Best Cloud Storage Services: Personal & Business Storage Providers in 2025
We extensively tested dozens of cloud storage providers to find secure, reliable options for storing your files in the cloud. Here's our complete ranking and comparison of the best cloud storage services available today.
Written by Aleksandar Kochovski (Writer)
Reviewed by Aleksander Hougen (Co-Chief Editor)
Facts checked by Igor Kurtz (Fact-checking editor)
Last Updated: 2025-01-13T13:55:08+00:00
All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.
Key Takeaways: These Are the Best Cloud Storage Services
- Sync.com — The best overall cloud storage. Get $100 off a 6TB plan with the Cloudwards exclusive discount.
- pCloud — Feature-filled cloud storage for media. Grab a lifetime plan for big savings on 500GB of cloud storage.
- Icedrive — Super-fast, stylish and sophisticated cloud storage. Save 40% on a 3TB plan.
- IDrive — Hybrid cloud backup solution with plenty of storage for a low price.
- Internxt — Zero-knowledge cloud storage with lifetime deals.
- MEGA — High-security service and the largest free cloud storage plan you can trust.
- Koofr — Secure cloud storage for managing multiple cloud accounts.
- OneDrive — Windows-integrated cloud storage with Microsoft Office collaboration.
- Google Drive — Excellent cloud storage for productivity and collaboration via Google Workspace.
- Dropbox — Cloud storage with great app design and reliable file syncing.
- Box — Business-oriented cloud storage with a personal plan.
- iCloud — Decent cloud storage for Apple ecosystem users.
Facts & Expert Analysis About the Best Cloud Storage Software:
- Security and privacy: Most cloud services use AES-256 encryption, and the most trustworthy providers also employ zero-knowledge encryption for maximum privacy.
- Speed performance: In our extensive cloud storage speed tests, we found that there isn’t too big of a difference in download speed between services, whereas upload speeds are more volatile, with some significant outliers.
- Value for money: Though storage limits and pricing are important, the best value comes from services that combine reasonable costs with robust features.
Choosing the best cloud storage service can be challenging. After all, you have to weigh many factors, from storage space, to cost, to features you’ve probably never even heard of (what is AES-256, anyway?). Not to mention, you can’t just trust any old cloud service with your sensitive data, especially all those precious cat pictures.
Don’t worry, though — our team of experts has decades of experience reviewing cloud-based products, and we’ve compiled this list of the top cloud storage services. We’ve got 12 picks, all of which bring something unique to the table, whether that’s enhanced security, online collaboration or even just a lot of inexpensive storage space.
If you want a quick answer, our top choice is Sync.com — a secure cloud storage service that lets you collaborate with others and comes at a bargain-bin price. If you want to see our other options and learn more about cloud storage along the way, read on.
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07/02/2021
Cloudwards.net updated the top 10 cloud storage services rankings, including IDrive in the list, removing iCloud and adjusting other providers.
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07/25/2022
We updated this guide to reflect an increase in IDrive’s free plan to 10GB of storage.
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08/13/2022
Updated to reflect news about MEGA’s encryption.
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05/23/2023
Updated this guide to remove IDrive’s discontinued free plan and add its new 30-day free trial.
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07/10/2023
We added new information about Sync.com’s integration with Microsoft Office.
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02/16/2024
We updated the article with new video ranking.
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03/21/2024
Updated to reflect changes in Icedrive’s pricing plans and storage offers
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08/20/2024
Updated this guide to provide the latest pricing info of IDrive, including the removal of its free plan
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09/26/2024
Added video reviews of all cloud storage providers in the list.
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01/07/2025 Facts checked
We completely rewrote the article and reevaluated the top providers, adding new speed and resource-use tests, as well as security and privacy analyses.
Cloudwards’ Choice: Sync.com
Sync.com is my personal favorite cloud storage and is what I recommend the most to my friends. It offers zero-knowledge encryption, secure collaboration via Microsoft Office and unlimited cloud storage space on its business plans. Though its free plan isn’t anything to write home about, its paid plans are very cheap, especially considering the value they offer.
What Is Cloud Storage & How Does It Work?
Cloud storage is a type of software that lets you upload your digital files to a remote online server, enabling you to keep a backup version of files that you can access from anywhere.
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Keeping your files in the cloud also opens up paths for remote file sharing and online collaboration. Cloud storage is great for uploading and sharing photos, and some cloud services even let you play media files, like music and video. To learn more, read our guide on how cloud storage works.
Best Cloud Storage Deals
- Sync.com — Get 6TB of cloud storage yearly for just $140 with our exclusive $100 discount on Sync.com’s Pro Solo Professional plan.
- pCloud — Save big on 500GB of cloud storage with a pCloud Premium lifetime plan.
- Icedrive — Get 1TB of cloud storage with a 40% discount on the two-year Icedrive Pro I plan.
