Web application for cloud storage. Cloud data storage – virtual flash drive for any device

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 decreased significantly. 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.

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 signature).
• 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.

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.

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 working 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 tariff 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 is worth remembering that this cloud is not “tailored” for team work, so debugging work processes will take time to understand 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-oriented 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 fast.

Summary comparison table of file storages

Your priceless collection of photos in the “cloud”. But what if you want to upload not only photos from your last trip to Europe, but also all other files, including documents, music and even movies? Fortunately, modern technologies allow you to keep all your belongings in one service. You just need to make the right choice, which is what we will do today.

Nowadays there are quite a lot of “cloud” storages. These are mainly services from the largest technology corporations, but third-party developers are also not wasting their time and are gradually capturing the promising market. To begin with, I suggest you familiarize yourself with the most popular “clouds” at the moment.

Convenient and incredibly fast service. Files download almost instantly - this is very useful if you need to send a large document by mail. With the help of simple manipulations (all of them are on the Disk website), the free free space in the service can be increased to 50 gigabytes, plus another 0.5 GB for each invitee.

Buyers of a Sony Xperia Tablet S tablet or a Sony VAIO laptop are provided with an additional 40 and 30 gigabytes, respectively. Before this, Yandex held a promotion in which it gave another 250 GB to buyers of Samsung ultrabooks, but it has already ended.

In general, Yandex.Disk has everything a cloud storage needs. Nice web interface for iOS, Android, WP, Mac and Windows, the opportunity to get treasured gigabytes for free. And the cost of additional space is not too high - 30 rubles per month for 10 GB, 150 rubles for 100 GB or 900 rubles for one terabyte.

Despite its foreign origin, Dropbox has already succeeded in our country. The service cannot boast of such generosity as Yandex.Disk and at first provides its users with only two gigabytes of free free space with the ability to expand up to 18 GB - 500 MB for each invited friend.

At the same time, Dropbox can be used on almost any device - from Windows computers to BlackBerry smartphones. In Russia, it works noticeably slower than the Yandex solution, but many users who store their files in Dropbox for a long time choose only it.

As for the pricing policy, Dropbox’s is noticeably worse. 250 rubles per month for 100 GB, 500 rubles per month for 200 GB and 1250 rubles for 500 GB. A little expensive.

Google's service is rightfully considered one of the best of its kind. It allows you to open up to 30 different types of files directly in your web browser and gives you the ability to open Photoshop files even if you don't have the program of the same name installed on your computer. Add to this applications for iOS, Android and other platforms, a convenient web version, and we will get a good competitive product.

Recently, Google Drive gives 15 free gigabytes to each registered user. But if you want to increase your storage, the service offers several tariff plans to choose from - from 100 GB for 150 rubles to 16 TB for 24 thousand rubles.

Google Drive is perfect not only for owners of Android devices, but also for iOS devices.

The “cloud” service from Mail.ru Group was launched quite recently, and at the moment access to it is only by appointment - you can leave a request directly on the service’s website. Since the project is still in the testing stage, minor errors may appear during its use, but all of them will be corrected by the release of the final version of the service.

The Mail.ru “cloud” has already acquired a good iOS application, although without iPad support, and the number of free gigabytes in storage excites the imagination. For the first login, the service will give you 10 GB, but after completing simple tasks, the amount of free space will increase to 100 GB. This is the bonus Mail.ru has prepared for the Columbuses of its service. The remaining tariff plans remain secret for now.

Copy

I discovered this file storage service this summer. A young promising startup that literally gives away free gigabytes. When you register, you only get 15 GB, but for each invitee, Copy gives you and your friend another 5 GB. Copy runs on PC, Mac and Linux, and also has apps for Android and iOS.

The service plans to switch to commercial services in the near future - the price of 250 GB will be 3 thousand rubles per year, and 500 GB - 4.5 thousand rubles per year. But I don’t think that there is an urgent need for these tariff plans with such a system for receiving free gigabytes.

Why not? Yes, iCloud can hardly be called a serious competitor to Dropbox, but it also has its advantages. Purchasing additional gigabytes will allow you to store backup copies of all your devices in this service. In addition, many modern games and document programs on iOS synchronize data using iCloud.

iCloud is incredibly easy to use, but is only suitable for owners of Apple gadgets. And, unfortunately, its disadvantages are many times greater than its advantages. For example, tariff plans are 10 GB for 650 rubles per year, 20 GB for 1,300 rubles per year, and 50 GB for 3,250 rubles per year. At the same time, the service provides five free gigabytes, which barely fits two backup copies of my iPhone and iPad.

