Is iCloud Drive a good substitute for Dropbox?

Hello.

I'm on a MacBook Air - 2014 with OS X El Capitan 10.11.5 installed.

I'm an user of iCloud Drive, but I currently only use the free 5 Gbs. I would like to upgrade to 50 Gbs.

I have an iPod Nano 3rd Generation & only this MacBook Air. My question is:

Is iCloud Drive a good substitute for Dropbox, Onedrive and other 'digital storage platforms'?

Is it safe enough to store any kind of files on it? Or is it only adequate for the iLife family apps and other Apple specific files (QuickTime, Final Cut Pro...).

Can I safely store a video on any format? Safely store Microsoft Office files on it?

If I upgrade to 50 Gbs (or more) will it be worth it?! Because currently 5 Gbs is enough for me... but if I could use it the same way I use Dropbox & Onedrive, I won't hesitate upgrading.

Thank you in advance for any help you may give me.

Best regards.

MacBook Air, OS X El Capitan (10.11.5)

Posted on Jul 6, 2016 1:08 PM

22 replies

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Jul 6, 2016 6:38 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

But this question refers to iCloud Drive specifically

Jul 6, 2016 6:40 PM in response to Csound1

Csound1 wrote:

But this question refers to iCloud Drive specifically

Yes, I understand that. What I meant was I wouldn't have a problem with that feature of iCloud Drive because, the way I use DropBox, I keep everything on my Mac as well so, it would be pretty much the same.

Jul 7, 2016 8:14 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

iCloud Drive is really set up to act more like iTunes Match where an additional copy is kept in the cloud for access by other devices but is not designed to act as off-computer storage. It can be used that way but it isn't intended to be used that way.

Jan. 2016: Using iCloud Drive without caching files locally on computer - https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7442125?answerId=29707288022#29707288022 - "You can turn off iCloud Drive on your Mac (system preferences > iCloud > iCloud drive > off) and access iCloud Drive via your browser at iCloud.com > iCloud Drive."

Oh, I also dislike the way Apple (and therefore other people posting to ASC) uses one term for multiple things which leads to confusion:

- iCloud is used to refer for services such as Match, Apple Music, iCloud Drive.

- Apple uses the same term "app" for things that run on computers and iOS devices, but they are decidedly not the same (yet??? -- I shudder).

- Coming down the road is "MacOS". Or wait; wasn't that what was introduced back in the 1980s? My G4 on the floor next to me already has MacOS on it (OS9).

You'd think if they can come up with all these new gadgets they could come up with some new names. 😝

Jul 7, 2016 8:20 AM in response to Limnos

Limnos wrote:

You'd think if they can come up with all these new gadgets they could come up with some new names. 😝

I agree, it can be quite confusing. I've also been tripped up by "Air" and "Mini" I expect "Pro" is going to present similar problems when, as they do, people post in the wrong forums.

Jul 7, 2016 8:43 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

Oh, and "SE". Isn't a SE a cute little box that runs System 7?

Jul 7, 2016 8:48 AM in response to Limnos

Limnos wrote:

Oh, and "SE". Isn't a SE a cute little box that runs System 7?

How could I have forgotten! What's next, the iPad LC? The iPhone Newton?

Jul 7, 2016 8:58 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

Coming soon: Siri's older sister "Lisa"

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Is iCloud Drive a good substitute for Dropbox?