The cheapest cloud storage. Which cloud storage to choose? Google Drive cloud storage

To exchange files between computers and mobile gadgets, cables and flash drives are no longer needed. If the devices have Internet access, files can "fly" between them "on the cloud". More precisely, they can "settle" in cloud storage, which is a collection of servers scattered around the world (combined into one virtual - cloud server), where users place their data for free or paid. In the cloud, files are stored in exactly the same way as on a computer hard drive, but are available not from one, but from different devices who are able to connect to it.

Every second or third Internet user has already taken cloud storage technology into service and uses it with pleasure, but someone is still saved by flash drives. After all, not everyone knows about this possibility, and some simply cannot decide which service to choose and how to use it. Well, let's figure it out together.

What are cloud storages from the user's point of view and how they work

If you look through the eyes of an inexperienced user, cloud storage is a common application. All it does is create a folder on the computer under its own name. But not simple. Everything that you put into it is simultaneously copied to the same cloud-based Internet server and becomes available from other devices. The size of this folder is limited and can grow within the limits of the disk space allocated to you (from 2 GB on average).

If the cloud storage application is running and the computer ( mobile gadget) is connected to the global network, the data on the hard drive and in the cloud are synchronized in real time. At battery life, and also when the application is not running, all changes are saved only in the local folder. When the machine is connected to the Internet, access to the storage becomes possible, including through a browser.

Files and folders uploaded to the cloud are full-fledged web objects, the same as any content of Internet sites and ftp storages. You can link to them and share links with other people, even those who do not use this service. But only those who you yourself have allowed to download or see an object from your storage will be able to. In the cloud, your data is hidden from prying eyes and securely password protected.

The bulk of cloud services have additional functionality - a file viewer, built-in document editors, screenshot tools, etc. This, plus the amount of space provided, creates the main differences between them.

cloud service storage that needs no introduction to Windows users. No wonder, because in the latest releases of this OS (in the "top ten") it really climbs on top of everything on the screen, as it is set to autorun by default.

For Windows users, the advantage of the Microsoft OneDrive service over its counterparts is, perhaps, only one - it does not need to be installed. You also do not need to create a separate account for it - to enter the cloud, you just need to enter your Microsoft account details.

The owner of one Microsoft OneDrive account provides 5 GB of free disk space to store any information. To get extra volume, you have to pay extra. The maximum is 5 TB and costs 3,399 rubles per year, however, this package includes not only disk space, but also the Office 365 application (home edition). More democratic tariff plans are 1 TB (2,699 rubles per year - storage and Office 365 personal) and 50 GB (140 rubles per month - only storage).

Additional features of all tariffs:

  • Support for other operating systems - Mac OS X, iOS and Android.
  • View and edit documents using the built-in Office applications.
  • Remote access to everything on the computer (not just OneDrive folders) that has the service installed and uses your Microsoft account.
  • Creation of photo albums.
  • Built-in messenger (Skype).
  • Creation and storage of text notes.
  • Search.

Only paid versions:

  • Create expiration links.
  • offline folders.
  • Multi-page scanning with saving documents to a PDF file.

In general, the service is not bad, but sometimes there are problems with entering account. If you are going to use the web version of the repository (through a browser) and access it under a different IP address than before, Microsoft will sometimes run a verification that the account belongs to you, which takes quite a lot of time.

There were also complaints about the removal of user-generated content from OneDrive - when Microsoft suspected that it was unlicensed.

- one of the oldest cross-platform cloud storage. Unlike the previous one, it supports all major operating systems, as well as some rarely used ones, such as Symbian and MeeGo. The service is very easy to use, works quickly and stably.

A DropBox user is given only 2 GB of disk space for free to store personal files, but this amount can be doubled by creating and attaching another one to your account - work (which can actually be personal). Together you get 4 GB.

Switching between personal and work disk space on the DropBox website and in the application is carried out without logging out of your account (you do not need to enter your login and password every time). On the computer for both accounts is created separate folder- 2 GB each.

DropBox, as expected, also has several tariff plans. Free was mentioned above, Paid is "Plus" (1 TB, $ 8.25 per month, intended for personal use), "Standard" (2 TB, $ 12.50 per month, for business), "Advanced" (unlimited volume, $20 per month for 1 user) and "Enterprise" (unlimited volume, individually set price). The differences between the last two are in the set of additional options.

