(Ad) The best cloud storage services allow you to store data and share important files on secure, fast, and reliable cloud servers. However, finding the best cloud storage provider can feel like a daunting task, considering how many online storage options are available.
To help you decide, we've reviewed the best cloud storage companies for personal and business use. Whether you're looking for a secure solution to store your photos and videos or a business looking for team collaboration tools and app integrations, we've got you covered.
Here are our top picks for the most cost-effective, fast, and powerful cloud storage options for 2022.
pCloud is a Switzerland-based cloud storage service with over 10 million daily users. Employees from popular brands like Nike, Instagram, Uber, Twitter, and Snapchat all rely on pCloud for their storage needs. The company offers limited free storage and enough paid storage space to last a lifetime.
pCloud offers many features that span across the free and paid storage plans:
One of the biggest benefits that makes pCloud stand out from other cloud storage services is the option to pay up front for a lifetime of storage. Rather than managing monthly or yearly payments, you can pay one fee and enjoy cloud storage for life.
pCloud also offers bonus cloud storage deals and features for business plans, including client encryption, central employee management, file restorations up to 180 days after deletion, and secure file sharing.
The easy-to-use platform allows you to upload files of any size. The built-in music and video players allow you to view and listen to media without downloading the content and opening it with another platform.
pCloud offers many personal, family, and business plan levels with flexible payment choices. You can decide to pay monthly, annually, or just once up front.
Free: The free plan includes 10 gigabytes (GB) of storage space and 3 GB of transfers.
Premium 500 GB: The Premium standard plan includes 500 GB of space and shared link traffic for $4.99 a month with the monthly commitment, $49.99 billed annually, or $175 for the one-time lifetime payment.
Premium Plus 2 TB: For increased space, the Premium Plus plan includes 2,000 GB (2 terabytes) of space and 2 TB of shared link traffic for $9.99 a month with the monthly commitment, $99.99 billed annually, or $350 for the one-time lifetime payment.
Custom: The new Custom plan offers 10 TB of storage, costing $990 for a lifetime of usage.
Business: The Business plan includes 1 TB of storage per user with up to three users. The yearly subscription costs $7.99 per month.
Business Pro: The Business Pro plan includes unlimited storage for over three users, plus additional support and collaboration tools. The yearly subscription costs $15.98 per month.
2 TB Family: The smaller Family plan offers 2 TB of storage across up to five users, costing a flat one-time fee of $500.
10 TB Family: The larger Family plan includes 10 TB of storage for up to five users for a one-time fee of $1,390.
Click Here to Learn More About pCloud
Many consider Sync one of the best cloud storage services available because of the fast network, ample security measures, and affordable pricing. All plans, including the free one, come with zero-knowledge encryption, which means that if a security breach happens to you, intruders will only be able to access illegible data because you are the sole owner of your private encryption key.
Over two million teams use Sync for storing files, including popular organizations like Tripadvisor, Rutgers University, The New Yorker, RE/MAX, and more.
Sync offers many out-of-box features across free and paid plans, so you can enjoy advanced enhancements regardless of how much you pay.
Sync offers individual, professional, and team plans to suit any needs.
Free tier: The free plan includes 5 GB of storage and 5 GB of transfers.
Solo Basic: The Solo Basic plan costs $8 per month and includes 2 TB of storage and advanced sharing features.
Solo Professional: The Solo Professional plan includes 6 TB of storage, custom branding, and advanced sharing at $20 per month.
Teams Standard: The Teams Standard plan costs $6 per user per month, so you can have as many users as you like. At this price, you’ll enjoy 1 TB of storage, advanced sharing, and an admin account to control team access.
Teams Unlimited: The Teams Unlimited plan offers unlimited storage, custom branding, advanced sharing, and an admin account, all at $15 per user per month.
Enterprise: The Enterprise plan requires a minimum of 100 users. Sync will customize the plan’s features and limitations to meet your business’s needs. You must call and speak with a salesperson for Enterprise plan pricing since it varies from company to company.
