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As almost everything you have except for clothes is going digital, hard drive space is no longer an ideal data storage option. Individuals need an affordable solution to quickly and securely store a large amount of data. Luckily, an online cloud storage provider does exactly that.
The only challenge with cloud providers is that so many of them exist. With hundreds of options, choosing the one that suits you best can be difficult. The goal of this article is to help you make that decision. But first, let’s see why cloud storage is the best option for storing data.
Main Benefits of Using Cloud Storage
- Accessibility: One of the main benefits of cloud storage is that you can access your files from anywhere. All you need is an internet connection. This means you can work on your files from any device without transferring them manually.
- Convenience: Cloud storage is very convenient, as you don’t have to worry about carrying around physical storage devices, such as USB drives or external hard drives.
- Backup and recovery: Cloud storage also provides backup and recovery services, which can help protect your files in case of data loss or damage. For example, many cloud storage providers offer automatic backups and version control.
Choosing an Online Cloud Storage Provider
There are many excellent cloud storage solutions out there. So, it would be unfair to say that one is inherently superior. The goal is to choose a provider that best suits your needs based on the most important factors for you. Here are some important factors to consider:
Price and storage capacity
If you’re looking for the cheapest option, you can’t go cheaper than free. Many cloud storage providers, including popular ones like Google Drive, have a free version. The problem here is that the storage capacity for unpaid storage is very limited. Unless you want to only store some pictures or smaller files, you’ll need to upgrade your storage capacity. With that, you’ll also have to increase your budget.
But no matter how you look at it, a cloud storage solution will be cheaper than buying a physical hard drive or USB stick. Most cloud storage providers charge $5 per month for 1TB of storage. The only question you need to answer is how much storage you really need.
Security
Many people use the cloud to back up copies of their most important files, such as passports and ID cards. If you’re one of those people, security should be a big priority when looking for a cloud storage provider. Otherwise, after choosing insecure cloud storage that would be likely to get its data breached, you may need such services as removing your information from the internet.
As similar as all the different providers seem, perhaps the biggest difference lies in their security protocols and approach to user safety. We’ve seen countless data breaches against cloud services over the years, with terabytes worth of sensitive data exposed to the dark web.
If security matters to you, go for a cloud storage provider with a clean record, meaning no recent security breaches. You should also look at their security protocols to understand exactly how they protect your data. All of this information should be easily accessible, either on the provider’s site or by contacting a representative. If it’s not, they’re likely not doing enough.
Ease of use
Most cloud services are relatively easy to use, but not all are made equal. You can easily test things like the user interface or whether the service offers mobile access. These things are very valuable for people looking to prioritize comfort and availability. Integration with other apps could also be crucial. This allows for seamless file management across multiple platforms and apps.
With that said, you should understand that if you prioritize ease of use, you may need to sacrifice a few features. You may notice that some cloud solutions are cluttered with many features. This makes them ideal for solving complex data needs but is often unnecessary for individuals looking to store their personal files. Once again, your priorities should determine whether you need those extra features or prefer a cleaner UI.
Final Thoughts
The cloud storage market is becoming saturated with over a decade’s worth of constant growth. Consumers are facing a “first-world problem” where perhaps they have too many options. But considering the benefits of the cloud, it’s a good problem. When choosing your cloud provider, your needs are the main thing to consider. How much money are you willing to spend? How much storage is enough? How many different features do you want? These are questions only you can answer.