OpenDrive at a Glance
Our Rating
3 / 5 stars
[xrr rating=3/5]
Price:
- Basic: 5GB Free!
- Personal: $12.95/month, $129.00/year
- Business: $29.95/month, $299.00/year
- Click here to save over 16% on OpenDrive!
Pros:
- Windows and Mac.
- Continuous back up/syncing.
- Packages reasonable with monthly and yearly options.
- Music and video streaming.
- File sharing.
- Online editing of documents, spreadsheets and presentations.
- Can create a virtual private shared drive between users.
- Web interface is well done.
- Unlimited computer access.
- File versioning can be set from 0 to 99 versions.
Cons:
- You need to be comfortable with Windows Explorer.
- No Linux support.
- Bandwidth limits could be an issue with multiple users.
- Free account has transfer limit of 200 kb/s.
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Full OpenDrive Review
OpenDrive is one of those online backup services that is not just backup. It is backup, storage, sync and a web drive that takes the power of backing up to the cloud to the next level. The desktop client tightly integrates with the Windows Explorer interface and is makes it easy to backup and sync files from anywhere on any of your drives.Installation
After downloading the appropriate installer for your operating system, installation is quick. Double clicking the installer icon and going through the installation wizard. You will need to restart your Windows computer after OpenDrive has installed. Just a warning in case you have other work that needs to be saved before you restart your computer.
Once your computer has restarted you will be asked to login with your OpenDrive login and password. This is one of those services where you can download the desktop client without creating an account first, if that is the case you will be prompted to create an account. When you have been logged in you can start using OpenDrive.
Backup
OpenDrive creates a virtual drive on your computer that automatically backs up and syncs data in that drive to the OpenDrive servers. It integrates with Windows Explorer so there is no client application to open like most online backup services have clients. This also means that there is no backup sets or default configuration to start backing up your files.
To start a backup with OpenDrive you open My Computer on Windows and browse to the folder of files you want to backup or sync and right click on them. You are then given a menu to Backup to OpenDrive and/or Syncronize to OpenDrive. Selecting to backup to OpenDrive will present you with the option to select the destination where the folders/files will be backed up or synced to OpenDrive.
Once you have selected the folders/files for backup to OpenDrive you will see a task manager open that will show the progress of the backup or sync. You can use the task manager to manage the progress of the files being transferred.
For people that are good at managing their files and folders this method to backup folders and files is an easy system to understand and get used to, but for those people that have trouble locating files on their computer this could be a difficult system. For example backing up an Outlook PST file that is often hard to find and even harder to backup could be difficult if not next to impossible.
Restoring
In the event that you delete files or have a hard drive failure or some other disaster you want to be sure you can restore your files. If you have access to another computer with Internet access you will be able to gain access to your files through the web. You can also install the software on another computer and simply copy your files from the OpenDrive to that computer. If you accidentally delete a file on your OpenDrive there is a trash that you can restore the file from.
If you deleted a file from your computer that OpenDrive automatically backs up and syncs it will ask you if you want to delete it from OpenDrive as well. If you still happen to delete it you have a one more chance to restore the file from the OpenDrive trash. Because there is no versioning though the file you restore might still have a problem.
You can download a zip file of your entire OpenDrive contents through the web if you need to restore all of your files. If you have a large backup be prepared to take some time downloading it.
Other Features
OpenDrive has an abundance of other features that you do not find in a simple backup service. They allow you to stream your music and video files that you have backed up using a web browser or any other computer that you have synced your files to.
OpenDrive Web Access
Accessing your files through the OpenDrive web interface is a feature that is really one of the reasons you want to use OpenDrive. Through the OpenDrive Web interface you have access to all of your files, can stream music and video, edit and create new files through Zoho that are then synced back to your desktop, share files, collaborate with others, share files to Facebook and Twitter, even sell files online.
Mobile App
I only tested the Android App and it is pretty straight forward to use. You can easily browse your files and download them to your device. There is no streaming of media files that I could tell, the app will download them and then play them. You can also upload files, but there does not appear to be any kind of automatic backup or upload of photos and videos only manual upload.
Music/Video Streaming
If you backup your music of videos to OpenDrive you can easily play them through the web interface using a browser. This is great for those people that want to have access to their music collection or videos where ever you are.
My testing of this was hit and miss. I tested streaming several MP3 files and had no luck through the web portal but if I clicked the option to get the file links the embed option would play. I tried in a couple different browsers and had the same problems. If this is the main feature for you, you might want to give it a good try before handing over your money.
