Android Cloud Storage Apps Compared: Ten Services Scored
How the scores worked
The author rated each service on four factors: the Android app, the web app, desktop syncing and sharing. There was no rubric, only an estimate of how each felt to use. Treat the numbers as one person’s impressions from the time.
Scores at a glance
| Service | Android app | Web app | Desktop sync | Sharing | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 35 |
| Minus | 8 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 32 |
| SugarSync | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 32 |
| Google Docs | 9 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 31 |
| Asus WebStorage | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 28 |
| Dropbox | 7 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 28 |
| Comodo Cloud | 6 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 27 |
| SkyDrive | 5 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 26 |
| CX | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 24 |
| Ubuntu One | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 24 |
What stood out
- Box: the top score came from simple file moving, flexible sharing options and integration with other Android apps. It had a 2GB maximum file size and, at the time, offered Android users 50GB free. The app lacked a plain download option.
- SugarSync: the favourite for syncing. Folders on the phone and the computer could sync automatically, and it started with 5GB. Sharing worked only with other SugarSync users.
- Minus: a social angle let people follow others and browse public folders. It started with 10GB, and each referral added 1GB. Uploading to the home folder created an awkward extra folder.
- Google Docs: strongest web app, with unlimited storage for document files but only 1GB for other files. Desktop syncing was essentially missing.
- Dropbox: the most popular, with about 2GB free and built-in photo auto upload. Only one folder synced, and sharing with non-users needed a public folder.
- Asus WebStorage: came pre-installed on much Asus hardware. It had no true syncing, and file sharing links had a daily download limit of 500MB.
- Comodo Cloud, CX and Ubuntu One: start sizes of 5GB, 10GB and 5GB. The reviewer found them basic. Ubuntu One was the only one with a Linux desktop app.
- SkyDrive: 25GB of space and live editing, but the Android app was third party.
Status today
Several of these services have since changed names, plans or closed. Check any provider’s current terms before relying on it.
Frequently asked questions
Which service scored highest?
Box, with 35 out of 40, mainly thanks to its sharing options and web app.
Was the ranking scientific?
No. The author said the scores were an estimate of personal opinion, not a formal rubric.
Are the free storage amounts still valid?
Probably not. They describe the offers at the time of writing.