Dropbox is the king when it comes to Cloud Storage Services, However what if you are looking for something else than Dropbox? Check our picks for the best Dropbox alternatives.
In this article, we have listed the top 7 Cloud Storage Services for 2018. I hope you will like this article. Technology advances day by day and in the current world, most of the things are connected online including storage space.
It’s not been long since we were introduced to “the cloud.” And now we have turned into a cloud-based world. It was a revolution when Gmail launched and they introduced 1GB free storage space, which was multiple times larger than its closest competitor Hotmail.
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Why We Need Dropbox Alternatives
Dropbox is certainly one of the best cloud storage when ease of access and responsiveness is your first priority. It is the simplest cloud storage when it comes to setting up for the first time and using it on a regular basis. However, there are some flaws in Dropbox which can send you on a long journey of searching for its alternatives.
The lack of end to end encryption and absence of encryption while your files are uploaded to Dropbox can be a major threat to the security of your data. Furthermore, Dropbox free version with storage capacity limited to 2GB might become insufficient for you. Although, you do get the opportunity to refer and earn more storage space in your free version of Dropbox.
Thankfully we do have plenty of alternatives that can offer us the same services with more storage capacity. Here are 7 Best Dropbox Alternatives you can opt for when you are running against the limitations of Dropbox.
Top 7 Cloud Storage Services for 2018
Google Drive
If you are one of the people who use cloud storage for personal use only then Google Drive is the best alternative to Dropbox for you. The Google Drive environment is pretty much similar to Dropbox which means it’s easy to set up and even easier to use.
Google Drive offers 15GB of free storage which is more than 7 times of Dropbox which is offering only 2GB free storage space. However, the 15GB space needs to be split up between Google Photos, Gmail as well but still 15GB storage is a good deal when you were previously limited to 2GB online storage. In addition, the flexible paid plans of Drive makes more sense than that of Dropbox.
Furthermore, the additional access to tools like Google Sheets, Docs, Slides, Calendar, Hangouts comes as a productivity bonus with Google Drive. Also, if you want to upgrade and purchase Google G Suite, you will get access to the best Google tools pack. With the starting price of 10$/month, you get a powerful email (@yourdomain.com) along with access to multiple analytical tools by Google and you do get the unlimited storage space benefit as well.
- Check Google Drive
OneDrive
OneDrive is another powerful cloud storage service, which also offers 15GB free online storage space. Microsoft’s OneDrive gives a deadly competition to Dropbox and Google drive. Its cross-platform availability, similar functionality, and fast synchronization make it one of the closest competitor to Dropbox.
It lets you create/edit/share your documents no matter what device you are running on. However, sharing your files with others might not be a great experience in OneDrive.
OneDrive plans are pretty flexible and allow you to choose a package according to your needs. One of the biggest advantages of buying a premium OneDrive subscription is that you get complete access to Office Suite at no additional cost. It’s a sweet deal when you are a student or a personal who spends time on Word and Excel. With Microsoft Office and OneDrive synchronization, It is now possible to collaborate with other people working on the same document.
It also comes with built-in OneNote support which is an incredible application for taking notes. With One-Note you can scan documents, add quick notes, screen clipping, drawing, and whatnot. This concludes with the fact that OneDrive is one of a steal deal when you work on Microsoft productivity tools.
- Check OneDrive
Box.com
Box.com offers impressive online storage of 10GB at no cost. With an easy synchronization feature, you can quickly access files stored on your phone or tablet. It is primarily targeted to provide business services but it still offers some personal cloud storage as well. Unfortunately, the downside with Box.com is that it limits the size allowance per file to 250MB for free versions.
The user interface and navigation across all platforms are sleek and smooth. It mainly targeted the business user base and makes it simple to organize and edit documents and files. The Box.com web version offers you to work either on Microsoft Office or Google Docs using a free Box.com plugin.
One of the most amazing features in Box.com is its integration with most of the applications which people use while running a business. There are several tools that help you to link Office straight to the Box, further you can use the FTP app to transfer the whole of your old data to the Box area. The paid plan also offers unlimited storage that can be pretty useful for users who use cloud storage extensively.
- Check Box.com
Mediafire
Mediafire which was once a filesharing portal has now evolved to become a reliable cloud storage service as well. The cloud services offered by Mediafire is almost similar to other cloud storage services I mentioned in this list. You can share documents, files, and folders with a password or make it public to the world, which is generally a fundamental role of cloud storage.
