Free Online Storage Space

October 27, 2009

A while back we looked at a few of the most popular online file storage providers. These included Mozy, Box, XDrive and DriveHQ. Since then the XDrive service has closed. If you click on their old link, they point you to other service providers who offer online storage of all your important files. So, it’s high time to look at these backup and file storing services again.

The features that would be important to me are the amount of storage space you get, whether there is a limit on the size of the account, if backups will interfere with the computer speed, whether the stored files could be shared with others or myself sitting at another computer, and of course the monthly cost.

Here’s my latest breakdown of the most popular online storage providers.

Mozy offers 2GB totally free. You pay only $4.95 per month for unlimited storage. Strictly a backup and restore service, not for file sharing. You can sign up two computers for free, but the 2GB would be shared. If you want unlimited storage and backup, then each computer would need its own account.
Box gives you 1GB storage and allows file sharing. There is a limit of 25MB for the size of any file, but this would be a great service for small projects involving 5 people or fewer. You can invite collaborators to read and or modify the files. Unfortunately, you have to give your credit card number to sign up and it will be billed after a 14-day trial period. If you do sign up, the cost would be $9.95 per month for 5 GB of storage. This is more of a file-sharing service. Not a complete backup and restore service.
DriveHQ provides more services than backup and restore. You can share your files with a slick drag and drop interface. This site can be used for sharing videos and photos and other large files. Backup plans start at $2.99 per month for 2GB and scale up from there depending on how much space you need. For 6GB the cost goes up to $7.99 per month, but you can backup multiple PCs.