Businesses today generate and collect lots of data from various sources, increasing the need for more storage space. Cloud storage serves as a perfect solution for such business needs, offering scalability, quick access to data from anywhere, and cost-effective backup mechanisms. Thus, cloud storage solutions and cloud storage integration APIs are becoming immensely popular. A cloud storage integration API enables developers to programmatically interact with a cloud storage service. In other words, it allows us to store, retrieve, and manage data/files effortlessly.
However, not all APIs are made equal. When choosing an API for cloud storage integration, it’s crucial to consider factors like scalability, security, storage capacity, etc. To make selecting the right cloud storage integration API for your project easier, we’ve compiled a list of the ten best APIs for seamless cloud storage integration.
1. Filestack
Filestack offers a complete suite of tools and APIs for working with and managing files, including media, in web apps. It essentially operates in three key areas of modern software file management:
- File upload
- Transformation
- Delivery
If you use the Filestack File Uploader to upload your files, Filestack will store all your files in an internally managed S3 bucket. However, it also lets you use your own S3 bucket in any region. You can even integrate other cloud storage solutions like Google Cloud Storage, Dropbox, etc.
Filestack also offers a File API for managing files programmatically with ease. In other words, the API allows you to interact programmatically with different cloud storage providers.
Supported cloud storage solutions
The API supports various leading cloud storage solutions:
- Amazon S3
- Azure Blob Storage
- Dropbox
- Google Cloud Storage
- Rackspace
To work with custom storage effortlessly, Filestack requires you to add the necessary policies and test the Storage Keys in the Filestack Developer Portal. You can even implement multiple cloud storage solutions.
API capabilities
You can use the Filestack File API to store, retrieve, overwrite, or delete files. You can also request a JSON payload of your uploaded file metadata. It’s important to note that while the API allows you to download and serve files, it’s recommended to use the Filestack CDN for this purpose as it is faster and more cost-effective.
Security
Filestack implements Policies and Signatures for authentication and authorization. This helps ensure the confidentiality, protection, and integrity of your files and data.
Custom Workflows
Filestack also allows you to create custom workflows for more efficient file processing and management.
2. Dropbox API
Founded in 2007, Dropbox is a leading cloud-based file-hosting service provider. Dropbox offers 2GB of free storage and also has multiple pricing plans offering as much as 2 TB (2,000 GB) of storage. It enables users to store files in cloud storage and easily share them with others over the internet. Thus, Dropbox offers quick access to files from anywhere. It also enables collaboration by allowing users to share files. You can also add different levels of access to enable collaborators to view or edit content or even add comments.
Dropbox also offers a cloud storage integration API for developers, enabling them to work with files effortlessly in Dropbox.
Here are the key features of the API:
- Users can upload files to Dropbox and download them to their app using the API
- Copy a file or folder or batch copy files/folders to another location in Dropbox
- Share files and folders or add specific members to a file or folder
- Set and manage access permission for shared files
- The API also supports advanced functionalities, such as thumbnails and full-text search
3. Google Drive API
Developed by Google, Google Drive is another widely used cloud-based file storage and sharing platform offering 15 gigabytes of free storage. It enables users to store all sorts of files in the cloud and seamlessly share them with others. Thus, it provides easy and quick access to files, such as documents, videos, images, and other types of files. In simpler words, you can access your documents/files stored in Google Drive from anywhere, anytime, given you have an internet connection.
Google also offers a Google Drive API that you can utilize to integrate Drive into your app. You can use the API to:
- Upload files to Google Drive
- Download files from your Drive
- Search for folders or files stored in your Drive
- Enable collaboration by allowing users to share files and folders
- Create a dedicated folder in Drive to store app-specific files and data. This way, you can prevent your app from accessing all the data stored in the Drive.
4. Box Cloud Storage Integration API
Developed in 2005, Box is a cloud-based file-sharing and content management platform. It offers a secure platform for businesses and individuals to store and share files and collaborate on them. It provides 10 GB of free storage for personal use and also has various subscription plans for business use. Today, Box has millions of users from all around the world.
Box also provides various APIs, enabling developers to interact with the Box platform programmatically. These APIs support an extensive range of functionalities, including file management, user management, and collaboration.
Here are some of the key capabilities of these cloud storage integration APIs:
- Enables users to upload and download files
- Users can create new folders
- Users can move and copy files to different folders
- Enables users to retrieve file metadata
- You can share files/folders with other users and set access permissions
- The API supports advanced security methods, such as encryption, Single Sign-On (SSO), and access controls. This way, developers can ensure secure and controlled access to their Box resources.
