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Monday, April 23, 2012

Duel:Dropbox versus Sugarsync.

This awesome article copied from small cloud builder, written by Matt Smolinger .I insert also coments which, surely, will give check and balance to this topic : happy reading

Synchronized Swimming for Files
Cloud storage products are getting fancier and fancier.
Drawing comparisons between SugarSync and Dropbox is a requirement when picking out a cloud provider. It's important to understand the differences between the two platforms, and which features are more important to you.
SugarSync has taken an "everything and the kitchen sink" approach to cloud storage. It supports all major mobile OSes, including Symbian and Windows Mobile. It can sync as many folders as you'd like, between as many computers as you'd like. It does scheduled backups. It integrates with Facebook. Starting to sound like an infomercial, yeah? But wait, there's more!
Dropbox takes a decidedly different approach to the cloud, aiming to lower the bar required to jump into cloud storage. Whereas SugarSync markets itself toward the technophile who lives on the cloud, Dropbox markets itself to people who need basic cloud and sharing services. Dropbox customers just want their data to be available wherever they are.




Dropbox or SugarSync? Rye or Whole Wheat? Pepperoni or Sausage? We can only help with the first of those, so let's get to it.

Features - Winner: SugarSync

If you want features, SugarSync is your product. There really is no comparison. SugarSync aims to be your complete solution to cloud storage, providing cloud backup, "choose whatever folders you want to" sync, and integration with third party services like Facebook. Folders can be synced to mobile devices, although depending on the platform, e.g. iOS, it might not make any sense since you can't edit anything on the device.
In addition, SugarSync has editing support for certain file types, and shared foldesr with password protection, while Dropbox has none of these features. So if any of them are useful to you, you might just want to stop reading here and pick up SugarSync.
As a commenter on one of my previous articles suggested, you can get around Dropbox's single-folder limit by creating symbolic links (NTFS Junction Points for Windows users). But the process is command-line only on both Windows and Linux, and Mac OS X users need to create aliases for each folder, which I've had broken by Dropbox updates.

Ease of Setup - Winner: Dropbox

Not having so many features makes Dropbox's setup a no-brainer. Download a setup file, install it, sign in, and you're ready to sync files. If all you need is one folder, or you just want the simplicity, Dropbox is your cloud storage provider.
Dropbox has even taken into account if you move the folder accidentally. It will pop up a message and tell you to move it and or it will download the folder from the cloud. It's that kind of simplicity that is winning Dropbox more users every day.

Performance - Winner: Tie

I hate ties. But one of the most important features of cloud storage is how fast you can push and pull data from the 'Net. Both Dropbox and SugarSync were able to fully use my 25/25 Mbps Internet connection without issue, although SugarSync's throttling system left something to be desired.
Synchronization speed was equally speedy, usually within seconds for both products. Dropbox was slightly lower on RAM usage than SugarSync. But it was only a couple MB, which is close enough to be considered negligible.

Sharing - Winner: SugarSync

This was a tough one to call. But overall, SugarSync has a better sharing model. Being able to password protect folders will at least keep the general masses from stumbling upon your public file share. If you're worried about someone trying to hack your files from either provider, that means you probably shouldn't have the files accessible on the Internet in the first place.
Additionally, SugarSync's ability to integrate with Facebook Photos makes it all that much easier to have a central location for all your photos.

Accessibility - Winner: SugarSync

This was another tough one. Both platforms provide excellent accessibility options, with a plethora of mobile clients, and friendly websites. SugarSync, though, has gone the extra mile in its recent release of multilingual support. SugarSync also provides a Symbian OS app, which until Microsoft & Nokia pair up, is still the most prolific mobile OS overseas.
SugarSync has better media streaming functionality as well, with support for building playlists and viewing photo slideshows in the mobile applications. Dropbox can download those files and open them too, but the experience isn't as fluid as with SugarSync.

Security - Winner: Dropbox

Dropbox? But didn't I just say SugarSync's password-protected shares were a main reason for winning sharing? Yes, but there is more to security than password protection.
SugarSync transmits files from your machine to the cloud via an SSL-secured connection, but encrypts the files themselves with AES-128 after they reach SugarSync's servers. Dropbox encrypts files with stronger AES-256 before sending them up with a secure SSL connection.
So in the event that someone were to intercept the SSL connection with Dropbox, they'd still have to unencrypt the files. While with SugarSync their job would be done.