In addition to storage, free users have access to:

  • Service joint work with DropBox Paper docs.
  • Ability to share links and create shared folders.
  • Log of file changes with the ability to restore them to previous version(up to 30 days).
  • Commenting on files - both your own and other users, if the file is available for viewing.
  • Search function.
  • Receive event notifications (configurable individually).
  • Automatically upload photos from the camera (by the way, for enabling this option some time ago, DropBox provided users with additional space).
  • Choice of full or selective synchronization.
  • Data encryption during storage and transmission.

The possibilities of paid tariffs can be listed for a very long time, so we will note only the main ones:

  • Remote destruction of data from DropBox on a lost or stolen device.
  • Link expiration date.
  • Two-factor account authentication.
  • Setting access levels to different data.
  • Enhanced information security class HIPAA / HITECH (secure storage of medical records).
  • 24/7 technical support.

DropBox, if not the best, then a very worthy service. Despite the small amount of free space by today's standards, it is used by millions of people around the world.

Mega (Megasync)

As you can see from the description, Amazon Web Services is focused only on the corporate sector and is not intended for storing albums with photos of cats, although it is possible that someone uses it for this as well. After all, cloud file storage - Amazon Glacier, like Yandex disk, provides users with 10 free GB. Additional volume costs $0.004 per GB per month.

Comparing Amazon Glacier to the web resources described above is perhaps incorrect, as they serve slightly different purposes. The functionality and capabilities of this service are determined by business objectives, including:

  • Uninterrupted operation, increased reliability.
  • Compliance enhanced protection data.
  • Multilingual interface.
  • Unlimited volume (extension for extra charge).
  • Ease of use and flexibility of settings.
  • Integration with other Amazon Web Services.

Those who are interested in Amazon's capabilities can check out the full AWS product documentation, which is located on the official website.

Mail.ru

It occupies the second or third place in the popularity rating of file web storages among the Russian-speaking audience. In terms of its set of features, it is comparable to Google Drive and Yandex Disk: it, like them, contains web applications for creating and editing documents (texts, tables, presentations) and a screenshot tool (a utility for taking screenshots). It is also integrated with other Mail.ru projects — mail, the My World and Odnoklassniki social networks, the Mail.ru service. Dating, etc., has a convenient file viewer with a flash player and is also very affordable (for those who do not have enough allocated space).

The Mail cloud has 8 GB of free storage space (this figure has changed several times in the past). The premium plan for 64 GB costs 690 rubles per year. For 128 GB you will have to pay 1,490 rubles a year, for 256 GB - 2,290 rubles a year. The maximum volume is 512 GB, it will cost 3,790 rubles a year.

Other functions of the service are not much different from similar ones. This:

  • Shared folders.
  • Synchronization.
  • Built-in search.
  • Ability to share links.

The Mail.ru client application runs on Windows, OS X, iOS and Android.

Cloud storage is a proprietary web service for owners of smartphones and tablets of the same manufacturer. Designed to store backup copies of data with mobile devices- multimedia content, OS files and other things at the discretion of the user.

Client samsung app Cloud is preinstalled on phones and tablets released after the second half of 2016 (after the release of Samsung Galaxy Note 7). Registering an account on the service is possible only through it, apparently to screen out outsiders.

Free storage is 15 GB. An additional 50 GB costs $0.99 per month, and 200 GB costs $2.99.

iCloud (Apple)

- a favorite among cloud storages among users of Apple products. Still, because it is free (though not very roomy) and is integrated with other apple services. The service is designed to store backup copies of data from the iPhone, iPad and iPod, as well as user media files, mail and documents (the latter are automatically synchronized with the content iCloud Drive).

Free iCloud storage is 5 GB. Additional storage is priced at $0.99 for 50GB, $2.99 ​​for 200GB, and $9.99 for 2TB.

The iCloud client app supports Mac OS X, iOS, and Windows operating systems. There is no official application for Android, but owners of devices based on this OS can view mail from the Apple cloud on their device.

Completes the top cloud storage parade Chinese service. As you can see from the screenshot, it is clearly not adapted for you and me. Why is it needed then, if there are domestic, European and American analogues more familiar to the Russian-speaking person? The fact is that Baidu provides users with a whole terabyte of free disk space. For the sake of this, it is worth overcoming the difficulties of translation and other obstacles.

