When building web applications, you often need to let users upload files such as profile pictures, documents, or images. File uploads are a core feature in many modern sites and apps, supporting use cases like allowing users to update avatars, submit forms with attachments, or send in scanned documents for verification. Despite their importance, handling file uploads presents several challenges:

• Security is critical, as accepting files from users can introduce risks like malicious uploads or server overload;
• User experience (UX) is another concern—users expect clear feedback about what files are accepted, upload progress, and error handling;
• Additionally, browser compatibility can complicate development, since not all browsers support the same features or handle file inputs consistently.

Traditional file upload functionality in HTML is provided by the input type="file" element. While this element is straightforward and widely supported, it has significant limitations. Customizing its appearance is notoriously difficult, which makes it challenging to match your application's design. The default file input provides minimal feedback to users, often just displaying the selected file name and lacking features like progress bars or drag-and-drop support. These constraints can lead to a subpar user experience and can make your application feel dated or less professional.

Traditional file upload functionality in HTML is provided by the input type="file" element. While this element is straightforward and widely supported, it has significant limitations. Customizing its appearance is notoriously difficult, which makes it challenging to match your application's design. The default file input provides minimal feedback to users, often just displaying the selected file name and lacking features like progress bars or drag-and-drop support. These constraints can lead to a subpar user experience and can make your application feel dated or less professional.