Clouds, Clouds Everywhere!

I've written before about different cloud services such as BitCasa and SugarSync. A few days ago, a friend turned me on to a new DropBox-like cloud service called MegaCloud.  Coincidentally, I had been researching several different cloud services, primarily looking to back up my iPhoto library (which is nearly 50GB).  I thought I'd share with you what I found, maybe it can be helpful for you as well.


THE BEST:

MegaCloud is newer DropBox alternative, and in my opinion a much better alternative.  If you are familiar with DropBox, MegaCloud works just like it with the whole folder/multi-computer sync situation, but offers  more free space (5GB) free right off the bat.  You can also earn an extra GB for installing the iPhone app (which you'll want anyway) and another GB for installing the iPad app.  You can also go through a couple of training exercises  to earn another GB (DropBox does this as well, but are stingier with the amount they give you.)  I got my MegaCloud up to 9GB in one day.  If you'd like to try them out (and I highly recommend you do) use my link and I'll get even more space!  If you want to buy more space, MegaCloud is pretty reasonable at 30GB for $5 a month, but Google Drive still has them beat there.


DropBox was one of the first, and probably the most well known cloud-syncing service.  It's very easy to use and integrates with many other common apps.  It creates a folder on your computer called "DropBox" and anything you put in that folder is uploaded to the cloud.  If you have DropBox on multiple computers, it automatically syncs across computers to keep all files the same on each computer.  It also has iPhone and iPad apps to access your files on your mobile device.


I love DropBox, but have a feeling if they don't get with the program pretty soon, they are going to be left in the dust.  They offer the least amount of free space these days (2GB) and their prices for upgrading are among the most expensive (9.99 a month for 50GB).  You can do some things to get more free space, I have 5GB right now... what comes free and up front with most other services.  If you'd like to try out DropBox, you can use my link and I'll get 500MB more space. 

Google Drive is a pretty new service that is much like DropBox and MegaCloud.  It creates a folder on your computer and syncs across multiple computers.  At the moment, it does NOT have an iPhone or iPad app (only Android) which is it's biggest drawback to me right now.  However, it comes with 5GB of free space and buying more space is very inexpensive compared to most other services.  You can choose to upgrade to either 25 GB for $2.49 per month or 100 GB for $4.99 per month. I had been paying $5 a month to SugarSync for 30GB of space, and have since moved all of those files to Google Drive and cancelled my extra space on SugarSync.  Dollar for dollar, this is the best out there right now in my opinion if you're willing to pay a little.

Windows SkyDrive is much like the others mentioned so far.  It creates a folder on your computer and whatever you put in it is sent to the cloud.  I was lucky enough to sign up for this early and got 25GB of free space.  New users get 7GB of free space, which is the most of the best services.  It doesn't have things you can do to earn more free space, but has great prices for expansion.  You can add 100GB for only $50 a year, which is less than Google Drive, but you have to pay by the year.  I prefer the $5 a month.  It also has iPhone and iPad apps, which for me is a must-have.


Any of one these services should probably work fine most people.  I think the best is MegaCloud.  However, if you're like me and want as much free space as you can get and don't mind having your stuff crammed all over the cloud and can keep track of it, then here are some


Other Good Services:

OpenDrive is very similar to all those mentioned already.  It gives 5GB free with no way to "earn" more space.  It does have pretty competitive prices for more space (and services) especially if you're willing to pay a little.  You can get 100GB for $5 a month (same as Google Drive), 500GB for $15 a month and 1TB for only $25 a month.  Instead of a folder on your computer, it adds what looks like an External Hard Drive to your desktop.  It also has iPhone and iPad apps.

SugarSync is still a great service.  Instead of putting a folder or drive on your computer, it lets you pick whatever folder you want to sync.  It is also great in that if you have it installed on several computers, you don't have to sync everything on every computer.  You can have a folder from your laptop syncing that doesn't show up on your iMac.  It does put a special folder on your desktop called "Magic Briefcase" which works very much like DropBox in that whatever you put in it is automatically transferred to all other computers.  You start out with 5GB free space and you can get 500MB for referring others.  If you'd like to try it, use my link ;)

Box is a little different in that it does not have a desktop component.  Uploading files to the cloud is done through the web-browser, which is not as easy.  It does have a great iPhone/iPad app and is worth mentioning in that you can get 1TB (1000GB) of space for only $15 a month.  There may be a better deal out there, but I haven't come across it yet.




So, there you have it.  There are other options out there as well, such as Amazon Cloud, MemoPal, MiMedia and Amazon Cloud, but none of them are as good (in my opinion) as the ones above.  Personally, if I were going to start out with anything or if you already have DropBox and just want more space, I'd go with MegaCloud.  


Hope this helps!  Gimme a holler if you have any questions/comments.