Hi all! A couple of days ago, my father complained about his laptop, saying that it froze, stopped responding to buttons, and after rebooting did not immediately turn on. Naturally, the question arose about the safety of data on the disk, and therefore several ideas appeared in my head: dump the data on a flash drive or external drive, or transfer everything you need to cloud storage and completely forget about the problem of data loss! Due to the fact that the volume of personal data is less than 10 GB, it was decided to use the cloud and transfer everything there Required documents. And then the next question arose: what kind of cloud storage are there in 2017? Let's try to figure it out!

What is a cloud or cloud storage?

Literally in a nutshell about cloud storage. You can register on the service’s website and after registration you are provided with a certain free volume on the company’s server (from 2 to 100 GB), and you are also given the opportunity to save your files there and share them with friends or colleagues.

This is very short, but if you dig a little deeper, you will see that different clouds provide different conditions for storing and transmitting data. For example, the free volume for different services is different, the speed of access to the server is different, some clouds provide encryption and backup capabilities, while others do not. That's exactly why I want to spend short review cloud storage in 2017 to help you choose!

One of the oldest cloud storages, which was known back when the word “cloud” itself had no meaning in the computer world... Due to the fact that DropBox has been around for a very long time, the developers were able to hone the capabilities of the service, as well as make it as convenient as possible . Alas, this service provides only 2 GB free of charge upon registration, but in the future it is possible by inviting friends and family, linking to a Facebook and Twitter account and other actions. DropBox also boasts AES-256 encryption, integration with many services, as well as management and configuration of data access levels.

Of the minuses I would like to note low speed downloading and uploading files, as well as a very small amount of free space.

Of course, you can buy additional space in the cloud to correct the last drawback. So, 1 TB of additional space will cost from $8.25 per month if you pay for a year in advance. There is also .

  • Encryption
  • Managing and configuring data access
  • Well-designed site interface
  • Cloud data backup
  • Slow download speed
  • Small amount of free space
  • Maximum features only for paid subscriptions
  • There is no ability to edit documents, only view

Yandex.Disk - Russian cloud service, from everyone famous company Yandex, as the name suggests, has long allowed users to store their data on a remote server and share it with their friends or colleagues. Personally, I noted the very fast speed of uploading files to the server, as well as simple integration with macOS and a fairly large amount of free space. In addition, a plus for Yandex.Disk is that many already have mail on the Yandex server, which means the disk is available to them a priori :)

One of the disadvantages is that the service is not always stable, although according to my observation everything works flawlessly.

For those who need to increase space on a cloud disk, there is an additional 10/100/1000 GB for 30/80/200 rubles per month. In addition, sometimes Yandex conducts various promotions with partners and in such cases it is possible to get up to 50 GB more!

UPD! Wow! After the article was published, Yandex became generous and decided to give all users 32 GB for eternal use in Yandex.Disk! To do this, all you need is:

  • Go to the Yandex.Disk application on your smartphone
  • Enable auto-upload of photos
  • Upload at least 1 photo
  • Congratulations, you have +32 GB!

After this, you can turn off auto-uploading of photos (if you use other methods of saving photos) or leave it - this is at everyone’s discretion. Personally, I turned it off, since the photos already go through the photo stream to my Macbook, and this did not in any way affect my final disk space - 50 GB :)

  • High file download speed
  • Low price for a paid account
  • Ability to edit photos and documents via the website
  • Working with archives
  • Possibility of replenishing disk space
  • Not a very large amount of free space
  • No data access rights settings

Actually, this is cloud storage from Google, which, like everyone else, provides you with the opportunity to store and exchange data with other users. Google was generous and gave all users as much as 15 GB when registering on the server, however, this volume is divided between Google Drive, Google Photo and Gmail, so if you have been using Gmail for many years, then free space in the cloud you won’t have much...

In addition to the free 15 GB, Google and partners can provide more space in the service. For example, when you purchase an Asus ZenFone or ZenPad, you can get an additional 100 GB for 2 years. By the way, if you start upgrading your skills in , then you can get additional gigabytes there too...

For those who like “I want everything and more,” the following are presented: 100 GB can be obtained for 1,400 rubles/year, and 1 TB for 7,000 rubles/year.

