Cloud storage is a practicable option in our age of ‘big data’ and snowballing cybercrime vulnerabilities. Companies and individuals are seeking platforms and applications (apps) to keep their data secure. Cloud storage comprises the remote maintenance, management and backing-up of data made available to users over a network, typically the Internet. Specifically, cloud storage includes a virtual infrastructure with accessible interfaces, near-instant elasticity and scalability. There are three main cloud-based storage architecture models, including public, private and hybrid. Public cloud storage services deliver a multi-tenant storage environment suited to unstructured data. Private cloud, or on-premises storage services, is a dedicated environment protected behind an organisation’s firewall. Hybrid cloud storage is a fusion of private cloud and third-party public cloud services with transposition between the platforms allowing effective data management. The most common uses include cloud backup, disaster recovery and archiving infrequently accessed data. A greater number of users also use cloud storage services for the duration of development and terminate services when a project is completed.

Cloud storage is efficient, more convenient than carrying a hard drive around everywhere and is easier to share files with other people. The cloud-based storage market is dominated by Amazon Web Services, Google and Microsoft Azure, but traditional storage vendors like EMC, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Hitachi Data Systems, IBM and NetApp also operate in the space with products for both enterprise and small business owners that include self-service portals.

Selecting a best suited app and platform can be bewildering. What follows is a description for some of  the best cloud storage services and apps for Android available to companies and individuals alike.

Amazon Drive

Amazon Drive, formerly known as Amazon Cloud Drive, is a cloud storage application managed by Amazon which offers secure cloud storage, file backup, file sharing, and Photo printing. Every Amazon customer gets 5 GB of free storage to save, organise, share, and access files on desktop, mobile, and tablet. The Android app allows the preview of documents, spreadsheets, presentations and photos. Users can also upload, share and play videos and music, photos, videos and files from a smartphone.

Drop Box

Dropbox is one of the most popular Android cloud storage applications. The app is functional, and it allows everything a web user interface (UI) would. Dropbox offers 2GB of free storage, but you can also sign up for a Dropbox Plus free trial (2TB of storage). Dropbox Plus offers numerous functionalities to subscribers.

Google Drive

Google Drive is a file storage and synchronisation service developed and launched by Google in 2012. It allows users to store files on their servers, synchronise files across devices, and share files. Google Drive is a respected and popular cloud storage apps available. Users get 15GB free with unlimited photo and video backup via Google Photos. There is also a variety of office apps available for documents, note taking, spreadsheets, and presentations.

MEGA

MEGA is a secure cloud storage service with 50 GB free storage space and comes with a range of storage options that span from 200GB to 8TB. Users can upload files from smartphones or tablets and then search, store, download, stream, view, share, rename or delete files any time, from any device, anywhere. It allows user to share folders with contacts and see their updates in real time. Its biggest feature is that it encrypts all files uploaded to it for added security and protection. MEGA provides user-controlled encrypted cloud storage and chat through standard web browsers, together with dedicated apps for mobile devices.

Next Cloud

Nextcloud is different from other types of cloud storage services in that it permits users to create their own Nextcloud server on their own computer. The app allows the synchronisation of files between a computer and a smartphone. It’s an excellent resource for people who like the idea of cloud storage, but don’t want their files on the servers of a service provider. Users gets as much cloud storage as they have storage on their computer. The app is free for personal use with enterprise options for businesses as well.

Microsoft Onedrive

Microsoft OneDrive is a popular cloud storage option because it integrates with a variety of Windows products. User can get 5GB of free cloud storage and cab upgrade to 50GB for $1.99 per month. OneDrive storage is included in every Office 365 subscription, be it for personal use or for businesses.

FolderSync

FolderSync allows the manually syncing of files on a phone your cloud storage. Users can select a specific destination within their cloud storage where they want the file to be synced to. Users have full control over sync frequency as well, and can set it to manual, if they choose to.

G Cloud Backup

G Cloud Backup is a simple and ‘clean’ which offers 1GB of free cloud storage. The app comes with backup for external SD (secure digital) cards and allows the backup of a variety of files. This app can also backup and restore files easily.