Apple iCloud vs. IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Apple iCloud
Score 8.6 out of 10
N/A
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.
$0.99
per month
IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
Score 9.1 out of 10
N/A
IDrive protects PCs, Macs, mobile devices, Servers, Cloud Applications Data (SAAS) including Office 365, and Google Workspace, and provides S3 compatible Object Storage with IDrive e2. IDrive offers different plans for cloud backup for devices: - IDrive Personal - IDrive Core - IDrive Team - IDrive Small Business - IDrive Enterprise - IDrive360 EndPoint IDrive provides Cloud Applications data (SAAS) Backup: - Microsoft Office 365 Backup - Google…
$20
per year
Pricing
Apple iCloudIDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
Editions & Modules
50GB
$0.99
per month
200GB
$2.99
per month
2TB
$9.99
per month
IDrive Cloud to Cloud Backup
$20
per year
IDrive 360 EndPoint
$29.50
per year
IDrive e2
$49.50
per year
IDrive Core
$79.50
per year
Personal
$99.50
per year
IDrive Team
$99.50
per year
IDrive Business
$99.50
per year
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Apple iCloudIDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
Free Trial
NoYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoYes
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional DetailsIDrive regularly offers first year discounts for all plans and offers a full-featured 30-day free trial for IDrive 360 Endpoint
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Apple iCloudIDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
Considered Both Products
Apple iCloud
Chose Apple iCloud
Apple iCloud allows to track devices when lost and uses end-to-end encryption for data such as iMessages of Health data. It also includes features of shared albums to optimize storage and can access these items through any Apple device in a quick and efficient way.
Chose Apple iCloud
Egnyte was a good system, but there were two things that I didn't like. One, once your data was in their server, it was in their server. It came across as you did not have control or even ownership of it anymore - plus you had to maintain the payments to them, or it was all …
Chose Apple iCloud
Dropbox is more universal but has a higher price point that Apple iCloud and google while mid price point offers more options in software that allows for file editing and sharing directly in the document. Apple iCloud does not have that on offer. Apple iCloud is the lowest …
Chose Apple iCloud
Nowadays local storage are having a lot of bottleneck and upgrading process require time and money, iCloud are one of the safest and most secure platforms, its End User License Policy is in favor of customer and reliability. Apple iCloud collaboratively works with iOS and macOS …
Chose Apple iCloud
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 …
Chose Apple iCloud
Dropbox is the king of cloud environments, and where Apple iCloud should go to. I have tried others but don't even remember their names now. We have our own personal cloud as well. I have used cloud environments since 2007 and would love to see Apple iCloud step up to a full …
Chose Apple iCloud
While I have to use Dropbox on occasion, I greatly prefer to use iCloud for file sharing. I also have used Google's Apps, and because I'm a Mac/iPhone user, iCloud has more easily fit into the normal routine of what I'm already doing and using. Dropbox has some minor features …
Chose Apple iCloud
Apple iCloud is specially made for iOS devices. Nothing and no one will ever be able to service an Apple product's needs better than Apple themselves. The Apple iCloud software is designed specifically for iOS devices, ease of use, and mindless security for automatic backups. …
Chose Apple iCloud
The basic premise among these is the same. Where Apple iCloud stands apart for our team is that there is not a separate app to be downloaded to access these features on most phones or tablets (most of our staff has iPhones, and we provide iPads). This allows everyone to obtain …
Chose Apple iCloud
The security and functionality of iCloud beats out any other products I've tried. While two-factor authentication is available elsewhere, Apple seems to take security a step further with notifications across all devices. In addition, the pricing is right - the low cost of 1TB …
Chose Apple iCloud
We have found that Google Backup & Sync and Apple iCloud between them have all the bases covered. While Google is excellent for many things, as an Apple-centric environment, we utilize both systems. Between them, we have been able to reduce our expensive on-prem file storage …
Chose Apple iCloud
Overall, iCloud performs quite well against some of its larger competitors. In my opinion, iCloud may be better suited for personal and social sharing compared to business cloud platforms like OneDrive and Google Drive. iCloud is incredibly strong if your organization is fully …
Chose Apple iCloud
Did not evaluate other products like Apple iCloud....
