6 Backup Cloud Storage Options for Android Compared

Android devices now have the capacity to store a huge amount of data. You can store photos, videos, documents, and other files, whether personal, work or business-related, in your phone or tablet. However, it’s always great to back up important data. And the best way to do that is back up data to the cloud. In relation to this, we have researched and compared some of the best backup cloud storage options for Android.

We can store data backup from our Android device to computers, SD cards or external hard drives. This is okay. But these physical devices are prone to various risks too, not to mention that it takes time to transfer and share files from one device to another. Something that using an Android cloud backup can solve.

Many of the cloud storage backup for Android are available for free up to a certain storage limit. Such storage can be expanded by paying a monthly or annual plan, the price of which depends on the provider you use, number of users and included features. Plans are also generally categorized into personal and business cloud backup.

Considering all these, we made a point-by-point comparison of some of the most-used backup cloud storage options for Android.

Related: Android Backup

6 Cloud Storage Options for Android: Overview

Let’s take a general look at each of the 6 cloud storage options.

1. Box

Box is an online cloud backup for personal and business data. It is closely similar to Dropbox with an app downloadable for free at the Play Store. The first 10GB is free, with an unload limit of 250MB. Beyond this, you’ll need to pay a certain amount, depending on the plan, and whether it’s for personal or business use.

With the app, you can access certain files even when offline. Box’s focus is not only on providing a safe data backup, but also on offering easier document sharing and collaboration.

Key Features

10GB free cloud storage
Different file uploads (documents, videos, photos, and others)
Offline access to specific folders and files
Security controls (file-level)
View and print files (more than 200 file types)
Real-time search and updates feed
Attachment-free file sharing (using a link)
Large file sharing
Partner apps-friendly

Pros

The following are the main advantages of using Box cloud storage:

Sharing files without attachments (downloadable links)
It allows you to set password and expiration dates on files for security
Its mobile apps allow you to view, upload and share different kinds of files
Designed for easy collaboration and file management
Keep some files and items private, and make others public
Fast file uploads and enhanced task management through the mobile app

Cons

However, Box is not a perfect cloud storage solution. It also suffers from drawbacks, especially on its enterprise and business plans. Here are the main reasons that turn off potential users:

Minimum 3-user requirement
Maximum 10-user on the starter plan
Some plans don’t have advanced features and custom branding
Higher-priced personal and business plans have an upload limit of 5GB

Nevertheless, despite these drawbacks, Box is still among the best cloud storage options out there. If you’re interested to check its mobile app, you can download it below.

2. Dropbox

Dropbox is designed for simplicity. No wonder why it’s one of the most popular cloud storage options. With Dropbox, you can easily store and share different types of files. Great for personal use or for collaborating on projects with a team.

However, of the 6 options featured here, Dropbox has the most limited free storage, which is only 2GB. But they offer great monthly and annual plans for more storage, up to 1TB for personal plans and more than 1TB for business plans.

Key Features

Easy storage and file access (from any device)
Easy file sharing, even to those with no Dropbox account
Real-time updates, which let you know if someone changes, comments or moves the shared files
Save notes, receipts and others into PDF files (doc scanner-free)

Pros

The following are the main reasons why you should choose Dropbox if you’re looking for a cloud backup storage.

Automatic data backup and restoration
Advanced software integration
Offline working functions
File history feature
Easy file synchronization

Cons

Despite the great features of Dropbox, it has major flaws as well. The following are the disadvantages of using Dropbox:

2GB free storage
It lacks advanced security which makes it prone to risks
It is difficult to locate files and folders using search
No real-time editing

Here’s an old comparison between Box, Dropbox and Google Drive. If you’re interested to give Dropbox a try, download the mobile app below.

3. Google Drive

Google Drive is easily accessible and is a safe storage option for most. It allows you to backup data from any device (phone, computer, tablet, etc.). The videos, documents, photos and other files in the Drive are automatically backed up. You can also invite others to certain files and folders. Invited people can view, comment and edit the files shared.

Key Features

Safe file storage and file access
Files can be searched by name, folder and content
Easy file and folder sharing
Quick viewing
Set access as to who can edit, comment and view
File activity and details
Offline file viewing
Document scanning

Pros

The advantages of using Google Drive include the following:

Large free storage
Great file syncing (including desktop-to-desktop)
Good for productivity and collaboration
Third-party integrations
Cross-platform apps

Cons

Google Drive has a few disadvantages, namely:

Slow upload and download speed
Privacy and security concerns
No password protection

For additional reference, here’s an old comparison between Dropbox and Google Drive. In case you want to try Google Drive, get the app below.

