SugarSync

*Est. $10 a month for 60 GB

Reviewed September 2009

Online backup with file syncing

Syncs files across multiple computers
Data access from any computer or smartphone
Strong multimedia functionality
Free account with 2 GB storage

No unlimited storage plan
More expensive than basic online backup
Mac version is still in beta

Our Analysis

Many experts say file-syncing services are the new face of online backup, and SugarSync earns a number of recommendations from reviewers. SugarSync offers more than online backup -- it also syncs files across multiple computers, so if you are working on a file at home, the changes will also be saved on your work computer or laptop. It also offers access to your data from any Internet-enabled computer or smartphone, including the iPhone or Blackberry. Reviewers are impressed with these features, and they also rave about SugarSync's multimedia functionality. For example, if your music files are backed up with SugarSync, you can stream your music online from any computer or mobile device. You can also share photo albums or other files directly from your personalized SugarSync website.

While such features can be very useful, they increase the cost over basic online backup services. SugarSync offers 60 GB of storage for $10 a month (other pricing plans are available for more storage). You can get unlimited storage for less than $5 a month with Carbonite (*Est. $55 a year). Carbonite can't match some of SugarSync's fancy features, but if you only need basic online backup, it's probably a better deal. If you don't have much to backup, SugarSync offers a free account with 2 GB of storage. SugarSync works for Windows XP and Vista users; a Mac version is available, but it's still in beta.

We found the best review of SugarSync at PC Pro (U.K.), where reviewer Stuart Andrews tests and rates a group of online backup and syncing services. The review at PCMag.com is also helpful, as are the slightly older reports at Laptop Magazine, PC World and The Wall Street Journal.

Our Sources

1. PCPro.co.uk

SugarSync is the lab winner in PC Pro's test of file-syncing services. Stuart Andrews calls it the "current state of the art," and praises the service's media features.

Review: SugarSync, Stuart Andrews, June 11, 2009

2. PCMag.com Details/Subscribe

Edward Mendelson at PCMag.com gives SugarSync a "good" rating, and he acknowledges that it has features other services can't match. However, he thinks wading through all of these features can be confusing at times.

Review: SugarSync, Edward Mendelson, March 23, 2009

3. Laptop Magazine Details/Subscribe

Todd Haselton at Laptop magazine gives SugarSync an Editors' Choice award, saying it has "changed the way we look at online backup." Haselton finds it easy to use on both computers and mobile devices, although large files take a while to upload.

Review: SugarSync, Todd Haselton, March 19, 2008

4. PC World Details/Subscribe

SugarSync gets a "very good" rating from Scott Dunn at PC World. He thinks it's a good option for home users, although he notes that business users will be disappointed by the lack of remote-desktop access.

Review: Sharpcast Sugarsync, Scott Dunn, Aug. 1, 2008

5. The Wall Street Journal

Walter Mossberg, a columnist for The Wall Street Journal, says SugarSync "has a few rough edges," but overall he says it's a great method for file syncing.

Review: SugarSync Offers the Best Method Yet for Replicating Files, Walter Mossberg, April 3, 2008