www.tomsguide.com Open in urlscan Pro
199.232.198.114  Public Scan

Form analysis
2 forms found in the DOM

GET https://www.tomsguide.com/search

<form class="search-box" action="https://www.tomsguide.com/search" method="GET" data-analytics-id="search-submit" data-before-rewrite-localise="/search" data-component-tracked="19">
  <label for="search-input" class="sr-only">Search Tom's Guide</label>
  <input tabindex="0" type="search" name="searchTerm" placeholder="Search Tom's Guide" class="search-input" id="search-input">
  <button type="submit" class="search-submit" aria-label="Search">
    <span class="search-icon">
      <svg class="icon-svg" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1000 1000">
        <path d="M720 124a422 422 0 1 0-73 654l221 222 132-131-222-222a422 422 0 0 0-58-523zm-92 504a291 291 0 1 1-412-412 291 291 0 0 1 412 411z"></path>
      </svg> </span>
  </button>
</form>

POST https://newsletter-subscribe.futureplc.com/v2/submission/submit

<form data-hydrate="true" class="newsletter-form__form newsletter-form__form--inbodyContent" method="POST" action="https://newsletter-subscribe.futureplc.com/v2/submission/submit"><input data-hydrate="true" type="hidden"
    class="form__hidden-input form_input form__hidden-input form__hidden-input--inbodyContent" name="NAME"><input data-hydrate="true" type="email" class="form__email-input form_input form__email-input form__email-input--inbodyContent" name="MAIL"
    required="" placeholder="Your Email Address"><input data-hydrate="true" type="hidden" class="form__hidden-input form_input form__hidden-input form__hidden-input--inbodyContent" name="NEWSLETTER_CODE" value="XTG-D"><input data-hydrate="true"
    type="hidden" class="form__hidden-input form_input form__hidden-input form__hidden-input--inbodyContent" name="LANG" value="EN"><input data-hydrate="true" type="hidden"
    class="form__hidden-input form_input form__hidden-input form__hidden-input--inbodyContent" name="SOURCE" value="60"><input data-hydrate="true" type="hidden"
    class="form__hidden-input form_input form__hidden-input form__hidden-input--inbodyContent" name="COUNTRY"><label class="form__checkbox-label"><input data-hydrate="true" type="checkbox"
      class="form__checkbox-input form_input form__checkbox-input form__checkbox-input--inbodyContent" name="CONTACT_OTHER_BRANDS">Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands</label><label class="form__checkbox-label"><input
      data-hydrate="true" type="checkbox" class="form__checkbox-input form_input form__checkbox-input form__checkbox-input--inbodyContent" name="CONTACT_PARTNERS">Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors</label><input
    data-hydrate="true" type="submit" class="form__submit-input form_input form__submit-input form__submit-input--inbodyContent" required="" value="Sign me up"></form>

Text Content

Skip to main content

Open menu Close menu
Tom's Guide Tom's Guide
Search
Search Tom's Guide
Subscribe
RSS

US Edition



Australia


UK


US


Canada

Technology Magazines
Why subscribe?
 * The best tech tutorials and in-depth reviews
 * Try a single issue or save on a subscription
 * Issues delivered straight to your door or device

From€8
View
 * 
 * Phones
 * Streaming
 * TVs
 * Computing
 * AI
 * Fitness
 * Home
 * Sleep
 * More
   * News
   * Reviews
   * How Tos
   * Deals
   * Best Picks
   * Coupons
   * Antivirus
   * VPNs
   * Smart Home
   * Entertainment
   * Audio
   * Laptops
   * Wellness
   * Security
   * Mattresses
   * Gaming

Forums



Trending
 * Samsung Unpacked
 * Amazon Prime Day
 * iOS 18
 * iPhone 16
 * Surface Pro 11
 * Wordle Today
 * Best TVs
 * Best laptops



When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate
commission. Here’s how it works.


 1. Computing
 2. Internet
 3. Cloud Storage


BEST CLOUD STORAGE IN 2024

Buying Guides
By Anthony Spadafora
last updated May 15, 2024

The best cloud storage services make it simple to back up your files

 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 

Comments (3)
Jump to:
 * Quick list
 * Best overall
 * Best collaboration
 * Best file sharing
 * Best security
 * Best backup
 * Best for Windows
 * Best for simplicity
 * Cloud storage FAQs
 * How we test

Quick Menu



(Image credit: Shutterstock)

The list in brief
1. Best overall
2. Best collaboration
3. Best file sharing
4. Best security
5. Best backup
6. Best for Windows
7. Best for simplicity
Cloud storage FAQs
How we test

The best cloud storage allows you to free up space on your smartphone, laptop
and other devices as well as store an extra copy of your most important files in
the cloud.



