Google Drive vs
OneDrive vs Dropbox vs iCloud
Everything’s going onto the cloud these days.
As we begin to own more and more
electronic devices across a multitude of platforms, from desktops,
to laptops, tablets, and mobile devices, there’s an increasing need
to be able to access our files cross-platform. It also saves us the
need to carry a cumbersome hard drive or thumbdrive everywhere we
go.
As long as we have an internet
connection, all our needs, will be taken care of. However, there
are a multitude of cloud services available, from the Android
user’s favourite Google Drive, to the Apple native’s iCloud. Each
of these services have their pros and cons, so let’s delve into an
in-depth comparison to find the ideal cloud storage option for
you.
Starting with the most popular cloud storage service in
the market, we have Google Drive. It isn’t popular without reason,
this highly capable service melds together a productivity suite,
together with a depository where you can store any files you need.
It starts off with a free service that allows for 15GB of storage
that can be upgraded if a subscription fee is paid monthly.
● In-build productivity suite
that allows you to create and edit documents on-the-go
including
-Docs: Word Processor
-Slides: Presentation Software
-Sheets: Spreadsheet Builder
● Syncs perfectly with
Gmail
-Gmail allows you to attach documents directly from
Drive without having to download it, which is especially useful if
you’re not using your own computer and wish to send a large
files
● Unlimited and comprehensive
photo storage option
-Google Drive automatically integrates with Google
Photos, and all your photos or videos are synced from Drive to
Photos, which is an incredibly powerful tool. It allows for
unlimited photo and video storage, which minimal amounts of
compression done, freeing up whatever space you wish to clear up on
Drive or on your own computer/mobile devices.
-Photos is powerful in a sense that you don’t have to
manually create albums yourself. All photos in Photos are arranged
based on their date taken, so all you have to scroll to is a
certain time period when you’re on holiday before finding all your
lovely travel photos. It even has facial recognition software to
allow it to identify all the different faces in your photos, and
allow you to name each individual such that upon keying in their
name, you will be able to find all photos with them inside.
● Internet connection needed
for Docs, Sheets and Slides
-The thing about using Google’s productivity suite that
comes with its Drive, is the inability to access these documents
once you’ve lost connection to the internet.
OneDrive had many former names such as
SkyDrive, but it is now Microsoft’s go-to cloud storage option. It
is built-into your computers when you purchase a Windows 10-powered
system. It starts off with 5GB worth of free storage that can be
upgraded if you purchase a subscription.
● Extremely comprehensive
productivity suite
-You get Word, Excel, and Powerpoint at your fingertips
when using OneDrive on your web browser. This is perhaps the best
productivity suite you can find anywhere. They are a slightly
dialled-down version of the original suite, but they have almost
everything you need.
● Fetch any files on your
PC
-There is an interesting feature on OneDrive known as
Fetch, which allows you to grab any file on your Windows 10 PC,
even if they are not in the OneDrive folder, which is rather
interesting. However, this feature is only available for
PC-to-PC.
● Automatic File
Organisation
-OneDrive sorts through files in your folder and places
them neatly in pre-arranged folders. However, it may not work all
the time as it might “misplace your files into wrong folders.
Drawbacks
● Slow sync
-Unlike Dropbox with its super-fast download and upload
speeds, OneDrive’s sync speed is perhaps the slowest amongst all
the cloud services.
Perhaps the “original” cloud storage service, Dropbox
is simple and easy to use. However, it has one of the lowest
storage available for its free plan, with only 2GB of storage from
the get-go. Nevertheless, there are still reasons why you might
want to consider using it.
Why Dropbox
● Ultra-fast syncing
-Dropbox has an amazing technology that allows you to
upload only you changes to a document, which turns the service into
a lightning-quick sync.
● Robust third-party app
ecosystem
-Dropbox is supported by many third-party applications
and with over 100,000 apps such as 1Password and Goodreader
utilising Dropbox in their software, it seamlessly integrates into
your digital life.
Drawbacks
● Low amounts of storage
-Dropbox’s 2GB of free storage is rather miniscule
compared to other services out there and even its paid option
doesn’t look very attractive, if we were to compare price per
GB.
● Deletion of inactive
accounts
-The problem with Dropbox is that the developers have
the right to delete your account if you’re inactive, so any files
you have there might be wiped if you don’t sign in regularly
enough.
The default storage option for all Apple users, iCloud
is a perhaps one of the more expensive cloud storage options that
isn’t all too intuitive to use, but still a valid choice for Apple
natives with multiple Apple gadgets.
Why iCloud
● Seamless Apple
integration
-If you own multiple Apple devices, iCloud offers
unprecedented convenience by syncing almost any file across
devices, from your mail, to your music, photos and documents. It
provides you with a dedicated email address and contact book as
well, which further adds to its value.
● Beautiful web interface
-The layout of iCloud, as with most Apple applications
is just gorgeous, it is beautifully-designed, and simply
aesthetically-pleasing.
Drawbacks
● Not ideal for
productivity
-You can store almost any file on iCloud, but to truly
access documents like word documents, spreadsheets and presentation
files, you will need to purchase the iWorks applications. Or else,
they are pretty much inaccessible.
● Unavailable on Android
devices
-If you use an Android smartphone or tablet, but use
your iCloud on your PC or just one other device, it isn’t ideal to
use iCloud since your documents are unavailable from your other
mobile devices, which defeats the point of using a cloud
service.
Google Drive appears to give you the best bang for your
buck with its free and paid plans, followed by iCloud, OneDrive and
then finally Dropbox.
All in all, it appears that Google Drive appears to be
the best bet for most users, with its plans being the most
affordable and due to the fact that it works seamlessly across all
platforms. OneDrive is attractive to Windows 10 users who live and
breathe in the Microsoft Ecosystem and wish to utilise Office 365
on the go. For mobile users who use multiple applications that
utilise Dropbox, that will be your best bet. Last but not least,
iCloud should only be reserved for Apple users who own multiple
Apple devices and are devoid of any Windows or Android devices in
their arsenal.
Read more at
https://www.stuff.tv/sg/features/which-cloud-service-right-you/price-comparison#fkrLuHcrqAYgOA0B.99