SugarSync redesigns app & cuts price to compete with Dropbox, Google Drive

SugarSync just gave its desktop app a facelift, promising the same treatment for its iOS and Android apps shortly.

The cloud storage startup today revealed its redesigned desktop app, an upcoming mobile redesign, and a (limited time) price cut for new users. These announcements may help the startup compete more effectively with its better-known rivals, including Dropbox, Google Drive, and Microsoft OneDrive (formerly SkyDrive).

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SugarSync has been a quieter success than those services, racking up millions of users without daily mentions in the tech press. It’s benefitted hugely from partnerships with device makers like Samsung, Lenovo, and Fujitsu, which have preloaded SugarSync software onto some of their devices. The company declined to disclose precise customer figures to VentureBeat.

SugarSync’s last major redesign dropped February 2013. This time around, the major focus is one-click access to everything — folders, devices, and shared files — a SugarSync spokesperson told VentureBeat.

The new app is out today for English speakers, and the company plans to roll it out in Spanish, French, and Japanese within the next 60 days. SugarSync promises an app redesign for iOS and then Android shortly thereafter.

The service has a great reputation among its customer base, though it’s pricier than many of its competitors. 100 GB of storage on SugarSync usually costs individuals $100 per year, though SugarSync has temporarily slashed its prices by 75% for new users. That brings a year with 100 GB of storage to $25, which makes the service substantially cheaper than Dropbox’s Pro tier.

SugarSync enables individuals and small businesses to manage and backup files across multiple platforms, including PCs, Macs, and iOS, Android, and BlackBerry devices. Founded in 2008, the San Mateo, Calif.-based company has raised more than $60 million in funding from investors including Draper Fisher Jurvetson, ORIX Venture Finance, and Sigma Partners. Mike Grossman, a former Intuit vice president, is the company’s chief executive.