It is very important to back up your files. Everyone pretty much knows that nowadays probably due to hearing about high data recovery costs or losing memorable baby pictures due to a hard drive crash. Now, along with backing up your files, it’s becoming important to share your files between computers due to the rising demand in having access to your files with your work, home, and possibly travel computer. Transferring files via usb drive is possible, but usually results in a bottleneck: you! Although you’d have good intentions, thinks pop up like getting ill, special events, or other sudden surprises that result in you forgetting to save your most recent backup.
Nowadays, the most pain-free way to share your files across computers is through online backup. Here are best 5 free online services to store, share, sync, and backup your files on an automatic basis:
- DriveHQ FileManager – As an FTP-like interface, you can drag folders from your computer to this online service for synchronization. You can share your info by e-mailing a link. The good: Fast upload speeds. The bad: Clunky FTP interface. Price: Free for up to 1GB. $3 – $70 /month for 4GB – 400GB.
- Dropbox – This quickly popular service feels right at home with drag-in-drop folders to save files online. E-mail a link to share specified folders. The good: Compatible for PC, Mac, and Linux. Fast syncing. The bad: Navigating to features takes a few extra clicks. Price: Free for up to 2GB. $10/month for 50GB and $20/month for 100GB.
- OpenDrive – Windows desktop software that provides virtual network drive to copy files to. A unique feature is allowing you to sell your file downloads via PayPal. The good: Store up to 5GB for free!. The bad: The java requirement and continual virtual drive on your system could slow down the works. Price: 5GB free. $5/month for 100GB; $15/month for 500GB; $25/month for 1TB.
- SpiderOak – Designed for IT support for companies, syncing and backing up are automated. File sharing is implemented by password-protected links. The good: Folders are categorized for you by Documents, Music, Pictures, etc. The bad: If this is a negative, there are lots of superfluous features. Price: 2GB are free, then $10/month for additional 100GB.
- ZumoDrive – The interface is similar to Dropbox with a virtual network drive. Files are shared by e-mail or website link. The good: You can access your iTunes music remotely along with other mobile devices. The bad: It copycats Dropbox although provides more features. Price: 1GB free then $3/month for 10GB and $80/month for 500GB
OpenDrive offers the most attractive pricing, but ZumoDrive, DropBox, and SpiderOak may offer the functionality you need. DriveHQ is dropped from our preferred online sharing list due to its convuluted FTP interface.