Chose Apple iCloud
Amazon AWS interface is clunky and too unintuitive for me. It's like going from a Mac to a Windows machine. YUCK. I realize that Apple iCloud is really just relying on Amazon AWS servers for data storage but it's so much nicer to work with the Apple interface for my daily data …
Chose Apple iCloud
They are different platforms but both reliable and easily used by those who need to access and use it. I am a happy customer for both Apple iCloud and Boomr and would highly recommend them to anyone who is looking to use and purchase something to give them the reassurance and …
Chose Apple iCloud
One Drive can allow users to collaborate in realtime and rare crashes on documents. The storage is very generous, and pricing for business, especially non-profits, is fair. One Drive also allows for better photo storage for us as a school. We can keep yearbook items and also …
Chose Apple iCloud
Already a part of the Apple ecosystem, so if it suits our needs, we will use it. We have a Department shared Dropbox account specifically for sharing large projects with vendors, so Apple iCloud is for lighter internal projects such as shared spreadsheets for project …
Chose Apple iCloud
Apple iCloud is extremely similar to Google Drive. You’re able to access files from anywhere, even a PC, without needing to be on the device where the file was originally created.
Chose Apple iCloud
iCloud is probably the best option for someone who uses primarily Apple devices and services. If you are multi-platform in your technology use I would make sure you test out the free version of iCloud before you make the switch, Apple likes to play nice with Apple, which means …
Chose Apple iCloud
Google Drive is still my primary repository - I use iCloud as a secondary. This is primarily due to the issues noted with iCloud.com.
Chose Apple iCloud
While the others are superior for file sharing with other people or teams, they aren't part of the Apple ecosystem and as such don't provide the core functionally that iCloud provides of in-app integration.
Chose Apple iCloud
Unlike other solutions, iCloud automatically backs up data without the user needing to download an additional application. Additionally, iCloud is the only application to keep and manage iPhone backups. Lastly, iCloud's pricing options are much more favorable than the other …
Chose Apple iCloud
I selected Apple icloud mainly because it is the best for using with pesky apple file types, but overall it does a pretty poor job against competitors. It is more expensive, offers less storage, and is much more difficult to use. I'd stick to an alternative program if it were …
Chose Apple iCloud
A major dislike is the limited free space. I love how Google Drive allows photos at a certain size to be free.
Chose Apple iCloud
Initially, I was using Google Drive and I was completely satisfied with its services. But after sometimes when I upgraded my mobile device and computer system to Mac OS and iOS, I shifted to iCloud because iCloud works flawlessly in the Apple ecosystem and It also provides a …
IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
Chose IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
OneDrive pricing is cost-prohibitive for the amount of storage I need, but it has a pretty good immediate back-up process.
Chose IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
Using IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2 in 2024 reminded me of the early days when OneDrive, Google Drive and DropBox where actually useful, streamlined, interested in being great cloud storage apps and not just a 'lock in' to constantly push other products on you.

Chose IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
I considered ElephantDrive as an alternative, especially given it is natively integrated with my NAS device, but IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2 is considerably cheap for individuals and small teams for large capacities. Nowadays computer and NAS backups can consume …
Chose IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
Google drive is an excellent product, but it is not the right solution for incremental backup
Chose IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
IDrive is more reasonably priced and that in itself was the driving force behind using iDrive. All of the other options seemed good also but I like having a dedicated app and service that you can work with in the background.
Chose IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
We have used Carbon Cloner which, while very reliable, was more difficult to use when in support of expanding data needs.
Chose IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
Acronis Cyber Files, Acronis Cyber Cloud for Enterprise (discontinued), MSP360 Managed Backup, Azure Bot Service (Microsoft Bot Framework) and Veritas Backup Exec
Chose IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
better pricing.
Chose IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
Carbonite for MacOS is still Intel, not Apple Silicon, so it runs under Rosetta.... 4 years later. Yuck!