  • Wide functionality through the site
  • Ability to edit documents
  • High speed
  • Collaborate on saved documents using Google Docs
  • Simple application for computers
  • Space is shared between several services

Another domestic email service that has acquired its own cloud storage. In 2017, upon registration, the user is given only 16 GB, although at the time of the birth of the service, Mail.ru Group generously gifted everyone with 100 GB of free storage. If you install [email protected] on your smartphone, you can configure the function of uploading photos directly to the cloud, and on your desktop you can automatically save screenshots to your cloud drive. Actually, most cloud services have this functionality.

Like Yandex.Disk, Mail.ru’s cloud has built-in cloud Microsoft Office, which makes it possible not only to view, but also to edit documents without leaving the site.

  • Ability to work with documents in the cloud
  • Integration with mail.ru mail
  • Built-in antivirus
  • Data encryption
  • Security of working with files and their transfer to other users
  • Huge amount of free space
  • Integrated chat
  • It is not possible to edit documents on the site
  • Traffic restrictions

What?! Is this here too? No, screw it, it’s not a cloud, although... Let’s just say that those who use Apple devices most likely have account Apple ID/iCloud, and therefore have already received a certain set of tools. In theory, iCloud is a service for synchronizing contacts, calendars, etc. between Apple devices, and iCloud Drive is designed to somehow simplify file sharing within the ecosystem. Alas, this does not always work correctly, it is not very fast and very unintuitive.

And in fact, no one really uses this cloud, and those who do most likely do not realize that they are using iCloud Drive. Take, for example, macOS Sierra users with the transfer of Desktop folders and Documents folders to the cloud...

However, I still strongly recommend it to all iOS fans, since in addition to the unnecessary iCloud Drive, your backup copies of iOS devices are also stored in the Apple cloud!

  • All Apple lovers have it
  • You can store and transfer a wide variety of documents within the ecosystem
  • Integration into macOS and iOS
  • Very strange implementation
  • Unintuitive operation of the service

Data Warehouse Managers

If you already have several cloud storages and it’s hard for you to keep track of everything, or maybe you’re just not comfortable working in multiple applications, then storage managers can come to your aid. One of them is CloudMounter whose work I have already done. In short, this cloud manager allows you to connect cloud storage whenever you need it. Moreover, it allows you not to clutter up space on the built-in disk, but to work with files “on the fly” directly from the Internet, although you can see them in a separate folder, just like if you have an application installed and you are working with files locally. Alas, CloudMounter only works on macOS...

But for owners of Windows computers there is an alternative solution - . In the application you can also connect an unlimited number of different cloud services and work with them simultaneously! By the way, recently this decision became completely free, albeit with slightly reduced functionality. So, for 2-factor authentication, synchronization schedule and some other features you will have to pay an additional $7 per month.

As you can see, there are a wide variety of white-maned horses! Some people need the high speed of the cloud, others need maximum security, and others have already managed to grab luck by the tail and snatched up 100 GB [email protected]... Everyone can find the optimal solution for themselves. By the way, in this review I didn’t say anything about cloud storage from China, where free starting volumes are measured in terabytes (!!!). Alas, most of them have not even been translated into English language, but I’m not even talking about reliability and speed: it would be better not to store secret data there, but only anonymized files.

Cloud storage data is a set of servers distributed over the network. The service of storing data in such structures is provided by a third party.

The data in them is stored not on dedicated servers owned or leased by the service provider, but on many different, often significantly remote from each other, servers.

The popularity of using cloud storage is growing. As demand grows, supply also expands.

The storage supports storing 30 types of files. You can work with the cloud either in a browser or using a client program.

Advantages:

Close interaction with other Google services;

Many integrated capabilities (processing documents and images, etc.);

Offline mode of operation;

Flaws:

Shared space with other Google services. 15 GB becomes conditional;

Lack of data encryption;

Limitations when working with proxy servers.

[email protected]

Relatively new service from Mail.ru provides new users with an unprecedented 100 GB of free space.

If desired, you can increase the amount of available space up to 1 TB, of course, for a fee.

The cloud has applications for all major operating systems and mobile platforms. The main feature is synchronizing the camera with the cloud.

When the function is enabled, each new photo is immediately sent to storage.

Advantages:

Large free volume;

Good cross-platform;

Instant Snapshots;

Flaws:

Hidden installations of additional software;

Unstable operation on some OS;

No encryption.

SkyDrive(OneDrive)

Microsoft couldn't stand aside and provided its customers with its own cloud storage option.

