Almost everyone needs a safe place for their documents and files.
There are so many Cloud storage software with different features that promise one main thing; to keep your files safe and give you access to them easily.
However, picking the right software for your team could be a little uneasy because of the many online storage software available. Here are a few cloud storage applications, with their features and flaws.
1. Google Drive
Google Drive stores your files on the cloud and allows you to access them wherever you are. It also gives you access to editing software such as google docs, sheets, and slides. The most interesting feature about Google Drive is that it allows your friends to join you in editing a document simply by clicking the share button. With google drive, you can easily find your files by searching for the keyword or using the filter. You can also view any file of your choice such as HD video, adobe illustrator, photoshop, pdf, and lots more. Google Drive also allows you to keep as much as 15GB Disk Space for free and when the free space is exhausted, you can easily pay for more space at a reasonable amount.
Now that you know the key features; let’s talk about the cons of using google drive. Google Drive doesn’t integrate with other communication tools, so your data can only be sent within google applications. Unlike other storage software, google drive rarely allows different versions of the same file; so only the original version is maintained forever.
2. Media Fire
MediaFire is also a storage software that gives high speed in downloading and uploading of files. It is available on all devices like iPhones, Android, Windows, OSX, and Web. But unlike Google Drive, MediaFire gives only 10GB space for free. However, more space can be bought at a very reasonable price.
Media Fire has several drawbacks. It has low security and privacy; in other words, your files are not 100 percent safe with this software.
Your documents may also suffer a little because MediaFire deletes your data after left inactive for a certain time. Another drawback would be the amount of ads you’ll have to see when using the free version.
3. MEGA
One thing for sure about this cloud storage software is that your files are made very secured and safe. MEGA cloud software encrypts your files, including the ones you share to ensure that all your files are as safe as possible. It also offers 50 GB free space; although, in reality, it’s just 15GB free space and 35 GB achievement quota space valid for only 30days after registration. MEGA also gives you bonus space when you get a friend to download and make use of the software.
However, MEGA lacks integration and editing features on files, it’s speed could also be slow sometimes and buying more space is a little expensive, compared to the others.
4. Dropbox
One of the best and second most popular storage software is Dropbox. Dropbox just like the others, store your files safely in the cloud. It also allows collaboration on documents, it has an online office and an application for note-taking. Dropbox, however, suffered a breach in security in 2012, making people a bit scared on the security strength. Dropbox is also fast and smart in synchronization. It gives only 2GB disk space on its free plan and it’s quite expensive to upgrade.
5. PCloud
Pcloud has the key ability to store your files in a remote location. It also syncs and shares them across all devices. This helps you avoid losing all your files due to a device malfunction. It is also known for its high speed in file synchronization.
Pcloud gives 10GB free space and allows payment for more space to be made in bitcoins as well as other payment methods.
The downside to Pcloud is its weak collaboration ability. Files cannot be edited with this software, so it serves only as a cloud external hard drive. One can also not guarantee the safety of this software, given that you’ll have to pay extra for private encryption.
6. One Drive
One Drive is a storage software created by Microsoft. Although with different names, One drive gives you access to office 365which entails Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint and One Note. One Drive is good for work collaboration and has a speedy sync feature.
However, One Drive gives only 5GB storage space on its free plan, although it’s not as little as Dropbox, you may still have to upgrade to enjoy more space. There is also no zero-knowledge encryption., so it’s privacy may not be 100 percent.
7. Icloud
Icloud is created by Apple corporation and of course commonly used by Apple users. It gives a 5GB free plan and offers a reasonable price for an upgrade. Icloud is mostly used by apple users because it doesn’t work so well on Microsoft and Android devices.
Icloud speed in uploading or downloading files could be really slow and its sharing feature is still in its beta form. There is also no file versioning with Icloud, so you can only have one version of your files.
8. Box
For business owners and SME, Box has proven to be the best EFSS platform. It has an unlimited storage plan, great application integration on any device and strong security. Box offers Online Office and Google Docs with excellent user management. Box also gives 10GB free storage which can be upgraded at a reasonable price. However, there is no discount on paying annually.
The major shortcoming of using Box is the limit on a file upload. Box doesn’t allow the upload of a file higher than 5GB.
9. SpiderOak
SpiderOak is a very secured software to backup your files. It is mainly used on desktop systems, so it cannot be integrated on mobile devices. Like other storage software, spider oak keeps your files, documents, videos, and so on, in the cloud.