Signing up for Baidu Cloud is significantly more labor intensive than the competition. It requires confirmation by a code sent via SMS, and SMS from a Chinese server does not come to Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian numbers. Our fellow citizens have to get out with the help of rent virtual number phone, but that's not all. The second difficulty is that an account cannot be registered for some email addresses. In particular, on gmail services (Google is blocked in China), fastmail and Yandex. And the third difficulty is the need to install the Baidu Cloud mobile application on a phone or tablet, since this is what 1 TB is given for (when registering on a computer, you will receive only 5 GB). And it, as you understand, is entirely in Chinese.

Aren't you scared? Go for it and you will be rewarded. Information on how to create a Baidu account with your own hands is available on the Internet.

Website. Today, as promised, the continuation of the topic of cloud data storage.

In the last article, the beginning of this extensive topic.

And I will present to your attention the best free cloud storage. Now many companies are trying to create clouds for the convenience of transferring and storing heavy files.

Rating of the best free cloud storage

In order not to get lost in search of successful sites for saving files, I threw off a list of the most popular free cloud storages.

I would like to note that Internet storage data is very popular among the majority of users. And for blogging and further monetization of personal sites, this is a good bonus in the deck of necessary sites. So, meet the 9 best cloud storages.

9 Best Cloud Storages

  • 1. Cloud Mail ru

Cloud Mail ru (http://cloud.mail.ru) – full confidence, as well as the maximum disk array(100 gigabytes for data storage).

This service is the undisputed leader in the family of free cloud storage.

Wherever you are, there is always the opportunity to use the necessary file by taking a laptop or personal mobile device as a working tool.

Mile ru cloud is designed for any platform, be it Windows, Linux 64-32 bit, MacOS, Android.

You can more clearly study this service and get the full amount of necessary information at http://help.mail.ru/cloud_web.

By the way, recently this service was announced new opportunity to develop shared folders with other users. You can, on a mutual basis, drop the necessary information into the created folders.

How this method will be useful for you? This is a potentially convenient option to successfully complete the archive with photos from memorable events.

Your cooperation will provide an opportunity to collect your favorite pictures in a common folder, to carry out group work on the development and completion of documents.

Any interesting moments from the life of common parties can be thrown into the archive of a common folder. For students, there was not a bad opportunity to complete various manuals and notes.

In other words, this option is quite convenient and efficient.

Mega

  • 2. Cloud storageMega

Cloud data storage Mega, with the ability to use 50 GB for personal needs. Having managed to invite one of the visitors to the service, you will receive additional gigabytes.

As they say, a good opportunity to get additional free memory through advertising this service.

All your files are encrypted on your personal computer, and Mega has no way to view the backup data set. The web address is https://mega.co.nz.

So, in your reserve is 50 GB and attracting interested users to Mega to increase the disk array. Believe me, a great service for most bloggers.

media fire

  • 3. File storagemedia fire

MediaFire File Storage (https://www.mediafire.com). 10 GB of personal space. In the load you get 8 GB for the announcement of the service in in social networks or by invited clients.

skydrive

  • 4. Internet data storageskydrive

SkyDrive Internet Data Storage is designed for the Windows 8 platform.

The idea to create this service belongs to Microsoft, which makes it possible not to worry about the lack of interaction with this operating system and installed programs developed for this platform.

With a license for Windows 8-8.1, the SkyDrive service gives 25 GB of personal space. Without a licensed program, the client has a smaller memory size of 7 gigabytes.

Copy

  • 5. Network storageCopy

Network storage Copy (https://www.copy.com ), with the ability to take 15 GB for personal needs. The cloud interface includes a full set of necessary functions, which makes it possible not to get lost when you first visit this service.

Copy cloud storage works with all platforms, and also gives you the ability to encrypt your completed files.

The referral program allows you to increase your personal reserve with an additional 5 gigabytes of disk space.

4Sync

  • 6. Cloud storage 4Sync

Cloud storage 4Sync (http://ru.4sync.com/) is quite convenient in terms of its parameters, and a cloud service known among Runet users. Internet storage is designed for most platforms. Working with 4Sync, you get 15 GB of free space. The rest of the reserve is purchased for money.

GGoogle Disk

  • 7.GGoogle Disk

Google Drive (https://www.google.com) is directly linked to Google, where online services (Gmail, Docs) are directly integrated with the named repository. The resulting size for a block of various materials is 15 GB.

