Cloud Storage vs. Cloud Backup: What Makes Them Different from Each Other?

While many businesses have adopted cloud technology to run and store certain applications, some companies have entirely moved to the cloud, allowing their teams to collaborate and work remotely. When you are planning to move some of your data to the cloud, there is one thing that you must have utter clarity about – the difference between cloud storage and cloud backup.

Today, we will help you understand how cloud storage and cloud backup differ from each other, what pros and cons they have, and more. So, if you are new to the cloud as well or think that both are the same things, keep reading to get complete clarity.

Cloud Storage vs. Cloud Backup

What Is Cloud Storage?

Cloud Storage refers to the tools that help you save your documents, photos, videos, and other important files on the cloud and allow you to access them on any device, anytime, anywhere. The simple goal of using cloud storage is easy storage, easy sharing, easy access, and easy syncing. If you have a smartphone, there are higher chances that you are already taking advantage of cloud storage without even realizing it.

Some of the most popular examples of cloud storage are OneDrive from Microsoft, Google Drive, and Drop Box.

What is Cloud Backup?

Cloud backup refers to the tools and services that help you create a secure backup of your entire data on the cloud. It is not used to share and access files anywhere, anytime you want. Instead, it is used for the sole purpose of having a comprehensive backup of secure data that you can use during disaster recovery. Since it is mainly designed for professionals and businesses, it is uncommon for everyone to have it.

Some of the popular service providers that offer cloud backup services include Acronis, I Drive, etc.

What makes cloud backup and cloud storage different? How do they work?

The only thing that cloud backup and cloud storage share is cloud technology. Apart from this, cloud storage and cloud backup are entirely different services.

How Cloud Storage Works

With cloud storage, you have to either manually upload your files and data to the cloud or sync your data to the cloud for automatic upload. It comes in handy when you happen to lose or damage your phone. You can easily get all those files after signing on to your new device.

You can access your photos and other data anywhere even if you don’t have your phone. The main idea is to have your data in a centralized location for the sake of fast and easy access and sharing regardless of the location, time, and device.

If you accidentally delete a file from your device or download an infected file or malware on any of your devices, the same will reflect on other devices. It means that an infected file on one device can also infect other files and devices while using cloud storage.

How Cloud Backup Works

On the other hand, cloud backup services give users the ability to continuously and automatically take the backup of applications, photos, documents, other files, and even servers. It continuously collects, compresses, encrypts, and transfers data to the cloud server of the service provider. Once the service provider has the entire backup, it executes incremental backups to decrease the amount of time and bandwidth consumed significantly.

With cloud backup, primary data resides on your original devices for regular use, and the secondary data is safely stored in the cloud to be used in the events of data recovery. A cloud backup solution is designed to store all data with a custom retention policy. It allows you to recover any file before the point when your data gets corrupted, damaged, or infected. So, even if you happen to infect your files on your system, a cloud backup solution can provide the earlier version of clean files.

What are the pros and cons of cloud storage and cloud backup?

Like any other technology, cloud storage and cloud backup also come with pros and cons. To help you learn them, check out the below easy-to-understand points:

Cloud Storage

Pros:

• Allows you to store your photos, videos, documents, and files in a centralized location
• Makes it easier for you to share your files with friends, relatives, and colleagues
• Helps you keep your data synchronized across all devices, i.e. smartphones, laptops, and tablets
• Allows you to access your data anytime, anywhere on any device

Cons:

• Lack of control and customize your data storage setup
• Changes, such as accidental deletion made on one device can reflect across all other devices after sync
• One infected file on a device means the copies of the same file on other devices are also infected
• Doesn’t upload your data unless you turn on the sync feature
• Doesn’t provide strong security for your data

Cloud Backup

Pros:

• Automatically works in the background to scan and back up the entire data
• Uses file versioning so that even if you accidentally overwrite a file, you can recover the earlier version
• Encrypt your files before uploading them to the cloud
• Can expect complete data privacy when you opt for a trusted and renowned cloud backup provider
• Allow you to log in to your account and restore data to replacement hardware devices with minimal interruption
• Have more control over your data when determining a backup policy

Cons:

When it comes to the cons of cloud backup, you won’t find many drawbacks because it provides a comprehensive backup of your entire data, keeps it secure, and proves to be very effective in disaster recovery. However, unlike free cloud storage solutions like Google Drive, quality cloud backup services are a bit expensive. Plus, reliability and data privacy depend on the service provider. Thus, we recommend choosing only highly reputable cloud service providers.

Do you have any queries or need help with storage and backup solutions for your home or business?

Author: TechBlonHub

As a passionate blogger, I'm thrilled to share my expertise, insights, and enthusiasm with you. I believe that technical knowledge should be shared, not hoarded. That's why I take the time to craft detailed, well-researched content that's easy to follow, even for non-tech. I love hearing from you, answering your questions, and learning from your experiences. Your feedback helps me create content that's tailored to your needs and interests