Comparison

IDrive Online Backup vs DS cloud

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

IDrive Online Backup

Securely back up and sync your mobile data with private key encryption for maximum security. Access your files from anywhere, on any device, and share them easily. Protect photos and videos automatically as they are taken.

Highlights
  • Private key encryption
  • Backup and restore contacts, photos, videos, calendars
  • Sync files across devices
  • Access data from anywhere
  • Selective backup and restore
  • Share files and folders securely
  • Automatic photo/video upload
Features
Read full description

Protect your digital life with IDrive! Securely backup your mobile data with private key encryption – the highest level of data security available – so only you can access your files. You can backup multiple devices to one account, and sync files across devices to access your data from anywhere. IDrive for iOS is the winner of PCMag Editors’ Choice Award. "There's a heck of a lot to like about IDrive ... it can do things that none of the alternatives can." - PC Mag, September 2013 Features: • Backup and restore contacts, photos, videos, and calendars with a single tap. • Easily sync files between all linked devices. • Link your devices to a single account and access data from anywhere. • Selectively backup and restore files. • Share files and folders over a single, secure link. • Automatic upload option protects photos and videos as soon as they are taken via Wi-Fi or cellular data. • Gallery View allows you to easily slide through pictures and videos. Security features: • Private key encryption ensures only you have access to your data. • Lock app with a passcode. • Easily unlink devices, which are lost or stolen.

About

DS cloud

Access and sync selected folders from your Synology NAS to your mobile device. Enjoy offline viewing of your files anywhere, with customizable sync settings for file size and type.

Highlights
  • Folder synchronization
  • Offline file viewing
  • Customizable sync settings
  • File size limits
  • File type filtering
Features
Read full description

*You must own a Synology NAS to run this app. To get the full features of DS cloud, the version of the Cloud Station running on your DiskStation should be 4.0 and above. Versions starting from 2.10.4 would only support iOS 8 and onward* DS cloud is the mobile counterpart of Cloud Station on iOS devices. You can select the folders on your DiskStation that you wish to sync to your mobile devices, and make them available for offline viewing anywhere you go. DS cloud also allows you to decide how you'd like to sync: you can set the maximum file size as well as the types of file you wish to sync for each folder. Find out more features about the app on our website: www.synology.com > Solutions > File Syncing https://www.synology.com/dsm/6.1/software_spec/mobile#DScloud

Screenshots

IDrive Online Backup4 screens
DS cloud4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: IDrive Online Backup at 4.3 against DS cloud's 2.5. IDrive Online Backup also leads on ratings volume (5K vs 72) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). DS cloud's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 16.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. IDrive Online Backup sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. DS cloud asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

IDrive Online Backup holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 2.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: IDrive Online Backup has 5K ratings behind it against 72, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 36% of IDrive Online Backup's written reviews are positive against 23% of DS cloud's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

IDrive Online Backup ships an update every 3 weeks, DS cloud every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and September 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
IDrive Online Backup versus DS cloud: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIDrive Online BackupDS cloud
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (5K ratings) — better2.5 (72 ratings)
Positive reviews35.8% of reviews — better23.4% of reviews
Number of ratings5K — better72
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.08.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size111 MB77 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIDrive IncorporatedSynology Inc.

Customer experience

IDrive Online Backup

All ratings4,959 ratings
Positive82.1%
Neutral5.0%
Negative12.9%
Written reviews377 reviews
Positive35.8%
Neutral11.1%
Negative53.1%

DS cloud

All ratings72 ratings
Positive36.1%
Neutral8.3%
Negative55.6%
Written reviews342 reviews
Positive23.4%
Neutral13.2%
Negative63.5%

User reviews

IDrive Online Backup

From 5K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Simple and efficient
  • 🚀 Great backup solution
  • 🔒 Secure backup
  • 💰 Affordable pricing

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy app, crashes frequently
  • 🔍 Difficult to navigate and find backed up files
  • 🔋 Drains battery when running in the background
  • 🤖 Poor customer support

DS cloud

From 72 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 💾 Effective file synchronization between devices
  • 🔒 Private cloud storage without third-party servers
  • 📱 Works well with iPad and iPhone for document management
  • ⚡ Fast sync speeds on local networks
  • 🎯 Good integration with iWork applications

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes frequently on iOS 14+ versions
  • ❌ Not compatible with DSM 7.0
  • ⚠️ Version mismatch errors preventing login
  • 🚫 Hasn't been updated in 3+ years
  • 📉 Poor performance on newer iPhone models

Bugs and requests

IDrive Online Backup

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App crashes when trying to access backed up data
  • Inconsistent backup progress reporting
  • Fails to backup all photos and videos
  • Sync issues between devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add option to view backed up files in folder structure
  • Improve upload and download speeds
  • Allow background uploads without pausing
  • Add facial recognition and photo organization features

DS cloud

Reported bugs

14 issues
  • App crashes on launch with iOS 14.2+
  • Face ID causes app to crash immediately
  • Touch ID crashes app on iPhone X/XS
  • Version not up-to-date error despite fresh installation
  • PDF files crash app when opened (2+ pages)
Show 9 more
  • Subfolder synchronization not working
  • Files appear as 0 bytes and cannot be opened
  • Sync stops working after initial setup
  • Connection errors on local network
  • App freezes during file operations
  • Share button functionality broken
  • Unable to update credentials after password change
  • Incompatibility with newer iOS versions
  • Annotation function crashes app

Requested features

16 requests
  • Update app for iOS 14+ compatibility
  • DSM 7.0 support
  • Background synchronization capability
  • On-demand file download (like Dropbox)
  • Face ID and Touch ID support
Show 11 more
  • PDF editing and annotation tools
  • Automatic photo backup from camera roll
  • Integration with iOS Files app
  • Split-screen support for iPad
  • Password protection for app access
  • Ability to change password without unlinking account
  • Create folders from within the app
  • Recursive subfolder synchronization
  • Search functionality across subfolders
  • Thumbnail view for images
  • Selective file synchronization

In-app purchases

10 purchases

IDrive Online Backup

One-time10
  • IDrive Pro Mobile$0.99
  • IDrive 100GB at $2.99$2.99
  • IDrive 100GB at $3.99$3.99
Show 7 more
  • IDrive Mobile Unlimited$4.99
  • IDrive 500GB at $9.99$9.99
  • IDrive 1TB at $14.99$14.99
  • IDrive 1TB at $15.99$15.99
  • IDrive 2TB at $54.99$54.99
  • IDrive 1TB at $59.99$59.99
  • IDrive 5TB at $59.99$59.99
None

DS cloud

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is IDrive Online Backup free?
IDrive Online Backup is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is DS cloud free?
DS cloud is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, IDrive Online Backup or DS cloud?
IDrive Online Backup is rated higher. IDrive Online Backup averages 4.3 out of 5 from 5K ratings, while DS cloud averages 2.5 from 72 ratings.
Do IDrive Online Backup or DS cloud have ads?
Neither IDrive Online Backup nor DS cloud shows ads.
Which is updated more often, IDrive Online Backup or DS cloud?
IDrive Online Backup ships an update every 3 weeks, and DS cloud every 2 months. Most recently, IDrive Online Backup was updated on September 28, 2026 and DS cloud on September 16, 2026.

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