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Japanese tech giant Rakuten Symphony has announced the large-scale commercial launch of its own cloud storage service in Japan. While the free 10GB of storage it offers is reasonable, the real game-changer here is the unlimited file transfer service.
Aimed at both private and business customers, Rakuten drive enables users to quickly send large files and provides secure, intuitive file storage and sharing in the cloud. The service has integrated Microsoft 365 productivity apps, enabling real-time viewing and editing of documents, decks, and spreadsheets.
Rakuten Drive launched in 2019 as Sendy, but was incorporated into Rakuten Symphony in 2021 when the company acquired fellow South Korean developer Estmob. Since then, Rakuten Drive has seen substantial growth both in Japan and globally, but has never been commercially available until now.
Rakuten Drive PRO
“Our cloud file storage service enables users to manage their valuable personal and business files and data securely and efficiently,” said Ryan Son, CEO of Rakuten Symphony Korea.
“From freelancers and small businesses to large enterprises, we promise to continue developing Rakuten Drive into the trusted and secure cloud service of choice.”
The consumer-focused version of Rakuten Drive is integrated with Rakuten ID, a shared ID that allows Rakuten members to access multiple services. This integration allows Rakuten’s 100 million members in Japan to use the service with their existing Rakuten login.
Rakuten Symphony says that Rakuten Drive operates under strict data retention and information security policies. The company plans to continue actively developing its services and releasing additional features for the B2B market, supporting freelancers, small businesses and large enterprises. A future integration with Rakuten Points, Rakuten’s loyalty program, is also planned.
For users who need additional cloud storage and other features, Rakuten Drive PRO is also available now, priced at $7.99 per month. This paid version increases the maximum file upload size per link to 50GB, adds a customizable link expiration time (up to 30 days from the free version’s 48 hours), and increases cloud storage to 1TB.
Rakuten Drive: Testing
We ran three main tests on Rakuten Drive to assess its sync speed, file recovery, and versioning. These tests were performed in a Windows 11 virtual machine using the Rakuten Drive web client. The virtual machine was connected to the internet via fiber broadband and a VPN server. During our speed tests, the average upload speed was a consistent 2600 Mbps.
In our most recent tests, we transferred a 589MB folder to the application directory and measured how long it took for the desktop client to sync the files to the cloud. The folder contained 232 files spread across seven folders, including MP3s, images, metadata files, and a PDF.
The Rakuten Drive interface was quite confusing. At first, we weren’t even sure if the upload process had started yet. The task took about two minutes to complete, which isn’t slow, but it’s not the fastest solution we’ve tested.
We needed to delete a recently uploaded folder and see if we could simply recover it directly from the Rakuten Drive. We simply clicked “Delete” next to the folder and after confirming, the entire folder was deleted in about two seconds.
However, the deleted folder wasn’t actually deleted. It was simply moved to the Recycle Bin on the Rakuten Drive. The recovery took about 10 seconds. To complete the test, we deleted the folder again and sent it to the Recycle Bin. From there, we permanently deleted its contents.
The final test involved checking to see if we could restore an earlier version of an uploaded file. We uploaded a single Microsoft Word document from our computer, made changes to the file on our computer, and then re-uploaded it to Rakuten Drive.
We were not warned that we were overwriting the existing file. Instead, we were given two files: one named “July Music” and the other named “July Music(1).” This is different from most companies, which usually only show one file and provide a way to restore a previous version. This approach is neither better nor worse, just different.
Rakuten Drive: Prices
Rakuten Drive comes in two versions: free Rakuten Drive and paid Rakuten Drive PRO. The free version offers up to 10GB of storage and allows you to share content links with others for up to 48 hours. On the other hand, Rakuten Drive PRO costs $7.99 per month and includes 1TB of storage. The PRO version allows you to share content links for up to 30 days. Rakuten offers a Chrome extension, although there are limitations when using the free version. You can save money on the PRO version by prepaying for three, six, or 12 months.
Rakuten Drive: Final Thoughts
Rakuten Drive has emerged as a notable contender in the ever-changing world of cloud storage solutions. Offering a range of features designed to make storing and sharing files both effortless and efficient, Rakuten Drive appeals to a wide audience, from individual users to corporate entities. However, like any technology, it has its pros and cons.
One of the most attractive features of Rakuten Drive is its generous storage offering. Users can enjoy a significant amount of cloud storage upon signing up, with various options to increase their storage capacity through additional purchases or promotional activities. This makes it an attractive option for those with large storage needs.
Rakuten Drive offers seamless integration with various platforms and services, making it incredibly easy to use. Whether you want to collaborate on documents, back up photos, or sync files between devices, Rakuten Drive facilitates a streamlined workflow, improving your productivity and efficiency.
In today’s digital age, security is of the utmost importance. Rakuten Drive takes this seriously and implements robust security measures to protect users’ data. From encryption during data transfer to secure server storage, Rakuten Drive ensures that your files are safe, so you don’t have to worry.
Compared to other cloud storage solutions on the market, Rakuten Drive offers competitive pricing plans, making it an affordable option for users with different needs and budgets. This is especially beneficial for small to medium-sized businesses, as it provides them with a cost-effective storage solution that doesn’t compromise on quality.
Despite its advantages, Rakuten Drive needs more brand awareness in a crowded market dominated by giants like Google Drive and Dropbox. This lack of visibility could prevent potential users from discovering what Rakuten Drive has to offer.
Adjusting to Rakuten Drive’s interface and features can be a learning curve for users accustomed to other cloud storage platforms. While the design is intuitive, newcomers may need some time to fully adapt to the environment.
Some users have reported experiencing speed and performance issues with Rakuten Drive, especially when uploading or opening large files. While these cases aren’t universal, they can impact the overall user experience, especially for those working with data-intensive projects.
Compared to its competitors, Rakuten Drive offers limited integration with third-party applications. This can be a drawback for users who rely on a diverse ecosystem of apps for their workflow, potentially limiting the platform’s versatility and usability.
Rakuten Drive offers a compelling option for users looking for reliable, secure, and affordable cloud storage solutions. With its generous storage options, seamless integration capabilities, and robust security measures, it is a worthy contender in the market. However, considerations such as its relatively low brand recognition, potential learning curve, and occasional speed issues are factors to weigh. Ultimately, the decision to use Rakuten Drive should be driven by individual or organizational needs, preferences, and the potential impact on workflow and productivity.
