We live in an increasingly virtual world. More and more companies are offering remote working and almost everything is shared over the internet. So it pays to have a backup of important files. While physical storage is cheap (the best microSD cards cost about 11 cents per gigabyte), having a good, reliable cloud storage option is a necessity.
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There are many great cloud storage options, and these are the ones worth checking out.
1. OneDrive: Best for Windows
Modern Windows PCs automatically back up your files to Microsoft OneDrive until you use up the 5 GB of free storage. If you need more storage, consider one of the paid OneDrive plans. OneDrive is a versatile cloud storage solution for personal and business use.
Since OneDrive functionality is built into Windows computers, it’s a cinch to choose which files and folders you want the system to automatically save to the cloud. Its drag-and-drop storage functionality is easy to use, and its integration with Windows and the Microsoft 365 apps makes it a great choice for anyone using Microsoft’s apps, alone or in collaboration with others.
The cheapest personal plan offers 100GB for $19.99 per year, which is cheaper than Google’s 100GB offering. However, for larger amounts of storage, you will need to purchase bundles that include Microsoft 365 apps. Whether that’s a good deal depends on whether you plan to use Microsoft 365.
2. IceDrive: An all-purpose contender
IceDrive is an interesting service. There’s not much you can knock on, but nothing it does sets it apart from the competition. It has competitive prices but is beaten by its higher tier competition. It has fast servers, but not as fast as Google’s. It has good backup options, but they are not as robust as Sync’s. It has end-to-end encryption, but only for one folder. It would be a great pick for the best all round service, except pCloud beats it for that title.
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IceDrive works with all mobile and desktop operating systems and generally avoids the major drawbacks that its competitors have. Keep IceDrive in mind if you are looking for a new cloud storage service.
3. Google Drive: Best for Speed
If you’re anchored in the Google ecosystem, you already have Google Drive. The only question is whether you’re getting the most out of it. Android device and Chromebook owners will find that it integrates seamlessly with the Google Workplace suite, making it a breeze to access documents and spreadsheets from the web interface.
Finding a file is easy thanks to the comprehensive search function, and the cloud sync function automatically backs up the folders you choose. It offers some robust options for file sharing and document collaboration. The service also uses Google’s fast data centers and offers the fastest cloud storage service available.
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Google Drive has some drawbacks. Unlike other Cloud Storage solutions, Google Drive does not provide end-to-end encryption. It is also more frustrating to use on iOS devices than other solutions.
Google Drive offers 15 GB of free storage. You can also pay $1.99 per month for 100 GB of storage, $2.99 per month for 200 GB, and $9.99 for 2 TB.
Sign in to Google Drive Personal Cloud Storage & File Sharing.
4. pCloud: the best all-round service
While it may not have the brand awareness of the other cloud storage services on this list, pCloud is recommended by many who are familiar with the wider range of cloud storage options. There are four main reasons for this:
pCloud offers client-side encryption (which many of its competitors don’t). pCloud can act as a hosting service for HTML sites (which is not the case for many of its rivals). The options for synchronization, backup and file sharing are similar to those of its competitors. The individual and family plans offer lifetime subscriptions for one-time payments.
However, the services aren’t as fast as Google Drive, and if you’re looking for seamless functionality with office apps, you’d better look to Microsoft or Google. While the service offers client-side encryption, it is not free. It requires a one-time payment of $150 (or $50 per year) to activate the encryption capabilities.
Source: pCloud
pCloud also has a reputation for diligently enforcing its Terms of Service and closes accounts that violate them without warning. While the consensus is that the company usually does this to fight piracy, it’s a factor worth considering when considering where you want to store your files.
5. TeraBox: The most free cloud storage space
Let’s say you’re not looking for cloud storage technical features. It doesn’t matter if you have the fastest servers, the best privacy, or the greatest compatibility with your favorite apps. Let’s say you have a lot of files and you want a place where they are stored for free.
TeraBox will do that. It offers a full terabyte of free storage, blowing its competition out of the water. It also has decent smart search and video playback options.
There is, however, a catch. There are many advertisements. And while the app claims not to send its data to third parties, it does collect a lot of your information, from phone numbers to purchase history. Privacy advocates be warned.
6. MEGA: Good Encrypted Storage
MEGA has made a name for itself by offering 20 GB of free storage space and competitive features. It offers end-to-end encryption and anti-ransomware capabilities. It works with the largest two-factor authentication apps. It also provides good communication features for collaboration with others.
With prices roughly the same as the competition, it’s a service worth checking out even if you’re looking for more than the free offering.
7. MobiDrive: Slimmed down with significant storage space
If you’re looking for a simple cloud storage system with a decent amount of free storage, but you’re annoyed by ads that annoy you, give MobiDrive a try. While 20GB is nothing compared to the full terabyte TeraBox offers, it is pegged to MEGA for the second most free storage.
The other features are a bit on the thin side. However, it has one interesting possibility. It converts file types in-app so that you can download documents in a different format.
8. DropBox: Easy File Sharing
DropBox, one of the big names in personal cloud storage, offers plenty of reasons to give it a try if none of its competitors fit your needs. It’s been around for a while and the developers have streamlined the interface and made it a smooth experience for anyone looking to store or share files.
The main focus has always been file sharing, and the options help you easily send large files and choose who can access what. The free storage space is a bit on the low side and many users have complaints about the sorting system, but it still fills its niche for file-sharing with practiced ease.
More ways to store files
Any tech geek will tell you not to put all your eggs in one basket when it comes to digital storage. Even cloud services can go down unexpectedly, so it’s good to have a backup and a backup for your backup. Our guide to the best NAS hard drives is a good place to look.