Lifestyle 2023-11-08

Seniors Can Save With Cloud Storage: Comparing Google, Office 365 & More

There are several other cloud systems on the market. So, what to choose and how affordable are their prices? Let’s inspect them individually and find out

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Cloud Storage Background

Internet and its introduction as an everyday luxury changed the face of the earth. It started as something that provided information, transformed with the additional features of distance communication, and kept growing until it became an absolute necessity. We have seen features that started as vague and unpopular and topped the charts in the following years. Cloud fits that category so well.

Anyone familiar with the advancements in storage systems knows or has heard the term “Cloud.” Speaking about the technology on a surface level allows users to store data remotely and retrieve them without any hassle. The technology started gaining worldwide recognition when big companies started utilizing it for data storage and protection. As the years rolled on, the privilege became affordable for personal use too.

A typical example of this system is the Google drive function on Android devices. They have backup storage on Google servers that will store your photos to retrieve them even if the device is lost. Including Google Storage, there are several other cloud systems on the market. So, what to choose and how affordable are their prices? Let’s inspect them individually and find out.

Introduction and Working Mechanism

Cloud derives its meaning literally from the clouds we see in the sky. The data is remotely stored on a cloud service provider data center, and we can access them from any corner of the world. You can compare the service with internet banking which allows deposits and retrieving at any time from anywhere. The working mechanism of the Cloud Storage system follows a client-server model.

One question that often surrounds cloud storage is its security. By security, I do not mean data theft or unauthorized data peeking but the chances of losing data in case of physical damage. It might not be local, but somewhere a giant server is maintaining our records might suffer damage. So, is it risky? The answer is negative because the cloud uses multiple data centers, so you will not lose any data in case of malfunctions.

The Best Cloud Storage Services on the Market

Having too many good choices can also be a problem. Since cloud services have become standard and cheaper in the last decade, people have difficulty choosing the exemplary service that fits their requirements. So, we will be going through some top names on the market and explore their good and bad sides.

Dropbox: Dropbox is an ultimate cloud storage facility made and distributed by the American company Dropbox.

Pros:

  • It is suitable for any organization, be it small or large.
  • You don’t have to worry about the data limit.
  • You can choose your data pack between 2GB to unlimited.
  • The service is OS-friendly. So, you can run it on Linux, Windows, iOS, Android, and even Windows phones.
  • Whatever the file, you have the luxury to store and share them using the Dropbox platform.
  • The user has admin controls which make the process easy.
  • The company has allocated some functions considering the importance of data security.
  • Use the web version and manage your files without even downloading them.

Cons:

  • People can enjoy a 30-day trial version but no free storage.
  • If you want a personal space in Dropbox, it can be a bit expensive.

Pricing: A standard 5GB package will cost you $15 per month and $12.5 if you pay for a yearly subscription. The customizable plans cost $25 and $20 again with the monthly and annual goals. The Enterprise version has customizable planning options and charges you accordingly.

iCloud: If you own any Apple products or have used their technology at some point, you must be familiar with iCloud. They only run on Apple devices except Windows 7 or newer versions. However, they are not available on Android devices. As per current statistics, there are 850 million users of iCloud on the planet.

The advantages of using this service are not very different from Dropbox. They offer good security and accessible space for pictures, documents, videos, and data from apps like Safari, mail, contacts, etc.

Cons: The service is only limited to people with an official Apple ID. If you have an Android device and want to enjoy this service, it’s sad news. Inter-App data transfer is limited to Apple devices only.

Pricing: Pricing is different depending upon the country. For example, a person in the USA can enjoy 50GB, 200GB, and 2TB packages at $0.99, $2.99, and $9.99 respectively, but the same packages cost Rs. 75, Rs. 219 and Rs. 749 in India. Why? It’s Apple.

Microsoft 365: Microsoft has a lot of history and credibility under its name. So, adapting to a cloud service from such experts can be a huge plus point for a company. But, it does not mean that it’s the perfect system for every scenario.

Pros:

  • You have the flexibility to work from anywhere.
  • One can maintain their productivity with the seamless collaboration it offers.
  • If you need extra protection, the service has some robust security measures.
  • You have the advantage of familiarity with the program and software.
  • The service allows custom features that can be tailored as per business requirements.

Cons:

  • Productivity depends mainly on the quality of the internet.
  • You might find renewals tiring.
  • You will not have control over the privacy of your data.
  • People might face issues regarding compatibility.

Pricing:

As per the official Microsoft website, a family version of Microsoft 365 will cost you around $100 per year. This package is suitable for six users and provides total cloud storage of 6TB. Another package is one ideal for personal use. It provides 1TB storage and costs around $70. Please note that the prices are synced as per USA markets and might vary for international users.

Google Backup: Google Backup is a replacement for the Google Drive service. It stores all the data on your local computer. It comes with the sync option, which copies the backed-up files automatically to Google Drive’s cloud feature. With this service, you can maintain a solid file structure, and you have a dedicated entry.

Pros:

  • You can access your files from anywhere without any problem.
  • The setup process is easy, and the syncing is automatic.
  • It is friendly with multiple platforms and provides accessible services regarding sharing and managing permission.
  • You can restore your file even if it is removed from the trash section.

Cons:

  • It does not have an application to go hand in hand with Windows file explorer. All the current interactions are done through a web interface.
  • The search option needs some polishing along with other UI options.
  • The performance is relatively slow as compared to other top-notch cloud services.
  • Permission is not secure and complex when compared to MyDrive.

Pricing

Google Backup and Sync are comparatively cheaper when compared to other services of the same caliber. Well, it does have some drawbacks but so do others. Anyway, 100GB storage will cost you around $2 per month. The updated version with 200GB storage is just a dollar more, and the 2TB storage option will cost you about $10 per month.

Mega: This service comes from a company called Mega limited that operates from Auckland. It is the only cloud service that provides 50GB of free storage to its users.

Pros:

  • It has applications that work effectively across platforms and mobile Operating Systems.
  • Popular web browsers provide the option of Mega Cloud Storage extension.
  • The service is famous for its tight data security. Every data you upload onto the system will follow end-to-end encryption protocols.
  • To this day, the company boasts over 100 million happy customers.

Cons:

  • Mega Cloud service has only one disadvantage, and that is, lack of supporting web browsers. The web interface is limited to Mozilla Firefox and Chrome browsers only.

Pricing:

Mega offers several options for different requirements. As we mentioned earlier, the Mega Free account plan provides 50GB of storage for its users without demanding any money. The Mega Lite account charges $4.99 in exchange for 200GB of storage. Moving up the storage ladders, a 500GB plan will cost you $49.99, followed by a 2TB plan that adds up to $19.99. The Mega Pro III account provides a massive 4TB storage facility at the cost of $29.99

Conclusion

So, you might have devised a general idea of the cloud storage services currently reigning over the market. While we could advise you on a particular service, I think it would be best to choose the plans according to your requirements. Just compare the programs and see which cloud service seems tailored to your budget and storage needs.