Best 1TB Cloud Storage in 2021: No More, No Less
Some people just put a few things away in the cloud, while others can't seem to find enough storage space. For these digital hoarders, we've put together this guide to the best way to store 1TB on the cloud.
So you’re in the market for cloud storage, but all the payment plans you see offer either too little or too much online storage; a 1TB cloud storage plan hits the sweet spot for you. Luckily, there are a few quality services that offer 1TB of cloud storage, and we’ve rounded them up for you in this list.
Key Takeaways:
- When it comes to storing only a single terabyte of online data, there aren’t that many cloud storage options.
- Only three cloud providers offer exactly 1TB of cloud storage, and Icedrive is the best of the bunch.
- Sync.com and pCloud are both excellent services that do not offer a 1TB plan but are still good options to consider when shopping for online storage.
Icedrive takes the top spot on our list. It’s a British storage provider that prides itself on its security, and it’s one of the few reputable cloud services that offers a 1TB storage plan. Icedrive is also one of the best cloud storage services, in general, but that doesn’t mean you should shy away from trying any of the other choices on this list.
If you need to move your entire system online, try an online backup platform instead. You can read about the differences between cloud storage and cloud backup in our article on the subject. There are even some online backup services that offer unlimited storage, if that tickles your fancy.
Icedrive’s Pro plan comes with 1TB of cloud storage for as little as $4.17 per month if you choose to pay yearly. Its monthly price is only $4.99, which is still very cheap.
Your cloud storage needs depend on what you’ll do with it. In most use cases, 1TB of storage should be more than enough, as most people’s hard drives aren’t even that big. However, if you’re a professional working with large video files or any other files that take up lots of space, you’ll need more than 1TB.
The short answer: you can’t. There’s just no way to get 1TB of free cloud storage. You can get the most free storage with Degoo, a service offering 100GB of free storage, but we wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re truly desperate for those free gigabytes. For a more reliable option, MEGA.nz offers 50GB free (at least for the first month), and it has a wonderful referral program.
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What Makes the Best 1TB Cloud Storage Service
If you’re looking for somewhere to store your terabyte of data, picking just any cloud service won’t do. The right service must have adequate security, be easy to use and of course, it needs to offer a 1TB storage plan that won’t break the bank. Here’s a quick look at the top cloud storage services.
- Icedrive — A secure, new cloud service with some of the cheapest prices
- Koofr — An excellent choice for managing multiple cloud accounts
- OneDrive — Microsoft’s cloud storage solution with Office 365 integration
- Sync.com — A zero-knowledge service with advanced sharing capabilities
- pCloud — The best choice for storing music and videos online
For a cloud storage service to make this list, it’s important that it offers a 1TB storage plan. However, it’s worth mentioning that only three services offer exactly 1TB of storage, so we’ve included two very affordable services that are more than capable of meeting your needs. Fortunately, these are all well-rounded storage services, and most of them offer 1TB of storage online and more.
When it comes to security, zero-knowledge encryption is king, though not all services offer it. Zero-knowledge encryption — sometimes called client-side encryption — protects your data with an encryption key that no one can access except for you. Plus, if a service offers two-factor authentication, it will protect your data even if someone discovers your login info.
An uncomplicated user experience and a simple approach to the interface will let you get things done faster and save you valuable time. Speaking of saving time, you wouldn’t want a service that drags its feet, so speedier cloud platforms get extra points.
The 5 Best 1TB Cloud Storage Services
A good 1TB online storage service is hard to come by, but making an informed decision is paramount when deciding where to invest your hard-earned cash. Now that we’ve gone over what makes the best cloud service with a 1TB plan, let’s jump right into the first entry on our list: Icedrive.
1. Icedrive
More details about Icedrive:
- Pricing: 10GB free, 1TB for $4.17 per month on the yearly plan
- Provider website: icedrive.net
Pros:
- Zero-knowledge encryption
- Cheapest 1TB storage plan
- Very fast upload & download speeds
Cons:
- No advanced sharing options
- Lacks collaboration features
Starting off our list is Icedrive. A newcomer to the industry, Icedrive has proven to be a worthy contender with its standout privacy and security features. Most importantly, Icedrive offers a 1TB storage plan for a relatively fair sum, alongside a few more that cost next to nothing. Read our full Icedrive review to get the full picture of this excellent service.
