Online storage services that let you upload important files to a web-based server and access them from any of your other computers and mobile devices, are a brilliant resources for businesses.
They usually use a virtual drive that exists on your desktop in some manner, and it is linked directly to your online storage space. The contents of this virtual hard drive remain in sync across all of the desktops, notebooks and mobile devices on which you have installed the client software.
You designate which files or folders that you want to be part of the virtual drive; everything on that drive is then automatically uploaded to an online server. From there it is accessible (by logging on with a username and a password) from your other devices, either from another installed version of the application, or via a web interface. And you can grant other people access.
However, with so many to choose from, which one should you plump for? I chose five services that store, sync and share your files in the cloud: DriveHQ, Dropbox, OpenDrive, SpiderOak and ZumoDrive and put them head-to-head to help you decide.
I reviewed them using their desktop front-end clients, and I used only the free account versions of these services (because everybody likes free stuff). Most of these also offer paid upgrades; in those cases, I list the other options that are available.
Incidentally, until recently Microsoft offered its own data synchronisation service, called Live Mesh, but it's now defunct. Another Microsoft service, Windows Live Sync, doesn't have direct syncing access to an online storage space. However, features of Live Mesh have been incorporated into the upcoming version of Windows Live Sync as part of Windows Live Essentials.
The new Windows Live Sync will give you 2GB of online storage for syncing files. Unfortunately, the next version of Windows Live Essentials won't run on Windows XP, so XP users may want to check out the services in this roundup.
How we tested
I tried out the Windows version of the desktop application for each service. I installed the client on two laptops - one running Windows XP, the other Windows 7. The Windows XP laptop was left in my home office, turned on and connected to the onternet. The Windows 7 machine was taken to various locations with Wi-Fi access. I experimented with files ranging from 1MB up to 20MB in size.
A note about security: While all of these services employ some basic means of password protection for your files, and most offer assurances that your files travel over 'secure connections', the fact of the matter is that you are still uploading your personal and business files to a remote server. So beware.
- Store, sync and share your files for no charge
- DriveHQ FileManager
- Dropbox
- OpenDrive
- SpideOak
- ZumoDrive
- Conclusions
NEXT PAGE: DriveHQ FileManager
Comments
Pete Vicentini Jr. said: This is my top ten http1sttechguidesblogspotHowever all of them have free basic service but the magic is in the paid service
James said: Please re-read or read for the first time the article Each service reviewed offers free basic storage in addition to paid greater capacity services No scam here
Loadof said: The very first line of this article The 5 best free online storage servicesYet these are not free The writer of this is clearly an incompetent idiot or is a scammer simply schilling product
Scottgauld73 said: Drop box is horrible I loaded up videos to share with my photos and they sit there and buffer constantly when trying to watch from a mobile device I dont mind paying for but want a service that doesnt slow down the speed or transfer rate for video making it unwatchable
Monica said: Then theres CloudMe 3GB free and up to 19GB with referralsGreat Swedish based European storage alternative
Jon Snow said: Online data storage are much more reliable and long lasting when compared to local solutions provided you find a good host heres a list of some of the better ones Some of them were mentioned in this article toohttpwwwetechmagcom20121
Matt Egan said: Me neither An odd one To be investigated
Simon said: Not sure how this ended up in my inbox as one of todays top stories However it does highlight just how much has changed over the last two years and a revised review might be warrantedFor my own purposes I am usingSkydrive which floats my boat at least
adrive said: Been using Adrive 50Gb free storage for over 5 years to back up my other backups of photos And never lost any files with them Other services dont offer enough free storage Interface may be antiquated but works and is free Company also been around a long time and seem to be going strong 5 stars from me coz its a true free service
Bullitbiter said: Ive been told there is a possible new player coming onto the market that gives you the option to pay for what you use between 1GB to 1TBIm not 100 sure but i think its due to launch this year 2012 and i think the domain name is wwwEpicCloudingcomAnyone else heard of them or have any more info on themPS by the looks of it there facebook shows they have just set up a new accounthttpswwwfacebookcompagesCraig
Fooman said: hold on a minute maybe Im missing something Isnt this supposed to be a list of the best 5 FREE storage services Whats all this subscription stuff then Bit misleading or maybe we get paid
Jay Olson said: DropBox
ochionnaith said: Lost all my dataI signed up last year very happy with the marketing pricing and the way the service operated However in December all my data was lost and opendrive have been unable to restore provide access to a backup etc I was devastated as a lot of the items I had stored were single copy and are now apparently lost forever If a provider fails in the single most important and basic premise of its service in not being able to guarantee the safe storage and easy return of data how can they be trusted I am surprised that I have not read more about this on the web as a co-worker has had the same experience The response from their customer service team has been very poor I received a response to my query as to where my files were blandly informing me that the files were lost and no further efforts would be made to restore them there was no follow up offer of refund or it appears any determination on behalf of opendrive to find a successful solution Trust Not so sure
Vaultscape said: Thanks for the detailed research and testing Howard In my opinion Dropbox is the best free online storage service Its user interface is extremely easy to understand and its uploading speed is fast too
free online storage said: A file transfer service providesa number of packages to opt as per ones requirementTo know perfectly howto send a file you should go through the plans and packages carefully asdescribed on the service providers website free online storage
angelo dane said: I think he means that you need a review update
Social Media Marketing Blog said: All Cloud services are great in services these services are veryhelpfulforweb mastersand business organizations tostore data on internet
Starscream said: I use Iozetacom and Ive never had any problems with my backed up files
JoeGP said: Your various links on the bottom to Dropbox opendrive dont work at least not anymore they just send you back to the first pageOh and 1GB thats not storage thats pocket change i know its free but so is a rusty bicycle with flat tires
Miketwrs said: DropBox and SugarSync are the bestcloud storage companiesTheir systems are reliable but easy to useUse this link to open a DropBoxaccount amp you will get an additional 250Mb of free spacehttpdbttrzorpr6Use this link to open a SugarSyncaccount amp you will get an additional 500Mb of free spacehttpswwwsugarsynccomrefeTo receive the bonus you have todownload and install the Dropbox or SugarSync software