Numerous companies offer limited free cloud storage to customers as a way to let them try out their service before buying. In the event your storage needs are small (generally 5GB or less), this cost-free service might be enough to cover them. If you decide to follow this option, however, it's crucial that you know about the limitations it gives you in the long term.
What are the Disadvantages of Free Online Storage?
Since free online storage services earn most of their income from larger clients who buy storage on the very same network of virtual servers used by their non-paying customers, they do place several limitations on free use.
Storage Space Limit
Free online storage services typically restrict your total storage space to under 5GB, though some will give you more (e.g. ADrive permits up to 50GB) while others less (Google Docs limits free users to 1GB). By decreasing the amount of storage space offered, these companies hope to entice free users to upgrade to standard, paying service levels by impressing them with the caliber of their product.
Maximum File Sizes
As an added measure to control the amount of space allocated to free customers, most companies will set limits on file sizes that can be kept on their servers. The range in permissible file sizes is quite large, running from just 2GB all the way up to file sizes that would occupy the free account's full allotted space.
It should be pointed out that file size limits are only associated with some free online storage companies. Other companies do not have this limitation.
Required Use of Web Portals
Several of the free cloud storage providers only offer entry to your data through a portal. Without a desktop client utility, these customers are required to log in through a web page everytime they need to gain access to their files.
Advertisements on the Portal Page
One of the tradeoffs of using a free storage service is that part of your web portal page is used as advertising space by the service provider. By monetizing these pages, the provider is able to generate some revenue from free clients. Even though some users might view this as a problem, the issue's impact is really just cosmetic.
Limited Product Support
Probably the most significant disadvantage to being a free client is that you do not receive the same level of product support as paying customers. Should you encounter problems with data loss and other service failures, your free account could leave you at a complete loss when seeking a remedy.
Rewards of Free Online Storage
Apart from the cost advantage (it's difficult to top something that is free), free online storage providers also afford consumers something that is extremely rare in business these days - the opportunity to try out the actual service before purchasing it. For customers with limited storage requirements, this sample size may even be adequate to satisfy all of their needs. If you enjoy the service offered by a particular company and your business' needs grow, you have the option to upgrade to a paying account that will accommodate your requirements.
What are the Disadvantages of Free Online Storage?
Since free online storage services earn most of their income from larger clients who buy storage on the very same network of virtual servers used by their non-paying customers, they do place several limitations on free use.
Storage Space Limit
Free online storage services typically restrict your total storage space to under 5GB, though some will give you more (e.g. ADrive permits up to 50GB) while others less (Google Docs limits free users to 1GB). By decreasing the amount of storage space offered, these companies hope to entice free users to upgrade to standard, paying service levels by impressing them with the caliber of their product.
Maximum File Sizes
As an added measure to control the amount of space allocated to free customers, most companies will set limits on file sizes that can be kept on their servers. The range in permissible file sizes is quite large, running from just 2GB all the way up to file sizes that would occupy the free account's full allotted space.
It should be pointed out that file size limits are only associated with some free online storage companies. Other companies do not have this limitation.
Required Use of Web Portals
Several of the free cloud storage providers only offer entry to your data through a portal. Without a desktop client utility, these customers are required to log in through a web page everytime they need to gain access to their files.
Advertisements on the Portal Page
One of the tradeoffs of using a free storage service is that part of your web portal page is used as advertising space by the service provider. By monetizing these pages, the provider is able to generate some revenue from free clients. Even though some users might view this as a problem, the issue's impact is really just cosmetic.
Limited Product Support
Probably the most significant disadvantage to being a free client is that you do not receive the same level of product support as paying customers. Should you encounter problems with data loss and other service failures, your free account could leave you at a complete loss when seeking a remedy.
Rewards of Free Online Storage
Apart from the cost advantage (it's difficult to top something that is free), free online storage providers also afford consumers something that is extremely rare in business these days - the opportunity to try out the actual service before purchasing it. For customers with limited storage requirements, this sample size may even be adequate to satisfy all of their needs. If you enjoy the service offered by a particular company and your business' needs grow, you have the option to upgrade to a paying account that will accommodate your requirements.
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