Cloud hosting systems allow you to store your documents, photos, and videos on the internet, on an external server and are increasingly popular with users. If your hard drive ever fails, it is usually very difficult to restore your data. Whereas if you have deposited the data on a cloud, you will have access to it from any part of the world. In our blog of the week, we take a closer look at the most popular cloud storage services such as Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, DropBox, etc. and we give you a comparison of the different features they have.
Work together on shared documents thanks to the cloud storage system
Whether it’s about working with your team on common tasks or showing your acquaintances and friends your latest vacation photos, cloud storage makes your life easier. Virtual storage spaces, also known as cloud storage services, are in fact nothing more than offshore platforms. So your data is not only stored locally on your computer but also on the external server of a storage solution provider. You will then be able to access your data at any time and from any workstation anywhere in the world and share it with your colleagues, relatives, and friends.
Cloud storage systems are not only interesting in the private sphere, they are increasingly used in the business field. Ultimately, many companies have people working all over the world, so it makes perfect sense to use a cloud storage system to work together on common projects. As the choice of the host is huge and relatively complex, you can either choose your own private VPS hosting or we offer you a comparison of the most popular solutions that we have tested for you, in a table that summarizes the most important information.
Comparison of cloud storage solutions based on the main criteria
| Provider | Free storage volume in GB | Price of additional space in euros/month | Operating system/Application | Data transfer lock | Lock storage of data |
| Mega | · 50 | · 200 GB: 4,99 · 1 TB: 9,99 · 4 TB: 19,99 · 8 TB: 29,99 | · Windows · Mac · Linux · iOS · Android · Windows Phone · Blackberry | · Yes | · by the customer · End-to-End-locking |
| Google Drive | · 15 | · 100 GB: 1,99 · 200 GB: 2,99 · 2 TB: 9,99 · 10 TB: 99,99 · 20 TB: 199,99 | · Windows · Mac · iOS · Android | · SSL | · by the server · 128-bit-AES |
| Samsung Cloud | · 15 | · 50 GB: 0,88 · 200 GB: 2,66 | · Samsung | · no indication | · no indication |
| Box | · 10 | · 100 GB: 9,00 | · Windows · Mac · iOS · Android · Windows Phone · Blackberry | · SSL, TLS | · by the server · 256-bit-AES |
| pCloud | · 10 | · 500 GB: 3,991) · 2 TB: 7,991) | · Windows · Mac · Linux · iOS · Android · Windows Phone | · SSL, TLS | · by the server · 256-bit-AES · by the customer, paid |
| Telekom Magenta Cloud | · 102) | · 50 GB: 1,95 · 100 GB: 4,95 · 1 TB: 9,95 | · Windows · Mac · iOS · Android | · SSL | · by the server · 128-bit-AES |
| Amazon Drive3) | · 5 | · 100 GB: 19,99 · 1 TB: 99,99 · 2 TB: 199,98 | · Windows · Mac · iOS · Android | · no indication | · no indication |
| Apple iCloud | · 5 | · 50 GB: 0,99 · 200 GB: 2,99 · 2 TB: 9,99 | · Windows · Mac · iOS | · TLS | · by the server · 128-bit-AES |
| Huawei Cloud | · 5 | · 50 GB: 11,88 · 200 GB: 35,88 · 2 TB: 119,88 | · various Huawei devices | · no indication | · no indication |
| Microsoft OneDrive | · 5 | · 100 GB: 2,00 · 1 TB: 7,00 · 6 TB: 10,00 | · Windows · Mac · iOS · Android · Windows Phone · Xbox | · SSL | · by the server · 256-bit-AES |
| Dropbox | · 2 | · 2 TB: 11,99 · 3 TB: 19,99 | · Windows · Mac · Linux · iOS · Android · Windows Phone | · SSL, TSL | · by the server · 256-bit-AES |
| GMX | · 24) | · 20 GB: 1,99 · 50 GB: 4,99 · 1 TB: 9,99 | · Windows · iOS · Android | · SSL | · by the server · 256-bit-AES |
| STRATO HiDrive | – | · 100 GB: 3,005) · 500 GB: 5,505) · 1 TB: 8,505) · 2 TB: 20,005) | · Windows · Mac · iOS · Android · Windows Phone | · Yes | · by the server · 128-bit-AES |
| Treasure | – | · 200 GB: 10,00 · 2 TB: 25,00 | · Windows · Mac · Linux · iOS · Android · Windows Phone · Blackberry | · TLS | · by the customer · End-to-End- · locking |
- Or a single payment of € 175 or € 350 for unlimited operation.
