Overview of 15+ cloud storage

Cloud Data Warehousing

1. Google Drive

Google Drive is a popular cloud storage that allows users to store their data on servers in the cloud and share them with other users on the Internet. After activation, replaces Google Docs. In fact, they took Google Docs to work with documents, transformed it into a cloud service and added free space. In the service you can store not only documents, but also photos, music, video and many other files - a total of 30 types. But in general, everything is very convenient and customary for users of Google-services.

Each user of Google Drive is provided with a free 15Gb space (this offer Google surpasses the standard Dropbox terms, for example).

If the allocated volume is not enough, you can purchase an additional 30 TB:

• 100 GB $ 1.99
• 1 TB $ 9.99
• 10 TB $ 99.99
• 20 TB $ 199.99
• 30 TB $ 299.99

In addition to accessing the service through the web interface, there is the ability to access through clients for Windows, Mac OS and Android, iOS.

Google Drive website: https://drive.google.com

2. OneDrive

OneDrive - renamed in February 2014 Microsoft SkyDrive, a cloud-based Internet file storage service with file-sharing functions. By the way, SkyDrive was created in August 2007 by Microsoft. Now OneDrive is one of the flagships of cloud data stores.

The advantage of the OneDrive service is that it is immediately integrated with Office 365, so you can create, edit, save Excel files, OneNote, PowerPoint and Word directly from the application in Windows Live OneDrive.

Service OneDrive allows you to store at the moment free of charge 5 GB (although previously offered 15 GB) of information in an orderly format with standard folders. For images, a preview is provided in the form of thumbnails, as well as the possibility of viewing them in the form of slides.

OneDrive provides such packages:

OneDrive storage:

• Free: 5 GB - for free;
• Basic: 50 GB - $ 1.99 per month;

OneDrive + Office 365:

• Personal: 1 TB for 1 user - $ 6.99 per month;
• Home: 1 TB for each of 5 users - $ 69.99 per month;

As noted on the site OneDrive, it's not just a name change, but also a few new features, such as:

• Automatic backup camera for Android;
• The ability to share and view videos is as easy as photos;
• For each invited friend you can get up to 5 GB free (500 MB each);
• + 3 GB for free simply for backup from the camera;
• Updated, more flexible tariff plans.

Microsoft OneDrive site: http://onedrive.com

3. Dropbox

Dropbox is a cloud-based data warehouse that allows users to store their data on servers in the cloud and share them with other users on the Internet. Its work is based on data synchronization.

Basic account Dropbox - 2 GB - for free;

• Reliable backup, access from anywhere, easy sharing

Advanced - 1 TB (1,000 GB) - € 9.99 per month;

• All functions of the Base account Dropbox, as well as: additional access control, remote erasure of data

Dropbox for Business - 12 € / user / month

• As much space as you need, unlimited file recovery, file access control, priority technical support, 14 days trial for free

It may seem that 2 GB of disk space is not enough, Dropbox has a number of FREE methods, in addition to paid ones, with which you can try to increase this space from 2 GB to 48 GB:

• + 500 MB for an invited friend (up to 16 GB);
• To get 48 GB of free disk space, you need to perform 7 steps:
  • View the overview of Dropbox;
  • Install Dropbox on your computer;
  • Put the files in the Dropbox;
  • Install Dropbox on other computers that you use;
  • Share with friends and colleagues;
  • Invite your friends to Dropbox;
  • Install Dropbox on your mobile device;

But! And that is not all! Dropbox actively cooperates with a variety of brands and sites, with which you can get even more free space.

For example:

• The owners of HTC Sense 3.5 and 3.6 phones can get up to 3 GB for one year.
• Owners of HTC Sense 4.0 and Sense 4+ phones can get up to 23 GB for two years.

Attention! The conditions for getting additional space in Dropbox can change, so watch out for the Dropbox annotations.

The Dropbox application can be downloaded and installed on a PC, Mac, Linux or mobile device. One of the main advantages of Dropbox - ease and intuitive to use - you just need to upload files to the folder Dropbox, share it, if you want, or synchronize with the desired device. Unlike the main competitors, when working with Dropbox, the edited files are not copied completely to the server - only the changed part is transferred, previously compressed. It is believed that this fact largely explains the well-known efficiency of working with Dropbox, in comparison with analogues.

