Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Azure File Storage VS WebDrive File Access Client

Compare Azure File Storage VS WebDrive File Access Client and see what are their differences

Azure File Storage logo Azure File Storage

Try Azure File Storage for managed file shares that use standard SMB 3.0 protocol. Share data with on-premises and cloud servers, integrate with apps, and more.

WebDrive File Access Client logo WebDrive File Access Client

WebDrive File Access Client allows you to open and edit server-based files without the additional step of downloading the file.
  • Azure File Storage Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-11
  • WebDrive File Access Client Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-20

WebDrive maps a network drive letter to your remote servers and cloud storage, allowing you to access files in a way that’s consistent with the way you already work. WebDrive provides file access through the familiar interface of Windows Explorer or Mac Finder — and from within every desktop application. This instantly familiar interface reduces training and technical support effort.

Azure File Storage features and specs

  • Scalability
    Azure File Storage can seamlessly scale up to support your data storage needs without sacrificing performance, ensuring that businesses can grow without concerns about storage limitations.
  • Managed Service
    As a fully managed service, Azure takes care of the maintenance, updates, and infrastructure, reducing administrative overhead for IT teams, and allowing them to focus on other business-critical tasks.
  • Integration
    Azure File Storage integrates well with other Microsoft products such as Windows Server and other Azure services, enabling a cohesive and efficient ecosystem for consistent and smooth user experiences.
  • Access Control
    Provides robust access control through Azure Active Directory, setting up specific permissions, ensuring that data remains secure and only accessible to authorized users.
  • Cross-platform Access
    Supports the SMB protocol, allowing access from various operating systems including Windows, Linux, and macOS, enabling diverse environments to interact seamlessly with the storage service.

Possible disadvantages of Azure File Storage

  • Cost
    Costs can accumulate rapidly, especially in scenarios involving large volumes of data, frequent access, or high redundancy, potentially leading to substantial operational expenses.
  • Complex Pricing Model
    The pricing model can be complex with various tiers and charges based on operations, data redundancy, and outbound data transfer, making it difficult to predict the exact costs effectively.
  • Latency
    While generally fast, there can be latency issues, particularly in situations where files are accessed from regions that are geographically distant from the storage location, affecting performance.
  • Limited Customization
    Compared to on-premise solutions, there is limited capacity for customization of the infrastructure and may not meet specific needs of certain businesses that require tailor-made setups.
  • Dependency on Internet Connectivity
    Azure File Storage relies on stable internet connectivity, which can be a risk for businesses situated in areas with unstable networks or outages, impacting the ability to access data.

WebDrive File Access Client features and specs

  • Universal File Access
    WebDrive allows users to connect to various cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive as well as FTP, SFTP, and WebDAV servers, offering a centralized platform for file management.
  • Ease of Use
    WebDrive integrates with the file system, allowing users to access remote files as if they were on a local drive, which simplifies the interface and makes it intuitive for users familiar with traditional file systems.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Available for Windows, macOS, and mobile platforms, WebDrive provides a consistent file access experience across multiple operating systems and devices.
  • Secure File Access
    Supports secure protocols like SFTP and SSL to ensure that file transfers are encrypted, which is essential for maintaining data security during remote access.
  • Background File Transfer
    WebDrive allows file transfers to occur in the background, enabling users to continue working without interruption.

Possible disadvantages of WebDrive File Access Client

  • Subscription Costs
    WebDrive is a paid software with subscription-based pricing, which might not be ideal for users or organizations with limited budgets.
  • Initial Setup Complexity
    Configuring connections to multiple remote servers and services can be somewhat complex for users who are not technically inclined.
  • Limited Local Access Features
    While providing remote access, WebDrive may not offer as many collaborative features as other cloud-specific solutions, focusing more on the connection rather than enhancing cloud functionalities.
  • Reliance on Internet Connectivity
    Since WebDrive requires an internet connection for accessing remote files, its usefulness is limited in environments with unstable or no internet access.
  • Potential Performance Issues
    Depending on the network speed and remote server performance, there could be delays or slow responses when accessing or transferring files.

Azure File Storage videos

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WebDrive File Access Client videos

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Azure File Storage and WebDrive File Access Client)
Cloud Storage
70 70%
30% 30
Project Management
68 68%
32% 32
Work Collaboration
68 68%
32% 32
File Management
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Azure File Storage should be more popular than WebDrive File Access Client. It has been mentiond 14 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Azure File Storage mentions (14)

  • A Step by Step Guide on How to Migrate from AWS to Azure
    If your workloads require shared storage, Azure Files is a nice pick. - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
  • Searching for online alternative for a synology
    Azure Files perhaps? Or if you need frequently accessed files to be quicker then Azure File Sync. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • How To Upload and Delete files in Azure Blob Storage Using Blazor Apps With .NET 7
    ​To know more details: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/products/storage/files/. - Source: dev.to / about 2 years ago
  • Hosted, mappable storage?
    If you have a use case that affords any kind of budget, maybe consder Azure Files. It is an SMB share you access over the internet. Basically, windows file server but hardened and entirely managed by Microsoft. This is as hands-off as it gets for an SMB share. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Microsoft cloud drive options
    I have a client that (finally!) decided to go all-in on Azure; I had prepared the owner to expect additional costs based on their need for a file share -- I was expecting to have to use Azure Files. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

WebDrive File Access Client mentions (2)

  • Alternatives to ZeeDrive for Sharepoint mapping?
    WebDrive is a great tool that beats zeedrive in pretty much every category IMO. A single license costs about $60 (comes with tech support and product updates), which is in your $5-$6 range. Give it a shot! Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Remote video editing with synology nas and davinci resolve
    Thanks for using WebDrive and we are glad it is working for you (I work for the developer of the product). WebDrive is available for Mac--you can download a free trial here: https://webdrive.com/download/. Source: over 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Azure File Storage and WebDrive File Access Client, you can also consider the following products

Cyberduck - A libre FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, S3, Backblaze B2, Azure & OpenStack Swift browser.

Igloo Software - Igloo is a modern intranet, it connects people with the information they need to do their best work.

IBM Cloud File Storage - IBM Cloud File Storage is flash-backed, durable, fast, and flexible NFS-based file storage.

Google Cloud Resource Manager - Resource Manager provides methods that you can use to programmatically manage your projects on Google Cloud Platform.

Google Cloud Filestore - Fully-managed cloud file storage

HPE Nimble Storage - Hit the app-data gap? HPE Nimble Storage flash arrays and solutions with predictive analytics ensure fast, reliable access to data for data center and cloud applications.