Why are not more necessary than Dropbox and it is better to replace
Web Services / / December 24, 2019
Recently Dropbox «pleased» News users that are now free accounts can only be synchronized with three devices at the same time. If you want to connect a fourth device, you will either have to purchase a subscription or disable one of the existing customers. Dropbox, apparently decided to go the way of greedy Evernote. And this focus - not only its negative.
What's wrong with Dropbox
A limited number of devices
The undeniable advantage of Dropbox was his versatility. Customers under the Windows, MacOS, and, what is especially nice, Linux, and mobile applications for Android and iOS. In addition to that Dropbox is compatible with a bunch of online services and mobile applications.
update terms of use Dropbox has reduced this advantage to naught. What's the use in clients for all platforms, if you have to pay to use them?
Fortunately, other popular cloud storage has not yet reached a stage of "enlightenment" as Dropbox. Therefore, they do not limit the number of connected devices.
A small volume of free space
Free Dropbox account offers only 2 GB of cloud space. This little, very little. Yes, through a series of artful manipulation (Sending referral links, inviting friends, connect mobile applications), you can increase the amount of free space - I, for example, 9.4 GB of Dropbox. But all this requires extra action.
Google Drive for free will give the user 15 GB - feel the difference. OneDrive and iCloud pretty stingy, but 5 GB is still better than 2 GB of Dropbox. And MEGA and does fit of generosity to 50GB.
Unfavorable tariff plan
Dropbox - not the most profitable thing, even if you decide to pay. For $ 99 a year, you will get 1 TB of cloud space (and remove restrictions on three connected devices). It is expensive, and not the fact that you need a terabyte. But more modest options not.
For comparison, Google Drive for the same $ 99.99 already offers 2TB of space. But he has other tariff plans - for example, $ 1.99 per month for 100GB. So you do not have to pay for the place that you just will not use. A Microsoft for 69.99 dollar per year gives not only 1 TB of disk space, but also a license to microsoft Office.
Lack of synchronization for arbitrary folders
Sync in your Dropbox cloud you can only files and folders that are placed in the directory Dropbox. Do you want to make a backup copy of the "document"? Will not work. You can certainly use a special attachmentBut it's like a crutch.
Here, for example, the client "Back up & sync» Google may place themselves in any arbitrary folder that you choose. Nextcloud so too can. What prevented add Dropbox this feature?
The lack of control over their data
This applies, in general, not just Dropbox. All existing cloud storage has the same problem. Using them, you trust your data to third parties. Even if you do not go into the empty arguments about evil hackers and government agents, the following can be noted - the data you do not belong.
Today you pay some service tomorrow he decides to shut down. There were no signs of trouble, and here again - Dropbox solves your limit. These currently lie lie - and suddenly lost, as is the case with MySpace. The only solution that allows you to somehow control their files - create a file server.
What can replace the Dropbox
google Drive
- cost: 15 GB free, 100 GB of 139 rubles a month.
- platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, unofficial client for Linux.
Practically perfect solution - especially for the Google ecosystem fans. Free Google Drive gives you 15GB of space, and it has several beneficial Calling plans.
Service is integrated with services such as Gmail, Google Photo and Google Docs. In addition, Google Drive supports many third-party applications that did not yielding the Dropbox. For example, convenient zametochniki JotterPad for Android, Write for Mac, or File Manager MiXplorer work well in conjunction with Google Drive.
Price: Free
Price: Free
Google Drive →
OneDrive
- cost: 5 GB for free, 50GB for 140 rubles per month, 1TB for 269 or 339 rubles for registration of personal or family subscription to Office 365, respectively.
- platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Xbox, informal based client for Linux.
Free Microsoft will provide only 5 GB, which, of course, is less than 15 GB of Google, but more than two from Dropbox. OneDrive - the best solution for those who prefer Microsoft programs. If you have an account in Windows 10, you do not need to be registered and.
Price: Free
Price: Free
OneDrive →
iCloud
- cost: 5 GB for free, 50GB for 59 rubles a month.
- platforms: macOS, iOS, Windows.
iCloud - a solution for owners of Apple technology. On other platforms, it is not very friendly, although there is a client for Windows. Is free iCloud become generous only 5 GB. But there is no limit on the number of devices you can connect to a single account.
iCloud →
MEGA
- cost: 50 GB free, 200 GB for 4.99 euros per month.
- platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Windows Phone.
MEGA pleasantly stands out for its large volume of free storage, and it has a convenient client for all platforms. In addition, the MEGA application is open source, and the data is encrypted on the client side.
Price: Free
Price: Free
MEGA →
Nextcloud
- cost: free except for the cost of your equipment and accounts for the light.
- platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
If you do not want to depend on someone else, consider creating your own cloud storage. To do this you will need such as single board computer Raspberry Pi (Old netbook or something like that, too, will do). Connect the few external drives, install Linux and Nextcloud - this will create your repository encryption, synchronization, and other buns.
In addition to the dimensionless clouds (the amount depends on how many drives you have connected), you can build and own calendar, and address book, and even video calls to make, and more lot of things. All this is free of charge. You can be sure that the creaking in the attic of the server will never be asking for money.
Price: Free
Price: Free
Nextcloud →
If you are looking for more cloud storage, you can get acquainted with our topom. And share in the comments what you replaced Dropbox.
see also🧐
- How to recover data on a computer, smartphone, tablet, and the memory card
- 8 ways to upload files to Dropbox with no client installation
- 6 best service to store your photos in the cloud