PhD students have tons of research work to complete and need a reliable option to save and protect their data. Cloud storage is a great option. If you are looking for one but don’t know which to pick yet, don’t worry. Our PhD dissertation help UK experts have worked on this comprehensive guide to help you make the right choice.
Why Do PhD Students Need Cloud Storage?
If you have enrolled in a PhD program, you need to understand you have embarked on a tough journey and need all the help you can get. Some tools will make your life easier, so it’s important to adopt them as soon as you can. One such technology is cloud storage.
PhD students may already have a laptop of their own and maybe even an external hard drive. However, hardware is easy to break, damage beyond repair, or get misplaced. In this case, all the data will get lost. Losing research data might mean getting reset to square one. It’s not easy to try and accumulate the same information again and start working from scratch. You will need something more reliable to ensure your data is ready wherever you go. And this is where cloud storage helps.
By uploading files to the cloud, PhD students can save their laptop space. Additionally, they can ensure they have all data in one place so that they can resume working from anywhere. But which option should you choose?
To make this easier for you, our PhD dissertation help UK experts have compiled the following list. They’ve arrived at the following by researching all possible options in the market and filtering based on basic student needs.
Have a look:
3 Cloud Storage Options to Consider
Following are the best picks from our team:
1. Dropbox
When you think of cloud storage, you think of the familiar blue and white logo of Dropbox. The business was one of the first to launch a file storage and syncing system and is now used by both students and professionals.
Cost and Features
Who knew being a forgetful klutz would lead to the development of one of the most popular file-sharing and storing software of all time? But this is what happened to the then-MIT student, Drew Houston. He began thinking when he kept getting in trouble for forgetting his USB all over the place became too much. Soon, he conceived the concept of putting all his files online in one place. It eventually led to the launch of Dropbox in 2008.
Because the company started with a focus on file storage and synchronisation, they excel at it. Dropbox offers a host of features for students and a simple backup process. Users can even share files with non-Dropbox users–a major plus for PhD students who may need this feature for group studies. The tool also provides multiple layers of security for all files uploaded to the cloud.
Admittedly, Dropbox is the most expensive choice on this list. You get only 2 GB in the free plan and have to purchase to get more. The basic paid plan will get you 2 TB of storage. It is a brilliant option if you wish to continue using the tool for a long time.
What is Dropbox Good for?
Dropbox is great for people looking to get a long-term, secure backup for their files. Also, it’s separate from the Google and Microsoft giants, so people feel somewhat safer with this option.
Drawbacks
As mentioned before, price is the only thing holding this tool back. You can get more free GBs with other cloud storage.
2. Google Drive
Google Drive is a comprehensive data storage, sharing, and management system available as part of the Google Suite. The platform is one of the most popular cloud storage options around the world, with millions of users everywhere.
Cost and Features
Google Drive offers a complete suite for document collaboration, so PhD students can share files among study group members and work online simultaneously as a team. The numerous integrations allow you to connect with as many relevant tools as possible. For example, you can install a form add-on that converts any document into a survey form. Then you can use it to collect your research data.
While the basic version is free of cost, with a generous storage space of 15 GB, paid tiers are also available. To unlock those, you need to create a Google One account. The basic paid plan gives you a total of 100 GB. The standard offers you 200 GB, and the premium allows for 2 TB of storage. Our PhD dissertation help UK experts believe the free version is enough to support your needs throughout your studies. However, if you are syncing a lot of mail, personal photos, and videos on the drive as well, you may want to purchase the basic plan.
What is Google Drive Good for?
You will have free Google Drive storage access if you have a Gmail account. Moreover, you will be able to use the complete suite of services. So, if you’re already using a few of the tools, getting Google Drive will help you avoid getting any additional platforms. In short, you’d have everything you need in one place.
Drawbacks
Our team believes stringent security is the main point where Google Drive falls behind. Moreover, users should keep in mind that the free storage counts data from emails, photos, etc. So the free 10 GB you receive will not be solely for the files.
3. Box
Following in the steps of Dropbox, Box offers similar services. However, it has learned lessons where the former—and each of the giants like Google and Microsoft—have failed.
Cost and Features
Box offers a simple, easy-to-use interface for users. The free plan provides 10 GB of storage, which is an ample amount for students. And unlike Google Drive, this is not shared across any other tools, so it’s dedicated file storage space. The platform is perfect for collaboration and offers native integrations to relevant services. To unlock more, you can connect with Zapier and open a world of add-ons.
The tool is available for both desktops and apps so that you can take your work anywhere. Moreover, it provides in-built integrations with Google Workspace and Microsoft 365. PhD students can, therefore, easily bring their documents to this storage system.
The individual paid plan offers 100 GB, which is great, but expensive compared to the per GB rate of other service providers.
What is Box Good for?
Box offers amazing value. It is also very secure and provides two-factor authentication even in the free plan.
Drawbacks
The paid options offer limited storage.
We hope this list gives you the information you require to make an informed choice. If you ever need PhD Dissertation Help UK, the experts at Dissertation Pros will be happy to assist you.
