Buzz
When you use a cloud storage service, you no longer need to invest heavily in hardware infrastructure. This helps you save money, space, and makes your system more modern and streamlined. Additionally, you can access files in cloud storage quickly from anywhere, on any device - a benefit traditional hard drives cannot match.
However, choosing the best quality cloud storage provider is not simple. You can refer to the Top 5 best cloud storage services currently available to find the best option for yourself!
Top 5 Best Cloud Storage Services Currently Available
Perfect cloud storage services will have high security, simple and intuitive systems, and minimal offline times. So which provider can meet all those needs while still offering you ample storage at an affordable price? With countless providers out there, we must be wise in choosing a service with large storage capacity, high bandwidth, and reasonable costs. From my perspective, this article will introduce you to the top 5 solutions available today.
Sync.com
Sync.com is renowned for its strong security and user privacy protection. Based in Canada, Sync operates under the strictest Canadian privacy laws in the world, giving you a significant advantage.
Before making a decision to sign up, you can use the Sync Starter package with 5 GB of free storage to experience the service. You can fulfill additional provider requests to receive an extra 1GB, along with some additional storage if you refer others.
Sharing files on the cloud is also straightforward; you just need to press Share to get an access link and send it to your friends. Additionally, you can allow others to upload files to the storage. For content control, set sharing permissions, attach passwords, and expiration dates to links, and view download statistics.
Upload and download speeds are relatively fast and stable, and Sync.com doesn't limit default bandwidth for you. If your connection is weak, you can adjust the speed using the icon on the taskbar.
Sync.com utilizes AES 256-bit encryption and TLS protocol, protecting data from middleman attacks during data transfer. This service provides two-factor authentication to make it difficult for hackers to steal your information, but you should also set a strong password for extra security.
Overall, Sync.com offers strong security, excellent sharing capabilities, and prioritizes your privacy. Its downside is the relatively high cost for storage and no monthly subscription option.
pCloud
pCloud subscription plans include 500GB for $47.88 per year and 2TB for $95.88 per year. If you're looking for long-term usage, pCloud also offers a lifetime subscription at a very competitive price.
Before signing up, pCloud generously offers you a 10GB storage trial, and each friend you refer can earn you an additional 1GB, up to a maximum of 20GB.
You can add email addresses or account names to share files or folders with others. To protect shared links, you have the option to set passwords and expiration dates for them. Connection speeds are faster than most other storage services. Along with that is reliable syncing capabilities, with no file missing or mixing issues.
pCloud's downside is its limited functionality in the free version, which includes two-factor authentication.
OneDrive
OneDrive is Microsoft's cloud storage offering, directly integrated with Windows 8.1 and Windows 10. It operates smoothly and has all the usual features, though there are still certain limitations.
As a free user, you'll get 5GB of storage and Office Online. The cheap subscription package offers 50GB for $2/month. The second package provides 1TB and Office 365 for just $6.99/month, with notable integration of Office 365, though it doesn't compare to Sync.com's 2TB package.
Sharing capabilities are similar to other services. You can create a shareable link, send it via email, social media, and embed it on a website. With a premium package, you can set expiration dates, but still no password protection support, and no sharing statistics.
Transfer speeds are very fast and consistent, nothing unusual for Microsoft with its global server network. However, manual uploads sometimes result in unexpected errors.
Unless you have a business account, OneDrive won't encrypt your files, making them vulnerable to hacker attacks. We only have TLS protocol protecting files during transmission. I recommend using the Boxcryptor add-on for added privacy encryption. Additionally, two-factor authentication is already integrated, a welcome sign.
Dropbox
Dropbox is the oldest cloud storage service and the pioneer of popular synchronization models. You can try its basic package with 2GB of storage and increase by 500MB per referral. The Plus package offers 1TB of storage for $8.25 per month, including features like priority email support, remote data wiping, and offline data access.
Setting passwords and expiration dates for shared links is only integrated when you use the Professional package with 2TB of storage for $16.58. Dropbox's average working speed is very fast. However, Dropbox doesn't prioritize privacy.
Google Drive
Google Drive offers several packages to choose from. The free package gives you 15GB, the largest in the list of the top 5 cloud storage services. Paid packages start at 100GB and go up to 30TB, most of which are very reasonably priced. The 1TB package for $9.99 is the most common.
Sharing files and folders is incredibly easy, though there's no content control feature. You can create a link to copy and share it anywhere. Recipients can view or edit your content, depending on the permissions you grant them.
Google Drive operates quickly and is not lagging behind other services. Google has privacy issues, including its connection to the PRISM project and providing data to the NSA. Additionally, it scans your files and personal emails to serve you personalized ads.
While not as robust as AES 256-bit, Google's use of AES 128-bit encryption is sufficient as it's virtually unbreakable. Along with that is extremely secure two-factor authentication.
Conclusion
By utilizing any of the 5 cloud storage services listed above, you'll always feel confident about the quality and safety. It's challenging to determine which provider is truly superior, so to clarify this, you should experience it firsthand! Wishing you success!