And last but not least. Being , SkyDrive works perfectly with Word, Excel and other applications. The service provides seven free gigabytes to each registered user and has a flexible tariff system: from 20 GB for 300 rubles per year to 100 GB for 1,500 rubles per year.

I used this service for a year and a half before I discovered Dropbox and Yandex.Disk, and during all this time it did not cause me any serious complaints. SkyDrive is surprisingly fast, although its web version is entirely Windows-style, which may turn off some users.

SkyDrive apps for iOS, WP and Android are available in their respective stores.

It's time to determine the winner. Let's first look at a comparison of tariff plans (the table shows the cost per year in rubles, some tariffs have been removed for ease of comparison).

It can be seen that according to this criterion, Yandex.Disk is the undisputed leader. But it’s also worth considering the number of free gigabytes - Mail.Ru has as many as 100, and with the help of invitations to Copy, the free space can be increased to several hundred gigabytes. Other services cannot boast of this.

And here is a comparison by supported platforms - here the first places are won by Yandex.Disk, Copy and SkyDrive.

Since he turned out to be a leader according to two criteria at once, we give him first place. I would like to note that Dropbox is an excellent service, but Disk is able to offer more favorable conditions and is more suitable for Russian realities.

Data storage devices have come a long way in evolution. If it all started with bulky floppy disks that could hold a very small part of information, then modern flash drives have tens of thousands of times more memory, while maintaining their compact dimensions. But more recently, even they were replaced (formally speaking, of course) by an even more advanced device for saving and transferring data. We will talk about it in this article.

Cloud services

When we talk about some more advanced form, we mean the so-called cloud technologies. This is a completely new and much more promising medium, if you can call it that. Its essence lies in the fact that the data that we upload to the cloud is not stored anywhere in a concentrated form. They are distributed over a service that is united by a large number of physical servers. This, firstly, allows you to store many times more information on them than one specifically dedicated server could accommodate; secondly, such technology has a huge number of advantages.

And there is nothing complicated about how to create a cloud for storing files. Today, this type of virtual media is used by both professional programmers and authors of Internet projects, as well as ordinary users who have a folder with photographs.

And in this article we will discuss not only how to create a cloud for storing files, but also talk about it itself and its features.

Advantages and disadvantages

Let's start with the shortcomings. We will start from the end of our point, since cloud solutions really have fewer negative sides than positive ones. If you are looking for how to create a cloud for storing files, then you probably agree with this statement. The main disadvantage is the need for an Internet connection.

This means that if you do not save the necessary information on a portable device and end up in a place where there is no network access, you simply will not be able to retrieve the information and read it. That is, you can work with the cloud only with an active connection to the network or files on your hard drive.

The second negative point is the fee for memory expansion in the cloud. Users must use the service on a subscription basis by paying certain fees each month. It all depends on how much data you use. In the free mode, for example, you can get 2 Gb from the same Dropbox service, and if you pay $10 a month, this space will increase to 1 Tb. For $15, location restrictions are removed from your account. So, as you understand, the fee is symbolic, so for many it will not be a problem.

Service Providers

Other services (for example, Google Drive or Yandex Disk) also have their own tariff plans. For Drive, 15 Gb are allocated for free, for $2 - 100 Gb, for 10 - 1 Tb, for 200 - 20 Tb, and for $300 per month - 30 Tb of data. Google Drive, unlike Dropbox, has wider functionality, allowing you to edit files in convenient applications of your own design.

Yandex.Disk allocates 10 GB for 30 rubles per month, 100 GB for 80 rubles, and 1 terabyte of memory for 200 rubles.

There is also a cloud from Mail.ru, whose users are allocated 25 GB of space to host files for free.

Beginning of work

So how to create a cloud for storing files? First you need to decide on the service. They have some differences. As mentioned above, Dropbox and Yandex Disk are services that allow you to simply store files in your cloud disk space without worrying about their safety. You can create a cloud for storing Mile files, like other services, only after registering an internal account.

These services (with the exception of Dropbox) create one account for the user across all platforms. This is convenient, since a person can have both mail and Yandex, Google or Mail. For Dropbox, you will have to create an account separately.

The second stage of how to create your own cloud for storing files is visiting the storage from a browser or on a PC, phone, tablet. You can choose the platform you work with, and as a result, your account will be synchronized across all devices.

Form

In fact, using a browser or a special application is a rhetorical question. Of course, the program allows you to create a cloud for storing Yandex, Google, Mail or Dropbox files much more conveniently and quickly. But, of course, this is additional software that needs to be downloaded to your device. It's much easier to use a browser. So, you will have to go to the service website, log in - and you will see all your files.