15 GB of free space is available for free access. You can expand your free space using a referral program.

Another free service from the Russian postal service. To begin with, 10 GB are provided free of charge with no limitation on the period of use.

Naturally, there is good integration with other products of the manufacturer.

Referral programs and constant cooperation with manufacturers allow you to increase storage.

Advantages:

Support large quantity mobile and stationary platforms;

Possibility of integration into some Microsoft products;

Integration with Yandex products.

Flaws:

Substandard updates;

Inability to create files;

Lack of additional functions in the online interface.

Cloud file storage technologies are today considered a must-have tool for a modern Internet user. Each of them has an account on one of the cloud drives: Google Drive, Yandex.Disk or Mail.ru. Most have at least two of these services. In this article, we will look at the main network file storage services, ways to increase disk space on them, and provide tips on how to use them effectively and safely.

What is cloud storage

Local disks and memory cards are physically connected to our computer or tablet by wires. Network storage drives are physically located in special server centers, where a stable power supply and a comfortable operating temperature are ensured. The local computer communicates with them via the Internet. When you access your cloud drive through a browser or mobile client application, the system displays a list of files located on the server. When a user transfers a file from the local My Documents folder to Cloud storage, the document is physically copied via the Internet and ends up on the server.

Therefore, even after the physical destruction of the phone or computer, the files will remain safe and sound. They can be viewed via a web browser on any computer or tablet.

To assess the popularity of disk storage, it is enough to cite one statistical fact. As of 2014, the most popular cloud was Google Drive. Storage works by default for everyone Android devices, except in Chinese, where access to Google is limited. Its users were 240 million people.

What can you use Cloud Drive for?

The main tasks solved by users using network storage:

Developers are constantly improving the security system of their services. The standard today is to store user files in encrypted form. Without a special key, this is a useless set of bytes.

The security of services should not be overestimated. In 2011, the reputable company IDC published its report, where it unsatisfactorily assessed the level of their secrecy and resistance to hacking. Experts recommended strengthening the level of authorization and encrypting files in storage and during transfer. Most developers listened to the recommendations and made changes to their applications.

Login to the Cloud Storage can be protected with two-factor authorization: specifying a password and confirming login using your phone. But for most users, one password is enough.

When compiling this rating, the company's experts took into account technological solutions to ensure the security of user data and the presence of failures in the service in the past. Considering that all storage facilities presented in the diagram have been operating for more than 5 years, the history of failure statistics is comparable.

    1. Recognized as the safest OneDrive. Experts listed the benefits of the service as innovative security system , when the keys to encrypted files and the data themselves are stored on separate servers. By gaining access to only one of these arrays, an attacker will not be able to benefit. Let us remind you that OneDrive is aimed at the corporate market and is the default drive when subscribing to Office365. Subscribers are allocated up to 100 GB at once, while free users receive only 6 GB.
    2. Ranked second in safety iCloud Drive. This cloud serves users of the Apple ecosystem: iPhone, MacBook and other proprietary solutions of the corporation. Data encryption is performed here both during storage and during transmission. Overall the storage is reliable and comparable to OneDrive in terms of security, but it earned a negative point for a failure in 2014. Many users were involved in this scandal. Private photographs of stars stored on their iPhones have been leaked online. If you use Apple technology, then you can’t do without a proprietary cloud. It backs up data and system settings of your phone and laptop. With its help, deleted photos and documents are recovered.
    3. Third place awarded Google Drive. Reason - insufficient level of security when storing files . When transmitting data to the server and to the client device, the traffic is encrypted. Experts added two-factor authentication with password confirmation via SMS to the phone number specified during registration as an advantage of the cloud. Experts note that in business accounts designed for corporations, Google Drive provides an increased level of security comparable to OneDrive. Regular users are recommended to encrypt confidential data themselves. For example, archive them with a password.
    4. Russian takes fourth place Yandex.Disk. Experts noted that the security benefits of this cloud include a wide range of authorization methods, including TouchID, PIN code and QR code. An important advantage for ordinary users is checking files for viruses . The transmission channel of the Yandex storage is encrypted, like its competitors. The only serious failure is considered to be an error in the service’s client program for Windows, made by the company’s programmers in 2013. Users did not lose out. They were allocated 200 GB of disk space for unlimited free use as compensation.
    5. Fifth place for an old-timer of the market - DropBox. Its security disadvantage is no client side encryption . In theory, this allows an attacker to intercept data as it is transmitted from the local device to the server. In 2011, there was a serious glitch in the DropBox service. It lasted only 4 hours. During this period of time, it was possible to access the entire storage, and not just the data area of ​​​​a specific user. But we note that in 2011 there were simply no other competitors from the rating. DropBox was a pioneer in network-attached storage and had room for mistakes.

