iCloud syncing vs WiFi/Dropbox syncing and App Store vs Web store versions

camner

I'm running the Webstore version with Dropbox syncing (v4 now but will upgrade to v5 when I move to Yosemite/iOS 8), and I have two questions:

1. Are there advantages to iCloud syncing over WiFi/Dropbox syncing?

2. Are there other feature differences between the Webstore and the App Store versions?

Thanks.

Stephen_C

For brief replies to your questions:

1. As I understand it, there are no particular advantages to iCloud sync—except, of course, the possible convenience for you if you are using iCloud to sync other things. If you have more than one vault in 1P, or need to sync with a Windows device, you will probably want to use Dropbox. If you dislike cloud sync generally (like me) you will want to use wifi sync (even though that doesn't currently sync more than your primary vault). Others with more experience than I have may add to this reply.
2. Have a look at this knowledge base article which covers the question "Should I buy 1Password from the Mac App Store or from your web store?".

Stephen

Megan

Hi @camner,

I hope that @Stephen_C's post helped you out - he covered the main points pretty well. The benefit of iCloud is that it is native to the Mac and iOS ecosystem, but that also limits it. At this time, it is not possible to sync via iCloud with Windows or Android. iCloud is also unable to support multiple vaults, so if you're looking to take advantage of that feature, you'll need Dropbox to share your secondary vaults.

Dropbox is our most flexible sync solution right now, as it works with Mac, iOS, Windows and Android, and supports multiple vaults. As Stephen mentions, Wi-Fi is another option for you to consider.

If you have any further questions, we're here to help!

camner

Thanks both for your replies. Given the info you've given me, Dropbox syncing seems to make the most sense and for that I might as well stick with the webstore version of 1P.

Megan

Hi @camner,

I'm so glad to hear that we could help! I hope that 1Password works perfectly for you from now on, but if you hit any snags, you know where to find us. ;)

ryan75

Hi Megan,

As a user who just went through an extremely frustrating (and ultimately unsatisfactory) customer service process with AgileBits that centered around this issue, I think it's pretty important that you give as much detail as possible on the differences. I don't mean the technical "why" details, but a comprehensive list or chart showing all of the differences. The "main points" are great, but I think a chart showing all of the feature differences would be fairly trivial for AgileBits to show on the product and store pages (or any pages where you can download the software). Or at least a clear, large, obnoxiously obvious link to those details. Not only do I think it would be easy and painless to put that chart up (we all know those charts are ubiquitous on software pages where multiple versions are available), but it would do a tremendous amount to avoid these kinds of problems in the future.

Often when I buy any software from somewhere other than the Mac App Store, it's because I know the developer is going to get more money that way rather than giving Apple a 30% cut, and I want to support them. I'm sure I'm not alone in this. So, for me anyway, this whole incident has really been a slap in the face from a company I made a point of supporting, when a Mac App Store purchase would have been much more convenient.

I'm not looking for any more resolution to my case. I'm not happy about how it went, but so it goes and I'll just buy the Mac App Store version if I end up deciding that I just can't live without iCloud sync. What I would really like to see, and what would restore a lot of confidence in AgileBits, is a painfully clear communication process in the future as far as feature differences and changes BEFORE the changes are actually implemented. It's just so important, especially when we are talking about (amazing) software that holds the keys to my digital kingdom.

Megan

Hi @ryan75,

I am so sorry to hear that you're feeling frustrated with your upgrade experience. We really do appreciate that you made the choice to purchase directly from us, that means a lot to us! This has been a difficult experience for many of our users, and I wish that there was more that we could do to help you out.

I do want to direct your attention to our Purchasing, Licensing and Upgrades FAQ article in our Knowledgebase. It sounds like this might be the type of chart that you are requesting.

What I would really like to see, and what would restore a lot of confidence in AgileBits, is a painfully clear communication process in the future as far as feature differences and changes BEFORE the changes are actually implemented.

As Dave has mentioned in his post about iCloud at the top of the forum:

We have learned from this and will do our best to make sure it doesn't happen again.

We appreciate that our users have stuck with us through this, and we are taking all of your feedback to heart. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts here.

ryan75

Thank you. Yes, that chart is basically what I mean, if it does indeed cover all of the differences. Part of my point though is that the chart is only found in a subsection of the fairly large knowledgebase, which you have to go to the support section of your website to find, then you have to find the licenses section. Clicking on the "learn more" link on your store page just sends you to the general product page, which makes no mention of differences at all. Generally, when purchasing software, I don't think a user should have to go much further than the product and store pages for an app to find out major feature differences between versions. Certainly reading developer forums, blogs, and support pages should only be necessary for the real nitty gritty details of an app, and I would not consider iCloud support an obscure detail. It was not covered previously on the product/store page before, even with the version 5 update, thankfully that is fixed and it is now under system requirements.

So, the information is there, but it could definitely be easier to find. I do realize though that you have to strike a balance between marketing and detail on these pages, but at least mentioning that there are significant differences is important. Maybe just a direct link to that knowledge base article would be fine, so users don't have to dig around themselves to find it.

Also, I'm trusting that there are no "workarounds" or "temporary but might go away" features currently implemented in the Mac App Store version? In the way that iCloud was previously with 1Password 4? I can't begin to imagine just how frustrating it would be if I do repurchase the app on the Mac App Store, only to have something similar happen when the next update comes out.

littlebobbytables

Hi @ryan75‌

While it is impossible to predict if Apple will change the rules for products in their stores I don't believe there are any at risk features. The MAS version by virtue of its current existence means it adheres to the currentsandboxing requirements and we can do that while still offering all of the current features. I know the intent is a feature available on one should be available on all. So while for example the Android version only works with a single vault it is a new product and in time it will sync with secondary vaults (sometimes it takes time to introduce a new piece of functionality to this many platforms).

As Dave said in his announcement:

We have learned from this and will do our best to make sure it doesn't happen again.

We do also take your other comments on board.