Safety

Having described what negative aspects cloud services have, as well as which companies provide them, we will begin to list the advantages and benefits of such services.

So, for example, you can create a corporate file storage cloud for your business. This is very convenient: your employees, using their accounts, could make edits in some files at the same time, having access to a single repository. This way, there would be no need for you to sync all projects.

Extensions

We have already mentioned that each of the services has the possibility of expansion. In fact, if you pay a certain amount (equal to the cost of this or that option), you actually get more space. However, most often, such services are not of interest to private users for posting photos. Most likely, business owners and developers are interested in such solutions.

This is especially true for entrepreneurs who fear the seizure of company servers or searches by intelligence services. It is very easy to prevent these actions if you close access to your files in time. Since all the information is actually in the cloud, even taking your computer away won't help you retrieve it.

File durability

So, you know how to create a cloud for storing files for free. All providers have a free access mode, that is, they allocate some space on their services for users free of charge. As a rule, this volume is enough to publish some personal photos and something personal. Thus, such data placement can significantly free up space on your PC.

But there is another very important positive factor to remember. If you want to create a cloud for storing files (Google, Yandex - it makes no difference), remember: this data will always remain available. They won't be deleted by the system, so you don't have to worry about, for example, physically damaging your computer. After all, in the end, all the information can be downloaded again from the cloud, where it will feel great.

That is why now everyone has so actively begun to upload their most important, most valuable and worthwhile information to the Internet. On the one hand, it may seem strange that all the most valuable things are uploaded to the network, but on the other hand, this information will be available only to one account owner. Therefore, there is no need to worry about them.

Cloud technologies continue to develop. Now the amount of memory that becomes available in free mode is also growing. So perhaps very soon customers will be able to access unlimited space for just a dollar... Time will tell!

Cloud storage remains an established type of service in our lives. They experienced rapid growth, experienced market oversaturation, when new “clouds” opened almost every week, and experienced a recession when these same “clouds” began to close one by one. And now we are faced with simply a type of service that has become established and has become commonplace, has stood the test of time, taking into account the features and speed of modern industry.

There are quite a lot of cloud storages. Each has its own characteristics and its own audience. Some people choose only one “cloud”, others use several at once. We have chosen the ten most interesting of them. One of the criteria for this top is a free plan with free cloud space so that every user can try it out for themselves. No trial, just a free plan with free space.

10. pCloud

Quite an interesting and rapidly developing cloud. The cloud blog is updated almost every week, and it is clear that the developers are actively working on it. They give you 10 GB for free, but only after a few simple steps. You can get a few more GB. There is a referral system that will also allow you to increase your free space. It’s also interesting that pCloud, in addition to the monthly and annual subscription fee for advanced features, also has a one-time purchase plan, you just pay a certain amount and increase the volume of your cloud, forever, it’s hard to remember what other cloud does this.

9. MEGA

Encrypted storage from Kim Dotcom. There were rumors that the cloud was taken away from him, about other unpleasant vicissitudes in the management of MEGA, but this does not prevent the cloud storage from developing and existing. The cloud is built on a fairly high level of encryption; to make working with the web version more comfortable, it is better to install a special browser extension to make the decoding process much faster. There are applications for all popular operating systems. The main thing that attracts many is that MEGA gives 50 GB on the free plan. This volume was at the start, and it remains so to this day.

8.MediaFire

One of the oldest services in this top, it works well, but is developing quite slowly. There is no version for computers, so you have to use the web version, but the mobile apps are fine.

MediaFire started as a file hosting service, but in time it realized the decline of such services and repurposed itself into cloud storage. Old users and those who managed to get caught up in the promotion have 50 GB of free space, while others are given 10 GB, but sometimes it becomes possible to increase the amount of available space for free.

7.Box

Another time-tested cloud storage. Box was originally focused on business and this has allowed it to survive to this day and have a loyal user base. They give 10 GB for free, and sometimes there are promotions to get 50 GB of free space. But the free plan has many limitations. All these restrictions will be removed if you upgrade to a subscription.

6. Cloud Mail.Ru

Mail.Ru Cloud launched with 100 GB of free space, then there was a promotion where you could get 1 TB for free, then the volume was significantly reduced, and new accounts are given a meager amount of space. The cloud has received a built-in audio player, integration with Office Online and continues to receive new features and support for new formats, but instability with free volume does not allow it to rise higher in the ranking.

5. Yandex.Disk

Surprisingly stable, in terms of volume, cloud storage from Yandex. At launch they gave 10 GB of free storage. Several years have passed, and 10 GB remains, but there are constant promotions when you can either temporarily get free volume or increase your cloud on an ongoing basis. Let's add here support for a large number of formats, integration with Office Online and constant development of applications.

