text-heavy files
- Minor CPU trade-off
How to use it:
- Open your terminal.
- Enter the command:
rsync -avz /local/path/ username@your-server:/remote/path/ - The -z flag enables compression during the transfer.
- Press Enter to send your files with compression enabled.
5. Cloud storage + server-side download (curl, wget)
If your home internet upload speed is the bottleneck, this method flips the script.
- Faster overall
- Use free cloud storage
- Simple commands
How to use it:
- Upload your file to a public link using Dropbox, Google Drive, or another cloud service.
- Copy the public shareable link.
- SSH into your VPS.
- Use wget to download the file:
wget https://yourlink.com/bigfile.zip - If using curl, the command would be:
curl -O https://yourlink.com/bigfile.zip - The file will download directly onto your VPS.
6. Rclone for cloud storage syncing
Rclone acts like a bridge between your server and cloud storage services.
- Supports all major cloud providers
- Encrypts files in transit
- Full sync options
How to use it:
- SSH into your VPS.
- Install Rclone:
curl https://rclone.org/install.sh | sudo bash - Configure Rclone by typing:
rclone config - Follow the prompts to link your cloud storage account.
- Use a command like:
rclone copy remote:path/to/folder /local/path - Replace remote:path/to/folder with your cloud folder and /local/path with your server folder.
7. Physical media upload (advanced)
Some hosting providers let you mail in an external drive.
- Bypasses upload limits
- Takes time
- Not every VPS provider offers this
How to use it:
- Contact your hosting provider’s support team.
- Request information about “physical media upload” or “data seeding.”
- Follow their instructions to properly format, encrypt, and ship your drive.
- They will upload your files directly into your VPS environment.
Tips to speed up and secure your file transfers
Choosing the right method is only half the battle. These best practices can make your transfer faster and safer:
- Use screen or tmux: If your connection drops, your transfer keeps running in the background.
- Checksum your files: Use md5sum or sha256sum to verify that your files match perfectly after transfer.
- Turn on compression: Especially useful for text-heavy data.
- Schedule transfers during off-peak times: Late night or early morning usually has less network congestion.
- Tweak your SSH settings: Increasing buffer sizes can help with very large transfers.
Common mistakes to avoid
Some pitfalls can make a file transfer much harder than it needs to be. Watch out for these:
- Uploading over Wi-Fi: Use a wired connection for stability.
- Using non-resumable uploads: If something goes wrong, you’ll have to start over.
- Ignoring disk space: Always check free space on your VPS before uploading.
- Skipping file verification: Never assume a file arrived perfectly without checking.
- Overloading your VPS: Big uploads can hog CPU and RAM — be cautious if you’re running production sites.
Next step for moving large files to a VPS
Getting large files onto your VPS doesn’t have to be stressful. Using tools like SFTP, Rsync, or cloud downloads ensures fast, safe transfers without disrupting your server.
Start by picking the method that matches your needs—whether it’s a one-time upload or an ongoing sync.
When you’re ready to upgrade your hosting to a high-quality VPS, Liquid Web can help. We’ve been leading the industry for decades, because our VPS servers are fast, cloud-based for easy scalability, and unbeatably reliable. Choose your favorite OS and the management tier that works best for you.
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Additional resources
VPS: A beginner’s guide →
A complete beginner’s guide to virtual private servers
Protect your VPS from DDoS attack →
9 steps to harden your virtual server
Expert tips for managing your VPS →
A complete guide to help you run your VPS with confidence
Brooke Oates is a Product Manager at Liquid Web, specializing in Cloud VPS and Cloud Metal, with a successful history of IT/hosting and leadership experience. When she’s not perfecting servers, Brooke enjoys gaming and spending time with her kids.
