The 5 Best & Cheapest Cloud Storage Services: Top Value for Money
With today’s economic situation, it’s no wonder many are turning to more affordable alternatives to premium brands. If you need to find the cheapest cloud storage service that suits your needs, read on for our top recommendations.
Written by Aleksandar Kochovski (Writer)
Reviewed by Valentina Bravo (Editor)
Facts checked by Simona Ivanovski (Fact-Checker, Formatter)
Last Updated:
All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.
Key Takeaways: These Are the Best Cheap Cloud Storage Services
- Internxt — Secure and cheap cloud storage that comes with a VPN and antivirus software.
- Sync.com — Highly secure, cheap cloud storage with document-editing capabilities via Microsoft Office integration.
- pCloud — Affordable cloud storage with advanced media playback and file backup features.
- Icedrive — Uncomplicated, easy-to-use, cheap cloud storage with flexible file-syncing options.
- IDrive — Cheap cloud backup service with extra cloud storage space included.
Facts & Expert Analysis About the Most Affordable Online Storage Services
- Price vs value: Affordability isn’t just about cost; it’s also about what you get for your money in terms of features, security and overall performance.
- Secure cloud storage: Client-side encryption (also called zero-knowledge encryption) prevents cloud companies from accessing your files — you’re the only one who can access them.
- Cloud storage speeds: If you need to upload large files or access them frequently, a fast cloud storage service will save you a lot of headaches.
If you’re looking for cloud storage on a budget, some of the popular services, like Dropbox, might be a bit too pricey for you. We’ve put together the cheapest cloud storage options that still offer an excellent experience despite the lower price. All of them are included on our best cloud storage list, so you can rest assured that they offer plenty of bang for your buck.
These services provide ample cloud storage space at an affordable price, and are more secure than their pricier big-brand counterparts. Some of them even have features that can save hard drive space or enable you to edit documents and collaborate with others online.
You can try all the cloud storage providers with their free storage; if that’s your main goal, read our best free cloud storage guide.
-
06/24/2022 Facts checked
Updated Sync.com’s plans and pricing, including month-by-month plans.
-
08/25/2022 Facts checked
List updated to more accurately reflect current prices and value
-
05/24/2023 Facts checked
Updated with new Icedrive and pCloud lifetime plan information
-
12/08/2023 Facts checked
Reformatted the article for clarity.
-
03/29/2024 Facts checked
Updated to reflect changes in Icedrive’s pricing plans and storage offers
-
08/31/2024 Facts checked
Added video reviews for cloud storage providers in the list.
-
10/13/2024 Facts checked
Added new video roundup of the cheapest cloud storage providers.
-
04/20/2025 Facts checked
We updated the article to account for changes to provider pricing.
-
06/13/2025 Facts checked
We updated this article to reflect our latest round of performance tests, replacing some of the providers on the list and adding new honorable mentions.
What Is the Cheapest Cloud Storage Service? Cloudwards’ Choice: Internxt
What Is the Cheapest Cloud Storage Service? Cloudwards’ Choice: Internxt
Despite being a relatively young service, Internxt is a reliable and extremely cheap cloud storage provider that spares no expenses for protecting your data.
In fact, it has some security features that few other services provide, such as fully open-source apps, client-side encryption and protection against quantum computing attacks. It’s my go-to recommendation for security-conscious users on a budget.
The 5 Best & Cheapest Cloud Storage Plans Compared
| Cloud Service: | Free Storage | Cheapest Plan | Best Price | Best Price per Terabyte | Lifetime Plans | End-to-End Encryption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1GB | 1TB for $1.43 per month (one-year plan) | 3TB for $2.86 per month (one-year plan) | $1 | Yes: 1TB, 3TB, 5TB | Whole storage |
 | 5GB | 200GB for $2.65 per month (one-year plan) | 2TB for $4.80 per month (one-year plan) | $2.40 | No | Whole storage |
 | 10GB | 500GB for $4.17 per month (one-year plan) | 2TB for $8.33 per month (one-year plan) | $4.17 | Yes: 500GB, 2TB, 10TB | Single folder, (paid add-on) |
 | 10GB | 100GB for $2.99 per month (two-year plan) | 1TB for $4.99 per month (two-year plan) | $2.50 | Yes: 512GB, 2TB, 10TB | Single folder |
 | 10GB | 100GB for $0.25 per month (one-year plan) | 5TB for $6.22 per month (two-year plan) | $1.25 | No | Whole storage |
1. Internxt — Best Cheap Cloud Storage Service for Security
Internxt is an outrageously cheap cloud storage provider that still manages to hit all the marks we’d expect from one of the most secure cloud services, and then some. In addition to its regular plans, Internxt offers lifetime plans for extra savings. Better yet, it comes bundled with a VPN and antivirus, all for one low cost.