How to get more free cloud storage space

All cloud storage services are commercial. Their main task is to earn the money required to cover the costs of supporting the development team and developing the server infrastructure. Therefore, users are provided with a limited amount of free space. To receive additional free storage space for photos and documents, you will need to meet certain service conditions or participate in promotions.

For example. Yandex.Disk offers 32 gigabytes of free space. auto-uploading photos on a mobile device.

Other cloud services also offer space expansion options for free:

  • For inviting friends.
  • For installing a cloud drive mobile application or program on a computer.
  • Students and teachers for providing a photograph of a student ID or university pass. Yandex.Disk provides an additional 32 free gigabytes for this promotion.

Also, cloud file storage services provide free space under an affiliate scheme. For example, when purchasing laptops or tablets of a certain brand.

A universal way to multiply your cloud storage space for free is to create multiple accounts.

How to install a cloud drive on your computer

Three network storages are most suitable for a computer:

  1. Google Drive. It is chosen by active users of GMail services and the powerful online document and spreadsheet editor - Google Docs.
  2. Yandex.Disk. A good choice when you don't need to use Google services. This is a reliable Russian cloud drive, for which you can easily get up to 42 GB or more free space by enabling auto-upload of photos on your mobile device.
  3. OneDrive. Users of computers and laptops with the Windows 10 operating system receive support for this network drive “in load”. If you have a Windows account, 5 GB of space is allocated on OneDrive. In the This PC shortcut, a folder of the same name is created, synchronized with the cloud.

Installing the program on your computer will only be required for the first two services. OneDrive support is implemented at the system level. Let's give step by step instructions installing an application using Yandex.Disk as an example.

Every modern smartphone comes with support for at least one cloud storage out of the box.

  • Apple phones come with iCloud support for backing up settings, system files and photo synchronization. Additionally, you can connect Yandex storage using a program downloaded and installed from the official Apple app store.
  • Samsung phones include support for two clouds at once: the proprietary Samsung Cloud and Google Drive. Owners of smartphones of this brand have a Google account, like Android users, and a Samsung account for the manufacturer’s proprietary services.
  • Xiaomi phones out of the box support communication with own cloud Xiaomi MiCloud. Everything works similarly to the iPhone: backups are made to storage on the network and photos from the camera are sent.
  • Smartphones Windows Phone come with OneDrive access enabled. If you have an Office365 subscription, your available storage will increase by 100 GB.
  • Android smartphones from other manufacturers support one cloud storage - Google Drive.

You can purchase additional space by fulfilling the requirements of service promotions or by purchasing it with money.

Please note that Android smartphones support Google Drive, but to work with Google Docs and Sheets you will need to install separate mobile applications. There is also a client program from Google Drive for easy navigation through network storage. The latter is most often preinstalled on the phone.

If the capabilities of the pre-installed network storage are not enough for you, install a third-party one. The most popular: Yandex.Disk, DropBox, Mail.ru.

We'll show you how to install an application for them using Yandex Drive as an example.

Create a complex password. Your private photos and videos are more likely to be leaked online if you have come up with a simple password. Complex can be generated using special program or come up with it yourself using the following algorithm: !-!123HELLO-WoRlD123!-!. This combination is easy to remember, but is a very difficult password to crack.

Encrypt sensitive data before uploading it to the network. Passwords and keys to accounts are stored in open form dangerous. If you don't have a dedicated encryption program, archive sensitive files with a password before sending them online.

Use dual authentication. A number of network storages support dual authentication. You need to enter a password and confirm the entry by sending a code from an SMS sent by the service. This procedure seems less convenient, but provides greater data protection.

History of cloud file storage technologies

The phrase “cloud technologies” was first used in 1997. The new global global network required a new computing paradigm. Professor Ramnath Chellup from the University of Texas has proposed a move to cloud computing as an alternative to increasing local computing power.

Real developments in terms of sharing resources on the network date back to 2000. We owe the commercial launch of the service on the new cloud scheme to Amazon. This happened in 2002.

Google has become a pioneer in the implementation and development of cloud applications running through a browser. New technology started on the market in 2009.

