Comparison of FileCloud Sync and Drive

You can use the following FileCloud tools to access and manage your files stored and shared in the cloud:

FileCloud Sync

FileCloud Drive

When would I use FileCloud Sync and when would I use FileCloud Drive?

Deciding on which tool to use depends on how you want to access and manage your files. It can also depend on some of the following factors:

Company policy
Internet connectivity
Security policies

Use the information in Table 1 to understand the difference in the tools and choose which is the best one for you. You can also decide to use them both!

Table 1. FileCloud Sync vs. Drive

FileCloud Sync	FileCloud Drive
USE CASES
Offline copy is needed for reasons such as traveling & intermittent network access.	Offline copy is not needed or not allowed per company policy
Team collaboration	View FileCloud server files as a drive. User doesn't want files to be downloaded for local copy. File downloaded only in edit.
Recommended when lots of files needs to be moved to the FileCloud Server. The process is a lot more efficient than uploads.	Doesn't consume permanent storage. Ideal for newer laptops with SSDs where hard disk capacity is limited
Locally view FileCloud files & have a selective and/or all files/folder from FileCloud as copy on Desktop	Scenario where you need access to TBs of files and don't want every file to be synced.
Better in editing large files such as AutoCAD	Easier on bandwidth usage - all files doesn't need to be downloaded and uploaded
Better when working on files directly from your HDD
Better when editing linked documents such as graphic files that link to multiple other files.
Ideal Dropbox replacement - great offline edits.
CHALLENGES
FileCloud Sync	FileCloud Drive
Requires storage space on the HDD to store offline files	Requires active and stable internet connection
Are files downloaded to desktop? Yes, synchronized with FIleCloud Server periodically	Are files downloaded to desktop? Files are downloaded only on edit Upon save, file is synchronized back to FileCloud server
How does locking work? No deliberate locking can be issued in FileCloud Sync client. As files are proactively synced between FileCloud Server & Sync Client - Conflicts & updates are notified on Sync.	How does locking work? Automatically lock on edit in FileCloud Drive. If lock is not possible, edit will be prevented and server copy will not be changed
OTHER FEATURES
FileCloud Sync	FileCloud Drive
Selective Sync - Not all files under FileCloud is copied to Desktop	Map FileCloud folders as a Drive
Actively Bi-directional	Set limit on file size at Drive level
FileBrowser app to edit and browse all documents via a explorer like interface

How does FileCloud Sync & Drive compare with WebDAV Clients?

You can download WebDAV clients to interact with your files on FileCloud Server.

To see a comparison between FileCloud client applications and a WebDAV client:

Use Table 2 to see a feature comparison
Use table 3 to see a use case comparison

Table 2. FileCloud Client Apps vs. WebDAV Features

Feature	FileCloud Drive	FileCloud Sync	WebDAV*
Connection	Virtual File System	Hard drive	Virtual File System
Offline Copy of Files	No	Yes	No
Remote Wipe	Yes	Yes	No
Cost	Free	Free	Some of the WebDAV like WebDrive are paid ones whereas some are free.
Ideal for	Editing Small Files	Editing all Files	Editing Small Files
Operating Systems	Windows and MAC	For Windows , MAC and LINUX	For Windows , MAC and LINUX

Although FileCloud is compatible with WebDAV clients, CodeLathe does not provide it's own WebDAV client for FileCloud.

Table 3. FileCloud Client Apps vs. WebDAV Use Cases

Operation	Drive	Sync	WebDAV
Logging in with HTTP and HTTPS	Yes	Yes	Yes
Browse Folders	Yes	Yes	Yes
Create New Directory	Yes	Yes	Yes
Upload Files	Yes	Yes	Yes
Download Files	Yes	Yes	Yes
Edit/Update	Yes	Yes	Yes
Copy , Move, Delete	Yes	Yes	Yes
Block device ( admin )	Yes	Yes	No
Remote Wipe a device	Yes	Yes	No
Add/Remove Admin Messages	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Logs	Yes	Yes	Yes
Backing up system data	No	Yes	No
Network Shares	Yes	Yes	Yes