The 12 Best Cloud Storage Comparison
Though you might think that Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive and Dropbox are the only cloud storage providers, there’s actually a diverse ecosystem of vendors, each offering a unique solution. The table below compares 12 of these services, including their features and pricing.
| Cloud Service | Free Storage | Best Price | Server Locations | End-to-End Encryption | Online Collaboration | Advanced Sharing | Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 5GB | $8/month 2TB | Canada | Microsoft Office | AES-256 TLS/SSL | ||
 | 10GB | $8.33/month 2TB | EU U.S. | * | None | AES-256 TLS/SSL | |
 | 10GB | $4.99/month 1TB | EU U.S. | * | None | Twofish TLS/SSL | |
 | 10GB | $5.81/month 5TB | EU U.S. Canada | None | AES-256 | ||
 | 1GB | $3/month 2TB | EU | None | AES-256 TLS/SSL | ||
 | 20GB | $8.76/month 2TB | EU Japan Canada New Zealand | None | AES-256 TLS/SSL | ||
 | 10GB | $2/month 100GB | EU | * | Microsoft Office | AES-256 TLS/SSL | |
 | 5GB | $5.83/month 1TB | Global | Microsoft Office | AES-256 TLS/SSL | ||
 | 15GB | $9.99/month 2TB | Global | Google Workspace | AES-256 TLS/SSL | ||
 | 2GB | $9.99/month 2TB | U.S. | Microsoft Office, Google Workspace plus add-ons | AES-256 TLS/SSL | ||
 | 10GB | $10/month 100GB | Global | Microsoft Office, Google Workspace plus add-ons | AES-256 TLS/SSL | ||
 | 5GB | $9.99/month 2TB | Global | Partial | None | AES-256 AES-1281 TLS/SSL |
1. On older devices
Detailed Cloud Storage Speed Comparison
We ran our speed tests by uploading and downloading a 5GB test folder over a 1 Gbps connection that had been throttled to 100 Mbps (for both uploads and downloads) to ensure stable speeds. We ran the tests twice for each service and averaged the results.
We provide a more detailed breakdown, along with notes on our experience speed testing each service, in the provider segments.
Most services performed about the same in the download test. The results of our upload test were more varied, with a wider margin between the top and bottom results. IDrive tops our charts for both uploads and downloads, with the former being particularly impressive.
Our testing rig is located in Ireland, which means that services with European data centers will have an advantage due to proximity. Here are our test results.
| Cloud Service | Average Upload Speed |
|---|---|
| 0:06:42 (very fast) |
| 0:07:09 (very fast) |
| 0:07:15 (fast) |
| 0:07:18 (fast) |
| 0:07:20 (fast) |
| 0:07:31 (average) |
| 0:07:42 (average) |
| 0:08:08 (slow) |
| 0:08:29 (slow) |
| 0:08:32 (slow) |
| 0:10:04 (very slow) |
| 0:11:18 (very slow) |
| Cloud Service | Average Download Speed |
|---|---|
| 0:07:07 (very fast) |
| 0:07:17 (very fast) |
| 0:07:18 (fast) |
| 0:07:22 (fast) |
| 0:07:22 (fast) |
| 0:07:26 (average) |
| 0:07:57 (average) |
| 0:08:08 (slow) |
| 0:08:11 (slow) |
| 0:08:25 (slow) |
| 0:09:47 (very slow) |
| 0:15:06 (very slow) |
1. Sync.com — Best Cloud Storage for Personal Use
Who Is Sync.com For?
- Best cloud storage for lawyers
- Best cloud file sharing for small businesses
- Best encrypted cloud storage for security-minded users
- Best unlimited cloud storage for small businesses and power users
What Does Sync.com Do?
Sync.com is our favorite cloud storage service, offering a slew of security features, such as zero-knowledge encryption and hardened physical servers in Canada. Its Canadian servers also mean your privacy is protected by PIPEDA — a Canadian privacy law that protects private information online.
Sync.com is also the best software for file sharing, letting you set passwords and expiry dates for sharing links, and disable or limit downloads. It even notifies you when a shared file is viewed or downloaded. This affordable cloud service enables file editing via Microsoft Office integration and is protected by client-side encryption for private cloud collaboration.
Sync.com Hands-On Testing
For support, Sync.com offers desktop apps for Mac and Windows, plus mobile apps for iOS and Android. Linux support is still in the works. The desktop apps follow the sync folder model popularized by Dropbox, though you can’t sync other folders on your device. You get one folder that holds all of your cloud files, all of which are synced to the cloud.
Its mobile apps are similarly sparse, letting you access files remotely and automatically upload your photos and videos. The web app is cleanly designed and easy to use. However, we discourage uploading files through the web version — it requires a middle person to handle encryption, so it’s not fully zero-knowledge.
Notes From the Lab: Sync.com Security & Privacy Analysis
| Feature: | Encryption Protocols Used |
|---|---|
| Zero-knowledge encryption | Yes, whole storage |
| Encryption at rest | AES-256 |
| Encryption in transit | TLS/SSL |
| Jurisdiction | Canada |
| Applicable privacy laws | PIPEDA |
Sync.com uses AES-256 encryption at rest. This cipher is uncrackable (in theory) and is the gold standard for encryption. Your data is also duplicated across multiple servers to protect it against earthquakes, floods, fires and other natural disasters. Sync.com complies with HIPAA, which means it’s secure enough to handle even sensitive medical data.