Most of the best cloud storage providers offer a range of plans from free to
personal to premium and business to give you plenty of options to choose from.
While a free tier is a great way to test out a particular service, a personal or
premium plan makes more sense if you have lots of files you want to store
online. Besides cloud storage, you might also want to consider the best cloud
backup services since they provide a simple, automated way to back up your
computer.



Even though there are some great free cloud storage options, these are the best
cloud storage services worth paying for based on our testing and reviews and
many of them also fall under the best cloud storage for business. 


THE BEST CLOUD STORAGE DEALS, RIGHT NOW

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and
reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find
out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.

IDrive: the best cloud storage available
IDrive ranks highly consistently among the best cloud storage services thanks to
top features, high security, and fair pricing. It’s available across Windows,
macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, and you can get 10TB of storage for only $3.98 a
year with our exclusive deal!

View Deal

Reader Offer: Get $50 off Sync.com solo or team plans
With Sync.com, you can take advantage of cloud storage and syncing whether
you're an individual or a business. We've got an exclusive deal offering $50 off
the annual price of its Solo Professional and Teams Unlimited plans, offering
secure storage, custom branding, priority support, and much more.

Preferred partner (What does this mean?)

View Deal

Get Backblaze for free with every ExpressVPN purchase
ExpressVPN, Tom’s Guide’s #1 VPN provider, is offering free unlimited cloud
backup courtesy of Backblaze for a whole year with its annual subscription.
Secure, business-grade online backup for everyone, no strings attached.


View Deal





THE QUICK LIST

Below you'll find everything you need to know about the best cloud storage
services available today at a glance. Whether you need cloud storage for
yourself or your whole family, there's something here for every budget.

LATEST VIDEOS FROM tomsguide Tom's Guide



Best overall

1. IDrive

IDrive 10TB
US$4.98
/year
Visit Siteat iDrive



The best cloud storage overall

IDrive is an affordably-priced and easy to use cloud storage service with a
storage capacity of up to 10TB. It's compatible with all of the major desktop
and mobile operating systems and  there are also unlimited user and device plans
available.

Read more below



Best collaboration

2. Google Drive


The best cloud storage for collaboration

Google Drive is a cloud storage service that supports an unlimited number of
devices with up to 2TB of storage space available. It's fully integrated with
Google Workspace apps like Google Docs, Sheets and Slides plus,  you get 15GB of
storage just for signing up. Its cloud sync feature is also really useful for
those who use multiple computers.

Read more below



Best for file sharing

3. Dropbox


The best cloud storage service for file sharing

Dropbox is an excellent cloud storage for sharing files and documents with
others and it has a maximum storage capacity of 5TB. It supports an unlimited
number of devices like computers and smartphones and it works great with
third-party apps. Dropbox also encrypts your data both in-transit and while at
rest to protect it.

Read more below



Best security

4. Sync


The best cloud storage service for security

Sync.com is a secure cloud storage service that protects all of your data using
end-to-end encryption. It offers an extended file history for seeing any changes
made to your files and there's a maximum storage capacity of 6TB with support
for five devices.

Read more below



Best backup

5. Zoolz Cloud Backup

Exclusive Zoolz 5TB cloud storage backup
US$49.95
/year
Visit Siteat Zoolz



The best cloud storage for backup

Zoolz is a cloud storage with up to 50TB of storage space available.

Read more below



Best for Windows

6. Microsoft OneDrive


The Best cloud storage for Windows

OneDrive is the perfect cloud storage service for Windows thanks to the
extensive integrations with Microsoft's operating system. It has a maximum
storage capacity of 6TB and you can use it with up to 30 devices.

Read more below



Load the next product...

Best for simplicity

7. pCloud

Premium 500 GB Annual
US$3.99
/mth
Premium Plus 2 TB Annual
US$7.99
/mth
Premium 500 GB Lifetime
US$199
Visit Siteat pCloud



The best cloud storage for simplicity

pCloud is a cloud storage service that even has a lifetime license available.
There's a maximum storage allotment of 2TB and it also includes media sharing
and playback tools.

Read more below




THE BEST CLOUD STORAGE OVERALL



(Image credit: IDrive)


1. IDRIVE

An excellent all-around choice

Our expert review:



SPECIFICATIONS

Storage capacity: Up to 10TB (up to 50TB for business plans)
Number of devices: Unlimited
Encryption: End-to-end

Today's Best Deals
IDrive 10TB
US$4.98
/year
Visit Siteat iDrive

REASONS TO BUY

+
Very easy to use
+
Affordably-priced
+
Compatible with almost any device or OS
+
Unlimited user and device plans available

REASONS TO AVOID

-
Unlimited storage isn’t available
-
Slow download speeds

IDrive takes first in our list of the best cloud storage providers, and for good
reason. It offers great value-for-money, provides highly secure cloud storage
solutions, and has an option for every user. 



