iCloud Drive VS Everyone Else

[dubstir]

I currently use Microsoft OneDrive as my main cloud storage solution. I get 40GB free and like that I can use the web version of Excel/Word. I've grown tired of Microsoft's constantly changing practices, trackers, ads, and bundled services for their most basic email service.

With that said, I have been slowly migrating to Apple's iCloud Email and Drive services as a result, and because it mainly makes sense as I'm an iPhone user.

My question is: has anyone dropped their cloud storage provider and went all-in with iCloud Drive?

I ask because iCloud Drive is nowhere near other storage providers based on basic functionality. I say this towards the iOS app, but the web version and Windows sync software is subpar as well.

I do like the simplicity with iCloud Drive, but I do like other basic options like creating a simple text file in OneDrive.

 

[iPearUser]

Well I will admit that the iCloud Drive is 10 times more convenient if you have Apple devices, but the choice of getting a cloud service depends on what you're using. I also use OneDrive because of Office 365, but if I don't have to use Office 365 then I would probably try to use iCloud.

 

[techwarrior]

I use iCloud Drive on multiple Macs and iOs devices. I also have oneDrive, Box, DropBox and Google for alternate cloud storage.

My main reason for the alternates is many people use these others and it is more convenient to share with them. iCloud doesn't (currently) support folder sharing, only doc sharing. So, the others are useful for sharing folders.

If Apple ever enhances iCD to allow folder sharing\sync, it will likely become my primary storage solution because simplicity an security.

 

[artfossil]

What @techwarrior said. My first choice is iCloud Drive because of its ease of use on all my devices and the ability to include my Documents and Desktop folders.

But I still have a free DropBox account and I also have access to a free proprietary Box account through my University. I use DropBox or Box when I need to share a folder. I also have a couple of apps (nvALT and Notability) that I sync through DropBox.

 

[dubstir]

My main reason for the alternates is many people use these others and it is more convenient to share with them.

Same here for Microsoft Word/Excel files as Pages/Numbers aren't compatible and aren't easily converter in their opposite format. The only plus side to using MS is compatibility with sharing document type files with others as most don't use a Mac and therefore Apple's document types.

I hardly use collaboration of files and rarely share files/folders, I'm just looking a universal cloud storage as USB keys/drives can become defective at a moment's notice.
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My first choice is iCloud Drive because of its ease of use on all my devices and the ability to include my Documents and Desktop folders.

I assume you're syncing documents/desktop using a Mac?

The ease of use of nice, but using the website to preview files such PDF or ANYTHING but images is impossible as the files instantly download.

 

[artfossil]

Same here for Microsoft Word/Excel files as Pages/Numbers aren't compatible and aren't easily converter in their opposite format. The only plus side to using MS is compatibility with sharing document type files with others as most don't use a Mac and therefore Apple's document types.

I hardly use collaboration of files and rarely share files/folders, I'm just looking a universal cloud storage as USB keys/drives can become defective at a moment's notice.
[doublepost=1532724191][/doublepost]

I assume you're syncing documents/desktop using a Mac?

The ease of use of nice, but using the website to preview files such PDF or ANYTHING but images is impossible as the files instantly download.

I'm not sure what you mean. I never use the website. I use the Files app on my iPad/iPhone and the Finder on my Mac. I can preview files without downloading. For example, I have an iCloud receipts file and I can preview the files and rename them without downloading.

 

[dubstir]

I'm not sure what you mean. I never use the website. I use the Files app on my iPad/iPhone and the Finder on my Mac. I can preview files without downloading. For example, I have an iCloud receipts file and I can preview the files and rename them without downloading.

I am not a Mac owner, Windows only. By website I was saying iCloud.com. Sometimes I use the site to edit Notes and organize Drive. Normally if you click a photo inside Drive, the photo will either open in a new tab or open within the existing tab. If you click a PDF file, you're prompted to download, it cannot be previewed. Kind of annoying when I simply want to see what the PDF is about.

 

[artfossil]

I am not a Mac owner, Windows only. By website I was saying iCloud.com. Sometimes I use the site to edit Notes and organize Drive. Normally if you click a photo inside Drive, the photo will either open in a new tab or open within the existing tab. If you click a PDF file, you're prompted to download, it cannot be previewed. Kind of annoying when I simply want to see what the PDF is about.

That would be annoying . . . . I never go to the website. Although it's nice to know it's accessible in an emergency.

 

[OldMike]

Besides what everyone has already mentioned, there are a couple of technical differences between iCloud and OneDrive that might matter to some users:

1. iCloud provides encryption at rest, while OneDrive Personal (regular OneDrive, Office365 Personal, Office365 Home) stores files unencrypted. OneDrive for Business provides an advanced version of encryption at rest by default.

2.iClouds's max file size is 50GB, while OneDrive's max file size is 15GB. This may make a difference if you decide to store private information in an encrypted single sparse image file.

Currently I have 5x1TB OneDrive storage from Office365 Home, and 1TB OneDrive for Business from Small Business Essentials. I think I am going to drop Office365 Home and switch to the 2TB iCloud plan for the family (no one really use Office much at home). The encryption at rest and optimized storage for all of our iPhone's (along with the rest of iCloud's integrated features with macOS and iOS) make it a better solution for us.

 

[dubstir]

You are correct in regards to encryption and OneDrive; MS is now offering encryption and malware defense as an add-on. I was using MEGA for an encrypted cloud solution, but once it was sold to an independent company (Japan or China) I moved my files to a local storage device.

Here's to hoping Apple ups their iCloud Drive game, at least for iOS devices, and throw some basic functionality into it that is comparable to other cloud solutions.