You can download google drive to various mobile devices. This will allow you to work from any place you choose. But there are a number of disadvantages of this file storage.

Throwing personal documents into a folder, you lose the standard protection, which once again calls into question the storage of private information. If blogosphere your strong point, then without a doubt you have mailbox on google.

In this case, mail, google documents, images will automatically take up space on google service disk. That is why 15 GB is a fairly relative size of this “cloud”.

True, creating new account on google without mail services and other additional services, you can keep the original storage size.

Yandex Disk

  • 8. Yandex Disk

Yandex Disk is a domestic cloud network storage located at https://disk.yandex.ru.

Exactly given storage files on the Internet is especially popular with most Russian users on the network.

Yandex company constantly refreshes the mechanism of the personal system, developing new platforms, analyzing and sorting according to various criteria enough a large number of virtual platforms (blogs, sites, online stores, etc.).

That is why, in the next article after this article, I will focus on functionality Yandex Disk file storage.

Namely, I will consider how to use this "cloud" for personal needs, and in the process of blogging. And we will analyze with you how to save a set of necessary files on Yandex Disk.

Do not forget, in order not to miss the post about Yandex Disk, click on the blog news site.

dropbox

  • 9. Dropbox

Dropbox is a universal file storage with a wide range of applications, where it is possible to synchronize data both on a group of computers and on mobile devices.

The interface of this service will be clear to any novice user. www dropbox com is a cloud storage address with a rather unobtrusive and pleasant design.

After registering on the cloud storage site, you need to install the dropbox program by going to .

Created folder with set various information will be synced between the Dropbox storage and any computer put into operation.

Thanks to wifi connections there is an opportunity to use email working from any portable device. The only problem is the small size of the proposed space for storing files on the Internet.

2 GB free personal storage. The rest of the amount is purchased for money or increased through a referral program.

9 Best Cloud Storage Solutions - Conclusion

The clear line of other cloud storages is blurred due to the small amount of workspace. The highest preference is given to the above free services. Now you know the 9 best cloud storages.

Use them and feel comfortable in your daily work. If the information was useful to you, then please click on the social media buttons below, let your friends also know about the 9 best cloud storages.

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Users and businesses will continue to move away from bulky and expensive servers, choosing the cloud for file storage instead. Given the variety of available storage, the choice should be approached very carefully.

Lifehacker suggests paying attention to services that provide maximum free space with reliable data protection and quality service. Prices are indicated only for the initial tariff plans.

  • Price A: 2 GB free, 1 TB $8.25 per month. A standard Dropbox Business subscription costs $12.5 per user per month.
  • Applications:
  • Russian language support: eat.

Initially, this cloud storage giant gives access to only 2 GB of free space. But it can be easily expanded up to 16 GB: just link your social media accounts and offer a referral link to several friends.

A Dropbox Business subscription allows you to use your corporate account for collaboration and also gives you unlimited space for your personal account. What's more, you get a number of advanced features like file recovery and setting access levels.

  • Price: 15 GB free, 100 GB for 139 rubles per month.
  • Applications: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
  • Russian language support: eat.

One of the most obvious options for device owners under Android control, since the application is originally installed on smartphones and tablets based on Google OS. However, due to the considerable amount of free storage, the service may be attractive to owners of other devices.

Among the minuses is not the simplest interface of the browser version. But Windows users and macOS can download a much more convenient app.

3.Mega

  • Price A: 50 GB free, 200 GB €4.99 per month.
  • Applications:
  • Russian language support: eat.

Another service with a generous free plan and drag-and-drop interface. Mega has a handy mobile app for downloading files, as well as desktop clients for synchronizing them.

According to the company, all data is encrypted on your device before it ends up on the servers. Source The Mega client is available on GitHub and can be checked out by any expert. Therefore, the statement inspires confidence.

  • Price: 10 GB for free, another 10 GB for 30 rubles per month.
  • Applications: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, LG Smart TV.
  • Russian language support: eat.

The cloud from Yandex works quickly and stably, constantly acquiring new features. The service has a high synchronization speed. Platform capabilities are built into some third-party applications.