Sync.com Pricing & Value
Sync.com’s free tier offers just 5GB of storage, but its paid plans offer some of the best value on the market. Sync.com is among the cheapest cloud storage options, costing just $8 for 2TB of storage on the yearly plan. You can even get unlimited storage for $45 per user per month with a three-user minimum. Read our full Sync.com review for more.
- 5GB
- 200GB
- 2TB
More plans
- 6TB
- Price includes 3 users
- 1TB
- Monthly price for 1 user (3 users minimum) Yearly price for 3 users
- Unlimited GB
- Minimum 100 users, custom requirements, account manager, training options
2. pCloud — Best Cloud Storage for Music
Who Is pCloud For?
- Best cloud for music lovers
- Best cloud app for Linux users
- Best cloud storage for videographers and video production
What Does pCloud Do?
pCloud is like a Swiss army knife of cloud storage features, particularly for entertainment. Its full-feature music player makes it our top music cloud storage service, and its Kodi integration lets you stream movies and videos stored in the cloud. pCloud also has no file size limits, making it the best cloud storage for video editing.
Besides these features, pCloud offers cloud backup, giving you the option to upload files to the cloud at a set interval without syncing them. This is great for keeping an archive of files that you don’t need to access frequently.
pCloud Hands-On Testing
pCloud offers cross-platform apps for all your devices, even including a native Linux client, making it the best cloud storage for Linux. The apps are logically designed with a clean and legible interface, though they won’t win any awards for their looks.
You’ll sync files via the sync folder, and you can also choose to synchronize other folders on your device. If you need to save space, pCloud lets you mount a virtual drive, which allows you to access cloud files, edit them and then upload them back to the cloud, without having to keep them on your device. It works even on Mac devices.
Notes From the Lab: pCloud Security Analysis
but it’s worth paying for the added security.
| Feature: | Encryption Protocols Used |
|---|---|
| Zero-knowledge encryption | Yes (paid add-on), single folder |
| Encryption at rest | AES-256 |
| Encryption in transit | TLS/SSL |
| Jurisdiction | Switzerland, EU, U.S. |
| Applicable privacy laws | DPA, GDPR (EU servers only) |
We consider pCloud to be a private cloud storage service, but there’s a catch: You need to pay extra to enable client-side encryption. This will drive up the cost if you need the added privacy.
pCloud offers servers in the U.S. and the EU, letting you choose the location when creating your account. We strongly recommend going with the European data center for the data protection the EU’s GDPR affords. Furthermore, pCloud is based in Switzerland, which has some of the strictest privacy laws in the world.
pCloud Pricing & Value
We consider pCloud one of the best free cloud storage services, with 10GB of free space and nearly all premium features, apart from advanced sharing. Its paid plans are affordable, with the 2TB plan costing $8.33 per month on the two-year plan. It also offers lifetime plans for even greater savings. Check out our full pCloud review for more.
- 10GB
- 500GB
- 2TB
More plans
- + FREE Encryption
- 2TB
- + FREE Encryption
- 10TB
- Price per user (minimum 3)
- 1TB
- Price per user (minimum 3)
- 2TB
- Encryption for pCloud Drive
3. Icedrive — Fastest Cloud Storage Platform
![Video thumbnail for the video: Ultimate Icedrive Review [2024 Pros and Cons Revealed]](https://img.youtube.com/vi/iVGsDxYVV-Y/maxresdefault.jpg)
Who Is Icedrive For?
- Secure cloud storage for the privacy-minded
- Fastest cloud storage for uploading large files
- Cheapest cloud storage for those on a budget
What Does Icedrive Do?
Icedrive is an affordable and secure cloud provider that offers client-side encryption. We appreciate its sleek design, and its ease of use makes it great for beginners. Unlike pCloud, Icedrive keeps things simple. It offers few features, focusing instead on execution, speed and a smooth user experience.
Icedrive Hands-On Testing
Icedrive stands out from the crowd for its excellently designed and easy-to-use interface. It’s available on Windows, Mac and Linux, as well as mobile devices running Android and iOS. We don’t often comment on aesthetics, but Icedrive’s interface is a real head turner, with cool colors, sleek lines and clean fonts.
Icedrive lets you use a classic sync folder, but it also gives you a few other options. You can choose between the sync folder, a virtual drive and a portable app that requires no installation and can sync any folder on your device. The virtual drive was previously available only on Windows, but it has recently been ported to Mac and Linux as well.
Notes From the Lab: Icedrive Security Analysis
| Feature: | Encryption Protocols Used |
|---|---|
| Zero-knowledge encryption | Yes (not on free accounts), single folder |
| Encryption at rest | Twofish 256-bit |
| Encryption in transit | TLS/SSL |
| Jurisdiction | EU, U.S. |
| Applicable privacy laws | GDPR (EU servers only) |
Unlike most cloud services, Icedrive uses Twofish encryption. This cipher should be even harder to break than AES-256, though in practice both are practically impossible to crack without a supercomputer or a few million years to spare. Icedrive offers zero-knowledge encryption, but it covers only one folder and isn’t available on the free version.