The basic free-forever plan only supports 5GB of storage, but this should be
enough for you to test it. Personal plans that support one user and unlimited
devices cost $59.62 a year ($79.50 on renewal) for 5TB or $74.62 a year ($99.50
on renewal) for 10TB of storage. IDrive is also currently offering 10TB for a
hugely discounted price of $3.98 for the first year — one of the most affordable
high-capacity plans available, though you need to prove you're using a
competitor as part of the signup.

All plans can be used on various desktop and mobile operating systems, including
Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. You can set up continuous data backup if
required, and it’s even possible to create a copy of external hard drives and
NAS (network-attached storage) devices. 

We found that files can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection,
and file sharing is extremely easy. All plans come with the innovative IDrive
Express feature, which enables you to back up files and data to a physical
storage device, which is then mailed to your chosen address. This is available
once per year with the Personal plans.

Read our full IDrive personal cloud backup review, and our IDrive business
review.

Swipe to scroll horizontally

IDrive's pricing plans FreePersonalTeam**Business**Cost per month/yearFree$5.79*
/ $79.50***$8.29* / $99.50$8.29* / $99.50Storage capacity5GB5TB***5TB250GBNumber
of usersOneOneFiveUnlimitedFile versioning✔ (30 versions)✔ (30 versions)✔ (30
versions)✔ (30 versions)

*All prices are based on undiscounted rates of the cheapest available annual
plan. Monthly plans are only available via Business packags with 1.25TB or more,
starting at $49.95 a month.
**Entry-level Team and Business plans shown: plans go up to 100TB and 100 users
/  50TB and 50 users.
***IDrive is offering 10TB storage at a hugely discounted $3.98 for the first
year

Get IDrive's RemotePC for $2.98 for the first year
IDrive's RemotePC product, offering remote desktop access, is exclusively
available for $2.98 a year for the first year! This plan offers remote access to
up to 10 machines, and also includes (for free) its RemotePC Meeting
video-conference solution for enterprises.


View Deal


BEST CLOUD STORAGE FOR COLLABORATION



(Image credit: Google Drive)


2. GOOGLE DRIVE

An all-in-one solution powered by Google Workspace

Our expert review:



SPECIFICATIONS

Storage capacity: Up to 2TB
Number of devices: Unlimited
Encryption: Encrypted transfer

Today's Best Deals
VISIT SITE

REASONS TO BUY

+
Very easy to work with
+
15GB of free storage
+
Android, Chromebook, and Workspace integration
+
Fully featured cloud sync that’s simple to use

REASONS TO AVOID

-
The web interface can be a little complicated
-
No end-to-end encryption
-
Security could be tighter

Google’s cloud storage walks hand in hand with Android and Google Workspace. If
these platforms are already a part of your workflow, Google Drive offers a
feature-rich, affordable native backup-and-sync solution.

While not as barebones as some of the other options listed, we found Google
Drive’s UI to be clean and intuitive. It is worth remembering, however, that
it's more than cloud storage. It comes with companion apps including Google
Photos, Docs, Sheets, and Slides—together known as Google Workspace—meaning you
can create, edit, store, view, and synchronize files via this unified, web-based
interface. 

When you open a new account, Google offers you free storage of up to 15GB on
Google Drive. This plan is yours to keep forever, and if you wish to upgrade to
a higher storage plan down the road, you can do so. The paid plans, offered
under the banner of Google One, start at $1.99 a month for 100GB. From there,
you can upgrade storage to a maximum of 30TB for $299.99 a month. 

The web interface, while very attractive, isn’t the easiest to use. This problem
is easily solved however by downloading the Google Drive desktop application for
Windows and macOS. This file explorer-based drag-and-drop system is not
dissimilar to Microsoft OneDrive, which lets you back up, store, modify, and
delete files directly from your desktop.

Read our full Google Drive review, our Drive Enterprise review, and our Google
Cloud review.

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Google Drive's pricing plans Free100GB200GB2TBCost per month/yearFree$1.99 /
$9.99$2.99 / $29.99$9.99 / $99.99Storage capacity15GB100GB200GB2TBNumber of
usersSixSixSixSixFile versioning✔ (30-days)✔ (30-days)✔ (30-days)✔ (30-days)


BEST CLOUD STORAGE FOR FILE SHARING



(Image credit: Dropbox)


3. DROPBOX

A leader in cloud-based file sharing

Our expert review:



SPECIFICATIONS

Storage capacity: Up to 5TB
Number of devices: Unlimited
Encryption: In-transit and at rest

Today's Best Deals
VISIT SITE

REASONS TO BUY

+
Easy to use
+
Freedom to choose third-party applications
+
Free plan will suffice for most personal users

REASONS TO AVOID

-
Expensive
-
No backup features
-
Only allows for app integrations

Dropbox is a fantastic choice for personal cloud storage. Plans are affordable,
the user interface is impressive, and it integrates well with many third-party
platforms.