Despite the presence of clients for all popular desktop and mobile platforms, the Yandex.Disk browser interface is also very practical. The service also has very good opportunities for expanding space through partnerships with companies. For example, if you are a Muscovite and use the OnLime tariff plan from Rostelecom, then the disk capacity is increased by 100 GB.

  • Price: 5 GB for free, 50 GB for 140 rubles per month, 1 TB for 269 or 339 rubles when registering a personal or family subscription to Office 365, respectively.
  • Applications: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Windows phone, Xbox.
  • Russian language support: eat.

Former SkyDrive built into standard windows explorer 10. No need to download the application - everything is already downloaded for you.

The Photos app built into the operating system can use OneDrive to sync all of your pictures across devices.

When installing a client for macOS, you should consider not the most positive reviews about him.

In addition to regular pricing plans, Microsoft has "Office 365 Personal" and "Office 365 Home" products. Both subscriptions include 1 TB in the cloud, full versions Office applications for Windows and macOS and a host of other benefits. The second option gives 1 TB to five users at once.

  • Price: 8 GB for free, 64 GB for 69 rubles per month.
  • Applications: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Windows Phone.
  • Russian language support: eat.

The closest analogue of Yandex.Disk in terms of available features, web version interface and supported platforms. Loses to its main competitor due to an extensive referral program. Benefits include more free storage.

Among other things, the service has a tool for quickly creating and saving screenshots in the cloud.

  • Price: 5 GB for free, 50 GB for 59 rubles per month.
  • Applications: Windows.
  • Russian language support: eat.

5 GB of free space might not be enough, but iCloud is the most convenient way to create backups photos from iPhone.

The service is integrated into the Finder program on macOS - the desktop of all MacBooks. Documents created through office suite iWork are also stored in iCloud and can be synced across devices. The platform also has an official client for Windows, with which you can keep files on your PC up to date.

8. Box

  • Price A: 10 GB free, 100 GB €8 per month. Business subscription costs 12 euros per month.
  • Applications: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
  • Russian language support: eat.

The platform quickly gained popularity and is supported by a number of popular services for work, such as Google Docs and Office 365. Box desktop clients allow you to not only synchronize, but also edit files.

The company is actively promoting business subscription. It is she who appears in the center of the screen when you click on the registration button. Tariff plan gives you access to advanced collaboration features and unlimited space in the cloud.

  • Price: free customization and usage, space prices depend on hosting providers. Nextcloud Box costs 70 euros.
  • Applications: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
  • Russian language support: no.

The company itself is not a cloud storage provider, but offers free software to set up a cloud on your own server. The main advantage of this option is speed. You can also enable encryption and not worry about files leaving your home network.

If you have no experience in setting up servers, you can buy a pre-configured option - Nextcloud Box. Inside the device - HDD for 1 TB. It easily connects to an inexpensive single - board computer . True, in order to get a mini-server in your hands, you will have to use the services of third-party companies: there is no direct delivery to Russia and the CIS countries.

  • Price A: 2 GB free, 250 GB $9 per month.
  • Applications: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
  • Russian language support: no.

Another English-language platform that has been working on the zero-knowledge protocol for a long time. It was understood that the company interacts with user data without disclosing their content in any way. Recently it turned out that there are some caveats here, and SpiderOak abandoned its main feature. But this did not stop striving to provide files.

The storage has clients for all popular desktop and mobile platforms. You can use the web client, but for privacy fighters, this is the least preferred option, since this is how you give out your password to SpiderOak employees.

  • Price: 5 GB free, 2 TB for $52.12 per year on special offer, then $69.5.
  • Applications: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Windows Phone.
  • Russian language support: no.

The product maintains constant synchronization of all your files - even those stored on network drives. The web interface allows you to share data by mail, via Facebook and Twitter.

The advantage of IDrive is that files deleted from the computer from the cloud do not automatically disappear. The company also has an IDrive Express service: if you lose all your data, a hard drive will be delivered to you for quick recovery.

  • Price A: 10GB free, 500GB $3.99 per month, pCloud Crypto encryption price $3.99 per month.
  • Applications: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
  • Russian language support: eat.

The service has limits on the speed of downloading files, but there is no limit on their volume. The storage can be used from any platform - through the application or website.

The company is registered in Switzerland, a country known for strict privacy laws. For an additional amount, you can use the pCloud Crypto service to encrypt individual files.

Hello dear site readers! The Internet is developing at a staggering speed and now there is no need to store data on your computer when there are so many free cloud file storages around.

