GoPro Cloud Review 2024: Features, Pricing, and Alternatives
Fortunately, photographers are well-positioned to choose photo and video editing software, but does cloud storage offer the same advanced features in its cloud storage?
Many services aimed at photographers include cloud storage alongside their main product. GoPro Cloud is one service offering devices to record images and photos and upload them to GoPro’s Cloud platform.
If you are wondering whether this service is worth investing in, this GoPro Cloud review offers a summary of its main features, privacy, and security, as well as what other options are available for photographers looking for cloud storage.
Table of contents
- What is the GoPro Cloud subscription?
- GoPro Cloud pricing
- Features of a GoPro Cloud subscription
- Live video streaming
- GoPro Cloud security
- Privacy
- Alternatives to GoPro Cloud storage
What is the GoPro cloud subscription?
The GoPro Cloud subscription is a storage system that allows you to upload, sync, and edit your videos or photos across mobile and desktop.
GoPro is one of the few cloud providers offering unlimited cloud storage, but only if you upload GoPro content. This subscription may be of interest to you if you want to buy or already have a GoPro device.
If you are interested in video editing, you can also use GoPro’s Quik app to edit and sync your videos.
GoPro Cloud pricing
GoPro Cloud is broken down into two annual plans, Premium, and Premium+, each offering different benefits. The Premium plan costs $49.99 and $99.99 for Premium+.
If you want to use the GoPro Cloud for anything besides GoPro content, you will only get 25GB of storage with the Premium plan or 500GB with Premium+. So, unless you want unlimited content, this is one of the more expensive cloud providers available.
It’s also worth noting that if you don’t already have a GoPro device, and want to take advantage of the unlimited cloud storage, you will have to invest in a GoPro camera.
Cameras cost between $199 and $499, so be sure to calculate those costs into your cloud storage budget as well.
Features of a GoPro Cloud subscription
Here are the features of GoPro Cloud's premium plan.
- Auto-upload to the cloud from your GoPro
- Unlimited Cloud Storage of Your GoPro Footage
- 25 GB Cloud Storage of Non-GoPro Footage
- Synced Mobile and Desktop Editing
- Automatic Highlight Videos
- Guaranteed Camera Replacement
- Up to 50% off Accessories at GoPro.com
- $100 USD Off Your Next GoPro (Limit 1 Per Year)
- Live Streaming
With a Premium+ plan, you get all the features of the Premium plan plus HyperSmooth Pro Video Stabilization, designed to create exceptionally smooth footage by reducing camera shake and vibrations.
It uses sophisticated algorithms and Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) to process video in real-time. This involves slightly cropping the video to counteract movement detected by the camera’s internal sensors, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes.
The result is stable and professional-looking footage, even during high-intensity activities.
Live video streaming
With a Hero7 Black or new models, you can also livestream 1080p videos to YouTube, Facebook, or Twitch.
Another option for GoPro Cloud Subscription members is more straightforward: they can live stream directly from their GoPro camera to their GoPro account and then share a private live stream link with anyone they choose.
GoPro Cloud security
Not much can be found about GoPro Cloud security. Searching the website's help center doesn’t return many results. The only message related to encryption is the following:
The security of your information is important to us. We have implemented reasonable administrative, technical, and physical security measures to protect against the unauthorized access, destruction or alteration of your information based on its sensitivity. Despite our best efforts, however, no security measures are completely impenetrable.
The assumption from this is that, at the very least, GoPro Cloud encrypts data during transmission and while at rest.
Despite the attraction of unlimited cloud storage, GoPro Cloud doesn’t mention anywhere that it uses zero-knowledge encryption, encrypting files before they are transmitted, making it a less secure and private option than other encrypted cloud providers.
If you want to protect your account, GoPro allows for two-step verification, which sends a code to your phone after you enter your password for increased security.
Aside from that, GoPro Cloud is run on proprietary software, meaning any more information about the software GoPro used isn’t transparent, and the source code can’t be viewed or audited by anyone.
Open-source cloud providers, such as Internxt, publish their code on their GitHub page for review. This allows everyone to check how Internxt protects user data.
