The ability to back up your data and store it in the cloud, then also automatically sync it across multiple devices, has radically changed the way we use computers, mobile phones, and other electronic devices for both personal and business use.
If you don't have a cloud storage service in place, you need one—or maybe more than one.
Many of the best cloud storage solutions do something specific, like backup and make accessible your music library, or help you not only save copies of files, but also collaborate on them. The services you choose should each do the job that needs to be done.
Here are the best online cloud storage solutions, in alphabetical order.
Amazon Cloud Drive
Amazon Cloud Drive is online storage pure and simple. It's one of the services you'll want to use if you have a Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD or other Amazon ereader. It doesn't offer the same in syncing and automated backup that you'll find in Windows Live SkyDrive and Google Drive, though.After your free 5GB, extra storage is basically a dollar a GB per year, up to 1000GB (aka 1TB) for $1,000. SkyDrive gives you 25GB, while Google Docs proffers just 1GB, but its extra storage prices are more reasonable, ranging from $5 a year for 20GB to $256 a year for 1TB. When you buy music on
Amazon's MP3 online store, you now get a choice of saving it to your Amazon Cloud. This makes a lot of sense, since before you could only download music to one device, and it doesn't count against your Cloud Drive storage limit. If you buy an album before the end of 2011, your Cloud Storage account will be upgraded to the 20GB level for one year.
Amazon Cloud Player
Amazon Cloud Player is designed for music, and it works in conjunction with the desktop Cloud Player software to sync music and playlists. There are a handful of head-scratching limitations. Again, it's a good service to use if you have a Kindle of some kind, but it also works on Android devices as well as iPhones and iPads.Pros
Free. Playlists synced between browser-based Cloud Player and the Cloud Player Android app. Album and song views offer album art. New Amazon MP3 purchases don't count against Amazon Cloud Player storage total.
Cons
Only supports AAC and MP3 audio files. Doesn't support audiobook or audio files over 100MB in size. You need to download the Amazon MP3 Uploader to upload files. No music uploads from your phone to the cloud.
Bottom Line
Amazon Cloud Player works in conjunction with the desktop Cloud Player software to let you sync music and playlists, but there are a handful of head-scratching limitations.
Apple iCloud
Every Apple user should have iCloud, which dutifully backs up your Mac and iOS devices, and can synchronize a lot of data between them. However, don't mistake it for a true file-syncing service. It's very "app"-centric and prevents you from uploading certain file types.Pros
Works with Macs, Windows PCs, and iOS devices. Automatic data back-up for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Excellent music backup with iTunes Match. Automatic Photo backup for iOS devices.
Cons
Very app-centric. Can't upload files of all kinds. No folder syncing. Confusing to learn. No web interface for photos or music.
Bottom Line
Every Apple user should have iCloud, which dutifully backs up your Mac and iOS devices, and can synchronize a lot of data between them. However, don't mistake it for a true file-syncing service.
Bitcasa
Bitcasa, which is technically in beta until early 2013, promises to let you back up an infinite amount of data to the cloud for $10 per month—or you'll get 10GB of space with a free account. At present, you can download the app for Windows, Mac, and Linux to try it. Fair warning: We have not yet tested or rated Bitcasa.Bitcasa works a little differently: There are no limits to the amount of storage a user can have. When Bitcasa leaves beta early next year (which is right around the corner) Users can pay $10 bucks/month for its highly-encrypted, patent-pending unlimited space service that goes by the moniker "Infinite Drive."
Until now, the only way Bitcasa beta users could access their files was via desktop app for Mac and PC (can't for get Linux), or via HTML5 mobile site. Today, Bitcasa has announced mobile apps for iOS, Android, Windows Phone 8 and RT that will let users access, upload, share and sync their files across all their devices.
Box (Personal)
One of the first names in cloud storage and file-syncing, Box will make your files available to you across multiple computers and mobile devices, give you 5GB of free space, and offer some neat features. Its free account doesn't quite measure up to Google Drive, thoughPros
Keeps files in sync across devices. Great Web features; can create Google docs and spreadsheets from Web app. Integrates with a ton of other services. Solid sharing options. 5GB with free account.
Cons
Exhibited some file location incongruities in testing. Can't download or export proprietary Box documents created in Web app. So many apps and integrated services that it can get confusing
Bottom Line
Box will sync your files, give you 5GB of free space, and offer some neat features, but its free account doesn't measure up to Google's.
Cubby
Cubby, a new entry in this genre from respected remote-access software maker LogMeIn, adds a twist that makes storage limits a moot point: Its DirectSync feature lets you sync between your own separate computers without taking up space on Cubby's servers. In other word, it has direct peer-to-peer syncing. The service, still in beta, gives you 5GB of online storage free. Cubby claims to offer the best middle ground between simplicity and powerful features. "Your digital happy place," is Cubby's motto.Pros
Beautiful modern design. Extreme simplicity of setup and use. Peer-to-peer syncing removes storage limits. Syncs any folder on your drive, but also has a master sync folder. Easy sharing. Saves unlimited versions. Well-designed iOS and Android apps.
Cons
No Web-based document editing. Past versions of files only available from Web interface. A top feature, DirectSync, is Pro only. Whole updated files transferred instead of just changed bits.
Bottom Line
Cubby is an up-and-comer of syncing services, with its choice for unlimited peer-to-peer syncing and super clear interface.
CX
Little-known CX is a worthy cloud-based syncing tool that offers more free storage (10GB) than most other competitors. An elegant online dashboard may be even more useful than the seamless desktop software for both Mac and Windows, which is useful for people who tend to use shared or public computers.Pros
10GB free space. Elegant online dashboard. Available for Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android. Supports comments on files by owner and collaborators.
Cons
No Linux version. No right-click functionality for adding new folders. No online editing.
Bottom Line
CX is a worthy cloud-based syncing tool that offers more free storage (10GB) than almost every other competitor. An elegant online dashboard may be even more useful than the seamless desktop software for both Mac and Windows. It's among the best syncing services.
Dropbox
Dropbox, alongside Box, made file-syncing a household term. Dropbox remains a superbly implemented, cloud-based, automatic, file-synchronization service that's ideal for working with files you can store in a single folder. If you like a lot of control over your files, Dropbox isn't the ideal service to use. And Dropbox charges extra for access to your complete file version history (called Packrat).Pros
Effortless file synchronization. Excellent array of apps for various operating systems. Dependable servers (no downtime). Easy to install. Supports file-sharing. Shows history of actions. Allows access to deleted files and earlier versions. Tight OS integration.
Cons
Can't collaborate on files synchronously with others. Can be confusing as to where files are actually located.
Bottom Line
Dropbox is a superbly implemented, cloud-based, automatic, file-synchronization service that's ideal for working with files you can store in a single folder.
Google Drive
Google Drive's real strength lies in what it brought over from Google Docs: real-time online file collaboration through Web apps. Now in its mature form as Google Drive, the service also has a downloadable app for local file-syncing. For collaborative projects, it's one sweet package.Pros
Best in class for collaborative office suites. Includes local file-syncing and offline access to documents. Built-in OCR technology. Generous free storage space if you use Google file formats for most docs.
Cons
Some users may feel uneasy about privacy. Hit and miss success with various video file formats.
Bottom Line
Part office suite and part file-syncing service, Google Drive retains all the best features and core functionality of its predecessor, Google Docs, while upping the ante on just how much it enables collaboration. It's one sweet package.