If you
don't have a service for storing and syncing your data in the cloud, you need
one. You might even need more than one.
The Cloud has changed the way we store, access and edit saved data. Some of the cloud storage service provider gives an option to share the stored photos with friends and colleagues. Different services offer vastly different services and perks, to understand the difference among them just go through this article. Here are some of my favorite free cloud storage services in the market.
The Cloud has changed the way we store, access and edit saved data. Some of the cloud storage service provider gives an option to share the stored photos with friends and colleagues. Different services offer vastly different services and perks, to understand the difference among them just go through this article. Here are some of my favorite free cloud storage services in the market.
The ability to back up files, store them in the cloud, and
automatically sync all that data across multiple devices has changed the way we
use computers, mobile phones, and other Internet-connected devices. That data could
comprise home movies, your personal music collections, or work files that you
and a colleague are collaboratively editing together. No matter what you put
into a cloud storage and syncing solution, the benefit of being able to access
it nearly anywhere is phenomenal.
- Google Drive
Google drive
is free cloud storage, when it is linked to a Google account, it offers 15GB of
free space. It has real-time online file collaboration through web apps. Now,
it offers a downloadable app for local file-syncing. Another interesting
feature of Google Drive is that the files created in Google Drive are not
considered in the already-generous, free 15GB storage allotment.
Where
it excels
Google
Drive requires very little setup if you already have a Google account. What's
more, if you use Gmail, it's easy to save attachments from your e-mail directly
to Drive with just a few clicks.
While you can organize your files and photos in Google Drive, there's no way to automatically upload photos from your phone directly to the service. Instead, Google has an Auto Backup feature in the Google+ mobile apps, which sends your photos to your Google+ profile. I'd like for Google to create a central space where I can store and upload all of my files that combines the best of Google+'s photo editing features and Google Drive's document editing tools.
While you can organize your files and photos in Google Drive, there's no way to automatically upload photos from your phone directly to the service. Instead, Google has an Auto Backup feature in the Google+ mobile apps, which sends your photos to your Google+ profile. I'd like for Google to create a central space where I can store and upload all of my files that combines the best of Google+'s photo editing features and Google Drive's document editing tools.
Best
for: Google diehards, or anyone who wants a few office tools with their
cloud storage.
- Dropbox
Dropbox is one of the well-known free cloud storage system.
It is designed for major Operating systems, so it suits for all your devices.
Dropbox is a cloud based, file-synchronized, and well implemented services
that’s aim is to access and share data from nearly anywhere. It offers you 2GB
free to start.
Where it excels: Dropbox's
greatest strength is that it works equally well on PCs and Macs, Android and
iOS. The service is so simple and elegantly designed, that it's easy for anyone
to master. Its desktop applications seamlessly blend with your computer's file
system.
In my experience, Dropbox's Web site design is one of the weakest of the cloud storage services. It's simple and clean, but you can't control the way your files are displayed. However, you do get many more sharing options on the Dropbox Web site, which almost makes up for the bare bones design.
In my experience, Dropbox's Web site design is one of the weakest of the cloud storage services. It's simple and clean, but you can't control the way your files are displayed. However, you do get many more sharing options on the Dropbox Web site, which almost makes up for the bare bones design.
Best for: Simple sharing when
you use tons of different kinds of devices.
Available on: Windows, Mac, Web, Chrome, Android, iOS
- Amazon Cloud Drive
Amazon Cloud drive is an online storage place that is simple
to access. It has 5GB of free storage space. The Amazon Cloud Drive stores
automatically the music purchased and downloaded from Amazon for free. It has
Kindle-branded tablets.
Available on: Windows, Mac, Web, Android, iOS, Kindle
- Apple iCloud
Most Apple users have iCloud in their iPhones. It can
synchronize your data like photos, videos, various files
and even Web browsing tabs across Apple devices. It offers you 5GB for free
storage. Apps such as Pages, Keynote, and Numbers are used for document
management/synchronization. While iCloud is a very rudimentary
document-syncing solution, it might also be the simplest one to use. And if you
need to stream music or videos you've purchased from the cloud, you can do
that, too. Pricing: additional 10GB for $20/year; additional 20GB for $40/year;
additional 50GB for $100/year.
Available on: Mac, Web, iOS
Where it excels: Harmonious with
the apple platform. If you’re an apple person, life will be easy for you.
- Microsoft OneDrive
Microsoft’s OneDrive (formerly called SkyDrive) is a
trusted name that has been safely hosting people’s documents and photos
for years. It has a special feature of file sharing between colleagues
across platforms and devices. It also directly integrates with
Office 2013. It gives 7GB of space when you signup, plus more space earned for
your referrals and actions.
Available on: Windows, Mac, Web, Android, iOS, Windows
Phone, Windows Tablet, Xbox
Where
it excels: the Microsoft Platform makes your life easy
with integrated online applications (word, excel) .
- SugarSync
Perhaps the most well-known alternative to Dropbox, and even
comes pre-loaded on all new Lenovo computers and some smartphones (like devices
from SoftBank). SugarSync's claim to fame is that it's on just about every
platform, gets updated frequently, and lets you micro-manage what you want to
sync. For example, SugarSync lets you pick folders all over your computer to
sync, then lets you choose whether you want each folder synced to all of your
devices, or to just specific devices. Additionally, SugarSync lets you add
password protection to files and folders when sharing them publicly, which not
all competitors can't brag about. The company's app for iPhone and iPad is also
decent (though it's pretty ugly, like the desktop app), and even allows you to
stream a whole album of songs in a row from the cloud, unlike Dropbox. Lastly,
SugarSync gives you 5GB for free to join. Pricing: 30GB for $4.99/month
($49.99/year); 60GB for $9.99/month ($99.99/year); 100GB for $14.99/month
($149.99/year).
It has a remote wipe feature
and mobile apps for iOS, Android and Windows Phone.The maximum storage plan is only 250GB, and the maximum file size is 300MB.Best for: Backing up small file
from Your PC.
- Box
The Box free cloud storage is older than Dropbox, since
2005. The Box focuses on enterprise-level solutions for larger businesses, but
there are small scale and personal use free cloud storage is available. It
has wide range of productivity-enhancing applications that support of
the company’s corporate accounts.
Where it excels
For business customers, Box is a great choice because it comes with so many
tools for collaboration and file privacy control.
Where it falls flat: while anyone can
sign up for a free individual account on Box, the service's endless list of
sharing and privacy features can be lost on someone who's just using the
service for personal storage. Because of all those features, it can feel
overwhelming to navigate the Box Web site if you're only trying to manage a few
files and folders.
Best for: Teams of employees working together on projects, and large
companies that need a place to securely share documents with everyone.
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