Bitcasa vs. OpenDrive

Overview

 
Feature Bitcasa OpenDrive Tied
Operating System and Desktop Client
Yes
Free Account and Storage
Yes
Paid Storage
Yes
API Access
Yes
Sharing
Yes
Number of Computers
Yes
Encryption
Yes
File Sync
Yes
Backing Up
Yes
Mobile Apps
Yes
Web Access
Yes
Totals
5
3
3
Winner Bitcasa
Sign Up for
Bitcasa
Sign Up for
OpenDrive

With the recent changes with Bitcasa’s pricing OpenDrive has been doing their best to entice disgruntled Bitcasa users over to their service. OpenDrive even put together an OpenDrive vs. Bitcasa blog post where OpenDrive came out on top in every category. While I admire their attempts at comparing themselves to Bitcasa I thought I would put together a Bitcasa vs. OpenDrive post that is perhaps a little more impartial. Granted I am currently a Bitcasa user, although this might not be for long. I also have an OpenDrive account for testing.

Operating System and Desktop Client
Bitcasa now has clients for Windows, Mac and Linux. The desktop clients for Windows and Mac have gotten better and the new Linux client is headless. I have not had a chance to try the Linux client but new users on the new plans can try use it. While this is a sore spot with me Bitcasa can say they have clients for all three operating systems.

OpenDrive has desktop clients for Windows and Mac. They also support webdav so in theory it is possible to connect to it using Linux. I have tried it and it does work, but it was not as smooth as it could be. Not exactly an ideal user experience. If you are on a Mac you might want to test the service well before signing up. Heard lots of people on Macs having problems with the client.

Winner: Bitcasa

Free Account and Storage
Bitcasa offers new users 5GB free with only a few limits like only a 30 day file version history and a limit of 3 devices, but there is no limits on bandwidth, speed and more listed.

OpenDrive also offers 5GB of free space but that is where the similarity ends. Free accounts with OpenDrive have a number of limits placed on them like: bandwidth is limited to 1GB/day, file size is limited to 100MB, and bandwidth speed is limited to 200 KB/s.

If you are just looking for some free space Bitcasa is a better option here. The limits on OpenDrive make is suitable to try the service but that is about it.

Winner: Bitcasa

Paid Storage
Bitcasa now has 1TB, 5TB and Infinite Unlimited storage plans with prices starting at $10.00/month or $99.00/year up to $99.00/month or $999.00/year. For 1TB of storage Bitcasa is not a bad deal still but their unlimited option is clearly not an option for most people. They also place new limits on the number of devices that can connect. This can easily be an issue if you have multiple computers, smartphones and tablets.

OpenDrive offers a personal unlimited account for $12.95/month or $129.00/year. This is certainly affordable for most people and there is no limits on the number of devices that can connect.

Winner: OpenDrive

API Access
Bitcasa now has an API and the number of services that are intergarting it are growing. Your favorite service might not support it but it is growing.

OpenDrive also has an API and have had one longer than Bitcasa, but good luck finding a service that supports it. I am sure they might have a list but in the checking around I did I found only one, JoliCloud, that had a connector and I cannot tell you how well it works.

Winner: Tie

Sharing
Both Bitcasa and OpenDrive allow you to share your files with family and friends. OpenDrive has download bandwidth limits which might put Bitcasa slightly ahead, but if you are just sharing the latest family video of the kids then you should have no problems with OpenDrive.

Winner: Tie

Number of Computers
Bitcasa loses this one with the new plans because they implemented limits on the number of devices you can connect with. On paid plans with OpenDrive this is unlimted.

Winner: OpenDrive

Encryption
We already know that Bitcasa uses a form of convergent encryption to help keep files secure on their storage servers. They also use secure sockets layer (SSL) to transfer files and stores them using AES-256 bit encryption.

OpenDrive uses a 128 bit encrypted SSL (Secure Socket Layer) connection to transfer files. They also offer two options for your files stored on their servers, a zero-knowledge encryption folder (note only one folder) and the rest of the files are not encrypted. Sure you can put all of your files into the secure folder but then you have a whole list of things you cannot do with them. The fact that the default storage offers NO ENCRYPTION AT ALL should be a concern for all OpenDrive users.

The OpenDrive post comparing Bitcasa and OpenDrive clearly give this category to OpenDrive. If you were only looking at their zero-knowledge folder perhaps but the fact that all files in the rest of OpenDrive are not encrypted (check their support for that fact) clearly puts Bitcasa ahead.

Winner: Bitcasa

File Sync
Bitcasa does not offer file sync. It is not a feature they support and if you want to sync your files you will need to find another way of doing it.

OpenDrive does offer sync and it appears to work well when I tried it. I don’t use the service regularly enough to notice any problems.

Winner: OpenDrive

Backing Up
Bitcasa and OpenDrive are pretty even on this one. Both offer the ability to backup. OpenDrive might be slightly ahead with versions but

Winner: Tie

Mobile Apps
The Bitcasa mobile app gives you access to all of your files and makes it easy to favorite files to your mobile device for playing. It can also play many formats directly on your mobile. The added bonus of being able to upload all your new photos and videos is also a great feature.

The OpenDrive mobile app is access only. You can manage your files and manually upload but there is no auto upload of photos etc. Just not as polished as Bitcasa.

Winner: Bitcasa

Web Access
Bitcasa offers a strong web portal to access your files. You can manage, share and one of the best features is the ability to stream your music and video through the web. This makes the Bitcasa web portal a excellent web portal to use. It has continued to get better since they launched.

The OpenDrive web portal allows you to manage and share your files as well but the feel is not as nice as Bitcasa. You are also suppose to be able to stream your music and video but it is not as nice as Bitcasa. In fact I could only get music to stream occasionally and videos have to be encoded in the right format for them the work. That being said I could not actually get a video to stream even when it was in the proper format. This is definitively a growth are for OpenDrive, but if you want to switch to them because they offer streaming it is not on the same level as Bitcasa. You also need to remember that OpenDrive has download bandwidth limits.

Winner: Bitcasa

And the Winner Is?

Bitcasa

Bitcasa wins this comparison with OpenDrive based mainly on the strength of their encryption, the web portal, and mobile app. OpenDrive is coming along but needs to improve to be a really serious contender to Bitcasa. This being said from a disgruntled Bitcasa user.

What do you think? Would you switch to OpenDrive from Bitcasa?

Note: I am currently an affiliate for both Bitcasa and OpenDrive so if you sign up for either through my links I should (in theory) get a small commission.


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