The "cloud" means a dedicated place in the system of one of the services where any registered user can upload any information, even personal data, without worrying about their safety.

But because of such an abundance, the question arises which of the systems to choose for an ordinary user, which is the best?

Therefore, I propose in this article to conduct small comparison(overview) of the most popular cloud storages, which provide a free disk quota at high speed in order to attract a larger audience.

Why cloud services are needed

Before I start talking about ten the best systems, let's remember once again what is the meaning of virtual disk space and what benefits the user receives.

Cloud storage is a type of online storage where data is stored online on dedicated servers, access to which is provided only to customers and third parties with their permission.

In simple words, this is the same computer that you use at home, only a certain organization owns it and distributes hard disk space to everyone for free or for money, where you can upload / download files and other data if you have Internet access.

Benefits of online storage:

  • Having access to files from anywhere in the world, if there is access to the network.
  • High data processing speed.
  • Availability of applications for working with the cloud on PC and mobile device.
  • Free place.
  • File storage security.

Essentially using the services virtual service You get free hosting to store files.

After registration in one of the systems, the user will be allocated a part of the disk space, which can be increased for an additional fee.

The user can work with the account both in the mode of visiting the site directly, and by installing special applications to a computer and mobile devices, where all files hosted in the cloud will automatically be synchronized on all devices.

It turns out from whichever device you go to your cloud, only the current set of files will always be available.

The best services for storing files online TOP-10

If you look at all the available services, it is unlikely that there will be enough fingers, but only some of them are still afloat, gaining popularity among users of the global network.

Let's take a closer look at the list of cloud storages that I personally use and which are worth paying attention to.

Yandex Disk This is one of the most popular cloud storages in the Russian-speaking segment, since most of us have automatically receive part of the memory in the cloud.

If you decide to use a service from Yandex for storing files, then get ready to get 10 GB of space for free later, user-friendly interface and excellent synchronization.

Those who do not have enough allocated memory will have to pay extra according to the current tariffs:

  • 10 GB - 30 rubles
  • 100 GB - 80 rubles
  • 1 TB - 200 rubles

There is also a referral program, where for each invited participant you will receive 512 MB of available memory, plus participation in current promotions will allow you to get up to 50 GB more.

For example, for my birthday, the service added +5 GB of mail for life.

For the convenience of working with files, cloud users can install a program for PC (for Windows, Mac OS, Linux) and applications for mobile devices (for Android, iOS, Windows Phone) to perform all data operations on different devices.

Google Drive This is a virtual cloud for the safety of user files from the foreign company Google, the leader in the IT industry.

If you delve into the history, then the developers just redid former service to work with Google Docs Docs.

To get an account in Disk, it is enough to register a mailbox in Google, although this rule applies to all services of a foreign search engine.

I don’t think that this will be a problem for anyone, because after all new users get 25 GB of free space at their disposal.

To expand your disk space, be prepared to pay extra:

  • 100 GB - 499 rubles / year
  • 1 TB - 4990 rubles / year
  • 2 TB - 9990 rubles / year
  • 4 TB - 19990 rubles / year

Personally, I still have an old account on Mail, when everyone was allocated 100 GB for free, but apparently the company realized that this was extremely unprofitable for them and decided to reduce the volume of the disk by four times.

For those who are used to working with files not on the side of the service online, but through a PC and mobile. device, there is an opportunity to download the program for any computer operating system (Windows, Mac OS X, Linux) and smartphone (iOS, Android, WinPhone).

drop box This is one of the oldest file storage on the Internet, which is loved by many for its simplicity and support for a large number of file formats.

But alas, not everything is so rosy, from the minuses it is worth highlighting the small amount of space provided to new participants - 2 GB for free, and everything else for money:

  • 1000 GB - $9.99/month
  • As much as you need GB - $15 per user per month + tax

It is worth noting that you can use the cloud both on a computer (Windows OS) and smartphones (iOS, Android), you will learn more about it from the link provided.

OneDrive This cloud storage, once known as SkyDrive, is the development of Microsoft, which constantly monitors its products without ceasing to improve them.

To start, it is not necessary to register, it will be enough to log in to related services Outlook.com or Xbox Live.

New members receive 15 GB of free disk space. If you wish, you can increase the limit, it is enough to invite friends, where 500 MB will be credited for each new participant.