Click Here to Learn More About Sync
iDrive is the best cloud storage service for anyone concerned with backing up information. The hybrid system allows you to employ user-friendly cloud tools or powerful and secure file backups. You can enjoy the real-time syncing features while conducting comprehensive backups in case of a disaster (the company will even mail you a physical drive of your data when requested).
iDrive boasts many hard-to-beat features, including:
Local backups across unlimited devices: If you have a lot of data you need to protect, you can install iDrive on as many devices as you like.
Mobile apps for Android and Apple devices: Want to easily view, manage, and sync content on the go? iDrive offers desktop and mobile apps for maximum convenience across Android and iOS devices.
File sharing features: File sharing lets you designate access to certain individuals. You can send teammates links to important documents with expiration times or password restrictions.
File syncing: If you edit or upload a file on one device, it will automatically sync to all the others.
Selective sync: If you have giant files that take up too much space on your devices, you can selectively sync certain items.
File versioning: The Snapshots feature allows you to view an activity timeline and restore older file versions. The platform stores up to 30 versions of each file at a time.
Ample security: iDrive offers two-factor authentication and end-to-end encryption for maximum file security. You can also optionally create a private encryption key for zero-knowledge encryption.
iDrive offers various personal and business plans at competitive prices.
Free account: The free plan includes up to 5 GB of storage.
Personal: The Personal plan offers up to 5 TB of storage for one user across unlimited computers. You can protect all of your devices and external hard drives under one account for $59.62 for the first year or $119.25 for two years.
Team: The Team cloud services plan includes up to five users and five computers with 5 TB of storage. You can use the dashboard to manage backups, add users, and view workstations. The Team plan costs $74.62 for the first year or $149.25 for two years, though you can upgrade to more users, computers, and space for an added cost.
Business: iDrive Business plans include unlimited servers, users, and computers for $74.62 for the first year or $149.25 for two years. The baseline plan starts at 250 GB, though you can upgrade to 500 GB for $149.62 (for the first year) or 1.25 TB, 2.5 TB, or 5 TB, with costs increasing up to $1,124.62 for the top plan.
e2 Cloud Storage: The e2 Cloud Storage plan includes Amazon S3 Compatible Object Storage with 99.99999999999% (eleven nines) of secure data durability.
iDrive BMR Appliance: The iDrive BMR Appliance plan includes On-Site Bare-Metal Disaster Recovery, 6 TB of cloud backup storage, and advanced encryption-based ransomware protection.
Click Here to Learn More About iDrive
Icedrive is another one of the best cloud storage services for powerful security features, seamless integration, and a simple web interface. The cloud storage provider claims that your cloud-stored files will blend seamlessly into your device. You can feel like you have all your information in one place without taking up your computer’s limited space.
As a younger company that just started in 2019, U.K.-based Icedrive continues making revolutionary strides toward modern storage enhancements. The platform may lack a few collaboration features now, though future upgrades may make them available soon.
The top Icedrive features include:
Twofish encryption is a proprietary security system that Icedrive created to replace the standard AES 256-bit encryption method. Twofish made it to the final list of contenders for the Advanced Encryption Standard contest. The encrypted file previewing allows you to instantly view a portion of certain encrypted files on your secure computer, so you don’t waste time downloading the wrong version.
Icedrive offers various plans, ranging in security and storage capabilities. Depending on your budget and preferences, you can choose between monthly, yearly, or lifetime payments.
Free plan: The free tier plan includes 10 GB of free cloud storage with 3 GB of daily bandwidth.
Lite: The Lite plan includes 150 GB of storage and costs $1.67 per month or $19.99 per year. You must purchase at least a year of this plan (month-to-month payments aren’t available).
Pro: The Pro plan costs $4.17 per month or $49.99 per year and includes 1 TB of storage. If you choose the month-to-month plan, the price rises to $4.99 per month.
Pro+: The Pro+ plan includes 5 TB of storage, costing $15 per month or $179.99 per year. The month-to-month payment plan costs $17.99 per month.
Pro III: For a one-time payment of $499, you can enjoy a lifetime of 3 TB of storage.
Pro X: The Pro X Lifetime plan includes 10 TB of storage, costing a flat one-time fee of $999.
All paid plans include client-side encryption and more advanced security features.