4. MEGA

MEGA is best known for its unique encrypted cloud storage. The data is encrypted and can be decrypted only by the user, and not by MEGA. The files are encrypted not in MEGA’s servers, but on the user’s device. This ensures that private information will remain private.

With MEGA, you can upload, store, download, view, share, delete, stream and edit files from any device. It also offers real-time updates on shared files and folders. The service is more focused on privacy, above all else.

Key Features

50GB free storage upon signing up
Up to 4TB of storage space with 8TB bandwidth
Encrypted file sharing and collaboration
User-controlled, end-to-end encryption
Easy automated synchronization
File versioning and history
Automatic photo and video backup

Pros

There are many things that people like about MEGA. The main advantages of using this cloud backup are as follows:

Easy access to files
Upload speed control through the browser
Multiple file and folder downloads
Encrypted sharing
Secure and private storage

Cons

But there are a few things that people don’t like about MEGA. They include the following:

Bandwidth limit (10GB)
No password protection
Lacks advanced link sharing

If you’re convinced that MEGA is what suits your needs best, get the mobile app below.

5. Resilio Sync

Resilio Sync allows you to store data on a private cloud. Your data will not be remotely stored in cloud storage systems, which makes it different from other cloud backup solutions on the list. You can automatically backup and sync different file types without the need for third-party storage. However, since there’s no remote cloud storage system, you’ll be relying mostly on the storage capacity of your connected devices.

The service is free for simple device-to-device file transfers. However, if you want advanced features, you’ll need to pay a one-time fee of $39. This fee is for lifetime access.

Key Features

Sync data on SD card, hard drive and other devices
Faster transfer of synced folders and files
Automatic video and photo backup
Easy file access from any connected device
No storage limits (dependent on the device’s storage capacity)
Encyrpted data

Pros

Runs on NAS
Quick setup of folders
Easy file access and sharing
Free for basic features
One-time payment for advanced features (no monthly or annual fee)

Cons

Resilio Sync, however, is technically more of a private cloud backup, which has various negative implications. The following are the major drawbacks of this storage backup solution:

Storage is dependent on the connected device’s storage
No file versioning
Not too many advanced features

You can give Resilio Sync a try by downloading the app below.

6. SpiderOak

SpiderOak ONE is cloud storage that focuses on security and privacy. It’s most noted for its confidential backup feature, especially when it comes to protecting users from data loss and ransomware. The mobile app also lets you share files through a secure link.

Key Features

Easy file access
View shared files easily through ShareRooms
Send files through a secure share link
Open and share documents using other applications
Unlimited devices
File history versioning
Fast backup and download speed

Pros

Unlimited computer backup
Unlimited file versioning
Deleted file retention
Private encryption
Secure and private storage

Cons

Expensive compared with others
Lacks 2-factor authentication
No mobile backup

Download the mobile app if you decide to give this cloud storage a try.

Cloud Storage for Android: Storage Comparison

Of the 6 cloud storage options featured here, only 4 have indicated a clear free storage limit. The 2 either has no free storage (SpiderOak) or no limit since the storage is dependent upon the device or devices used (Resilio Sync).

All 6 offer personal plans and business plans, each with different storage limits. Here’s an overview of the storage comparison of the cloud storage backups for Android:

Box	Dropbox	Google Drive	MEGA	Resilio Sync	SpiderOak ONE
10 GB (free)	2 GB (free)	15 GB (free)	50 GB (free)	Dependent on device storage	No free storage
100 GB (personal)	2 TB to 3 TB (personal)	15 GB (personal)	200 GB to 8 TB (personal)	Unlimited (dependent on device storage)	150 GB to 5 TB (personal)
100 GB to Unlimited (business)	3 TB to as needed (business)	No limit – $1 per 25 GB (business)	Unlimited (business)	Unlimited (dependent on device storage)	150 GB to 5 TB (business)

Cloud Storage Options: Difference in Pricing

Each of the cloud storage options has its own pricing plans. While they offer free storage, it might not be sufficient especially if you’re using cloud backup for business. Now let’s take a look at the pricing plans and packages of each.