There is only one paid tariff here:

  • 50 GB for $1.99/month

Do not forget about file synchronization on PC (Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7 and Vista), mobile devices (iOS, Android, WPhone) and Xbox.

Mega A relatively new file storage created by MEGA Encrypted Global Access, where all data is transmitted to the server in encrypted form.

It turns out that even the cloud does not know what information users are working with.

It also gained immense popularity due to the large amount of allocated memory - 50 GB free of charge to all new participants.

I think it's very tempting to get so much disk space for free without inviting friends and other rules.

Those who are used to working with large amounts of information for a fee can always expand the limit.

  • 200 GB – 4.99 €/month
  • 500 GB – 9.99 €/month
  • 2 TB — 19.99 €/month
  • 4 TB - 29.99 €/month

For the convenience of file synchronization, Mega has developed computer, mobile and browser applications.

Box This cloud service is known on the Internet more as a tool for managing business tasks, but ordinary users will also be useful.

It is unlikely that you will have to worry about the safety of data, since all information is transmitted to the servers via a secure SSL protocol, including 256-bit encryption.

But there is clearly a problem with the allocated space - only 10 GB and maximum size The transferred file must not exceed 250 MB.

You will have to increase the limit for money:

  • 100 GB - 8 €/month (maximum file transfer size 5 GB)

You can synchronize files with a computer through a special one, and Box applications are provided for mobile devices.

4shared This is a cloud file-sharing hosting that has been popular among users since 2005.

It is not necessary to create an account, just log in using your Facebook accounts,

And a year later, we can say with confidence that cloud storage and their position in the world have changed.

Many cloud storages continue to evolve and develop for the better, while others, on the contrary, are losing user loyalty. There are also younger cloud storages that look extremely attractive. Although it is pleasant that there is no longer such a huge number of new cloud storages that appeared a few years ago in huge quantities, they “died” in the same huge numbers.

I’ll make a reservation right away, in this top there will be only cloud storages that provide users with at least some free space. There are also fully paid cloud storages that please with their quality, but they will not be included in this top.

Cloud storage from Microsoft, which replaced the closed SkyDrive. The storage is tightly integrated into the company's ecosystem and many applications. High speed, 15 GB of free space and integration with Microsoft office online. Everything was fine, but Microsoft managed to ruin the entire reputation of its repository.

Office 365 subscribers received unlimited OneDrive space. The description indicated 1 TB, but when the limit was reached, the available space was added automatically. Some users began to abuse the trust of Microsoft, as a result, hundreds of terabytes of data accumulated in their accounts, all photos, the entire movie library, heaps of games pumped from torrents and much more. OneDrive was originally created as a tool for storing, collaborating and transferring documents, and not as a permanent repository of everything you need. Microsoft was angered by this and the company took a step that undermined . There will be no unlimited accounts from the first quarter of 2016. Free 15 GB and bonus for automatic download The photo has also been greatly reduced. On a free basis, it is planned to give only 5 GB, and the remaining 10 GB and the bonus will simply be taken away from users who did not have time to use this space, with the help of certain manipulations.

The cancellation of unlimited accounts can still be justified, even a reduction in free volume can be justified, but the fact that the company wants to take away the already existing free space is extremely bad for the further credibility of OneDrive. As a result, we are left with more or less high-quality cloud storage, but due to the lack of trust in it, only the tenth place.

9. MEGA

Last year, MEGA cloud storage was much higher in the rankings. During the year, the repository changed its web interface, there were problems with the operation of the repository itself, and at the end, Kim Dotcom, who once founded MEGA, reported that . Is it possible to trust a distressed husband who has his creation taken away from him? Not sure.

Of the minuses, it is worth noting that over the year the storage had problems with access, problems with synchronization, especially a large number of documents and through the web interface. In addition, some have noted that sometimes they could not access their files and the servers simply did not respond.

After the redesign, MEGA has lost all these problems. Moreover, he received the function of encrypted calls between users of this service. And don't forget, MEGA still gives 50 GB of free space to all its users. That's just adding up all of the above, this storage cannot be called exemplary, although it did not slide down to the antics of OneDrive, hence the higher position.