Dropbox allows the user to place files on remote servers using a client or using a web browser interface. Although the main focus of technology is on synchronization and information sharing, Dropbox maintains a download history so that after deleting files from the server, it was possible to recover the data. There is also a history of file changes that is available for the last 30 days, in addition to the function of the perpetual history of changing the files "Pack-Rat".

Disadvantages of Dropbox

The main drawback of Dropbox is the approach to selecting folders for synchronization. In fact, the application monitors the contents of only one folder - Dropbox.

In addition, in July 2014, in an interview with The Guardian, the famous Edward Snowden made a statement that could significantly undermine the credibility of Dropbox. In particular, he said that Dropbox does not fully take care of the privacy of user data and even directly participates in the global PRISM surveillance system.

PRISM is a state program of the USA - a complex of activities carried out for the purpose of mass secret collection of information transmitted over telecommunication networks, adopted by the US National Security Agency (NSA) in 2007 as a replacement for the Terrorist Surveillance Program, formally classified as top secret. (Wikipedia)

However, not all security specialists agree with this statement. In addition, using Dropbox in conjunction with BoxCryptor, which securely encrypts files before synchronizing them with the cloud, ensures the confidentiality of the data in Dropbox.

Another important drawback is that the additional gigabytes on Dropbox, as a rule, have a shelf life. And it can happen that at some point, your Dropbox will become crowded, because All quotas will end.

Dropbox website: http://www.dropbox.com

4. Mega

Mega (MEGA Encrypted Global Access) is an ambitious cloud-based file sharing company Kim Dotcom, the founder of the legendary Megaupload.

The Mega chip: encrypts all content directly in the browser using the AES algorithm; Users can send files to each other in encrypted form, while all data is stored in the "cloud"; The file access keys are not published publicly, but are distributed according to the Friend-to-Friend scheme, between trusted users.

It is noteworthy that Mega started right away with free 50 GB (!), In addition, there is an opportunity to expand significantly in paid packages: 4 TB in, $ 8.33 / month.

Given the disk space and its cost, Mega is undoubtedly one of the most profitable cloud services, in addition, Mega's important difference from other similar services is confidentiality, because Mega is positioned as a service that protects the user's personal data. However, there are still some flaws, in particular, Mega still loses to other flagships of cloud data stores in synchronization with different devices. But, despite this, Mega has a clearly great future

At the moment, the action is valid: if you buy a paid package for a year, then 2 months for free.

Mega website: https://mega.co.nz

5. Yandex.Disk

Yandex.Disk is a free cloud service from Yandex that allows users to store their data on servers in the cloud and transfer them to other users on the Internet. The work is based on data synchronization between different devices. Currently, user registration is available to all. Previously, before the launch of Yandex. Disk, the function of storing user files on Yandex was performed by the Yandex.Narod service.

Initially, Yandex.Disk provides about 10GB forever.

Paid packages of cloud service Яндекс.Диск:

• +10 GB - 30 rubles per month or 300 rubles per year
• +100 GB - 150 rubles / month or 1500 rubles / year
• +1 Tb - 900 rubles / month or 9000 rubles / year

In addition, there is a bonus extra seat:

• + Up to 10 GB for the resulted friends (on 512 Mb for each friend)
• + Up to 50 GB for shares with partners - they change, you need to follow the news.

In addition, Yandex.Disk can act as a cloud service, integrating into the office suite of Microsoft Office 2013, and recently it became possible to automatically download photos and video files from digital cameras and external storage media to Yandex. Disk. In addition, the user is provided with an additional 32 GB of space for six months.

Yandex.Disk site: http://disk.yandex.ru

6. Сopy.com

Official website Copy.com reported that, unfortunately, on May 1, 2016, Copy.com will be closed.

Copy.com is the new Dropbox competitor, a promising "newbie" among cloud data stores. The functionality is almost identical to Dropbox, but initially it gives you 15 GB of free disk space (+ 5 GB, if you follow the link), you can add free disk space with various features (for example, referral links). In addition, since The developer of this service - Barracuda Networks, whose activity is data protection, is announcing good security and data protection.

Another advantage of Copy.com can be noted a nice and intuitive interface; Cross-platform service - there are applications for Android, iOS, Linux, Mac OS X, Windows and Windows Phone; There is no limit to the size of the uploaded file.

