If you own a Mac and you want to ensure your data is secure and safe, it is important to look at the solutions that are available to you. For many people these days, the most obvious answer is cloud backup solutions, as this is something that provides security, protection, and convenience, which means less stress. With the right cloud backup solutions, you can ensure that all data that is on your Mac is safely backup, so there is no risk of losing access – or losing it altogether.
When information is such an important factor in almost every single aspect of modern technology, it is essential for everyone to have a personal cloud. In case of some accidents or physical damage to your hard drive or other forms of storage media, a cloud backup can ensure the safety of your data.
Apart from that, storing files in the cloud also ensures availability across your devices. So, you will be able to access it from anywhere, on any type of device including PCs, smartphones, tablets, etc.
If you are looking forward to moving your files from place to place, you can depend on the cloud. Or, if you are planning to sell it and don’t want to lose your files, you can look at how to wipe a Mac, follow the steps mentioned and upload the files to the cloud, then start downloading the data from another device whenever you need.
Either way, cloud backup can prove to be ideal for many reasons. You can benefit from a solution that is fast, simple, and efficient, as well as one that is affordable. This is why many people decide to choose cloud solutions for their backups instead of traditional physical storage devices.
Of course, you need to ensure you find the right cloud storage solution for your Mac data before paying your hard-earned money for it, and this is something we will look at in this article.
How to Select the Right Cloud Solution
There are some important factors that you need to keep in mind if you want to ensure you find the right solution for your needs. Some of the main things to look for while selecting a cloud solution are given below:
1. Check Affordability
One of the things you need to look into when it comes to finding the right cloud storage solution for your needs is your budget and how affordable it is.
The good news is that this type of service is very affordable, and this has made it extremely popular among those looking for a simple and low-cost backup solution for their digital data. The cost can vary based on the plan and provider you choose, so make sure you compare different ones for both cost and suitability.
2. Look at Features and Benefits
It is important to ensure that the cloud storage you choose is going to be sufficient and suitable, and this means you need to check the features and the benefits of the plan before you make up your mind.
This is why it is very important to look carefully at what the package offers before you make any decisions, as you can then ensure it is the right option for your specific needs. It also means that you can ensure you are getting value for money.
3. Find Out What Others Think
One other thing you should always do is to find out what other people think of both the service and the provider. This is something that is very quick and simple to do online these days, as you can simply check out consumer reviews from other Mac users. This will then give you a far better idea of whether it is the right option for you.
Keep in mind that there could be false reviews, which you shouldn’t rely on. Overcoming that barrier might help you to be more productive on your Mac with the help of the cloud service of your choosing.
4. Make sure of the credibility
There are thousands of cloud storage services out there providing different types of storage solutions. You should make sure that the credibility of their service is well known. Because you are going to trust them for your content, which might also include some sensitive information related to you or your business.
A good, credible cloud provider can be identified from their online reviews as well as the personal experience of the customers that you know. There are several cases of misconduct by certain cloud services of misusing user data. Hence, it is a serious thing to consider when going for one.
5. Lifetime / Subscription
There are several cloud services such as pCloud that provide plans for a lifetime as well as on a subscription basis. Most of the time, if the cloud service is good enough, it is always better to go with the lifetime subscription as it could save you a ton of money. Especially if you are considering using cloud solutions as a permanent method to store your data, picking a lifetime subscription makes more sense.
These are some of the things to consider when it comes to finding the right cloud storage solution for your Mac. Hope the article helped you in making a decision and saving some money and effort.
Top Cloud Storage Solutions
Although Apple has its own cloud storage solution, namely Apple iCloud, we are here to explore a few options that might be better than the native one or simply the best in the segment.
1. Sync.com
Sync.com is a zero-knowledge service, meaning that it offers end-to-end encryption for the user to save anything he wants to the cloud. It not only ensures privacy but also the security of the data, as the user is the only one with the unique key that can access the cloud.
Even the company can’t access the account. But the best part is that the security feature is offered on both free and paid plans, making Sync.com one of the most secure cloud storage solutions on the market.
2. pCloud
Next up is pCloud, another storage service that has tons of features to offer on top of its efficient performance. The platform is famous for its fast synchronization and speed. It is available across all major OSes for both mobile and desktop, and it also has a web browser version.
It also offers some exclusive features, such as direct download, meaning you can download a picture from the web browser directly to your cloud instead of local storage.
3. IceDrive
IceDrive is also an up-and-coming name in the cloud solution market, especially if one considers how beautifully it is made. Just like Sync.com, it has top-notch encryption and data security in place, and that too on both free and paid plans. There is even a lifetime subscription available for less than $600.
However, it does not offer the same storage space as the rest of the competition as it can only accommodate 5TB of data, which makes it very good for personal use but not something any large corporation will look for.
4. MEGA
MEGA is also a good cloud storage solution that emphasizes user privacy and security above all. Syncing files is also easy, as all you have to do is drag and drop the thing you want to store in the sync folder. MEGA is the best when it comes to the free plan, as it offers 20GB of free storage. You can even further increase it by simply installing some other EGA apps and verifying your contact information.
5. iCloud
And finally, we have the iCloud, the native cloud storage solution on any Apple device. It can back up anything on your Apple device, including things like messages, chats, emails, contacts, passwords, and so on. Sadly, though, iCloud is as basic as they come. But don’t get me wrong, it sure gets the job done.
Here is a table comparing iCloud to both Sync.com and pCloud:
| Feature | iCloud | Sync.com | pCloud |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storage | 5 BG to 2 TB | 5 BG to 4 TB | 500 GB to 2 TB |
| Compatibility | All major platforms are supported | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux |
| Security | End-to-end encryption | Zero-knowledge encryption | SSL-based encryption |
| Offline Access | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Integration | High integration within the Apple Ecosystem | Limited | Low |