·3 min read
MVP File Upload: Keep It Simple
File uploads seem simple until you handle edge cases. Use the right service and avoid headaches.
File Upload Services
| Service | Free Tier | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Uploadthing | 2GB | Next.js apps, simple setup |
| Cloudinary | 25GB | Images with transformations |
| AWS S3 | 5GB (12 months) | Full control, scalable |
| Supabase Storage | 1GB | Already using Supabase |
| Vercel Blob | Limited | Simple blob storage |
MVP File Upload Essentials
- •Accept common formats only (jpg, png, pdf)
- •Set reasonable size limits (5-10MB)
- •Show upload progress
- •Handle errors gracefully
- •Store files externally, not in database
Security Basics
- •Validate file types on server
- •Scan for malware if accepting documents
- •Use signed URLs for private files
- •Do not trust file extensions alone
What to Skip for MVP
- •Resumable uploads (until files are large)
- •Complex folder structures
- •Version history
- •Bulk uploads
- •Advanced image editing
Quick Implementation
For most MVPs: Use Uploadthing with Next.js or Supabase Storage if already on Supabase. Both have excellent documentation and free tiers.
Files are expensive to store and serve. Set limits early and charge for storage if it becomes significant.