Carbonite burns cpu resources for days on end, rarely seeming to find a quiescent point.
Chose IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
MUCH cheaper, and easily set up to back up from Linux environments.
Chose IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
Extra functionality of the other programs were not needed, and the price was over double for the same storage. For the sake of a simple, secure, and reliable backup of my files at a decent amount of storage (10TB!) IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2 takes the cake.
Chose IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2 and Synology DiskStation
Chose IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
Different use cases to be honest. I'm happy having both as I see and use them for different use cases. I also like having them on separate platforms instead of an all in one solution where I feel less secure knowing that if that solution were to fail that there would be no …
Chose IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
I was a successful computer consultant for almost 30 years and always used a competitors product for small single computer businesses (without servers)or home business users. Now that program has become sluggish and expensive.

I had used IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage …
Chose IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
Given all the tools I've used: Backblaze, Storj and WasabiThe cost-benefit model of IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2 is the best. With it, I can align the efficiency of having my business and personal projects in a single company/account. It manages them efficiently, …
Chose IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
In our opinion, this topic clearly shows the supplier's focus on a narrower sector than the competitors I mentioned earlier. In addition, especially as the disk space requirement increases, the price becomes too high for some of the competitors. In addition, especially as the …
Chose IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
I chose IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2 over the others because of the cost of the investment. IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2 is much cheaper than Google Drive. IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2 was due to its price compared to the others, …
Chose IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
I prefer the unlimited number of devices and given storage quota that IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2 provides.
Chose IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
I've found IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2 to be faster. The user dashboard can mirror the hard drive. Set up was easy and quick. Storage is more than adequate for our purposes. I get a daily report of files that have been included in the backup, which lists any new …
Chose IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
The price for the storage space is better with IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2.
Chose IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
Multi device backup per user
Chose IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2 allows multiple computers on a single account. There is a 5TB option for small business at half the price of Back Blaze's unlimited plan. IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2 allows for the backup of an external hard drive and …
Features
Apple iCloudIDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
File Sharing & Management
Comparison of File Sharing & Management features of Product A and Product B
Apple iCloud
8.4
Ratings
0% below category average
IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
9.3
Ratings
10% above category average
Versioning8.70 Ratings9.50 Ratings
Video files9.30 Ratings9.10 Ratings
Audio files9.30 Ratings9.10 Ratings
Document collaboration7.10 Ratings10.00 Ratings
Access control7.70 Ratings9.20 Ratings
File search8.60 Ratings9.10 Ratings
Device sync8.60 Ratings9.00 Ratings
Cloud Storage Security & Administration
Comparison of Cloud Storage Security & Administration features of Product A and Product B
Apple iCloud
7.5
Ratings
15% below category average
IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
9.0
Ratings
4% above category average
User and role management6.90 Ratings9.10 Ratings
File organization8.20 Ratings8.90 Ratings
Device management7.30 Ratings9.00 Ratings
Cloud Storage Platform
Comparison of Cloud Storage Platform features of Product A and Product B
Apple iCloud
7.1
Ratings
18% below category average
IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
9.2
Ratings
8% above category average
Performance7.20 Ratings9.20 Ratings
Reliability8.10 Ratings9.20 Ratings
Storage Reports6.20 Ratings9.30 Ratings
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Apple iCloudIDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
Small Businesses
SugarSync
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Score 5.7 out of 10
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Score 5.7 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Druva Security Cloud
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Score 9.7 out of 10
Druva Security Cloud
Druva Security Cloud
Score 9.7 out of 10
Enterprises
Druva Security Cloud
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User Ratings
Apple iCloudIDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
Likelihood to Recommend
9.1
(0 ratings)
9.4
(0 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
10.0
(0 ratings)
9.1
(0 ratings)
Usability
8.5
(0 ratings)
9.6
(0 ratings)
Performance
8.2
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
7.5
(0 ratings)
9.1
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
5.5
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Apple iCloudIDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
Likelihood to Recommend
iCloud is also great to keep access to photos synced across devices. Ex: I can snap a photo at a job site and have access to that photo on my desktop when I return to my office. I can then drop the photo into a document that is stored in iCloud and have instant access to that document on my iPad at a client's office later in the day. Seamless transitions make life much easier.