It is a leader in file sharing, with several features helping to make it easy to
share large files with others, whether they use Dropbox or not. However, one
limitation we found is that you can’t back up external or network drives —
Dropbox only stores what you transfer to the Dropbox folder on your device. This
isn’t a major issue, but differentiates it from competitors like IDrive. 

Security is impressive without being exceptional, with all files are encrypted
at rest and in transit, though there is no end-to-end encryption. Accounts can
also be secured with two-factor authentication (2FA).

It has a free plan with 2GB of storage, as well as two other personal plans. Of
these, the Plus Plan is $9.99 a month for 2TB of storage, and enables you to
send files up to 2GB per transfer. The Family Plan has the same storage and
transfer capabilities, but for six individual users, for $16.99 a month. Despite
its limitations, we think you could do much worse than Dropbox for cloud
storage. 

Read our Dropbox review and our Dropbox Business review.

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Dropbox's pricing plans BasicPlusFamilyProfessionalStandardAdvancedCost per
month/yearFree$11.99 / $119.88$19.99 / $203.88$19.99 / $1,198.96$15 / $150 (per
user)$25 / $240 (per user)Storage capacity2GB2TB2TB3TB5TBUnlimitedNumber of
usersOneOneSix (maximum)OneThree (minimum)Three (minimum)File versioning✖✔
(30-days)✔ (30-days)✔ (180-days)✔ (180-days)✔ (180-days)


BEST CLOUD STORAGE FOR SECURITY



(Image credit: Sync.com)


4. SYNC

Secure, well-priced and easy to use cloud storage

Our expert review:



SPECIFICATIONS

Storage capacity: Up to 6TB
Number of devices: 5
Encryption: In-transit and at rest

Today's Best Deals
VISIT SITE

REASONS TO BUY

+
Easy to use
+
End-to-end encryption
+
Extended file history

REASONS TO AVOID

-
Basic interface
-
Single-folder sync
-
Limited third-party apps integration

Sync is a simple, fast and secure cloud storage service that will appeal to
those on a budget.

In fact, you can get 5GB of free cloud storage with the service but by inviting
friends, creating new folders and completing other tasks, you can bump this up
all the way to 27GB. If you do want to sign up for a paid subscription though,
all of Sync's plans are paid annually but there is a 30-day-money-back
guarantee. 

The service's Solo Basic plan costs $8 per month and gets you 2TB of secure
storage along with advanced sharing options. Sync's Solo Professional plan
increases the storage limit to 6TB and also includes custom branding along with
advanced sharing features for $20 per month.

Unlike other cloud storage services, Sync as the name suggests syncs a single
folder and the data it contains between your computers and the cloud. This
limitation may be a deal breaker for some while others will appreciate the
service's simplicity. There's also a Vault feature for files you want to store
in the cloud that aren't synced with your other devices.

In terms of security, Sync provides end-to-end encryption for all of your files
both in rest and while in transit. As for native clients, the service offers
desktop apps for Windows and Mac as well as mobile apps for iOS and Android
though you can also use its web interface to transfer files. Sync may not have
the same level of polish as Google Drive or Dropbox but it does the basics
really well with plenty of online storage space for the price.

Read our full Sync.com review.

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Syncs's pricing plans FreeSolo BasicSolo ProfessionalTeams StandardTeams
UnlimitedCost per month/yearFree$8 / $96$20 / $240$6 / $72 (per user)$15 / $150
(per user)Storage capacity5GB2TB6TB1TBUnlimitedNumber of
usersOneOneOneTwo+Two+File versioningX✔ (180-days)✔ (365-days)✔ (180-days)✔
(365-days)


BEST CLOUD STORAGE FOR BACKUP



(Image credit: Zoolz)


5. ZOOLZ CLOUD BACKUP

A popular cloud backup platform with an excellent reputation

Our expert review:



SPECIFICATIONS

Storage capacity: Up to 50TB
Number of devices: Unlimited
Encryption: End-to-end

Today's Best Deals
Exclusive Zoolz 5TB cloud storage backup
US$49.95
/year
Visit Siteat Zoolz

REASONS TO BUY

+
Attractive, intuitive user interface
+
Smart file search across hybrid storage
+
Streamlined platform with minimal system impact

REASONS TO AVOID

-
No live backup options
-
Pricier than competitors
-
Clunky and frustrating mobile apps

Zoolz offers high-quality cloud storage backed by the Amazon Web Services (AWS)
ecosystem. It boasts excellent security, including full 256-bit AES (Advanced
Encryption Standard) encryption, and compliance with various legislative
frameworks including HIPPA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act) and GDPR (the General Data Protection Regulation). 

