A Review On Online Storage Services

Dropbox has a competition from a range of cloud sync services; we take a look at six of the best

A good cloud sync service is an essential tool for any OS X user. We all use a plethora of devices these days: work computer, home computer, iPad, and iPhone. Setting up a decent cloud sync services makes all the difference to your day.
Maybe you use a USB sticks to transfer files. You can still do this, but it’s unnecessary in the modern age. A good cloud sync service is much easier to use, and with so much competition, they all offer a free service that’s often good enough.



Typically, these services provide a folder in OS X Finder where you can drop files. These are then uploaded to the cloud server and appear in the same folder on any other Macs (or PCs) you have connected to the service. As a bonus, you can usually access the files via a website, or from a compatible iOS app where they can be sent to your apps. This usually easier than using iTunes Sharing.
Dropbox is the 800-pound gorilla here. With over 100 million users and near universal software integration, it’s a familiar name. Dropbox has become so entrenched now that even Apple is finding it difficult to dislodge.

Apple’s own iCloud has a Documents in the Cloud feature. This performs a somewhat similar function to the other services here, although it saves files inside applications rather than using a folder in the Finder. Because it works differently, we decided to put it to one side and look at the other services rivaling Dropbox.
Microsoft and Google are the real contenders here. Each is a big company with even bigger bankrolls, and both are willing to pay for this market. Both have deals that outstrip Dropbox, but do the services match what Dropbox offers? Also, there are lesser-known services like Box, SugarSync, and Wuala: these all offer unique features that could steal you away. With so many choices available, we decided to put them to test.

Test One: File Syncing 

We copied a 4.65GB folder containing various files types to each sync space. Syncing was painless with Dropbox, but we exceeded the miserly 2GB limit so the movies didn’t make it.

Google Drive is virtually identical to Dropbox. However, Google offers a whopping 15GB of free space, so no problems with our test files. At $4.99 per month, it’s also half the price of Dropbox. Microsoft offers 7GB free with SkyDrive, but 20GB extra costs just $10 per year; it’s by far the cheapest option. However, the free service had a pitiful 250MB limit and there’s even a 2GB file limit on the paid-for edition. Our HD movie wouldn’t sync at all. SugarSync now features a single folder system, although you can still manage Finder folders. It’s good for micro-managers, but a bit much compared to other services here. Box had the most complex setup and Wuala was a bit of an oddball. It has a separate window that you copy files to instead of using the Finder. Only Dropbox uses LAN, so it copies files much faster on a local network.

Test Two: File Sharing

Dropbox and Google Cloud win the simplicity award. They’re not secure but it’s quick and easy to share links to files. You can also set up and invite people to shared folders. SugarSync open a share window with link copy, email. Facebook, and Twitter; more complexity but more detail.

The paid-for version of Box holds all the aces here. It features powerful group-based sharing and access, complete with access notifications, version history, and statistics and tracking. Between this and the price, Box is really an enterprise solution,

Wuala turned out to be powerful, and easy to use thanks to its single-window system. It also has great group sharing, allowing multiple users to work on folders.

Sharing in SkyDrive is performed completely through the website, which is a hassle, but you can get HTML embed code, which is a nice touch. Box and Wuala seemed to have the upper edge here, although both Dropbox and Google Drive serve up no-nonsense links with ease.

Test Three: iOS Integration

Dropbox is the pacesetter here, with an app that’s functional and clutter-free. You can preview, share and send files to other iOS apps. Photos can be auto-uploaded from iOS to the Dropbox folder. Google Drive is an extremely similar app with one key difference. It enables users to create and edit Google documents. The free word processor and spreadsheet are compelling extras.

SugarSync is visually the most pleasing app and it’s great for accessing photos, music, and movies. Both SkyDrive and Box are minimalist, and the less said about Wuala the better. It’s just a basic list view of files. 

Where Dropbox dominates is third-party apps. We tested five: Byword, Documents To Go, iThoughts, Notablility, and Penultimate. All five apps supported Dropbox; three apps supported Box, two supported Google Drive and only one – Docments To Go – supported SugarSync. Not a single third-party app on our list supported SkyDrive or Wuala.

Test Four: Additional Features

There’s a lot of innovation and interesting ideas here. Dropbox has the best implementation if recovering deleted files. Most services here are enable version control, but Dropbox nails it. Google Drive goes all the way up to a whopping 16TB if you can afford it. So if you have massive project, Google can support it. And it has the aforementioned Google Docs integration as well, which is incredibly welcome given the right team environment.

Skydrive lets you to edit and create Microsoft Office documents using Microsoft’s online web browser. If security and privacy are important, Wuala is the one to get. Encryption uses a 256-bit algorithm and RSA-2408 for key exchange and signatures, and it happens at the client side, not at Wuala, so they couldn’t access your files even if they wanted to. Wuala also has a great backup feature implemented; you can choose folders and locations for periodical backup alongside regular syncing.

The Winner: Google Drive

Dropbox remains the most universal service on test here, and it’s still extremely good at what it does. Most people who pay for Dropbox are more than happy with it. Just as long as they don’t look at Google drive.

What’s clear is both Google and Microsoft are serious about owning this market. For it’s part, Google has created a service that’s almost identical to Dropbox, but with five times as much free space and half the price for premium space. Throw in native Google Docs compatibility and Google makes it worth your while to switch. The only snag is that Dropbox still has much wider third-party app integration, so take a look at your commonly used apps carefully. But switch to Google Drive if you can.