The idea of ​​​​creating cloud storage on the Internet is described by its inventor Drew Houston as follows. The guy was sitting on a bus traveling from Boston to New York, with a laptop, but without a flash drive, left at home. To overcome the problem, he began to think about accessing files wirelessly and came up with an application that would implement this idea. The first DropBox code was written, according to this version of events, right on the bus.

According to the founder of DropBox, the project at the startup stage wanted to acquire Steve Jobs, but was refused. Today the company is worth approximately US$4 billion.

All subsequent network storage: iCloud, Google and Yandex appeared much later. Their main promotion paradigm is that the service is conditionally free. The user receives part of the gigabytes immediately, free of charge and unconditionally. The rest must be purchased by subscription.

Modern cloud drives have become not only a place to store information, but also offer a number of technological solutions for collaborating on files for people living in different parts of the world. Below are the most popular problems solved with their help.

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    Today, cloud storage is an integral part of our lives. Many people and organizations store their files there, thereby ensuring their safety and security, as well as ease of access for various users and comfort in work. At the same time, the functionality of these services in 2018 may differ in the presence (or absence) of any elements essential for cloud services, inspiring the user to choose the most convenient one. In this material, I will tell you what free cloud storages with large amounts of memory are available in 2018, describe the features of their functionality, and also explain how to work with them.

    We study cloud storages with large volumes for free 2018

    Nowadays, there are a sufficient number of cloud services on the Internet that offer users their services for hosting and storing user files. However, these services differ:

    • by the volume of paid and free space provided;
    • on the possibilities of encrypting data located in the cloud;
    • by the speed of working with them;
    • if possible, support the service on mobile devices (in the form of specialized applications);
    • if possible, restoration earlier deleted files, the presence of a built-in media player, support various languages and so on.

    At its core, cloud storage works on a similar principle. You go to such a storage facility, register there, and receive a predetermined amount of empty space for your needs. You can upload and download files from there, share links to these files with the right people, view them, and perform other appropriate actions.

    Many storages support file synchronization: for example, a folder is created on your PC into which you copy the necessary files, and these files will be automatically copied to the cloud service.


    I would also note that over the past couple of years, leading market players have been pursuing a policy to reduce the space provided to the user free of charge. In particular, in 2016, Microsoft reduced the amount of free space provided in its OneDrive from 15 gigabytes to 5 gigabytes. Other well-known players are pursuing a similar policy, significantly reducing the amount of free space on their resources.

    The best cloud data storage services for free

    Let's consider cloud services, the free services of which we can use.

    Service "pCloud" - allows you to store and send large files

    1. To start working with the service, follow the above link and go through the registration procedure.
    2. After completing the procedure, you will be taken to the Yandex.Disk workspace, where you can create directories, upload files to them, delete files, share the desired folder, and so on.

    Working window "Yandex.Disk"

    Service "Cloud.Mail.ru"

    “Mail.ru Cloud” is another well-known cloud service with a large volume from the Mail.ru company. 8 gigabytes of free space are provided for free. Supports work with shared folders, two-factor authentication, online document editing, automatic, selective synchronization and other functions.

    To work with this cloud service, follow the link, log in (if necessary), and start using the rather classic cloud functionality.


    Working window "Cloud Mail.ru"

    Degoo service

    The Degoo service offers as much as 100 gigabytes of free space, and this is not a standard cloud service, but a cloud service for storing backup copies of files.

    • It does not support file synchronization.
    • Does not allow you to share your files with friends.
    • Does not support scheduled file copying.
    • It does not have other relevant bonuses available to the usual cloud service.

    Degoo work screen

    At the same time, you can connect many devices to Degoo, including a laptop and mobile phone. Scheduled backups are not available here, but the service automatically makes copies of files once every 24 hours.

    To work with the service, follow the link, download this application to your device, and start using its functionality. Working with file uploads using of this service will also not cause you any problems, try this cloud storage for free.

    Conclusion

    This material described the best, in my opinion, cloud storage systems with large amounts of data that provide free functionality in 2018. In terms of general functionality, the pCloud service is one of the best in its segment, therefore I recommend that users directly experience the multifunctional capabilities of this service. It is also worth taking a closer look at the other alternatives I mentioned above; they all provide substantial amounts of disk space completely free of charge for their user.

    Free cloud storage

    Removable media is gradually losing its popularity. There is no need to store data on flash drives or disks; it is easier to upload files to the cloud and synchronize. Therefore, we will analyze a number of cloud storage services for free.

