I am developing an app that stores data records and I would like to add a feature that syncs/stores the data to a cloud service. My first thought is iCloud, but I am open to other options if people have them. Ultimately I would like this to be cross platform, so going with iCloud has its limitations. (honestly it may never be made for Android, but never say never right;)) I might end up saving records to a database and figure out a way for the app to query the records upon opening, but I would rather not use my own server if I can help it. If this scales like I hope, I don't want the future issue of database babysitting. iCloud, Box, Dropbox, Parse, etc? Just thought I would throw it out there and see if anyone has had success with this. I just started looking online and there is a ton of info, a little nudge in the right direction would be helpful. Thanks, Jim

Well if it does go viral, you're going to need a dedicated server. Any shared server is going to cause problems - especially one like Dropbox, etc that's shared by a ton of people. My advice: focus on making that app have virality and also profitability, then outsource database management if you do get there.

I'd look at Parse. They have plans that will scale if your app hits it big. It's cross platform compatible. I don't think there is an easier BaaaS to setup and use. Take a look at this tutorial to see how simple it is to save some objects to the cloud: http://www.appcoda.com/ios-programming-app-backend-parse There's Android tutorials like this too out there. There's lots of other great guides and help on the Parse site. Hector in the Parse forums is excellent and very helpful.

thanks guys, I should have said I am not as worried about high traffic as I am quality of service to customers. a huge success for this would be something in the range of 2-3K users. It is a niche market. I don't want customers upset with me because of lost data. I would much rather have it on the shoulders of iCloud or Dropbox. I am on a shared server so pushing traffic through there is not an option I want to deal with. I am also looking at two options right now for the app. A client specific version (30-40 users) and a general public version. (who knows how many?) Might approach them each differently. I by no means plan to get rich off of this, but just want a stable platform and my biggest motivation is learning how to do this. Jim

Let us know how you get along, Jim. We shall learn at your feet. -- Niraj