Free Online Cloud Storage

October 6th, 2011 Posted in Internet and Technology

What Is Cloud Storage?

Cloud storage is when you store your data on remote servers that are hosted, maintained, managed, backed up by a 3rd party and made available over the Internet. The reason you want to use cloud storage is because of the following:

- You don’t need to worry about physically saving and maintaining your data on any hard drive.
- Your don’t have to worry about your data being stored only at one place (usually
your home)
- Ability to access your data from anywhere on earth (as long as you have an Internet
connection)
- No worries about losing your data any more.

The one drawback I can see using cloud storage is the recurring cost you will be paying on a monthly basis. While, if you use a portable hard drive, you just buy it one time and that’s it.

Is Free Cloud Storage Is Really Free?

Yes, it is free, but there is a limited storage you are getting for free. However, if you are not planning to store all your data, this free storage should be more than enough to meet your daily miscellaneous necessities.

Top Free Cloud Storage Providers

There are many free cloud storage service providers these days. Today, I will discuss the top three free cloud storage providers I like, and I will give you links for some others you may want to look at. My top three providers work across all major operating systems such as Android, Windows, etc. and you will be able to access your files on your smart phone as well.

1. Dropbox – The main reason I like Dropbox is because of its simplicity. You don’t need to have any technical knowledge to use Dropbox. If you know how to go online, you should be able to use Dropbox. Just sign up by clicking the link below and Dropbox will create a Dropbox folder on your desktop. Drag and drop your stuff in that folder and that’s it – those files are on the cloud and you can access them from anywhere and share with your friends.

If you sign up using this link for Dropbox, in addition to their 2 GB free storage, both you and I will get bonus free storage.

2. SugarSync – SugarSync gives you more options, and for the same reason it’s a bit complex than Dropbox. However, it’s not that bad at all. SugarSync allows you to sync any files or folders. It is also possible to pick specific files or folders for each specific computer. You will be able to access all your synced files/folders from your mobile app’s dashboard. Also, you can stream music, pictures, and videos.

There are many other features SugarSync offers that Dropbox does not. In terms of flexibility and mobile phone app features, SugarSync offers lot more than Dropbox.

If you sign up using this link for SugarSync, in addition to their 5 GB free storage, both you and I will get bonus free storage.

3. SpiderOak – SpiderOak is probably the most complex among them all, but in terms of features, options, security, and pricing it is probably the one you want to look at if you are an advanced user and good with computers.

If you sign up using this link for SpiderOak, in addition to their 2 GB free storage, both you and I will get bonus free storage.

There are many other cloud storage services out there. I am going to mention just a few of there here without describing them in detail. Check each of these and use those ones that suit your needs. If you don’t want to pay anything to cloud backup all your data, and don’t mind signing up with a few of them to cover the amount of storage you need, you can go ahead and do so. However, to make my life simple, I will be reluctant to sign up with 10 or 20 of these service providers to get free enough storage to backup all my data – I would rather pay and stick to 1 to 3 of them.
Some Other Cloud and Specialty Storage Providers

01. Google Docs
02. Amazon Cloud Drive
03. Windows SkyDrive
04. Memopal
05. Box.net
06. Syncplicity
07. OpenDrive
08. Ubuntu One
09. IDrive
10. TeamDrive
11. ZumoDrive