Choosing the Right Cloud Storage for Your Needs

Going along with the trend in connected technology, it’s pretty clear that people and businesses will continue the growing trend of reducing their need to rely on costly hardware and infrastructure by placing files and applications in the cloud. However, given the growing number of cloud storage providers on the market, will offer the maximum amount of low-cost storage and bandwidth, while still keeping all your data safe.

Provided is a list of the 10 top rated cloud storage providers. All 10 of the providers offers a free trial – allowing you to experience the service before ever needing to shell out any hard-earned money.

1. Dropbox – A veteran in cloud storage service. Considered to be the “granddaddy” of cloud storage, dropbox offers basic, plus, professional, and business rates. Users can also gain “free” storage up to 16GB by linking their account to social media profiles and referring friends to join the service. There are also enhanced features for file recovery and versioning in professional and business plans. Ranging from free (basic plan) to $12.50 per user, per month (business plan), Dropbox provides the right amount or storage for the right price. Sign up for Dropbox here.
   • PRO: Business features include collaboration
   • PRO: Referrals get you extra storage
   • CON: You only start with 2GB of free storage, which can fill up quickly
2. Google Drive – The smartest option for Google fans and G Suite users. Google Drive is a natural choice for owners of Android devices as it’s already integrated with their devices, but many other users can take advantage of Google Drive’s free storage. Google even offers companion apps like Google Photos, to store HD photos on your mobile devices. With a google email address (gmail), users have up to 15GB for free, 100GB for $1.99 a month, and 1TB for $9.99 a month. Sign up for Google Drive here.
   • PRO: Generous amount of free storage, users only need a gmail account in order to access it
   • PRO: Unbelievably affordable prices for a huge amount of data
   • CON: Web interface isn’t the best. Some have criticized Google Drive as a hard to navigate web interface
3. Mega – Puts a premium on security. Like Google Drive, Mega provides a generous amount of free data with a simple drag-and-drop interface, similar to Dropbox. The New Zealand-based Mega is considered to be one of the cloud storage heavyweights. There is also an additional mobile app that allows users to upload files and photos, as well as sync clients with desktop machines. The company claims that all data stored in its cloud is encrypted on the user’s device before it reaches the firm’s servers. For experts to check that there are no vulnerabilities with their systems, Mega released their source code to its sync client. Users can select between two plans: 50GB for free or 200GB for $6/month. Sign up for Mega here.
   • PRO: Extremely easy-to-use IU
   • PRO: Very generous free offering
   • CON: Does not have the customer service power house that other larger companies can offer
4. OneDrive – Formerly known as SkyDrive, OneDrive is backed by Microsoft and ideal for Windows users. This cloud service provider is integrated into Windows 10’s file explorer, making it convenient for Windows users who have made the jump to Microsoft’s latest operating system. OneDrive also has capabilities with Microsoft’s Photos app to sync picture across all Windows based devices. However, there are mixed reviews for the OneDrive app for Apple and iOS users. For free, users can have access to 5GB or pay $1.99/month for 50GB. Sign up for OneDrive here.
   • PRO: Integrated directly into Windows, therefore Windows users no longer need to download an additional app to access the service
   • PRO: File restoration features at a low cost in the $1.99/month plan
   • CON: Not conducive for non-Windows (Apple) users.
5. iCloud –  Apple’s competitively priced cloud storage locker. Apple’s iCloud storage allows users to store all sorts of data across all their Apple devices. The Mac Finder app integrates into the iCloud drive, where you can store any files with just a click of the mouse. Windows users can also sync their files with iCloud Drive using the official client, and access the iWork apps on the iCloud website. Apple provides 5GB for free, but for most Apple users this isn’t enough. However, when compared to other competitors, Apple’s pricing is one of the best on the market. Users can choose from 5GB free, 50GB for $0.99/month and 200GB for $3.99/month. Sign up for iCloud here.
   • PRO: More than reasonable pricing
   • PRO: Tight integration with Apple’s platform
   • CON: Users won’t get as much for their money if they don’t have Apple devices
6. Box – A very well-known service with some powerful business options. Box has been around for a while, however it mainly has made its presence at the enterprise level. It is supported by a number of mainstream apps such as Google Docs and Office 365. The Box Sync client is available from the Downloads page for Mac and Windows, plus there’s also an official Android client. Users can take advantage of the 10GB free plan or opt for the $5/month plan that comes with 100GB. They’ve recently begun to offer a new business plan, which at $15/month, provides clients with advanced collaboration options and unlimited storage. Sign up for Box here.
   • PRO: Supported by various apps to provide convenience to the clients
   • PRO: Business plans with advanced security features
   • CON: Free account file upload is limited at 250MB, the rest of the 10GB free account is allocated to files that are made within the Box account.
7. NextCloud – A “DIY” (Do it yourself) type of cloud storage solution. Unlike other cloud storage providers, NextCloud offers free software to download and install a cloud storage service on your own server. Using a server on your home network for cloud storage is much faster. You can also enable encryption and make sure the information never leaves your home network, which is far safer. For those who don’t have knowledge or IT experience, you can purchase a preconfigured NextCloud Box from the website which comes with a 1TB hard drive and will work with an inexpensive Raspberry Pi board to keep your data synced. NextCloud is free to install and use, although self-hosting storage costs may vary, while the NextCloud Box is priced at a one-time fee of $79.99. Sign up for NextCloud here.
   • PRO: Innovative self-hosting solution
   • PRO: Tailor your cloud locker to your needs
   • CON: Preconfigured setups available
8. SpiderOak – A ‘zero knowledge’ cloud storage provider. Following the new trend of zero knowledge cloud storage providers, SpiderOak claims that after installing the client your data is encrypted before syncing – making the process easier for users. However, unfortunately since SpiderOak has yet to make their client source code public, there is no way to confirm that data is encrypted before the syncing processing. Currently, SpiderOakOne client is available for Windows, Mac and Linux as well as Android and iOS users. There is also a web interface option. Users can have access to 2GB for free but only for 60 days or they can opt for a 250GB for $9/month option or a 1TB for $12/month plan. Sign up for SpiderOak here.
   • PRO: Tight security (although it is unconfirmed by security experts)
   • PRO: Plenty of native clients, which shows SpiderOak is doing something right to be gaining such popularity
   • CON: One of the most limited free offering on the market
9. IDrive – Storage solution which extends to cover network drives. IDrive offers continuous syncing of your files, even those on network drives. The web interface supports sharing files by email, Facebook and Twitter. Cautious or click-happy users will be pleased to hear that files deleted from your computer are not automatically deleted from the server, so there’s less danger of removing something important accidentally. IDrive also offers IDrive Express – a service whereby if you lose all your data they will ship a physical hard drive out to you, allowing for a swift restoration of all your backed up files. IDrive plans begin from a free 5GB option to 2TB for $52/year. Sign up for IDrive here.
   • Broad range of file sharing options
   • IDrive Express service is handy if disaster stricks
   • The free offering only gives you 5GB
10. pCloud – Ideal for those storing large media files. The service is available for all desktop and mobile platforms – users can also log in via the website. The company itself is registered in Switzerland which has strong privacy laws, and you can also pay a premium of $3.99 a month for pCloud Crypto to lock (and unlock) individual files with passwords. Users can opt for a free 20GB plan, a 500GB for $3.99/month plan, and a 2TB for $7.99/month option. Sign up for pCloud here.
    • PRO: 20GB of free storage
    • PRO: Unique and full-coverage privacy and security features
    • CON: Some bandwidth limits apply

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