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View Full Version : Cloud Storage Services Compared

Richard Chao
03-30-2011, 08:55 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://lifehacker.com/#!5786884/cloud-storage-faceoff-windows-live-skydrive-vs-dropbox-vs-amazon-cloud-drive' target='_blank'>http://lifehacker.com/#!5786884/clo...zon-cloud-drive</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"With Amazon's recent entry into consumer cloud storage, we've got quite a few competitors offering great and varying options-but which one is the best? Here's a look at Windows Live SkyDrive, Dropbox, and Amazon Cloud Drive, and our top pick for storing you files in the cloud."</em></p><p><strong><img height="100" src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/wpt/auto/1301511812.usr117680.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" width="170" />&nbsp;VS.&nbsp;<img height="100" src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com//wpt/auto/1301511858.usr117680.png" style="border: 0;" width="170" />&nbsp;VS.</strong><em>&nbsp;<img height="120" src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/wpt/auto/1301511582.usr117680.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" width="170" /></em></p><p>The field of cloud storage services is getting more competitive everyday. &nbsp;A few of the more well known names are Microsoft's Live SkyDrive, Dropbox and the recently released Amazon Cloud Drive. &nbsp;Lifehacker has posted a comparison between the three services in order to help you decide which service suits you best.&nbsp;</p><p>SkyDrive gives you 25GB of space for free, the feature set is fairly sparse, files are limited to 50MB and there is no pathway for expansion. &nbsp;Dropbox gives you an initial 2GB for free with 250MB extra for each person you signup. &nbsp;Additional storage is available but at a fairly steep price. &nbsp;Dropbox also has the advantage of having client software available on the most mobile platforms. &nbsp;Amazon Cloud Drive users are given 5GB with an 20GB available if you buy a music album from the Amazon MP3 store. &nbsp;Additional storage is relatively cheap but there is no client for iOS devices.</p><p>Each service have their own advantages and draw backs. &nbsp;Ultimately, there is no definitive answer as to which service is best as it is really up to what your own individual needs are. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
Chris Gohlke
03-31-2011, 02:43 AM
Like so many of the services Amazon is offering, they get an instant advantage because you don't really have to "sign up" if you already have an account with Amazon.com. Plus Amazon can leverage the fact that most people have been very satisfied with the service they've received from them over the years and consider them a trusted brand by default.
Richard Chao
03-31-2011, 07:24 AM
The cloud drive service is pretty cool. I used to use Jungle Disk on their S3 server but gave up because the interface was horrible. Cloud drive on the other hand seems pretty good.

Unfortunately neither of them have a full set of features that I need.