Best Cloud Storage and File Sharing Services

Although Cloud storage has been on the move for several years, this is quickly overtaking traditional storage styles like hard drives & servers as the popular way to keep files safe, organized, and shareable. Now, Let’s dive into cloud storage and the available options you have waiting for you.

However, With the big boys like Amazon and Google getting into the cloud storage game, it makes sense that more & more businesses are turning to them for their small business cloud storage options and solutions.

The being said, there are quite a few available cloud storage options out there. For Sure, you know the big two mentioned above, but are these the best options available? Hang on, and we will get to that.

[lwptoc]

What is Cloud Storage Service?

Well, Cloud storage stores all your files, photos, documents, videos, and also other digital assets on a series of real offsite servers known as “the cloud.” Every business that hosts servers will own this setup and operate all of these storage devices. So, You can store your files on these servers for a small fee.

Notwithstanding being called “cloud services,” think of this type of storage system simultaneously, you would need a physical storage unit.

You notice, people and businesses rent storage units from the unit owner or owners. People can use these units to store whatever they want. Physical items, Family photos, valuables, and more.

This is the exact layout of cloud storage, except that we are dealing with digital assets instead of real or tangible goods.

Why Would You Store Data in the Cloud?

Though, first and foremost, cloud storage is usually very safe. Apart from that, the main reason to store data in the Cloud is for business file sharing. As well, There are not many things that are more important than sharing your work documents remotely with your team members or coworkers.

So, Business cloud services play a considerable part in online file storage, syncing, and sharing. People make it easier to accomplish all of this and more. While I stated in the first paragraph, cloud storage has become ever more popular and continues to do so.

Well, Computer systems have been slowly but steadily moving away from a local storage setup to server-based storage and processing, also known as the Cloud. Though it is not only businesses moving more toward a cloud storage setup, and consumers are directly affected.

Consider it, we now stream almost all of our video and music from servers, instead of playing them from our discs. Here, Cloud storage allows you (consumer) to keep your documents & media in the Cloud, which you can then access & enjoy from any location, at any time.

Whether you are looking at different cloud storage options or are starting to consider this as a valuable option, in this case, the suggestions below will help you sift through all that is available & make a solid choice when trying to find the best cloud storage & file-sharing services that are available today.

What Can Cloud Storage Do for You?

So, there is quite a bit that cloud storage services can do for you. Some very best solutions will play very nicely with outside apps and other services. That makes the overall experience of viewing or editing your files more manageable and more natural.

Here is even more true in business settings. It would be best to have other software products and apps that you may be running as part of your business to retrieve or access your files. Then, Cloud storage gives you a way to do this, as several services like Box and Dropbox will easily authenticate with other tools.

Moreover, the range of capabilities that come with the best cloud storage and file-sharing services is incredible. In a lot of them offer certain things, they all also specialize in certain areas.

That will help you along with the one you choose below.

For instance, cloud storage services like Dropbox & SugarSync focus on having synced folders everywhere. Another, like SpiderOak, focus more on the security aspect of things.

Also then you have the generalists, like Apple iCloud, Google Drive, and Microsoft OneDrive. Those offer not only folder and file syncing, but also media-playing and device syncing.

Online Backup vs. Cloud Storage

Usually, these two get put into the same category. That should not be the case. While lots of cloud services do indeed offer some level of backup, it is only a consequence of their intended function, i.e., store files for access when needed.

So, An online backup service focuses on disaster recovery when it comes to computer hard drives and files. Well, An excellent example of this is Carbonite. All will sync with your machine and provide you daily backups. Suppose anything happens to your computer, you can access all the files you have chosen to save in your account and reinstall them.

Still, Both of these are great options for backup, recovery, and saving files. But, they are usually used differently for various reasons.

Is There a Cloud?

Here is where it can get confusing to some. Allow quickly to clear up any confusion. This “cloud” part of cloud storage refers to storing your files somewhere other than your computer’s hard drive.

As well, there is no real cloud as you are storing your files on other servers. Becoming all that data in the said Cloud gives you the capability to access all those files through the Internet whenever you need to.

Now, Your data is encrypted before it makes any journeys to other servers, Plus while in the transition to those servers, it’s also encrypted. Here, You can access your files through apps & other utility software that is installed on your PC.

The Best Cloud Storage Services Available

Google Drive

The main thing when people think of Google Drive is that they think, free storage. While they do have an attractive option for open storage, they also have some even better-paid options for you to dig into.

Most of the different features are made available to you by Google Drive via “One.” Here is what ties everything into Google’s Cloud platform. Now, You can also use a companion app like Google Photos to store unlimited high definition photos on your mobile phone.

Google Drive is a well-known and prevalent option for cloud storage because it offers many options and is easily accessible for most people. Further, most of us are already using something tied to Google and their other services, such as integrating Google Drive is another logical step.