Security is one of Icedrive’s highlights, with zero-knowledge encryption available in a separate folder where everything is kept private. Files outside of this folder are also encrypted, though they aren’t covered by the same level of security. Unfortunately, two-factor authentication is missing, as well.
Clean Out Your Local Storage
Icedrive has a few space-saving features that most users will welcome. It offers a virtual drive that lets you access your cloud-based files without taking up space on your computer. Plus, you can sync any folder from your computer to the cloud, which is a very convenient way to sync that doesn’t create duplicate files or disturb your existing folder structures.
Icedrive has quite a few options regarding pricing. Its free plan provides a staggering 10GB of storage space, which is pretty lavish for a cloud service. Plus, you can buy its 1TB plan for about the price of a latte: $4.17 per month on the annual plan. Icedrive also offers lifetime plans that are easy on the wallet and come as a one-time payment that grants you up to 5TB of storage permanently.
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Free
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Lite
| 1-year plan $ 1.67/ month $19.99 billed every year Lifetime plan $ 1.64/ month $59.00 one time payment, Monthly price for 3 years of use |
Pro
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Pro+
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Like we said, Icedrive is still a young service, but it shows a lot of promise. Namely, it plans to add collaboration features via its own document editing app. However, most importantly, it’s working on covering its entire service with zero-knowledge private encryption, not just one folder. If you need a 1TB storage service that can keep your files safe, give Icedrive a try.
2. Koofr
More details about Koofr:
- Pricing: 2GB free, 1TB for around $12 (10 euros) per month
- Provider website: koofr.eu
Pros:
- Cloud management features
- European privacy laws
Cons:
- No client-side encryption
- More expensive than competitors
Coming in at number two is Koofr, a somewhat quirky Slovenian venture. Its 1TB plan is a little pricey, costing more than twice what Icedrive’s asking, though it adds collaboration and cloud management features to sweeten the pot.
Aside from the regular cloud storage features, Koofr lets you link and manage your other clouds, like Dropbox or Google Drive. Plus, it recently added integration with Microsoft Office 365, which means you can create Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents right inside Koofr.
All Your Cloud Storage in One Place
If you have several cloud accounts already, there’s no need to transfer any files from them. Simply link your other accounts to Koofr, and you’ll be able to access your cloud-based files in one spot. It’s a niche feature but a welcome one for certain types of users. If you want to find out more about how it works, check out our Koofr review.
On the security side, Koofr offers two-factor authentication that can help secure your login. However, as with OneDrive, it also lacks client-side encryption, so you might want to use third-party encryption software like Boxcryptor before you upload anything to Koofr. Since Koofr is based in Slovenia, all data stored on its servers is protected by the European Union’s GDPR.
If you end up needing to store more than 1TB, you’ll be happy to know that Koofr’s pricing plans go all the way up to a gargantuan 10TB. Koofr also offers a mere 2GB of free storage — though you can increase it up to 10GB by referring friends — but any online services you’ve linked to it won’t eat into your storage capacity. Plus, it’s a good way to give Koofr a try without committing to 120 euros (around $145) per year for the 1TB plan.
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Koofr’s unique cloud management features set it apart from the pack, and it’s a decent cloud service even without all the cloud-to-cloud options. However, its prices are steep. In fact, the next two providers on this list offer twice the storage capacity at a cheaper price. Regardless, thanks to its collaboration features and great privacy, Koofr still earned the number-two 1TB spot.
3. Microsoft OneDrive
More details about OneDrive:
- Pricing: 5GB free, 1TB for $69.99 per year
- Provider website: onedrive.live.com
Pros:
- Microsoft Office 365 integration
- Affordable prices
- 1TB plan comes with Office 365 online
Cons:
- Privacy policy is iffy
- No private encryption
Taking the bronze is OneDrive, Microsoft’s foray into the cloud business. It offers tight integration with Microsoft’s software ecosystem, which makes it one of the best cloud storage providers for collaboration.