    Simply put, cloud storage is space on a server that is provided free of charge (or paid, depending on the server) by the owner for users to store their data.

    Subsequently, the user will have access to his data at any time. In addition to storage, an organization providing a server for storing information can create additional services. Thus, the “cloud” can be distinguished from simple web hosting. With the help of these services, access to user data is simplified and the level of protection is increased. Additionally, you can activate automated synchronization between devices.

    Today, Google is famous for its variety of services. One of them is Google Drive cloud storage. It is available to all users with a Google account. Each account is allocated 15 GB of memory for free use. But the allocated memory also applies to email. This means that if you have quite a lot of emails in your inbox, they will also take up that space. The service does not depend on the operating system and synchronizes perfectly with various devices. Data can be grouped into folders, and you can also edit them directly using the Google Docs service. This method is considered one of the simplest and most accessible cloud storage. Google Drive has no significant disadvantages. The only thing that can upset the user is the inconvenience in the arrangement of folders and the incorrect display of text documents, which may occur due to formatting failure.

    • full integration with other Google services;
    • possibility of free expansion of available memory.
    • There is no separate program, only Internet use.

    The original name of this service was DepositCloud. This cloud storage was created by the team of the file-sharing site DepositFiles. In fact, Gavitex is a regular “cloud” that provides the user with 25 GB of free access to space. It has not only a web version, but also applications for iOS and Android. Today the service supports absolutely all file formats.

    • support for all file formats;
    • Average amount of available memory.
    • There is no separate application for Windows.

    This service is developed by the company that created the Megaupload file hosting service. Using it you can download various kinds of games and programs. Mega is a less popular cloud storage, despite the fact that its performance is quite good.

    For example:

    • encryption occurs using AES algorithms;
    • encryption during data transmission;
    • A fairly large amount of memory is available in the free version.

    If there is insufficient memory in other storages, we recommend paying attention to the Mega service. It provides the user with 50 GB of storage for free. You can increase the volume by purchasing an additional package at an affordable price. Also, the service boasts a high degree of protection during data storage and transmission. All of them are encrypted and hidden from spyware and malware. Privacy protection is the main advantage of Mega.

    • sufficiently large amount of memory;
    • high degree of data protection using encryption.
    • low popularity among users

    Yandex has cloud storage that is more accessible than any other. The user is provided with 10 GB of memory free of charge. If the need arises, you can expand it up to 1 TB. At the same time, the cost of user packages does not exceed 200 rubles per month. Annual rates are also available. If you don’t want to spend money, but want to expand the available memory, Yandex often offers promotions for free expansion of the “cloud”. For example, for connecting to a particular service you can receive a certain number of additional Gigabytes.

    Additional features include:

    • creating and editing text documents, presentations, tables and images directly on the service without installing additional software;
    • You can upload files to Yandex.Disk not only from your computer or the memory of another device, but also directly from the Internet.
    • there is support for all Yandex services;
    • free increase in memory capacity for data storage.
    • Russian service, not available in other countries.

    • simple user interface;
    • the ability to expand the memory available for use.
    • available only for mobile devices;
    • the emergence of advertising.

    The mail.ru service is considered the most popular in terms of traffic. In order to use cloud storage, it is not necessary to register again if you have an email registered on this site. Initially, the user is provided with 16 GB of memory for data storage, which can be increased in the future for free. The application is supported by any operating system, and also has good and fast synchronization.

    • free increase in available memory;
    • the most popular service in terms of traffic.
    • Advertising.

    Box

    Box is one of the first cloud storage services on the Internet. It was originally invented as a server for storing business data. The user is allocated 10 GB of memory for data storage free of charge. The service has a separate application, as well as constant support from the developer in case of problems with its operation. Perhaps the only drawback is the limited number of available functions for free access.

    • Full integration with Windows services.
    • does not support video files.

    "Cloud" was developed by the Amazon online store. This storage has many advantages. For example:

    • several types of storage;
    • special calculation methods;
    • the ability to create and manage databases;
    • several network solutions;
    • analysis services to improve service performance.

    This cloud storage is not much different from others. The disadvantage is the limited validity period of free use - 1 year. The application is ideal not only for running a business, but also for ordinary users.

    • a large number of network solutions.
    • limited time of use of the free version.

