Live Drive:
Computer Storage Review
Live Drive is a young company hailing from the UK. Like many of the new online backup companies they are making a push to be the best by offering an unlimited storage plan. Live Drive separates themselves from the competition by offering packages that focus on features instead of on the size of the storage plan.
Live Drive offers a basic storage plan that has very limited features but unlimited storage, their next plan offers a fuller range of features but does not offer unlimited data. Instead they offer 2TB’s of data, which while this is a ton of storage it isn’t unlimited.
Live Drive: Features and Specifications
- Unlimited Storage – For $7.95 a month you can have unlimited storage though with none of the bells and whistles. The service does have automated backups and file versioning. It does not have remote access, syncing and file-and-folder access though. You can however see your backed up files from your mobile device.
- “Briefcase” – Briefcase is Live Drives second plan which offers 2TB’s of storage plus all the backup features listed in #1, including remote access, multiple computer syncing and file-and-folder access.
- Mac Compatible – Live Drive is Mac compatible and can be used as part of the multiple computer syncing.
- One Click Sharing – You can easily send large files to friends, family and colleagues with their one click sharing option. You can do it securely to by adding a password and user name.
- “Pro Suite” – Live Drives pro suite offers a ton of features that are great for businesses like unlimited backup for five PCs and FTP, SFTP and WebDAV access.
Live Drive: Security and Encryption
Live Drive provides the ability to have SSL and 256-bit AES encryption. However there is an issue with their service, you have to turn it on. Now this isn’t that bad, but it strikes us as incredibly strange that you have to enable their security. This could be potentially very dangerous especially if a customer assumes that the security is already on.
Now once security is on, it is top-notch, offering a very high level of encryption including the ability to password protect shared files and folders for extra security. However we have a hard time getting over the fact you have to enable the security. It is just strange.
Live Drive: Customer Support
Live Drive offers a limited customer service package with only access to support via email. They do offer a forum which often times has the answer and is quicker to find than waiting for an email response to your issue.
One issue we have is that service is tiered, meaning if you have the basic unlimited service expect to wait much longer than if you have their “Pro Suite” package. This isn’t uncommon, but something you should know about.
The Verdict
Live Drive offers a solid range of features for decent prices. Their tiered packages may not be for everyone, but it does provide a nice change of pace from the other online backup companies. Why pay for features you may never use?
We do have a few issues with Live Drive, namely having to turn on their encryption to use it. Why isn’t this automatic? Also their customer support is a bit lackluster and leaves much to be desired. Live Drive is a young company however and with more experience they should improve quickly.
If you are interested in Live Drive, check out their 14-day free trial!
