Data is big business. Thousands of businesses and individuals around the globe generate tons of data that need to be shared, analyzed, and stored on a daily basis. As an illustration, Dropbox, one of the major players in the file-sharing arena, recorded over 500 million users in March 2016 up from 400 million in June last year.
Dropbox isn’t the only kid on the block, though. There are tens of other cloud-based file sharing applications that offer file sharing and data storage services, usually at a fraction of the price offered by Dropbox. If you are a Dropbox user feeling boxed-in and in the mood for a little exploration, check out these alternatives for everyday online file sharing.
1. JumboMail
When it comes to up-and-coming cloud based file sharing services with growth potential, JumboMail is at the top of the list. What makes JumboMail stand out from all other file sharing services is its unique download page, which has an online media. This rich media gallery lets users view all types of files (audio, images, documents) online before choosing to download them, making the service especially useful for professionals such as photographers, graphic designers, musicians, etc.
Jumbomail allows you to send emails with attachments of up to 20 GB from a simple web interface. You also get to send 5 GB free, an improvement from the 2 GB you get with Dropbox and many other providers. Other features include password protection for file transfers, uploading entire folders, and long-term storage options.
Besides free transfer up to 5 GB, users can purchase one-time upload codes or a subscription plan. Plans start from $12 per month for the basic package and go up to $20 per month for the business plan.
2. SpiderOak
Remember the Dropbox security breach that resulted in millions of user accounts with no password authentication? Even after fixing the glitch, the breach ate into the trust many users had in the company. SpiderOak, Edward Snowden’s file sharing service of choice, boasts of one of the most robust encryption protocols of any cloud storage service. This service pays utmost attention to password and data encryption, ensuring privacy over end-to-end connections.
Like Dropbox, you get 2 GB of free space when signing up and 7 GB, 1 TB, and 5 TB in the premium plans for $7, $12, and $25 respectively per month.
3. Box
Box is another cool cloud-based solution for sharing and sending large files. You can use Box as an online application or download it for use on your PC, Mac, iOS, Android, or Windows device. You can also integrate Box on your specific version of Microsoft Office to edit and share files without ever leaving the comfort of your Office interface. With Box, you get the very best in cross-platform synchronization.
On the downside, Box limits file sizes on individual uploads to 250 MB. Still, Box has grown in popularity over the past few years because of its easy file management and sharing features.
Users get 10 GB of storage upon signing up and 100 GB for $6 per month and unlimited storage for $17 per month.
4. BitTorrent Sync
If you thought BitTorrent was only good for torrents, think again. BitTorrent Sync is a peer-to-peer file sharing application that allows you to sync your files across multiple devices. This means your files don’t get stored on an external server, making it one of the safest alternatives to Dropbox and other cloud-based solutions. File sharing is heavily encrypted for when you need to push your files between different devices.
Conclusion
Affordable web hosting plans have promoted the growth of file sharing services on the internet, with new ones popping up every so often. Privacy and information security are key considerations when looking to share your files over the cloud. Dropbox has since upgraded its security infrastructure, but the security loophole provided a glimpse into the security and privacy issues that come with cloud-based services. These Dropbox alternatives are far from perfect, but offer users options for file sharing across different platforms. If you are looking to get into the file sharing business, be sure to check out these factors to consider before choosing a web hosting company for your server needs.
Featured photo credit: peoplecreations / Freepik via freepik.com
