 |
SugarSync Review: Mac OS X Online Cloud Backup |
| Sign up for SugarSync | |
Rating: |
 |
| Best combination of online backup, cloud storage and multi-device sync; free 30-day trial | |
|
[Editor's note: SugarSync is offering NextAdvisor.com visitors a discount on its annual plans. This annual discount is up to 17% off when compared to the monthly price. Users still get a 30-day free trial as well. If you choose the new 500GB plan, you can save 10% for a year. No coupon code is necessary, just follow any links to SugarSync from NextAdvisor.com.]
SugarSync is the Swiss army knife of online file storage, and while it's more expensive per-gigabyte than the unlimited storage options offered by Mozy or Carbonite, its versatility can't be matched by either. Setup Setup is easy: you download the file synchronization manager onto your Mac or PC (or both). After specifying which folders you want to back-up, SugarSync takes care of the rest, automating incremental backups of previously synced documents and newly created ones. Like Mozy and Carbonite, SugarSync gives you web-based access to your backed-up files. SugarSync goes the extra mile by incorporating Facebook photo sharing, multiple computer syncing, and music streaming. It's a great way to not only back up a single computer, but to keep a number of computers synced, whether in they're in the same house or in remote locations. It also doesn't matter if they're Macs or PCs; a single license gets you downloads for both. The synchronization manager is well-designed as is the web interface. There are also free Blackberry, Android, Windows Mobile, and iPhone apps to keep your data truly mobile. The iPhone app is really something, allowing you to stream your remotely stored music, view your documents, and upload your photos right to your SugarSync account (and hence your Mac or PC). Despite our high praise for the service, two things should be noted about SugarSync. One is that the default backup settings are not nearly as extensive as other online backup services; you will need to manually select non-document folders such as those that contain your system preferences. The second thing to note is that SugarSync cannot back up your Outlook messages or Firefox favorites. Pricing SugarSync's plans start at $4.99 per month for 30GB. Upgraded plans are also available, ranging up to $49.99 per month for 500GB, where you can also save 10% for a year. For those with small enterprise backup needs, SugarSync offers excellent plans for businesses, starting at $29.99 per month. Yearly agreements cut the costs down significantly, essentially giving you two months free. A 30-day free trial will give you time to evaluate whether or not it's worth it. We think that it is; it's rare that we come across a program that does so much more than we expect. Sign up for SugarSync | Compare to Other Mac Online Cloud Backup |
|
| Cheapest Price: | $4.17/mo (w/ annual plan) |
| Free Trial/ Discount: | 30-day free trial; 5 GB of storage for free; Save with annual plans; Save an extra 10% on 500GB plan |
| Gigabytes (GB) of Storage Included: | 30 GB; pay extra for more space |
| # of Computers Backed Up: | Unlimited |
| External Drive Backup: | Manual backup only |
NextAdvisor Online Cloud Backup Blog Headlines
How Many Files can I Backup with MyPCBackup?
Q: When backing up my computer with MyPCBackup, how large and how many files can be uploaded at once? I have a picture directory with 10,000 files or so. Can I upload this directory all at once? A: Thanks for your question! The biggest perk of MyPCBackup is that you get unlimited storage space for one computer. [...]
Which Online Backup Service Features a "Mirror Image" of my Hard Drive?
Q: I'm afraid that if I were to loose my hard drive completely, I wouldn't be able to find and load all the programs I use. I'd like to know what service to purchase so that my backup includes a "mirror image" of my hard drive? A: Online Backup services work hard to save all of your important [...]
You Could Win Cash for the Holidays with the NextAdvisor $500 Giveaway!
Need some extra money for the holiday season? Well, you're in luck. NextAdvisor is giving away cash prizes every week of December! Just go to our Facebook page and click on the NextAdvisor $500 Giveaway, fill out the entry form, and you'll be entered to win. It's our way of saying thank you to our [...]
Black Friday/Cyber Monday Deal: Receive a Mozy Discount of 25% on Their Onlin...
If you've been thinking about backing up your computer online, here's that extra push to start protecting your files now! For Black Friday weekend, Mozy online backup is offering 25% off the purchase price exclusively for NextAdvisor readers. This already affordable online backup service allows you to backup your external hard drives for free and [...]
