Cloud storage services – What name to choose and why?

The area of ​​clouding in recent years has expanded so incredible here is what are the main proposals for the storage side, with some advice for the undecided.

More and more services that play to their full activities on the web are now based on systems of cloud server solution ” in the cloud ” consisting of the implementation of certain transactions by a space dedicated to each user. This is presently allocated on the computers provided by the company, and is closely related to personal use.

There are many types of services that have been using the clouding to improve its mechanisms, is an example of Skype, which has managed to bridge the large gap in the history of chat conversations just moving too slow in the cloud. The same can be said of WhatsApp, messaging application that now supports backup of conversations and attachments on a dedicated space.

The evolution of the sudden clouding is based absolutely on the storage, or the allocation of files in a clearly defined and limited to machines equipped with the latest technology. Until a few years ago, the storage and exchange of files were done purely on CD / DVD or USB flash drive, both the media have many weaknesses, virtually non-existent in the cloud instead.

Losing photos, work shifts of documents, exchange of USB sticks with friends: Today is already the future, no more difficulty about storing files. Just this focuses our focus. What now offers the industry’s cloud storage? What is the best solution to suit your needs? We try to answer these and other questions and analyzing the most interesting services.

The three major platforms: Safety, Service and Versatility.

To represent the majority of existing accounts on the field of cloud storage are three main names: Google Drive, Dropbox and OneDrive (ex-Skydrive). The reason they were able to conquer many of the computers and devices is searchable in the originality of what they offer, not to mention that belong respectively to companies such as Google and Microsoft. Special case for Dropbox, ch platform and has really opened up the market about cloud storage and now is definitely the most-used product. Let’s look at the features.

Google Drive 

Google is now everywhere, and Drive represents his concept of cloud storage can integrate well with all of its other services already known. Born in 2012, following several experiments carried out by the company in Mountain View that he thought of jumping into cloud storage many years ago, and it involves the release of desktop client and mobile app.

By registering you can leverage to drive a storage space in the cloud of up to 15 GB. Inside will be contained files of any type, can also be viewed in preview within the browser. Drive it circulating on the client but is also available via the dedicated page on the web (drive.google.com). This means that, on virtually any computer with internet access. You can take advantage of your files both in displaying and downloading, without exposing yourself to the risk of any infection by virus or data loss. Fundamental built-in support for Google Documents that lets you work on documents directly in the browser.

Google Drive also has a very interesting plan premium. In the first half of March have been made available to the new rates, which provide for the payment of a monthly fee of around $ 2 to get 100 GB of storage, about $ 10 to 1 TB, about $ 100 to 10 TB and so on. The price is more than interesting, and performance are guaranty.

Dropbox

The independent who has managed to emerge. Dropbox is really the first cloud storage service which, as mentioned, has been able to realize a sector at the time virtually non-existent. Also makes available for a variety of clients for mobile devices and desktop, but has a searchable online counterpart directly on the main site dropbox.com.

Its simplicity is its strength: white background, fast-loading, handling very immediate. Features in the mobile versions of an interesting feature for the automatic loading of pictures taken. This stems basically to meet the needs of those users who often ” messing ” with their device and are forced to perform a reset periodically from time to time. Through the automatic upload Dropbox can recognize the new pictures and upload them directly into your personal space, in free Wi-Fi.

You can sign up for a free Dropbox account through the following page. This, unfortunately, there will be only 2 GB of space, which can be extended if you are a student, or if you know the service to a friend. The price of the premium version is average (not compared to Google Drive): $ 10 per month for 100 GB.

OneDrive

Old SkyDrive, new OneDrive. The cloud storage service from Microsoft has changed its name since some of the events that have legal views collide with the name of another product, but nothing has changed: has 7 GB of free storage for users directly on dedicated servers and acts as a support for several Microsoft products such as Office and OneNote.

OneDrive also has a function for uploading photos using Windows Phone smartphone, and also allows you to receive 3 GB of extra storage to the activation of the same. Windows 8.1 client is integrated, while for all other OS you need to download a dedicated application, even in this case, there is a web version can also be accessed easily from the browser.

Prices to buy additional storage space are very interesting: $25 per year for 50 GB, $50 to 100 GB and so on. Interesting how Microsoft plus associate the service with other products: Office 365 for example, document editing suite subscription, integrates 25GB of extra storage. Indispensable for those who use Windows Phone 8.

Alternative solutions: many giga, original functions.

In combination with the already mentioned and well-known cloud storage services really are an innumerable amount of names. Here is what may be the alternatives to Google Drive, Dropbox and OneDrive, mainly trying to locate the particular strengths on which you would point to meet particular needs.

Mega

The creature of Kim Dotcom, the famous founder of MegaUpload and MegaVideo services closed long ago because of legal problems (you will remember). Well, although its fame has definitely fallen, Mega is now one of the best services for online storage, especially for the free space that it offers.

The platform is connected to a cloud service really amazing in terms of performance, and provides as many as 50 GB of personal space by simply logging on mega.co.nz. It has official app for uploading photos taken on smartphones and browsing files, but is also available in the web version. Interesting certainly also prices of premium versions: 500GB enough for about 70 € per year, about 142 € for 2 TB and only about € 214 for 4 TB of storage.

MediaFire

From pure hosting service to a fully cloud-based nature: it is MediaFire, famous system used until a few years ago as a simple destination at which allocate large files to share with other users. Today, the entire mechanism is provided by the cloud-based server, and is moreover, associated with specific clients that allow, as for all the competing services, to consult their file is on the desktop and on the mobile (although there is a web version also in this case).

What does it offer? Well, so much space: free registration to an account MediaFire has suffered as many as 50 GB of personal storage, expandable to 1 TB for about $5 per month or upper cuts for the business sector. The performances are moreover, very interesting, perhaps the best in terms of download and upload speeds and in direct competition with Mega. Try it and you will not regret it.

Box

Another service born of a company is more niche Box, ” box ” on the web that offers immediately, with a free account, well 10GB to use right away. There is of course the client and the web version, but its interesting aspect is limited in the paid version called ” Starter ” With $5 per month you can have as many as 100 GB available for use in complete safety, with other colleagues (up to 10), the expense is certainly minimal, and useful especially for those who often need to save in a sure your work files, but also to be able to work frequently. Curious? Visit box.com.

iCloud

Yes, it is a concept of cloud storage definitely very particular, but according to Apple’s cloud storage. Multimedia files such as photos or videos captured, documents, contacts, email, preferences, calendars, bookmarks, notes, passwords, and more on one’s personal space, 5 GB in the free version. We are obviously talking about iCloud, Apple’s service that allows you to synchronize data between a quantity of their iOS devices and OS X, without losing any hypothetical occurrence of a malfunction. Excellent online document management – in the browser – or saving the settings of your devices (such as the app installed and placed on the various screens), less space devoted.

To extend the fact his personal archive are needed $20 per year for 10 GB, $40 per year for 20 GB and 50 GB for $100 per year. Turning to the ” premium ” version as long as you preserve the ability to save pictures taken from your device streaming.