Icedrive Pricing & Value
Icedrive offers some of the best cloud storage pricing. Its paid plans are affordable but have data caps for file transfers. Icedrive’s best deal is the 3TB plan, which costs $8.99 per month with a two-year commitment. Icedrive also offers lifetime plans, with up to 10TB of storage. Free users get 10GB of storage and no zero-knowledge encryption. Read our Icedrive review for more.
- Bandwidth limit: 50GB
- 10GB
- Bandwidth limit: 250GB
- 100GB
- Bandwidth limit: 2TB
- 1TB
More plans
- Bandwidth limit: 8TB
- 3TB
- 512GB
- 2TB
- 10TB
- Additional 128GB storage for users who purchased the Lifetime Plan
- 128GB
- Additional 512GB storage for users who purchased the Lifetime Plan
- 512GB
- Additional 2TB storage for users who purchased the Lifetime Plan
- 2TB
4. IDrive — Best Cloud Backup Service
Who Is IDrive For?
- Best cloud storage for Android users
- Best cloud storage for graphic designers
- Best for combining cloud storage and backup
What Does IDrive Do?
IDrive is a bit of a wildcard on this list. It’s not strictly a cloud storage solution; in fact, it’s primarily a backup provider, but it integrates cloud storage into its platform. IDrive’s cloud storage does not eat into your cloud backup space, so you effectively get twice the storage capacity when combining cloud storage and backup.
Though IDrive’s cloud backup is among the most flexible and feature-rich, its cloud storage is scantily featured. There are some basic file-sharing options but not much else.
IDrive Hands-On Testing
separate your cloud storage files from your backup files.
You can install IDrive on all desktop and mobile platforms. However, by virtue of primarily being a cloud backup service, its interface is more complicated to set up and use. Mobile users get an extra app, called IDrive Photos, which uploads photos and videos. It used to offer unlimited photo storage, though that’s sadly no longer the case.
IDrive’s desktop apps let you designate any folder as a sync folder, and selective sync helps you save cloud storage space. The mobile apps work differently than most cloud storage apps, as they let you back up your entire phone, not just photos and videos. Paired with IDrive Photos, this makes IDrive a great cloud storage option for mobile users.
Notes From the Lab: IDrive Security Analysis
your encryption key private on account creation.
| Feature: | Encryption Protocols Used |
|---|---|
| Zero-knowledge encryption | Yes, whole storage |
| Encryption at rest | AES-256 |
| Encryption in transit | AES-256 |
| Jurisdiction | EU, Canada, U.S. |
| Applicable privacy laws | GDPR (EU), PIPEDA (Canada) |
Though IDrive offers private client-side encryption, you have to select this option when you create your account. Because this is easy to miss, we knocked a few points off its score. However, we still consider IDrive to be one of the most secure cloud services.
IDrive Pricing & Value
As of January 2025, IDrive no longer offers a free plan. However, IDrive’s paid plans are dirt cheap, especially when you consider the combined storage available between storage and backup spaces. Its best deal is the 5TB plan, which costs $6.22 per month on a two-year plan. Read our IDrive review for more information.
- No credit card required.
- 10GB
- One user.
- 100GB
- One user, multiple computers. Plans starting from 5TB up to 100TB. Big discount for first-time signup.
- 5TB
More plans
- 5 computers, 5 users. Starting at 5TB up to 500TB. Big discount for first-time signup.
- 5TB
- Monthly Plan storage starts at 1.25TB up to 50TB Unlimited users, multiple computers and servers. NAS devices. 250GB storage. Starting at 250GB up to 50TB. Large discount for first-time signup.
- 250GB
- 5TB
5. Internxt — Affordable Lifetime Cloud Storage
Who Is Internxt For?
- Good for business storage
- Best cloud storage for users on a budget
What Does Internxt Do?
Internxt is another highly secure cloud provider that offers client-side encryption. Its apps are open-source, letting you inspect the code for flaws, vulnerabilities or backdoors (if you have the knowhow).
Though Internxt is not very rich in features, it offers a backup option similar to pCloud. Better yet, the service has some of the lowest cloud storage prices out there, including some pretty cheap lifetime plans.
Internxt Hands-On Testing
Internxt has apps for all major operating systems, as well as a command-line interface and WebDAV support. The desktop app uses a single sync folder, with no option for syncing other folders. You can mark files as online-only to save space — thankfully, this is the default setting. The mobile app lets you take photos, but it doesn’t support automatic photo upload.
Notes From the Lab: Internxt Security & Privacy Analysis
| Feature: | Encryption Protocols Used |
|---|---|
| Zero-knowledge encryption | Yes, whole storage |
| Encryption at rest | AES-256 |
| Encryption in transit | TLS/SSL |
| Jurisdiction | EU |
| Applicable privacy laws | GDPR |
Internxt is highly secure, offering zero-knowledge security and open-source apps. Its servers are located in the EU, which means your data is protected by the GDPR — the gold standard of privacy laws. Plus, a third party has audited its software, which fortifies its commitment to user privacy.
