The availability of cloud storage brings a new level of convenience to your business. It has been increasingly popular over traditional storage, especially for business organizations when storing files, sharing files, and protecting sensitive data. You can access the data from multiple devices at a time.
With better cloud storage, you can ensure your data is safe and store huge amounts of data for your business. Although someone may track an iPhone without iCloud or break into your Microsoft OneDrive and you may face data loss. But, due to security features, it’s relatively hard to crack both OneDrive and iCloud.
If you plan to get cloud storage for your business, Apple iCloud and Microsoft OneDrive are probably the two best options available on the market. This blog will share a detailed comparison; hence, you can choose your suitable or preferable cloud storage.
Apple iCloud vs. Microsoft OneDrive: Comparison
Both iCloud and OneDrive have a lot to offer to their user base. However, to illustrate the better option for you, let us have a detailed comparison between them,
iCloud vs. OneDrive: Features
Apple iCloud and Microsoft OneDrive provide numerous similar features. Cloud storage includes device backup with syncing feature; you can share data and files with custom-made links and scan documents with the cell phone app.
OneDrive works excellent with other Microsoft apps like Word, Excel, etc. With OneDrive, you share files, and multiple users can use a shared file and folder simultaneously. You can access, edit or even share your files and folders from any device if you are connected to a network.
Apple, too, has provided similar integration for Apple iWork apps. The apps are free to use for iOS devices, and users can use or work on a file at a time. However, Apple doesn’t allow its users to access or edit the documents from the browser, unfortunately limiting your accessibility to editing on synced devices.
Another incredible feature of OneDrive is its outstanding version history tool. You can even revert your documents to previous versions from the last month. You can access all documents, including photos, videos, and PDFs.
On the other hand, with Apple iCloud, the iWork apps save version history, but there’s no particular versioning feature. Microsoft OneDrive has many useful features making iCloud second-best among the two. OneDrive’s incredible version history and better integration stand out from iCloud.
iCloud vs. OneDrive: Storage
Anyone with OneDrive or iCloud gets 5 GB of free storage. The free storage is provided to test out the services, features, and other options. However, the space is not enough for businesses or professionals.
You should get a subscription plan on both iCloud and OneDrive if you tend to store more data and files for your companies.Apple’s pricing options are $0.99 for 50 Gb of storage for users per month, $2.99 for 200GB storage per month, and $9.99for 2TB storage per month.
However, Microsoft OneDrive’s subscription plan is a bit complex. The subscription plan includes 100 GB of storage for $1.99 per month. You can also get Microsoft 365, which provides you with 1TB of storage, and you can access Microsoft apps with it.
The pricing is $6.99 per month or $69.9 per year. If you subscribe to the family plan, you will get 1TB of cloud storage for six users and Microsoft Office for $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year. Although, in terms of pricing, Apple iCloud is relatively economic.
iCloud vs. OneDrive: Security
Both iCloud and OneDrive provide two-factor authentication features to add a layer of security. It helps you protect your account, files, and other sensitive data.
However, Microsoft’s Drive provides one additional security feature, called Personal vault. You can double up your security with the help of face scanning, fingerprint sensors, or codes.
The data are encrypted using 128-bit AES/TLS, providing you with a higher level of protection. But, only the business subscription plan has an encryption at-rest feature. Microsoft OneDrive has the upper hand over Apple iCloud regarding security.
iCloud vs. OneDrive: Performance
You can access or upload files on iCloud or OneDrive via pc, cell phone, or browser. Both are very convenient with effective synchronization. Apple has 50 GB compared to One Drive in maximum file size.
But unless your business works on a very large file size, 50 GB is more than enough. Apple iCloud works excellent if your company uses Apple devices. The iCloud is integrated with Apple’s Mac Finder.
Although, you will find difficulties if you are not using Apple devices. iCloud is relatively harder to work with Windows, and its web browser interface is also ordinary compared to other cloud storage apps.
One Drive, a Microsoft prodigy, works excellent on Windows devices, and it has well-developed apps and features for mobile and other gadgets and Mac and other Apple devices.
OneDrive synchronizes and operates smoothly once the set-up is completed. For business, OneDrive provides you effective performances for both Apple and Windows devices to iCloud, which functions well only on Apple Devices.
iCloud vs. OneDrive: Syncing speed
iCloud is not good enough when handling large files compared to other cloud storage. Employees might find it annoying in business if they look for a higher syncing speed.
On the other hand, Microsoft provides you with a higher syncing rate due to many servers worldwide. Moreover, OneDrive, with its block-level copying, can make the syncing of Microsoft Office 365 files speed higher on devices.
The syncing is created by copying the selected parts of Microsoft Office data that have changed rather than copying the whole file.
Conclusion
We have compared various aspects of both iCloud and OneDrive. Both cloud storage has pros and cons, and we believe this blog will make better choices considering the preferences and features that meet your demands.
However, our preference is Microsoft OneDrive because of its wide range of useful features and excellent web browsing interface. Also, the flexibility to work with a border range of devices and it’s a better choice for small businesses and freelancers.
Besides, iCloud only integrates and functions well on iPhones, iPads, and Macs, even though the subscription plan of iCloud is ideal for Apple owners looking for higher storage.