Click Here to Learn More About Icedrive
MEGA is one of the best free cloud storage providers, offering 20 GB of free storage to anyone who creates an account. MEGA stores all data across New Zealand, Europe, and Canada to avoid the risks associated with U.S.-based data servers. While most cloud services that offer large free plans, like Google Drive, only include limited security features, MEGA offers top-notch zero-knowledge encryption across all accounts.
The company currently supports over 265 million users with over 126 billion uploaded files. On the website, you can read many positive cloud storage reviews from satisfied customers. In 2021, MEGA offered 15 GB of free storage and recently increased this number, displaying a passion for improvement and affordability.
Aside from the great prices and free storage, MEGA offers advanced features that protect your private information, making cloud storage secure and easy.
The personal cloud storage platform blends seamlessly across popular desktop app options, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, so you can manage files as if they’re on your computer’s drive.
You can also download mobile apps or extensions for added convenience and access to your file storage. MEGA provides apps for Android and iOS devices. Adding the MEGA extension to your browser can reduce loading times, strengthen security, and improve the overall download performance.
MEGA offers individual and business plans to fit any storage and budget needs. The annually billed plans cost 16% less than the month-to-month prices, so consider paying for the year up front if you want to save some money.
Free version: The free plan includes 20 GB of free storage.
Pro Lite: The Pro Lite plan includes 400 GB of storage and 1 TB of transfers for $5.06 per month or $50.64 per year.
Pro I: The recommended Pro I plan costs $10.12 per month or $101.30 per year and includes 2 TB of storage and transfers.
Pro II: The Pro II plan includes 8 TB of storage and transfers at $20.25 per month or $202.61 per year.
Pro III: If you want maximum storage, the Pro III professional plan includes 16 TB of storage and transfers at $30.38 per month or $303.92 per year.
MEGA allows you to customize a business plan to fit your exact needs so you don't spend money on storage you don’t need. The website has a convenient slider tool that lets you pick your preferred users, storage requirements, and transfer quotas. You can choose from three to 300 users and 3 TB to 10 petabytes (PB) of storage and transfers.
After entering your preferred numbers, the website offers an automatic quote for your monthly price. An account with three users with 3 TB of storage and transfers costs $5.07 per month, while 300 users with 10 PB of storage and transfers costs $52,105.82 per month.
Click Here to Learn More About MEGA
Microsoft OneDrive is potentially the best cloud storage service for Microsoft Office and Windows users, offering free storage and file access to any Windows user with an internet connection. Because Microsoft owns the platform, it blends seamlessly with Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Office, which can make your life easier if you use either of these products. New users receive 5 GB of free storage that they can increase to 100 GB through referrals.
Microsoft OneDrive offers excellent convenience features with generous free plans, especially if you already use multiple Microsoft products. Downloading and setting up the platform takes seconds, though most Windows systems already come with it ready to go.
While OneDrive has many features to love, it’s important to mention the lacking security systems. OneDrive doesn’t offer zero-knowledge encryption, and the servers are based in the United States, placing your data at risk of intrusive laws like theFreedom Act. Without the top-notch encryption that most cloud storage services offer, hackers may be able to access or share files to steal your private information.
OneDrive offers eight plans for homes and businesses, ranging in size and price.
OneDrive Basic 5 GB: The free plan includes 5 GB of free storage that you can increase by referring friends.
OneDrive Standalone 100 GB: The Standalone plan costs $19.99 per year or $1.99 per month and includes 100 GB of storage.
Microsoft 365 Personal: The Personal plan includes 1 TB of storage plus access to Skype, Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The yearly subscription costs $69.99 annually, or the monthly commitment costs $6.99 per month.
Microsoft 365 Family: The Family plan includes all the Office apps mentioned above, with a total of 6 TB of storage and a one-month free trial. The annual auto-renewing plan costs $99.99 per year, and the monthly plan costs $9.99 per payment.
OneDrive for Business (Plan 1): The smaller OneDrive business plan includes 1 TB of storage per user at $5 per user per month.
OneDrive for Business (Plan 2): The larger OneDrive business plan offers unlimited storage across all users for $10 per user per month. The upgraded plan also includes better security measures.
