Top 11 Free Online Storage Apps
Cloud computing oppens new opportunities for freelancers. One of them is free online file synchronization and storage. Nowadays you can sync your PC files and manage your documents on the go. Share files with your employer or other freelancers. Make an online backup or roll back to previous file version. All these actions are possible with modern online file sharing applications.
Here are the top eleven online storage and file sync services that are suitable for freelancing document needs:
1. JustCloud
JustCloud
JustCloud specializes in simple cloud backup by using only 3 steps – choose your files, back them up and then access them from anywhere. This simple approach, combined with top level features, ensure that you will never lose data again, and you will always have access to the files you need.
JustCloud is fully compatible with mobile devices such as iPhone, iPad, Blackberry and Android and also implements top level security features so you can rest assured that your data is safe. Enjoy 2 weeks of free cloud storage space and a host of market-leading features before upgrading for unlimited storage space and even more features.
2. Dropbox
Dropbox
Dropbox is a leading folder sync tool. Dropbox gives 2GB free online file storage, which may be increased up to 8GB. Install Dropbox software on PC, Mac, Linux, or mobile devices. Put files you want to store in your Dropbox folder, share a folder with someone, or sync files with other device. I think Dropbox is the easiest file sync software I’ve tried. It’s simple to setup and easy to work with.
3. Box.net
Box.net
Box.net is cloud storage that enables you to store files online and collaborate on them within your team. A simple Box.net account offers 5GB web space for free with mobile apps access and advanced sharing options. A paid business account price tag starts at $15 per user. The Box.net assets are file discussions and comes with Google Docs integration into your Box.net account. One drawback – you must provide your phone number at sign-up.
4. Esnips
Esnips
Esnips provides 5GB free online storage for personal use. Upload files and share them publicly or keep documents in private mode. While online, you can search for other users’ public files or install a toolbar to get instant access to an Esnips account. One small disadvantage of the free Esnips account are the multiple ads in your working area.
5. iDrive
iDrive
iDrive is a perfect tool for online backup. If you want to keep a copy of your important folder on a cloud server, then iDrive is what you are looking for. Download iDrive software, run the application and choose folders to sync. In case of a PC crash, you get your files back. There is 5GB free storage quota.
6. iFolder
iFolder
iFolder is a free open source file synchronization program. To enjoy iFolder, you install the software on your server and on client side as well. iFolder is good software for a small team that is comfortable working with their own server. Thus you make sure that only team members have access to your private files. iFolder has necessary setup documentation for administrators.
7. SugarSync
SugarSync
SugarSync stores documents, files, photos and music. The prices start at $4.99 per month. To evaluate Sugarsync advantages, there is a 30 day free trial. Unfortunately, you must give your credit card details at sign-up process. This procedure is obligatory and not the most user-friendly option. However, SugarSync claims to sync any folder on your computer unlike other file storage solutions.
8. Syncplicity
Syncplicity
Syncplicity gives 2GB free online storage for Windows and Mac users. It allows you to sync a folder with any number of files within your web space quota. Share a folder or a file with friends. Paid Syncplicity accounts starts at $15 per month for 50 GB.
9. SkyDrive
SkyDrive
Windows Live SkyDrive is free online storage. Enriched with Windows Live Mesh, SkyDrive helps to sync PC folders with your web account. Unfortunately, Live Mesh is available for Windows 7 only. Recently SkyDrive was united with Office 365, so you may collaborate and store Word, Excel, PowerPoint documents online.
10. YouSendit
YouSendit
YouSendit offers 1GB free online storage via email attachments or web folders. The drawback is the provision of your credit card/PayPal data at sign-up page. However, it’s not obligatory and a user can enjoy a Lite account without financial details. Besides, there is an option to purchase advanced security features on a pay-per-use basis. This is a great service for sending single documents to coworkers.
11. ZumoDrive
ZumoDrive
ZumeDrive is an online storage that grants 1GB free web space. However, you have a chance to raise your free quota if you pass a quest game. You can share documents, files and photos after Zumo software installation. But ZumoDrive installation looks a bit more complicated than Dropbox.