Copy.com offers such tariff plans:

• Free - 15 GB (can be expanded by different actions to 22 GB);
• Pro 250 - 250 GB $ 9.99 / month. Or $ 99 / year;
• Pro 500 - 500 GB $ 14.99 / month. Or $ 149 / year;

Gopy.com: https://www.copy.com

7. [email protected]

[email protected] is a new and very promising cloud data store from Mail.Ru Group, which allows users to store their data in the cloud and synchronize data on different devices, and share them with other users. The service opened relatively recently - in late summer 2013.

Fishka [email protected] - a large amount of disk space provided free of charge. Users can immediately get free 25 GB of cloud storage.

You can use the cloud not only through the web interface, but through desktop (for Windows and Mac OS) and mobile applications for Android and iOS. For the most advanced users made a special client for Linux.

Function, from the very beginning available in mobile applications - autostart photos from the phone. If this feature is enabled, all photos taken with the device are instantly in the "Cloud".

In addition, since Service is still new, then we are waiting for new functional features!

Website of [email protected]: https://cloud.mail.ru

8. Bitcasa

Bitcasa is a cloud-based data warehouse that allows you to store an unlimited amount of your information. The long-awaited release came out of the beta stage in 2013. Bitcasa was founded by former employees of Mastercard, VeriSign, Classmates.com and Mozy. And this means that the creators of the service are familiar with the solutions for backing up online data, as well as with the means to ensure the security of storing user files.

The idea of ​​the service is to provide all comers with unlimited space for cloud storage. As for security, Bitcasa performs encryption on the user side, and all data is transferred to the "cloud" already in encrypted form. According to the creators, none of the company's employees can access the user data.

Another convenient "feature" is the built-in video player, so you can watch, for example, movies anywhere, including from mobile devices without installing a video player.

Bitcasa is designed for the most popular operating systems, so that all users, regardless of the gadget park, can access their files. The Bitcasa client has appeared in the App Store, Google Play Store and Windows Store, and is also available to owners of computers running OS X, Windows and Linux.

After registration, free 5 GB is available, in addition there are paid packages:

• 1TB - $ 10 per month;
• 10 Tbytes - $ 99 per month;

Bitcasa Website: http://bitcasa.com

9. Yunpan 360

Yunpan 360 is a Chinese cloud data store, which initially provides 36 terabytes (!) For free and forever. In addition, this disk space can also be increased, there are users who have more than 100 Terabytes on Yunpan 360.

Thus, all other cloud data stores are fading from such volumes of disk space. However, why is Yunpan 360 so poorly known outside of China? The answer is simple - Yunpan 360 so far only in Chinese, there is not even an English version, not to mention other languages.

However, for the persistent there is a Russian-speaking community http://yunpan.ru, which details how to use this Chinese miracle

Yunpan 360 website: http://yunpan.360.cn

10. 4shared

4shared - cloud file hosting.

Basic free registration allows you to download up to 10 GB in your account. After confirming registration by e-mail, the volume increases to 15 GB. Premium users get 100 GByte at their disposal.

After the file has been successfully uploaded, the user receives a unique link, through which others can subsequently download this file. All uploaded files are saved for 180 days from the last visit to the account. Premium user files are stored for the entire duration of the account. The user interface of the service looks like Windows Explorer.

4shared website: http://www.4shared.com

11. SugarSync

SugarSync is a cloud-based data store that stores documents, files, photos and music. Prices start at $ 9.99 per month. To evaluate the benefits of SugarSync, there is a 30-day free trial version for all paid packages. To interact with the service, a convenient client program is used, the versions of which exist not only for Windows and Mac, but also for Android, iPhone, Symbian. The number of synchronized devices is unlimited.

The main difference between SugarSync and Dropbox is that it synchronizes the folders that the user specifies.

Since February, 2014 has passed exclusively on paid packages of data warehouses:

• 100 GB - $ 9.99 per month or $ 74.99 per year;
• 250 GB - $ 24.99 per month or $ 99.99 per year;
• 500 GB - $ 39.99 per month or $ 249.99 per year;
• 1000 GB - $ 55 per month or $ 550.99 per year;

SugarSync website: https://www.sugarsync.com

12. Box.net

Box.net is a cloud-based data warehouse that allows you to store your files on the network, and also work together on them.

