Fast storage. What is Cloud Storage and why is it needed?

Many of you have already heard the concept of cloud storage or just the cloud. Now this storage model is increasingly gaining ground compared to home hard drives, flash drives and optical media. If you don’t know what cloud storage is and which cloud to choose, I’ll tell you everything in detail in this article.

Cloud data storage is a server structure organized by an organization that provides users with free space for free or for money. You can upload files of any type to the storage, which will subsequently be accessible from any device.

That's all certain. There are a lot of companies that provide data storage space, and some have already gained trust. The structure itself is very simple - ordinary servers consisting of disks, most often SSD drives. You can set up the cloud so that it syncs with your device, such as a phone, and then some files will be automatically uploaded to the cloud. If you need to provide access to your files to another user, then nothing could be easier; everything is done in a couple of clicks. And you don’t have to go to your friend with a flash drive to transfer a video or game.

How cloud storage works

Well, here, I think, it’s clear. Especially what this storage consists of. It is important to understand that the files are not stored on your PC, but on someone else’s. The disadvantage here is that the company at some point may turn off the servers for maintenance, which means access to files will be temporarily impossible.

To work with the cloud service, it is not necessary to use a browser. All companies have a special application that can be installed on a computer or smartphone. Then you enter your data and you can work, for example, upload files to the cloud.

Some cloud storage services allow you to edit files or folders. Let's say you changed some text file on your PC, if this file is in the cloud, then the changes will happen there too. The same thing is the other way around - if a change in a file occurs in the cloud, then the same file will be updated immediately on the computer.

When using the cloud, you can store whatever you want in it, but I do not recommend uploading important confidential data, such as scans of your passport or documents, there. Like any hosting and server, cloud storage is also susceptible to hacking by hackers. It is better to use the cloud to store multimedia, photos, games and more.

Pros and cons of cloud storage

Let's first look at the advantages and disadvantages of the cloud, and then look at some services that you can use for your needs.

Advantages of the cloud:

Access files from any device, be it a computer or smartphone.
Collaboration between companies and users with documents and files.
The likelihood of losing files due to hardware failures is reduced to zero.
You only pay for a specific amount of space.
High protection of your files and creation of backup companies by the provider. You don't need to do anything.

Disadvantages of cloud storage:

According to statistics, some companies refuse to use cloud storage because of security, but this was only in 2011, now the time is different.
Hackers can get your files.
Sometimes the price for the total amount of disk space can be very high.

It is known that the Dropbox service experienced a glitch, due to which, within a few hours, any user’s files could be received by anyone. But, again, this was back in 2011.

How to choose cloud storage

Cloud storage size

There's no need to explain much here. If you need a large amount of memory, for example 5, 10 or 15 GB, then you can find such an option for free. But you will have to pay higher.

Reviews about the company

If the company providing storage space has proven itself, then you can safely use their services. You should not use unfamiliar services. As an example, I can cite Dropbox, Cloud Mail.ru, SkyDrive and others.

Increasing storage capacity

If it is possible to increase the disk space of the cloud, then this may come in handy at some point. The increase, of course, is paid.

Software for computer and smartphone

The cloud storage service must have a client that you can install on your PC or phone and synchronize. Working with the cloud will be easier.

Restrictions

If there are any restrictions, for example, not only in the amount of memory, but also in the size of the downloaded file, then you should know about it.

Which cloud storage options to choose in 2017

Cloud Mail.ru – 100 GB free.
Mega – 50 GB free
MediaFire – 10 GB free. To get additional space, you need to work.
SkyDrive – 25 GB free.
Copy – 15 GB of free space. For each referred client you are given 5 GB.
4Sync – 15 GB free use.
Google Drive – free 15 GB.
Yandex Disk – approximately 10-20 GB of free space.
Dropbox – 5 GB for free, and for example 1 TB for $100.

Other cloud storage services may be either unreliable or provide little storage space. Now you know what cloud storage is, what their advantages and disadvantages are, and how to choose a cloud.

Remember how you used to have to burn your photos to discs and hope that everything would be okay? Or how a little later they began to use flash drives and external hard drives for the same thing? Now there is a much more reliable alternative - storing files on a cloud service. This is a kind of “rent” of space on a server, which can be located anywhere in the world. Its owner guarantees the safety, security and accessibility of all data posted there for a small fee - from 0 to several dollars per month. At the same time, each service has its own prices, capabilities, advantages and disadvantages. We conducted a study of the most popular cloud services in Ukraine, Russia and the USA to make it more convenient for you to choose the right one.

Yandex.Disk

Until recently, the cloud storage service Yandex.Disk was quite popular in Ukraine. However, along with the blocking, the number of its users has significantly decreased. Even with a VPN, this is not very convenient, since the speed of uploading and downloading files has decreased significantly.

You can increase the free disk space that is currently given upon registration by inviting friends and participating in periodic promotions from the service administration.

Exchange files and folders via link.

Uploading photos from social networks.

View documents online, regardless of format.

Program for PC and mobile client for free.

Synchronization with accounts from any device.

Advantages:

Built-in security system.
Low price compared to American data storage services.
Convenient modern interface in Russian.
Play videos and music directly on cloud storage.
Constantly updated and improved by developers.

Flaws:

Low speed via VPN due to blocking of the service in Ukraine.
Linking to mail on Yandex.
In the web version, you can upload no more than 2 GB at a time.

File storage DIPFO is a new cloud service from a Ukrainian developer. It differs in that it is primarily focused on sharing files with other family members or work colleagues. In both plans, in addition to the usual storage of various files in the cloud, it is possible to leave tasks, notes, and mark the location of locations in pictures. The “Family” tariff allows you to additionally download medical records for storage.

There is a free 5 GB plan, which is quite suitable as a regular storage service. Paid plans, which have a large number of additional features, can be activated for testing for 30 days. As of mid-2018, this is the only Ukrainian cloud that boasts great functionality, a nice interface, stable operation and a low price for additional features. Perhaps this is the best choice for those who support Ukrainian developer manufacturers.

Possibilities:

Storage of various types of files: image, text, music and video.
Printing from the cloud.
Planning in the organizer.
Setting tasks in the cloud for colleagues.
Built-in weather service.
Maintaining a private online blog.

Advantages:

High speed.
Interface in Russian.
Quick registration - just enter your email.
There is no connection to any mail service.
Low price for great functionality.
30 days test period of paid tariffs.

Flaws:

There is no way to add a comment to your own photo (photo caption).
Small free disk space after registration - 5 GB.
Lack of software for PC and mobile application, only web version for now.

Google Drive is a world-famous cloud file storage service from Google Corporation. Many people and companies use it to share files and photos via a link. It is convenient because there are many related services that you can work with online, and also because it is available for synchronization and work from any device running Windows or Android OS.

Adding comments to files.

Print from the web interface in online mode.

You can set up synchronization and automatic downloading of photos from your Android phone or from certain folders on your PC.

Recognition of scanned texts.

Built-in chat for communication.

Advantages:

A large amount of free disk space after registration - 15 GB.
Several languages for the interface, including Russian.
There is a program for working with a PC and a mobile application for working from a phone or tablet.
Backup available.
The service is connected to many other online services from Google.
Offline work available.
Play and view files from any device.
Autosave.

Flaws:

You need a Google mail account to which the cloud is linked.
Quite high prices compared to Russian, Ukrainian and Chinese services if you need more space on the cloud.

Cloud Mail.Ru is a fairly well-known service that has previously been used by many residents of Ukraine. However, after blocking, this became not so convenient due to a noticeable decrease in download speed. Perhaps not everyone will refuse to use it, because thanks to periodic promotions, some users have up to 1 TB of free data storage space.

File sharing via link.

Sharing some files.

You can create a document, table or presentation online.

Auto-upload files and photos from a mobile or tablet.

Free application for mobile and program for computer.

Integration with Mail.Ru mail.

Advantages:

Clear interface in Russian.
High degree of protection of user data.
Data backup.
Automatic backup of photos and videos in the mobile application.

Flaws:

Correct operation is promised only when using Mail.Ru mail.
A large number of intrusive advertising.
Low speed due to VPN for users from Ukraine.
There may be a delay in receiving the code when registering a new account.
The desktop application for PC is inferior to those of other services.

Mega

A big plus of the Mega cloud is 50 GB of disk space immediately after registration. This is the most generous offer for storing files of any type, which, however, can subsequently result in serious expenses, since the company’s tariffs for expansion are not low for package offers compared to those that are familiar to residents of Russia and Ukraine.

The Mega service is aimed at storing and sharing files, so it does not have a large number of additional features, like some competitors. But this is one of the most encrypted and secure sites; some users jokingly call it “a paranoid’s dream.”

A large amount of free disk space after registration - 50 GB.
A clear, concise interface in 40 languages, including Russian.
High degree of encryption and protection of user data.
You can register from any email.
There are not only mobile applications, but also addons for Chrome and Firefox

Flaws:

Few additional features.
High tariffs compared to competitors if you need more than 50 GB of disk space.
Average upload and download speeds.

One of the universal cloud data storage services, which in many of its functions is very similar to Google Drive, but in terms of ease of use it is still inferior to it and some other clouds. Although the interface is quite concise, it takes a little getting used to.

Additional disk space can be obtained by participating in promotions from the service administration. For example, previously they gave +15 GB for connecting autoload from the phone.

Possibilities:

Upload any files, documents and photos.
Joint viewing and work on files.
The ability to open access to files for a fixed time.
Full work with Microsoft Office online.
Synchronization with computer or mobile devices.
Work offline.
Scanning and recognition of documents.

Advantages:

Registration is possible using any email address or linked to a phone number.
There is a Russian-language interface.
There is a PC program and a mobile application.
High speed of uploading and downloading data.
Nice looking interface.
Ability to work from any device.

Flaws:

Quite a high price for users from Ukraine and Russia, if 5 GB is not enough.
Usability takes some getting used to.

One of the most popular cloud services in the world, some experienced users call it the “reference”. Very convenient for collaboration in PowerPoint, Photoshop or Sketch. The created presentations and images will be displayed correctly for all participants in the process. Dropbox Paper is available for free for text, video, and audio projects.

You can increase your free cloud space by participating in various promotions that are often held by the service owners, or by completing tasks. For example, connecting auto-upload from the camera or inviting new users.

Possibilities:

Convenient online collaboration on projects.
Upload files for sharing or collaboration using a link.
Uploading files photographed from the camera.
Synchronization between several devices - computer, tablet and mobile.
Convenient operation from mobile devices.
View the history of changes in files.

Advantages:

High data exchange speed.
Work online.
A large number of settings for synchronization and collaboration.
Strong encryption right in the cloud.
Registration is possible through a Google account.
Recover files deleted within 30 days (120 days for the PRO version).
Search by text (only for PRO version).
Regular updates.
It is convenient to add comments to files and determine which of them will be shared and which will only be accessible to the account owner.

Flaws:

High price - from 8.25 €, if 2 GB is not enough or additional functions not available in the basic version are needed.

iCloud is cloud storage for users of Apple products. Like all services or equipment from this manufacturer and developer, it is highly reliable and has an appropriate price. This application or program is already installed on all Apple devices - you just need to set up an account to get started.

Possibilities:

Storing photos and videos from Apple devices.
Sharing access to files that are on the cloud service, with appropriate settings.
Synchronization between different Apple devices with one account.
Play media files from iCloud on various devices.
Sync bookmarks from different devices.

Advantages:

Storing contacts and events from the calendar of devices that are synchronized with iCloud.
High degree of data security with two-factor authentication.
There is a Russian-language interface.
Smart automatic synchronization.
A “light” version of the photos remains on the device, which reduces the amount of space taken up on the phone.
Synchronization with Apple applications.
Simultaneous work of several users.
Intuitive usability.
Quick and convenient account creation linked to IDApple.
There is a backup.
You can read SMS and MMS messages.
View mail and calendar.

Flaws:

5GB quickly becomes insufficient if you regularly use at least one Apple device.
Even the Windows PC version does not work with Windows XP and Windows Vista.
There is no web interface, work through the program on a mobile device or computer.

A specialized service for storing and sharing photos and videos. There is no way to upload or create other types of files, but it is the largest free photo hosting site on the Internet. Immediately after installation, the program scans the device and offers to upload the found files to the cloud.

The ability to create interest groups and correspondence between users gives the system a special charm, and the 1 TB of absolutely free disk space wins the heart!

Possibilities:

Uploading and downloading photos and videos.
Creating collections from photographs.
Exchange photos through links to them between users.
You can create a short URL for photo collections or a single file.
View collections of photos after posting the HTML code on your website or blog without uploading to that platform.
Adding comments to individual objects in the photo.
Search by one or more keywords.
You can open a photo for viewing only by individual users.
Subscribe to interesting profiles.
Auto-grouping of photos by topic (sometimes the program makes mistakes).

Advantages:

A large amount of free cloud space is available immediately after registration - 1 TB.
You can view other people's public photos and videos, like, subscribe to profiles, and correspond with other users (social network elements).
Search through your own storage and open files of other accounts.
You can create a photo book from uploaded photos.
High speed of service.
Doesn't upload photo replays to the server.

Flaws:

Registration or login only through a Yahoo account.
There is no way to store other types of files - only photos and videos.
9 interface languages, no Russian.
No video download via PC.
Videos can only be uploaded up to 1 GB in size.
The free version has ads.

The only cloud service on our list that is completely paid since 2015. Previously, users had the opportunity to connect to the cloud with a free 5 GB space. Since 2015, this is no longer the case, but instead, the amount of information stored is not limited to any specific amount of memory. You just need to choose one of two tariffs and forget about any restrictions. The $12 per year plan can only store photos, while the $60 plan can store any type of file.

Amazon Cloud Drive is used primarily by Kindle tablet users. They are not common in Ukraine and Russia.

Possibilities:

Uploading photos or any files to storage.
Automatically syncs with Kindle devices.

Advantages:

The first 3 months of using the cloud are free.
No restrictions on uploading photos to the cloud.
No restrictions on uploading any files to the cloud (second plan for $59.99 per year).
Data backup.
Encryption of the connection.

Flaws:

Paid file storage only, minimum price is $11.99 per year.
There is no Russian interface, only English.
There is no automatic loading of new files from selected folders.

Which cloud service to choose?

Ukrainians should choose a cloud service based on their goals:

To work on joint projects (business or freelance) We recommend Dipfo, Dropbox or Google Drive. The last service has the least intuitive interface, although it has the largest free disk space - 15 GB. But it’s worth remembering that this cloud is not “tailored” for team work, so debugging work processes will take time to figure out and configure everything for the convenience of all participants. Dropbox and Dipfo are better suited for business, but the former has a high price, and 2 GB in the free version is clearly not enough to manage several projects in a team, especially if you need to work with graphic files. Dipfo for business is much more affordable - only $5 per year for the opportunity to collaborate with setting tasks, making lists, a collective organizer, preparing travel sheets, reports, maintaining a company blog and communicating within the service via built-in chat. An additional fun feature is a built-in weather forecast calendar for cities.
For family viewing of photos and albums, storing files and medical records Dipfo with its Family plan for $5 per year is ideal. The interface is easy to understand and is the only family-friendly resource. In all other cloud services, you can set up shared access to individual files, but this will take a little more time. Plus Dipfo is the only cloud that supports maintaining medical records of family members. Ukrainians should also pay attention to this service because by using it, they support the developers of their own country.
For storing photos and communicating with other people Flickr is your best bet: fast, easy to use, free, popular, with lots of storage space. But it's not suitable for work. Absolutely.
For storing photos and files of various types in small quantities you can use absolutely any cloud service; almost all of them provide free plans for 2-15 GB. Although the same Amazon Cloud Drive and iCloud are quite specific, since they are aimed at users of certain devices, Flickr is “tailored” for photos and videos, and Yandex.Disk, Cloud Mail.Ru and Mega do not work too quickly.

Summary comparison table of file storages

Options	Dipfo	Yandex.Disk				Mega
Free amount of cloud space	5 GB	10 GB	15 GB	8 GB	5 GB	50 GB	2 GB	5 GB	1TB	No
Windows/Linux support	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Uploading photos, text files, music and videos	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Geodata for photos	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
Adding a comment or description to files	Yes	No	Yes	No	yes, tags	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Built-in photo editor	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No
Maximum upload file size	No	2 GB	10 GB	2 GB	4 GB	No	No	No	No	No
Ease of use (usability)	easily	easily	easily	easily	average	average	easily	average	average	average
PC client	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Mobile app	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Built-in chat for communication	Yes	No	Yes	No	Skype built in	No	No	No	Yes	No
Built-in organizer	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No
Rates	$0.5 per month or $5 per year for any of the two paid plans	30 rubles for 10 GB, 80 rubles for 100 GB, 200 rubles per TB monthly	$1.99 for 100 GB, $9.99 for 1 TB per month and more	69 rubles for 64 GB, 149 rubles for 128 GB per month and more	140 rubles for 50 GB, 269 rubles for 1 TB with advanced features per month and more	$4.99 for 200 GB, $9.99 for 1 TB per month and more	from 8.25 € for 1 TB per month	59 rubles for 50 GB, 149 rubles for 200 GB per month and above	for free	$11.99 or $59.99 per year
Developer country	Ukraine	Russia	USA	Russia	USA	New Zealand	USA	USA	Korea	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Setting goals	yes, in paid plans	No	No	No	No	No	No	yes, organizer	No	No
Medical card	yes, in the "Family" tariff	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No

All owners of Apple equipment receive 5 GB in the “native” iCloud cloud service. Due to various restrictions, using this cloud is not always convenient, and the allocated space quickly runs out, and iCloud does not get along well with other people's systems.

Pricing for additional iCloud storage:

50 GB: 59 rub.
200 GB: 149 rub.
1 TB: 599 rub.
2 TB: RUB 1,490

For convenient data exchange between different platforms, gadgets and users, it is better to connect to a third-party service. The choice of clouds today is very extensive, there are both market old-timers and daring newcomers, corporate players and small companies.

The conditions and tariffs for each service change quite often; we offer the most up-to-date information as of the moment.

Dropbox

One of the most popular services is not very willing to give away space in the cloud. When the company supported and developed the Carousel and Mailbox applications, you could get several gigabytes of disk space for connecting programs to your account and uploading data.

Another 3 GB was given during testing of the automatic data upload function in the application.

Dropbox also had prize gigabytes when purchasing Android smartphones. However, they were issued for a year or two.

Nowadays there is no smell of such generosity; to get an additional place you will have to invite friends. Finding someone who has not yet registered with Dropbox is quite a quest. There are schemes involving creating fake accounts and changing the MAC address of the network card, but sooner or later the fake friends are exposed and the space in the cloud is taken away.

Prices for additional storage in Dropbox:

1 TB: $9.99 ($8.25 if paid annually)
2 TB: $15 ($12.50)
Unlimited space: $25 ($20)

2 upon registration + up to 16 GB (500 MB per friend).

Result: the most common cloud service is not as generous as it was a few years ago. You can expand your space only with the help of real friends who do not yet have an account.

Google Drive

Google initially provides 15 GB of cloud storage (versus 2 GB for Dropbox), which will be enough for most users. In terms of popularity and prevalence, the services are almost equal, although initially the advantage was on the side of the “blue box”.

Most applications that support cloud synchronization today work with both services.

If 15 GB is not enough, you can expand the space up to 1 TB! This is not difficult to do, we even have it ready. From my own experience, I can say that in a week or two you can contribute to the development of a mapping service and receive a bonus place.

Unfortunately, the space will have to be vacated in two years.

Sometimes Google runs one-time promotions that coincide with holidays or memorable events. There is no referral program.

Prices for additional space in Google Drive:

100 GB: 139 rub.
1 TB: 699 rub.
10 TB: 6,990 rub.
20 TB: RUB 13,920
30 TB: RUB 20,990

How many GB can you get for free: 15 upon registration + 1 TB for 2 years.

Result: the cloud is maximally integrated with other Google services (mail, documents, photos) and the Android operating system, and upon registration they provide a respectable 15 GB. You can expand the place, but for a limited time.

Cloud Mail.Ru

A few years ago, the service literally exploded the cloud storage market by distributing 1 TB to users. Despite all the shortcomings of the Mail.ru cloud (low data transfer speed and lack of WebDAV), many now use this place to store a family photo archive or music collection.

There were other manifestations of generosity, when 25 or even 100 GB were given upon registration. Currently, new users are provided with only 8 GB of cloud storage for free. More space is available only on a paid basis.

Considering that mail.ru is a very popular email service and most active Internet users have had accounts for a long time, many have already received 100 GB or more for everything they need.

Prices for additional space in Mail.Ru Cloud:

64 GB: 69 rub. (RUB 57.5 if paid annually)
128 GB: 149 rub. (125 rub.)
256 GB: 229 rub. (190 rub.)
512 GB: 379 rub. (315 rub.)
1 TB: 699 rub. (582 rub.)
2 TB: RUB 1,390 (RUB 1,158)
4 TB: RUB 2,790 (RUB 2,325)

How many GB can you get for free: 8 GB upon registration.

Result: not the most convenient cloud with unstable speed. The Mail.ru mobile application is just becoming more convenient and functional. If you haven’t upgraded the cloud here before, there’s no point in starting it now.

Yandex.Disk

At the moment, Yandex is the most active player in the cloud market. There are regular promotions and bonus space giveaways to expand the initial 10 GB.

Users can receive bonuses when purchasing and using equipment from different brands or by connecting to Yandex partner services. You can read about all current and past promotions.

Now the next “cloud distribution” is taking place, you can get +32 GB to your existing space. To do this, just enable automatic photo uploading in the mobile application. A few minutes after activating the option, the bonus will be received and you can disable uploading.

Prices for additional space in Yandex.Disk:

10 GB: 30 rub. (25 rubles if paid annually)
100 GB: 80 rub. (67 rub.)
1 TB: 200 rub. (167 rub.)

How many GB can you get for free: 10 upon registration + 32 GB on promotion.

Result: an excellent domestic player in the cloud storage market with good speed and a convenient application. Promotions are regularly held to upgrade your cloud for free.

OneDrive

Microsoft's service recently cut space for new users and abandoned many old ones who did not have time to confirm their desire to use the same amount. So instead of 15 GB, OneDrive now only has 5 GB available.

A serious corporate service does not deal with such nonsense as referral links and promotions with partners. You can only get a bonus place when purchasing devices or applications from Microsoft.

Pricing for additional OneDrive storage:

50 GB: 72 rub.
1 TB: 269 rub. (RUB 224 if paid annually)
5 TB: 339 rub. (283 rub.)

How many GB can you get for free: 5 GB upon registration.

Result: It is convenient to use the OneDrive service in extremely rare cases when there is no need to synchronize data with mobile operating systems (competing solutions clearly win there), and the emphasis should be on working with Microsoft products, in particular with the Office 365 service.

Mega

The cloud service, originally from New Zealand, immediately offers 50 GB for all new users. No restrictions or pitfalls, just take it and use it.

There is a convenient mobile application, good encryption, and a paid extension can be paid for using the Bitcoin cryptocurrency.

Prices for additional space in Mega:

200 GB: €4.99 (€4.16 if paid annually)
500 GB: €9.99 (€8.33)
2 TB: €19.99 (€16.66)
4 TB: €29.99 (€25)

How many GB can you get for free: 50 GB upon registration.

Result: for those who need a lot of space at once and without additional movements.

What to choose

Users and businesses will continue to move away from bulky and expensive servers and instead choose the cloud to store files. Given the variety of storage options available, you should choose carefully.

Lifehacker suggests paying attention to services that provide maximum free space with reliable data protection and high-quality service. Prices shown are for starter plans only.

Price: 2GB free, 1TB for $8.25 per month. The standard Dropbox Business subscription costs $12.50 per month per user.
Applications:
Russian language support: There is.

Initially, this cloud storage giant only gives you access to 2 GB of free space. But it can be easily expanded to 16 GB: just link accounts on social networks 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. Moreover, you get a number of advanced features like file recovery and customization of access levels.

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

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

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

3. Mega

Price: 50 GB free, 200 GB for 4.99 euros per month.
Applications:
Russian language support: There is.

Another service with a generous free plan and a drag-and-drop interface. Mega has a convenient mobile application 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. The Mega client source code is available on GitHub and can be reviewed by any expert. Therefore, the statement inspires confidence.

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

The cloud from Yandex works quickly and stably, and is constantly acquiring new functions. The service has a high synchronization speed. The platform's 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 to expand space through partnerships with companies. For example, if you are a Muscovite and use the OnLime tariff plan from Rostelecom, then the disk capacity increases by 100 GB.

Price: 5 GB free, 50 GB for 140 rubles per month, 1 TB for 269 or 339 rubles when you sign up for a personal or family subscription to Office 365, respectively.
Applications: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Xbox.
Russian language support: There is.

The former SkyDrive is built into standard Windows 10 File Explorer. There's no need to download an app - everything is already downloaded for you.

The operating system's built-in Photos app can use OneDrive to sync all your pictures between devices.

When installing a client for macOS, you should take into account not the most positive reviews about it.

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

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

The closest analogue of Yandex.Disk in terms of available features, web version interface and supported platforms. Loses to its main competitor due to its extensive referral program. Among the advantages is a larger amount of free storage.

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

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

5GB of free space may not be enough, but iCloud is the most convenient way to back up your iPhone photos.

The service is integrated into the Finder program on macOS - the desktop of all MacBooks. Documents created through the iWork office suite are also saved in iCloud and can be synchronized between 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: 10 GB free, 100 GB for 8 euros per month. Business subscription costs 12 euros per month.
Applications: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
Russian language support: There is.

The platform quickly gained popularity and is supported by a number of popular work services, 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 subscriptions. It is the one that appears in the center of the screen when you click on the registration button. This plan gives you access to advanced collaboration features and unlimited cloud space.

Price: Free setup and use, space prices vary by hosting provider. 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 does offer free software for setting up the 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 do not have experience in setting up servers, you can buy a pre-configured option - Nextcloud Box. Inside the device there is a 1 TB hard drive. It easily connects to an inexpensive single board computer. True, in order to get your hands on a mini-server, you will have to use the services of third-party companies: there is no direct delivery to Russia and the CIS countries.

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

Another English-language platform that has long operated under a zero-knowledge protocol. It was implied that the company interacts with user data without disclosing its 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 us from striving to provide files.

The repository has clients for all popular desktop and mobile platforms. You can use the web client, but for privacy advocates this is the least preferred option since it exposes your password to SpiderOak employees.

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

The product supports constant synchronization of all your files - even those stored on network drives. The web interface allows you to share data by mail, 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 a service called IDrive Express: if you lose all your data, they will deliver a hard drive to you for quick recovery.

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

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

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

Cloud data storage, what is it and why are they needed? The answer is simple - this is a replacement for the usual flash drives or disks, because why carry around a storage medium with data and waste time if you can store and transfer files using the cloud! And for business, this is a convenient tool for remote work with documents. Well, or if you simply don’t have enough memory on your device and it’s not even helping anymore, in this case a cloud drive will be the solution. Transferring files via the cloud is absolutely safe: you decide who will have access to the data!

What is cloud storage?

Cloud storage is a space allocated to you on numerous servers of the service provider; the file storage system is decentralized - two of your files can be on completely different servers! We upload the file using the application to the server and it goes to the “cloud”. Depending on your wishes and needs, the files can be either publicly or only privately accessible: to selected people. Files from the cloud can only be accessed via the Internet, making files accessible to you anywhere and from any device.

Pros and benefits of cloud storage

Files are available EVERYWHERE there is internet: you can access from your phone or PC
Save space or expand memory: Photos and videos can be stored in the cloud to save space
High file transfer speed thanks to a wide geographical network of servers and CDN
Storage reliability: even if one server fails, there are copies of the data on other servers
Excellent opportunities for businesses and remote employees: one file is available for editing by everyone with access!

There is only one minus - you need internet:)

How to start using Cloud Storage and which one to choose

In order to start using cloud storage, you need to download the client program and install it. If you don't know what to choose, read our "".
To upload a file or photo to the cloud, follow the prompts built into the application, otherwise look for the “+” icon or the inscription “Upload”
Now all you have to do is set up access from outside to your files: it will be only you, or the owners of the direct link that you create will have access

To transfer your file or folder from the cloud to another user, you need to give him a link: to find it, click on the desired file or folder, find the link and send it to whoever needs to give access to the file in your cloud.