Best Cloud Storage for Digital Media Professionals: Our Expert’s 5 Top Picks 

Provider	Encryption Type	Client-Side Encryption	2FA Options	Server Locations	Compliance
	AES-256, TLS/SSL	*	SMS, app-based	EU, U.S.	ISO 9001:2015, ISO 27001:2013, GDPR
	AES-256, TLS		SMS, app-based	Global (North America, South America, Europe, Asia)	ISO 27001, GDPR, SOC 1 & 2
	AES-128, TLS		App-based	Global (EU, Asia, Canada)	GDPR
	AES-256, TLS/SSL		Email, app-based	Canada	GDPR, HIPAA, PIPEDA, SOC 1, 2 & 3
	AES-256, TLS/SS	**	SMS, app-based	Global (U.S., U.K., EU, Japan, Australia)	HIPAA/HITECH, ISO 22301, ISO 27001, ISO 27017, ISO 27018, ISO 27701, GDPR, ISMAP, SOC 1, 2 & 3

These five services feature all the bells and whistles, such as two-factor authentication (2FA) and security measures that can prevent man-in-the-middle attacks. All except Google Drive offer client-side encryption as well, which ensures no one can view your files — even the storage provider itself. 

MEGA does use slightly outdated encryption protocols, but they’re still strong enough to keep your data safe.

Provider	Real-Time Editing	Office Integration	Google Workspace Integration	Version History	Sharing Controls	Mobile Apps
				15-365 days, depending on plan	Advanced permissions, link controls	/
	Excellent			Up to 100 versions	Advanced permissions, link controls	/
				60 days, up to 100 versions	Advanced permissions, link controls	/
	Very good			30-365 days, depending on plan	Advanced permissions, link controls	/
	Excellent			30-365 days, depending on plan	Advanced permissions, link controls	/

Although all of these services have collaboration capabilities to some extent, Google Drive and Dropbox lead the way in terms of power and functionality. The downside is that they’re the least private options on this list, so consider what’s most important to you before choosing a service. 

Having tested other cloud storage services, I can confirm that few are as committed to digital media management and consumption as pCloud. You can watch videos in full quality, create playlists for audio and even make light edits to images, with the latter functionality landing it among the best cloud storage for photos.

You can also run automated backups via the desktop and mobile apps, and access offline files when you don’t have an internet connection. 

If you’re working with a range of digital assets and need a decent chunk of storage, then pCloud is a good option. You can get up to 10TB of storage, with no file size limits for uploads. If you don’t like paying for a monthly subscription, pCloud offers very affordable lifetime plans for a one-time fee. 

You can learn more about the service in our pCloud review.

Google Drive excels in productivity and real-time collaboration. You can open up a range of apps in Drive to create work, hold integrated video calls within certain documents and leave comments for feedback and proofing. The productivity apps are also among the easiest to use, striking the perfect balance between power and simplicity.

Google Drive is ideal for remote teams, as its simple communication tools help bring everyone together through text messaging, comments and video conferencing. It’s also a good option for creative professionals who work on multiple devices. All of your files sync seamlessly, and the design language is very similar across desktop, web and mobile. 

You can learn more in our Google Drive review.

MEGA stands out as the best free cloud storage service. It offers 20GB just for signing up, and an extra 20GB is available if you use the mobile and desktop apps (10GB per app). 

For solo digital media professionals or teams that don’t need video storage, that free storage could be an excellent way to save money, depending on how much cloud storage space you need. 

MEGA’s free plan is a great choice if you don’t have the budget for cloud storage. However, it’s still a good option even if you can afford a paid plan. Tools like the slideshow are a great way to present your work, and the integrated chat helps you discuss work with internal teammates and external clients alike. If you don’t need many productivity tools, MEGA is a solid option.

You can learn more about the platform in our MEGA review.

Sync.com puts security first, featuring everything from two-factor authentication to password protection for file sharing, user permissions, download limits and expiration dates for your files. Add in zero-knowledge encryption on all plans (including the free plan), and you’ll quickly understand that this is the best option for those working with sensitive digital media.

I recommend using Sync.com if you need advanced security features at an affordable price. The platform is especially useful for creating workflows and hierarchies between teams. Few integrations are included, but available options include Adobe and Microsoft Office, which allow you to work with a range of media file types. 

You can learn more in our Sync.com review.

Dropbox is perhaps the most diverse option on this list when considering native and third-party apps. Its own creative app, Replay, is a video editor’s dream. You can leave timestamped comments, obtain live approvals and easily share files with others. 

Creative agencies should certainly consider Dropbox for their digital media management. Its familiarity makes sharing files with clients much easier, and the sheer number of productivity tools available caters to creatives. 

It’s pricier than other services — costing $9.99 per month annually for 2TB — but the depth of apps, fast upload speeds and cross-platform functionality justify the price. Learn more in our Dropbox review.

The best place to start is by analyzing how much storage space is up for grabs and whether it’s worth the asking price.

• Why this matters: For multimedia, you ideally want high storage capacity without breaking the bank.
• How we test: Our team analyzes the market average for cloud storage to find the best bang for your buck.
• What to look for: Look for free storage, unlimited storage and lifetime plans available for a one-time payment.

I read each provider’s security and privacy policies to learn how they manage and secure your data.

• Why this matters: It’s important to prevent anyone from gaining access to your data for nefarious purposes.
• How we test: I tried out the apps, analyzed the platforms’ privacy policies and put the encryption methods to the test.
• What to look for: Keep an eye out for industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption, client-side encryption and transparency about how companies process your data (i.e., whether they sell it to third parties).

Our team tests sync speed (how fast you can get files into the cloud) and performance from Dublin, Ireland.

• Why this matters: Fast speeds allow for more fluid workflows, and strong performance lets you run other programs during uploads and downloads.
• How we test: We upload and download a 5GB folder of mixed files on a 1 Gbps internet connection.
• What to look for: Look for low to midrange CPU usage, and average upload and download times of 7 to 8 minutes (or faster) per 5GB.

In the cloud storage space, collaboration tools allow you to communicate with your team on specific pieces of work.

• Why this matters: The best tools help you maintain a fluid workflow, especially in a remote environment.
• How we test: We test all methods of communication, including comments, integrated messaging and productivity tools.
• What to look for: Key features include a dedicated inbox, the ability to tag other team members, and productivity integrations for asynchronous and synchronous collaboration.