Carbonite Versus SugarSync
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- The Good
- User-friendly
- Affordable, simple pricing
- Automatic backup of files
- Unlimited cloud-based storage
- The Bad
- No sync features
- Multiple computers not accommodated
- Can’t create public sharing links
- Tends to be slow
Carbonite was one of the original online backup services made available to average people. It continues as one of the more popular backup systems. It is easy to use, will back up your system automatically and does it all at a reasonable price.
- The Good
- Syncing options highly customizable
- Offline access on mobile app
- Impressive apps
- The Bad
- No user-side encryption keys
- Difficult to cancel
- No real-time collaboration
SugarSync is one of the easiest cloud storage and syncing services to use. The intuitive interface is almost embarrassingly simple and user-friendly. SugarSync negates this positive point, however, by offering a nominal 5GB with a free account and implementing an unnecessarily difficult system for canceling an account.
- Price
- Basic home plan
- $59.99/year
- Plus home office plan
- $99.99/year (Windows only)
- Prime plan
- $149.99/year (Windows only)
With Carbonite, you’re allowed to back up whatever you want, such as photos, system settings and documents. If you subscribe to the Plus or Prime plans, you can back up mirror images of external hard drives and your computer systems. Carbonite’s plans for business all support an unlimited number of computers.
- Price
- 100GB cloud storage
- $7.49/month
- 250GB cloud storage
- $24.99/month
- 500GB cloud storage
- $39.99/month
If you opt to pay for a year’s worth of service at a time, you’ll get a bit of a break by paying only for 10 months’ worth of service instead of 12. You can run with a free account, but you’ll only get 5GB of storage space. The business plan allows three users and provides 1TB of storage. There is a 30-day free trial available, but it does require you to put up your credit card number to activate.
- Specs
- Supports Windows (all versions) and MacOS
- 128-bit military-grade encryption
- Desktop program and web app
- Supports file sharing
Carbonite allows you to back up all your important files, photos and documents automatically. You can log in to your account from anywhere, on any device and have full access to your files. Setup is simple and recovery takes just a few clicks. Carbonite is compliant with HIPAA, GLBA, FERPA, SOC 2, TYPE 2 and PCI. It also supports remote file access along with granular backup, hyper-v and live applications. As a business user, you can back up data from unlimited SAN, NAS and EHD servers.
- Specs
- Compatible with multiple platforms
- Apps for Android and iOS
- Requires 256MB of RAM
SugarSync is compatible with Windows XP and Vista. It is compliant with Mac OS X 10.4 or later. It will function on iPhone, Windows Mobile, Windows, Mac and BlackBerry platforms.
- Features
- Automatic, continuous backup
- Restore wizard and recovery service
- Hard drive recovery service
- Mobile and web access
Carbonite adds an additional feature to indicate if a file is currently backed up or not. A series of colored dots lets you know at a glance that your files are safely backed up, are awaiting backup or not scheduled for backup at all. In the Windows version, red and yellow dots report your file status. In the Mac version, a red dot indicates that the file is currently not selected for backup. Carbonite also supports file versioning. This means that multiple versions of older files are available to you. If you remove a file from your hard drive, Carbonite will wait 30 days for you to replace it. After that, the servers delete the file.
- Features
- Remote data wipe
- Keeps folder structure
- 5 file versionings
SugarSync includes up to five versions of each file with your account so you can fix any accidental saves over the information in an important document. You can limit access to certain files through password protection. SugarSync is conspicuously missing a button or tab to restore files. It is very difficult to download a file or folder by way of the PC application, as well. Downloading is easiest through the web restoration function by selecting the file then clicking on the download icon.
- Security
- 128-bit military-grade encryption
- Uses RAID 6 redundant storage
Carbonite is serious about security for its cloud storage, providing not just system security but also physical server security. It uses advanced 128-bit Blowfish encryption and a combination of server-side encryption and local encryption. Windows users can manage their own encryption key. There is 24-hour security server surveillance and controlled server room access. Servers have on-site emergency backup generators with uninterruptible power supplies. Unauthorized third-party access is not allowed.
- Security
- TLS protection for file transfers
- 256-bit AES encryption for stored files
SugarSync’s protection comes on two fronts: during file transfer and for stored files. Both the TLS (Transport Layer Security) and the 256-bit AES are industry-standard and provide good safety. SugarSync does not offer customers the option of creating and using their own custom encryption keys. This practice is generally frowned on by businesses.
Carbonite: User Reviews
SugarSync: User Reviews
Carbonite: Comments
SugarSync: Comments
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When talking cloud storage, Carbonite is one of the best and most-trusted services on the market. Its affordable prices garner you unlimited backup space to your cloud. With its multitude of services, it is hard to find another service that delivers the same options for a comparable amount on a monthly or yearly fee.
One of the strong points of Carbonite is the ease of navigation with its interface. A user-friendly dashboard has a very low learning curve for most users. Setup is simple and straightforward. The extended time it takes for the initial backup is common, as this is fairly normal across the spectrum for initial backups.