Pricing - Winner: SugarSync

SugarSync continues to be aggressive with its pricing. It has changed its business model at least twice since I reviewed it back in December. Right now, SugarSync offers 10 GB more storage (60 instead of 50) for the same price as Dropbox. And if you have the 100 GB plan, they are $5 a month cheaper than Dropbox.
SugarSync also offers more storage options, although supposedly you can contact Dropbox for a custom storage quote if you want more than 100 GB.

Bottom Line - Winner: SugarSync

DropboxSugarSync
FeaturesX
Ease of SetupX
PerformanceXX
SharingX
AccessibilityX
SecurityX
PriceX
Total35
Being a long-time Dropbox user, this exercise opened my eyes as to what Dropbox is / is not doing for me. Dropbox's dead simple approach works for a lot of people, and honestly if you're not too technical, I would be leery of picking up SugarSync. It has a more involved setup process, and has a lot of features that you'd probably never use.
However, for people looking to synchronize and store files in the cloud and can use some of that extra whiz-bang, SugarSync is the better solution. If the guys from Dropbox are reading this, my recommendation is to at least beef up sharing features and securities, and match or beat SugarSync's pricing.







ADD NEW COMMENT

SHOWING 1-10 OF 33 COMMENTS

  • Gogas38
    Major problem just discovered with SugarSync (which I definitely prefer as product) - it does not support Microsoft (heard of them?) ISA proxy server which is quite common in many organisations. SugarSync say the "have no need" by support other Proxies. It misses point for people wanting to use at home and work - an IT department  are not going to open up the Firewall ports specifically for some users. Sugarsync do not see this as a problem which worries me about their overall view of picture for long term survival.
  • Gpedraza
    Thx for the review. I'm a sugar user but a lot of iPad apps have Dropbox integration, that is what lured me here to find an easy side by side comparison without having to install Dropbox.
  • Georges
    I am surprized another major option is not referred to :
    From a shared folder, can I directly execute an application ?
    DropBox : Yes. Therefore the app is always on its latest version.
    SugarSync : No, you have to downoload it then start the App frm the "local" location. Therfefore the APp is stored elsewhere and it could be started without knowing it has been updated.
    This is, in theory, a major, huge advantage for DropBox, for example for SaaS software distribution.
    Unfortunately, since there is no possibility to protect these files (no readonly sharing), this beauty is screwed by the first dummy on the network, so it cant really be used until DropBox give us the readonly option which we are all waiting for.
    GB6
  • This is no comparison to me, and i don't know how can it be to anyone.
    I had both DB & SS free accounts. After this review, subscribed to SS Pro account.
    LUCKILY they don't charge the first month!  Files couldn't upload for 3 days!
    And then, syncing would stop(?!). It would just decide to stop uploading files in the middle of the night, without any reason, and without any warning. Non-sense!
    I unsubscribed the 3rd day, and decided to give it a go with DropBox. And it turned out to be the right choice! Why?
    13,000 Files (48GB) completed in less than 2 days, without a singe issue.
    If u add-on to this that DB encrypts files with AES-256, I do not see how is this a competition at all.
    DropBox is the rights choice, no doubt about it.
  • D P
    I like sugarsync simply because they offer more free space and allow me to sync any folder I want without moving it and they are cheaper.
    If you need more free space on some not so user friendly sites, try adrive or symform..... other sync services not mentioned here are cx.compogoplug.comspideroak.com4shared.com, and more....so don't limit yourself even though I like sugarsync the best.
    (Edited by a moderator)
  • Info
    one thing that I noticed using the two, is that Dropbox is integrated in a log of (iOS) Apps... Which is why I signed up for it, having been a satisfied user of both. But when sharing files, it is really handy that you can just send them inside the app from the iPhone of IPad.
    So, as long as I wanted to sync between my computers and access / share the files from my mobile phone , sugarsync was fine. Now that I generate files on my iPad , easy send to Dropbox or sync via Dropbox option in the various apps is a killer feature
    Mind you, I pay for Sugarsync and I have enough with the free storage from Dropbox.. So rather then choosing, I haven't put all my eggs in one basket :)
    Bart
  • Mark
    I have been using both services especially when we have projects in school that needs collaboration and file sharing. It is very easy to share files/folders between groups of people. Both services also keep an online backup and keep my files sync on my macbook and my PC at home. The iPhone app of both services works great and is very handy.
    (Edited by a moderator)
  • Copdips
    a vert important point that you forgot:
    "binary diff sync"
    that boost dropbox sync speed, this's the 1st thing that we compare among these boxes
  • ONdiZCollapse
    Security winner Dropbox?!?! Whaaat?!?
  • Paustinmn
    I really think this article lays out the most important features of any "cloud" software. I've used SugarSync for almost 2 years. My current challenge is to adopt a file naming protocol.  

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