- Cloud Storage Companies
- SugarSync Review
SugarSync Review
Company Overview
Backup Features
Web/Mobile/Remote Access
Sharing
Security
Summary:
SugarSync is an online cloud syncing service that uses desktop software to manage synced files over their cloud infrastructure. They have been around since 2004 but started to have a lot of growth in 2009. Their strength is in their easy to use, robust syncing platform that keeps all of your files easy to find and synced.
SugarSync differs from competitors like Dropbox and Google Drive because of the way they manage synced files. Those other syncing companies use a single sync folder to house all of the files in one place. Meaning, you will have to duplicate or move files you want to sync to that folder. SugarSync's interface allows you to select any file or folder on your computer to sync.
SugarSync Features & Plans:
- Personal Plans Start at $7.49/month ($79.99/year) for 60 GBs and 1 user
- Business Plans Start at $55/month ($550/year) for 1TBs and 3 users
- Add a user - $9.99/month
- Add storage $29.99 per 100 GB/month
Features: Online Backup, Remote Access, Sharing, Data Security. Backup any folder on your computer, Reat-time changes, Versioning, Sync across multiple users with options, access through the web (simple document editing), Share files/folders/publish to Facebook photos, Auto create sharable photo albums, Stream music to Internet enabled device (iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, Computer).
Works with: iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Android, Symbian, Mobile Website.
Supports: Windows XP, Vista and 7 - Mac OSX - Platform and mobile API
International integration: Yes
Company Profile
SugarSync is located in San Mateo, CA and was founded by Gibu Thomas and Ben Strong in 2004. The company is now run by CEO, Laura Yecies. They have 40+ Employees and the are growing fast. They have raised between 20 million and 50 million dollars and plan on much more growth in the coming years.
Photos
Editor review
We have downloaded a lot of different online backup and cloud syncing software, SugarSync is one of the friendliest we have found. They don't have any scary 'buy now!' buttons. The tour is quick and explanatory.
Backup
While you are still setting up the installation, SugarSync will ask you which files you want share. It will give you some defaults like your Documents folder. Once you have all of the files configured for backup they will start backing up automatically.
File Management
Unlike Google Drive or Dropbox, SugarySync operates as a file manager. Allowing you to select files that already exist instead of requiring a copy be put into a special Sync Folder. This is beneficial because there is no need for duplicate files.
Restoring Files
You can easily save/export files and folders from the file manager by right clicking the file. Or from the website you can click, "Download" to get a copy of the file/folder. If you select a folder to download from the website it can take a few minutes while it compresses it into a zip file. After you download the zip file, extract it's contents into the folder.
Access for viewing
After using several different companies for syncing SugarSync has one of the best user experiences that we have seen. Everything is fast and easy to figure out. Their iPhone app is quick and very versatile. You get 250GBs of free space just for completing a quick tutorial about how to share files and stream music.
Easy Media Manager
We found SugarSync really encourages media usage. They want you to use the mobile app to stream MP3's and to take pictures on with their app. It is nice knowing that what ever picture you take on this phone is getting backed up into a cloud that you can get from their website or any synced computer.
Conclusion
SugarSync remains a unique company in the world of Syncing cloud services. They do a great job at making a robust system that is secure, easy to use (and fun too!), but it also doesn't require an extra syncing folder that you have to copy files into. Your files stay in their same spot and it will continue to be safely stored on their server.
Pros and Cons
Clean file manager
Accessible from pretty much anywhere
Great mobile app with streaming music and photo library