Internxt Pricing & Value
Internxt’s free plan is the smallest on this list, with only 1GB of storage afforded to non-paying users. However, Internxt’s lifetime plans are among the most affordable you’ll find. You can get a 2TB lifetime plan for a one-time payment of $299.70. Read our full Internxt review for more details.
- 1GB
- Monthly plan renews at $5.49 per month. Annual plan renews at $49.99 per year.
- 200GB
- Monthly plan renews at $10.99 per month. Annual plan renews at $119.99 per year.
- 2TB
More plans
- Monthly plan renews at $22.90 per month. Annual plan renews at $229.99 per year.
- 5TB
- Monthly plan renews at $34.99 per month. Annual plan renews at $349.99 per year.
- 10TB
- Monthly plan renews at $7.99 per user per month. Annual plan renews at $89.99 per user per month.
- 1TB
- Monthly price renews at $9.99 per user per month. Annual price renews at $109.99 per user per year.
6. MEGA — Best Free Cloud Storage
Who Is MEGA For?
- The most cloud storage for free users
- Power users needing large storage capacity
What Does MEGA Do?
Much like Texas, everything’s bigger with MEGA. It gives you more free storage space than any other secure cloud service, and it offers high-capacity paid plans that go all the way up to 16TB for personal users or a whopping 10PB for businesses (that’s 10,000TB).
Unfortunately, MEGA doesn’t offer much beyond a lot of storage space. Encrypted sharing links with password protection are a welcome addition to its sparse feature set. The only other feature beyond secure file sharing is its end-to-end encrypted chat client, though this isn’t something you really need in a cloud storage service.
MEGA Hands-On Testing
MEGA supports Windows, Mac and Linux computers, plus Android and iOS smartphones. The desktop app serves only to sync folders on your computer to the cloud, but it can seem a bit obtuse if you aren’t familiar with cloud storage. You’ll mostly interact with MEGA’s browser extension, which thankfully sports a much more straightforward design.
Notes From the Lab: MEGA Security Analysis
security architecture, letting it decrypt user data.
| Feature: | Encryption Protocols Used |
|---|---|
| Zero-knowledge encryption | Yes, whole storage |
| Encryption at rest | AES-256 |
| Encryption in transit | TLS/SSL |
| Jurisdiction | EU, Canada, New Zealand |
| Applicable privacy laws | GDPR (EU), PIPEDA (Canada), Privacy Act (NZ) |
Though MEGA uses AES-128 encryption, there should be no practical difference between AES with 128-bit keys and AES with 256-bit keys. All encryption happens client-side, so the company can’t access your files.
However, a security flaw discovered in 2022 revealed that MEGA might be able to access user files, at least as long as the user has logged in 512 times. Though one aspect of this vulnerability was promptly patched, the flaw is with MEGA’s security architecture itself. Therefore, we can no longer confidently call it zero-knowledge.
MEGA Pricing & Value
As we said, MEGA offers more storage space than any other service on the cloud storage scene, going all the way up to 10PB. Its best deal is the much more reasonable 2TB plan, which costs $8.76 per month. In our opinion, MEGA’s cloud storage plans are overpriced, considering the scarcity of features and the flawed encryption.
A free account with MEGA gets you 20GB of free storage, which is expandable to 30GB for the first year by completing simple tasks. You can get extra storage from referrals as well, though that’s also time-limited to one year. Read our full MEGA review for more.
- 20GB
- File transfer: 2TB (Monthly plan) 24TB (yearly plan)
- 2TB
- File transfer: (monthly plan) 96TB (yearly plan)
- 8TB
More plans
- File transfer: 16TB (monthly plan) 192TB (yearly plan)
- 16TB
- Price per user (minimum 3) 3TB Transfer quota
- 100TB
7. Koofr — Best for Multiple Cloud Storage Accounts
Who Is Koofr For?
- Best cloud storage for users of multiple cloud services
What Does Koofr Do?
Koofr is a zero-knowledge cloud service with quite a unique set of features. It integrates with Dropbox, Google Drive and OneDrive, letting you access and manage their storage from within the Koofr interface.
You can even access files remotely via the mobile app without uploading anything to the cloud. Koofr comes with Microsoft Office integration for real-time collaboration on documents. It also comes with a rudimentary image editor that lets you resize, crop or apply filters to pictures.
Koofr Hands-On Testing
Koofr is a pleasure to use. Despite its unique features, its apps (available on all major operating systems) are well designed and easy to use. Plus, every feature comes with an explanation, so you’ll know exactly how to use it. The zero-knowledge vault comes as separate web and mobile apps, though, and they’re not as well designed as the main apps.
Koofr creates a sync folder by default upon installing the app, but you can choose to sync any folder on your computer or even remove the default folder. You can also add a virtual drive to save space.
All of this customization is nice to have, but it can easily get complicated and you could end up duplicating files. Thankfully, Koofr also comes with a duplicate file remover to fix this issue.