5. OneDrive API
Developed in 2007 by Microsoft, OneDrive is another reliable cloud storage service and file hosting and synchronization platform. It enables users to store files in the Cloud and instantly access them from virtually anywhere, anytime. You can also share files and folders with other users and control access permissions. For instance, you can provide view-only or edit rights. OneDrive is an essential part of the Microsoft 365 suite of productivity and collaboration tools. It offers 5 GB of free storage. However, you can get up to 6 TB storage with subscription plans.
With OneDrive cloud storage integration API, you can create apps that leverage the OneDrive cloud storage platform. The API allows you to upload, download, update and delete files, share them with others, enable collaboration, retrieve files or folder metadata, and more.
6. Amazon S3 API
Amazon S3, also called Amazon Simple Storage Service, is a highly scalable and reliable cloud storage platform by AWS (Amazon Web Services). It is a part of Amazon’s powerful cloud computing platform. Amazon S3 is essentially a cloud object storage service that allows users to store and retrieve an unlimited amount of files/data from anywhere on the web. It is widely used for data storage, backup, data lakes, app hosting and more. S3 is known for its next-level scalability, security, data availability, and performance.
Amazon S3 also has a RESTful API that developers can utilize to interact with the S3 service programmatically. The API allows developers to perform different operations related to storing and retrieving objects/files in Amazon S3 buckets. Since it’s a REST API, it uses standard HTTP methods: GET, PUT, POST, and DELETE. These methods enable developers to perform various actions, such as:
- Uploading objects
- Downloading objects
- Deleting objects
- Managing objects.
Moreover, developers can create, delete, and list buckets.
7. MediaFire API
MediaFire is another well-known cloud-based file hosting and sharing platform, enabling users to store files in the cloud and retrieve them from anywhere, anytime. It facilitates collaboration by allowing users to share files with others, including documents, videos, and images. Moreover, you can organize files into different folders for easy management. MediaFire also keeps track of file versions. This means you can revert to previous file versions if required. However, there are security concerns regarding MediaFire.
MediaFire offers 50 GB of free storage. You can also purchase extra storage if needed. With MediaFire’s cloud storage integration API, developers can integrate MediaFire’s cloud storage and file-sharing capabilities into their apps. Developers can use the API to:
- Host and share various file types
- Create, delete, and organize files and folders
- Set access permissions for shared files
8. MEGA API
Founded in 2013, MEGA is a reliable cloud storage and file hosting platform. The platform is recognized for its robust security features, including end-to-end encryption. It encrypts data at rest and during transit to ensure user data is safe and protected. Moreover, it provides users control over their encryption keys for enhanced security.
With MEGA, users can upload and store files and retrieve them when needed. It also enables file sharing and collaboration and supports file versioning. It offers 15 GB of storage and multiple pricing plans for those requiring additional storage.
MEGA also provides an API for cloud storage integration. The API enables developers to interact with the MEGA cloud storage platform programmatically.
9. GoFile API
GoFile is a cloud storage and file-sharing platform enabling users to upload, store, share, and manage files. It is focused on simplicity and security and is designed for individuals as well as businesses. It supports various file types, including documents, different image file types, and videos. With GoFile, you can easily share files directly from their website with your friends, family, or colleagues. Moreover, GoFile offers advanced file management options, such as search, tagging, password protection, and more.
GoFile also has a public API for developers that supports unlimited-size file uploads for free. The API allows you to manage and organize your files efficiently.
10. File.io API
File.io is a simple and secure file-sharing service. It enables you to share any type of file with anyone. Moreover, the platform offers exceptional data transfer rates and file size limits to ensure seamless transfer of large files. File.io is also known for its data security and privacy. The cloud-based service doesn’t track you or your data and doesn’t ask for any personal information for file uploading and sharing.
With File.io API, users can programmatically share files quickly, easily, anonymously, and securely. The API supports POST, GET, PUT, PATCH, and DELETE HTTP methods for file upload, downloads, updating, and deleting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the advantages of cloud storage?
Cloud storage is a cost-effective and secure way of storing digital files, as it eliminates the need to buy expensive storage devices. Moreover, it provides quick and easy access to files from anywhere, anytime.
Is cloud integration good?
Cloud integration enhances data storage and utilization. It offers quick access to data and increases data visibility among employees. It also facilitates collaboration.
What is cloud storage integration API?
A cloud storage integration API enables developers to interact with a cloud storage platform programmatically. Developers can use the integration API to integrate the cloud storage solution into their apps.