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Small businesses need affordable and accessible cloud services to store business data. Well, What is the cloud? It’s a model of computer data storage in which the digital data is stored in logical pools. Cloud storage services for small businesses offer ease of access, security and affordability. Small businesses often have tight budgets and must be cost-conscious when choosing services. With so many different cloud storage options available, it’s important to understand your needs and find the right service for you. Here is a list of top cloud storage services for small businesses that will help you evaluate your choices.
Dropbox
Dropbox is a file hosting service that offers cloud storage. It has become one of the most popular business services for storing and sharing files due to its ease of use, affordability and accessibility. Dropbox has more than 500 million users and is used by individuals and businesses to store, manage and share files online.
Dropbox Business is a paid version of the service that comes with additional features as well as higher security. For example, it allows users to create shared folders and collaborate with team members as well as provides the option to have a custom domain name.
Notable Features
Automatic Sync: Dropbox automatically sync files between computers and mobile devices, making it easy to integrate with other programs your business already uses.
File Sharing: Dropbox easily share files and folders with anyone in your company
Security: Dropbox encrypts files to be viewed only with a passphrase, and has two-factor authentication to access secure files.
Pros
Dropbox is a great choice for storing, sharing and collaborating on business files.
Affordable: Dropbox Business has a low cost per user, and also has a generous free account option which is perfect for a cost-conscious small business.
Easy to use: Dropbox Business is user friendly and can be used by all levels of computer users.
Great for teams: Dropbox is a great collaboration tool for teams.
Good Security: Dropbox Business provides extra security protection for sensitive data
Cons
There is a limit to the size of files that can be stored in Dropbox.
No Private Network: Dropbox Business is not hosted on a private network.
Desktop App: The desktop app is not as robust as some other business applications.
Integrates with Many Apps: Dropbox integrates with many apps, but does not integrate with all business apps.
Google Drive
Google Drive is a file hosting and online storage service that comes with a word processing application called Google Docs. Google Drive offers a few different storage options. The free service allows users to store up to 15 GB of data while the paid plans increase the amount of storage available.
Google Drive is a great choice for small businesses that already use Google apps like Gmail, Calendar, and Docs. Google Drive allows users to store, manage and share files online. Google Drive has more than 200 million users, meaning your employees may already be familiar with how it functions.
Notable Features
Automatic Sync: Google Drive automatically sync files between computers and mobile devices.
File Sharing: Google Drive easily shares files and folders with anyone, especially if they already use Gmail.
Security: Google Drive encrypts files to be viewed only with a passphrase, and has two-factor authentication.
Pros
Google Drive is an affordable service for storing, sharing and collaborating on business files.
Great for teams: Google Drive is a great collaboration tool for teams.
Good Security: Google Drive offers extra security protection for sensitive data.
Integrates With Many Apps - Google Drive integrates with many apps, but does not integrate with all business apps.
Desktop App: The desktop app is robust and comes with sharing features.
Cons
No Private Network: Google Drive is not hosted on a private network.
No Private Domain: Google Drive does not offer a private domain name option.
Desktop App: The desktop app is not as robust as some other business applications.
File Size Limit: There is a maximum file size allowed on Google Drive.
Microsoft OneDrive
OneDrive is a file hosting and online storage service run by Microsoft. OneDrive has 10 GB of free storage and increased storage is available for a monthly fee. OneDrive is a great choice for small businesses that use Microsoft apps like Outlook, Office or SharePoint.
Notable Features
Automatic Sync: Microsoft OneDrive automatically sync files between computers and mobile devices.
File Sharing: Microsoft OneDrive easily shares files and folders with anyone, especially if they already use Outlook.
Security: Microsoft OneDrive encrypts files to be viewed only with a passphrase, and two-factor authentication.
Pros
Great for teams: OneDrive is a great collaboration tool for teams.
Good Security: OneDrive offers extra security protection for sensitive data.
Integrates With Many Apps: OneDrive integrates with many apps, but does not integrate with all business apps.
Desktop App: The desktop app is robust and comes with sharing features.
Good User Interface: The user interface is intuitive and easy to use.
Cons
No Private Network: OneDrive is not hosted on a private network.
No Private Domain: OneDrive does not offer a private domain name option.
File Size Limit: There is a maximum file size allowed on OneDrive.
Amazon Cloud storage
Amazon Cloud storage is an online storage service that offers file hosting, data storage, data backup and disaster recovery for small businesses. Amazon Cloud storage offers 10 GB of free storage for one year. After a year, storage costs $59 per year for every 1 TB of data stored.
Notable Features
Automatic Sync: Amazon Cloud automatically sync files between computers and mobile devices.
File Sharing: Amazon Cloud easily shares files and folders with anyone.
Security: Amazing Cloud encrypts files to be viewed only with a passphrase, and two-factor authentication.
Pros
Great for teams: Amazon Cloud storage is a great collaboration tool for teams.
Good Security: Amazon Cloud storage offers extra security protection for sensitive data.
File Size Limit: There is no file size limit on Amazon Cloud storage.
Good User Interface: The user interface is intuitive and easy to use.
Integrates With Many Apps: Amazon Cloud storage integrates with many apps, but does not integrate with all business apps.
Good for Government and Financial: Amazon Cloud storage is a good option for government and financial organizations.
Good for Large Files: Amazon Cloud storage is a good option for large file storage.
Cons
No Private Network: Amazon Cloud storage is not hosted on a private network.
No Private Domain: Amazon Cloud storage does not offer a private domain name option.
File Size Limit: There is a maximum file size allowed on Amazon Cloud storage.