OneDrive’s Microsoft 365 Personal plan, which costs $69.99 per year for 1TB, gives you access to the Office 365 app suite, as well as advanced security and productivity tools. The subscription is a touch more expensive than Icedrive’s but still affordable — costing less than $6 per month. Unfortunately, the free plan is limited to only 5GB of storage space.
Integration With Other Microsoft Products
OneDrive comes preinstalled with Windows 10, like how iCloud is built into macOS. This makes it a convenient choice for Windows users who might not want to install extra software. Similarly to Google Drive, OneDrive lets users create documents right within the app, whether it’s a Word document, a PowerPoint presentation or an Excel spreadsheet. You can find out more in our full OneDrive review.
Unfortunately, OneDrive is still a Microsoft product, and the Washington-based company isn’t exactly known for respecting its users’ privacy. It’s not all bad news, though, depending on how you look at it. Microsoft’s data collection operation is on par with Google’s and Apple’s, so you’re already relinquishing some privacy, whether you use OneDrive or not.
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OneDrive Basic 5GB
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OneDrive 100GB
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Microsoft 365 Personal
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Microsoft 365 Family
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OneDrive for Business Plan 1
| 1-year plan $ 5.00/ month $60.00 billed every year |
OneDrive for Business Plan 2
| 1-year plan $ 10.00/ month $120.00 billed every year |
Microsoft 365 Business Standard
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A OneDrive subscription is great for people who need access to Microsoft’s Office 365 online apps. For some, the two-in-one offer might be enough to seal the deal, but others might find it hard to get past Microsoft’s data-farming scheme. Though it offers two-factor authentication, client-side encryption is predictably missing. That’s why OneDrive sits firmly at number three in this roundup.
4. Sync.com
More details about Sync.com:
- Pricing: 5GB free, 2TB for $8 per month, billed yearly
- Provider website: www.sync.com
Pros:
- Airtight security
- Unbeatable sharing features
- Affordable prices
Cons:
- No 1TB plan
- No collaboration options
Sync.com is a perennial favorite here at Cloudwards, and we would be remiss to exclude it from this list. Although it doesn’t offer precisely 1TB of storage, it does offer a 2TB plan for a very low cost. It’s also one of the most secure cloud providers, offering zero-knowledge encryption to all users. See our Sync.com review to find out more.
For the security-minded individual, choosing Sync.com is a no-brainer. Besides offering client-side encryption, it has two-factor authentication, and it’s even certified to hold sensitive medical data under HIPAA. Sync.com even goes so far as to keep its servers under 24-hour surveillance, ensuring that your data is safe from physical danger.
Sharing Files With Sync.com
Sync.com offers a host of advanced sharing features that give you granular control over the way you share files. Password-protected sharing links and expiry dates are standard for most online services, but Sync.com includes features like disabling downloads, setting download limits and sharing statistics. All this helps cement its spot as the best cloud storage service for sharing.
When it comes to price, Sync.com is hard to beat. Its free storage plan comes with only 5GB of storage and doesn’t include some sharing options, but free users are covered by zero-knowledge encryption. There is no 1TB plan, but Sync.com’s 2TB Pro Solo Basic plan is one of the best deals in cloud storage, breaking down to only $4 per terabyte per month.
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Free
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Personal Mini
| 1-year plan $ 5.00/ month $60.00 billed every year |
Pro Solo Basic
| 1-year plan $ 8.00/ month $96.00 billed every year |
Pro Solo Standard
| 1-year plan $ 12.00/ month $144.00 billed every year |
Pro Solo Plus
| 1-year plan $ 15.00/ month $180.00 billed every year |
Pro Teams Standard
| 1-year plan $ 5.00/ month $60.00 billed every year |
Pro Teams Plus
| 1-year plan $ 8.00/ month $96.00 billed every year |
Pro Teams Advanced
| 1-year plan $ 15.00/ month $180.00 billed every year |
Sync.com’s security and sharing features would place it high on any best cloud storage list (and it tops our own). However, because it doesn’t offer a 1TB storage plan, it remains at number four on this list.
