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Microsoft SkyDrive Vs. Dropbox, Google: Hands-On

Start The Discussion | Kevin Casey | August 22, 2012 08:56 AM

How does Microsoft's improved cloud filesharing and storage service stack up against the biggest names on the market? Consider a Dropbox fan's experience.

Microsoft SkyDrive Vs. Dropbox, Google: Hands-On

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Manage Storage

Need more space? It doesn't take much to fill up 7 GB these days unless you're a diligent housekeeper or consistently light user. Like the other backup and storage providers out there, Microsoft will gladly give you more space for a relatively modest price. In fact, Microsoft is undercutting some of the established players--especially Dropbox. Adding 100 GB with SkyDrive will cost you $50 a year--that comes out to $4 and small change per month. Dropbox charges nearly twice that at $99 per year. (It also offers a monthly plan for $9.99.) That fits the generally aggressive pricing and upgrade offers for Windows 8 so far. Currently, 100 GB is the largest available plan for self-service upgrade on the SkyDrive site, whereas Dropbox Pro provides 500 GB and Dropbox Teams offers 1 TB or more for workgroups. Google Drive charges $4.99 month for 100 GB. SkyDrive's pricing strikes me as a clear play for the consumer market, but one that will benefit SMB and bring-your-own-cloud users inside larger enterprises.

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