Everyone needs to backup important data. If you accidentally delete files or if your hard drive fails, that's especially critical since you can easily connect to the remote server to retrieve all your important files with the click of a button.
Searching for a secure means of online data backup, we found some of the best services that let you upload your data to a web-based server and access them from any of your computers or mobile phones. What's particularly great is that these online data storage solutions offer free services to create a backup. However, upon choosing from this variety consider the storage size limitation, the ability to automate backup, security of stored data, restrictions on file size or extensions, as well as on upload speed and bandwidth. Over each image and link below you'll see short descriptions that will help you make up our mind regarding which solution to use.
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SugarSync is one of the most feature-packed online storage services. With the ability to store, share and synchronize your files online, this solution offers free sign up with 5 GB of online storage, plus users can even get up to 5 free GB of storage space for referring friends. When you make a change or add files on any of your PC or Mac computers, SugarSync automatically syncs your files to the cloud where you can access them from your computer, smartphone or iPad. This service also makes the previous five versions of every file available. However, some people believe that SugarSync could have had more support options.
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Mozy is online backup provider for both Windows and Mac users that offers 2 GB of automated backup for free and the option to add more through paid services. What’s great is that it has a light application and high speed of upload and download. Mozy allows users to back up data continuously, manually or schedule updates; it also backs up based on file changes, only uploading the portion of a file that has changed. Other features include outstanding security, encryption capabilities, and great support.
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Dropbox backs up your data by placing a folder on your desktop. Any files or folders inside the Dropbox folder will get automatically synchronized to its servers and any other computer linked to your account. This service offers 2GB of free storage to start with and also another 250MB are added from each referral; if you need more space you will have to pay. This service is available for Windows, Mac, Linux and mobile devices, such as iPhone, iPad, Android and Blackberry. Dropbox keeps track of every change made to any of its contents and its customer support is provided via FAQs, forum, and email.
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iDrive is another online automatic backup provider for PC, Mac and smartphones including iPhone, Blackberry and Android based phones. The free iDrive service only backs up 2GB of data. To enable this easy-to-use program you’ll need to install a small application that runs in the background on your computer, and with a simple click begin the upload of your data. Additional major features include continuous data protection (CDP), true archiving/sync, automatic selection, FAQs, email, live chat, and phone support.
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SkyDrive is a part of the Microsoft Windows Live suite of services that requires a Microsoft Live ID to sign in and begin using (publicly-shared files don’t require a Windows Live ID to access). This service offers 25GB of free online storage space and with this great solution for Windows OS users you can synch files across multiple computers and the cloud. SkyDrive has easy-to-use interface like FolderShare, yet it doesn’t offer users to provide easy drag-and-drop uploading to their online storage account from desktop. Plus, the customer support is only provided though email.
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OpenDrive is relatively new online backup utility with great online storage capabilities, backup functions, and file management. This service provides you with web access to your files, without being limited or restricted to a single computer. With OpenDrive solution you’ll have 5GB of completely free storage space, plus it also makes file collaboration simple and secure and supports online file editing. This remarkably accessible service ensures the safety of your important documents and files, yet it OpenDrive does not offer live chat support.
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Allway Sync is a free for personal use file sync tool for automatic backing up your important data to remote locations. This solution uses innovative synchronization algorithms to synchronize your data between desktop PCs, laptops, USB drives, remote FTP/SFTP servers, different online data storages, and more. Allway Sync’s software, being oriented at Windows OS, is simple to set up and offers multiple-folder synchronization with just one click, plus you can install this PC sync software on as many computers as you need. Current backup provider also ensures that all file modifications and deletions are tracked in a database.
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ADrive is online storage service and backup solution that provides 50 GB of free online storage space for their free account. Their basic plan is intended for individual or personal use and enables storing, backing up, sharing, and editing documents online. ADrive has good security options and ease of use, however there are fewer features available on ADrive’s free account comparing to other backup tools. Therefore users will have to pay in order to get additional features that come standard in other services.
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Box is a cloud-based content management and online storage solution that allows you to store important files in a virtual box and access them from anywhere, including iPhone, iPad and Android devices. This service has great security options and incorporates fast, user-friendly interface to let users upload, organize, and store all of their content online. Box provides 5GB of free storage for personal accounts. Using this service, you can turn any folder of content into a shared online workspace, sync desktop files to this utility, search your content, and many more. Other features include file sharing links and mobile app access.
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ZumoDrive comes as online storage, sharing, and multi-device sync-like tool that offers 2GB of free storage space. This service is made for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android users and it enables users to store and sync files online and between computers using the HybridCloud storage system. Additionally, ZumoDrive utility allows users to copy any file or folder into its virtual disk, which is then synced to the web and the users’ other computers and handheld devices.
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