Apple iCloud vs. SpiderOak One Backup

Our growing organization uses about 95% Apple hardware. The Apple iCloud functionality across our organization ensures interfaces and synchronization that makes information workflow seamless. The cost structure and limited AI functionality keeps us dependent on products like Microsoft and Google and unable to put all of our cloud "eggs" into the Apple basket.

Incentivized

SpiderOak is well suited for local backups of the computer the client resides on. It is well suited for local area storage backups. It is less suited for remote backups, over a VPN or wide area where the data is continually changing. For data that continually changes, like in our document management system, the client needs to be on the same network as the data.

Incentivized

• Syncing files, appointments, Notes and contacts. If I'm away from home, and set an appointment using my phone, that appointment automatically updates real time to my home laptop and vice-versa.
• It stores files (e.g photos) nicely
• Once it's set up, it's fairly easy to use.

Incentivized

• Versions Files meaning it makes multiple copies of the same files as it is updated
• Zero Knowledge meaning our storage is complete secure and private

Incentivized

• Customization - iCloud is great at the stuff it does well. But it lacks features that some competitors (in Google Drive or Dropbox) do really well. API support for third-party apps is really great for some other people.
• Remote use - Managing or accessing information from iCloud while not on one of your logged-in apple devices can sometimes be an issue. From a work computer for example. It doable, but the experience is much less user-friendly.
• Ability to edit documents on the cloud similar to google docs or some other competitors

Incentivized

• The Software Client sometimes fails and the only resolution is to uninstall/reinstall
• Support meanig there is no number to call, you do everything over email

Incentivized

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.

Incentivized

While it may be great to use with other Apple products, I find it's an absolutist-style workflow to be debilitating and to lead to many problems. When you sign into the cloud, it completely takes over your device in many ways that you don't notice at first until there is a problem.

Incentivized

Occasionally, large files that haven't yet been synced require a few minutes to pull down but I've rarely noticed delays. It does a good job of keeping data cached on my local machines while updating them with changes from other machines transparently.

Incentivized

Apple customer service is fantastic. iCloud is built with Apple in mind and its design is extremely intuitive and user-friendly. Additionally, whenever our team has encountered issues, the speed of Apple support has been more than timely in addressing our issues and solving our request. We have encountered relatively few issues in my time with the platform and this only improves our overall score for those who keep the platform stable.

Incentivized

While I gave them a 7, it is in regards to the access to support. This is a business application and not being able to call them can sometimes be a problem especially when you need immediate support. They still tend to manage their support on a consumer line model and not a business grade model. With that said, I will say they are very knowledgeable of the product and how to resolve most any issue when I contact them.

Incentivized

Google Drive is similar to Apple iCloud, but since I prefer Apple products and have operated within the Apple ecosystem for many years, I use iCloud. Some clients who don't use Apple share documents with me in Google Drive so I have experience with the product, but I prefer iCloud. I do think photos syncing is superior in iCloud.

Incentivized

In regards to overall performance SpiderOak is not as customizable as Unitrends, but based on the annual cost for SpiderOak and how we use the product, for a "Backup" to our primary backup solution, it is a welcomed option to our backup strategy when you consider the versioning, zero knowledge, share features and unlimited data.

Incentivized

• Apple's iCloud service can run very slow in countries where they aren't very focussed, like India.
• Apple did not back up videos over the cloud for a long time and needed manual sync. You will see similar issues like not allowing mobile data for some tasks.

Incentivized

• ROI is positive when you consider unlimited data for the annual cost.
• Versioning when you consider backing up documents that continually change and need to restore a previous version.

Incentivized