- 25 GB free for telecom customers.
- Price per year
- Reserved for GMX / WEB.de-FreeMail customers
- Commissioning 10€, prices are valid for one month but users can also benefit from more advantageous conditions by choosing the 12-month subscription
Comparison of cloud storage systems: the crucial question of data protection
When you ask actual or potential users of cloud storage systems what the main criterion is, the issue of data protection comes first. It is important to know that we entrust our personal data to complete strangers and that we can never be completely sure of the use that will be made of it. With regard to data protection, it is generally understood that providers of cloud storage space with data centers in Germany or the rest of Europe and who are able to display their TÜV certificate, are subject to European data protection laws.
On the other hand, American servers such as Apple, Microsoft or Google are subject to the laws applicable in the United States. Despite everything, the risks incurred by depositing data on their clouds are still quite limited. So far, these large vendors have not been the target of major cyber-attacks or data theft. If you decide to store your data in the cloud, you protect yourself against hardware failure and the loss of your most important documents because most clouds perform regular backups.
Cloud Storage System Comparison: The Pros and Cons at a Glance
| Provider | Benefits | Disadvantages |
| Mega | · Browser-Add-On pour Chrome et Firefox · End-to-End locking | · limited transfer volume |
| Google Drive | · data sharing · large storage capacity in the basic version · Backup function | · 1 TB of storage space, more expensive than competitors · no 256-bit lock |
| Samsung Cloud | · access from the browser · good data security · free for the basic version | · no indications concerning the locking and the location of the server · on the Samsung ecosystem, no access to external content |
| Box | · automatic notification in case of modification on shared documents | |
| pCloud | · restore and access to old versions of the account · subscription valid for life by paying only once · optimal security · inexpensive upgrades | · work on shared documents impossible · not very user-friendly for certain functions |
| Telekom Magenta Cloud | · TÜV certified · 25 GB storage free for Telekom customers · data sharing links can be password protected | · modest software · insufficient security level |
| Amazon Drive | · unlimited photo storage for Prime members · advanced management options for photos · automatic file synchronization via an app | · not a cloud in the classic sense of the word |
| Apple iCloud | · media library for photos · Backup functions | · no file sharing · limited to Windows and Apple |
| Huawei Cloud | · good data security · access by web browser | · no data regarding server locking and location · the sharing function is lacking · Backup contents cannot be detailed · Drive file is unnecessary |
| Microsoft OneDrive | · Prime subscription includes Office · pre-installed in Windows 10 · online consultation of version history · more storage space possible by sponsorship | · no long-term lockout |
| Dropbox | · more storage space possible by sponsorship · high security · many sharing possibilities · connection to Google and Microsoft · additional tools via the mobile app | · external platforms are not supported · very limited free space · Plus version with poor quality/price ratio |
| GMX Media Center Online Storage Systems WEB.de | · no Mac support | |
| STRATO HiDrive | · German server/TÜV certified · real smartphone app (Alexa Skill) · high security and various protocols · up to 3 TB of unlimited storage | · impossible to rework a document · insufficient photo management · additional features quickly get expensive |
| Treasure | · free 14d test version · different security mechanisms · End-to-End locking · all common platforms are supported · easy file sharing · in the event of theft or loss of equipment, the possibility to erase the data remotely | · Variable range of functions depending on the version · files cannot be reworked directly |
Microsoft OneDrive offers the cheapest package
In the end, after comparing 16 different providers and the services they offer, a winner emerges. Without a doubt, Microsoft OneDrive offers the best set of services. The storage space of the basic version is already quite substantial, but with the Premium subscription, you will still be entitled to seven additional features. The price-performance ratio is absolutely unbeatable, not to mention that the integration with Office is perfect.
