Livedrive Review

Livedrive is an online backup service that stores your files and data on secure servers. It offers unlimited storage and lets you view and edit your files from desktop or mobile devices. Check out our Livedrive review to learn more about its key features and all its strengths and weaknesses.

Overview

Founded in 2008, Livedrive originally focused on providing unlimited storage on secure servers to both home users and small businesses. In 2014, it was purchased by J2 Global®, which enabled the company to expand its services and accommodate larger firms. 

Today, Livedrive is an ideal solution for anybody who needs a high-capacity storage plan that can be easily managed across multiple devices.

The Main Features

Millions of users trust this cloud service to back up everything from their sensitive documents to timeless photos and videos. The following Livedrive features are instrumental in the service:

• File sharing: The service offers two sharing options. The private one sends a username and password to the person you wish to share the files with, giving them secure access. With the public option, you can create a link to the shared files that you can email to others.  
• File versioning: This is a handy option when you need to retrieve older versions of your documents. Livedrive keeps up to 30 versions of your files that you can access through your Briefcase or the online backup.  
• Mobile apps: These are available for iOS and Windows and allow you to access and edit your files on the go. The apps have the same functionality as desktop applications.

User Experience

During our review of Livedrive, one of the first things that jumped out was that all the information and settings were neatly organized. Livedrive’s web interface is user-friendly, and navigating the site and selecting different preferences is remarkably simple. 

Availability

To download Livedrive, simply log onto livedrive.com and create an account by providing your email address and creating a password. You can download the software on both Windows and macOS devices, and the mobile app is compatible with Android, iOS, and iPadOS. So regardless of your device, you can use Livedrive backup for all your files.

Desktop App

Luckily, there is nothing complicated about Livedrive, and you don’t need intimate knowledge of cloud backup storage to use the service.

The Livedrive dashboard displays your latest file backup tasks and the status of your uploads and downloads. The desktop app also shows another important thing - the amount of storage space you have left.

The settings section of the Livedrive app has three categories: Backup Selection, Security Settings, and Advanced. The Backup Selection allows you to set which folders are backed up and how often.

The Security Settings enable you to encrypt your Briefcase and adjust the options to secure your data if you lose your computer. The Advanced part lets you exclude folders from your backup or limit the bandwidth Livedrive uses for uploads and downloads. 

You can also run a Livedrive integrity check from here, which compares all of the files on your PC with the ones that should be on Livedrive to ensure there aren’t any inconsistencies.

If you decide to review the Livedrive files or restore backed up files, you can do so through the Restore tab. This option enables you to restore files that may have been corrupted or lost. With Livedrive, you’ll get access to 30 previous versions of your files for an unlimited period. The service keeps the deleted files for 30 days before removing them for good.

If you have any questions, hit the Support tab, where you’ll find an extensive FAQ section and tutorials to help you get the most out of the service.

Mobile Backup

When it comes to mobile backups, the Livedrive performance is equally exceptional. The mobile app has a simple yet elegant design with a menu that makes it easy to access any function.

You’ll be able to automatically upload all of the photos, videos, and other files from your mobile device to your online cloud storage. You can also upload music files and make your own playlist which is a nice addition.

Speed

When it comes to speed, the performance may depend on your internet service provider and your proximity to Livedrive’s servers in the UK. As expected, the initial backups can take a little longer, depending on the amount of data. But other than that, everything runs pretty smoothly.

If you notice that uploading your files takes too much bandwidth, you can manage it by going to Settings ➝ Advanced ➝ Bandwidth.

Security & Privacy Policy

Livedrive employs a range of advanced security measures. The service uses the military-grade 256-bit AES private encryption key to safely store all your files online. 

Livedrive security features also include two-factor authentication, preventing unauthorized access to your account. You can activate two-factor authentication in the Privacy and Security section.

Moreover, your data is distributed across several independent systems. No single system contains enough data to retrieve an individual file through illegal methods. Additionally, Livedrive monitors its network both electronically and physically to prevent intrusions.

When it comes to Livedrive privacy, the platform processes, stores, and transmits your billing information in compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. It also complies with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation. 

Per the site’s privacy policy, the Livedrive software reserves the right to share your personal data with legal and regulatory authorities in case of legal proceedings.

Pricing and Installation

There are three Livedrive pricing plans to choose from. Once you’ve identified the most suitable subscription plan for your unique needs, simply sign up by setting up an account.

There are several subscription options suitable for personal and business use with notable differences regarding the number of devices you can use per license or the amount of storage you get. During our review, we concluded that each of these plans has a lot to offer, and restoring files is simple with each.

• The most basic Backup option will cost you just over $8.99 per month and provide unlimited backup storage for a single PC or Mac. It also allows you to access your files through the mobile app. In addition to military-grade security, you’ll also be able to restore files you deleted and access up to 30 previous versions of your documents.
• The Livedrive Briefcase is a little more expensive and will set you back $16 per month. But it comes with 2,000 GB of cloud storage. You can use this option for both your desktop and mobile device, and unlike the previous option, it backs up your mobile photos and videos. Aside from the security and file restoration features, the plan allows you to sync files across different devices. 
• With the Pro Suite, the number of users goes up to five, and cloud storage increases to 5,000 GB. For $25 per month, this plan combines the features of its predecessors, giving you access to everything from unlimited backup storage to syncing and restoration features. The Livedrive Pro Suite also enables tablet and mobile backups.

There are another two subscription plans reserved for small businesses that offer more storage space than personal packages. Naturally, these are tailored to a more corporate environment and come with bank-level security and team folders that enable colleagues to work together. 

The Business Standard plan allows up to 10 users and includes 10,000 GB of cloud storage space. The Business Express plan covers up to three users and has 2,000 GB of cloud storage.

Free Trial

Livedrive offers a free trial option for all of its plans. This gives you 14 days to check out the service and decide if it suits your online storage needs. 

That’s enough time to try out all the features and determine whether anything is missing. Remember that you’ll have to provide your payment information to start the trial, but you won’t be charged before the end of the trial period.

If you decide to cancel your Livedrive free trial, make sure to do that before the 14-day deadline expires, after which the service automatically charges a monthly fee. To cancel it, you can either contact Livedrive support agents via email or fill in the cancellation form that can be found on the website.

Support

Many of us have experienced those nightmare scenarios of losing our sensitive files. That’s why millions worldwide rely on this service to securely store everything from their photos to their most important documents. 

Online Livedrive reviews only serve to underscore the efficiency of the service. That level of quality also extends to the support section, where easily accessible information should address all of your queries. 

If you wish to get in touch with support agents, you’ll need to have a Livedrive account and submit a ticket through the online form, and expect a response between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. UK time. 

Unfortunately, there is no live chat option, but the sales team is accessible via telephone and email. During our review, we didn’t experience any complications while dealing with the company's staff.