Humyo Premium review

As with Microsoft's Live Mesh, Humyo isn't really a backup service but is better described as online storage with synchronisation.

It doesn't keep old versions of files so it won't come to the rescue if a virus infects your PC or you delete or alter files accidentally. However, because its online storage appears as a network drive, it could be used in conjunction with local backup software in order to keep multiple versions of files.

Humyo Premium is more likely to be used to synchronise files with its online storage service. Folders on the hard disk are paired with online folders via the Configuration & Status control panel. Changes to the contents of local folders are then usually uploaded within a matter of seconds.

Aside from the 100GB capacity limit, there are no restrictions as to the type or location of files that can be synchronised. It's also easy to synchronise multiple PCs via the online storage, seamlessly sharing My Documents and Favorites folders, for example. However, the service wasn't foolproof. On one occasion the synchronisation failed but the client software failed to alert us, leaving us to edit the wrong version of a file.

Humyo's web interface can create links to folders or files for others to download, which is a great way to share files that are too large to email. Even more impressive is the media browser that lets you (and selected others) view and stream media files from web browsers and even mobile phones. Videos are converted to a suitable format for streaming.

At £46 per year, Humyo Premium is one of the more expensive services on test, but the ability to share and stream media files may well justify the price. Another option is to use the advert-funded free service, which is limited to 5GB of media files and 5GB of other files and doesn't include encryption or customer support. However, this option doesn't include the Windows client software, either, and its inability to synchronise folders means that Microsoft Live Mesh is the better free service.