JioCloud: Is it good enough to replace Google Drive?

Google Drive is widely used by both Android and iOS users, while iCloud is mostly accessed by Apple users, as it is tightly integrated into the ecosystem. Similarly, JioCloud is meant for Jio network users, which currently offers 5 GB of free cloud storage, while there is also an option for anyone to access the same using a Google/Facebook or an Apple ID, but it limits the free storage space to just 2 GB.

What is JioCloud and how to use it?

Jio network users will soon get free 100 GB cloud storage. (Image credit: RIL)

JioCloud is a cloud storage service by RIL that’s tailored to be compatible with Jio network users. With every recharge plan, Jio users will get access to 5GB of free cloud storage, which can be used to store digital data such as photos, videos, audio, and documents.

As announced by Mukesh Ambani at RIL’s 47th annual general meeting (AGM), the company starting this Deepavali will offer 100 GB of free cloud storage as a part of the Jio AI Cloud welcome offer, where a similar plan from Google One costs Rs 1,300 a year. This offer is likely to be limited to the first year and Jio will also introduce new plans for those who need more storage.

According to the company, JioCloud currently has over 59 million users and stores roughly 29,000 TB of data, which includes 16 billion files and 20 billion contacts. In terms of security, JioCloud is as safe as any other cloud storage service provider and uses AES 256 encryption, which uses a 256-bit key to protect the data. All the servers that power JioCloud are ISO certified and located in India.

JioCloud has a dedicated app for Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS-powered devices, and it is also compatible with JioPhone, which runs on a special version of kaiOS. To use JioCloud, one can either download the app from the respective app store or access the same via the web from jiocloud.com.

What’s it like to use JioCloud?

The JioCloud app also doubles as a document scanner. (Express Photo)

For someone like me, whose digital life is woven around Google’s cloud services, getting onboard with JioCloud wasn’t that difficult. However, currently, the limited cloud storage of just 5 GB does make this insufficient, with the only way to earn additional storage of up to 15 GB is by referring the service to friends and family.

The Android version of the JioCloud app itself is free to use, it requires OTP authentication to log in, which does enhance the security aspect of the app. Even when compared to Google Drive, JioCloud has a few advantages, which include the categorisation of files by their type (image, video, document), and there is even an option to share files with fellow JioCloud users.

There is a folder called Offline Files, which allows users to access the files uploaded to JioCloud even without the internet, and also a feature that allows users to mark important files as favourites. Another interesting feature of JioCloud is the built-in document scanner, which makes it easy to upload and store digital documents. There is also an option to create private folders, which can only be accessed using a separate password.

It also offers information about the storage consumed. Just like every major cloud storage service, all the files deleted from the JioCloud will first go to Trash, giving users a window to recover the same if required within a specific time frame along with options to free up space.

5 GB space is a limitation compared to Google Drive

At its current state, Google Drive seems like a superior option, which offers up to 15 GB of free cloud storage with every account. However, this will change when Jio introduces the AI Cloud welcome offer, increasing the free storage space limit to 100 GB.

In terms of features, JioCloud is good enough for a regular user. However, for those, who depend on services like Sheets, Docs, Photos, and more, Google Drive definitely has an edge, which does cost Rs 1,399 a year for 100 GB of cloud storage (including 15 GB of free space).