Online storage and online backup are two different types of services, that are often confused with each other. It does not help that some online backup services, like SpiderOak, SugarSync, Memopal, SafeCopy and others offer online storage as well as online backup. There are two main differences between an online storage service and an online backup service.
First is that online storage is just that, storage. They allow you to store files online so they are accessible from anywhere with an Internet connection. The majority of the services only have a web interface for you to upload files with and they do not offer much integration with your desktop or laptop computer. While there are exceptions to the how you work with the services they generally do not offer an automated process for uploading or syncing files between your computer and their service. Online storage services are often equated with having a cloud based USB flash drive that you can access anywhere. A couple of the services that I have used and would classify as being online storage are Dropbox and Box.net. They are good services and I use Dropbox regularly.
Online backup services are different than online storage services because an online backup services main goal is to back up the files on your computer and store them safely in their storage centers. This is usually done with a software client that you need to download after signing up and install on your computer. The client software takes care of encrypting your files and uploading them. Once installed and configured the backup process is more or less automatic. Access to files in other places on the web are not as easy as an online storage service and can be slower to restore files. Online backup services offer more features for backing up files online, such as backing up locked files, larger backup space and versioning.
I am sure as time goes on we will see more merging of the online storage services and online backup services. As people want to share their backed up files with social networks, family and friends it will be difficult for online backup services and online storage services to not merge into a backup, storage, sharing solution that will allow people access to all of their important files from computers and mobile devices.
OnlineBackupDeals.com was started to focus on online backup services and to keep the focus here on online backup services for both consumers and businesses I have recently been working on a new blog with LGR Internet Solutions called All Your Space, where I will be posting reviews and deals of online storage services. We are still working some things out on the new blog, but there is a review of Dropbox already posted.
