Box.net Review

Our Rating:

User Rating:

Share

Pros

• Drag and Drop file selection for uploading
• 99.9% uptime guarantee
• User permission controls
• Access via your iPhone or Blackberry
• Free 14 day trial

Read the full review...

 

Cons

• Problems reported with uploading larger files
• No automatic backup option available

 

Complete Review

Box.net is not an online backup solution, but rather an online file storage service. What makes box.net different from a provider like Mozy is that you decide what files to upload & when to upload them, whereas a backup service will regularly & automatically backup the files you chose.

You can get 5GB of space for $7.95/mo or 15 GB for $19.95/mo. If you'd like to store more than 15 GB you can purchase the Box.net Enterprise account for $15/user. The maximum file size is 1 GB.

The user interface at Box.net is very straightforward, and uploading files to your Box.net account is really easy, especially with the drag and drop option that's available. Once uploaded, you can edit your Word and Excel files, listen to your music and view your photos right from your Box.net online storage account, without the need to download them first.

When you want to share files, Box.net has made this an easy and secure process. Files are shared through a unique web address associated with each file. This allows only those you choose to access your files, and, if you want to make a file private again you can do this at any time. You even have the option of requiring a password to view your files for added security.

Strong overall security is essential for any good online file storage system, and Box.net is no exception. They offer password protected storage for your account so only you have access to your files, and their facilities are constantly monitored. When you request a file, your request (and those of all the other users) must first pass through a verification code to make sure you are allowed to view the requested file(s).

Unfortunately, with Box.net, there is no automatic backup option available. This can be an important feature when looking for an online backup provider because it helps prevent you from forgetting to back up your new files and therefore offers you even more piece of mind that your files are safe and will all be there when you need them.

Unlike some similiar services, Box.net is fully compatible with all browsers and operating systems, including both Windows and Macintosh. This is a huge bonus and not available with many other providers.

Overall, Box.net has many unique features that make them a good choice for your online file storage needs, but we only rated it 2 stars because it lacks automatic backups, and that's a major point we're looking for. If you're looking for a backup solution, look elsewhere..