JustCloud Review

JustCloud is an online backup and cloud storage service.  With it, you can store, backup, sync, and share files across devices.  But is it really as good as it sounds?

JustCloud logo

Editor's Rating:
VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rate It Now
User Rating:
Rating: 1.9/5 (17 votes cast)

Pros

  • You can backup, sync, and share your files
  • Mobile apps

Cons

  • Lots of upselling; charging more $ for extra features
  • The extra features come standard with other services
  • Only 2GB of sync space included
  • 1GB file size limit
  • Poor security; data isn’t stored encrypted

The Bottom Line

JustCloud is terrible.

Pricing

JustCloud has 3 plans to choose from:

Home

  • 75GB storage
  • $6.95 per month ($4.49 per month for 2 years upfront)

Premium

  • 250GB storage
  • $7.95 per month ($4.95 per month for 2 years upfront)

Unlimited

  • Unlimited storage
  • $9.95 per month ($6.95 per month for 2 years upfront)

However, there’s a lot of upselling involved.  See What I Didn’t Like for more information.

Backup and Restore

JustCloud didn’t back up some of my files.  This is because they don’t back up files over 1GB.  You can manually back up files over 1GB, however.

JustCloud main screen

The JustCloud main screen.

As far as restoring, I selected my Pictures folder and restored it to my Desktop without any problems.

Speed

JustCloud is very fast.  Given that they use Amazon S3 as their backbone, this is expected.

The average upload speed was about 1.5 megabits per second (Mbps), which maxed out my upload bandwidth.

The restore speed was around 15.6 Mbps, which maxed out my download bandwidth.

Security

Data is not stored in encrypted format (I confirmed this with their support department).  JustCloud uses 256 bit encryption only to transmit your data, not store it.

JustCloud’s abuse policy states: “JustCloud enforces content recognition and filtering and a manual review of files backed up and stored.”  This raises a lot of concerns for me, as it’s basically a license to snoop on customer data.

Sync and Share Files

JustCloud lets users sync their data across computers and devices.  Apps are available for iOS, Android, Blackberry, Windows phone, and Kindle Fire.

What I Liked

The Android app is sleek and well designed.  I liked that it let me back up all the photos on my phone.

What I Didn’t Like

By default, JustCloud only backs up certain folders in your Windows user account.  It excludes the Pictures folder, and other potentially important folders.  Users need to manually specify to backup the entire Windows user folder.

JustCloud comes with a maximum file size of 1GB.

The “upgrades” JustCloud pushes on users are downright offensive.  Why on earth should a customer need to pay these extra fees:

  • $19.95 for faster backups (shouldn’t all backups be fast?)
  • $19.95 for hourly backups (other services can backup every 15 minutes…at no extra charge)
  • $14.95 for automatic video backup
  • $19.95 to increase the max file size to 5GB (I thought JustCloud was an unlimited backup service.  I have to pay extra and it’s still limited?!)
JustCloud upgrades

What is this crap?

Also, JustCloud offering “unlimited storage” is very deceptive.  Sync space is limited to 2GB, which can be upgraded for a fee.

Summary

JustCloud is garbage.  They require you to pay after backing up a small number of files (no 30 day free trial here folks), then try to upsell you a bunch of features that should’ve been included in the first place.

Even with all the extra features, JustCloud still can’t compete with other online backup services, which offer lower prices, no file size limits, and less restrictive settings.

Specifications

Product Name JustCloud
Version 1.4.0.16
Operating Systems WindowMacLinux
Storage 75 GB
Monthly Price $6.95
Average Upload Speed 1.5 Mbps (1.5 Mbps connection)
Average Download Speed 15.6 Mbps (15 Mbps connection)

General Features

Free Trial yes
Free Online Storage no
Mobile Apps Android, iOS, Blackberry, Windows Phone, Kindle Fire
Bandwidth Controls no
NAS Support null

Backup Features

File Versioning yes
Keep Deleted Files
Back Up to Local Drive no

Sync and Share Features

File Sync yes
Selective Sync null
Public File Sharing yes
Collaborative Invites

Security

Encrypted Storage no
Encrypted Transfer yes
Personal Encryption no
Zero-knowledge Encryption no
Two-factor Authentication null

Support

Phone Support no
Email Support yes
24/7 Support no
Live Chat no

Infrastructure

Data Center Location(s)

Geoff Akerlund

Geoff Akerlund

Geoff Akerlund is the founder and editor-in-chief of BackupReview.com. He enjoys attending music festivals, whitewater kayaking on the American River, and board game nights in his free time.

Geoff Akerlund