Cloud Computing is the latest surge in computer technology allowing us to use the cloud as storage.  This enables the user to save data on remote servers that can be accessed through any device that has internet access.

Comparing services like Google Drive, Dropbox, SkyDrive, DropBox, and iCloud.

The cloud storage boom of 2012 has given consumers many choices and if you subscribe to a few of the services you can get almost 20GB in FREE Storage.  What’s great about these services is that they can be used with mobile devices as well as desktop apps.

Here are some details on the most popular services, including Google Drive, to compare them.

Below are some charts showing each service’s free tier sizes, file size limits, and pricing, as well as some of the perks and drawbacks of each service.

Ars Technica

Dropbox

Pro: Can increase your free storage by 500MB for each friend you invite, one of two services that offers a Linux app, robust mobile apps.
Con: Default storage is dinky compared to other services, paid storage is expensive.

Google Drive

Pro: Integrates with your Google account, has one of the highest max file sizes.
Con: Has one of the looser terms of service/privacy policies, only mobile app is on Android (though iOS app is said to be on the way).

iCloud

Pro: Has an automatic backup feature for whole devices, though only for iOS devices and certain types of files.
Con: Serious file type and size restrictions, is primarily meant to work with iOS/Mac OS X.

Microsoft SkyDrive

Pro: Largest free tier that may be upgradeable to 25GB depending on if you’re using an old Windows Live/MSN account, only platform that works on Windows Phone so far, second-lowest price per GB per month.
Con: No Mac client if you don’t have OS X Lion installed

Box

Pro: Cheapest paid tiers of all the services (though Box charges by the year).
Con: No desktop sync without upgrading to a business license, file size limit tied with iCloud for smallest.

SugarSync

Pro: One of the few services preparing to offer a Windows Phone app (not out yet), no file size limit.
Con: Only more expensive service is Dropbox. Some may say the company is wasting its time supporting Windows Mobile.

SpiderOak

Pro: Takes privacy and security the most seriously of all the services, bar none; no file size limit.
Con: Requires install of desktop app to use, default storage size is small, mobile apps have not been well-received.
OveraIl, Box earns the title of least expensive paid storage service, though its lowest paid tier is the same size as SkyDrive’s first free one, if you’re grandfathered into that free 25GB. Many of the services put the great Dropbox to shame in terms of free storage and cost, though Dropbox’s legacy have afforded it highly refined desktop and mobile apps for customers to use. If you need a Linux client and lots of flexibility, SugarSync, SpiderOak, and Dropbox come out on top; if you’re a budding Windows Phone user, SkyDrive is the only service that will let you access your cloud-stored files.
If you are a fan of any of these services, or one of the services we left out, and are enamored of certain features, let us know what they are in the comments.

Cloud storage: a pricing and feature guide for consumers | Ars Technica.