We started a new series of articles in which we will analyze the main cloud storage services, its free features, paid features, applications available for iOS, OS X, and Windows, and compatibility with other services. We will start with Box, a service with a very good free offer that is accompanied by applications for all platforms.
10GB free and 250MB per file
Things have changed a bit compared to when I created my free account. At the time Box offered 50GB free, which made it the best offer without a doubt of the existing ones. Now the offer is considerably lower: only 10GB, which is not bad at all and I think it will be enough for most users. Of course, the free account has a limit: only supports files up to 250MB, so it is not an option for those looking for a way to upload media files like movies. There are possibilities to extend these limits, with different pricing plans.
| Features | Free | pro-staff | Business | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Storage | 10GB | 100GB | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Size / File | 250MB | 5GB | 5GB | 5GB |
| Mobile access | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Custom apps | No | No | No | Yes |
| Mobile security | No | No | No | Yes |
| Price | Free | 8 € / month | 12 € / month | Personalized |
As I said, the limit per file may represent a sufficient reason not to directly consider this service as an option, but in my case, that I use it for my work, where I only store data files (doc, ppt, pdf, etc) is more than enough.
Cross-platform applications
Undoubtedly one of its most attractive aspects is the huge application catalog for any type of platform. Applications for iPad, iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Mac OS X, Windows, Web OS, etc. And we are not only talking about the number of applications, but about their quality. The official Box application has been one of the first to be updated, taking advantage of the iOS 8 extensions, which allows you to send any attachment that arrives by email, for example, to your hard drive in the new box.
The applications for iOS not only allow you to manage your files but you can also view them, with compatibility for the main formats (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, PDF, etc.) Share the files with other people is also possible thanks to official applications using various methods such as email or by message.
The application for Mac OS X and Windows, Box SyncWhat it does is create a folder on your computer (configurable) that will synchronize any changes you make on your mobile device or computer in the cloud. A great way to keep your files perfectly up-to-date at work, at home, and on your mobile device.
Recientemente Microsoft has added Box to its Office 365 service, so if you are a user of these applications you will have access to your Box files directly from them, without having to go to your file explorer.
Third-party applications
That a service has its own quality applications is an important point in its favor, but that also the applications of others integrate your service It is something that plays in favor of whether one decides to use it or not. Perhaps not as well known as Dropbox or Google Drive, Box has a presence in a good handful of applications that take advantage of its functions. Such is the case of Documents, a free Readdle application that allows you to view, organize and share content from the main online storage services, including Box, or mail clients such as Acompli that allow you to attach Box files to your emails. And they are just some examples of applications that include it, because there are many more in the App Store.
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