One of the best things about Mediafire is its super optimized file manager, with which you can manage your files and folders on any device. Unlike most of the other cloud service, Mediafire doesn’t have bandwidth limitations – no matter how much popular your links are.
The most useful thing I love about Mediafire is its feature of One-time links. You can share a file with a person using the one-time link and the recipient won’t be able to share the link further. It is highly helpful when you are sharing personal documents or something that is really sensitive.
Mediafire has a lot to offer and I highly recommend this cloud storage service. But the only thing I don’t like is the download page is filled with too many ads when you are on a free account.
- Check MediaFire
pCloud
pCloud is the name that is not so famous in the cloud storage world, but it is one of the most deserving cloud storage services right now. It offers 20GB free storage space to everyone who registers an account with pCloud. One of the main highlights of pCloud is its flexible paid plans which not only gives you the freedom to choose storage space but also different features inclusions.
Considering that pCloud is a company operated in Switzerland, it is obvious that they focus a lot on the security part. With pCloud, you get relatively more security options than Dropbox both in paid and free plans. If you want even more security then you can go for pCloud Crypto @3.99$/Year which encrypts all your data uploaded in the cloud with the key only available to you. If you still doubt its security then let me tell you, pCloud has announced a bounty worth 1 million dollars if anyone can breach it.
Another unique feature about pCloud is that you don’t need to manage a particular folder on your device. pCloud has the ability to synchronize everything on your device, you can work while pCloud syncs everything you have given the privilege to access in the background.
If you still doubt about pCloud reliability and performance (as its an infamous company), you can take a glance at its customers’ list. pCloud boasts about having industry-leading customers like Pepsi, CocaCola, Snapchat, Uber and many others.
- Check pCloud
Sync.com
If you are someone who gives equal priorities to usability and security then Sync.com is a better option than the Dropbox. It has cross-platform support on all major platforms including iOS, macOS, Android, and Windows. It used Zero-Knowledge Authentication which makes your file secure even from the hosts.
Sync proudly boasts about the way it handles collaboration, they have made it more intuitive and easy to use. You can share the folder with other members on which you want to collaboration. You can grant different levels of privilege to different users. For instance, you can grant a particular user to edit and others only to view the file. You can further allow them to invite other people.
It perfectly justifies its name, it is lightning fast. Of course, it mainly depends upload your network speed and on the type of connection, you are running on. In case you are on a slow network, you can assign Sync a bandwidth limitation and perform other tasks.
It comes with a free version offering 5GB storage capacity. Overall I would say if you are looking for a close alternative to Dropbox in terms of usability and with higher security then Sync is the best option for you.
- Check Sync.com
Mega
If you are someone who needs more storage but doesn’t want to buy premium plans then Mega is the perfect cloud storage service for you. It offers whopping 50GB of cloud storage at no cost, which is 25 times more than the Dropbox. Mega also boasts end to end encryption and has cross-platform support, so that you can access your files on any device.
With Mega you can share folders and collaborate with other people, it also supports chat functionality so that you can chat with other collaborators without leaving the panel. It also comes with browser extensions for all major internet browsers which gives you the opportunity to quickly access your files.
However, Mega comes with a bandwidth limit of 10GB which refills every 30 minutes. You do not get the advance link sharing features like password protection or link expiration. So, if you want a free cloud storage service with larger storage capacity to offer then Mega might be a good option for you.
- Check Mega
Conclusion
Despite having cross-platform compatibility and offering a responsive and smooth working environment, Dropbox still needs to cover the gaps in its features list. Many users have asked us on mail about Dropbox alternatives as the free storage space offered by Dropbox is insufficient.
We have built this list of 7 Best Dropbox alternatives and included the most promising and reliable cloud storage services available in the market. We are pretty sure that your hunt for the best Dropbox alternative has finally come to an end.
Still, if you get any questions in mind, you are free to drop them in the comments section. What according to you is the main reason Dropbox is lacking behind? Let us know in the comments.
The article is too broad. I would like to know when the companies will start offering free storage? I am not sure that Dropbox is the best option but it looks like the only way to get that is to take a look at the source.
The article is too broad. I would like to know when the companies will start offering free storage? I am not sure that Dropbox is the best option but it looks like the only way to get that is to take a look at the source.