Its apps are fully open source, so anyone can inspect the code for flaws. Plus, your files are encrypted client-side, which means not even the company itself can access them. The service also has a basic backup feature that can store files you don’t plan to access often.
Internxt Hands-On Testing
can’t upload photos and videos automatically.
Internxt’s desktop apps for the Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems use a simple sync folder to synchronize files — everything you add to it is synced to the cloud. Once you move a file to this folder, it becomes online-only, taking up no space on your device until you choose to download it. Unfortunately, the mobile apps lack automatic photo uploads.
Notes From the Lab: Internxt Speed Test Results
| Provider: | Average Upload* | Average Download* | Average Upload** | Average Download** |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0:08:01 | 0:09:28 | 0:07:4 | 0:09:27 |
**1 Gbps
Internxt’s speeds aren’t the most impressive, but we wouldn’t call them bad. In our 100 Mbps speed test (reflective of the average internet speed in the U.S.), its uploads were decent, but downloads were among the slowest we’ve seen in our tests. Upping our connection speed to 1 Gbps didn’t improve the situation much, indicating a limitation on the server side.
Notes From the Lab: Internxt Security Analysis
independently audited by security firm Securitum.
| Encryption Type | Encryption Protocols Used |
|---|---|
| Encryption at rest | AES-256 |
| Encryption in transit | TLS/SSL |
| Client-side encryption | Yes, full storage |
Internxt Pricing & Value
Internxt comes with just 1GB of free storage, but thankfully, its cheapest plan costs just $1.43 per month (billed annually) for 1TB of cloud storage plus the bundled VPN and antivirus. If you need more storage space, its 3TB plan costs only $2.86 per month on a yearly basis. The Internxt lifetime plans offer even more value in the long run. Read our full Internxt review for more.
- 1GB
- Storage + VPN (FR), Antivirus, Backup & More
- 1TB
- Storage + VPN (FR, DE, PL), Antivirus, Backup & More
- 3TB
More plans
- Storage + VPN (FR, DE, PL, CA, UK), Antivirus, Backup & More
- 5TB
- Storage + VPN (FR, DE, PL), Antivirus, Backup & More
- 1TB
- Storage + VPN (FR, DE, PL, CA, UK), Antivirus, Backup & More
- 2TB
2. Sync.com — Best Cloud Storage Service for Secure File Sharing
It’s no secret that Sync.com is our favorite cloud storage service, as it tops our best cloud storage list. Not only does it offer client-side encryption for all of your sensitive personal files, but it also has some of the best features for sharing files, plus integration with Microsoft Office for creating and sharing documents. Its unlimited cloud storage offerings are some of the cheapest as well.
Sync.com Hands-On Testing
Sync.com uses the typical sync folder system, with no option to sync other folders, though it does let you set files to online-only to save space. While its mobile apps are pretty standard, its web interface recently got a facelift, featuring a new animated sidebar and an overall cleaner look.
Notes From the Lab: Sync.com Speed Test Results
| Provider: | Average Upload* | Average Download* | Average Upload** | Average Download** |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0:09:47 | 0:11:56 | 0:09:36 | 0:10:56 |
**1 Gbps
Sadly, Sync.com is a bit of a slowpoke, especially when it comes to downloads. This proved to be the case in both the 100 Mbps and the 1 Gbps tests, though its app was relatively light on our CPU.
Notes From the Lab: Sync.com Security Analysis
| Encryption Type | Encryption Protocols Used |
|---|---|
| Encryption at rest | AES-256 |
| Encryption in transit | TLS/SSL |
| Client-side encryption | Yes, full storage |
Sync.com Pricing & Value
If you need secure online collaboration, it’s hard to beat Sync.com’s value proposition, at just $4.80 per month (billed annually) for 2TB of storage. If you need to store large files, Sync.com offers unlimited storage via its business plans, which have no storage limits. Try Sync.com’s 5GB free plan, or read our full Sync.com review for more.
- 5GB
- 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
3. pCloud — Best Lifetime & Free Cloud Storage
pCloud is a cloud storage service with cheap pricing that offers a whole slew of entertainment features, from an advanced music player to integration with Kodi, letting you stream movies from your cloud storage. Plus, like Internxt, it offers a backup feature for rarely accessed files.
Though it also offers client-side encryption, it comes only as a paid add-on and covers just one folder. Despite this, pCloud’s wealth of features means it provides a lot of value for your money, especially if you opt for a lifetime plan.
pCloud Hands-On Testing
In addition to a sync folder, pCloud lets you mount a virtual drive on your desktop to manage all of your cloud files more easily. This virtual drive takes up no extra space on your device. You can also choose to sync other folders on your device. Plus, its mobile apps have more detailed options for automatic photo and video uploads than most other services.
