Managing recordsdata throughout totally different cloud companies might be tedious. You’re caught downloading, enhancing, and re-uploading paperwork or always switching between apps. Cloud mounting instruments clear up this by making your cloud storage really feel like a pure a part of File Explorer.
5
CloudMounter
CloudMounter’s largest draw is its intuitive interface, which does not overwhelm you with choices. The setup course of is refreshingly easy: select your cloud service, and CloudMounter opens your browser for authentication. Grant permission, then very quickly, your cloud storage seems as a drive letter in File Explorer.
The app handles a number of cloud companies brilliantly. I examined it with Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive all mounted without delay (if you happen to’re debating, OneDrive typically comes out forward of Google Drive). Every reveals up with its personal drive letter, making it easy to maneuver recordsdata between companies. Simply drag and drop, like organizing folders in your desktop.
CloudMounter additionally gives built-in encryption, permitting you to create encrypted vaults for delicate recordsdata like tax paperwork or consumer work. AES-256 encryption occurs domestically earlier than something uploads, so even when somebody hacks your cloud account, they will not have a lot use for the recordsdata.
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CloudMounter works nicely for on a regular basis use, nevertheless it struggles with giant file transfers. Once I tried transferring an enormous file from Dropbox to Google Drive, the app created big non permanent recordsdata that rapidly crammed up my native storage.
As of publishing, one other focal point is that CloudMounter’s offline mode is at present solely accessible on macOS. For Home windows, assist continues to be listed as “coming quickly”. Thus, you will want a steady web connection to entry your cloud recordsdata on the go.
CloudMounter is a premium app and gives a 15-day trial. Put up-trial, it switches to a free model that limits you to at least one cloud drive; whereas extra accounts turn out to be read-only.
Obtain: CloudMounter (Free trial, $29.99 lifetime license)
4
ExpandDrive
ExpanDrive lately grew to become free for private use, making it a simple first choose amongst cloud storage managers. It supplies two interfaces: the standard system tray mounter and a separate Storage Browser window. The built-in browser proves notably helpful for looking out throughout a number of clouds or checking file variations.
ExpanDrive’s efficiency feels snappier than most options. Giant recordsdata are transferred at near-native speeds, and the app makes use of server-side copying when transferring recordsdata inside the identical cloud service. When reorganizing Google Drive folders, the recordsdata by no means truly obtain—they simply shuffle round within the cloud. ExpanDrive additionally gives selective offline sync (recordsdata sync again robotically when reconnected) and built-in encryption for added safety.
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There are a number of quirks to pay attention to, notably with OneDrive mounting. Often, the drive might seem empty in File Explorer though the recordsdata present up high quality within the Storage Browser. Throughout giant transfers, like importing video initiatives, reminiscence utilization can climb above 1GB. It’s usually not an issue on fashionable programs, however nonetheless one thing price noting if you happen to’re multitasking or engaged on a weaker system.
Obtain: ExpanDrive (Free)
3
Mountain Duck
Mountain Duck is a well-liked cloud storage supervisor, and its usability reveals why. Whereas it handles commonplace mounting duties nicely, the standout characteristic is Cryptomator integration. In contrast to CloudMounter’s fundamental encryption, Cryptomator creates zero-knowledge vaults the place even filenames get scrambled, providing higher safety for really delicate paperwork.
The app gives three sync modes when including a connection: On-line streams every little thing from the cloud with out utilizing native area, Good Sync caches recordsdata as they’re accessed, and Offline downloads every little thing domestically for full offline entry.
Dealing with giant file collections is the place Mountain Duck actually shines. Whereas another instruments decelerate when coping with bulk transfers, this app retains every little thing operating easily. Because of its persistent cache, folder buildings and file lists load immediately after a reboot, with out the standard lag or refresh delays.