Editing Documents
I tested the document editor and it was run by Zoho. I did not test the spreadsheet and presentation editor, but I imagine they are all powered by Zoho. Having the ability to edit your documents online through a web browser is a great feature that I wish other backup services had. In my testing I was able to cause some confusion with OpenDrive. I created a document in My Documents which was being backed up and synced to OpenDrive. I waited for it to be backed up online and then editor the file using Zoho. I saved the document in Zoho and closed the editor. I then opened the file using the online editor again to double check the file was saved with the new contents. I waited a few minutes and then went and edited the local copy of the file in My Documents. That file had still not synced with the online version. After saving I waited to see which file version would be kept. After a few minutes the local copy over wrote the online version. This would probably not be a problem for most people, since you would not edit the online version and then shortly afterward edit the local version.
File Sharing
File sharing can be done through either the Windows Explorer interface or through the web. In my testing it was easier to do through the web once the files were uploaded. Sharing though the web interface is as easy as finding the folder or file you want to share and clicking the Share menu item. You can then choose how you want to share the folder or file. You can also share a file to Facebook, Twitter or by email. A great way to share your latest photos with family and friends.
Manage Files via Web
You can easily manage all your files with the web interface. You can delete files and folders if you no longer need them and want to save some space. You can also upload individual files through the browser to your OpenDrive. If you want folders you can upload zip files to create folders. I also noticed you can fetch files from the web straight to OpenDrive.
Encryption
According to the OpenDrive Knowledge Base all files are transferred through a 128 bit encrypted SSL (Secure Socket Layer) connection. However they offer two levels of storage but it is important to know that all files that are not in the secure files folder are NOT ENCRYPTED. All files that are stored in the Secure Files folder are encrypted and are then not available through the website and if you forget your password your files will not be recoverable. I could not find any information on how those files are encrypted or stored.
Overall
OpenDrive is a unique online backup and storage service that offers a wide range of features that will appeal to users of every level. In my testing of the service I could easily see how useful it could be. The backup and syncing features did work well for me and the service is affordable compared to other services with similar features.
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Review updated December 6, 2013.
Comments
85 responses to “OpenDrive Review”
If you have read all the way down to here and still even consider subscribing to OpenDrive you are a fool. We had numerous problems with their inability to transfer files and their support sucked. They, too, are balking at refunding our money! This company is a FRAUD! Move on to other servers. It is amazing they even rated three stars. I would not have given them one. Run, don’t walk, away!!!!
Ken,
Thanks for your comment. Sorry to hear you are having problems with OpenDrive. Hopefully you can get it resolved.Thanks to your comment though I have made a change here on how comments are displayed. I have set new comments to be displayed at the top so people do not have to scroll for miles, plus I have turned pagination on. This only effects a few posts and pages but this review is one that does get several new comments.
This is the worst service EVER! I’ve been using OpenDrive for 2-3 years now and I’ve stored all my pictures there thinking I have a safe storage. Now I started to move everything to Google Photos instead and I see that many of my files are corrupt. After having several conversations with the support I realize that they are the sh******* company ever. They first said that my files were corrupt before uploading. Then they said it must have been something with the connection when uploading and at last they admitted that something went wrong when uploading and the files weren’t correctly uploaded into their system. I never got any error message and the file sizes seem correct. As an excuse they said that they will put a function to communicate back if the files wasn’t uploaded correctly. How is that going to help me now when I’ve lost a lot of my children’s photos? They didn’t even want to refund me for anything (not that I care about a few dollars). My advice is not using this worthless service cause you’ll end up with lost files and ignorant support.
Sorry to hear about this. Hope you had another copy of your kids photos.
We have not been able to access many documents on OpenDrive for over two months now. We are paying for a business plan but not getting support. The responses:
08/01/15 “We received a notice that there were issues causing the site to be intermittently unavailable, and our technicians have been working to resolve this as quickly as possible. We have been informed that all but one server has been brought back online, so you should be able to access your account now.”
12/01/15 “I have not received an update to indicate that everything is completed. Your file still shows an invalid date since the issues are ongoing, and once the issue is resolved the date will be correct. Our technicians are working to resolve this as quickly as possible.”
27/01/15 “I have been informed that although the servers are up, there is one partition that is still offline. If you have files showing dates of 1969 or 1970, it is likely related to the partition that is offline. When it is back up, the date would be normal again. Unfortunately, I do not have further details or a timeframe currently.”