A fully-functional free trial is available with 50GB, enabling you to try the
service before committing. Prices range from $14.99 a month for 1TB of storage
to $674.99 a month for 50TB. Significant discounts are available with annual
payments.

All business plans support unlimited users, unlimited server backups, and
unlimited external drive connections. Users also have access to excellent 24/7
live support and a comprehensive help center.

The Zoolz desktop interface is neat and easy to navigate, and there are also
mobile apps available for managing files on the go. Unfortunately, we found
these are clunky and frustrating to use, while upload and download speeds can be
slow, which could be an issue if frequently working with larger files. 

Read our full Zoolz cloud storage review, and our Zoolz BigMIND review.

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Zoolz's pricing plansHeader Cell - Column 0 1TB2TB5TB10TB20TB50TBCost per
month/year$9.99 / $99.99$19.99 / $199.99$49.99 / $499.99$99.99 / $999.99$149.99
/ $1,799.99$449.99 / $4,499.99Storage capacity1TB 2TB5TB10TB20TB50TB Number of
usersUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimitedFile versioning✔ (10
versions)✔ (10 versions)✔ (10 versions)✔ (10 versions)✔ (10 versions)✔ (10
versions)


BEST CLOUD STORAGE FOR WINDOWS



(Image credit: Microsoft)


6. MICROSOFT ONEDRIVE

Built-in cloud storage for Windows

Our expert review:



SPECIFICATIONS

Storage capacity: Up to 6TB
Number of devices: 30
Encryption: AES 256-bit

Today's Best Deals
VISIT SITE

REASONS TO BUY

+
Free with Microsoft 365
+
Comprehensive support
+
Integration with Microsoft and Windows

REASONS TO AVOID

-
Quite pricey
-
Lacks advanced features
-
No zero-knowledge encryption

Microsoft OneDrive is the ultimate cloud storage solution for Windows 10/11 and
Microsoft 365 users, and is also available for users of macOS, Android, and iOS.
It's also available for Xbox, making it possible to store precious game save
files safely in the cloud.

The platform balances high-capacity storage with functional user interfaces,
powerful integrations with the entire Microsoft 365 suite, and a robust security
framework. Once you’re set up, it will perform as described with no further
effort or stress on your part.

We found the service to be very well integrated into Windows. In essence, it
enables you take away any file or folder on your desktop and access it on a
variety of other devices. It also offers the ability to share files and folders
with users who don’t have OneDrive.

You can also edit files directly on the cloud, without the need to download them
every time. From Outlook to AutoCAD, OneDrive is compatible with a variety of
different other services, both internal and third-party. Security-wise, it
offers the Personal Vault feature, which lets you lock away essential files
safely via 2FA and Bitlocker encryption.

If you're a Microsoft 365 subscriber, you have up to 1TB free via OneDrive. Even
if you aren’t, you can test it with a forever-free capacity of 5GB. You can
always expand storage later via its personal plans, with 100GB for just $1.99 a
month.

Read our full Microsoft OneDrive review, our OneDrive for Business review, and
our Microsoft Azure review.

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Microsoft OneDrive's pricing plans OneDrive Basic 5GBOneDrive Standalone
100GBMicrosoft 365 PersonalMicrosoft 365 FamilyOneDrive for Business (Plan
1)OneDrive for Business (Plan 2)Microsoft 365 Business BasicMicrosoft 365
Business StandardCost per month/yearFree$1.99$6.99 / $69.99$9.99 / $99.99$5 (per
user) / $60$10 (per user) / $120$5 (per user) / $60$12.50 (per user) /
$150Storage capacity5GB100GB1TB6TB1TB (per user)Unlimited1TB (per user)1TB (per
user)Number of usersOneOneOneUp to sixPotentially unlimitedPotentially
unlimitedPotentially unlimitedPotentially unlimitedFile versioning✖✖✔ (30-days)✔
(30-days)✔ (500 versions)✔ (500 versions)✔ (500 versions)✔ (500 versions)


BEST CLOUD STORAGE FOR SIMPLICITY



(Image credit: pCloud)


7. PCLOUD

Secure storage with a lifetime subscription

Our expert review:



SPECIFICATIONS

Storage capacity: Up to 2TB
Number of devices: Unspecified
Encryption: In transit and at rest

Today's Best Deals
Premium 500 GB Annual
US$3.99
/mth
Premium Plus 2 TB Annual
US$7.99
/mth
Premium 500 GB Lifetime
US$199
Visit Siteat pCloud

REASONS TO BUY

+
10GB free storage
+
Impressive lifetime license available
+
Powerful media sharing and playback tools

REASONS TO AVOID

-
Limited support
-
Pricing options are very confusing
-
No document editor or collaboration options

pCloud is one of the only cloud storage providers offering a lifetime
subscription, providing you with 500GB for a one-time payment of $175, or 2TB
for $350. Alternatively, annual plans are available for $47.88 and $95.88
respectively. 

