Apple iCloud vs Google Cloud Storage

Apple iCloud

If you own devices on a multi-platform of Windows and Mac, iCloud is a great storage option. First, you do get some free storage when you own an Apple device. Second, if you own an Apple mobile device, you can place whatever file folders you desire under the iCloud folder and have mobile access. I have never owned anything but an Apple iPhone so I wouldn't know about access for Android.

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Jeff Henkel

Owner

HighRoad AccountingAccounting, 1-10 employees

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Google Cloud Storage

Google Cloud Storage is highly useful when you need to store data programmatically, from a web or mobile application, and when you need some amount of access control—for instance, such as when you want to sync data across devices. It is less needed for simple file hosting of static web assets, as it may be overly complex for something as simple as hosting static images for a website.

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Jonah Dempcy

Web & Mobile Developer

Bluefire ProductionsComputer Software, 11-50 employees

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Feature Rating Comparison

Apple iCloud

8.1

Google Cloud Storage

8.4

Versioning

7.9

8.5

Video files

8.4

9.3

Audio files

8.5

9.3

Document collaboration

7.2

7.6

Access control

7.6

9.3

File search

8.2

6.9

Device sync

9.3

7.6

Apple iCloud

8.0

Google Cloud Storage

8.2

User and role management

7.8

8.7

File organization

7.9

7.8

Device management

8.1

Apple iCloud

8.4

Google Cloud Storage

9.2

Performance

8.5

9.6

Reliability

9.1

9.8

Storage Reports

7.7

8.2

Pros

Efficiency. Apple iCloud can be set up to automatically place your files for mobile access. I have needed to access a file from my office computer countless times and iCloud has made that possible.
Security. I know security is always an issue and I have never felt that any of my files have been compromised. I believe Apple has a reputation to uphold and works hard to maintain secure cloud-based storage.
Multi-platform. I use Apple iCloud on my devices, my personal Mac computer and my Windows based office computer. I love how I can save or retrieve a personal or work file at any time on any of my devices.

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Jeff Henkel

Owner

HighRoad AccountingAccounting, 1-10 employees

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Google Cloud Storage is great for handling file uploads and performing actions when those files are uploaded. In our case, we hook into the file upload Object Change Notification to perform necessary tasks, and Google Cloud Storage makes this a breeze.
Google Cloud Storage is also great at access control—making links to their assets that require certain authentication measures, such as signed URLs that expire, it easy to do.
We've also found that it is very nice for integrating with cross-domain JavaScript Ajax requests using CORS headers. Configuring response headers is a breeze.
Google Cloud Storage has an excellent suite of tools for working with it from the command line as well as web interfaces.

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Jonah Dempcy

Web & Mobile Developer

Bluefire ProductionsComputer Software, 11-50 employees

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Cons

Difficult to set up the first time
Does not remember browser settings within google chrome (many websites function best with google chrome)
Works better on mobile

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Michelle Kelly

Lower and Middle School Music Teacher

The Bullis SchoolEducation Management, 51-200 employees

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Seems a little wonky compared to other cloud storage.

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Tip Iuliucci

Realtor

Northside Realty IncReal Estate, 51-200 employees

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Likelihood to Renew

Apple iCloud9.4

Based on 3 answers

It's so seamless that I can't imagine another product doing a better job synchronizing all of my devices. I simply do not think about it at all. Everything happens behind the scenes and I'm confident that Apple keeps my data safe and secure. I'm a happy customer as far as this is concerned. I have not had a bad experience with this service.

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Verified User

Director in Information Technology

Computer Software Company, 11-50 employees

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No score

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Usability

Apple iCloud8.7

Based on 12 answers

Because there are no features that work well, for the Apple company level. For a third world software company, it could be acceptable.

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Ricardo G Lopes

Inventor

Self-employedInformation Technology and Services, 1-10 employees

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No score

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Performance

Apple iCloud8.5

Based on 6 answers

I really don't see any lag time when I access files from Apple iCloud. Files are accessible immediately from what I can see. Honestly, I probably don't access large content files very often so that may be a factor. In addition, I have never noticed iCloud being the cause of any slow access to a file or slow down any of my computers or mobile devices.

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Jeff Henkel

Owner

HighRoad AccountingAccounting, 1-10 employees

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Support

Apple iCloud9.0

Based on 1 answer

Apple support is quick to respond and know their product well. They will follow up with you to make sure your issue has been resolved and case can be closed.

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Ravinder Gupta

Technology Architect and Team Lead

CGIInformation Technology and Services, 10,001+ employees

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Alternatives Considered

NCommand was awful. It didn't work well for us, things went missing and tended to be clunky. iCloud has been great with a cleaner interface, more options to collaborate on a document within a single URL, and just being all around simpler. iCloud also hasn't gone down and been inaccessible as often as NCommand would.

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Verified User

Project Manager in Other

Education Management Company, 201-500 employees

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I think Google has an overall positive brand awareness. So there's never been any hesitation from our partners with its usage or with vendors we've had to send stuff to. One of the partners is a very big Google fan, so he's been the driving force behind its selection and usage.

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Tip Iuliucci

Realtor

Northside Realty IncReal Estate, 51-200 employees

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Return on Investment

It's sped up the time spent searching for documents that are stored in the cloud.
It works really well for staff already in the Apple camp.
The staff in the Android camp aren't as happy about it and have needed a little more training and adjustment time.

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Verified User

Project Manager in Other

Education Management Company, 201-500 employees

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