Cloud storage is nifty. We all use it, and for the most part, it gets the job done. However, you usually need to subscribe to multiple services to find all the right app-based syncing features, browser accessibility, and total storage space you require. Subscriptions are usually pretty cheap, but they add up. And there are worries beyond cost, like the whole NSA-spying-on-all-of-your-online-stuff thing.

A new drive called Transporter Sync provides the convenience of cloud-based storage without as many negatives. It's a storage device that you attach to your network, and it stays in sync with all of your devices on and off your network, functioning much like your own private cloud-based folder.

This is the second network-capable storage product from Transporter. The original Transporter featured either a 500 GB, 1 TB, or 2 TB hard drive. The Sync is smaller, and offers more versatility. It has no built-in storage. Instead, it has a USB port — just plug in an external USB drive and get as much storage as you need.

You plug in the device to your home router, and then use the free Windows, Mac, iOS, or Android apps to access and share your documents. Files are encrypted and transferred in a peer-to-peer fashion over your home network; the cloud is used only as a highway for transferring data, not for storing it. If you have two Transporters (or maybe you have one and a friend has one) you can set them up so they stay in sync. Choose to sync either the whole shared drive or just selected folders.

Setup is easy. It takes about 10 minutes to get it online, then you can forget about the hardware and just use Transporter's digital access options for managing your files. Anyone you want to share with does need to download the Transporter Downloader plug-in or the apps, though.

Transporter Sync is available for pre-order now at $99, with estimated availability of November 15.