The expertise is not all optimistic, although. The primary issues contain sync suggestions and occasional hiccups. Sync progress is not at all times clear—folder standing icons typically cease updating, making it exhausting to inform whether or not recordsdata are nonetheless syncing or caught. The cache can get confused, exhibiting deleted recordsdata as nonetheless accessible or re-downloading recordsdata when searching folders. OneDrive and SFTP connections sometimes fail and should require a restart to get transferring once more.
One other issue to remember is reminiscence utilization. Mountain Duck sometimes makes use of round 400–600MB of system reminiscence whereas idle, with utilization climbing considerably throughout giant file transfers. The pricing is one other matter—a single-user license prices $47, which may really feel a bit excessive on condition that a number of options supply related options at a decrease value and even at no cost.
Obtain: Mountain Duck (Free trial, $47 license)
2
Air Dwell Drive
Air Dwell Drive has a easy online-only strategy. It doesn’t sync folders or retailer native copies, so it received’t take up area in your storage drive. While you open a file, you are working straight on the model saved within the cloud, and any modifications are saved there the second you shut it.
The Home windows 10-style interface is clear and simple to navigate, providing every little thing you have to handle cloud drives, sync settings, and entry superior choices. Including a brand new drive is easy—simply click on Add Cloud Disk, select your cloud service, log in, and assign a drive letter. As soon as related, the account reveals up as a digital disk in File Explorer, prepared to make use of.
Whereas Air Dwell Drive usually works nicely, a number of limitations turn out to be noticeable in sure conditions. On slower web connections, efficiency can lag attributable to its minimal caching—each file interplay depends on a reside connection. Opening a big spreadsheet over lodge Wi-Fi, as an example, might take longer than anticipated.
The free model additionally comes with some restrictions: you’re restricted to 3 drives, every from a distinct supplier. One other minor problem is that related drives sometimes disappear after the pc wakes from sleep. Though the two.6 replace was meant to resolve this, I’ve nonetheless needed to reconnect manually every now and then.
Obtain: Air Dwell Drive (Free, $25 lifetime license)
1
RaiDrive
RaiDrive stands out with probably the most beneficiant free tier, permitting you to attach as much as eight drives with full learn and write entry to all main cloud companies. Whereas the app does show improve prompts in the primary window, they’re pretty unobtrusive. It is best to be aware that RaiDrive requires you to create an account earlier than you can begin utilizing it. It’s the one instrument on this record with necessary sign-in—not a serious downside, however price preserving in thoughts if you happen to desire to skip account creation.
The setup is dead-simple, because the wizard will get you related in just some clicks. What RaiDrive does finest is media streaming. I examined 4K playback straight from Google Drive on a gigabit connection, and it ran with out a hitch. The app feels tuned for sequential reads, which makes it an excellent match for media servers.
RaiDrive features a helpful file lock characteristic that forestalls others from enhancing recordsdata you are engaged on; it is notably useful for shared paperwork in Microsoft Workplace, LibreOffice, or OpenOffice. The app makes use of TLS/SSL encryption for information transmission and helps cache encryption to guard non permanent recordsdata in your native disk.
The paid tiers unlock extras like extra encryption choices and advert removing. At $1.84 month-to-month for the Starter plan, it is an unimaginable worth.
Obtain: RaiDrive (Free, Professional from $1.84/month)
These cloud mounting instruments clear up an actual drawback: seamlessly integrating cloud storage into your on a regular basis File Explorer workflow. As an alternative of the standard obtain, edit, and add routine, you possibly can deal with cloud paperwork like another file in your PC with out always leaping between totally different storage apps.
It will get much more sensible when you think about how a lot cloud storage many people have already got, however hardly ever use to its full potential. For instance, my Microsoft 365 subscription consists of 1TB of OneDrive storage, however I’ve typically struggled to make use of that area effectively or offload giant recordsdata from my predominant drive. With the precise mounting instrument, I can entry that storage straight from File Explorer and transfer large recordsdata with out giving up comfort.
