Gone are the days when your phone runs out of space, or you constantly have to back up your computer to an external hard drive. The cloud has revolutionized everything from the way we store data, to how we collaborate on projects, to how we think about digital security. The popularity of cloud storage has solved several of these issues, but many people still don’t fully understand the concept.
And just as it's important to store your data, it's also important to protect the devices that data is coming from. Product protection is crucial to ensuring your smartphones, tablets, and computers are covered in case of accidents or damage. Subscribe to Mulberry Unlimited for coverage on nearly all your online purchases under the same product protection plan, so you can be ready for anything, no matter what.
Let's take a look at what cloud storage is, how it works, and whether it's worth paying for a service subscription.
What is cloud storage?
Cloud storage is a remote storage method that enables storing files and data over the internet. Users upload data to off-site servers and can access it via a public or private internet connection.
Files are stored in a virtual “cloud” space across various servers. Hosting companies manage the physical data storage centers, but files can be accessed from anywhere users have internet access.
Most people use public cloud storage through providers like Google or Microsoft, which is the most affordable. For companies, business owners, or individuals with large amounts of data or security concerns, private cloud storage provides additional data protection and customization options.
In the current context of technological innovation, cloud storage is usually preferable to traditional storage methods.
Why is cloud storage important?
Cloud-based storage solutions solve many of the problems that exist with traditional storage methods, which can be time-consuming and don’t offer benefits, including:
- Sync technology
- Automatic (continuous or regular interval) backups
- The impossibility of “losing” your files/data
- Easy scalability for business owners
- Universal accessibility−see your files almost anywhere, at any time
Although there are also some downsides to cloud storage, the benefits far outweigh the potential issues resulting from these programs.
High-quality cloud storage subscription services
Today, there are tons of cloud storage subscription services out there. If you’re looking for an option that’s easy to use, affordable, and allows you to store your files safely, one of these four providers may be perfect.
Microsoft OneDrive
OneDrive allows you to store, protect, and share your files easily. It’s user-friendly, especially for those working within Microsoft ecosystems, and compatible with many devices (even Xboxes).
It comes with 5GB of free storage, then starts from $19.99/year (or $1.99/month) for 100GB of storage. You can also opt for a Microsoft 365 Personal plan for $69.99/year (or $6.99/month), which includes access to the Microsoft Office Suite and various additional perks.
Dropbox
Dropbox has been in the data storage game for a long time. They offer simple, fast, and streamlined file storage solutions. Integration with a range of apps is seamless, and they have exceptional file-sharing capabilities as well as collaborative features.
Dropbox comes with 2GB of free storage, and starts at $9.99/month for 200TB of storage. There are also various plans for families and teams, and Dropbox support for technical issues.
Google One (Google Drive)
Google One is a reliable favorite of those who live and breathe Google. Its subscription plan gives you more space to store photos, emails, and documents.
That said, it doesn’t come with end-to-end encryption, meaning it isn’t the optimal choice for those worried about security. The interface also isn’t as user-friendly as Dropbox, although subscribers can still access files with ease and should encounter fewer issues when using the application rather than the desktop version.
Google One comes with 15GB of free storage and offers decent rates for additional storage, starting at $1.99 a month for 100 GB.
iCloud
iCloud works well with the Apple ecosystem of devices to store photos, files, notes, passwords, and other data but isn’t compatible with Android devices. It offers some nice extras like Hide My Email and HomeKit Secure Video support, but the interface is clunky and can be a bit slow.
You can manage iCloud storage conveniently from the iCloud tab in the Settings app on your Apple device. iCloud users get the first 5GB of storage free. After that, you can buy iCloud storage at $0.99/month for 50GB.
Is a cloud storage subscription worth it?
In our opinion, a cloud storage subscription is worth it. Cloud-managed services and subscriptions can be extremely affordable and offer conveniences that make your life easier and optimize your storage solutions while still protecting data to a high degree.
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