At the end of 2017, Disk also spun off. Everything you upload to Yandex.Disk from your phone will not be taken into account when calculating the total volume. Apparently this is not a promotion, since no deadlines are given. There are also no size restrictions, which makes this feature even better than Google Photos.

4.iCloud

If you love Apple technology, then you have definitely come across this cloud storage. Many applications work through it, backup and synchronization occur. You can also use iCloud as your usual cloud storage. Let's add here a screwed-on office suite from Apple and an application for Windows and we'll get a good cloud storage with a loyal fan base.

But if you don’t use Apple products, any other cloud storage in this top would be a better option for you, since it will give you more options.

3. Dropbox

It is Dropbox that is considered the service that started the “explosive” growth of cloud storage. Dropbox was one of the first to popularize this type of service, and although it is not having the best of times, the service continues to develop and gain new opportunities. Dropbox only gives you 2 GB for free. Promotions increasing the free volume have not been carried out for a long time, and the restrictions of the free tariff do not allow using the cloud to the fullest. Unfortunately, Dropbox is no longer the ideal cloud storage solution.

2.OneDrive

Cloud storage from Microsoft. There is tight integration with the Office Online office suite, which is also integrated into other cloud storage services, with the consent of Microsoft. By default, it is integrated into Windows 8.1 and Windows 10. The format support is also quite extensive. Working in this cloud, many users can safely abandon the full-fledged Microsoft Office suite or Microsoft Office 365, which provide only advanced capabilities for more professional tasks.

When purchasing a subscription to Microsoft Office 365, you are also given 1 TB of OneDrive space as a bonus. So many simply do not expand the cloud volume on a paid basis, but simply purchase a subscription to Office, and at the same time increase the cloud space.

1. Google Drive

Google cloud storage has the largest number of supported file formats, which can be expanded with additional cloud extensions. Small office documents, as well as photographs and videos with a small extension, are not taken into account when calculating the available space in the cloud. And this space is 15 GB.

The cloud is integrated with the Google Docs cloud office suite, which has a simple and user-friendly interface, which is why it is preferred by many for use as the main office suite. More recently, the Google Drive and Google Photos apps have been combined into one app called Google Backup & Sync. There were rumors about an application for Linux, but so far many continue to use unofficial clients and this is almost the only serious drawback of the leader of the current top.

Today, millions of users around the world trust the clouds with their information. In this article we will try to figure out which of the services has the right to claim the title of best:

Cloud data storage - what is it?

The operating principle of any “cloud” storage is approximately the following: a “cloud” storage client program is installed on a personal computer or laptop, and the path to the folders located on the hard drive that are planned to be placed in this “cloud” is specified. The client program copies information from the specified folders to the storage, and subsequently monitors any changes in these folders and automatically makes adjustments to the “cloud” data storage.

If you decide to change a file stored in the “cloud”, the program will make changes to copies of the files on your computer. This approach allows you to have an up-to-date set of files on any of your devices ( smartphone, computer, tablet, etc..). The only condition required for uninterrupted operation of the storage with computer files is complete synchronization.

When you turn on your PC, you must also wait until the data synchronizes. The speed of this process largely depends on the speed of your Internet connection. If you turn off your device prematurely, cloud storage data synchronization may fail.

Advantages of storing information in the clouds

A “cloud” service is a kind of huge online flash drive on which data is stored and processed and to which you have access wherever you are, and from any device.

Benefits of free cloud data storage:

• Data safety in case of failure of your PC, laptop, tablet, etc.;
• Ability to send links to a file larger than 20 MB via social networks or email;
• Sharing access to folders and files, the ability to collaborate with them online:

Dropbox cloud storage

Dropbox is one of the pioneers of cloud technologies. This service is secure and ideal for collaborating with documents and files. 2 GB of cloud space is provided for free. However, it is possible to increase the storage capacity up to 50 GB without spending a penny. It is enough to carefully monitor all kinds of promotions, take part in them and receive bonuses. For example, for each friend you refer you will get 512 MB, and for registering in the Carousel photo service - another 3 GB.

In addition, you can get additional gigabytes for installing Dropbox on your mobile device, sharing access with colleagues and friends, etc. The conditions for getting additional space in Dropbox change from time to time, so it makes sense to keep an eye on the announcements. You can quickly increase this figure to 1 TB for $99 per year.

You can work with cloud storage from Windows, Linux, Mac OS, iOS, Android, KindleFire and BlackBerry platforms. Dropbox provides secure backups, additional access control, and the ability to remotely wipe data ( in extended version).

