Local or Cloud Storage? – Which To Choose

A man employs cloud-based computing on his smartphone to facilitate data transmission, storage, backup, and access

For users of PCs, MACs, laptops, and smart devices, they might not pay much attention to just how much data their devices are storing until the dreaded warning appears saying that their hard drive is running out of space. For mobile users, upgrading to a new MicroSD can be time consuming, and for laptop and PC users, this can be even more challenging as the need for a brand new HDD will arise in most cases. Fortunately, there are other options on the market and these include localised storage solutions (as with a new SSD or HDD), as well as cloud storage alternatives.

What is Cloud Storage?

Cloud storage is the theoretical term for uploading, transferring and downloading data from a metaphorical location that has been developed within a server. The cloud is a huge database of information, capable of storing seemingly endless bytes and can be accessed from anywhere in the world with an internet connection.

Its purpose is to make it quick and easy for a user to upload and store files and documents in a secure environment, saving them the time and effort needed to upgrade or install a new physical drive. There are many benefits to this and at OVHcloud, the entire process is made all the more simple, with options to select a package (such as the personal or professional solutions) and then take advantage of the specific features available. 

What is Local Storage?

On the other side of the coin is local storage – a function that has been utilised for decades and relies on the presence of a physical hard drive to store and access data. Most computers and laptops will come with these devices pre-installed, and for mobile phones and tablets, the storage is often found in the form of a MicroSD card which can be inserted and removed as required. Smartphones will also often have a small HDD inside of their construction.

The benefit of these storage options is that they are physical, unlike the cloud which is entirely digital. The drawback of a physical storage solution is that they can sometimes get damaged or corrupted, which can be challenging to recover data if these incidents ever occur. With OVHcloud, the risk of this is minimised as they offer cloud storage solutions, where backups can be made much more easily.

 

STAY UP TO DATE

Sign up today to stay informed with industry news & trends