Cloud Storage Round Up

Unless you have been offline for a while (a long while!) there is a good chance that you have at least heard of cloud storage. You probably know that cloud storage is an option that allows you to secure your data online, as well as share files with designated people. With so many cloud storage options though, which one do you choose?

Here are a few of the more popular options, along with what makes them great, and what could use some work:

Google Docs

It is impossible to talk cloud storage without mentioning Google Docs. The internet giant offers easy to use storage (you use your regular Google ID to sign in), although it does lack a few of the bells and whistles that competitors offer. It is also free, which is a big plus!

 

Box

Box somehow manages to merge cloud storage with social networking, making it super easy to store and share on their platform. Their free version offers 5GB of storage respectable for storing personal documents, and there are three commercial versions too.

 

Dropbox

Another big name in cloud storage, Dropbox offers a simple interface, and some of the cheapest packages out there. You only get 2GB free though, so if you are looking for bigger storage options, free, then you might need to look elsewhere. The good news is that their paid options are, on the whole, cheaper than competitors are.

 

Amazon Cloud Drive

Amazon is amping up their internet services, and Cloud Drive is one way they are doing that. In fact, they have already signed up all Amazon users with free 5GB accounts. Pricing and service is good, however, Amazons recent security problems may discourage some people.

Windows Live Sky Drive

Arguably the best free service out there, from Microsoft! If you have a Hotmail or Live account, you have access to a respectable 25GBs of storage, but there is no upgrade, so if you need a lot of storage space, you will have to look elsewhere.

 

All of these services are great, and they all offer easy interfaces, as well as secure storage. If we had to choose, and we were looking for the most cost effective options for home use, then either Google Docs or Windows Sky Drive would have to be top of the list.

When it comes to paid services, Dropbox comes out tops, but only by a hair.

So if you are looking for affordable, secure and easy to use cloud storage services make sure you check out these five services, before making a decision.