Notes From the Lab: Koofr Security Analysis
its German servers provide GDPR protection for your data.
| Feature: | Encryption Protocols Used |
|---|---|
| Zero-knowledge encryption | Yes, separate vault |
| Encryption at rest | AES-256 |
| Encryption in transit | TLS/SSL |
| Jurisdiction | EU |
| Applicable privacy laws | GDPR |
Koofr’s main selling point is its privacy. Though it doesn’t cover your entire storage with client-side encryption, it does offer a protected vault. In addition, its servers are based in Germany, meaning your data is covered by the GDPR. Notably, Koofr’s website uses no third-party cookies, and the only first-party cookie it uses maintains logins.
Koofr Pricing & Value
Unfortunately, Koofr’s biggest flaw is its pricing. Its 10GB free plan is decent and its smaller plans are cheap, but its higher-capacity paid plans are harshly priced. Its 1TB plan costs $10, more than most 2TB offerings. Read our full Koofr review to learn more about this quirky cloud storage service.
- 10GB
- *Prices in Euro
- 10GB
- *Prices in Euro
- 25GB
More plans
- *Prices in Euro
- 100GB
- *Prices in Euro
- 250GB
- *Prices in Euro
- 1TB
- *Prices in Euro
- 3TB
- *Prices in Euro
- 5TB
- *Prices in Euro
- 10TB
- *Prices in Euro
- 20TB
8. OneDrive — Integrated Cloud Storage for Windows
Who Is OneDrive For?
- Integrated cloud storage for Windows users
- Best cloud storage for Microsoft Office users
What Does OneDrive Do?
Microsoft OneDrive is one of the biggest cloud storage providers. It comes preinstalled on every Windows computer. Though it’s not as secure as other cloud services, it comes with a host of useful features, mostly related to its integration with Microsoft’s other products, such as the Office productivity suite and SharePoint.
OneDrive Hands-On Testing
letting you share files directly from your desktop.
OneDrive’s apps are available on iOS, Android, Windows and Mac operating systems, though Windows users will have the best user experience, as there’s no setup or installation involved.
The desktop apps use the sync folder method. You have the option to mark some files as “on demand,” which makes them available only in the cloud to save space on your computer. If you open one of these files, it will temporarily download onto your device until you mark it as “on demand” again.
Notes From the Lab: OneDrive Security Analysis
Microsoft is a notorious data hoarder.
| Feature: | Encryption Protocols Used |
|---|---|
| Zero-knowledge encryption | No |
| Encryption at rest | AES-256 |
| Encryption in transit | TLS/SSL |
| Jurisdiction | U.S. |
| Applicable privacy laws | None (GDPR for EU users only) |
We won’t knock OneDrive’s security. We’re fairly certain it’s next to impossible to crack a Microsoft server, so you won’t have to worry about hackers. However, the true privacy risk here is Microsoft itself. With no zero-knowledge encryption, Microsoft can harvest your data, and the U.S.’ espionage practices and lax privacy laws make this particularly worrying.
OneDrive Pricing & Value
OneDrive isn’t strictly expensive, but you won’t get much cloud storage. Free users get 5GB of OneDrive storage, while personal users can get up to 1TB of cloud storage. The 1TB plan is available only in a bundle with Microsoft 365, costing $5.83 per month. Read our OneDrive review for more.
- For one person
- 5GB
- 100GB
- Comes with Office 365 Personal
- 1TB
More plans
- Comes with Office 365 Home
- 6TB
- Price per user
- 1TB
- 1TB
- Price per user
- 1TB
9. Google Drive — Best Cloud Storage for Collaboration
Who Is Google Drive For?
- Best cloud storage for video
- Best cloud storage for Google Workspace users
What Does Google Drive Do?
Google Drive is an absolute giant in the cloud storage industry. It’s the most popular cloud storage service by a wide berth, though that’s mostly due to all Google services (like Gmail) using it for storage. It integrates with all Google products, including Google Docs, Sheets and Slides, and it offers a whole store of third-party integrations as well.
Google Drive Hands-On Testing
For device support, Google Drive is available on Mac, Windows and both mobile operating systems, coming preinstalled on Android. Its mobile app doesn’t support automatic photo uploads — that’s done via Google Photos, which is a separate app.
Note that Google Photos supports only two-way syncing, which means you can’t delete photos on your device without also deleting them from your cloud storage.
Notes From the Lab: Google Drive Security Analysis
business is user data — bad news for privacy.
| Feature: | Encryption Protocols Used |
|---|---|
| Zero-knowledge encryption | No |
| Encryption at rest | AES-256 |
| Encryption in transit | TLS/SSL |
| Jurisdiction | U.S. |
| Applicable privacy laws | None (GDPR for EU users only) |
With Google Drive, you’re putting your private files in the hands of the most data-hungry corporation in the world. The lack of zero-knowledge encryption means Google can access and scan files as it pleases. This makes it hard for us to recommend Google Drive, though you may find it worth trading some data for its broad feature set and collaboration options.
Google Drive Pricing & Value
Free users get 15GB of Google Drive storage, which seems generous. However, the storage is shared with Gmail and Workspace, which presents some issues. For example, if Google Photos eats up your entire free storage space (as it is likely to do quickly), you won’t be able to send or receive Gmail emails, as there won’t be any space left for Gmail storage.