Note: A few times a month we revisit some of our reader’s favorite posts from throughout the history of FreelanceSwitch. This article was first published September 22nd, 2011, yet is just as relevant and full of useful information today. There are certainly new, free online storage apps entering the market regularly, so feel free to drop a link to your favorite in the comments below.
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There’s a new player in town: Minus
minus.com
Yeah! min.us is so simple and easy to use..
Great list with a few I have not heard of before that I will have to check out. Wondering if you have checked out MiMedia? They are a fairly new company to the online storage / online backup scene but the service looks promising. Not to mention they offer 7gb of storage for free not a bad deal.
Great advice! I make use of Dropbox regularly – no complaints so far!
One good thing about Dropbox is that it gives you extra storage capacity if you get a friend to sign up for the service. You can go way above the basic 2GB limit on the free account if you manage to sweet-talk enough of your pals into joining. It shouldn’t be hard, because Dropbox is awesome.
Live Mesh is also available for the Mac. I’ve been using Live Mesh to sync files between my Mac and Win7 for a long time. It works great.
Very timely, I just started with BackBlaze to backup all my files. I did a fair bit of research and it seems like one of the better ones. Its just under $5 a month for unlimited storage, and while the initial backup takes several days, its all done “behind the scenes” so you never even know its going on. Incremental backups happen the same way but much quicker. I guess I won’t be able to give a real review until the fateful day when I actually need to retrieve my files. (knock on wood.)
Wes McDowell
The Deep End
Just to clarify, SugarSync does have a free 5GB account much like most of the others listed here – it’s on their pricing page, but down below all of their paid options and not easy to see. Its main drawback that I’ve seen is that it lacks Linux support, but that’s not an issue for a lot of people.
Of the three I’ve tried (Dropbox, SugarSync, Box.net), all have Android apps, but only Dropbox has any kind of Linux support.
Interesting list.
Have a look also at BeeCloud. (www.beecloud.eu) They are a LiveDrive reseller and offer the Backup solution (512Gb online backup) for Free. No questionas asked. Their mission is to help as much users with online backup.
I’ve been a long-time user of Dropbox and love it. Although there is some skepticism out there about its safety. Anyone have any info on that?
Dropbox has had a couple problems lately. First they changed their terms of service that made people uncomfortable. The original terms said that Dropbox could not see your files, when they changed it they stated that they could see your files and will let others (like law enforcement, possible the RIAA etc) to see your files. It was more of a problem that that said they couldn’t see your files then said they could.
A little while later Dropbox had a security flaw that let anyone log in as anyone else with just the email and no password. It was only for about 4 hours.
Dropbox is easy to use but I would not keep anything really important in there without encrypting it first. Just be aware that any thing you place in your Dropbox could be seen by someone else.
I use dropbox with a service called cloudfogger, that gives you an encrypted folder requiring a separate log in.
Thanks for this list Anna.
I use Dropbox (#1) and SygarSync for my files, and Syncplicity to keep my Google Docs in sync with my laptop.
Also, I just heard recently of 2 newcomers: http://www.72dpi.cc and http://www.bitcasa.com. I didn’t try them. I don’t know if someone has feedbacks.
This article is brilliant! I knew about Drop Box but had no idea about the rest of them! I will be sure to start using them soon! Thank you for the information!
You might want to add Cloud.app to this list (http://getcloudapp.com), I think it’s Mac only though at this point. But it’s probably one of the most elegant sharing solutions out there.
There’s something called “Email” that I use. You can actually attach files to them, it’s so cool.
Nice one. I hope you do remember that google tends to own everything you store.
Good stuff, excellent, many thanks.
I am having a great experience with DROP BOX and has helped me improving my work flow with clients. I am also starting to upload files I use often to my dropbox account so I can have them whenever I need them. I have tryied Sky Drive too and it is simple and easy to use. The future is Cloud based!!!! Steve Jobs was right! (that is why iPads don´t have USBs and lots of disk space, another interesting subject to discuss).