29/01/15 “I have received an update, and I was informed that the files will be inaccessible for approximately another 24 hours while the server is reinitialized. Then, the files will be read only temporarily, until we get them moved to another server. We expect the transfer process to take 3-5 days. Until this is complete, the files may intermittently be inaccessible.”
05/02/15 “At the moment, the files are being transferred to a new partition. Due to the amount of files, it may take up to 10 days. However, if you had a sync task running for the location where these files are stored the application will try to upload files that are currently inaccessible.”
08/02/15 “As I mentioned previously, it may take up to 10 days (approximately 7 days now).”
09/02/15 “I understand this is frustrating, and I apologize for any inconvenience this is causing. I have already explained how long the process will take. It is not related to your files alone, as it is a process that is transferring all files from one partition to another. This is where the timeframe comes from. The files may be available sooner, but we cannot make any guarantees.”
24/02/15 “I have been checking on the status of the transfer, but I have not received an update. I understand the transfer is taking longer than expected, and I do apologize. Unfortunately, I am unable to provide the timeframe you have requested.”
02/03/15 “If you refer to previous messages, you will see that I have already explained what is causing the files to be unavailable. As for when they will be available again, it will depend on when the transfer is complete. As soon as I receive an update, I will let you know.”
When will this end?
I have the same problems like Albert. I have no access to my files since 3 days. I opened the case to support. Then after few hours I got message that they have a problems with storage and they lost some data. I WOULD LIKE TO WARN EVERY ONE ! PLEASE DO NOT STORE HERE ANY COMPANY AND ANY IMPORTANT PRIVATE FILES! THERE IS A HIGH RISK THAT YOU WILL LOSE THEM IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS !
OpenDrive steals people’s $! I purchased it on Feb 6 and eventually realized it’s unable to auto-sync and allow me to work files offline when Internet is down (common in Indonesia), which affects my business’ trial sales & inventory management system. Called for technical support on Feb 15 and Arden told me clearly OpenDrive is unable to have suitable workaround like Dropbox’s feature. Refused to provide me full-year pro-rata refund despite service issues w/ product for my business, as stated in Chapt 8 of their user terms. I wish no 1 will do biz w/ this company ever again!
I cannot get my money back. This is ghost company without the support…
Opendrive has all the time problems. I`m private user with personal unlimited plan.
If You planning to buy this service, PLEASE – THINK TWICE! I`m just canceling cooperationg with opendrive.com because its simply not working.
Today morning I tried to upload folder with 500 files.Some of them were corrupt (size 0). NOw I need to check manual, what was uploaded what not…
This is crappy service. Its not working as expected.Another thing is that opendrive Webdav (BETA) test environmnet is connected to prod systems. I already asked them why ? And why to store data they are using Fedora Core 19 (!!!!!!!) – in fact test linux distro of Red Hat ?
If YOu seriously thinking about Your business data, find another company…
My company just purchased a biz plan and very first try to use their backup/sync software failed (tried for a few days – no luck). Called their tech support which is supposed to be available noon-6PM EST (I called within these hours) and nobody available, would only let me leave a message. I did get a return call within about 1 hour, so this was good, but the support person told me that one of their servers was having problems and the backup/sync would continue to fail until the server issue was fixed. I asked and he could not provide any kind of a time frame estimate. This is pretty scary for what should (and must!) be a reliable cloud storage service. My company needs reliable storage, not this! We will request cancellation/refund, we need a reliable service for some critical backups today, not “whenever”….
I have just subscribed for a business account{$100/year} and I found everything they offered to be absolutely perfect for my needs.
I have 100GB storage and tranferred all my website downloads to my opendrive folder in less than 5 minutes. Fantastic!!
The amount of bandwidth they offer is also enough for me for filesharing to the whole internet if needed.
The transfer speed of files are very fast and I am completely satisfied with what I have paid for.
Keep it up!! OpenDrive is a life saver…
Henk van Loo
SSuite Office SoftwareTerrible customer service. They refused to refund charges for my first year of service, even though they never provided a hard drive for manual upload as promised when I signed up. I complained after waiting for two months, and they wouldn’t prorate the months that I spent waiting even though I never uploaded a single thing to their storage or refund the remainder of the year. Then, to make matters worse, they renewed my service for another year and charged me ANOTHER $99, claiming I had never properly cancelled my account. I again contacted them asking for a refund 2 days after they charged my credit card, but they have again refused to refund me. I have filed a complaint with the BBB. I’ve never had a worse experience with a company. I know use Backblaze and couldn’t be happier with them. Stay away from Open Drive!
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