The default will automatically back up your documents, photos, email and music you have stored on your computer. This means you don’t have to take the time to set parameters individually on the files you want backed up.
How Does Carbonite Work?
If you’re looking for ease of use, Carbonite is your best bet. But don’t let its easy interface fool you: it packs a punch. Carbonite’s automatic backup feature means new or updated files get backed up almost as soon as you create them.
You can invite others to view files and add comments for a group to see and respond to by using Carbonite’s Sync & Share center. This is a valuable resource for teams that need to collaborate on projects. You can effortlessly access all the files and documents necessary to stay up-to-date on what your team is doing. You can eliminate the frustrating bouncing back and forth between your email inbox and your cloud storage dashboard.
What Makes Carbonite Stand Out?
Carbonite’s file-restoring feature sets it above the pack. You can restore a file via three primary means when using Carbonite: web app, PC client or backup drive. The desktop recovery feature is a lifesaver for those who make mistakes at times. With Carbonite, this is an easy fix.
You can address accidental deletions through the Carbonite desktop application. The deleted file can be immediately repaired.
Common Reviews of Carbonite
Most reviews of Carbonite are glowing. There is a lot of praise for the automatic backup, security and file restoration features. The file versioning feature that gives you 30 days to recover a file version is also a popular talking point.
By default, Carbonite only backs up certain file types. This leads to some frustration among users because it doesn’t back up all the files in a folder. You can alter this option by making a few changes in the settings but it is something that not everyone remembers to do.
There are also complaints about the speed with which Carbonite works its magic. Some of the uploading and downloading tends to get a little slow sometimes. For those not in a hurry, this is a moot point. But for those on a tight schedule, this can be frustrating.
Overall, Carbonite comes highly recommended for individuals and small businesses. It is a cost-effective way to keep files and sensitive data secure.
Is Carbonite for Me?
Carbonite is one of the most popular brands for cloud backup. It is more a backup solution than just a cloud storage application. Carbonite’s optimized cloud-based solution meets the needs of individuals and small businesses who are seeking a secure way to back up their systems off-site.
If you need an affordable, reliable system for restoring your PC and portable files in case of data loss or system failure, Carbonite is a great choice for any individual or small business.
SugarSync sees its primary function as synchronization, as its name implies. That makes it a bit different from simple cloud backup software. With syncing, two or more devices can contain the same updated files. Removing, updating or adding a file to one location will find that file almost instantly appearing on the other device through the synchronization process. Not a bad perk, if you can get it.
A backup service simply copies files from one location to another, generally for peace of mind or security reasons. SugarSync tailors its syncing service more to users who are collaborating with others or working off multiple devices.
Large files may upload slow, but this is not an uncommon complaint across the board with cloud storage and backup services. Setup is easy, taking only a few minutes in most cases. Once installed, you gain access to your computer locally through the SugarSync software. You can also access it remotely through the SugarSync website.
How Does SugarSync Work?
The SugarSync’s app allows you to share files by creating a public link to distribute online or via email, Facebook or Twitter. Through this link, others can comfortably download the files you’ve designated, whether they have a SugarSync account or not. Your files remain protected, even with a public link available, through the disabling of file previews.
Installing SugarSync to your device automatically embeds the software into your File Explorer. Uploading a file or folder is then as easy as clicking. SugarSync also integrates itself into your operating system. It will detect any changes to a folder that’s mirrored in your cloud storage. These changes are then updated to the local folder.
What Makes SugarSync Stand Out?
SugarSync is clearly designed to simplify digital life. It gives its users the option of accessing their personal data any time, from anywhere and while using any device. Its pivotal point is its “push” synchronizing system. This allows users to choose any folder in which to sync their data. They can then share or access this data via the cloud from anywhere.
The program automatically syncs to the cloud, where the data are accessible through SugarSync’s mobile apps. Your data transfers and stores securely and automatically, meaning you never lose a file. You can share files and folders with family, friends or colleagues that are any size.
Common Reviews of SugarSync
Many reviewers characterize SugarSync as one of the most polished and intuitive of the backup and file sync services available for personal use. Just as many reviewers bemoan what they consider a high price tag.
One of the highly praised features of SugarSync is its remote data wipe capability. This is for your protection should any of your devices become lost or stolen. You can wipe the data in your lost device with the click of a button. This erases all the data stores on that device instantly, and SugarSync then blocks the access from that device. Because of SugarSync’s automatic syncing feature, the files from the lost device should be in your cloud storage.
Is SugarSync for Me?
The SugarSync name tells you where this SaaS program’s priorities lie: synchronization. Think of it more as a disaster management solution than a typical file backup and storage service. The drag-and-drop function is a simple way for navigating folders, especially on a smartphone screen.
SugarSync is a good choice for businesses because of its ability for collaboration via folder sharing. Each team member can download files to their computer or device, edit and save it, then have it synced. Now everyone on the team has the same file. Team members can work from any type of device as long as it has an internet connection.
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