Choosing a Cloud Storage Solution: Why Should You Try It Before You Buy?

Cloud storage companies offer the ability to store documents, spreadsheets, media, and other digital assets on their servers, sync data across multiple devices, preview and share files, work on the go and more.
However, freelancers, small businesses and larger companies all have very different needs.

There are many competing online storage options on the market, and every company offers its unique mix of technological features, functionalities, and capabilities coupled with its own set of pros and cons.

Features like data storage, file and folder sharing, file versioning, deleted file recovery as well as iOS and Android apps are very common among many providers.
More advanced capabilities like online editing, 3rd-party software compatibility, expanded privacy controls, good collaboration tools, strong security features (like password protection, encryption, and two-factor authentication) and others are also available with some service providers.

So how can you determine which platform is ideal for your specific ongoing file storage demands?

Since there are many alternatives available, the best thing you can do is try some of them out for yourself and obtain independent insights on which SaaS product deserves your hard-earned money.

The no-obligation testing period allows you to review all of the components in a hands-on way with a given system and get a feel for how it works.
It helps to form an independent opinion about the service, discover its strengths and weaknesses, and reach a research-based conclusion, whether a long-term paid subscription is worth it or not.

How to Make the Most of a Cloud Storage Service Trial Period?

Using the initial trial period gives you an opportunity to try out a premium service for free before committing to a monthly or annual subscription and without spending a penny.

It’s a great way to verify that the service provider you consider delivers on everything you’re looking for before actually putting money down.
Research, reviews, and customer recommendations are extremely useful, but it’s not the same as actually taking a cloud platform for a test drive.

Unlike a demo version or a freemium, free trial accounts come with significantly fewer limitations or restrictions, and in many cases, none at all.
Additionally, users will get complete access to the entire system for a certain period and enjoy the same benefits and privileges of a paid subscriber.

This time window enables you to fully explore the system’s features, evaluate its ease of use, test its speed, assess its value for money, and experience the provider’s customer service and support departments – all of this without paying anything at all and with no obligation to join the service as a paying customer.

After starting your free trial, play a little bit with the system: see how easy it is to set up an account, upload data, sync network devices, share files and collaborate work with other users.
Check the user-friendliness and responsiveness of the interface, try to restore some data, test the mobile app and see how well the service integrates with popular applications.

Ask yourself: do you like using this system? How well does it work for you? Can you store and retrieve data quickly and efficiently with it?
If you’re happy with what you saw and experienced, feel free to purchase a paid subscription.
However, if the platform did not meet your expectations or needs, simply cancel the trial and look for better online storage and file syncing alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Trying out and comparing a number of potential cloud storage options is a vital step before choosing a provider and selecting a relevant plan.
Here’s a list of common questions (and answers) that often come up during this process.

• Why Should You Sign Up? Benefits of Using Free Trials before Choosing Any Paid Service
  
• “Credit Card Required”: Why Do Some Free Trial Offers Require Users to Enter-In Their Credit Card Information?
  
• Risk-Free Offer Models: What’s the Difference Between Free Trials, Freemium and Money-Back Guarantee?
  
• Common Free Trial Scams: How Do They Work and What Can You Do To Avoid Them?
  
• Tips: How Do You Cancel a Free Trial You Signed Up For?