You really need to protect your own data. Data farms are perfect targets for hackers. The recent take down of Sony has to be a wake up call.
There are few tool out there that do the job, Dopbox is the best and top notch tool. Another one is to use Amazon s3 as a cheap alternative for advanced users. I also use http://www.skylightit.com though its a project and recourse collaboration scheduling tool but it allows me to store files related with the projects i am working on. It also give me collaborative ability of our google docs/apps account right inside it with its integration. So if you are looking for just files then Dropbox and if you are looking for some thing extra I would suggest looking at Sylightit.com
You Send It has been a staple of mine and most publishers I know for along time.
I’ve never had any trouble it either. And I honestly don’t know what I’d do without Dropbox.
I am surprised SpiderOak didn’t make it on to the list. Freelance Switch did a couple of articles on it last year. It’s an amazing tool that lets you pick the file or directory you want to backup no matter where its located. You don’t have to drop anything in a special folder. It also has the bonus feature of being able to keep files and directories synced between different computers. It also securely stores your files on a secure server that you can login to with just a browser to download your files encase your not at your own computer and need something. The free account is 2GB and they have some nice paid plans as well but 2GB has been more than enough for me.
I’m happy with Dropbox but am also excited to try Bitcasa (yep, a startup). I think I might end up using both. Dropbox for crucial files that need real time syncing and Bitcasa for files that only require periodic syncing.
I’m also surprised that SpiderOak didn’t make this list. I’ve used both Drop Box, and Box.net and was satisfied with neither. I originally started with Box.net due to a free 50GB of storage if you signed up with a HP Touchpad (Snagged one at the last minute in a retail store). Things were great until I wanted to upgrade for more storage. Yes, it is $15 per user, but you have no option to buy 1 user as they only allow you to purchase a minimum of 3. I’d rather not pay $45 a month for 3 users, when i need only 1. So, I moved to DropBox. Privacy issues aside, it was an okay service. My biggest complaint though is that there doesn’t seem to be any way to automatically backup the contents of specific folder(s). I have quite a few folders to backup and dragging and dropping the folders into the designated DropBox folder on my computer was getting rather tiresome so I tried Spider Oak, and so far I’ve loved it. Responsive and with a native application for each OS, I think I’ve found my match. Their pricing is even cheaper than Drop Box or Box.net at $10 per 100GB.
I find dropbox to be the most versatile, the only drawback is that it provides no storage. Other than that Live Mesh has been my backup and a way to sync design files that I’m working on between mac and pc.
This article is Very good. I use Dropbox & SkyDrive very nice.
Didn’t know there were so many options out there. For those so inclined, Ubuntu (a Linux-based OS) provides 5 free gigs with Ubuntu One and competitively priced upgrades: https://one.ubuntu.com/services/. Haven’t used it myself yet, but I see that from 11.04 (Natty), you have more flexibility in choosing folders to sync than with Dropbox (which I do use… and love).
I’m surprised that this is so far down the list.
Very nice list! Drop box is first in the list because it is easy to use but it has only 2gb storage. I prefer larger storage space than easy to use. Anyway, thanks for sharing.
I like adrive too – it has 50gb free storage space! Great list!
Put https://secure.cloudsafe.com on the list: It is one of the most secure online storage platforms. And their servers are located in Germany, not in the US.
hi guys
If you have a google account, try gmail drive!
Actually, Sugarsync does have a free 5gb plan that doesn’t require a credit card during signup, it’s just not advertised clearly on their homepage. On the signup page, just scroll down below the plans and there’s a clearly-stated “5gb free plan”
https://www.sugarsync.com/products/sync_pricing.html
Did we forget about Cloud Drive on Amazon? 5G free then $20 per YEAR for 20Gig more (total 25Gig) makes it a pretty good deal… Plus if you upgrade it gives you unlimited space for music and there are mobile apps too….
Try crashplan.com. $3 per month for unlimited storage. Lots of other features, too. Haven’t tried it but plan to.