    This storage is little known on the Russian Internet, but, nevertheless, one of the safest. If you are worried about the safety and confidentiality of your data, you should pay attention to it. There are also a couple of disadvantages to this service. This is limited to free use - only 3 weeks, and is also English-language. The program is suitable for absolutely all operating systems.

    • high degree of protection;
    • low popularity in Russia;
    • English interface;
    • short period of use of the free version.

    This program, like the previous one, has a high degree of data protection. But the main difference from SpiderOak is support for the Russian language. All information is encrypted during storage and transmission. But for “reinsurers” there is an opportunity to buy additional encryption for “reinforced concrete” information protection. The application is supported by all operating systems, as well as mobile devices. pCloud boasts fairly fast synchronization with the server and between devices. Initially, the user is provided with 20 GB of memory for storing data, which can be increased if necessary and used for free without a time limit.

    • large amount of free memory;
    • possibility of increasing memory.
    • paid data encryption.

    This cloud storage provides the user with free access to 10 GB of memory for use on no more than 2 devices. For synchronization it is not necessary that both devices are turned on; it will take place automatically after turning on. Among the shortcomings, we can note only the English-language interface and the lack of help (help). The application also automatically integrates with Google services. That is, when you download a document from Google, it will automatically be uploaded to the cloud. This feature can be disabled if necessary.

    • full integration with any services;
    • automatic synchronization.
    • lack of Russian-language interface;
    • restrictions on connected devices in the free package.

    This service is free only for Apple products. iPhone, iPad and MacBook devices have this storage pre-installed by default, just as Android devices have pre-installed Google services. For free use, users are provided with 5 GB of memory with the possibility of paid expansion. To use it on other operating systems, users will have to purchase a subscription priced at $1 per month. When purchasing a subscription, the amount of available memory is significantly greater than that available to iOS users with free access. Different encryption is used to store and transmit data, which results in an excellent level of protection. Among the disadvantages, it can be noted that there are occasional glitches and loading may be too slow. Otherwise, iCloud showed itself on the good side and has established itself among other “clouds”.

    • support for encryption when storing and transmitting data;
    • high degree of protection.
    • periodic drops in data transfer speed.

    Initially, the service was invented as a file hosting service. Later it was retrained as cloud storage. For now it is intended for storing photo and video files. The disadvantage is that if you have not logged into the service for more than six months, all your data will be erased forever. Without registration, you can download up to 10 GB of content, and when you create an account, the amount of memory available for use increases to 15 GB. Using this service you can also exchange files. All you need to do is upload the content and send the download link to the person to whom the file is intended.

    • possibility of free memory expansion;
    • the ability to use the service without registration.
    • limited data storage time.

    This cloud storage is a proprietary service from Microsoft. The application can be installed on any operating system version Windows systems. On Windows 10, the program is already automatically preinstalled. The initial amount of available memory is 5 GB, expandable up to 50 GB for only $2. The service has automatic integration with Office365. The company gives users of this product a discount on increasing the volume to 1 TB. Thanks to its stable operation and recently improved level of protection, this service is very popular not only among PC users, but also among mobile device users. The application is available for free download.

    • easy integration with Windows.
    • Limited storage space in the free package.

    This storage facility is still little known, but is already beginning to gain popularity. iDrive has a high degree of protection when storing and transmitting data. It can be used on any operating system or platform. There is no limit on the number of synchronized devices. The amount of memory provided to the user is only 5 GB, but it can be expanded if you purchase an annual subscription. The main difference of this “cloud” is the protection and ability to backup data.

    • high degree of protection and reliability;
    • ease of use.
    • Limited storage space in free package.

    Very easy to manage service. Provides the user with 5 GB of data storage for free. There are no restrictions on downloadable content formats. The amount of available memory can be increased by purchasing a subscription. OpenDrive is not only cloud storage, but also provides optional additional software in which you can take notes or plan your schedule. Installation of this service is possible on any operating system or platform.

    • many built-in functions;
    • high degree of protection using encryption.
    • only 5 GB of usable memory in the free package.

    conclusions

    Due to the fact that removable media is gradually becoming obsolete, it is best to use cloud storage for data storage. Which one is better to use is up to you to decide. We have presented options for the best “clouds”. The user can use the information uploaded to the storage at any time and from almost any device, which is a big advantage. And if you set up synchronization, the files will be available at any time from your smartphone.

    Source GeekHacker.ru - Our TOP 15: The best free cloud storage services of 2017