ADrive Review

ADrive logo

Millions of users are choosing cloud storage over other options available to avoid loss of data and it is easy to see why. Cloud storage services have gained popularity because they offer a practical and effective way to ensure that your files can be recovered, even if your computer is damaged, or stolen.

The cloud storage market is highly competitive and providers look for effective ways to stand out. ADrive (one of the options that you will come across while trying to find a good cloud storage service) aims to impress with the 50GB of free cloud storage that it offers.

We will take a look at this provider, to help you decide if it is worth considering.

How Does it Work

One of the best things about ADrive is that it is very easy to use. Once you install the software, you would need to create a profile to start uploading your files. The interface looks well and it is designed to ensure that you can manage your data and access all the functions available without any issues. There are detailed step-by-step instructions to complete a backup task, which makes the whole process very simple, even if you have never used online backup services before.

You can select the local folders that should be backed up and then choose a remote folder to store your backups. ADrive lets you set up automatic backups and they can be scheduled to take place as often as needed: daily, weekly, or monthly, then you just have to save the settings. Since ADrive takes care of everything in the background, you won’t even need to worry about remembering to back up.

Apart from supporting backup functions, ADrive works as a cloud storage service. Uploading and downloading are also very easy and all you need to do is to drag and drop files from your computer into the uploader function. It is possible to upload individual files or complete folders and this option comes in handy when you need to upload data that is not included in the regular backup job you have previously scheduled.

Once you have uploaded your files, you will be able to share them with your family, friends, or work colleagues by creating a public link and sending it by email to them. ADrive’s file-sharing function is also very easy to use and after logging into your account, you just need to select the files or folders that you want to share. There are additional options like choosing an expiration date for the link or setting up a password to protect it. The main downside is that you would only be able to see a list of file names and there is no preview option, which is practical when you are sharing images or videos.

What Does ADrive Offer?

Works On Windows, Mac, Linux

ADrive offers good compatibility and it works with Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. There are also mobile apps available for Android and iOS. While the apps allow you to access the files on your account while you are on the go and they provide good performance, the design could be improved to make the interface more appealing.

Public Keys, Network Drive Mapping

ADrive gives you the option to manage your public keys from the software’s interface. If you are a Windows user, you can also map ADrive as a network drive, which will allow you to control your files from File Explorer.

The service supports impressively fast upload speeds, but when it comes to downloading, you can expect some slowdown.

Zoho Editor

Zoho Editor is one of the highlights of ADrive and thanks to it, you can easily edit documents online without the need of using Microsoft Office. Once you access the web interface, you won’t have to download your files to make any changes as Zoho allows you to edit the documents online. This is a very convenient solution that will ensure that you can edit your text documents from any computer.

Geographical Redundancy

Another reason to rely on ADrive is that it uses geographical redundancy to guarantee that your data is never lost. Several copies of your files are stored in different places, meaning that if something happens to one of ADrive’s servers, your data would still be safe in another location.

Pricing And Support

ADrive started in 2007 when a team of industry experts got together with the purpose of setting up a high-quality backup and storage solution. Since it was established, ADrive has been recognized for offering cloud storage, backup, and file-sharing service that combines convenient features and reasonable prices. One of the main reasons why ADrive has become a popular option is the fact that it can offer low-priced plans for users who don’t need a large amount of storage space.

There is a free (ad-supported) plan called Personal Basic that lets you enjoy 50GB of storage space. However, it doesn’t offer SSL encryption, or file history, which means that you will not be able to restore previous versions of your files. In order to get a fully-featured service, you will need to upgrade to the Premium or Business plan. The Premium plan starts at $2.50 per month for 100GB and it can be increased to 20TB and more. The Business plan gives you the option to get unlimited space, but you can start with 200GB for $7 per month.

ADrive can be affordable as long as you don’t exceed 100GB. The problem is that if you need higher storage capacity, the prices will rise considerably. At first sight, ADrive seems like the most conveniently priced service but compared to the leading providers in the industry, it doesn’t really offer great value for money when it comes to storage space. However, there are still some advantages that make ADrive a good option. For instance, the size limit of a single file that can be transferred is 16GB so instead of uploading a large number of files individually, you can save time by transferring a complete folder at once.

Although there are not many options to contact the support team, ADrive is very easy to use so it is less likely that you have issues related to usability. If required, you can get technical assistance via email and while the responses are not as fast as we would like, they are very detailed. You can also find useful information on the forums and FAQ section.

Conclusion

ADrive will catch your attention thanks to the low prices of their plans, which support online backup, cloud storage, and file sharing from just $2.50 per month. However, it is important to remember that this is only for 100 GB and if you need more storage space, you will need to pay a higher price. The service may be limited when compared to other options, but overall ADrive is an effective solution that offers good performance, ease of use, and reasonable prices.

Updated 2015-10-21

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