Notes From the Lab: pCloud Speed Test Results
| Provider: | Average Upload* | Average Download* | Average Upload** | Average Download** |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0:07:06 | 0:06:52 | 0:02:06 | 0:02:33 |
**1 Gbps
pCloud is the second-fastest cloud storage service on this list, excelling in both upload and download speeds in our 100 Mbps tests. The uncapped speed tests were even more impressive — both uploads and downloads took just over two minutes, making pCloud the fastest service over fast connections.
Notes From the Lab: pCloud Security Analysis
| Encryption Type | Encryption Protocols Used |
|---|---|
| Encryption at rest | AES-256 |
| Encryption in transit | TLS/SSL |
| Client-side encryption | Yes, single folder (paid add-on) |
pCloud Pricing & Value
pCloud isn’t the cheapest, with the 2TB plan costing $8.33 per month on a yearly subscription. However, it offers excellent value considering all of the features you get and the attention to detail in the user experience. Consider a lifetime plan to save money over time — we rank pCloud as the best lifetime cloud storage option. Get a 10GB free account to try it out, or read 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
4. Icedrive — Easy-to-Use Cheap Data Storage
![Video thumbnail for the video: Ultimate Icedrive Review [2024 Pros and Cons Revealed]](https://img.youtube.com/vi/iVGsDxYVV-Y/maxresdefault.jpg)
Icedrive is best described as a simple yet effective service, with client-side encryption included on all paid plans (for just one folder, though). It offers a sleek user interface with no extra features cluttering it up. If all you’re looking for is basic cloud storage at a low cost, you can’t go wrong with Icedrive.
Icedrive Hands-On Testing
Icedrive’s biggest strength is the simplicity of its software. It lets you choose between a classic sync folder, a virtual drive or a portable app that can sync any folder on your device and requires no installation. The mobile apps for iPhone and Android offer basic automatic photo and video uploads.
Notes From the Lab: Icedrive Speed Test Results
| Provider: | Average Upload* | Average Download* | Average Upload** | Average Download** |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0:12:12 | 0:13:00 | 0:11:50 | 0:12:37 |
**1 Gbps
Icedrive used to be among the fastest cloud storage services, but it was among the slowest performers in our latest round of testing. It performed poorly in the 100 Mbps test and saw no benefit from the faster 1 Gbps connection.
Notes From the Lab: Icedrive Security Analysis
| Encryption Type | Encryption Protocols Used |
|---|---|
| Encryption at rest | Twofish |
| Encryption in transit | TLS/SSL |
| Client-side encryption | Yes, single folder |
Icedrive Pricing & Value
Though Icedrive offers a smaller 100GB plan, you can get more value from its 1TB plan, which costs only $4.99 per month with a two-year commitment. As with the previous two services, you can get even more value out of its lifetime plans. Try Icedrive using its 10GB free plan, or read our full 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
5. IDrive — Cheapest Cloud Storage per TB
IDrive is primarily a cloud backup provider, but it also offers a separate cloud storage space, which doesn’t count against your backup storage quota. For example, a 5TB plan gets you 5TB of backup space plus a separate 5TB of cloud storage, making it the cheapest service per terabyte on this list by a country mile.
Being primarily a backup provider, it offers nothing more than basic cloud storage, sharing and syncing, with little else in the way of features. However, it is secure, with client-side encryption for all data stored on your account, though you have to activate it manually.
IDrive Hands-On Testing
bit hard to use if all you need is file syncing.
IDrive’s desktop app isn’t the easiest to use. IDrive is one of the most feature-filled backup services, so its apps can be difficult to wrap your head around. On the file sync side, you can sync any folder on your computer, with the option to set files as online-only. Its mobile app is primarily for backing up your phone, but it also offers a separate app for syncing photos and videos.
Notes From the Lab: IDrive Speed Test Results
| Provider: | Average Upload* | Average Download* | Average Upload** | Average Download** |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0:06:45 | 0:06:58 | 0:05:00 | 0:04:57 |
**1 Gbps
IDrive is easily the fastest service on this list. It beat every other service in both the upload and download categories over the slower 100 Mbps connection, though it did trail pCloud over the faster 1 Gbps connection.
Notes From the Lab: IDrive Security Analysis
which applies to your whole storage space.
| Encryption Type | Encryption Protocols Used |
|---|---|
| Encryption at rest | AES-256 |
| Encryption in transit | TLS/SSL |
| Client-side encryption | Yes, whole storage |
IDrive Pricing & Value
As we mentioned, IDrive is the cheapest service on this list, and it offers great value in spite of some of its drawbacks. The 5TB plan costs a mere $6.22 per month on a two-year subscription, though the price increases on renewal. Try IDrive using its 10GB free plan, or read our full IDrive review for more.
