In this mushrooming digital storage space, cloud services are becoming the key to our day-to-day lives. While Google Drive and Apple iCloud are leading in the market, the emerging new players find opportunities for their competitive offerings. One such contender is JioCloud, a cloud storage service belonging to the house of Reliance Industries Limited. With the introduction of 100 GB of free cloud storage in the welcome offer for Jio AI Cloud, many questions have come up about whether JioCloud is a good alternative to Google Drive. In this post, we will cover some features and benefits of using JioCloud, along with certain possible drawbacks that might make it not a full replacement for Google Drive.
What Is JioCloud?
JioCloud is a cloud-based digital storage developed to service mainly the Jio network users. Similar to Google Drive, JioCloud can store various types of digital information, such as photos, videos, music, and documents, that can be accessed from any device connected to the Internet. This service thus aims at offering reasonable, low-cost cloud storage, especially for Jio network users in India.
Currently, JioCloud offers 5 GB of free storage for subscribers of Jio. This can be extended up to 15 GB through a referral program. All other users support logins with Google, Facebook, or Apple IDs; free storage is capped at 2 GB.
But the game-changing announcement at the 47th AGM of RIL was that beginning this Deepavali, every user on the Jio network will get 100 GB of free cloud storage under the Jio AI Cloud welcome offer. The offering is likely to see many takers, especially users who are looking for free alternatives to the expensive offering from Google Drive that sells 100 GB of cloud storage for ₹1,399 annually.
JioCloud vs. Google Drive: Feature Comparison
To determine whether JioCloud is a worthy alternative to Google Drive, let’s compare the key features of both services.
1. Storage Space
- JioCloud: Currently offers 5 GB of free storage, with an upcoming 100 GB welcome offer for Jio users.
- Google Drive: Provides 15 GB of free storage with each Google account, with paid plans starting at ₹1,399 per year for 100 GB.
2. File Accessibility and Sharing
- JioCloud: Files are categorized by type (e.g., images, videos, documents), making it easy to locate specific files. Users can share files with other JioCloud users and access files offline via the “Offline Files” folder.
- Google Drive: Offers seamless integration with Google’s suite of apps like Docs, Sheets, and Photos, making it a preferred choice for those deeply embedded in the Google ecosystem.
3. Security Features
- JioCloud: Utilizes AES 256 encryption to protect data, and all servers are ISO certified and located in India. The app also requires OTP authentication for login, enhancing security.
- Google Drive: Uses industry-standard encryption and offers robust security features, including two-factor authentication (2FA).
4. Additional Features
- JioCloud: Includes a built-in document scanner, the ability to create private folders with additional passwords, and a Trash feature for recovering deleted files.
- Google Drive: Offers superior integration with Google services, automatic backups for Android devices, and advanced collaboration tools for teams.
Usability and User Experience
Switching to JioCloud will be rather easy for those who have used Google Drive previously. The JioCloud app is available on Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS, and it’s even compatible with the JioPhone running on a special version of KaiOS. The user interface is quite intuitive, and uploading, sharing, and managing files is relatively effortless.
Another strong point of JioCloud is that it automatically sorts the files by type. Adding offline availability and making files ‘favourite’ makes it a great overall user experience. It also features a document scanner, which is quite useful, especially in case you regularly digitize hard physical documents.
However, this free 5 GB of storage may be pitiably small for users with higher storage needs. And that is where the upcoming 100 GB offer may make JioCloud an option worth considering.
Is JioCloud Ready to Replace Google Drive?
While JioCloud is offering a host of handy features and an aggressive storage plan, the need to switch largely depends on your specific requirements. For a casual user whose storage needs constitute photos, videos, and light documents, JioCloud’s features are considerably adequate. Upcoming 100 GB of free storage makes it an extremely cost-effective alternative for Google Drive, especially for Jio network users.
But for those deeply invested in the Google ecosystem, with apps like Docs, Sheets, and Photos, Google Drive is still better. The integration with other apps and the various additional tools offered by Google Drive are hard to match for JioCloud.
Security-wise, both the services offer great protection to your data, but since Google Drive has a global infrastructure, it might have some edge over its peer in terms of speed and reliability.
FAQs About JioCloud
1. How much free storage does JioCloud offer?
A: JioCloud currently offers 5 GB of free storage to Jio users. However, starting this Deepavali, Jio users will receive 100 GB of free cloud storage as part of the Jio AI Cloud welcome offer.
2. Can I use JioCloud if I’m not a Jio network user?
A: Yes, non-Jio users can access JioCloud using their Google, Facebook, or Apple IDs, but the free storage is limited to 2 GB.
3. Is JioCloud secure?
A: Yes, JioCloud uses AES 256 encryption to protect your data, and its servers are ISO certified and located in India.
4. Can I access JioCloud files offline?
A: Yes, JioCloud has a feature called “Offline Files” that allows users to access files without an internet connection.
5. How does JioCloud compare to Google Drive in terms of storage space?
A: Currently, Google Drive offers 15 GB of free storage, while JioCloud provides 5 GB. However, JioCloud will soon offer 100 GB of free storage as part of a special promotion.
JioCloud is more of a practical option for users in need of affordable, secure cloud storage, essentially targeted at subscribers of the Jio network. With the offering of the upcoming 100 GB of free storage, this makes it a considerably brilliant alternative to Google Drive, especially for users with less than medium storage needs. However, for those deeply embedded in the ecosystem of Google or those needing advanced collaboration tools, Google Drive remains the best choice. Ultimately, whether you’re going to switch depends on your needs and how deeply integrated you have been with either ecosystem.