Monthly payment options are also available, and there’s a fully-functional free
plan with 10GB. You can also choose a family plan, which supports up to four
users. All plans come with advanced collaboration and file-sharing features, and
you can even back up files from a series of third-party platforms. 

Additionally, we were impressed to find that all files are protected by TLS/SSL
(Transport Layer Security/Secure Sockets Layer) security, with 256-bit AES
encryption. Powerful Android and iOS apps are available for mobile management,
and there are tools to help you set up automatic social media uploads should you
require this. 

Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems are supported, and there
are also browser extensions for Opera, Chrome, and Firefox. On the flipside, it
lacks competitors' collaboration tools, an in-built document editor, and a
smoother interface.

Read our full pCloud review.

Swipe to scroll horizontally

pCloud's pricing plans FreePremiumPremium PlusFamilyBusinessCost per month /
year / lifetimeFree$4.99 / $47.88 / $175$9.99 / $95.88 / $350$500 / $1,000
(lifetime only)$9.99 per user / $7.99 per user (no lifetime plan)Storage
capacity10GB500GB2TB2TB/4TB1TB per userNumber of usersOneOneOneUp to
fiveUnlimitedFile versioning✔ (15-day)✔ (30-day)✔ (30-day)✔ (30-day)✔ (180-day)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


WHAT IS THE BEST CLOUD STORAGE SERVICE?

Cloud comparisons

• IDrive vs Carbonite

• Google Drive vs OneDrive

• IDrive vs Backblaze

• Google Drive vs Dropbox

• IDrive vs Dropbox vs pCloud

• OneDrive vs Dropbox vs Google Drive

IDrive is the best cloud storage provider of premium solutions, offering great
value-for-money across a range of highly-secure, feature-packed plans. It's also
our top pick for the best free cloud storage, the best cloud storage for photos,
and the best personal cloud storage provider. 

Google Drive provides leading integrations with Google Workspace as well as
slick mobile and desktop apps, while Dropbox continues to be one of the best
cloud storage solutions thanks to ease-of-use and third-party app integrations.

Microsoft OneDrive provides integration with Microsoft 365, as well as premium
plans for individuals, families, and businesses. Zoolz' high-quality cloud
storage boasts excellent security, a great free trial, and 24/7 support.
Finally, pCloud competes with industry giants via a lifetime subscription across
family and business plans, secure file-sharing, and widespread app support
across platforms.

Swipe to scroll horizontally

The best cloud storage providers, comparedCloud storage platformLowest-priced
planStorage capacityNumber of devicesEncryptionIDrive$79.50 a year (IDrive
Personal)*Up to 10TB (up to 50TB for business plans)UnlimitedEnd-to-endGoogle
Drive$1.99 a month (Google One)Up to 2TBUnlimitedEncrypted transferDropbox$11.99
a month (Plus)Up to 5TBUnlimitedIn-transit and at-restZoolz$9.99 (1TB plan)Up to
50TBUnlimitedEnd-to-endMicrosoft OneDrive$1.99 a month (OneDrive Standard)Up to
6TB30AES 256-bitpCloud$4.99 a month (Premium)Up to 2TBUnspecifiedIn-transit and
at-rest

*IDrive is offering 10TB for just $3.98 for the first year, currently


BEST CLOUD STORAGE BENEFITS

There’s a high level of emphasis on military-grade encryption and security for
cloud storage users, running the range from end-to-end to zero-knowledge
encryption. This means providers protect your data from upload to storage and
even download, keeping it safe in highly-secure data centers. 



Thanks to its low pricing levels across all types, cloud storage offers
convenience and cost-efficiency, enabling individuals and businesses alike to
back up and save important files and data. Services often also offer
file-sharing too, so you can share key documents with others. 



A high degree of automation means providers can handle many of the complex tasks
for you, while extended scalability gives you the option of increasing storage
when required, should your current capacity for important data exceed your
limits. 



As well as being simple and accessible to use for all levels of user, cloud
storage services often utilize drag-and-drop interfaces and cross-platform
synchronization. This means that any file uploaded from one type of device can
be accessed simply from another, for maximum utility and ease-of-use. 




CLOUD STORAGE FAQS

Want to learn more about cloud storage? We’ve covered all levels of questions in
our frequently-asked questions below. Knowledge is power, and having as much
information as possible before you sign up to the best cloud storage services
will ensure you make the right choice for your needs. 