Unlike competitors, when working with Dropbox, files are not completely copied to the server - only the modified part is transferred, and it is pre-compressed. This makes Dropbox very fast. In addition, a download history is kept, which allows you to restore data from the server after deletion. The “Pack-Rat” function is also available - an indefinite history of file changes.

Data encryption is carried out by using this cloud storage in conjunction with BoxCryptor, which reliably encrypts data before synchronization and ensures its complete confidentiality:

Cloud data storage Yandex.Disk

Yandex.Disk is another free cloud storage that comes with a photo editor and is closely integrated with social networks. The work of the “cloud” is based on data synchronization between devices. Initially, Yandex.Disk gives you 10 GB of space, forever.

In paid versions, the volume can increase to 1 TB for 9,000 rubles per year. You can get a bonus additional space if you bring a friend (up to +10GB) or take part in various promotions.

Yandex.Disk can be integrated into Microsoft Office 2013. Recently, a feature has appeared to automatically download photos and videos from external media and digital cameras. At the same time, the user receives +32 GB of additional space for a period of 6 months. To work with Yandex.Disk, a web interface and applications are available for Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Android, iOS and Windows Phone. At the same time, Yandex.Disk has something that others do not have - the ability to download photos from social networks: Odnoklassniki, Instagram and VKontakte:

Google Drive cloud storage

Google Drive is one of the most popular cloud services, which makes it possible not only to store data in the cloud, but also to share it with users. Essentially this is Google Docs, transformed into a cloud service with increased disk space. Once activated, it replaces Google Docs.

In the “cloud” you can store documents, photos, videos, music and other files ( more than 30 species in total) users of Google services. The presence of a convenient photo service with automatic uploading of photos from a smartphone or computer and a function for compressing images allows you to get unlimited space for storing them. It is worth noting that only files larger than 13 MB can be compressed.

Each registered user is provided with 15 GB of cloud space free of charge. Active users of Gmail, Google+, Youtube do not need registration. If necessary, you can increase the volume up to 30 TB. The monthly fee for 100 GB is $1.99, for 30 TB it is $299.99. Access to Google Drive is possible through Windows, Android, iOS, Mac OS platforms. The undeniable advantages of Google Drive is its close integration with Google services. The great thing about this service is that there are no restrictions on the size of the downloaded file:

Other cloud storage solutions - a brief overview of available solutions

iCloud Drive is a “cloud” service that stands out from its competitors with full integration with iOS and OS X. Despite the fact that the amount of free disk space provided is not large (only 5 GB), access to your account is possible without installing additional applications. The iCloud Drive folder will be accessible out of the box - on iOS there is an icon on the desktop, on Mac - in the Finder.

All documents created using Apple applications will be instantly saved in the cloud. In addition, the service provides iPhone or iPad backup and synchronizes photos and videos. At the same time, prices are on par with other cloud storage services.

Mega is an ultra-secure and convenient “cloud” service that provides online services with continuous cryptographic data encryption. The free version offers up to 50 GB of space, which can be increased to 4 TB for €299 per year. Access to your Mega account is possible through Windows, Linux, iOS, Mac OS, Android, Blackberry, Windows Phone, special plugins for Chrome and Firefox browsers:

Mail.Ru Cloud is a fairly promising storage facility from Mail.Ru Group, which makes it possible to store data in the “cloud,” as well as synchronize it across different devices and share it with other users.

The “trick” of this cloud service is a large disk space provided absolutely free (25 GB). You can work with the service through the web interface of Windows, Mac OS, Android and iOS, Linux. In mobile applications, the function of instant auto-uploading of photos taken on the device and their redirection to the “cloud” is available:

OneDrive is a cloud service from Microsoft. Until 2014 it was called SkyDrive. This service allows you to work with OneNote, PowerPoint, Excel, Word integrates with Bing, which makes it possible to save your search history.

Externally, OneDrive is very similar to Dropbox. To create a cloud data storage, it is enough to have an account in any Microsoft service, including Xbox Live. Since 2016, the service has provided 5 GB of space for free, with the ability to increase its size to 1 TB for just 200 rubles per month. Office 365 owners can take advantage of the ability to co-edit files with other users.

OneDrive account can be accessed through Windows, Mac OS, Android, Windows Phone, iOS and Xbox. You can also activate the function of automatically downloading photos and videos with your own hands, but with some limitation - the weight of one file should not exceed 10 GB:

Bitcasa is a “cloud” that allows you to store an unlimited amount of data. This service was created by specialists from Mastercard, VeriSign, Mozy and Classmates.com, who know first-hand what backup and secure data storage are. All information enters the “cloud” in encrypted form.