SetFN vs Cloud Services Comparison

Cloud services store files in an external data center and provide access over the internet. Google Workspace, Dropbox, Notion, and Slack are representative examples of these cloud-based collaboration tools. SetFN is a local-first collaboration platform that stores files on your own PC or in-house server and provides access over your internal network. The two approaches differ in storage location, speed, security, and cost structure.

Key Differences

Q: What is the biggest difference between SetFN and the cloud?

The biggest difference is where the data is stored and how it travels.

SetFN does not work by uploading files to an external cloud and then downloading them again. Within the same office or internal network, files move entirely inside the organization, so the perceived difference is significant when handling large files.

Speed Comparison

Q: How much faster is SetFN than the cloud?

SetFN's speed advantage comes from making direct use of the internal network. A typical office internal network commonly runs at 1Gbps, and environments with the right equipment can reach 10Gbps. Cloud services, on the other hand, are affected by the user's internet line, the distance to the external data center, upload limits, and service conditions.

Based on public internet quality data as of 2026, it is realistic to assume that average or median fixed-line internet speeds in Korea and the US are roughly in the hundreds of Mbps range. Using that as a benchmark, the comparison looks like this:

The figures above are theoretical transfer times. In actual cloud usage, a file must first be uploaded and then downloaded again by other users, so the total time for the whole team to collaborate can be longer.

Q: How should I compare internal network speed with external network speed?

For large-file collaboration, the path a file travels matters more than simple download speed.

SetFN internal network sharing:
My PC or server -> Internal network -> Teammate's PC

Cloud sharing:
My PC -> Internet -> External data center -> Internet -> Teammate's PC

With SetFN, users on the same internal network can open and receive files directly. With the cloud, upload and download are separate steps, so even for the same 10GB file, the time it takes for the whole team to receive it can be longer.

Q: Is there a difference when sharing large files with multiple teammates?

The difference becomes clear when you consider sharing 30GB of data with 10 people.

For work involving large files — such as large design files, video, medical imaging, or research data — internal network-based sharing is especially advantageous.

Cost Comparison

Q: What is the cost difference over a 3-year period?

Cloud costs are typically incurred monthly based on the number of users and storage capacity. Because SetFN is installed software, it can make use of existing PCs or in-house servers, and storage can be expanded simply by adding local disks.

Below is a simplified cost comparison example for a team of 10 people using each option over 3 years. For calculation convenience, the exchange rate is assumed at 1 USD = 1,500 KRW.

This table is a simplified, storage-centered comparison. Actual costs will vary depending on the number of users, backup policy, disk redundancy, licensing, and support scope. That said, in environments that store large files long-term and share them frequently internally, monthly subscription-based cloud costs accumulate quickly.

Q: What cloud costs are easy to overlook?

Cloud costs can look simple when you only consider the monthly subscription fee, but in actual operation the following factors add up as well.

• Monthly costs increase as the number of users grows.
• When storage capacity runs short, you need to move to a higher-tier plan.
• Accounts for departed employees, external partners, and shared accounts need to be managed.
• Storing large files long-term leads to recurring capacity-expansion costs.

SetFN requires upfront setup since you manage local storage directly, but it can reduce external cloud storage costs and capacity expansion costs.

Security Comparison

Q: What is the difference from a security standpoint?

With the cloud, data is stored on external servers. You need to manage risks such as account takeover, misconfigured sharing settings, external service outages, and changes to the provider's policies.

With SetFN, files are stored on servers or PCs inside the organization. If you operate it without opening external access (internal network only) and do not connect external services such as external AI, data does not move to an external server.

Q: In what kind of environment is SetFN especially advantageous?

SetFN is well suited to environments such as research institutes, hospitals, manufacturing, and law firms, where security matters and large files are shared frequently internally. It is also a good fit for organizations that, due to regulations, cannot store data on external servers.

Basis and References

The speed comparisons in this document are simple calculations based on 1Gbps/10Gbps internal networks and average fixed-line internet figures from public internet quality data. Actual speeds will vary depending on in-house equipment, Wi-Fi quality, disk performance, external network congestion, and cloud service conditions.

The price comparison is calculated based on the monthly subscription prices listed on public pricing pages as of July 2026. Actual billed amounts may vary depending on promotions, region, taxes, exchange rates, and whether an annual commitment is used.

Related Documents

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• Why Is SetFN Fast