WHAT IS CLOUD STORAGE?

Cloud storage stores data on a physical drive, and makes it accessible online
for users via software from any internet-connected device, whenever and wherever
a user wants to access them: hence the term "cloud". Some users utilize multiple
cloud services in what is called a multi-cloud service.

Self-hosted cloud storage works by using on-premises (on-prem) infrastructure to
provide storage, rather than managed, remotely-based servers. You need to manage
these types of services yourself.

Storage as a service (StaaS) uses externally managed, third-party infrastructure
and data centers, and offers large, affordable amounts of online storage.
Designed for collaboration, they can also be described as storage and syncing
platforms.

Hybrid cloud storage combines cloud and local storage (or public and private
storage) together to give you the benefits of both types. This is aimed more at
businesses than individuals.

Cloud sync technology encompasses link sharing and file versioning, and is
offered by many StaaS providers, allowing larger businesses to undertake
inter-colleague collaboration, file sharing, and much more.


HOW MUCH DOES THE BEST CLOUD STORAGE COST?

Unlike most tech and software markets, cloud storage providers often offer
excellent free plans as well as paid plans. Free plans are ideal for those
seeking relatively small amounts of storage, but feature storage capacity
limitations, and don’t include the same high level of tools and features as paid
plans.

Paid plans are available in monthly, annual, and even lifetime models, ranging
from around $50 a year (this price depends entirely on factors including storage
levels and additional features). Monthly plans can be as low as a few dollars a
month, and in general pricing depends entirely on what plan you want, what tools
and security coverage you seek, and the encryption on offer.


HOW SECURE IS CLOUD STORAGE?

When we compare on-prem vs cloud storage, or even cloud storage vs external hard
disk drives, security is key. Cloud storage may not theoretically be as secure
as local, but the best cloud storage uses cutting-edge security and
encryption. So is cloud storage secure, how secure is it, and how does it
protect your data?

When it comes to enterprises, cloud storage security is crucial, particularly in
data and privacy-sensitive sectors, and so investing in secure cloud storage
that offers state-of-the-art policies is non-negotiable. End-to-end encryption
and zero-knowledge architecture mean services are almost hack-proof, and that
not even a provider's staff can access your data. 

In-transit and at-rest encryption mean that even in the unlikely event of a
cybercriminal intercepting data, it would be indecipherable. The very best
providers not only protect data, but infrastructure housing it. StaaS data
centers have 24/7 security guards, biometric authorization for entry, and
frequent security auditing. 

Data center locations are also key for most businesses, as different countries
have different data privacy laws. You'll need to make sure data is stored in a
nation that complies with your data privacy obligations.


THE BEST CLOUD STORAGE FOR BUSINESS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Identifying the best cloud storage for business means looking for highly stable,
secure systems that protect data at all times. End-to-end encryption and
zero-knowledge architecture are particularly important, but also look for StaaS
products, as they offer advanced cloud sync and collaborative features for
seamless digital workflows, increased employee cooperation and productivity.

Powerful administrative features provided, such as access management, system
auditing, 2FA, and roles-based permissions, are also worth keeping an eye out
for, particularly for medium- and large-sized organizations.


WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FREE CLOUD STORAGE 

If you've got less complex storage requirements, or have a tight budget, most
providers offer free plans. While less feature-rich, with smaller storage
allowances and other limitations, free cloud storage can be more than sufficient
for personal needs. You can store important documents and images, but should you
want more capacity, you'll have pay to upgrade. However, the advantage is that
you can try out different platforms for free before you do.


HOW WE TEST THE BEST CLOUD STORAGE

When we review cloud storage providers, we test upload and download times for
files, as these speeds are integral to performance and usage. We also look at
how each provider's security stacks up, how responsive customer service teams
are when there's a problem, at pricing, and at any additional features offered.

Our comprehensive reviews also make a point of comparing each cloud storage
service to competitors, across key features and pricing, so you can benefit from
as much information as possible before you make your choice.

Take a look at some of our other reviews of leading platforms, including:

 * Box and Box for Business
 * iCloud
 * SpiderOak
 * MEGA
 * GoodSync
 * Wasabi
 * Egnyte
 * Nextcloud
 * Tresorit
 * LiveDrive

Ready to purchase cloud storage? Make sure you check out our top cloud storage
deals to get cloud storage space for less.


NEXT STEPS WITH CLOUD STORAGE

Make sure to follow a cloud storage checklist when looking for a provider, and
consider the most important factors when selecting an online storage service, as
well as these tips for data backup and recovery. If you're unsure about the
differences between cloud storage, cloud backup, and cloud sync,it's worth doing
your research first. 

