Differences between Cloud Transfer and Cloud Sync and Cloud Backup

Managing files across multiple cloud storage services can be challenging. MultCloud simplifies this process by offering Cloud Transfer, Cloud Sync, and Cloud Backup features. Understanding the distinctions between these functions will help you choose the right tool for your needs. This guide explains the differences in detail.

Cloud Transfer

Description:

The Cloud Transfer feature creates a copy of the entire source directory structure at the target location. It supports selecting multiple files/folders from various sources but limits the target to a single folder in one cloud or the whole cloud.

Examples:

1. Select a single file

• Source: Google Drive\A folder\test 1.txt    
• Target: Onedrive\B folder
• Transfer result: Onedrive\B folder\test 1.txt

2. Select multiple files

• Sources: Google Drive\A folder\test 1.txt                           Google Drive\A folder\test 2.txt
• Target: Onedrive\B folder
• Transfer result: Onedrive\B folder\test 1.txt and text 2.txt

3. Select a single folder

• Source: Google Drive\A folder   
• Target: Onedrive\B folder
• Transfer result: Onedrive\B folder\A folder

4. Select multiple folders

• Sources: Google Drive\A folder 1                    Google Drive\A folder 2
• Target: Onedrive\B folder
• Transfer result: Onedrive\B folder\A folder 1 and A folder 2

5. Select files/folders from different cloud drives

• Sources: Google Drive\A folder                  Mega\C folder\test.txt    
• Target: Onedrive\B folder
• Transfer result: Onedrive\B folder\A folder and test.txt

6. Select multiple clouds

• Sources: Google Drive                  Mega   
• Target: Onedrive\B folder
• Transfer result: Onedrive\B folder\Google Drive and Mega

Behavior:

Initial Task: Transfers all files/folders to the target.

Subsequent Runs: Adds newly added files to the target but does not delete files removed from the source.

Note:

For more information about the Cloud Transfer function, please refer to here.

Cloud Sync

Description:

The Cloud Sync feature synchronizes the files and subfolders under the source folder to the target. The source folder itself is not created at the target location. It supports selecting one single file/folder or cloud as the source and multiple folders or clouds as the target.

Examples:

1. Select a single folder

• Source: Google Drive\A folder    
• Target: Onedrive\B folder
• Sync result: Onedrive\B folder\files under A folder

2. Select a single Cloud

• Source: Google Drive   
• Target: Onedrive\B folder
• Sync result: Onedrive\B folder\folders and files under Google Drive

Behavior:

Initial Task: Syncs all files/folders under the source to the target.

Subsequent Runs: Reflects changes (additions or deletions) from the source to the target.

Note:

Sync behavior depends on the sync mode selected. For details on sync modes, visit: Differences Between Sync Methods

For more information about the Cloud Sync function, please refer to here.

Cloud Backup

Description:

After the backup is completed, the "MultCloud Cloud Backup" folder will appear under the target directory you select. Then, under the folder, it will create a "Task name_backup date" folder to save backup data. It supports selecting multiple files/folders from various sources but limits the target to a single folder in one cloud or the whole cloud.

Example:

• Source: Google Drive\A folder   
• Target: Onedrive\B folder
• Backup result: Onedrive\B folder\MultCloud Cloud Backup\Task 22_20240730071115\Google Drive\A folder

Behavior:

Initial Task: Creates a timestamped backup folder in the target location and saves the source files.

Subsequent Runs: Adds new files but does not delete files removed from the source.

Note:

For more information about the Cloud Backup function, please refer to here.

How to Choose?

If you need to transfer the whole folder to the target, it is recommended to use the Cloud Transfer function. If you just need to sync the data under the source folder to the target, it is recommended to use the Cloud Sync feature. If you want to save the historical versions of files, it is recommended to use the Cloud Backup feature.

Additional Considerations:

1. When the transfer task ticks a file/ files, it can achieve the same result as the sync function. 2. When creating a transfer task, if you uncheck the "Keep all transferred files in one folder" option, it can achieve the same result as the sync function. 3. When creating a transfer task, if you check the “Delete all source files after the transfer is complete” option, the result is the same as the "Move Sync" function (one of the Cloud Sync functions). Please choose the appropriate method according to your specific needs.