Microsoft 365 Business Basic: The Microsoft 365 Business Basic plan includes 1 TB per user, plus access to Exchange, SharePoint, Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The annual plan costs $6 per user per month, while the monthly commitment plan costs $7.20.
Microsoft 365 Business Standard: The Standard version includes the same storage and all the apps above, plus Yammer, Publisher, and Access. The yearly commitment costs $12.50 per user per month, while the monthly plan costs $15 per user per month.
Click Here to Learn More About OneDrive
Google Drive is similar to OneDrive, but for Google users. Google Drive seamlessly integrates with all Google products, including Google Workspace, all Drive products (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, etc.), and all Android devices. Whether you own an Android phone or use a Gmail account, you can instantly access Google Drive’s free storage without setting anything up.
Google Drive proudly claims that thousands of teams worldwide already use the cloud storage service for important business files. A few recognizable names include Whirlpool, Salesforce, Sanmina, and Freedom Financial Network.
Google Drive offers many personal cloud storage features that make file sharing, file syncing, and file storage a breeze.
Similar to OneDrive, Google Drive’s one major downfall is security. The cloud storage provider doesn’t offer zero-knowledge encryption, so anything in your Google Workspace may be at risk.
Google Drive offers the following plans:
Personal: The free Personal plan includes 15 GB of free storage per user, a Gmail account, Google Drive products, self-service customer support (via knowledge base and community forums), and up to 100 participants per video call.
Business Standard: The business plan includes 2 TB of storage per user, all the features above, plus team shared drives, target audience sharing, custom business email accounts, saved meeting recordings, admin abilities, group security controls, a 150-user maximum on video calls, and 24/7 online support. The standard business plan costs $12 per user per month.
Business Starter: For a lower entry price, the Business Starter plan includes similar features to the personal plan, but with 30 GB per user and group-level security features at $6 per user per month.
Business Plus: The advanced Business Plus plan includes 5 TB of storage per user, all the features from the Business Standard plan, extra video participants, attendance tracking, and enhanced security for $18 per user per month.
Enterprise: The top-tier Enterprise plan offers endless storage, top-notch support channels, live-streaming, noise-canceling video calls, and advanced security for a personalized price. You must speak with the sales team to receive your business's quote.
Click Here to Learn More About Google Drive
Dropbox is another one of the best cloud storage providers that made cloud backup services as popular as they are today. Dropbox currently ranks second in market shares, just behind Google Drive, with over 700 million registered users and 600,000 teams. As one of the few secure cloud storage providers that offer real-time collaboration, like Google Drive and OneDrive, Dropbox makes file storage convenient and intuitive.
Dropbox enables you to unify your cloud files, traditional content, and shortcuts in one easy-to-use web interface. The top Dropbox features include:
Dropbox’s unique collaboration system distinguishes it from Google Drive and other competitors. You can comment to specific users or an entire group, reply to documents with videos and emojis, offer feedback, and more.
The biggest drawback with Dropbox is the security system. Dropbox doesn’t offer zero-knowledge encryption. If you’re concerned about privacy, you may need to sacrifice Dropbox’s convenience features for more secure cloud servers like Sync, Icedrive, or MEGA.
Dropbox offers six different cloud storage plans for individuals, families, professionals, businesses, and enterprises:
Plus: The Plus individuals plan includes 2 TB of space at $9.99 per month for the yearly plan or $11.99 for the monthly commitment.
Family: The Family plan offers a shared 2 TB of storage across up to six users for $16.99 per month for an annual subscription or $19.99 for the monthly commitment.
Professional: The Professional solo-worker plan includes 3 TB of space, 180-day file recovery, advanced sharing and locking controls, and large file delivery for $16.58 per month (billed yearly) or $19.99 billed monthly.
Standard: The Standard business plan for growing teams includes a shared 5 TB of space across three or more users with automatic backups and advanced controls for $15 per user per month (billed yearly) or $18 for the monthly commitment.
Advanced: The Advanced plan for complex teams offers as much space as you need for $24 per user per month (billed annually) or $30 per month for the monthly commitments.
