Cloud Services are the future. With cloud services storing and accessing files securely is no longer a trouble.
Most of us fail to realize the importance of maintaining a backup to important data until its too late. Anything from electricity surge, hard drive failure, virus and Trojans may result in loss of important data.
Using online cloud services to backup your important files seems to be a wise idea. Cloud Providers allow storage and access to your important files and data anywhere anytime all what’s required is internet connectivity, you can store your files, videos, documents, edit them online, sync them to other computers or even download them to your machine.
Best Cloud Services
A few years ago, DropBox took the internet by a storm. The cards seem to have reversed now with Google and Microsoft entering the market with better technology and tariff.
We have compiled the list of best cloud services and cloud service providers.
1- DropBox
Probably the first name that comes up to my mind while talking about the cloud services. DropBox is the most popular and the best cloud storage service for computers and mobile devices.
DropBox offers free 2GB Storage space upon signup while offers affordable premium tariffs for excessive disk space. DropBox has a huge cross-platform support and is compatible to work on Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, Mobile Devices such as iOS Devices, Android and even Blackberry Phones.
The feature that admires me the most is the file recovery system, the service maintains history of one month and the user has the option to undo changes to the files and even restore them once deleted from the servers.
The Team DropBox offers 1,000 GB or higher of Storage Capacity at competitive rates for Corporate Clients. DropBox offers 100 GB storage capacity for around $199/year.
Overall DropBox is the top cloud services equally good for ordinary users and large business entities.
2- iCloud
iCloud is the cloud service initiative by Apple Inc for Mac OS X and Apple iOS Devices like iPhone, iPad users. iCloud provides free 5GB cloud storage facility to users where the users can always store their favorite music, documents, pictures and ebooks to retrieve later and save the important disk space of their device. iCloud is only limited to Apple Device Owners but offers highest quality features at competitive prices.
3- SkyDrive
The rapidly growing cloud storage facility by Microsoft is all set to compete directly with DropBox. Microsoft stumbled a step forward by offering 25GB of free storage capacity but soon downgraded to only 7GB of free Disk Space.
Originally designed to work on Mobile Devices Windows SkyDrive is now compatible to work upon Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Windows Phone and iOS Devices but lacks a proper client for Android and Blackberry Devices. Although Microsoft SkyDrive lags behind Drop Box which has far more superior features but offers everything that an ordinary user requires.
The subscribers of SkyDrive services have the ability to access and snag files on PC quickly and securely from anywhere in the world. When it comes to pricing SkyDrive is much more economical offering 100GB of Disk Space at $50/year.
4- Google Drive
Although Google Drive won’t ring too many bells among the larger audience but matter of the fact remains Google is in the business for planning a big launch to its cloud storage service. As rumored Google Drive will aim to target Android users by providing them with awesome user experience and competitive prices. Let’s see how much market share will the Internet Giant Google capture once the service rolls out.
Update:-
Google Drive has been rolled out by Google. This interactive service by Google offers 5 GB of free disk space while premium tariffs include 25GB for $2.49 a month, 100GB for $4.99 a month, and 200GB for $9.99 a month. Google Drive has its programs for Windows and Mac OS X, once the user download these programs and drag the files in those programs these files automatically get uploaded to Google Servers. Google Drive has released an Android App and will soon roll out its App for iOS devices iPhone and iPad. The service offers online access and editing of files from anywhere in the world and also lets collaboration with Gmail and Google Docs.
Verdict
With four big players roaming into the market a user is confronted with more choices and the rife competition between service providers is expected to turn the levels of quality up a notch.
Broadly speaking if you are up to subscribing a free service than opt in for DropBox with 2GB disk space or Google Drive with 5GB space but when it comes to choosing premium services I would recommend Google Drive courtesy the easy user interface and integration with Google Docs, Microsoft Windows SkyDrive is also something to look upon as it offers competitive prices and saves you money while retaining the highest quality levels for the service.
Have your say regarding your favorite cloud services.
