IDrive: good option for cloud-based file storage? Better alternatives?

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jonathan18

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#214111 28-Apr-2017 10:02

Hi there,

I'm looking for a new cloud sync tool to replace OneDrive (now all my free additional allowance has gone!), and at this point have narrowed it down to IDrive or Google Drive. It's not for a huge amount of data - probably around 100GB. The other key requirements are automatic syncing in Windows, and apps for iOS and Android, and being a reasonable price. Decent security is preferable as well.

The one that seems most appropriate is IDrive - $60 US a year for 1TB; it apparently has decent speeds, and most usefully also has the provision for cloud-based system backups as well (so appears to be able to fulfil the functions of both cloud-based file storage like OneDrive and also a cloud backup tool like Carbonite). There's also an offer I have found providing the first year for around $17 US, but I'm not sure if that'll work for NZ-based customers.

I also am considering Google Drive, which is $20 for 100GB (which may not be enough, certainly not long-term) but jumps up to $100 for the next category (1TB). Of course, it also doesn't offer the backup solution aspect either.

Anyway, has anyone here got direct experience with or knowledge of IDrive? Any particular reason why I should avoid it? Or any other recommended products that would meet my requirements?

Thanks in advance.

sonyxperiageek

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#1771747 28-Apr-2017 10:54

After the Megaupload scandal if it's not a decent known provider, I would tend to avoid using for important files.

Sony

allan

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#1771788 28-Apr-2017 11:57

Maybe more than you are wanting to spend, but you could always go for an Office 365 personal subscription at NZ$119 per year and get 1TB of OneDrive storage.

Actually I see that PBTech has it discounted to $56.35 right at present. That has to be a good deal :)

Edited to add info.

jonathan18

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#1771893 28-Apr-2017 14:09

Thanks for the replies.

I get the point re Megaupload, but in reality I doubt I'll have files that are only located in the cloud, so it's unlikely I'll be in the situation of losing data should the cloud service be frozen or closed (only if it coincided with the theft/damage of all other copies of the data on our computers and NAS).

That's a good deal for Office 365, and could well be an option. I've generally found OneDrive to be reliable, though note its lack of encryption of files once uploaded. It's quite a bit more for the five-computer version of O365 (though also discounted), but could I get away with having O365 on one laptop and a standard Office install on another, but still being able to access the same OneDrive account? I'm assuming so, but need to be sure.

At this point I'm still keen on giving IDrive a go - most reviews are very positive (tops a number of surveys of main cloud solutions), it offers a 10 day (I think) refund window, and seems to do a lot for the money. Interested still, though, if anyone has experience using it.

Guv

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#1771898 28-Apr-2017 14:17

I-Drive very good - been using it for 4+ years now.

Have on multiple machines doing backups.

allan

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#1771909 28-Apr-2017 14:38

jonathan18:

That's a good deal for Office 365, and could well be an option. I've generally found OneDrive to be reliable, though note its lack of encryption of files once uploaded. It's quite a bit more for the five-computer version of O365 (though also discounted), but could I get away with having O365 on one laptop and a standard Office install on another, but still being able to access the same OneDrive account? I'm assuming so, but need to be sure.

I've got exactly that situation on two different Windows 10 devices. The only proviso being that the same Windows Live/Microsoft Account credentials have to be used on each machine.

jonathan18

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#1773435 1-May-2017 13:06

Thanks for the further replies; it was good to hear from someone with direct experience of iDrive.

So in the end I gave it a go - $27 for the first year for 1TB backup and an "additional" 1TB for synced files. The setup was ok, though the sync settings are a bit frustrating. The biggest issue, though, was the upload speed. Despite having decent internet (100/20 fibre) and fast uploads via OneDrive, iDrive was going to take many, many days to upload just the files I'd elected to sync across devices (versus a full system backup). I recall OneDrive doing the same in a day and night. So that's not going to work for us, and I've cancelled my account (full refund if cancelled within 15 days, hence there was really no risk attached to trying it out).

So I've gone with the one-user Office 365 option - thanks for pointing this out @allan. Given we're already OneDrive users, it's also the easiest to implement, and pretty good value for about $63 including shipping (not sure why such a product can't just be emailed?).

In regards to buying additional yearly subscriptions for O365 - can I buy in advance (if they are damn cheap) and stack them on top of a current sub for a multiple-year option?

CYaBro

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#1773447 1-May-2017 13:33

Have a look at https://dattodrive.com/

Free for the 1st year, with 1TB, and unlimited users.

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

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allan

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#1773498 1-May-2017 14:10

jonathan18:

In regards to buying additional yearly subscriptions for O365 - can I buy in advance (if they are damn cheap) and stack them on top of a current sub for a multiple-year option?

I've never tried it, but I'm sure I've read in another post on here (can't find it though sorry) that yes you can do exactly that.