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IDrive really excels at automating the backup process by allowing you the ability to schedule them as desired as well as enable continuous protection in real time so your data stays backed up. It also excels at allowing customization of not just the desired data you want backed up but also where you want the data to be back up too (online, local, or express service) as well as various sources to pull from (computer, mobile, external hard drive, etc). Only scenario where I believe IDrive is not really appropriate is if you are looking for an unlimited storage option since IDrive packages all of have a finite storage limit
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Pros
  • 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.
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  • I'm using it on MAC, the app works very well in the background
  • Logging activities is something I really like, because I can check whether the backup was successful or not.
  • I really like the option of being able to select external drivers and back up only specific folders or files.
  • The application itself is very easy to use, even though it doesn't have a version in my language (pt-br), I had no trouble setting it up and I'm using it without any problems.
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Cons
  • 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
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  • DropBox-protected folders were not initially backed up as IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2 did not follow the symbolic links created
  • I experienced some UX confusion in adding new folders to backup; it's a different interface than setting up exclusions, and they should follow the same workflow and page buttons
  • After a reboot, it appears like a full disk scan is performed which can take quite a long time on a disk which has many files and lots of space
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Likelihood to Renew
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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It does everything that it needs to to create an effecitve Three level backup to the cloud of all your important data, its reliable, dependable and peformant in its use cases. It overcomes the need to store offsite physical media such as Tape or disk storage. And its cost and level of reporting can be tailored to fit the use case of your business.
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Usability
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.
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IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2 is already an incredibly idea user experience, so it's tough to think of thing. The only area I experienced that could be improved would be streamlining / tutorializing the first time setup for newer users (like me) since there are so many options available. I suppose a 'Pro Mode' where quicker file searching / backup setting up / set management would be great, once I've gotten really used to IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2 and want to make changes as quick as using a terminal.
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Performance
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.
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No answers on this topic
Support Rating
I never used Apple iCloud support, but have never needed to do so. It has become more of a personal issue with computers in my organization, where the business solution has been with Dropbox. I do have to admit when my Mac went down, having things on Apple iCloud did help to get things restored. However, since I had more than one photo file for my Business and Personal data, I was not able to recover my Business Photos. Apple iCloud should have been able to do this.
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I have not had to use their tech support. I did call once but luckily figured out what to do while I was on hold so I disconnected. If I really needed them it would have been a very long hold time I suppose.
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Implementation Rating
No answers on this topic
Did not participate in the implementation.
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Alternatives Considered
As I have mentioned, the seamless integration across Apple's ecosystem is what keeps us using this product. However, the robust value of the Microsoft 365 Business Premium suite and functionality of their AI companion - Copilot - makes it superior at an organization level. The same could be said for Google AI (Gemini) as well as their cloud services like Drive.
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I was a Backblaze user for 5 years because they had a very cost effective plan for my storage needs. However, they were very poor at backing up external devices quickly, and made it a pain in the butt to keep the backups active due to their 30 days connectivity policy.
Dropbox is a great fit for cloud backup when you need to access the backup files in the cloud frequently.
IDrive is the best solution out there for true backup of devices in case they are damaged or lost.
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Return on Investment
  • The ability to access saved content across devices no matter where I am located reduces missed opportunities to share and collaborate.
  • The version history has allowed my team to re-visit previous renditions when errors occur - saving valuable time determining the root cause.
  • The cloud reduces the number of physical documents one must remember when traveling for work.
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  • For individual users such as my case, the savings with the Personal plan are important compared to alternatives like ElephantDrive. For 5TB ElephantDrive costs $600/yr in the comparable Family plan, whereas IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2 costs only $99.50/yr.
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ScreenShots

IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2 Screenshots

Screenshot of IDrive WindowsScreenshot of IDrive WebScreenshot of IDrive Server BackupScreenshot of IDrive 360