Fortunately, Google Drive’s paid plans are fairly priced, with its 2TB plan costing $8.33 per month on a yearly subscription. Paid plans go all the way up to 30TB, though you might have to contact support to get more than 5TB cloud storage. Read our Google Drive review for the full scoop.
- Free plan
- 15GB
- 100GB
- *The plan is “hidden.” To find the 200GB plan, you need to be subscribed to one of the other plans, upgrade or downgrade to the 200GB through your account’s settings.
- 200GB
More plans
- 2TB
- 2TB
- 5TB
- 10TB
- 20TB
- 30TB
10. Dropbox — Best Cross-Platform Desktop Apps
![Video thumbnail for the video: Should You Still Use Dropbox in 2024? [Updated Review]](https://img.youtube.com/vi/bwy8HZ1Uvnk/maxresdefault.jpg)
Who Is Dropbox For?
- Best cloud storage for beginners
What Does Dropbox Do?
Dropbox is the OG cloud storage service, having launched in 2008. It lets you collaborate online via both Google Workspace and Microsoft Office, and it has an app store for other third-party integrations. However, it’s had some serious security breaches. Though it’s addressed all of them, we still have a hard time recommending it for storing sensitive files.
Dropbox Hands-On Testing
Dropbox’s desktop and mobile apps are polished to a T and are among the easiest to use. It popularized the sync folder method and has since perfected it with the addition of selective syncing.
Though we frequently get reports in our comments section of other cloud services not syncing files properly, we’ve never received any such complaints for Dropbox, thanks to its excellent syncing technology.
Notes From the Lab: Dropbox Security Analysis
company’s lack of client-side encryption.
| Feature: | Encryption Protocols Used |
|---|---|
| Zero-knowledge encryption | No |
| Encryption at rest | AES-256 |
| Encryption in transit | TLS/SSL |
| Jurisdiction | U.S. |
| Applicable privacy laws | None (GDPR for EU users only) |
Being a big name in cloud storage but lacking the budget of Google or Microsoft, Dropbox has been the target of multiple successful cyberattacks. Its controversies are worthy of an entire Wikipedia page. Dropbox lacks zero-knowledge encryption and was even considered for inclusion in the U.S.’ PRISM program, so your data may not be fully private.
Dropbox Pricing & Value
Dropbox’s free plan comes with a paltry 2GB of free storage. Its paid plans aren’t exactly cheap, but they’re not quite as expensive as some others, with a 2TB Dropbox account costing $9.99 per month on a yearly subscription. Read our full Dropbox review to get the full picture.
- 1 user
- 2GB
- 1 user
- 2TB
- up to 6 users
- 2TB
More plans
- (Formerly Dropbox One) 1 user Signature requests and eSignature templates
- 3TB
- 3 users minimum
- 5TB
- 3 users minimum
11. Box — Best Cloud Storage for Business
Who Is Box For?
- Best cloud storage for small businesses
- Best cloud storage for large companies
What Does Box Do?
Box is a business-oriented cloud storage platform that offers strong collaboration features. With its deep Microsoft Office and Google Workspace integrations, it lets you edit files directly within the Box app, even on mobile. Box also offers its own apps that integrate with its cloud storage, as well as a long list of third-party integrations.
Box Hands-On Testing
Image caption: The Box user interface isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing, but it’s functional and full of information.
but it’s functional and full of information.
Box has apps for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android, and we generally like how they handle. The desktop apps can seem overwhelming though, and the mobile apps upload directly to the root folder instead of a dedicated folder.
Notes From the Lab: Box Security Analysis
| Feature: | Encryption Protocols Used |
|---|---|
| Zero-knowledge encryption | Yes, whole storage |
| Encryption at rest | AES-256 |
| Encryption in transit | TLS/SSL |
| Jurisdiction | U.S. |
| Applicable privacy laws | None (GDPR for EU users only) |
Despite being a U.S.-based company, Box’s use of zero-knowledge encryption means your data should be safe with the company. However, keep in mind that you will need to enable it manually, and it’s unfortunately available only to business users.
Box Pricing & Value
Even considering how much value you get, we believe Box is exorbitantly expensive. You’ll pay $10 per month for a mere 100GB of storage. Plus, zero-knowledge security costs extra, and you’ll have to go through a sales agent to get it. Its free plan offers 10GB, which is enough to try out the service. Read our Box review for more.
- Single user
- 10GB
- Single user
- 100GB
- Price per user, minimum of three users
- 100GB
More plans
- Users: No limit
- Unlimited GB
- Users: No limit
- Unlimited GB
- Users: No limit
- Unlimited GB
12. iCloud — Good Cloud Storage for Mac & iOS
![Video thumbnail for the video: Should You Still Be Using iCloud in 2024? [FULL REVIEW WITH SPEED TESTS]](https://img.youtube.com/vi/xBGsOT5tjFA/maxresdefault.jpg)
Who Is iCloud For?
- Convenient cloud storage for Apple users
- Good cloud storage for iPhone
What Does iCloud Do?