- 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
Honorable Mentions
If you haven’t found the best provider for your needs yet, other cloud storage options are available. The following services aren’t necessarily the cheapest, but they offer value in other ways. You can always test them with their free cloud storage.
Filen
Filen is a secure, client-side encrypted cloud storage service based in Germany. It’s a little short on features but doesn’t skimp on protecting user privacy. The 2TB plan is among the cheaper options, at just $7.50 per month, priced per year. Learn more in our Filen review.
- Storage 10GB
- 10GB
- *prices are in Euro
- 100GB
- *prices are in Euro
- 200GB
More plans
- *prices are in Euro
- 500GB
- *prices are in Euro
- 2TB
- *prices are in Euro
- 10TB
Microsoft OneDrive
OneDrive’s personal plans are relatively expensive considering you can get only up to 1TB of storage, despite its integration with Microsoft Office. However, its family plan offers 6TB of storage for up to six people, for just $10.83 per month on a yearly basis. We take issue with its privacy policy, though, as you can read about in our OneDrive review.
- 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
Google Drive
At $8.33 per month per year for 2TB of storage, Google Drive is among the most expensive services on this list, but it does offer plenty of value. Not only does it include Google Workspace apps like Docs, Sheets and Slides, it also integrates with a slew of third-party apps. Like OneDrive, it has privacy issues, which we expand upon in our Google Drive review.
- 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
How to Choose the Best Cheap Cloud Storage Solution
If you’re still having trouble choosing a cloud storage service, consider the following factors.
- Security and Privacy: Look for a service that is encrypted end-to-end. Client-side encryption ensures that you’re the only one who can access your files — not even the provider can decrypt them.
- Features and Integrations: Look for the features you need, whether that’s media playback, cloud backup or document editor integrations.
- Speed and Performance: If you’re frequently uploading and downloading files, speed might be a deciding factor for you. Choosing a faster service will benefit you.
- Ease of Use: If you’re new to cloud storage, instead of watching YouTube tutorials to learn how to use your chosen service, opt for a simpler service that suits your needs.
- Storage Capacity and Value for Money: For the best savings, choose a service that offers the storage capacity you need and nothing more. Some services offer smaller, cheaper plans. However, you also need to weigh the service’s features against its cost to see if it’s worth it for you.
- Lifetime Plans and Deals: Many services offer sign-up deals that help drop the initial price, but the renewal price might jump back up to normal, so opt for long-term deals. You can also consider lifetime plans; these cloud storage systems tend to pay themselves after three to five years.
Our Methodology: How We Tested the Cheapest Cloud Storage Options
Our cloud storage testing staff runs rigorous tests on every service we review. The following list describes our full testing methodology.
- Security: We examine the encryption methods providers use (with AES-256 being the standard), as well as other security features, such as two-factor authentication, server security and data integrity protection via redundancy.
- Privacy: We go through the service’s privacy policy to look for suspicious clauses that might allow the service to scan or sell your data. Client-side encryption is the peak of data privacy and can hide the contents of your files even from companies with fishy policies.
- Feature set: We spend a week using the service before we review it, testing out every feature available to see how they work and how well they’re implemented.
- Speed: We run periodic speed tests using a remote virtual machine. We upload and download a 5GB test folder twice and average the results. We do this over an artificially capped speed of 100 Mbps, as well as an uncapped speed of 1 Gbps.
- Pricing and value: Finally, we weigh all of the above factors against the cost of the service to determine the value it might bring to our readers.
What Is the Cheapest 2TB Cloud Storage Provider?
If you’re specifically looking for 2TB of cloud storage, Sync.com is currently the cheapest option if you use our exclusive discount, costing $4.80 per month on the annual plan.
Otherwise, Filen also offers a cheap plan, at $7.50 per month on a yearly subscription. It’s a relatively barebones service mostly focused on security and privacy (at which it excels), but you can get more value from services like Sync.com or pCloud.
Final Thoughts
Whatever your reason for needing a cheap cloud storage provider, the options we’ve highlighted offer the best balance of price, security and features for budget-conscious users. Our top choice is Internxt for its high security, backup capabilities, bundled VPN and antivirus software — and, of course, its low, low prices.
What is your top choice for the best cheap cloud storage service? Would you go for the cheapest service, or would you rather pay a bit more for something that better suits your needs? Please let us know in the comments below and, as always, thank you for reading.
FAQ: Least Expensive Cloud Services
Internxt is the cheapest cloud storage service we recommend, offering lots of storage space at an affordable price, as well as a bundle of other software you may need.
You can get 1TB of cloud storage for free with TeraBox. Though not exactly reliable or private, this service offers an ad-supported 1TB free plan, as you can see in our TeraBox review.
How much 1TB of cloud storage costs depends on the provider you choose, but you can get it for as low as $1 per terabyte with a cheap service like Internxt.