If you're buying cloud storage on behalf of a small company, take a look at the
best cloud storage for small business, but also learn the top reasons you should
use small business cloud solutions; find out why small businesses should use
cloud services; and understand why a multi-cloud strategy benefits businesses.

Are you an iPhone user of iCloud, and have no space left in your storage? Learn
how to free up space if your iCloud storage is full.

Round up of today's best deals
IDrive 10TB
US$4.98
/year
View
Exclusive Zoolz 5TB cloud storage backup
US$124.99
US$49.95
/year
View
Premium 500 GB Annual
US$3.99
/mth
View
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
powered by


SIGN UP TO GET THE BEST OF TOM’S GUIDE DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX.

Upgrade your life with a daily dose of the biggest tech news, lifestyle hacks
and our curated analysis. Be the first to know about cutting-edge gadgets and
the hottest deals.

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on
behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy
Policy and are aged 16 or over.
Anthony Spadafora
Social Links Navigation
Senior Editor Security and Networking

Anthony Spadafora is the security and networking editor at Tom’s Guide where he
covers everything from data breaches and ransomware gangs to password managers
and the best way to cover your whole home or business with Wi-Fi. Before joining
the team, he wrote for ITProPortal while living in Korea and later for TechRadar
Pro after moving back to the US. Based in Houston, Texas, when he’s not writing
Anthony can be found tinkering with PCs and game consoles, managing cables and
upgrading his smart home. 




Latest

I've been covering 4th of July sales for 15 years — here's 53 top deals I
recommend



Airthings Renew air purifier review: Sleek but expensive



Hackers could ruin your 4th of July cookout if you own a Traeger smart grill —
what to do now

See more latest ►


See all comments (3)
3 Comments Comment from the forums
 * khelban
   The free 50GB that Zoolz offers is a 14 day trial.
   From cloudrewards.net:
   Zoolz offers a 14-day free trial with 50GB of regular storage and 100GB of
   cold storage so that you can thoroughly test it out.
   Reply
 * joppo
   This review is ridiculous for having Zoolz in it. I subscribed for Zoolz's
   "Lifetime subscription" a few years back to get 5TB or something for the
   likes of $100-200. 1 year later Zoolz annoused that they're removing their
   "lifetime subscription plan" and all their "lifetime customers" need to move
   their files elsewhere or re-subscribe for an annual plan. I then subscribed
   to onedrive and wanted to move my files there, but I couldn't , because Zoolz
   didn't have the tools available for me to download my files in bulk ... I had
   to buy higher tier subscription to get access to automatic download tools in
   order to do it ?!?! I had to ask them several times, so that they "implement
   UI" on their site to support bulk download. And here I come 2 years later to
   see this being RECOMMENDED by Tom's guide storage experts. Tell me this is a
   joke, please... You could have checked trustedpilots and Zoolz review score
   of 1.4 there with 1K reviews...
   
   Mod Edit - Language
   Reply
 * Billybobwashere2
   > khelban said:
   > The free 50GB that Zoolz offers is a 14 day trial.
   > From cloudrewards.net:
   > Zoolz offers a 14-day free trial with 50GB of regular storage and 100GB of
   > cold storage so that you can thoroughly test it out.
   
   
   Also due to Zoolz's shady practices and reneging on offers you may wish to
   reconsider even recommending this service. You can not trust them as they
   sold millions in "unlimited" storage only to tell everyone who backup their
   information that they now have to pay for it yearly!
   Reply
 * View All 3 Comments

MOST POPULAR

29 best gifts under $50 — our top picks for 2023
The best queen mattress 2024: Tested by sleep experts


MOST READMOST SHARED
 1. 1
    I've been covering 4th of July sales for 15 years — here's 53 top deals I
    recommend
 2. 2
    Airthings Renew air purifier review: Sleek but expensive
 3. 3
    Hackers could ruin your 4th of July cookout if you own a Traeger smart grill
    — what to do now
 4. 4
    Surprise! This brand new 65-inch LG OLED TV is $900 off ahead of Prime Day
 5. 5
    Samsung just gave older Galaxy Watches a major upgrade — all the new
    features

 1. 1
    I've been covering 4th of July sales for 15 years — here's 53 top deals I
    recommend
 2. 2
    Airthings Renew air purifier review: Sleek but expensive
 3. 3
    Hackers could ruin your 4th of July cookout if you own a Traeger smart grill
    — what to do now
 4. 4
    Surprise! This brand new 65-inch LG OLED TV is $900 off ahead of Prime Day
 5. 5
    Samsung just gave older Galaxy Watches a major upgrade — all the new
    features



Tom's Guide is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading
digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

 * Terms and conditions
 * Contact Future's experts
 * Privacy policy
 * Cookies policy
 * Accessibility Statement
 * Advertise with us
 * About us
 * Archives
 * Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.