There are many online storage services are available these days, offering free and paid virtual drive space where users can save their data, but there has been always a confusion which is the best? well when I was choosing for myself I searched the internet, read the articles posts on various blogs and comments of the users related to it. So one by one I checked nearly 10 to 15 online web storage providers. here’s I rank them because first thing which I prefer is security (Privacy) , Easy Access from Pc , Laptop , Ipad and Smart phones.

1. DropBox

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One of the leading storage among users, DropBox is offering 2 GB free online storage and it also offers software application which can be downloaded to sync the folder(s) to keep them update. It is simple and easy to use. compared to many other which are offering 2 GB free online storage I would recommend you this.

2. SKY DRIVE

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Maybe all the people don’t agree with me but the privacy and sharing option is just as good as using an Hotmail email account. Skydrive gives you 25 GB web storage which is good enough for you to save all your precious data as a backup as well as it has sync option if you have Windows Live iMesh, you can easily sync your folder(s) and keep them updated. There’s an optional skydrive explorer software available on internet which you download and link your skydrive with your computer it will create a separate drive in which you will able to view folders copy and paste but to view by clicking you have will be redirected to the website ( This software is not officially Microsoft’s ) so I will not prefer you to use it, better choose Windows Live iMesh to access skydrive or directly on the web http://skydrive.live.com . Sky Drive offers 25 GB but uploading file size shouldn’t be more than 100 mb.

3. Minus

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Very easy to use, offering 10 GB free online storage best for media files, images , audio & Video , because it has direct player like i have my account there and I am keeping my mp3′s and other files which I want to access from anywhere http://faree.minus.com , I found minus.com better than other file storage providers in terms of easy to access, drag and drop option on the website, no file size limitation, downloadable software for computer , ipad and for smart phones. it is really good and easy to share on social networks such as facebook and google + etc..

4. ADrive

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ADrive is also one of the best and reliable service available with offering free 50GB but after inviting friends or referral it will be extended to 50GB. ADrive is also well known by many users on the net but here at my end I found the ADrive web service slower than minus, Skydrive, dropbox so I ranked it on 4th. It has a good user interface on the web as well downloadable application is available.

5. 4Shared

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One of the leading online storage provider, offers 10 GB storage for free, very friendly and secure interface, does not have any software for your computer but easy access on the web, best for sharing movies and other media related stuff. I use this for sharing purpose with everyone and I found it useful and the best one.

6. iDrive

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IDrive is designed to back up your data with just two clicks. The base version offers 2GB of storage for free and online accounts are available up to 500GB.

People get confuse, about is the data online safe or not? well privacy is must and these Top 5 providers are reliable and good one you may find many other articles by users and on the websites, please do not believe every word unless you don’t try it yourself, it just takes 5 minutes to sign up and give a try how’s the service, beside it, if it is not free, it’s not for me. well I believe online storage should be for FREE not paid as almost 99 percent of these providers are offering. when you can have multiple providers where you can store , save and share your files than why pay! instead of paying them I would prefer you BUY External Hard Drive of the space which you find useful and comfortable with they are cheap and easy to carry anywhere even some of them can be connected with router and you can access files on each device which has Wi Fi option ( Laptops till Smart Phones ) .

Burning Ripping DVD is also a better option but handle with care very sensitive option don’t you think, I mean over the years I been keeping my data on CD’s and DVD’s but some of them aren’t working thank God I had multiple back ups. Online file storage is best for sharing option on the social network till with family and friends, as far personally it is good for those who are drifting one place to another with their laptop or handheld devices they can access their data from anywhere. but if you are really serious than I would recommend you to have external HDD.

let me know which service you’ve been using online for file storage, sharing or backup and what do you think about online storage service!