Apple’s iCloud isn’t exactly the best cloud storage service. It’s slow and has no useful features. The best we can say about it is that it’s already there if you’re an Apple user. In fact, it ranks last in our guide to the best cloud storage for Mac; we tentatively included it due to its recent addition of end-to-end encryption, which at least makes it more secure.
iCloud Hands-On Testing
Unsurprisingly, iCloud works on all Apple devices. It even supports Windows, but not Linux or Android. Its apps are easy to use, but that’s not saying much considering there are virtually no features that could cause any confusion. Syncing happens via the iCloud Drive folder, and there’s selective syncing to help save space.
Notes From the Lab: iCloud Security Analysis
| Feature: | Encryption Protocols Used |
|---|---|
| Zero-knowledge encryption | Yes (except mail, calendar, contacts and some metadata) |
| Encryption at rest | AES-256 (AES-128 on older devices) |
| Encryption in transit | TLS/SSL |
| Jurisdiction | U.S. |
| Applicable privacy laws | None (GDPR for EU users only) |
iCloud isn’t exactly well known for its security. If anything, it’s been considered one of the worst services for privacy since the 2014 celebrity photo leak. However, it’s improved its security since then, even offering Apple’s somewhat limited version of zero-knowledge encryption.
Apple’s “advanced protection” feature lets you keep your own encryption keys, but some metadata remains visible to Apple. Notably, this includes each file’s original checksum, in an effort to fight copyright violations and CSAM distribution. This means iCloud still isn’t truly zero-knowledge.
iCloud Pricing & Value
The iCloud free plan comes with just 5GB of free storage, which you can upgrade to 12TB. The 2TB plan costs $9.99 per month. This is too much considering the dearth of features iCloud offers, but otherwise it isn’t too bad. Our full iCloud review has more information on Apple’s cloud service.
- 5GB
- 50GB
- 200GB
More plans
- 2TB
- 6TB
- 12TB
Our Methodology: How We Tested the Best Online Cloud Storage Services
Before we make any decisions, our team of experts spends a week familiarizing themselves with the services we review. We focus on aspects that most impact the user, with a particular focus on security and privacy.
- Security and privacy: We analyze the encryption technology behind the service, looking at the ciphers used, server security and any past breaches. We also pore over the privacy policy for any suspicious language, and we check whether the servers are located in countries with poor or strong privacy laws.
- Speed: We periodically run speed tests by uploading and downloading a 5GB test folder to the cloud twice and averaging the speeds. The tests run on a virtual machine hosted in Dublin, Ireland, over a 100 Mbps symmetrical connection.
- Collaboration and productivity: We look for features like integrations with productivity suites, and advanced sharing and permission settings.
- CPU and RAM usage: We use software called SysGauge to create a five-minute rolling average of CPU loads, RAM usage and thread counts.
- Ease of use: Throughout our testing, we note any difficulties or pleasant surprises we’ve had while using the service.
- Price and value: We compare all of the above factors with the price per month on a 2TB plan (or closest) to determine a service’s value.
Is Cloud Storage Safe?
Cloud storage on principle is safer than local storage, as there’s next to no risk of losing your data to device failure, computer viruses, cyberattacks or acts of nature. However, you need to choose your cloud service carefully. Opt for one that offers data encryption — in particular, client-side, zero-knowledge encryption.
Free vs Paid Cloud Storage Providers
Nearly all paid cloud storage services offer a free plan, though they usually come with very limited storage space and often don’t have all the features that paid plans come with.
Be wary of services that offer absurd amounts of data for free, though. These services often lack encryption entirely and might abruptly delete all your data. Any service offering more storage space than MEGA’s free plan should raise an eyebrow.
Final Thoughts: Top Cloud Storage Companies
That’s it for our ultimate cloud storage roundup. To recap, Sync.com beat out the competition with its superb security and powerful sharing and collaboration features. Jack-of-all-trades pCloud came in a close second, while the slick and speedy Icedrive rounds out our top three.
What do you think about our ranking? Do you agree that Sync.com is the best cloud service, or do you think another service deserves the win? Are you already a cloud storage user? If not, did our list help you make a choice? Please let us know in the comments below, and as always, thank you for reading.
FAQ: What Is the Best Cloud Storage?
Sync.com is the best personal cloud storage, thanks to its strong security and affordable prices. It’s great even for data hogs with its unlimited cloud storage plan.
You can’t get 1TB of cloud storage for free without taking a massive risk. Though services like TeraBox make bombastic claims about their storage capacity, they often leave your data unencrypted. A quick look at online reviews reveals a swath of deleted accounts and users left without their data.
A good value for 1TB of cloud storage is around $4 to $5 per month, at least on an extended plan (one year or longer). This is similar to the cost of the 1TB plans with Icedrive and OneDrive.
Google Drive is decidedly better than iCloud, offering more features, better value for the money, better file-sharing options and better everything, really. The only advantage iCloud has over Google Drive is that Apple users don’t have to bother installing it.
Your cloud storage needs will depend on your use case. If you’re a content creator, you’ll likely need more than 2TB of cloud storage. The average user will be better served by a plan offering anywhere between 500GB (the size of the average laptop hard drive) and 2TB of cloud storage.