Privacy
Despite security protocols, if you trust a cloud platform with your content, you must dig a little deeper into a company's privacy policy to see what data it collects, what it does with it, and if and with whom it shares this data.
Not everybody has the time or time for this time-consuming process. In terms of your privacy, we have removed the relevant aspects of how GoPro handles and treats the videos or photos you upload to the GoPro Cloud.
Please note that if you choose to submit video or other content to GoPro, we may publish it on the Services along with certain information about you, e.g., your first and last name or your username, provided that you have given us permission to do so. Moreover, if you submit a user testimonial, we may publish your testimonial on the Services.
We operate globally and may transfer, store, and/or process your information to or with other entities within the GoPro family of companies or other third parties such as trusted service providers and partners in locations around the world (including the United States) for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy.
On the GoPro cloud website, you will find a detailed look at what data and information GoPro collects. In summary, the main data GoPro shares are your personal email to online advertising partners.
This is a huge disadvantage for anybody who values their privacy online. Your email address is a crucial part of your online identity. Once it is shared with third parties, it causes many issues regarding your privacy, and it puts you at risk of:
- Increased targeted advertising: Once advertisers have your email address, they can link it to various data points about your online behavior, creating detailed profiles. This results in highly targeted advertising, which can feel invasive and diminish your sense of privacy.
- Spam and unwanted Emails: Sharing your email with multiple partners can lead to an influx of unsolicited emails. Even if you opt out of marketing emails from one company, your email address may still be shared with others, leading to persistent spam.
- Email phishing and scams: An increased exposure of your email address can lead to more phishing attempts and scams. Malicious actors can use your email to send convincing fraudulent messages, potentially leading to identity theft or financial loss.
Fortunately, you don't have to sacrifice your privacy when you sign up for certain cloud storage providers. You can find encrypted cloud services that value your privacy and let you store your videos and images with guaranteed security.
Alternatives to GoPro Cloud storage
If you are a GoPro user and want unlimited cloud storage, video editing, and exclusive discounts, then a GoPro cloud subscription may be a worthy investment. You can also consider the following options for more private cloud alternatives that offer more affordable and flexible storage options.
Internxt
Internxt Drive is an open-source private cloud provider that offers encrypted storage for files, photos, and videos. Unlike GoPro Cloud, Internxt is a zero-knowledge solution that encrypts files on your device before they are sent to the cloud.
This emphasis on privacy ensures that nobody—not even Internxt—can access, view, or monitor your files. Internxt also offers valuable features such as secure file sharing, so you can securely share your projects via a secure link or email, password-protect them, and manage who can access, view, or download your files.
Internxt’s pricing is more flexible and affordable than a GoPro Cloud subscription. Monthly plans start at €4.99 for 200GB and go up to €29.99 for 10TB. You can save up to 23% by paying annually, or you can enjoy a lifetime of cloud storage and get 2TB, 5TB, or 10TB of storage forever with one single payment.
If you run your own photography business and need cloud storage for your team, Internxt also offers business plans to manage your team and store and share files securely. Prices start at €6.99/month/user for the Standard business plan.
SmugMug
SmugMug is another alternative to GoPro Cloud. It's a cloud storage service for photographers offering unlimited photo storage, making it an attractive choice for both amateur and professional photographers who need a reliable place to store their high-resolution images.
The service also offers other features aimed at photographers, such as:
- Create a portfolio
- Create private galleries
- Print and sell your photos
- Password protection, restricted access, and watermarks for photos
- Automatic backups for photos
Overall, SmugMug is an alternative to GoPro Cloud for professional or amateur photographs, but video support and editing are limited.
Choosing the best cloud storage for your photos
The photography business has many options available for photo and video editing, and you can choose the best option that suits your needs, whether you’re a beginner, amateur, or pro.
Although unlimited cloud storage looks attractive, you should consider the privacy of your data and the security of the files you upload to the cloud.
The best solution for your photography business is to combine editing software with a well-rounded and private cloud storage solution, such as Internxt, for an affordable, versatile, and secure storage solution for you or your business.