A Cloud file storage platform is becoming increasingly mandatory in our digital age, to cater to remote working situations and an increased need for streamlined efficiency. With a good Cloud File Storage software, not only will you increase productivity, your overall digital filing process will be so much more tidy.
What Cloud Storage means?
Cloud storage is an online storage space where your data is stored on remote servers. The data is managed, maintained, and backed up by third-party cloud storage providers, and you can access it over the internet.
How does Cloud Storage Work?
Another way to define cloud storage is that it’s a virtual hard drive that allows you to can access your files anytime, from any device.
Cloud Storage VS Local Storage
Cloud storage refers to a platform that is able to store files on the Cloud. “The cloud” refers to servers that are accessed over the Internet, and the software and databases that run on those servers. Cloud servers are located in data centers all over the world.
Local Storage refers to a storage platform that is hosted on a server that you own. This will most likely be the server that is located in your office. If your company’s files are stored in local storage, this means that you are storing your company’s data, digital files and applications on your on-premise server.
If you want to have easy access to your files from anywhere, having a cloud storage platform for all your company’s digital filing needs will be a much better choice as compared to local storage that can only be accessed in your office network.
Without a Cloud file storage software, there is a high chance that the following will occur:
- many versions of the same files
- Overwriting another file
- Accidently removing a file and not being able to retrieve it again
- The problem is, it can be quite confusing to know what to choose. In this article, I will compare the 3 top cloud file storage software and weigh the pros and cons of each of them.
How to ensure that your Cloud Storage is secure?
The Cloud Storage provider market has plenty of big brands that have security as one of their main priorities. The top 3 cloud storage platforms that many businesses use are Google drive, Dropbox and OneDrive.
Here is a breakdown of 3 of the most recommended cloud storage software based on your needs – Dropbox, One Drive and Google Drive:
| DropBox | One Drive | Google Drive | |
| Pricing | Business Professional (3,000 GB): – only for 1 user – Only professional: Paid yearly: $16.58/user/month – Professional + eSign: $24.99 / user / month Standard (5,000 GB): – 3+ users – Paid yearly: ($160.50 / user / year ($13.38 / user / month ) – Paid monthly: $16.05 / user / month Advanced (unlimited space): – – 3+ users – Paid yearly: ($256.80 / user / year ($21.40 / user / month ) $41.67 / user / month | –For Home– – OneDrive Basic 5 GB: Free – OneDrive Standalone 100GB: S$3/month – Microsoft 365 Personal (1 TB/ 1000GB): SG$108.00 (annual subscription–auto renews) Buy now – Microsoft 365 Family (6TB total / 1000GB per person for up to 6 people): SG$148.00 Microsoft 365 Family SG$148.00/ year (annual subscription–auto renews) –For Business– – OneDrive for Business (Plan 1): USD$5.00user/month (annual subscription–auto renews) Price does not include GST. – OneDrive for Business (Plan 2): USD$10.00user/month (annual subscription–auto renews) Price does not include GST. – Microsoft 365 Business Basic: USD$6.00user/month (annual subscription–auto renews) Price does not include GST. – Microsoft 365 Business Standard: USD$12.50user/month (annual subscription–auto renews) Price does not include GST. | 15GB: Free 100GB: Basic: S$27.99/year 200GB: Standard: S$39.99/year 2TB: Premium: S$139.99/year |
| Pros | – Is not restricted to an email client (Eg gmail, outlook) – Files are available offline on the Ipad, phone and desktop – Has e Signature hence you do not need to get other e signature software (eg Docusign) | For Home The 365 and Family packages also include MS Word, MS Powerpoint, MS Excel, MS Outlook Option to pay monthly for the Family and 365 Packages 1 month free trial available for the 365 Package For Business Main benefits come from the 365 Business Basic and 365 Business Standard packages: 1 month free trial available 365 Business Standard Package includes Business email Both packages include these Services: Exchange, OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams 365 Business Basic Package includes Web and mobile versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 365 Business Standard package includes: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Access (PC only), Publisher (PC only) | – Easily accessible from your gmail account. – Can create google docs, google slides, google sheets directly in the folder. – Flexibility to have different plans for each user – The Google Tools allow you to track past version history updates and also allows you to restore past versions. |
| Cons | Other than cloud storage space and eSignatures, there does not seem to be any other tools | Needs internet connection Only accessible with a a Microsoft email (e.g. @hotmail.com, @live.com, or @outlook.com) | – Needs internet connection – You need a Gmail account – Only payable yearly and not monthly – Only accessible with a Gmail account |
| Has desktop storage? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Has eSignature function? | Yes, only under the Advanced plan | No | No |
| My personal thoughts | Not as many tools as One Drive or Google Drive | If your team prefers to use MS products, One Drive is best | Very user-friendly interface |
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