The year 2018 and 2019 (so far) have seen the startup business skyrocketing in a short span of time. With the local and global business policies losing their tourniquet over rigorous rules, this is the best time to be an entrepreneur and have your own start-up.
You are already aware that having a start-up is not just about the glam and shindigs, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There are various obstacles you have to tackle, and handling a large amount of data that your business generates on a regular basis is one such heartache.
No problem! With the introduction of cloud computing services in recent years, your data storage problems are taken care of. Just look up for the term ‘cloud services’ on Google and you’ll see about a million results within milliseconds. Yes, you’re spoilt for choice!
There are a plethora of options available for cloud storage services for your startup depending on how much money you’re willing to shed. Rest your laurels on our shoulders because we have already curated these five best cloud backup and cloud services for your startup in 2019.
IDrive
IDrive is arguably one of the best cloud storage service available today for your startup business. IDrive applies to network drive too (every bit from mobile-devices to servers is covered). You can also share files via social media and emails with this service.
Independent of the operating system (OS) that you’re using – Windows, iOS, Android, etc IDrive is compatible with all of them. This cloud storage service is fast, reliable, secure and very easy to use. There are various flexible plans that can match the size of your pocket.
You can get up to 5GB of free cloud storage for free, which can be increased by referring new users to IDrive. Cloud space prices on IDrive ranges from 250GB (around US $75 annually) to 1.25TB (around US $ 375 annually).
Dropbox
Dropbox has been winning accolades and creating ripples everywhere its name goes. It is among the editor’s choice for cloud storage for 3 years running now. The best part of Dropbox is that it is free. Even though you get a measly 2 GB, but it’s free and expandable.
You can expand the data storage by means of sharing and completing some tasks. It supports a wide array of OS and is really easy to use. With Dropbox, you get additional features and tools that come in really handy for your startup.
You can get access to seamless file transfer through a crafty tool called Dropbox Paper or automatically sync your photo library via the Dropbox desktop app. Along with all this, the service comes with a handy one-click ‘File Requests’ feature that lets users upload files to your Dropbox directly.
OneDrive
OneDrive was earlier called SkyDrive and it now comes integrated into Windows 10. This is one of the major reasons for businesses shifting their work to Windows-based platforms. OneDrive works closely with Office and Office 365, which makes collaborations an easy task.
It comes with 5 GB free storage and as a built-in feature in Windows 10 and needs no extra application to be downloaded. Besides Windows, other operating systems like Mac, iOS and Android can use it too, but an application has to be downloaded for it first.
The best thing about OneDrive is the easy syncing, restoration and sharing that make it a winner in every aspect. It can cost you in the range of US $ 5- US $ 10 per month per user. Just like some other services, the more money you shed, the more you get.
FileCloud
Among the fasted growing cloud storage services (faster than Dropox), FileCloud is an all-in-one enterprise file sharing, sync, and backup product. Its cloud storage brand, FileCloud Online, is a potent alternative to DropBox, OneDrive, or Google Drive.
The USP of this service is the effective value it provides, delivering comparable features (as compared to industry stalwarts) at much less price. Among the most valuable benefits you enjoy with FileCloud are unlimited free client accounts, ransomware protection, endpoint backup, and full branding (custom URL, logo, background, etc.).
FileCloud is hosted across 4 strategical geographic locations, giving you the choice of where you want your data to be located. With Site Sandbox, Site Specific Encryption Key, and AWS GovCloud, you get the best of security for your data. Build in document preview makes your team’s collaboration work easier.
Google Drive
Now, finally what you’ve all been waiting for! Every list for the best cloud storage services would be empty without the mention of Google Drive. That is the power and reach of this cloud from Google. It can be used for personal, home, work and business needs.
Google is the most generous cloud service as it provides a mammoth 15 GB of free storage space. Even the paid service is quite reasonable and has plans ranging from 100GB to 30TB. 100GB of cloud storage will cost you US $1.99 a month and 30TB will cost US $299.99 a month, which is quite impressive.
Drive by Google comes with built-in features that are very identical to Microsoft Office Suite and can help you perform a number of tasks using the free tools. Even as a free user, you can enjoy almost all the benefits that a premium licensed user has.
Which one do you choose?
Yes, there are many worthy names that should have made the list but the services we’ve mentioned above are the five best ones available in the market today. They have a perfect balance of security, affordability, ease of use and features.
Well, it would be unfair to put a ring around just one of them, as they are all very impressive in one way or another. They all have their niche and even though they seem pricey, but trust us, money spent on secure cloud storage service, is money well spent. You may choose iCloud for its cost-effectiveness, Google Drive for its generosity or maybe IDrive for its ease of use. It all depends on exactly what your business is looking for in the first place. Find a cloud service based on your startup’s needs.
