iDrive vs OneDrive 2024: review, features, compare, pros and cons

Pertaining to cloud computing for artistic data storage. Both of these cloud storage options provide ample space for all of your gadgets at a reasonable price, along with reliable collaboration tools and top-notch safety measures. In this guide, we’ll compare iDrive and OneDrive and cover everything you need to know about these platforms so you can make an informed decision about which one is best for you and your file storage needs.

Check out our recommendations for the top cloud storage services for more information. When it comes to cloud storage, you can choose from a wide variety of services. That’s good, because it means customers have more options from which to choose the cloud storage solution that works best for them. However, this can make the selection process seem overwhelming, which is where we come in.

Known for both its hardware and software, Microsoft decided to jump on the cloud bandwagon in 2007 with the release of OneDrive. It has come a long way since then, and what was once a solid option for home users is now a viable choice for businesses thanks to the introduction of OneDrive for Business.

It was in 1995 that the concept of iDrive was first conceived. It was originally conceived as a tool for the technically savvy business user in need of a reliable backup solution. However, iDrive’s recent addition of features like file sharing and file synchronization across multiple devices has increased its appeal to businesses.

Pricing

The free version of OneDrive only provides 5 GB of storage, which is hardly adequate. A 100GB plan is also available for $1.99 (£1.99) per month, but the Microsoft 365 Personal plan with 1TB of storage and Office 365 is more expensive at $6.99 (£5.99) per month. We think the $9.99 (£7.99) monthly price is fair for a plan that allows six users to share six terabytes of storage (total 6TB, 1TB each). Given that most people will subscribe to a cloud storage platform for the long haul, we approve of the fact that there are annual plans which save you some money.

Although iDrive’s 10GB of free space may seem like a lot, it’s not nearly enough for a full system backup. Users must commit to an annual plan, with individual plans starting at 5TB of storage space. The annual fee is $79.50, or $99.50 for 10TB. The unlimited storage space is great for those who want to back up multiple computers and mobile devices without spending extra money.

Depending on the number of users, the monthly cost for businesses using OneDrive ranges from $5 (£3.80) to $10 (£7.50) for storage only, or from $6 (£4.50) to £12.50 (£9.40) for storage and Microsoft Office 365.

The iDrive Teams plan ranges in price from $99.50 per year for five users up to $1,999.50 per year for one hundred users, with storage capacities of 5TB, 25TB, 50TB, and 100TB, respectively. For businesses with an unlimited number of employees, we offer a Business plan with pricing ranging from $99.50 per year for 250GB to $11,599.50 for 50TB. It’s important to remember that iDrive frequently has sales, so it’s smart to wait for a promotion to be running before making any large purchases.

iDrive: Features

OneDrive: Features

iDrive vs OneDrive Backup

Since we’ll be evaluating both candidates based on how well they back up data, IDrive is a clear favorite to win the first round. OneDrive has recently begun advertising its ability to perform backups, which may seem a little unfair at first. It’s more of a sync tool than a cloud storage solution, so it can’t compete with IDrive.

We can all think of Google Drive’s “backup & sync” feature at this point, and it’s a good analogy. Microsoft also promotes it as a means of syncing data across multiple gadgets. Cloud storage was already built to do that, so we find that a bit strange, but who are we to question the world’s largest software company.

Compared to its competitors, IDrive offers more features and improves upon those it already had. For instance, it is capable of backing up not only laptops and smartphones, but also NAS devices, external hard drives, and servers. Disk cloning is another method that IDrive uses to aid in complete system recoveries.

IDrive not only allows you to back up more data, but it also simplifies the process. You can quickly choose which files and folders to back up and which to exclude thanks to the straightforward and easy-to-use interface.

iDrive vs OneDrive Features

OneDrive is a Microsoft product that has been a mainstay for Windows users for some time now due to its seamless integration with the native file management system. However, there are also macOS, iOS, and Android clients that allow users to access their data pretty much anywhere.

The ‘Office’ suite of programmes, which includes Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and a few others, is included in all but the most basic subscriptions. This is excellent news for Windows users, but it may start to make Pages, Numbers, and Keynote users on macOS feel like they are paying too much for features they do not use. However, while these documents can be stored in OneDrive, they cannot be opened with Office software. Word documents created in Microsoft Office cannot be opened in Apple’s word processors.

In contrast to OneDrive, iDrive’s primary function is to replicate all of your local data onto a remote server. If you’re one of the many who, in the past, may have resorted to outsourced storage, this programme will back up everything on your Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices, as well as any external drives you connect them to.

Although online file restoration is an option, we appreciate the choice to have a hard copy of our data mailed to us in case we lose our electronic backup. If you need one more than once per year, you’ll have to pay $59.95, but businesses can use the service three times per year at no cost.

iDrive vs OneDrive File Sharing & Collaboration

The next round is more difficult and will focus on file sharing and collaboration capabilities between the two cloud services. Although OneDrive will likely win out in the end, IDrive will put up a valiant fight, just like in the last bout. To begin, IDrive is one of the rare backup providers that actually supports sharing, albeit in a severely restricted form. The sharing function is, if we’re being completely honest, more of a file transfer service.

Without a doubt, the fact that there is no maximum file size restriction is its best feature. IDrive’s success in this area, however, stops there. While sharing files via OneDrive is as simple as right-clicking, this service is capable of much more. You can add security features like password protection and expiration dates to files before sending them. This makes collaboration on OneDrive significantly more secure than it is with IDrive.

OneDrive’s integration with Microsoft Office 365 means that it not only facilitates better sharing, but also better collaboration. Like Google Drive, this allows you to collaborate on files in the cloud in real time. In my opinion, the investment is more than justified by the benefits you will gain from adopting this approach to your work.

iDrive: Pros and Cons

OneDrive: Pros and Cons

Which one should you consider?

The choice between cloud backup and cloud storage comes down to the hardware you already have. iDrive’s backup solution could be useful if you have a computer with plenty of storage space. It’s possible that OneDrive is a better fit for you if you’d like to reduce your outlay on devices like computers, smartphones, and tablets, as it can delete unused data from your device and store it in the cloud.

In our opinion, OneDrive is the best deal for sole proprietors, small businesses, and even some medium-sized enterprises; however, if you’re a part of a large organisation that deals with terabytes of data, iDrive may be the better option for you.