# What is Role-based access?

Role-based access gives each person in a team a role, such as admin, editor or viewer, and the role decides what they can see and do, instead of setting permissions person by person.

_Source: https://sharelargefilesfree.com/what-is-role-based-access · Updated 2026-10-13_

**Quick answer:** Role-based access gives each person in a team a role, such as admin, editor or viewer, and the role decides what they can see and do, instead of setting permissions person by person.

## Role-based access (Role-based access control (RBAC)) explained

Role-based access control (RBAC) is a simple idea: rather than deciding for every person what they may do, you define a handful of **roles** and give each person one. Change someone's role and their permissions change with it. It keeps shared accounts tidy and makes it obvious who can delete things, who can only look, and who can invite new people.

On this site, **teams** use five roles:

- **Admin:** everything: members, roles, rules, branding, and every transfer and file request.
- **Editor:** sends transfers and manages everyone's transfers and file requests.
- **Uploader:** sends transfers and manages their own.
- **Reviewer:** can't send; reviews files that arrive through the team's file requests.
- **Viewer:** can't send or change anything; sees the team's transfers and activity.

Give people the smallest role that lets them do their job. A client-facing assistant who only checks incoming documents needs Reviewer, not Admin.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the difference between a role and a permission?

A permission is one thing a person may do, such as send a transfer. A role is a named bundle of permissions that you give to a person.

### Which role should most team members get?

Usually Uploader: they can send transfers and manage their own, but can't change anyone else's work or the team settings.

### Can a Reviewer send files?

No. A Reviewer only reviews files that arrive through the team's file requests.