Data is the main fuel that drives the world running, and we are generating more data than ever. We are creating approximately 402.74 million terabytes of data every day.
But how and where do we store all of the data? There are two options for storing data: Cloud Storage and Local Storage. If you want reliable local storage, then you should choose Moondrive, your reliable data storage provider.
This guide focuses on traditional storage vs cloud storage and gives you the perfect insight to choose the perfect solution for your business.
What is local storage?
Local storage is a type of data storage where data is stored on an enterprise’s own hardware. This hardware can be a data centre run by the firm or a server that manages all individual office devices.
Pros of local storage
The following are the pros of local storage:
- Complete control over data and hardware: Local storage provides the organization with complete control over its data, which means increased privacy and security.
- Lower latency: Data retrieval happens directly from the device’s local cloud storage, which has low latency.
- No internet required: As data can be written, stored, and retrieved without an active internet connection.
- Best for compliance: Local cloud storage offers full control over your data, which might meet compliance requirements and regulatory standards such as HIPAA.
- No hidden fees: There are no hidden costs associated with local storage. It is solely the price of the data storage solution.
- Ease of setup: Setup and configuration are simpler and easier to do.
Cons of local storage
The following are the cons of local storage:
- In-house IT experts: Businesses require additional IT experts’ support to run, fix, and upgrade their physical storage.
- Risk of physical damage: A physical local storage device requires protection from risks like theft and physical damage.
What is cloud storage?
Cloud storage is a form of data storage hosted by a third-party provider on multiple servers in an off-site storage. It is accessed via the internet, operated by the cloud provider.
There are three different types of cloud storage:
- Private Cloud: Managed by the company’s IT staff, with information available only to the individual user, offering enhanced security.
- Public Cloud: It is accessible via the internet and can be accessed by any authorized employee.
- Hybrid Cloud: This combines public and private cloud solutions, which offer the robust security of a private cloud with the flexibility of a public cloud.
Pros of cloud storage
The following are the pros of cloud storage:
- Scalability: Cloud storage is more scalable than local storage, allowing businesses to increase or decrease their capacity on demand.
- Accessibility: Cloud storage can be accessed via the internet, and users can access their data from anywhere and from any device with a stable internet connection.
- Automation: Cloud storage can be used by multiple users and everything is controlled by cloud provider.
- Scalability: You can upgrade the service plan if the current plan seems to be insufficient to your needs.
- Reliability: People create hard drive backup when their cloud storage gets full or it is telling to upgrade your current plan.
Cons of cloud storage
The following are the cons of cloud storage:
- Vendor lock-in: Switching between different cloud storage providers is complex and often expensive, especially if it concerns large volumes of data.
- Subscription costs: While pay-as-you-go cloud storage can be less costly in some cases, exceeding storage tiers—or storing large amounts of data—can prove very expensive.
- Internet dependency: Cloud storage is dependent on internet connectivity. If there is no internet connection, the cloud storage won’t work smoothly.
If you want a local storage service, you can always rely on Computero, the most trustworthy solution for local storage users.
Local storage vs cloud storage
| Features | Local storage | Cloud storage |
| Accessibility | Remote access can be limited | Accessible wherever the internet is available |
| Performance | Low latency | High latency |
| Scalability | Requires purchasing new devices | More flexible to scale up and down |
| Costs | High startup costs | Low initial payment |
In what ways does cloud storage outperform traditional storage?
Cloud storage is more efficient than traditional storage; users can easily access their files, and the storage is scalable and more cost-effective. At the same time, cloud storage also has an advantage in accessibility, security, and data recovery over traditional storage.
Local vs Cloud Storage Benefits Comparison:
Accessibility
The files in cloud storage are reachable by any device with internet access. On the other hand, files in traditional storage can only be accessed via physical devices or servers such as Moondrive.
Scalability
If additional storage is required, a cloud solution is easy and simple and does not require expensive hardware; traditional storage requires buying and putting in more equipment.
Security and Data Backup
Information on cloud storage is strongly encrypted and is backed up automatically in different locations; thus, the possibility of data loss is very low compared to local drives, which are very susceptible to physical failure and data loss.
Maintenance
Any work and upgrades are under the responsibility of the cloud provider. This means that there is no need for the IT department to take care of the hardware.
Cost-effective
Normally, cloud storage is offered on a subscription basis, which means that there is no need to make a big initial investment and pay the maintenance fees that are usually required for regular servers and hard drives.
Key takeaways
The choice between cloud vs local storage really depends on what you need in terms of cost, control, and accessibility. With local storage, you get more control, faster access without needing the internet, and better privacy if you are a fan of on-site control, but it also means that you need to make a big hardware investment and take care of IT regularly.
Cloud storage is good for storage that can be accessed from anywhere, automatically backed up, scaled up, and maintained at a lower level, thus ideal for teamwork and expansion, although it still needs you to be connected to the internet, and there might be subscription fees that go on for a long time.
