It can be very inconvenient when you need important documents or other files and are not able to access your computer. It can also be very inconvenient to transfer those files to an external hard drive or flash drive to be able to have access to them wherever you are. Cloud storage offers a solution that allows you to access your important files from any device without having to remember to transfer them to an external storage device.
There are many paid services available, but if you only need a little storage, there are several free services. Here are some of the best free cloud-sharing services available:
Dropbox :You can get 2 GB of storage for free to store your documents, images, videos, and more on this popular site. There is no limit to upload size, just the overall storage limit. If you want more storage, there are paid options. You can upload through the website, or you can download the desktop app for a quick drag and drop option for transferring files.
Box : Get up to 5 GB of storage with a 250 MB file upload limit with a free account on Box. Not only can you upload documents to the cloud, but you can also edit them through third-party apps, allowing you quick modification without having to download and then re-upload documents. Additional storage is available with a paid account.
Apple iCloud: If you have an Apple device -- such as an iPod, iPhone, or an iPad -- you can sync all your files across your devices with this cloud storage service. You get 5 GB of free space, and you can edit and manipulate documents in the cloud. However, the service is only good for Apple users
.
Google Drive: Like Apple, Google seems to have a product for everything. Google Drive gives you up to 15 GB of free storage (not counting documents that were converted from Google Docs). You can upload documents, spreadsheets and more to access from anywhere you have an Internet connection. The default file size limit is 10 GB
Microsoft OneDrive: Get a whopping 15 GB of free storage from this cloud storage service from Microsoft. You can upload through the web or the desktop application, and there are file limits of 300 MB or 2 GB, respectively. The service also supports Android and iOS, so you can use it on just about any smart phone.
Free cloud storage helps you to get access to your files and documents no matter where you are. These are some of the best cloud storage services, though there are many more available to fit your needs.
What is your favorite cloud-storage service? Share your picks in the comments!
Author: Carmen Brettel is a writer and manager for Studentgrants.org. In her spare time, Carmen enjoys gardening and volunteering at animal shelters.