[mapasj]

With S3, the default is for the data to be replicated across Availability Zones. Each AWS region is comprised of at least three Availability Zones. Each AZ can be thought of as a distinct data center, each one a few kilometers away from each other. So if you store your data in the Northern California region of AWS, it would take a major natural disaster to pose a risk to your data. S3 also offers replication from one region to another (eg Northern California to Northern Virginia).

My view is that Google Drive and iCloud will cost significantly more, but that is getting you a nice web interface where you can see your files. And maybe other features like sync’ing. Also, customer support.

I like AWS S3 because I trust my data is more secure there and it is much cheaper. I also trust the durability of s3, not sure that Google Drive or iCloud discloses so openly how they replicate data or if they have an SLA like S3. But S3 takes some technical knowledge to understand how to manage things in a cost effective way. And you won’t get help from AWS support unless you pay for a support plan.

[aborsy]

S3 is wicked fast, much faster than iCloud or Dropbox.

Also the person you are responding to is obviously wrong. S3 is the most durable of all. iCloud and Dropbox were using S3 at some point.