Main Benefits

Companion apps
G Suite integration
Android integration
Affordable paid tiers available.
Very generous amount of free storage

Pricing Options

Free storage option available
2TB Tier: $99 per year

pCloud

The pCloud is one of the excellent cloud storage and file-sharing services available today. Well, One of the more unique things about this Option is that they are one of the few & the only one on this list offers lifetime subscriptions. This means that if you go this route, you get a virtual, permanent cloud drive.

This has a very user-friendly interface that shows you where everything is and what all the functions do. This service comes with a 30-day trash history, and therefore if you need something back, you have a month to access it after then you delete it.

Even You get unlimited remote upload traffic. Nevertheless, you are limited in download traffic to 500GB for the premium package Plus 2TB for the premium package plus every month, So, which should be more than enough.

As well, there are some bandwidth limits in place, but you probably won’t ever come close to hitting them. This being said, there is not any limit to the size of files you can upload to sync all the huge media files you would like.

Main Benefits

Intuitive
Affordable
Easy to use
Up to 5 devices
Elegant interface
Unlimited upload traffic
Offers lifetime subscription plans

Pricing Option:

-Premium Annual: $47.88 per year, 500GB
-Lifetime: One-time payment of $175, 500GB
-Premium Plus Annual: $95.88 per year, 2TB
-Plus Lifetime: One-time payment of $350, 2TB

Microsoft OneDrive

As is this case with Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive will be perfect for anyone dedicated to using all of Microsoft’s services. For instance, it will easily integrate with Microsoft Outlook, which is their top-rated email service.

People also provide a very generous amount of free cloud storage space for users. Not that 5GB is overwhelming; however, it is a substantial amount for free. Plus, you can quickly increase the amount of space to 100GB for a relatively low cost.

As well, there is a storage capacity limit of 6TB. However, if you are using that much space for something, then you can probably afford more. Now, You will be able to use this on up to 30 devices, & it rounds out our list of the excellent cloud storage and file-sharing services that are accessible right now.

Main Benefit

Up to 30 devices
Comes with Microsoft 365
Very generous amount of free storage
Integrates with other Microsoft products
Edit files online without downloading them

Pricing Option

-Personal Option: $6.99 per month, And 1TB of storage
-Family Option: $9.99 per month, And 6TB of storage for up to 6 people
-Office, Home, & Student Option: One-time purchase $149.99
Therefore, you have it, our list of the five best cloud storage and file-sharing services that are available to you right now.

Zoolz

Zoolz is recognized by most to be the best service for those individuals and businesses looking for unlimited everything. This product offers an easy to follow and use interface that combines with excellent web management options.

The cloud storage company uses the Amazon Web Services (AWS) infrastructure to deliver a stable price-to-performance ratio for all those interested parties.

Doing things this way allows them to offer prices that are cheaper than the competition, So at that same time, having the skills to add more features like instant search or data policies.

Here, Zoolz offers a 100TB package that costs an as little bit as $500 per month for businesses looking for all the data and storage they can handle if you book it for 60 months (5 years).

Now, You can also step this up by using their service called “BigMind.” That adds a layer of artificial intelligence, so primarily for image discovery & facial recognition.

Main Benefits

Easy to use
File versioning
Hybrid backup
Very affordable
GDPR/HIPAA compliance
100TB package available

Pricing Options

-1TB: $14.99 per month
-2TB: $29.99 per month
-5TB: $74.99 per month

IDrive

The Kicking off our list is the powerful & popular IDrive cloud storage service. This is an excellent cloud storage system that backs up your files as well. This allows users to backup everything from computers, tablets, and mobile.

The IDrive works well for businesses that have massive amounts of data that need to be backed up. This offers continuous syncing of your files, even the ones on network drives. This also has an easy to use interface that supports sharing files by email, Facebook, and Twitter.

So, Backing up files is its specialty, as up to 30 previous versions of all files backed to your account are held for you to access if needed.

Though, IDrive also allows IT admins to have access to the IDrive Thin Client application. That will let them easily backup or restore, manage settings, and perform other applicable functions for their connected computers through a centralized dashboard.

Main Benefits

Good security
IDrive Express
Fast and spacious
Unlimited devices
Easy to use interface
Free Option available
Backs up 30 versions of files
Facial recognition feature for photos

Pricing Options

-Basic: 5GB Free
-IDrive Personal: 5TB $52.12 per year, 10TB $74.62 per year. One user, unlimited computers.
– IDrive Business: 250GB $74.62 per year, 500GB $149.62 per year, 1.25TB $374.62 per year. Unlimited users, computers, and servers.

Also, Check :

Final Words :

Whether you are looking for a reliable cloud storage solution, you will be in good hands with any of the options above. This will make more sense to invest in cloud storage services when it comes to things like: