Shared cloud. Which cloud storage is the fastest?

On the Internet there are often comparisons of various cloud storages, but they are not entirely objective, since most people are based on the storage capacity and the availability of clients for iOS and Android, and no one thinks about the data transfer speed. We decided to look at the 5 most popular “clouds” from personal experience and test them for the speed of uploading and downloading files.

Subjected to testing OneDrive, Google Drive, Yandex Disk,iCloud Drive, And Dropbox. Uploading to the server and downloading files was carried out exclusively through the web versions of the clients. All actions were performed through the Chrome browser on a Mac with an Internet channel of 100 Mbit/s. Testing the speed of cloud storage consisted of two stages - uploading a 1.28 GB file to the cloud storage server, and then downloading the uploaded file back to the computer.

As time measurements showed, the slowest cloud storage out of the five was OneDrive. It took 43 minutes 13 seconds to upload a 1.27 GB video to this “cloud”, and 37 minutes 18 seconds to download it back. The fourth place was won by the legendary Dropbox, which is actually the “father” of all cloud storage. It took him 19 minutes 33 seconds to upload the file to the server, and 16 minutes 19 seconds to download it.

Third and second places were shared between each other Google Drive And iCloud Drive. Measurements showed that the time it took to upload a 1.27 GB file to Google cloud storage was 3 minutes 2 seconds, while Apple’s iCloud Drive coped with this task in 4 minutes 39 seconds. In terms of download time for a similar file, Apple's cloud won with a result of 2 minutes 7 seconds (this is a record among all 5 cloud storages), while Google Drive took 2 minutes 49 seconds for a similar procedure.

The Russian one is in first place "Yandex Disk", which showed the best result in terms of upload time to the server, and second after iCloud Drive in terms of time to download a file to your computer. Uploading the 1.27 GB file to the server took a record 2 minutes 34 seconds, while downloading took 2 minutes 21 seconds.

For clarity, we have created a small table to make it easier to navigate the data. It turns out that the Yandex Disk cloud storage turned out to be the fastest in terms of upload time to the server, while iCloud Drive gave the shortest file download time.

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Choosing a file storage service online is similar to choosing a bank in real life. Having given your money to the unknown, dubious “Kukareku Bank”, there is a chance that you will not see it again. Therefore, it is worth choosing projects with a good reputation!
Beginners should be reminded that cloud data storage require the user to have Email. Get yourself a free box on any popular site.

∴ Free Cloud Storage Services (2018)
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♦ Microsoft OneDrive

https://onedrive.live.com/
The deal: 5GB of free cloud storage

Formerly known as SkyDrive, OneDrive is an online storage from Microsoft. After free registration you get 5 GB of free space on the server.

Download the application for Windows OneDriveSetup.exe(19 MB), you can use the services of synchronizing and sharing folders for several people.

OneDrive- online storage that you can access from anywhere. You can easily save Office documents and other files in the cloud and access them on any device.
By using OneDrive you can share documents, photos and other files without sending cumbersome email attachments. In addition, with files OneDrive easy to work in Windows and on the computer Mac.

Use OneDrive on your phone or tablet to work with files on the go. Available for iOS, Android And Windows Phone.

♦ Box

https://box.com/

A veteran among file hosting services, on the market for more than 10 years. A worthy offer of ten free gigabytes does not come without a nasty fly in the ointment: you cannot upload a file weighing more than 250 MB.

Why is it interesting? Box.com? The successful name from a marketing point of view and the draconian conditions for uploading files give confidence in the solid future of this project. They won't let him die. You can safely store files here without fear of the untimely death of the service.

♦ MediaFire

https://www.mediafire.com/
The deal: 10GB of free cloud storage

Average upload and download speeds, in a word – a workhorse. Main course – 10 free gigabytes- works honestly. Sharing the desired file occurs with one click of the mouse. There is an application for iOS And Android.
Free version MediaFire allows you to upload files weighing only up to 4 GB.

From the side of the one who pumps, not everything is so rosy. On one of the forums they posted a file of the magazine in the form of a link to a folder MediaFire. I couldn't find a way to download the entire folder: the site requires Upgrade(a hint of money - switch to a premium account). You download one file at a time and curse everything in the world, fighting with crazy advertising windows (the plugin makes life a little easier Adblock in the browser).

♦ Gavitex

https://gavitex.com/

The free cloud service makes a mixed impression. It would seem that after logging into the site, I successfully uploaded 15 GB of my files into the virtual storage, but firstly, the process turned out to be very slow, and secondly, the current upload status was not displayed. The user is forced to “wait for the weather by the sea”, wondering if it’s frozen? Gavitex offers to download the application - for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android. Maybe things are different here? Alas, it’s difficult to check this - the downloaded installer refused to connect to the server: “error”.

Nevertheless, 25 free gigabytes- the thing is quite pleasant. Serious argument from Gavitex! I was pleased with the convenient function for generating public links: by clicking on the stylized “corner” near the desired file, a menu is called up Download links. Everything is clear and simple.
If you correct childhood mistakes, the main problem of the little-known Gavitex will remain in the brand itself. Are you sure that Gavitex will exist in 2–3 years? I'm not at all sure. The service is not suitable for storing valuable files - personal photo and video archives, documents - only as an “alternate airfield”.

♦ pCloud

https://www.pcloud.com/ru/
The deal: 10GB of free cloud storage

This cloud data storage service works like this: download the desktop application pCloud_Windows_3.5.6.exe(8 MB), install, launch. pCloud Drive creates a virtual partition that Windows refers to Devices with removable media, i.e. recognizes it as a regular flash drive.

This discreet app is so convenient to use that you can’t help but be amazed. IN Windows 7 64-bit it eats up from 18 to 135 MB of RAM. Can also be installed on Mac And Linux, plus a mobile application for iOS/Android devices.

Working with files is the same as when using a computer every day. With high Internet speeds, you can completely forget that a flash drive is not a simple one, but a virtual one. Chapter "P" now all the time Windows and, of course, does not disappear anywhere and does not require connection the next time you start the computer. You can work with him at least Total Commander, but I must admit, ordinary windows turn out to be more informative Windows.

The desktop application (launched by a shortcut on the desktop) also has tabs Sync And Shares, responsible for the so-called syncing folders and public links to your files respectively.
By logging in to the site pCloud, we will find a typical web interface: in the section Browse your folders (i.e. you can upload files here), section Basket, in which deleted free account files are stored for 24 hours. If the user does not have enough space in the cloud, you can upgrade to a premium account.

Rules pCloud state that if an account is inactive for more than 1 year, it is closed and the files are permanently deleted.

♦ Syncplicity

https://www.syncplicity.com/
The deal: 10GB of free cloud storage

Many of our competitors have the function synchronization(“backup”, “mirror”, “backup”), but there are also specialized Internet services. Their main task is not to save space on your hard drive, but to duplicate folders selected by the user to the server.
Thus, valuable files are stored in two places at once: on your computer and in the cloud, which ensures their reliable safety.

Such services include the wonderful Syncplicity. After downloading the client Syncplicity_Setup.exe(8 MB) and installing it, we get a convenient tray icon (in the lower right corner of the screen). By default, the service allocates a folder at My Computer / Favorites / Syncplicity– everything that is thrown there will be duplicated in the online cloud.

I recently did a service iDrive is also an interesting, high-quality project whose specialization is backup.

♦ hubiC

https://hubic.com/
The deal: 25GB of free cloud storage

"25 GB are not lying around on the road!" – I said to myself and rushed to create a free account on hubiC. Managing files and folders is very simple, you can hardly get confused in basic English phrases "Download – Other Actions – New Folder – Add Files"("Download - Other actions - New folder - Add files").

To create a public link, click the “corner” next to the desired file. By decision of the authors hubiC link lifespan is limited to a maximum 30 days.
The speed of uploading to file storage is quite average; in any case, there are not enough stars in the sky.
hubiC– a calm, self-possessed, unflappable web portal with an excellent offer 25 free gigabytes virtual space. Deservedly included in the top ten best cloud data storage.

♦ Ulozto

https://ulozto.net/
The deal: unlimited space (free)

An unusual participant in our review. At first sight, Ulozto looks like a typical commercial file hosting service. Soon you notice pleasant things: after free registration a paid account is not forced, the upload speed is above average, the download speed is acceptable, and, finally, the most attractive thing is unlimited space for your files, including large ones (3 GB videos are uploaded without problems). This stunning "feature" that makes Ulozto from the gray mass of exchangers, forces you to pay close attention to it.
Files can be divided into private And public. Marked as private (For me only), files will not be displayed in general search web portal.
How secure is storing files on Ulozto? It was not possible to find exact information, but “eternal storage” is implied. My files have been on the server for six months, no threats or warnings from Ulozto does not arrive.

Unlimited space for files is a complex and ambitious task for the company that created Ulozto. At the address in Facebook it is clear that she has Czech roots.

Cloud storage services are more affordable than ever in 2018, but which service is more affordable and best suited for your business?

On which cloud storage can you store your files for free, and how much?

Under the spoiler is a historical note about the emergence of cloud storages

Cloud computing is one of the major technological advancements of this century, allowing applications, individuals and businesses, to work outdoors, store huge databases and collaborate effortlessly, even if they live on opposite sides of the world.

The concept of cloud computing has actually been around for decades. The idea of ​​remotely connecting people and data was proposed in the 1960s by Joseph Carl Robnett Licklider, an American psychologist and computer scientist.

Licklider is called the spiritual father of the World Wide Web, the man who sowed the seeds of the Internet

He developed the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET), which was the precursor to the Internet as we know it today.

