Whether for work or for friends and family, we usually must share documents and files. The thing is, there are a lot of cases when what we share is larger than what our email services allow us to attach.
Take note that for these recommendations, we have to consider those three factors: (1) The service has to send the files fast, or at a speed that most, if not all of us are accustomed to. It’s the speed that we expect from these services – once we’ve told mom that we’ve already sent the files, all she needs to do is log in and click the link on her email so that she could download the file from her end. (2) The service has to be secure – not prone to hacking and access by third parties, although most services and cloud drives can’t promise end-to-end encryption, or the practice of these services not having any access to your files at all, even for law enforcement. (3) Lastly, these services or apps need to be as flawless as possible. The fewer hiccups, the better, of course.
Dropbox
One of the more ubiquitous file-sharing services, Dropbox provides users with free storage (2 GB), as well as plans starting at 2TB for $12 monthly. It also offers some value-added services like file-sharing enabling across the web, files and folders syncing between devices and the cloud, file collaboration with those you’ve shared the file with, among others. A new app was also introduced to the market in January 2020.
However you feel about it, the new Dropbox will start rolling out to everyone today. Those shared folders are now “Dropbox Spaces” — a hub, effectively, built around your shared files.
iCloud
iCloud, Apple’s cloud storage service, maybe a bit behind its file-sharing rivals, though there have been strides for the product’s improvement. A free 5 GB of iCloud storage comes with every Apple ID, and paid options start at $2 monthly for 50 GB. iCloud is best of course, just like with anything Apple, if you and your network of friends and family also use Apple software. If not, there can be hitches. In terms of security, full back up encryption has been dropped though, and it has been reported it is because of law enforcement pressure.
Reuters is reporting that Apple made the decision not to let users create and store personal encryption keys for iCloud Backup under pressure from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.
OneDrive
Microsoft cloud storage, One Drive, aims to be as permeating as other products of its parent company. Thus, for those who work extensively with MS Word, Excel, and other Windows and Office programs, OneDrive as your file sharing platform of choice makes perfect sense. 5 GB is given for free, with the most affordable option at $2/month for 100 GB. Microsoft also offers a $7 package with 1 TB storage and Office 365 included.
Personal Vault is an area of storage that can only be accessed with a second step of identification, be that a fingerprint, face, PIN, or code. It’s also limited access, meaning if you unlock it and become inactive for a short period of time it re-locks itself.
(Via: https://sea.pcmag.com/dropbox/34279/microsofts-onedrive-personal-vault-now-available-worldwide)
Google Drive
Since Microsoft has already been mentioned, can Google be far behind? Google provides value for money too, with Google’s online office app suite offered with a starter paid package of $2 monthly. Here is a comparison between Dropbox and Google Drive in their 2019 versions.
While Dropbox was the original online storage unit, Google Drive has quickly caught up offering more space with its free accounts, access to file creation tools that Dropbox just doesn’t have and more upgrade options for additional storage. Dropbox does have block syncing which makes saving file changes faster and more reliable than Google. However, overall, Google Drive is still the better pick.
(Via: https://www.androidcentral.com/google-drive-vs-dropbox-which-best-file-storage-solution)
We Transfer
Users love WeTransfer as it is free, multiple files can be sent through a custom link that’s active for one week. Its main draw is its added security, as expiry times, password use, and the maximum of 20 GB for file transfers. This is quite large, considering most free accounts offer a paltry 2 GB for free.
Since you don’t need to sign up, you can just go to the home page and start the transfer process. On the right-hand side of the homepage, there is an option to add files, enter a recipient’s email address, your email address, and an optional message.
(Via: https://www.cloudwards.net/wetransfer-review-file-transfer/#Who-is-WeTransfer-For)
While we’ve already discussed the best file-sharing platforms, we are also wondering if you’ve lost track of important documents, not sure if you have accidentally deleted them. If you need professional services in recovering your lost files, we are here to help. Know more about the latest in data recovery here.