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Apple iCloud

Score8.2 out of 10

645 Reviews and Ratings

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What is Apple iCloud?

Apple iCloud is a document management software offering from Apple. It includes features such as access to music, photos, calendars, contacts, and documents, and it is built into every new iOS device.

Categories & Use Cases

Key Features

Learn about the best (and worst!) features Apple iCloud has to offer, as determined by TrustRadius' reviewers.
Based on 645 ratings of Apple iCloud's features
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Top Performing Features

  • Device sync

    Device syncing that updates files connected to the cloud, keeping all files up to date regardless of where they are edited or viewed.

    Category average: 8.5

  • Reliability

    Cloud storage platform is secure, all features are consistently available, and the platform maintains file integrity.

    Category average: 8.9

  • Device management

    Administrators can manage devices connected to the cloud storage platform, including restricting access for certain devices or wiping files from devices remotely.

    Category average: 8.6

Areas for Improvement

  • File organization

    The ability to choose where files will be stored, and manage individual users' storage; includes control over file organization structure.

    Category average: 8.4

  • File search

    A search function that allows users to easily find files, and in some cases even search within multiple files.

    Category average: 7.8

  • User and role management

    Administrators can manage users and user groups by role, in terms of setting permissions for things like file access, sharing, and editing permissions.

    Category average: 8.4

Reviews

What users are saying about Apple iCloud.
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iCloud for Apple Shops

Incentivized
Mike McCloskeyView profile
Owner in Information Technology at Computer Source (11-50 employees employees)

Pros

  • There is almost no downtime.
  • It is truly seamless.
  • There is no performance hit, even on mediocre networks.
  • It is an attractive interface.

Cons

  • Basic iCloud gives 5GB free per account - but that really needs to be per device. It is way too small when you have multiple devices.

Return on Investment

  • It is a fantastic setup and very well worth the investment in time and money.
  • It keeps everything in sync and doesn't let us down.
  • there really is no negative for our Apple centric operation

Alternatives Considered

Dropbox and OneDrive

Other Software Used

Ubuntu Linux, 3CX Phone System, Microsoft Office 2016

Incredible Syncing and Hardware Integration...with Room to Grow

Incentivized
Jeff TerrellView profile
Senior Pastor in Information Technology at Ascend Church (11-50 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Our organization uses Apple iCloud for media collaboration, and I use it professionally to ensure that my Apple ecosystem syncs seamlessly. External security while internal freedom of flow for our information is crucial. The ability to function efficiently across mobile and computing devices without missing a beat enables us to accomplish effective productivity while maintaining informational integrity.

Pros

  • The syncing capabilities across hardware is unmatched.
  • The ability to grant access to information for users outside of the Apple ecosystem is also achieved through Apple iCloud.
  • Data integrity provide peace of mind for organizational users - especially with sensitive information.

Cons

  • Candidly, the pricing structure needs some work. We also use Microsoft, and their non-profit pricing models are way more cost-effective.
  • We feel you get more for your money with Microsoft, given the robust apps and features that are included.
  • Reduce pricing or increase value with better apps and integrations, and you will win the race for cloud-based subscription...for us!
  • We would also love to see better AI features offered as Google Cloud and Microsoft are offering.

Return on Investment

  • We operate with a pretty high level of sensitivity to information, and the security is excellent.
  • The ability to share information - documents, audio, video - seamlessly has been mission critical.
  • The ability to communicate remotely has been enhanced by Apple iCloud.

Usability

Alternatives Considered

Microsoft 365 Business Premium, Google Cloud AI and Google Drive

Other Software Used

Adobe PhotoShop, Google Drive, Microsoft 365 Business Premium

Apple iCloud is solid and works as marketed

Incentivized
Scott StraderView profile
North America IT Support Manager in Information Technology at Asahi Kasei (10,001+ employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use it to store data on the phones of users so they can upgrade to newer phones with little to no headache and be back up and running as soon as possible. We use it primarily for photos and contacts, but we have other items they can back up based on user preferences.

Pros

  • Backups
  • Information Capturing
  • Security

Cons

  • More storage included
  • ease of use with Windows PC's

Return on Investment

  • 50% less time for IT to setup new phones
  • No lost data
  • Easier

Usability

iCloud making strides as a better business solution

Incentivized
Justin BeckettView profile
Creative Design Director in Marketing at Manchester United Membership & Supporters Club USA, Inc (11-50 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I use Apple iCloud to share notes, files and also move files from device to device. Of course we also backup our iPhones to the iCloud server, in case a device becomes lost, damaged or nonfunctional. iCloud allows multiple people to edit files simultaneously and gives me good visibility to note changes.

In another role, I use iCloud to sync song transition settings through a mobile DJ app known as OffTrack. OffTrack stores my song transitions in the iCloud, allowing me to make modifications from any device.

Overall, iCloud is good but limited. Other third-party items, such as those run by Microsoft or Google, do not sync well with iCloud.

Pros

  • Syncing changes I make within an app, note or file across all devices instantly.
  • Transfers files quickly to iCloud drive
  • Makes editing shared notes or photos simple and seamless

Cons

  • Search indexing for files is slow and often inaccurate
  • Mail syncing for files and non-flagged messages is slow and often inaccurate
  • General lack of seamless integration with apps made by Google or Microsoft

Return on Investment

  • Massively saves us time managing Active Directory accounts from device to device
  • Difficult to integrate with Microsoft logins and security chains — time is lost especially during password or permissions changes
  • Average when it comes to corporate VPN integration. Neither a gain nor a loss.

Usability

Alternatives Considered

Microsoft 365, Google Backup and Sync (discontinued) and Dropbox Business

Other Software Used

Microsoft 365, Google Drive, monday.com

iCloud is a great cost-effective storage option.

Incentivized
Tip IuliucciView profile
Realtor / Team Lead in Sales at Northside Realty Inc (1-10 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Our team member who does photography relies on it to store/archive photo projects, and it syncs perfectly with her iMac and iPhone. I use it as a backup storage solution to my typical OneDrive account, and I have had to retrieve things from there before. I also have found it useful to send links to larger files that I want to send to colleagues. The cost for extra storage is very reasonable. We will continue using it.

Pros

  • Sync with devices.
  • Storage capacity.
  • Send large files with a link.

Cons

  • Can't think of any.

Return on Investment

  • Ease of finding my data.
  • Storage capacity options are good.

Usability

Alternatives Considered

OneDrive and Google Drive

Other Software Used

Podio, Progress ShareFile, SkySlope