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Google Drive Vs. One Drive Vs. Drop Box Vs. iCloud vs. Box

Online file storage services have become must-have tools for making sure that your data backup is available in case of any unforeseen digital threats and troubles. Everyone of us especially business people may need to access their data frequently from any device; be it on smart phones or laptop or desktop. We want our data to be handy whether it is in the form of files, videos, music or pictures accessible anywhere, anytime.

In my last blog, I discussed about some of the popular cloud storage options. Many readers of TechnoDossier have asked queries on their specific needs on cloud data storage. So, here I have tried to compile a comparison among some of the widely used free cloud storage.

Launched in

2012
2007, Initially launched as SkyDrive
2007
2011
2005

Created by

Google
Microsoft
Dropbox
Apple
Box

Utility

Google Drive is a file storage and synchronization service to store and share documents across all types of devices.
OneDrive is an online file storage that enables users to store and share photos, videos, documents, and more.
Dropbox is a personal cloud storage service frequently used for file sharing and collaboration.
iCloud Drive is an online storage service that lets users to store and access their files across all Apple devices, including your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Box is enterprise cloud storage service with secure file sharing, backup, restoration and collaboration features.

Sharing Options

 Customizable:

  • Invite people to share files or folders
  • Share links to be accessed by anyone
 Multiple customized ways:

  • Share files or folders using OneDrive Website
  • Share files using links
  • Share files via Email
  • Share files to social networks
  • Share files using shortened links
 Private sharing:

  • By sending a link by email
  • No concept of file sharing with others
  • Folder structure is for sharing with one account
 Private sharing

  • By sending a link by email or
  • By instant messaging

Storage Space

  • Free Storage: upto 15 GB
  • Additional:
    • 100 GB for $2/month,
    • 1 TB for $10/month,
    • 10 TB for $100/month,
    • 20 TB for $200/month,
    • 30 TB for $300/month
  • Free Storage: upto 5 GB
  • Additional:
    • 50 GB for $2/month,
    • 1 TB for $7/month.
  • Free Storage: Upto 2 GB
  • Additional:
    • 1 TB for $8.25/month.
  • Free Storage: upto 5 GB
  • Additional:
    • 50GB for $0.99/month,
    • 200GB for $2.99/month,
    • 1TB for $9.99/month.
  • Free Storage: upto 10 GB
  • Additional:
    • 100 GB for $10.40/month,
    • Unlimited for $15.60/month based on plans opted

File Size Limit

  • Google Docs: upto 1.02 million characters.
  • Google Sheets: up to 2 million cells.
  • Google Presentations: upto 100 MB.
  • Other formats: upto 5 TB/file.
  • 10 GB/file
  • Desktop or mobile apps: no file size limit.
  • Online: upto 20 GB/file
  • 50GB/file
  • 5 GB/file

Supported Platforms

Web, Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
PCs and Macs, Android, iOS and Windows phones and tablets
Web, Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Windows Mobile
OS X Yosemite or above on Mac, iOS 8 and above on iPhones, Windows 10
Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, BlackBerry

Security

SSL/TLS encryption
PFS encryption
256-bit AES and SSL/TLS encryption, password-protected sharing links
A minimum of 128-bit AES encryption
High level SSL security

Language Support

65 languages
107 languages
19 languages
16 languages
24 languages

Special Features

Advanced search feature, file version history, facility to download Gmail attachments to Drive, integration with Google Photos.
Share files or folders with others, Syncing folders, Advanced searching, collaborating MS office files with their web versions.
Integration with Microsoft Office 365, file version history.
Syncing files and folders across all devices, Camera sync with iCloud’s Photos folder.
Organize files and folders, Share files or folders with others, Get real-time updates.

On the Plus Side

  • A single Gmail account gives access to all Google Apps
  • No need to have separate storage for your Photos, it automatically back ups your photos on its own.
  • A single Microsoft account gives access to Outlook, Xbox Live, and other Microsoft services
  • Works well with Windows devices
  • Easy to manage files created in MS applications such as Word or Excel.
  • Works well on desktops, Macs, Android and iOS
  • Its design makes it easy for anyone to master.
  • Works well on Apple devices
  • Easy-to-use interface.
  • Comes along with numerous business tools for collaboration and file privacy control
  • Remote wipe features and various anti-theft safeguards
  • Smart notification system notifies about status of projects.

On the Minus Side

Syncing problems with larger files occasionally.
Does not allow you to control your file organization.
Doesn’t allow you to control how your files are displayed.
Weak integration with other systems; most of the features only work if you are using an Apple device.
Restored files are not archived before download.

What’s Your Choice

If you are a user of Google’s Office Suite and if you use an Android phone, you might like to use Google Drive because Google Docs and Google Sheets are by default stored on Google Drive.
If you don’t want your data to be stored on Google drive and you are Office 365 user or a Microsoft products’ lover, oneDrive is right choice for you.
If you are a user who wish to share your data to variety of devices.
If you are a iPhone or iPad user, you will definitely need iCloud storage for your data.
If you are working in a team and wish to securely share documents among team members.

URL

https://www.drive.google.com
https://onedrive.live.com/about/en-in/
https://www.dropbox.com/
https://www.icloud.com/
https://www.box.com/home

I hope this exhaustive comparison may let you make a right choice depending on your data storage requirements.

11 Responses to “Google Drive Vs. One Drive Vs. Drop Box Vs. iCloud vs. Box”

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  8. nadeem says:

    Once you’ve installed the Google Drive desktop client, you can also drag and drop files into the linked folder on your desktop to sync them with your account in the cloud.

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