SugarSync allows you to keep your computers, smartphones and mobile devices synced and backed up on the internet. Of all the online data backup services we reviewed, SugarSync offers the most features and continuous backup abilities. It also protects your data by keeping the five most recent versions of your files in the cloud, automatically updating them as you make changes. The only real issue we have with this service is that SugarSync charges for phone support, but it's unlikely you will need extra help anyway. We gave them our TopTenREVIEWS Silver Award because they simply offer the most features, the best device compatibility, giving you access to your data, no matter where you’re at.
The syncing services are top-notch, and once you’ve set up your account and downloaded the software to your Mac or Windows PC, you can sync documents and other files to SugarSync online data backup service. So if you make a change to the document, it will sync those changes. You’ll be able to access your important data from anywhere so you don't have to print out a hard copy, email yourself the latest version, use a flash drive, etc. So if you’re working on a project at work, you can access it while on the road or even from home.
SugarSync also performs regular backups, sending new or updated data to their offsite facility and servers for safe storage. This online data backup service also handles versioning well, saving the five most recent versions of your files. So if you need to go back to an older copy of a document you're working on, it’s easy to access it. That way you won't need to worry about losing your data if your files become corrupted, because SugarSync will have older versions you can refer to. And while it does keep five versions of each file, this service only counts it as one toward your storage limit, not five, so this feature doesn't waste your storage space.
Since SugarSync is an online data backup service, it stores your files in the cloud so you can access them easily whether you're recovering data or grabbing a file from your home computer to access on your smartphone. SugarSync keeps your files organized so you have easy access to them. Additionally, you can stream your music with this online data backup service without having to download the files. This can free up your storage space and give you more room to keep all your favorite pictures and songs to share at a moment's notice.
Another convenient feature of SugarSync's online data backup service is that you can sync to offline devices. For instance, you can sync to your computer even if your computer is offline. The same goes for your phone or tablet. When you connect the device to the internet, it automatically updates the changes you made from a different computer or mobile device.
This online data backup and syncing service works across multiple operating systems. SugarSync lets you access a document from your Mac, PC or mobile device. That way you can retrieve your data no matter what device you're using, though you may not always have full editing abilities with some files.
SugarSync can share files in more ways than any other online backup service we reviewed. It can do all of the expected functions like sharing folders and assigning permissions to files and folders. You can also send files of any size using SugarSync photo albums.
Unlike most services, SugarSync will let you view, share and sync between multiple devices and computers. In addition to the usual sharing tools, SugarSync has iPad, iPod Touch, BlackBerry, Android, Symbian and iPhone applications and a web version optimized for mobile devices. That means you can view, sync and share your files from virtually any mobile device you own. With SugarSync on your smartphone, you don’t have to load files onto your phone; you can access files from your online account. You can also send large files through the app using smart phones including the iPhone, Blackberry, Android and Windows Mobile.
Files synced to SugarSync’s servers are sent using Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption, meaning every file is verified before it goes on your hard drive or their servers. Once files reach their servers, they’re encrypted with 128-bit AES. Plus, your files are stored and backed up in two state-of-the-art data centers, preventing total data loss if one data center were to go down. Files downloaded from SugarSync are secured the same way as uploaded files, ensuring you’re the only one looking at your files.
SugarSync’s plans support anywhere from 30GB to 250GB. The maximum space can hold around 3,000 documents and 6,000 photos and songs to 25,000 documents, 40,000 photos and 30,000 songs. These plans require monthly or yearly fees. With the 30GB plan, customers receive as many features as subscribers to the 250GB plan. If you need even more storage, SugarSync offers a 500GB plan. Business users can sign up for SugarSync for Business and receive 100GB for up to three users with the option to add additional users and storage space. You can purchase your online data backup service with a credit card or through PayPal.
In our lineup of products, this is one of the easiest online backup service to use. SugarSync supports drag-and-drop tools, a logical file organization structure and seamless navigation between its desktop and online versions. The online and desktop versions are organized in a similar style so both are easy to use. SugarSync prompts you with an explanation whenever you access a feature for the first time. With this service, we never needed to consult support or the help pages. Everything was easy the first time, especially when compared to some of the other online data backup services we reviewed.
You can contact SugarSync by email or chat. They post extensive information on their website in the form of tutorials, a frequently asked questions section and user guides. There’s also a very active forum with posts from users, some complaining about issues with SugarSync’s support; however, we never experienced these problems. SugarSync has a blog that includes company updates, general information, tips and tricks, production news, promotions, general information and press releases. In the tips and tricks section of the blog, you can learn about how you can optimize SugarSync on your mobile devices or how to sync your data from one online data backup service to another. The promotions page has information about contests, special offers and video round-ups. You can keep track of new app technology for your phone or mobile device on the product news page.
SugarSync is compatible with Macs, PCs, iOS devices, Android, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile and Symbian. SugarSync online data backup services enable you to access documents, photos, music and other data from the cloud so you don't have to keep it all on your computers or mobile devices.
SugarSync is a sweet deal. It offers powerful backup tools, the best sharing tools available, mobile compatibility and a great pricing structure that provides the same tools with each plan. There is very little more that we could ask for in this service. Not only does SugarSync back up your data, but it allows you to access it yourself from a variety of electronic devices. You can rest assured that your files are safe with SugarSync's 128-bit AES encryption and storage in two separate locations. SugarSync is an exceptional service that provides more than other services.