But the cloud as a storage method didn't take off until 2006, when Amazon Web Services (AWS) launched its cloud storage service as a means of storing data away from the on-premises data center. It was then adopted by Dropbox (it has since built its own infrastructure) and then Pinterest, and soon cloud storage was adopted by companies like Google, Microsoft, Apple and many others.

Now cloud storage has become one of the things we take for granted. There are so many of them that it can sometimes be difficult to determine which one is best for your business. There are many options, such as the amount of storage you can use, collaboration capabilities, security, uptime, and any service extensions, just to name a few.

It is vital that you first identify your business needs in order to make any decisions regarding your company's IT infrastructure, in order to be able to cope with future challenges that your organization will face.

While such a drastic decision may seem daunting, fear not because we've rounded up the best of the cloud market, comparing their features and prices to bring you a comprehensive list of the best cloud storage services available in 2018.

A quick guide to choosing cloud storage

Please note that the comparison table below of popular cloud storage services and their tariff plans is not a public offer and is provided for informational purposes ONLY. Tariffs and conditions can and will change in accordance with the policies of companies providing remote file storage services.

After comparing cloud storage rates, check out more detailed information about the individual file storage service company.

Best Cloud Storage of 2018: Sync.com

Sync makes it easy to store, share and access your files from virtually anywhere

The cloud service in Switzerland places a strong emphasis on security with the pCloud Crypto service, which provides client-side encryption for any sensitive data you or your company may want to store.

Business plans start at 1 TB and include the pCloud Crypto standard. For personal accounts, the service also compares favorably with others on the market, offering storage at a starting level of 10GB - with the option of a free 20GB through referrals and other offers. Larger plans offer 500GB or 1TB for $3.99 or $7.99 per month, respectively.

Best Cloud Storage 2018: Mozy

In mozy, you can schedule backups automatically or at specific times every day.

It is not only a cloud storage service but also a backup tool for all the computers for your business.

Additional features include user access and control over other staff accounts. This means that if someone leaves the company, their data remains under your control.

You also get the ability to delete work files from devices connected to any of the accounts you manage.

Best Cloud Storage of 2018: SpiderOak

SpiderOak software uses cryptographically enforced separation to allow you to share and exchange messages securely.

Many businesses are considering cloud services to enable secure file sharing and document sharing.

Box offers teams of three or more people in a work environment. The OneCloud app's local ecosystem means there are plenty of third-party tools that will integrate with the service, expanding their usefulness beyond just cloud storage.

The service also supports fine-grained administrative controls, allowing users and groups to access specific shared folders. Owners, co-owners, and editors can upload, edit, share, and delete files from any folder they have access to.

Best Cloud Storage of 2018: OneDrive / OneDrive for Business

Keep doing what you started with OneDrive on your phone, tablet, or computer—no matter where you are.

This backup and cloud storage service allows users to back up not only their PC, but also any external drives connected to it. The service will, for a fee, place backups on an external hard drive as an alternative to downloading it.

Backblaze provides reporting and matching specifically designed to help you recover lost or stolen equipment.

Best Cloud Storage 2018: BT Cloud

Most users will receive 5GB of free storage by default with their subscriptions, but BT Total Broadband Option 3 or BT Infinity Option 2 customers get 50GB. Visitors can increase this by paying extra per month, up to a hard limit of 550GB.

If you are concerned about data leaving the EU, BT's servers are located only within the European Union. It also promises that it does not check the contents of files to target advertisements.

The service has desktop apps for Mac and Windows, as well as apps for Android, iOS and Windows Phone, and can also be accessed via a web browser.

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

1. 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 "".
2. 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”
3. 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.

Static data

Reduce the load on your site and free up computing power. Save files of any format and size - the content will be available under any load without restrictions on distribution speed.

• CDN - connect a content delivery network to more efficiently distribute files to your website visitors
• Caching - configure HTTP header settings at the container and file level
• Limits - set limits on the total amount of information and file storage time
• Content - distribute data using public containers
• Domains - bind 2nd level domains for static sites and 3rd level domains for individual resources to public containers
• CMS - connect the project to Bitrix and Wordpress
• Static site - customize index page and 404 error
• Secure connection - use direct storage and CDN traffic, which is encrypted with SSL certificates

Backups

Store backups without any capacity limitations. Data is replicated to three independent servers.

• Private containers - store data with login and password access
• Versioning - save overwritten files in a separate container with a time stamp, refer to the desired copy at any time
• Automatic deletion - configure the retention period for files to automatically delete irrelevant copies and avoid paying for storing unnecessary backups

Documentation

Share files with colleagues and remote customers. Design and configure the storage as you wish using the API.

• Access control - create an unlimited number of users with access rights to specific containers
• Easy downloading - create links to download files without registering with the service
• Container web listing - a list of files and folders is displayed in the browser, you can add your own styles. View a list of files and folders in the browser; connect your styles to customize the project
• Convenient photo galleries - allow users to view and download photos. Gallery adapted for mobile devices