Choosing the best cloud storage, or cloud drives as they are also called, can be a daunting task as there are all sorts of factors to consider, from price, capacity, security, and reliability, to name just a few of the options.
<p>In our daily lives, we produce and process hundreds of gigabytes of content. Whether you’re a cloud storage newbie or a veteran, we’ll get you on the right track by explaining what cloud storage is, the benefits it offers, and how to choose the best solution for you.
Those intere
sted in learning more about cloud storage specific database by industry can read about what cloud storage is, how we tested cloud storage providers, or check out the extensive list of cloud storage services we’ve reviewed to date. If you’re just looking for the best providers, we ranked them based on capacity, price, security, ease of use, and more, and you can check out our results.
“wp-block-heading”>1. Internxt
Internxt is a security-focused service and offers much more than most competitors to keep your files safe. End-to-end and zero-knowledge encryption prevents anyone from accessing your data, and once files are uploaded, they are split into chunks and transferred over a peer-to-peer network. Storing your data on different servers not only keeps hackers away, but also reduces the chances of losing your files due to hardware failure or other unforeseen situations.
Well-designed and intuitive apps let you upload files with a sim
ple drag and drop. The ability to sync any do you see how these goals are clear objective folder keeps your data up to date across all your devices, and you can easily share files using custom links.
Additional options include a password strength checker to identify weak passw
ords and a free virus scanner to identify and remove malware from your files.
Internxt also has its drawbacks. It can’t match the advanced features of OneDrive or Dropb
ox. The prices are higher than many others: there’s a free 10GB plan, but getting the full amount requires some effort (signing up for a newsletter, inviting four friends, etc.).
However, Internxt’s approach to security and taiwan data quality apps make it very attractive, and if that’s what y
ou’re looking for, it’s more than worth your attention.
Pros:
- Advanced security features
- Fa
st support
- Simple interface
Cons:
- Limited collaboration capabilities
- Lacks advanced features
2. pCloud
pCloud is a comprehensive cloud storage service that offers a full range of essential backup, sharing and file management features.
Getting started is easy. Custom apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS upload data using a secure TLS/SSL encrypted connection, then copy your files to at least three separate pCloud servers for added security. You can sync key files across all your devices (up to five recommended for each plan) and share them freely with others.
PCloud allows users to create their own download pages with personalized messages for each shared file. You can create slideshows from shared images and even play audio or video files directly from your storage (without having to download).
<p>At first glance, it all sounds expensive, but wait: opt for pCloud’s lifetime plans and get 500GB (or 2TB, or 10TB) forever for a nominal one-time fee. The company also plans to offer up to 16TB of cloud storage, but details are still being kept under wraps.</p>
With the Business plan, you get a lot of valuable extras: client-side encryption, centralized employee management, secure file sharing, the ability to restore deleted versions of files, up to 180 days (versus 30 with the Personal plan), and a reasonable price. The free 10GB plan gives you the opportunity to test the service risk-free.
Pros:
- Favorable lifetime rates
- Wide range of browser applications and extensions
- Play media files without downloading
- Customizable loading page layout
- Business plan restores deleted files up to 180 days
Cons:
- Five device limit
3. Sync.com
As you might have guessed from the name, Sync.com is a simple file syncing service: install the app on all your devices, drop a file into the Sync folder on one device, and it’ll quickly appear on all the others.
While this design limits Sync’s backup capabilities (you only protect what’s in the Sync folder), it makes the app exceptionally easy to use, and it still manages to outperform many competitors in other areas.
For example, versioning lets you restore deleted versions of files from the last 180 days (most providers offer 30 days). Mobile apps can automatically sync photos and videos as you take them. Thoughtful file sharing includes options to create read-only, password-protected, or expiring links, set download limits, and more.
Microsoft 365 users can open and edit Office documents directly from their Sync space. You can browse your files directly from Windows File Explorer or Mac Finder, making it easy to find the files you need. And security features like two-factor authentication and end-to-end encryption keep your data and transmissions safe.
There are plenty of business- and team-friendly features. You can request files from multiple people, add comments to file sharing links, share folders with teams, view activity logs, and manage everything from a single interface.
Prices are higher than others, with even the cheapest 2TB Solo Basic plan costing $96 per year, but if Sync’s feature set suits your needs, it could be a smart choice. If you want to try it out, there’s a free 5GB plan.
Pros:
- Ease of use
- Excellent speed
- Microsoft 365 Support
- Integrates with Windows File Explorer, Mac finder
Cons:
- Synchronization of one folder
- Prices are above average
4. iDrive
IDrive tops our list of the best cloud storage options thanks to its compelling combination of easy-to-use apps, great backup tools, solid security, and value.
Each has its own unique set of features. Need to protect a lot of gear? Install it on as many devices as you want. Add or edit a file on one device, and it’ll sync in real time with all the others. And comprehensive backup tools let you protect everything from individual files and folders to creating a complete image of your device for easy recovery if lost (IDrive can even send you a physical drive with all your data).
Whatever you do, orts of low-level settings (bandwidth limits, data verification), but if you’re not a techie, that’s okay too: You can set up IDrive in a matter of seconds and forget it exists, letting the service do all the work.
There’s a great deal going on right now that offers 10TB for just $3.98 for the first year. The company is offering a free 10GB plan for life, which is perfect for trying out the service and making sure it’s right for you.