Continuing the end of Backup Awareness Month and our best services I wanted to give you my recommendations for the best online storage for 2012. While online storage is not the same as online backup the lines between them are becoming more and more blurred since many of the online storage services add features such as versions and automatic upload. Recently I added a new page to the website listing free online storage services but I did not give any recommendations for what services are the best.
Best Free Online Storage Services
If you only need to store a limited amount of files online then you can probably use a free online storage service. For free these services are your best choices.
- Dropbox
- SugarSync
- SpiderOak
- Google Drive
- Zoolz
Dropbox
It is easy, it runs on Windows, Mac and Linux and well it is probably the most popular online storage service there is. Add to that a decent refer a friend program so you can earn more free space (up to 16GB extra last I looked) and you have a great free service.
SugarSync
Runs on Windows and Mac and is great for accessing a syncing data to your mobile devices. SugarSync offers you 5GB for free and a refer a friend program to earn extra space, up to 32GB for free users, and it is a great free online storage service.
SpiderOak
Perhaps the most secure online backup and storage service there is. If you want to make sure no one can see your files this is the company to go with. Also offer a good refer a friend program but is now capped at 10GB. Still lots of room to store, sync and backup files from your Windows, Mac and Linux computers.
Google Drive
It is Google Drive and they offer a decent amount of free storage. You might want to look at InSync to sync your files because it can handle multiple Google Drive account. The fact that you can store and edit many of your files online is great for those that use multiple computers and want to access files anywhere with an Internet connection. Access on smart phones and tablets is also improving and there is lots of ways to get at your files.
Zoolz
I like this service. It is not perfect but if offers 4GB for free and you can earn up to 20GB by referring people. Along with some decent mobile access and it is a good service.
Best Paid Online Storage Services
If you are looking for to purchase online storage then your my recommendations are a little different.
- Google Drive
- SpiderOak
- Mozy
- SugarSync
- Dropbox
Google Drive
Their storage prices are cheap compared to the other services but again you might want to look at InSync for actually syncing your files.
SpiderOak
Not as inexpensive as Google Drive but their zero knowledge policy makes them the most secure and if you are storing important files about your business, financial documents that you do not want anyone to be able to look at this is your best service.
Mozy
Stash is still in beta but it has come a long way. Compared to Dropbox the cost of Stash is considerably better and you can then use some of the storage to backup your files as well.
SugarSync
The mobile access and sync really is great with SugarSync and makes it an excellent choice for paid online storage.
Dropbox
I really like Dropbox as a free user but I honestly will never pay for it but if you have earned an extra 16GB of free space and you are running out of room you might as well upgrade and not have to upload that information again to another service.
With the growing number of online storage services and the features that the onine storage services and online backup services converging I have no doubt that we will start to see more online storage services and online backup services to start to seem more alike in the next year or so. It will be interesting to see if the leaders in online backup can meet the needs of online storage users and vice versa.
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