We put five free online storage services, which let you upload your files to a 'virtual hard drive' and access them from your other devices, to the test to find out just which is the best one for you.
Dropbox
Launched in early 2008, Dropbox has garnered a large following - the San Francisco-based company announced it had four million users as of January 2010.
How it works
The Dropbox software installs itself in the form of a desktop folder. To sync files, you drag and drop files into the Dropbox folder or into one of its subfolders, and the files will immediately be uploaded to Dropbox's servers.
The Dropbox folder can be treated like any other folder on your local drive. For example, if you create or save a document directly to the Dropbox folder, the document file is automatically uploaded to your account on the Dropbox servers. This file will then be instantly downloaded to any of your other computers on which the Dropbox client program is installed.
To share your subfolders with others, you right-click on one of your Dropbox subfolders and select 'Share This Folder'. This brings up a web form in your browser where you enter the email addresses of the people you want to share the folder with. They are sent a link that will allow them to access your shared folder through the Dropbox site. (Non-users of Dropbox will be required to register for a free account.)
If the people you've selected have the Dropbox software installed on their computers or mobile devices, then your shared subfolder will appear under their Dropbox folder and its contents will be downloaded to their local hard drives.
What's good
File syncing was fast and instantaneous, and it happened as soon as I logged my remote notebook into a Wi-Fi service.
Dropbox provides client programs for a variety of operating systems, making it an attractive choice if you own a number of devices that run on different platforms.
What needs to be fixed
The client software has a bare-bones set of features. You have to log into your account through the Dropbox website for extras, such as the ability to read a log that lists the files that have been updated, uploaded or deleted from your Dropbox folders.
Bottom line
Despite its minimalist desktop software, Dropbox is a very direct and easy-to-use service, abiding by the 'it just works' mantra. It's obvious to see why it has become the most popular choice among cloud-based, store-and-sync services.
Product Specs
OS: Windows XP/Vista/7, OS X 10.4 or later, Ubuntu Linux 7.10+ and Fedora Core Linux 9+
Mobile apps: Android, iPad, iPhone
Storage size: 2GB
Maximum file size: Unlimited using client software; under 300MB when using Web site
Daily data-transfer limit: None
Paid plans: $9.99(£6.38) per month or $99 (£63.80) per year for 50GB; $19.99 (£12.78) per month or $199 (£127.80) per year for 100GB
NEXT PAGE: OpenDrive
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