Are you confused by all the choices of cloud storage platforms? You might be familiar with iCloud, Dropbox, and Google Drive. There are others, too, but what’s the difference between them and which one is best for your needs?

While this is not an exhaustive review of these storage platforms, I hope it gives you an overview of the landscape. Let me know if you have other questions about this topic.

iCloud for Apple

iCloud is best suited for working in tandem with your Apple devices. On modern Macs, iCloud enables storing and syncing your Desktop and Documents folders, your Photos library, and backups of mobile devices, to name a few. iCloud offers 5GB for free and three tiers of monthly fees for up to 2TB.

For the specific services iCloud offers and for having access to your data on multiple Macs, iPads, or iPhones, iCloud is a great choice. iCloud also offers live collaboration for Pages, Numbers, and Keynote documents.

However, iCloud lacks ease at sharing files and folders with others, something other platforms do really well. This might not be a reason to skip iCloud altogether but you might add a second platform if you need this functionality.

Dropbox for Designers?

Dropbox has long been a household name for cloud file storage and sharing. Organizations have liked it for their file servers, especially among remote staff. Designers like it for sharing iterations of their work with clients.

Real-time collaboration is relatively new to the platform and Dropbox implements it with support for native Microsoft Office file formats via an “Office Online” partnership with Microsoft. This enables files stored locally on computers to also open in native Microsoft applications.

However, for individuals Dropbox now restricts its paltry 2GB free plan to only three registered devices and only offers one paid option with 2TB, which can break some users’ budgets. Businesses can get up to unlimited storage but for a pretty penny as well.

Google specializes in live collaboration among multiple editors on its web-based platform. This experience is the elder compared to the above two solutions. Yet, it might be a barrier that these files are online-only, though they can be exported to other formats, such as Microsoft Office.

You can store other files in Google Drive, too, and Google offers individuals 15GB for free across its full platform of services, including email and photos. There are three standard paid tiers up to 2TB, similar to iCloud, and additional choices for greater capacities that are currently overpriced.

Google has become a popular platform for businesses to host their email on custom domains. G Suite now offers up to unlimited capacity with support for Team Drives and a more file server centric solution called File Stream.

Need More?

Do you need greater capacity? There are a number of pro cloud storage solutions that offer a la carte pricing per GB. As you know, I recommend Backblaze for secure online backup.

The company’s B2 offering is more affordable than other platforms and there are many choices of applications for accessing files stored there. I’m particularly attracted to the design of ForkLift from Binary Nights.

I have helped various clients navigate this landscape and make decisions about the best choice(s) for their needs. I’m mostly focused on helping folks save money and simplify by not using too many platforms. What approach works best for you or your business?

Additionally, I didn’t mention the concerns some folks have about Google regarding data privacy, an area Apple holds in high regard and some folks prefer about Dropbox as well. Google’s stance seems to be more focused on its search business and using customers’ data to better serve them.