SpiderOak is mostly known for its excellent security, although 100 percent safety can never be fully assured, spider oak is still really safe. Spider oak is a fully paid for software, though it gives a whooping 250 GB free space, it is only valid for 21 days, after which you’ll have to pay a quite expensive price to continue usage. Unlike the others, Spider oak allows versioning, so you can have different versions of your files.
10. Tresorit
Tresorit is also one of the highly secured storage software. It has zero-knowledge encryption, secure file sharing, and a two-factor authentication. Tresorit gives only 3GB file space in its free version, and it is a bit expensive to upgrade. Tresorit also has the limitation of file size upload. The maximum size of a file that can be uploaded is just 500MB. Tresorit can only be linked to 4 devices and also deletes data when files conflict.
11. Egnyte
One of the best EFSS solutions for your business is Egynte. Egnyte is a cloud-based file management software that makes it easy for you in mobilizing your team, collaborating and giving you a more productive workforce. It has a fast blocking level synchronization and a very secure file sharing platform. Egynte also has the online office/ Google docs integration with a good third party library application.
Egynte, however, does not have a free plan, but its price is very reasonable. It also does not support Linux.
12. Storegate
Storegate offers quite several features as a backup and file sharing platform. It automates your backup, allows live synchronizing and file sharing even on social media. It also has a mobile app, making it easy to use on different devices. Storegate, however, does not have a full free plan and it’s a bit pricey. There is also no unlimited space feature so there will be no more space for your document after it reaches 1TB.
13. Safe sync
If you only need your files stored for a few months, then Safe Sync isn’t for you. Safe Sync lets you store your files safely in the cloud with a minimum of 1-year subscription plan (it has no free plan). Safe sync gives you easy access to your file, both online and offline, and enables file sharing features even on social media. Safe sync is also too pricey for the space it offers.
14. I-drive
I-drive has a lot of features such as Unlimited device backup, file-sharing capabilities, back-up on social media, android & IOS, and external drive back up. It also offers 5GB of free storage, with inexpensive upgrade plans. I-drive gives educators and students a 50% discount when you sign up through the education link. It however, does not have an unlimited backup plan, and has file versioning limit.
15. Jungle Disk
Jungle Disk is a fast cloud-based software with a strong security system. It has a server & network-attached storage backup, unlimited versioning, unlimited retention of deleted files and it is very affordable. However, Jungle disk can be very confusing to use, and has no image and continuous backup.
16. ADrive
ADrive is a cheap and flexible cloud storage software. It syncs or backs up any folder at a good speed and has SCP, SFTP, Rsync & WebDAV support.
For cloud storage, ADrive has a good number of disadvantages. When using this software, you should be ready to experience a lot of broken features. Its security is also not guaranteed, so privacy and security issues may arise. It also has poor application support and a terrible user interface.
17. Carbonite
Carbonite is very easy in using and gives unlimited backup for one device. It offers backup by file type and serves as an external hard drive. Carbonite also assures strong security and privacy. The major shortcoming to Carbonite is its slow speed in uploading and syncing files. Carbonite also has no monthly subscription, so all plans have to be bought yearly.
18. Icedrive
Icedrive is a new storage software with great speed and ease in usage. It offers 10GB storage space on its free plan and a private encryption for premium users.
Icedrive flaws include its rough privacy policy with no two-factor authentication. It also has no file versioning and block-level sync.
19. OpenDrive
If you need unlimited cloud storage at a reasonable price, OpenDrive is perfect for you. It has good backup capabilities, offers productive tools and collaboration. OpenDrive also has private encryption to protect your privacy.
However, the speed in synchronizing files is very slow and occasionally you could experience sync failures.
20. Amazon Cloud Drive
Amazon Cloud Drive has made a lot of improvements since its inception. Although it has no free plan, Amazon Cloud Drive offers good subscription plans and unlimited photo storage. It also syncs files speedily and gives you are good user experience. However, you can’t get productivity apps with it and its security isn’t 100 percent assured.
CONCLUSION
There are a lot of things to consider in choosing the right online storage software. The purpose of storing your files, the size of your files, collaboration features, price, upload size, speed, editing enablement, safety, and ease of usage.
But once you know exactly what you need the software to do for you or your team, it would become much easier to select your cloud storage application.
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