I am really surprised that acrobat.com is not mentioned. With a FREE acount you get:
- Acrobat Connect account for 2 participants (no voip, just use conference call) for an incredibly easy desktop sharing experience with no software to install for your client other than the Flash Player.
- Screen sharing, chat, notes, whiteboard
- Webcam & Microphone via your PC
- Online word processing & table tool
- Maximum storage size of 2GB (just link to cloud if you need more storage)
- Access and permission controls
- Host shared PDF document reviews
- Host PDF forms
- Support via Online Forum
Seriously – with a FREE account, you can’t beat that with a stick.
For more information, you can go here:
https://www.acrobat.com/main/en/pricing.html
Tried many, but end up with OpenDrive. The best price and features.
User management, online file editing, custom file encryption with my own key, direct linking, syncing and many other options.
http://www.opendrive.com/pricing
There’s no doubt that Dropbox is the best free online storage apps in the list. I’ve recently tried the free package from VaultScape, I would say it’s comparable to Dropbox. VaultScape’s interface is easy to navigate, even for first time users. Its upload & download speed is fast too.
Been working with http://skylightit.com/blog/ and have to say its a must have for us jobbing freelancers.
for files it integrates with google apps and docs right out fo the box. files and be linked with any comment, task, project and the good part if that it has document editing built right in.
I am trying to sounds more like a sales pitch here but with the recent PayPal integration these guys are doing a fab job.
I didn’t see any mentioned Google Drive. Its something that I think is worth taking a look at as I stopped using Dropbox for it.
I thought Google Drive was going to be one of the top ones. It’s very friendly and has several useful apps already integrated.
I was surprised as well not seeing Google Drive listed. I also starting using this primarily over Dropbox given the larger capacity from the start and easy use with other Google applications.
I do not rely on any of these providers. I use my hosting space to store backups. The only one i use for quick file transfer that I am happy about is dropbox
I was going to ask why you overlooked Google’s Drive, but in reading the comments dated from last year, I realized this is just a rehashed story. Maybe it need freshening or at least wipe the comments from last year.
DROPBOX for me, it’s never let me or my team down.
Great stuff! I use dropbox though as well as google drive.
I recently started using Dropbox. I still only have the free 2g but I will upgrade if I find it works well for me. I was wondering if anyone uses google drive I’m considering trying that as well.
Love Drpbox, but also Google Drive … I’m surprised that it did not make it to your top 10 list …
I have been using DropBox as well and have been pleased so far. I am interested to see how the others step up to the challenge, including Google Drive. There is so much demand out there for this type of thing, that should drive some intuitive apps in the future!
Please, welcome GOOGLE DRIVE!
I’ve been using dropbox for almost 3 years now. But I’m also surprised why Google Drive is not in the top 10. I use them both.
In addition to DropBox, YouSendIt, GoogleDrive and SkyDrive, I use Gladinet – because it allows me to map the others to virtual drives in Windows Explorer and simply drag files around from one service to another seamlessly.
ZumoDrive is dead, and has been for several months.
I’d stay away from CX.com. I was sucked in by the amount of free storage they allowed, but in the process of backing up my files more than half of the files on my hard drive were deleted. I did extensive searching, and they were not moved – they were gone. I emailed CX a half dozen times begging for help, hoping it was part of their backup process and that they could help me easily restore the files. I never got a response to any of my emails, and when logged into my account the dashboard said I had no outstanding inquiries – my emails to tech support disappeared just like my files.
In the end I had to go through 500 folders, each with 3-5 subfolders and many files in each one, to find the stuff that had been erased and individually download them back to my PC. There wasn’t even a way to DL the folders with all their contents; I had to DL each and every one, one at a time.
Steer clear, and good luck.
Matthew
I do agree Dropbox is an excellent folder sync tool..it does help me manage my data or folder sharing with people I work with, easily and conveniently. It surely is a good folder sync tool to use with other devices. Helps me do my job more efficiently!
Just want to throw CloudMe into the mix as well. Ticks all the boxes for a quality syncing service. Since it’s based in Sweden, makes a great European alternative for those concerned about the Patriot Act.
ZUMO Drive is no more..!!