Tonido Vs. PogoPlug

Early last fall I purchased a PogoPlug and later in the year I bought a TonidoPlug. After using the PogoPlug for a while, and running a bit torrent client and Firefly iTunes server, I decided to try the TonidoPlug. The Tonido software suite looked like it would handle most of what I was using the PogoPlug for, without having to hack it. So, after running both for 6+ months, I have decided to keep both. Why? The PogoPlug handles file sharing cleaner and easier than the TonidoPlug. I can quickly set up a share that I let other access without having to set up accounts for them. When I am done, it’s easy to turn off sharing. Plus, I can do it from my Android phone (or an iPhone if I were so inclined). I am not as enamored with it’s handling of media files. It can handle MP3 files, but the audio player is adequate, at best. It does better with video. It converts video files into a more bandwidth efficient format for streaming.

The TonidoPlug has a built in bit torrent client that works well. And an audio player that can handle iTunes files (non-DRM) as well as MP3. The file sharing works fine, but it is less intuitive than the PogoPlug. The ability to set up a quick share with a link I can email to someone else only works if the other person is set up as a user on your TonidoPlug. Files can be shared on PogoPlug without the user needing an account, or logging in.

The price of the PogoPlug’s ease of file sharing is that it relies on pogoplug.com providing a proxy service to direct users to your PogoPlug. Tonido provides a similiar service, without the benefits, but it is not necessary. I have used DynDNS to redirect traffic to my TonidoPlug. The Tonido software suite is a nice addition to the TonidoPlug, at a cost $20 less than the current PogoPlug device. The additional functionality take care of most personal cloud needs. I find that the PogoPlug’s file sharing ease of use is enough to keep it around.

Previous articles:

http://blog.craiglpatterson.com/2009/11/16/playing-with-the-pogoplug/

http://blog.craiglpatterson.com/2009/11/25/plug-into-plug-computing/

http://blog.craiglpatterson.com/2010/02/08/a-tonidoplug-is-plugged-in/

http://blog.craiglpatterson.com/2010/02/08/plug-into-plug-computing-update/