Initially, at this place, when the draft version of the top was written, there was a cloud storage “in the Safe”, which was advised by readers in the comments to the top of 2015. By the end of 2015, “vSafe” announced its closure, and, as the developers assure, everyone was warned by mail. But for some reason this letter did not reach and it was not in the spam folder, so all the files were gone. It's sad, but you need to look for a more reliable alternative.

There was nothing better than SpiderOak. Cloud storage has existed for more than one year and differs from all of the above by a high level of confidentiality. Strong encryption that has never been hacked by intruders. Many secure smartphones and other gadgets that specialize in the safety and security of user data recommend SpiderOak.

SpiderOak has applications for a large number of operating systems. There are also disadvantages, in particular, only 2 GB of available space is given for free. So, it remains to either store only the most valuable data in a more securely encrypted storage, or switch to a paid account. Many call SpiderOak the benchmark for encrypted cloud storage.

7. Box

More and more, this storage goes into the business segment. Data encryption, built-in notepad and 10 GB of free space. All these are good indicators, along with stability, because Box can be called one of the oldest cloud storages.

That's just the size of the files and many other indicators are significantly limited in free version, and it doesn’t get better, the rules are tightening more and more. If this goes on, the position of Box and the loyalty of ordinary users will come to naught. However, on a paid account, there are much more places and much less restrictions.

6. Copy

The Copy storage pleases with its stability. It just gives 15 GB of free space and works stably. No interruptions and no other problems. It simply synchronizes all your data, and this is the main criterion for any cloud storage.

However, this storage lacks an ecosystem, communication with other services and applications, and the ability to open at least some types of files directly in the cloud, without having to download them (now we are talking about the web version).

There are a lot of users of Apple devices and all of them are essentially iCloud users. iCloud stores settings, user data, synchronizes a huge number of files through it, and much more.

Even on operating systems from Apple, there may be a problem when working with iCloud. How to upload a file, why does the iCloud Drive app appear only after manipulating the settings? FROM Windows version still worse, and other systems do not have this storage at all. The closeness of iCloud does not allow to put it higher.

4. Yandex.Disk

One of the most popular repositories for Russian-speaking users. Over the past year, Yandex.Disk began to support more file formats, learned smart photo sorting, and received deep integration with Yandex.Mail. 10 GB of free space also has not gone away.

Do not forget about the numerous promotions during which you also get free space, for example, you were pleasantly surprised when you inserted a new flash drive and suddenly received 30 GB of space for a year as a gift. In addition, after a recent update Yandex.Disk Microsoft Office Online, which means you can easily create and work with office documents right in your browser.

3. Cloud Mail.Ru

The main competitor of Yandex.Disk, despite the fact that it launched much later, managed not only to catch up, but also overtook the competitor. If the first users who wanted to test the “raw” version of this repository received 1 TB of free space, beta testers received 100 GB, now they give only 25 GB, but the volume is no longer going to be reduced.

The storage not only provides a sufficiently large volume, which is more than enough to store documents, projects and photos, but also knows how to work with office documents, thanks to integration with Microsoft Office Online. Don't forget about mail integration.

Last year's leader is still inferior in functionality to this year's leader. The case when the cloud storage itself has not changed, moreover, it has become much better in a year, only the competitor has become much better.

This is the oldest of the cloud storages. In many ways, it was Dropbox that spawned given type services. Over the year, Dropbox has gained even more support for formats, improved speed, added the ability to leave comments on files, and, thanks to cooperation with Microsoft, has been integrated into Microsoft Office and Microsoft Office Online. The forces of the latter can now also be edited office documents right in the browser. There was also a built-in collective work with documents

1. Google Drive

The undisputed leader among cloud storage. 15 GB is not the most important thing that it gives. There is also a built-in office suite, Googel Docs, which supports much more formats than the main competitor of Microsoft Office Online. In terms of the number of supported formats, Google Drive is ahead of all its competitors. In addition, there are extensions that, if desired, can allow you to perform all the necessary actions with files: office work, listening to music, watching videos, working with archives, directly in cloud storage, from a browser, without the need to download files to your device.

Video and photo, not much High Quality and are not taken into account when calculating the occupied volume. Also, the application for Android, starting with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, begins to synchronize the settings of your phone, tablet or other gadget, so that it is easy to restore your data on a new device. Backups are also not taken into account when calculating the available space in Google Drive.

As a result, we have cloud storage, to the level of which no competitor has yet reached. Features of Google Drive is impressive and its development does not stop.



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