NextAdvisor.com Reviews Cloud Storage Services

NextAdvisor.com, a consumer and small business information web site,announced its new cloud storage category, providing independent reviews and comparisons of the best cloud storage services.

NextAdvisor's editors tried out seven different services to determine which provided the best value and what users can expect from each.

Cloud Storage services ensure that your files are not only stored remotely and are available to you anywhere from any device with an Internet connection, but they can sync these files across all of your devices, making sure that you have the most up-to-date edits and information possible no matter where you are. Cloud storage also allows you to share files with family, friends or co-workers.

"More and more, people are looking to the cloud to keep their important files both safe and easily accessible no matter where they are or what device they are using," said NextAdvisor.com's President, Erik Larson. "As Internet-connected devices, such as tablets and smartphones, continue to proliferate, we believe cloud storage services will play in increasingly important role in how people store, access and share their important information."

As with all of NextAdvisor's reviews, there were many factors that went into each service's overall ratings. The reviewers signed up for each cloud storage service and used them as a consumer would. They ran online backup routines, synced files across multiple computers, which included Macs as well as PCs, edited documents to test update times, accessed files over each service's web interface, and tried out mobile apps where applicable. The services were scored on everything from how many devices they sync and how much storage space is allowed to how intuitive and user-friendly the interfaces are.

"We also took into account how good of a value each service was," said Larson. "We want to inform consumers on where they can get the most bang for their buck."

Though cloud storage has a lot in common with online backup services, which NextAdvisor has already reviewed, it boasts other features.

"The leading online backup services are designed to run in the background and store your files in the cloud for recovery in case of hard drive failure or theft. Cloud storage services also store your files safely and securely in the cloud, but they are designed to make the files easily accessible and shareable," says Larson. "In addition to ease of access and sharing, cloud storage offers the ability to sync files across multiple devices, ensuring users have the most up-to-date files at all times."

The cloud storage services that NextAdvisor.com editors reviewed include SugarSync, JustCloud, ZipCloud, SpiderOak, MyPCBackup, LiveDrive and Dropbox.

"With all of the cloud storage services out there, it can be hard for consumers to choose which one works best for them," says Larson. "We want to make it easier for them by providing a hands-on and informed opinion so people can find the option that provides them the best value."