Enterprise: The large corporation plan includes the most advanced security features, top-notch integrations, and a dedicated support manager from Dropbox. You must call the sales team for a customized quote for your business.
Click Here to Learn More About Dropbox
Box is one of the best cloud storage providers for businesses, offering corporate-level security, collaboration, and integration features. Over 100,000 teams use Box, including 67% of the Fortune 500 (500 largest U.S. corporations). While the company primarily focuses on business cloud storage, it also provides free or upgraded personal plan options.
Box may be pricier, though the long list of features makes the cost worth it for many businesses.
Box offers seven plans, ranging from individual use cases to large enterprises.
Free Individual: The Free Individual plan includes up to 10 GB of storage, one file version, five e-signs, and many of the features listed above.
Personal Pro: The Personal Pro plan for individuals includes up to 100 GB of storage for $10 a month.
Business Starter: The Business Starter plan costs $5 per user per month, with a minimum of three users. The plan includes 100 GB of storage, ten e-signs, 25 file versions, and more.
Business: The Business plan offers unlimited space for $15 per user per month, plus a full suite of organization-wide collaboration features.
Business Plus: The Business Plus plan includes the same as above but with increased upload limitations and integration options for $25 per user per month.
Enterprise: The Enterprise plan costs $35 per user per month and includes the full span of all features from our list above with practically zero limitations.
Enterprise Plus: Enterprise Plus is a customized plan that Box will create for your business, depending on your exact needs.
Click Here to Learn More About Box
Cloud storage works by using online storage servers. Traditionally, you store all of your pictures, documents, and other files on your actual device’s hard drive, which has strict limitations. Cloud storage platforms let you store your files online so that you can access them from any device or location as long as you have an internet connection.
Companies may locate cloud servers in the U.S. or anywhere else across the globe. Typically, the online storage platform includes some kind of folder into which you can drop files. After dragging and dropping, the files will automatically upload to the cloud.
If you want to re-access, edit, or view the stored files, you can download them back to your computer. Many of the best cloud storage platforms allow you to directly edit and manage files within the cloud so that you don’t have to download and re-upload content constantly.
Many cloud storage companies exist, so we used a systematic approach when ranking the top options. Our key ranking factors include upload and download speeds, pricing and plans, features, and security.
No one wants to wait hours uploading items to the cloud and downloading them for viewing and editing. Large documents, like ebooks or video files, can require painfully long upload and download times on certain platforms. Every option on our list features lightning-fast speeds, so you can upload and download content in bulk without waiting.
Every individual, family, team, and business has different storage and feature needs. The best cloud storage companies offer ample plans, ranging from free storage accounts to enterprise-grade file-sharing plans. We compared all the free options and the varying plan prices to find options that offer great features and storage limitations for reasonable prices.
Storage may be your primary use case for cloud storage platforms, though additional features can transform how you work. The top options on our list offer industry-leading advancements, like live collaboration options, electronic signatures, admin controls, unlimited photo storage, automatic online backup queuing, thousands of app integrations, unlimited device sharing, and more.
Storing information on a cloud rather than your device can increase risks, especially with less secure platforms. Security breaches happen when someone hacks into a cloud server to steal private information, files, and passwords. Aside from breaches, the U.S. government can request access to any individual’s information.
The best way to avoid such risks is to pick a platform with zero-knowledge encryption. Zero-knowledge privacy means that you are the only person with access to your files. The company owning the platform doesn’t know your password and can’t give your information away.
Non-U.S.-based servers also have reduced risks since the U.S. government can’t access the information. Many options on our list offer overseas servers with zero-knowledge encryption for advanced security.
Cloud storage boasts many use cases beyond what people often imagine. The best cloud storage platforms include modern convenience features that can transform your workflow. Common cloud storage use cases include:
Cloud storage server security varies from company to company. For example, Dropbox suffered a security breach in 2012, leaking over 68 million passwords. Such events can happen when companies don’t prioritize the necessary security features, such as:
Multi-factor authentication: This electronic authentication method requires users to present at least two pieces of evidence proving their identity.
