Cloud Data Storage
In the recent years, cloud storage is seriously booming and gaining astounding relevance in the world of computing as to the safety of our data as well as the accessibility of the data stored therein. Cloud storage gives the privilege of accessing your data anywhere in the world with internet enabled device. This means that one can access his files: Both word document, movies, pdf, music and many other user files stored in the cloud storage system. The technique is really interesting, isn’t it? But just as it seems interesting, it also needs serious data security conventions to ensure the maximum data privacy otherwise you might end up giving access to anybody the privilege to view and modify your data, which I guess is not what you want?
There are many companies offering this cloud service as I will list below. The companies offer a certain amount of storage space for free and you can always increase if you wish to.
Below Is the List Of Cloud Storage Providers And Their Features
1. Google Drive
· Restriction of file size 5TB
· Free storage 15GB
· Plan price $10/month for100GB
· Operating Systems Supported windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Blackberry
2. Drop Box
· Restriction of file size 10GB with website
· Free storage 2GB
· Plan price $10/month for1TB
· Operating Systems Supported windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Blackberry
3. One Drive
· Restriction of file size 10GB
· Free storage 5GB
· Plan price $2/month for50GB
· Operating Systems Supported Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Blackberry
4. Box
· Restriction of file size 250MB-5GB for free and paid plan respectively
· Free storage 10GB
· Plan price $10/month for100GB
· Operating Systems Supported windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Blackberry
5. Amazon Cloud Drive
· Restriction of file size 2GB**
· Free storage NO
· Plan price $12/year for unlimited photos and $60/year for unlimited files
· Operating Systems Supported windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Kindle Fire
Comprehensive Comparison
Google Drive
Google has integrated a set of its own versions of office application, the applications help the user to carry out many processes online these office suites includes a word processor (Google Docs), spreadsheet application, and presentation builder.
Once you have a Google account then you can access Google Drive and Google services. You can always go to drive.google.com in other to be able to access these services.
Google Drive also has a desktop application which helps you to easily access the website, the app also has Mac version.
Pros
· It’s really easy to use with little or no guidance.
· Once you have a Gmail account you are good to go on google services with just little setup
· Gmail allows you to save attachments to your google drive.
· The Google app can backup your pictures automatically by itself.
Cons
· The storage allocated for your cloud storage is the same with that which your Gmail uses which implies that if your inbox is always busy with incoming messages it eats up your storage space.
· Whenever you create office documents with “Google Office” you must export them to edit them in another office like “Microsoft office”
Recommendation: This cloud service is best for those who are really fond of google may be due to their high-security profile and as well for those who want to create few cloud documents.
Dropbox
Dropbox is indeed a pleasant cloud storage option. It has astounding features in terms of reliability, lightening setup speed and easy to use. It has a desktop application and also a website. The application is readily available for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS. They give you free 2GB when you sign up and also 250MB when you go through the “Getting Started Tutorial”, there is also a kind of referral bonus for each friend you refer to Dropbox (500MB) and for 32 referrals you can get up 16GB.
Dropbox gives you the privilege to store any file format in your cloud account either through the website or through the application. the application stays in your computer file system so that you can easily drag and drop, copy and paste them in the Dropbox folder. Dropbox syncs all your files so can be able to access them anywhere anytime.
Pros
· Dropbox is quite easy to use for newbies
· The application integrates into the computer file system
· The application supports Windows, Macs, Android, and iOS
Cons
· The website control file display the way it sees fit which the user might not be comfortable with
Recommendation: It is very good to manage when you use many devices.
OneDrive
OneDrive is owned and managed by Microsoft Inc. It now comes with windows 8, 8.1 and 10 operating system installation pack. Even though it shows in the file explorer area of the file system of your computer; anyone can as well download the desktop application for older versions of windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Windows Phone and also the Xbox application.
It allows you to store any file format. The mobile applications have the feature of uploading your photos automatically to your account when you snap a picture with the phone. OneDrive makes working with Microsoft office easy. OneDrive is looking forward to incorporating artificial intelligence in the storage system to be able to detect what the user wants and ways to help automatically perform some action for the user.
Pros
· It works very well with Microsoft Office.
· You don’t need to export your document to edit them with other applications
Cons
· The default file organization in Onedrive does not always organize files in the way it is correct.
Recommendation: It is best for those who have lots of "office" document in their storage space for easy editing and sharing with others. It also makes editing for office 365 subscribers easy over the internet.
Box
The Box is mainly built for business and IT user. It has serious privacy features and as well enables you to share files with other people, comment on people’s work and also get notified when a file changes. With Box, you can create a basic word document and preview files. It equally has desktop applications and also synchronization features to sync your file.
Box also has plugins for Microsoft Office and Adobe Lightroom, it also connects other apps for faster and easier access and file uploads like Salesforce and NetSuite. You can as well set who sees a file, who edits a file in your business network.
Pros
· Box has features needed by business and IT users
· It supports privacy and file sharing and access to great extent
Cons
· Normal user might not find the privacy policy funny
Recommendation: I think it’s really good for companies working on large projects and need maximum security in who sees or edits a file.
Amazon Cloud Drive
Adding to Amazon has included cloud storage as one of the services for its fans. It allows the users to store any type of file. They introduced new storage plans in 2015 and included plans for just photos and other file formats. It currently has no free plans except unlimited photos for all Prime subscribers and 5Gb free for other files formats.
It's $60 package gets you unlimited file upload (any type of file format). You need to upload files less than 2GB except you have the desktop applications. The applications are available for PC and Mac.
You can upload files and download all your files, and whenever you which to view your file or make changes, you'll need to go to Amazon's website.
Pros
· You can always sign into the account if you already have Amazon account.
Cons
· The application doesn’t integrate into your file system, you always need to upload and download app
· You cannot upload files larger than 2GB
Recommendation: I think it is good for people using Amazon fire tablet or Fire phone.
Other Cloud Options
Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Box and Amazon Cloud storage are not the only cloud storage available. There are also good cloud storage options anyone can choose from and they include:
· SugarSync.
· Space Monkey
· iDrive
· SpiderOakOne
· Apple iCloud
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