Five best of breed cloud sync apps

Cloud

Five best of breed cloud sync apps

By Jack Wallen March 19, 2013, 5:11 AM PDT

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ntThis gallery is also available as a post in the Five Apps Blog.

ntThe cloud is the limit – at least for the moment. Along with the cloud comes the ability to sync your data between desktops. This service allows a much more seamless flow of work between home and business, home computers, desktops, and mobiles, and much more. But no matter what you’re syncing, it all starts with the desktop and the syncing app. Some of the apps, associated with cloud sync, are much better than others.

ntWith so many cloud sync apps available, which should you be looking toward for your solution? I have rounded up those that I consider to be the best of breed. Some of these services are best suited for business and some for personal, but all can be used for either. Each offers something unique as well as upgrade plans to give you as much sync space as you need.

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ntCredit: Images by Jack Wallen for TechRepublic

UbuntuOne 2

nt1. UbuntuOne

ntUbuntuOne is my cloud sync service of choice. Why? It’s ready to serve, by default, on all Ubuntu desktops (starting with 11.04) and does an outstanding job of not only syncing the files in my user UbuntuOne folder, but music purchased from the UbuntuOne Music Store as well as other folders configured in the UbuntuOne Control Center. Each account comes with 5GB free. You can purchase 20GB more storage (plus Streaming Music Service for your mobile) for $3.99 per month.

ntCredit: Images by Jack Wallen for TechRepublic

SugarSync 1

nt3. SugarSync

ntSugarSync offers both a personal plan as well as an unlimited data business plan. Similar to SpiderOak, SugarSync offers both cloud-syncing and backup that doesn’t relegate you to a single root folder. You’ll find sync’ing apps for your Windows and Mac desktops, but not Linux (this is a bit short-sighted on SugarSyncs part) as well as Android, iOS, Blackberry, Symbian, Windows Mobile, and even an Outlook-specific client. There is a free service (which gives you 5GB) as well as 30GB ($4.99/month) up to an Unlimited business plan ($55.00/month).

ntCredit: Images by Jack Wallen for TechRepublic

SugarSync 2

ntCredit: Images by Jack Wallen for TechRepublic

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nt4. CX

ntCX is as much a way to manage a team’s work (in terms of files) as it is to simply sync to the cloud. Just download the app, add people to a team, and share files out. Any team member with the CX app will have a sync’d copy of the files to be worked on. CX also offers the ability to password protect files and add a discussion to a file, group, or project. CX offers a free personal plan all the way up to 30 user enterprise plan (1TB of storage with unlimited groups). Check out this page for more information on plans.

ntCredit: Images by Jack Wallen for TechRepublic

CX 2

ntCredit: Images by Jack Wallen for TechRepublic

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nt5. Syncplicity

ntSyncplicity is a secure file sharing and sync designed around the needs for business. With Syncplicity you can opt for a hosted plan or even bring the cloud server on-premises. Syncplicity also allows IT managers to set file sync and sharing policies from a centralized management portal. Syncplicity also offers personal plans that run $15.00/month for 50GB of space. Check out the Syncplicity Product page for more information on the various plans.

ntCredit: Images by Jack Wallen for TechRepublic

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nttSoftware as a Service offers irresistible benefits for organizations of all sizes – from cost savings to scalability to mobile accessibility. We offer guidance on avoiding the pitfalls of the cloud and choosing your SaaS partners well.

ntBottom line

ntIf you’re looking for a solid cloud-based sync service, look no further than one of the five listed here. Not only do they offer free plans for you to test out their systems, they also have plans to appeal to individuals and nearly any size company. No matter your needs or your platform, you can have a solid cloud-based sync/storage tool up and running in no time.

ntAlso read:

nttThe five big myths of cloud computing

nttLegal issues to consider with cloud computing

nttHow SkyShellEx makes the SkyDrive cloud desktop client easier to use

ntCredit: Images by Jack Wallen for TechRepublic

By Jack Wallen

Jack Wallen is an award-winning writer for TechRepublic, The New Stack, and Linux New Media. He's covered a variety of topics for over twenty years and is an avid promoter of open source. For more news about Jack Wallen, visit his website jackwallen.

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