Personal cloud
Updated: 08/02/2019 by Computer Hope
A personal cloud is a networked storage service that allows the user to synchronize their data and access it from another networked device (e.g., computer, tablet, or smartphone).
The term "personal cloud" may also refer to a private cloud service you operate yourself, such as Nextcloud.
Tip
For more information about how to use Nextcloud, see: How to create a personal cloud server.
Below are the four major types of personal cloud.
| Personal cloud type | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Online cloud, also known as a public cloud | Data services are provided as shared resources on a server that is accessed over the Internet. | Dropbox, Box, Funambol, basefolder, Google Drive. |
| NAS device cloud | Uses NAS (network-attached storage) device clouds only serve files, unlike other personal clouds that provide other services as well. | MyCloud, CloudBox, The Central. |
| Server device cloud | Like an online cloud, but the servers are locally operated. The services may be accessible over the Internet, but with the benefit of greater security, as the computers are locally controlled. | CloudLocker and The Nimbus Project. |
| Homemade cloud | Operated and maintained by the user in their home by attaching a USB (universal serial bus) hard drive to a compatible Wi-Fi router. | Manufacturers who create cloud-capable routers include Linksys, ASUS, and Netgear. |