Zero-knowledge encryption: Zero-knowledge security means the hosting web interface platform doesn’t have any access to your files.
End-to-end encryption: This encryption practice prevents data leaks when transferring files and information between platforms.
Overseas server locations: The U.S. government can access any information stored on local servers for legal reasons, though overseas servers protect you from this risk.
Leak prevention: Data loss prevention methods are strategies cloud storage platforms use to detect and eliminate potential threats.
Law compliance: Depending on your industry, various laws require you to store information following certain standards. For example, healthcare professionals must comply with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) regulations to protect patient information.
If you’re concerned about security or own a large business with vital client information, we recommend selecting a cloud storage option from our list that offers most or all of the above features.
Free storage sounds wonderful, though it comes with a few catches:
Limited space: All free storage providers offer only a certain number of gigabytes for free, typically between 5 and 20. The free amount may be enough for individuals with limited documents, though most teams, families, or people with ample files will need to upgrade for more space.
Potential future charges: Certain companies only offer free storage for a trial period. Once the trial period expires, you will have to pay to continue using the storage. Some providers may charge you automatically, so don’t enter payment information if you don’t want any charges.
Reduced enhancements: Most free plans don’t include all the incredible features companies claim on their websites. For example, you may only enjoy zero-knowledge privacy with a paid plan. Google Drive is one of the few platforms that includes all the convenience and security features across free accounts.
Cloud storage platforms and online backups both secure your files but in different ways. Cloud storage allows you to access, edit, view, and manage information from the cloud without downloading anything to your device. Most cloud platforms include incredible collaboration features, live editing tools, and more.
Online backups store your files on the internet purely for security purposes. People typically conduct online backups as a prevention strategy in case their computer crashes or some other catastrophic event wipes their device. You cannot access and manage online backup files easily, though you can re-download them to your device if anything happens.
Cloud storage solutions provide many benefits. You can:
We understand that cloud storage is complex, and you likely have more questions. Continue reading below to learn answers to the most frequently asked questions surrounding cloud data storage so that you can feel confident selecting the best provider for your needs.
Cloud storage costs vary from company to company. The nine options on our list range from $0 to over $52,000 a month, depending on your selected plan.
Here is a brief pricing overview for the best cloud storage platforms:
We believe the best cloud storage for personal use is pCloud. The platform allows you to pay up front for a lifetime storage supply, so you'll never have to worry about monthly payments or subscriptions again. The plans are affordable, packed with features, and include iron-clad security measures across all levels, regardless of price.
The top recommended cloud storage platform for business use is Sync. Sync’s impressive upload and download speeds, security protocols, and out-of-box features make it perfect for small startups to large corporations. Even the free plan includes zero-knowledge privacy, proving the company’s dedication to security.
Cloud platforms store your data in server spaces. A server is a physical hard drive that resembles conventional storage methods, but with much stronger security protocols and network features. Some companies house their servers in the United States, while others select overseas locations for ample protection from the U.S. government.
When you pick a cloud service, you’ll never know your exact server location, though you don’t need to. Your files exist on the internet, so you can access anything you want as long as you have a connection. Some companies will also send hard drives with your files, if you prefer.
Whether or not it’s worth paying for online data storage depends on your personal needs, though most people can benefit from at least a lower-tier plan.
To put it into perspective, consider the amount of space on your smartphone. Most modern phones range from 64 GB to 512 GB or more. This storage contains your apps, photographs, contacts, videos, text messages, voicemails, etc.
If you wanted to store all this information on the cloud, you would have to upgrade to a paid plan since all free plans max out at around 5 to 20 GB of space.
Generally, it’s worth paying for online data storage if you have enough important files that you want to secure (5 GB or more). Families, teams, or businesses can greatly benefit from paid plans because they secure large loads of data with ample convenience and communication features. If you own a business, you should consider one of the options from our list.
The best cloud storage platforms allow you to securely store all of your most important information in an easy-access location. Many options exist, though only a few rival the top nine on our list.
Whether you’re an individual looking to store a few files, a family who wants to share memories, or a professional team who needs to collaborate on documents, the cloud storage options on our list can help. We recommend reviewing the various plans to pick the best option for your needs.