1. Amazon Drive :
Amazon Drive is a file hosting service and cloud storage provided by Amazon. It allows cloud storage, file hosting, file sharing, and file backup. File and folders on this drive can be transferred from multiple devices like desktops, mobile, and tablets. Amazon Drive was initially known as Amazon Cloud Drive. It is not available across the world. It is available in some selected countries. It was launched in 2011.
Some key features of Amazon Drive:
- User-friendly interface: Amazon Drive has a user-friendly interface that allows users to easily upload, download, and manage their files.
- Automatic backup: Amazon Drive offers automatic backup options for photos and videos on mobile devices.
- Easy sharing: Amazon Drive allows users to easily share files with others via a link or granting specific access to certain folders.
- Integration with Amazon Photos: Amazon Drive is tightly integrated with Amazon Photos, allowing users to easily store and share their photos and videos.
2. Amazon S3 :
Amazon S3 stands for Amazon Simple Storage Service. It is a cloud storage service which is provided by Amazon Web Services. It provides object storage through a web service interface. It allows to store any type of objects like data lakes for analytics, data archives, backup and recovery, disaster recovery, hybrid cloud storage, and internet applications. It was launched by AWS in 2006.
Some key features of Amazon S3:
- Highly scalable: Amazon S3 is highly scalable, making it a great option for businesses that need to store and access large amounts of data.
- Customizable storage classes: Amazon S3 offers different storage classes depending on the needs of the user, including standard, infrequent access, and glacier.
- Integration with other AWS services: Amazon S3 is integrated with other AWS services, such as Amazon EC2, making it a great option for developers who use AWS for their infrastructure needs.
- Advanced security features: Amazon S3 offers advanced security features, such as access control, encryption, and multi-factor authentication, making it a great option for businesses that prioritize security.
Similarities between Amazon Drive and Amazon S3:
- Cloud-based storage: Both Amazon Drive and Amazon S3 store data and files in the cloud, making it easy for users to access their files from anywhere with an internet connection.
- File syncing: Both services allow users to sync files across multiple devices, ensuring that the latest version of a file is always available.
- Security: Both services offer robust security features, such as encryption, access controls, and multi-factor authentication, to ensure the safety and privacy of user data.
- Integration: Both services integrate with other tools and software, such as Amazon Web Services, making it easy to create, edit, and share files directly from within the platform.
- Pricing: Both services offer a range of pricing plans, including free and paid options, with different storage capacities and features.
Difference between Amazon Drive and Amazon S3 are as follows:
| AMAZON DRIVE | AMAZON S3 |
|---|---|
| It was developed by Amazon. | It was developed by Amazon Web Services (AWS) which is also a part of Amazon. |
| It was launched in 2011. | It was launched in 2006. |
| It offers 5 GB of free storage space. | It also offers 5 GB of free storage space. |
| It is mostly used for storing photos. | It is used for storing all types of files. |
| It has a maximum storage size of 30 TB. | It has an unlimited maximum storage size for paid users. |
| It is used in all countries excluding Mexico and China. | While it is used across the world. |
| Maximum file size in Amazon Drive is 2 GB via Web and 50 GB via Drive application. | Here maximum file size is 5 TB. |
| It does not support file versioning. | It supports file versioning. |
| There is no way to control permission to the invite link of file or folder. | It gives access to control the permission to the invite link of a file or folder. |
| It does not require credit card for free services. | It requires credit-card details for a free trial. |
Conclusion: Amazon Drive and Amazon S3 are both cloud storage solutions offered by AWS, but serve different purposes. Amazon Drive is designed for personal file storage and sharing, while Amazon S3 is designed for scalable object storage and retrieval for developers. While both services offer advanced security features and scalability, they have different pricing structures and levels of integration with other AWS services. It’s important for users to evaluate their specific needs before deciding which service to use.