MEGA versus Dropbox, Google Drive, SugarSync, SpiderOak and Bitcasa!

MEGA vs the Rest

MEGA has launched and despite being a total failure as far as uploads go for the first few days it seems they have finally gotten up to speed a little bit to allow people to actually upload files and start using the site.

 

Let’s be very clear about what MEGA is and what it is not. MEGA is an online storage website that allows the files you upload to be shared using links. MEGA is not an online backup site. People using it to store files should always keep a copy of those files on their local computer and / or a backup copy of those files.

There is bound to be comparisons between MEGA and the other online storage services so I thought I would put together a little chart highlighting some of the features of each of them.

MEGADropboxGoogle DriveSugarSyncSpiderOakBitcasa
Free / TrialFree 50GBFree 2GBFree 5GBFree 5GBFree 2GBFree 10GB
Referral Plan
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Max Referral SizeN/A18GBN/A32GB10GBUnknown
Operating SystemWeb Browser – ChromeWindows, Mac, Linux & Web BrowserWindows & Mac & Web BrowserWindows & Mac & Web BrowserWindows, Mac, LinuxWindows, Mac, Linux & Web Browser
Mobile App / Access
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Mobile Uploads
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Cost€9.99 / 500GB / month (Roughly $14USD)$9.99 / 100GB / month$4.99 / 100GB / month$14.99 / 100GB / month$10.00 / 100GB / month$10.00 / Unlimited / month
Paid Account Bandwidth1TB / month up to 8TB / month200GB / day (est. 6TB / month)Unknown250GB / day (est. 7.5TB / month)No LimitUnknown
Free Account BandwidthUnknown20GB / day (est. 600GB / month)Unknown10GB / day (est. 300GB / month)No LimitUnknown
Encryption
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes

 

I am working on a Mega review, but it has been slowed down thanks to Mega not being reliable as far as uploads go yet. The question as to whether you should use Mega to store your files versus the other services is a huge question and one that you will want to think hard about. Some things to consider about Mega is their history and do you trust them? For example if you want to purchase additional storage space with Mega you have to do it through a reseller. Mega cannot process credit cards and according to TorrentFreak some of those resellers are going to be targeted to stop payments. Then there is also an article on SC Magazine looking at the encryption Mega is using and some of the problems that have already been found.

When you compare the features of Mega to the other services they are really not that great. What can you do with Mega? You can upload files and share them through your web browser. When you look at Dropbox you can share files with your friends and that allows editing and changing of documents. Google Drive allows you to edit files through your web browser. SugarSync, SpiderOak and Bitcasa all offer more advanced backup features.

MEGA is also missing any and all mobile access or upload ability. They have not taken mobile seriously at all. They claim mobile apps are coming but when will we see those is a just a guess. Considering the websites dependence on the Google Chrome web browser it could be awhile before apps or even a mobile friendly website are available.

MEGA has since updated their website to support mobile browsers and recently have launched an official Android app. MEGA is also promising to have a new iOS app available soon and a desktop app. These updates help to improve MEGA and the

In many ways MEGA is not much different than the previous MegaUpload was, just a simple file sharing website. They have created a fancy HTML 5 user interface that does some encryption on the files to prevent them from knowing the files being uploaded but that is all. Mega offers no advanced features that other services offer such as no file sync, no group file sharing, no editing, no mobile app, no mobile file access, no convenient desktop app, no file streaming and I am sure I could go on. In short what Mega offers is 50GB of free space, and that might be enough for some people but Mega is no Dropbox, Google Drive, SugarSync, SpiderOak or Bitcasa and has a long way to go before it really compares to the rest of them.

Funny that Kim Dotcom talks about the outdated business models of the MPAA and RIAA, and now it looks like his business model of providing online storage has become outdated by services that have taken it to the next level.


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Comments

2 responses to “MEGA versus Dropbox, Google Drive, SugarSync, SpiderOak and Bitcasa!”

  1. Dheeraj Avatar
    Dheeraj

    Bitcasa has a linux client too!

    1. Cloud Storage Buzz Team Avatar

      Correct. I have fixed that. Thanks.

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