5. pCloud
More details about pCloud:
- Pricing: 10GB free, $7.99 per month on the yearly plan
- Provider website: www.pcloud.com
Pros:
- Superb media playback features
- Blazing fast
- European privacy laws
Cons:
- No 1TB plan
- Zero-knowledge encryption is a paid add-on
Last but not least, we have pCloud. It’s a Swiss company with servers in both the EU and the U.S., and you get the choice of where to store your files. If you choose the European servers, you can sleep soundly knowing your data is safely covered by strict European privacy laws. We’ve covered the service in detail in our full pCloud review.
Although pCloud does not have a 1TB plan, it does offer 2TBs for $119.88 per year, which breaks down to about $5 per terabyte per month. However, it’s one of the few providers (in addition to Icedrive) that offers lifetime cloud storage. That means you would only have to use the service for about three years to pay the 2TB lifetime plan off.
pCloud Security
pCloud offers private encryption only through a paid add-on called pCloud Crypto, so it’s not quite the best zero-knowledge cloud. Crypto costs $3.99 monthly, which is almost the cost of Icedrive’s 1TB storage plan. Thankfully, Icedrive offers two-factor authentication as an extra layer of security. Plus, the GDPR protects your data from being misused, even if it isn’t encrypted client-side.
If you need to store media files, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better service than pCloud. It has a surprisingly fleshed-out music player, and its video player is no slouch either. This makes it both the best cloud storage for music and the best cloud storage for video.
pCloud offers one of the best free plans on the market. It comes with 10GB of free storage, though you have to unlock some of that storage by completing simple tasks. pCloud’s paid plans are on par with Sync.com if you pay per year (you can see how the two services compare in our Sync.com vs pCloud piece), though if you want extra security, you’ll have to shell out for Crypto.
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Free
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Premium
| Lifetime plan $ 4.86/ month $175.00 one time payment, Monthly price for 3 years of use |
Premium Plus
| Lifetime plan $ 9.72/ month $350.00 one time payment, Monthly price for 3 years of use |
Business
| 1-month plan $ 9.99/ month Save 58 % 1-year plan $ 23.97/ month $287.64 billed every year |
pCloud is a fully featured service that offers excellent media features and affordable storage plans. However, zero-knowledge comes at a premium, and like Sync.com, there is no 1TB storage option. Although pCloud is a truly outstanding cloud service, it only makes last place on this list.
Honorable Mentions
Now that we’ve gone through the best cloud providers for 1TB of storage (or more), let’s take a look at some services that couldn’t quite make the cut.
Dropbox
A pioneer in cloud storage, Dropbox has had its ups and downs through the years. Plenty of folks will find its easy-to-use interface attractive. Plus, with collaboration options galore, it’s a great choice for professionals, as well, offering unlimited storage on the business version. It offers a polished user experience, though its prices are higher than average.
Google Drive
Whether you’re aware or not, if you use any Google services, you probably already have Google Drive. Offering tight integration into Google’s own little world of apps and services, Google Drive is a great choice for people who need to collaborate in Google Docs or the rest of the Workspace suite. Prices are cheap, too, though you sacrifice quite a bit of privacy in using it.
Final Thoughts
If you need a secure 1TB storage solution, Icedrive is a cheap and reliable option that will save you valuable hard drive space. However, if you’re a heavy Office user, Koofr and OneDrive might be right for you thanks to their integration with Microsoft’s online collaboration apps. OneDrive is a particularly good option for your business cloud storage needs, as well.
Sync.com and pCloud round off our list, despite offering 2TB of storage instead of 1TB. Luckily, both of their 2TB plans are affordable, and they offer enough extra value for your money.
What 1TB cloud storage provider do you use? Did we miss your favorite cloud storage provider? Tell us your opinions and feel free to ask any questions in the comments below. Thank you for reading.
After a brief stint in architecture and a tango with teaching, Aleksandar is now dancing to the beat of his own drum as a tech writer, merging his passions for technology and literature. When he’s not hidden behind his computer screen, you can find him photographing the streets of Skopje or cooking quesadillas for his friends at home.