The advantages of Box.net are the ability to view office documents on your own, as well as the ability to share files or folders for colleagues directly from your mobile. In addition, the developers were able to integrate into the application a native search for Android due to what the search for files became faster and more accurate.

Box.net provides four packages - one free and three paid:

• Personal - for free: for 1 user is granted 5 GB, the limit on the size of the uploaded file is 250 MB;
• Starter- 4 € per month: from 3 to 10 users, 1 GB is provided, the limit on the size of the downloaded file is 2 GB;
• Business- 12 € per month: at least 3 users, the disk capacity is unlimited, but the limit on the size of the downloaded file is 5GB;
• Enterprise - the cost varies from the number of users and the required disk space.

Box.net Website: http://box.net

13. iDrive

IDrive is the perfect tool for online backup with a high level of privacy. If you want to keep a copy of important documents on a cloud server, then iDrive is what you are looking for. Use it simply: download iDrive software, run the application and select folders to synchronize.

Backup can be done from your PC-computers, Mac, iPhone, iPad and Android devices on the same account. Quite a high level of data security. Transfer and storage of files with 256-bit AES encryption using a user-defined key that is not stored anywhere on servers

A free 5 GB disk storage quota is provided free of charge.

• Free - 5 GB - forever;
• Personal:
  • 1 TB - $ 44.62 per year;
  • 10 TB - $ 374.62 per year;
• Business:
  • 250 GB - $ 74.62 per year;
  • 500 GB - $ 149.62 per year;
  • 1.25 TB - $ 374.62 per year;

IDrive website: http://www.idrive.com

14.iFolder (RusFolder)

IFolder is distributed free of charge with an open source synchronization program. IFolder is good software for a small team, which is convenient to work on your own server. In this way, you make sure that only members of the group have access to your personal files.

Site iFolder (RusFolder): http://rusfolder.com

15. OpenDrive

Half-translated into Russian, the OpenDrive website promises a standard set of features with 5 GB of space for a free user (limited to 100 MB per file), but one feature attracts attention: the user can set the price of the files laid out by him. If you want to download - pay. An interesting option, in some cases may be quite useful.

OpenDrive site: http://www.opendrive.com

16. Syncplicity

Syncplicity - a software package for data synchronization in cross-platform environments. A free 2 GB disk quota is provided for 1 user and 2 computers. Paid packages start from $ 15 per month.

One of the advantages of Syncplicity is that there is no need to constantly keep both computers on, synchronization occurs after power on. The disadvantage of the program is the lack of a Russian interface and help.

Syncplicity also has tight integration with some online services. For example, you can upload photos to albums on Facebook, simply by copying them to specific folders on your PC. Also interesting is the integration with the Google office suite: any document created in Google Docs will appear in the selected folder on the computer, and vice versa. Thus, the file is edited locally using Microsoft Office, and online.

Syncplicity Website: http://www.syncplicity.com

17. MediaFire

MediaFire - online data store, file sharing. In this cloud service, the emphasis is on storing and sharing media files (music, video, photos).

Conveniently, MediaFire is available both for the web, and for the desktop and mobile applications with a user-friendly interface. We can safely recommend MediaFire as a good alternative to other cloud services, in particular, Dropbox.

MediaFire provides such packages:

• Free: 10 GB, there is advertising.
• Pro $ 2.49 per month: 1 TB, no ads, 20 GB limit in one file, direct links to files, etc.
• Business $ 24.99 per month: more than 100 terabytes, no ads, 20 GB limit in one file, direct links to files, etc.

MediaFire website: http://www.mediafire.com

18. Cubby

It is possible to synchronize an unlimited amount of data between computers, bypassing the cloud. That is, you can not use free 5 gigabytes in the cloud at all. In some cases a very convenient thing.

When you register, you get 25 GB and + 5 GB for a referral, you can get up to 25 GB.

Cubby site: https://www.cubby.com

19. Adrive

Free of charge 50 GB.

ADrive website: http://www.adrive.com

20. Hubic

Store your files online in a personal and secure space. Either upload your documents to your online space yourself, or let the hubiC application do it for you.

When you register, you get 25 GB and + 5 GB for referral, you can get up to 50 GB.

The download / download speed is good.

Web interface is a little bit of a brake.

Applications are available under Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Android, iOS and Windows Phone.

Hubic website: https://hubic.com