Is Samsung Cloud and OneDrive the same?

Answered by John Hunt

Samsung Cloud and OneDrive are not the same. While both services offer cloud storage, they are managed by different companies and have some distinct features. Let’s dive into the details to understand the similarities and differences between Samsung Cloud and OneDrive.

1. Ownership and management:
– Samsung Cloud: It is a cloud storage service developed and managed by Samsung for its devices, including smartphones and tablets. The service is specifically tailored to work seamlessly with Samsung devices and their native apps.
– OneDrive: Developed and managed by Microsoft, OneDrive is a cloud storage service available for various platforms, including Android, iOS, and Windows. It is not limited to Samsung devices and can be used on any compatible device.

2. Integration with native apps:
– Samsung Cloud: It is deeply integrated with Samsung’s native apps, such as Gallery, My Files, and Contacts. Users can easily sync and backup their data from these apps to Samsung Cloud.
– OneDrive: While OneDrive doesn’t have direct integration with Samsung’s native apps, it provides similar functionalities through the OneDrive app. Users can manually upload and sync their files from Gallery, My Files, and other apps to OneDrive.

3. Storage capacity and pricing:
– Samsung Cloud: Samsung offers free cloud storage with limited capacity (usually around 15GB) for users to backup their data. Additional storage can be purchased with a subscription plan.
– OneDrive: Microsoft provides free storage of 5GB to all users, and additional storage can be purchased through various subscription plans. OneDrive also offers a Microsoft 365 subscription, which includes a larger storage capacity and access to other Microsoft services.

4. Features and functionality:
– Samsung Cloud: Besides backing up and syncing data from Samsung’s native apps, Samsung Cloud also offers device restore and synchronization features. Users can restore their device settings, home screen layout, and app data when switching to a new Samsung device.
– OneDrive: In addition to file storage and synchronization, OneDrive offers collaborative features, such as file sharing, real-time co-authoring, and integration with Microsoft Office applications. It also provides advanced security and privacy options, like file encryption and two-factor authentication.

5. Migration from Samsung Cloud to OneDrive:
– Samsung has partnered with Microsoft to migrate the Gallery and Drive sync features from Samsung Cloud to OneDrive. Users will be able to transfer their files from Samsung Cloud to OneDrive until March 31, 2021. This migration aims to provide a smooth transition for Samsung users and ensure continuity of their cloud storage needs.

While both Samsung Cloud and OneDrive offer cloud storage services, they have different ownership, integrations, features, and pricing models. The migration from Samsung Cloud to OneDrive provides an alternative for Samsung users to continue syncing and backing up their data through Microsoft’s cloud storage solution.