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Cloud Storage Guide for New Users

Cloud storage is a great alternative for those who are looking to free up their computer’s drive space. Also, plenty of businesses invest money in services like Dropbox and iCloud because they provide a safe location to keep important files. Not to mention that different employees can utilize clouds to upload and share files with coworkers or clients.

There are also some instances when brands need cloud storage because of legal requirements. For example, you and a client agree to keep certain files on clouds instead of another location.

If you have been looking to get started with cloud storage, this article should provide valuable information. It will cover the most popular services, their pros and cons, and why you should choose one instead of the other

Cloud Service Types

Let’s start by discussing cloud storage categories. There are four distinct types that you can choose from.

  • Broader suite of web apps

The first type of cloud storage is services that are part of web applications. Google Drive and OneDrive are notable cloud storage providers of this type.

By getting Google Drive or OneDrive, you will also gain access to tools like a hosted email, spreadsheets, a calendar to make appointments, and other tools.

Broader suite of web apps cloud storage is not that different from other types. It is just that it comes with additional features. Therefore, learning how to download from google drive or upload and share data with others is not harder just because it has extra tools as part of the package.

  • Dedicated storage

Dedicated storage is simple. Dropbox is the most popular service for dedicated storage. By registering and paying money, you spend money only on cloud storage.

  • API-focused storage

Amazon Web Services might not be as popular as some other services. However, if you are a coder or work in a different IT sphere, API-focused storage like Amazon Web Services could prove to be quite useful thanks to its flexibility.

  • Personal storage

If you are looking to create a cloud storage account for personal needs instead of collaborating with others by sharing files, then personal storage should be the go-to type. iCloud is the most popular service in this classification.

Pros and Cons of Popular Cloud Storage Services

Once you know your cloud storage needs, you can pick a service that will accommodate those needs.

Dropbox

Dropbox is perhaps the most popular cloud service at the moment. It is available on Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS, and other operating systems.

While Dropbox started as a service for individuals, it did not take too long before it became widely used among businesses. Work becomes more efficient when you can drop a file in Dropbox and inform your coworker that they can download it on their computer.

Dropbox offers automatic data backup and syncing with multiple devices. It is also easy to use and comes with 2 GB of free storage. To upgrade the plan, you will need to pay 10 dollars a month for 2 TB of space. There are other plans as well, depending on how many people use Dropbox.

Google Drive

Like previously mentioned, Google Drive is a part of a bigger package that offers apps like Google Sheets and Google Docs. If you combine Drive with Gmail, you get about 30 GB of total storage for free. 100 GB cost 2 dollars per month, and 2 TB of Google Drive storage is 10 dollars.

Collaborating and sharing information on Google Drive is quite easy as you can create spreadsheets and other documents and invite others via Gmail.

iCloud

While iCloud may not be an optimal choice for business purposes, it is still a reliable cloud storage service.

It is worth noting that iCloud works with a personal Apple account the best, meaning that you need one of Apple devices to use iCloud. In addition, sharing iCloud files is difficult, but that is related to copyrighted tracks, e-books, and other data.

Nevertheless, iCloud makes it easy to create a mini-ecosystem between your Apple devices and makes file access effortless. The services also offer 5 GB of free storage with the option to expand available space up to 50 GB for a dollar per month or even 2 TB for 10 dollars per month.

Overall, iCloud may not be the best option for businesses, but it is a solid pick for personal needs if you use Apple devices.

Final Thoughts

To sum it all up, you have different cloud storage services to pick from, and each of them comes with advantages and disadvantages. Figure out your needs, including how much total storage you will need, and select a service that you believe suits you the best.

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Editorial Team

Editorial Staff at TechWaver is determined to inform their users regarding the latest tech news, tips & hacks, software & product reviews, and much useful information from all over the world.

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