While it sounds entirely made up, World Backup Day is real and it’s happening on March 31. That said, we couldn’t think of a more perfect time to take steps to protect your precious files. Backing your data up on an external storage drive is a great place to start, but you’ll want to keep your most important stuff somewhere that can never be lost, damaged or stolen. That means you’ll want to use the best cloud storage service available; one that allows you to access your files whenever, wherever, while also saving space on your phone, tablet or computer.
There are plenty of free cloud storage services available, whether your needs are personal or professional. Many offer upgraded paid plans, which means it’s easy to find a plan that can meet your needs to keep your data stored safely. For this article’s purposes, we’ll be focusing on plans for the average person.
We’ve compiled a guide to the most popular cloud storage services: how they work, their strengths and weaknesses. We’ve even included some lesser-known services if you want to get away from the mainstream. To be clear, we have not tested these services — this is an overview and some analysis of some of the top options in the market.
What is cloud storage?
Cloud storage is a type of computer data storage that allows your files to be immediately available on almost any internet-connected device anywhere. Files are stored on servers in a data center, instead of directly on your device.
Cloud storage comparison
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Google Drive
Microsoft One Drive
Apple iCloud
Dropbox
Amazon Drive
Free storage?
15GB
5GB
5GB
2GB
5GB
Paid plans
100GB of storage for $2 a month ($20 annually); 200GB of storage for $3 a month ($30 annually); 2TB of storage for $10 a month ($100 annually).
Microsoft 365 Family offers 6TB of storage and costs $10 a month ($100 annually); Microsoft 365 Personal offers 1TB of storage and costs $7 a month ($70 annually); OneDrive Standalone offers 50GB of storage for $1 a month ($10 annually).
iCloud Plus offers 50GB for $1/month, 200GB ($3/month) or 2TB ($10/month).
Dropbox Plus offers 2TB of storage for $10 a month; Dropbox Family offers 2TB for $17 a month; Dropbox Professional offers 3TB of storage for $17 a month.
100GB of storage for $2 a month; 1TB of storage for $7 a month; 2TB of storage for $12/month; plans go up to 30TB of storage.
Supported OS
Android, iOS, MacOS, Linux and Windows
PC, Mac, Android and iOS
iOS and MacOS
PC, Android and iOS.
Desktop, iOS and Android
Best cloud storage service options
Pros
Affordable, customizable personal plans with features that make sense for the average user
Neat management in a dedicated app
Easy to use for existing Google accounts
Cons
Google One subscription only applies to one email address
Finding Google One info requires a bit of scrolling on the website
How much free space you get Google Drive offers 15GB of free storage.
What you’ll pay for If you’re looking to expand your personal plan (which defaults as a basic free account), you’ll need to check out Google One.
Google One offers six different membership plans, the basic plan being 100GB for $2 per month. The Google One app makes it easy to manage your account, swap between plans, free up account storage and take advantage of special member benefits.
If you visit Google’s Workspace website, you’ll see business plans between $6 and $18 per month per user. Every business plan comes with a 14-day free trial.
Supported OS Google One and Google Drive business accounts are supported across Android, iOS, MacOS and Windows
Bottom Line If you’re looking to expand your personal storage, Google One is an easy-to-use app that demystifies cloud storage and how to get the most out of your plan.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Pros
Paid tiers are affordable
Larger focus on privacy
Homekit integration
Cons
iOS only
Not all Plus subscribers use HomeKit
How much free space you get Apple iCloud offers 5GB of free storage for all Apple device owners.
Supported OS Apple’s iCloud storage is only available for iOS and MacOS.
Bottom Line Apple iCloud is an easy cloud storage service for Apple users to check out because it’s already native to the device. Upgrading from the basic tier is easy and Apple thankfully doesn’t tuck away useful features behind the highest-priced plan.
Dropbox
Pros
Unlimited photo storage with a Prime membership
Clean, easily understandable user interface on desktop and mobile
Cons
Moving towards photo and video only in 2023
Only three plans with monthly payment options
How much free space you get If you have an Amazon account, you automatically get 5GB of photo, video and file storage for free. If you’re a Prime subscriber, you get unlimited photo storage.
What you’ll pay for Amazon has multiple paid plans, but you may not want to invest too much right now with the service planning to transition next year. You can upgrade your plan to 100GB ($2/month), 1TB ($7/month) or 2TB ($12/month). After that, there are 10 other plans available going all the way up to 30TB, but those plans renew annually and it’s unlikely the average user would need so much space.
Supported OS Amazon Drive is available on desktop, as well as iOS and Android. After Drive shuts down, the Amazon Photos app will require a separate download.
Bottom Line Amazon Drive is still an option for storage, but as of Dec. 31, 2023, Amazon Drive will no longer be supported and Amazon will put more focus into Amazon Photos. The iOS and Android app will no longer be available for download as of Oct. 31 of this year. After that, you’ll need to download the Amazon Photos app. For now, you can still upload files on the Amazon Drive website until Jan. 31, 2023.
Which cloud storage service is right for you?
Sarah Tew/CNET
Frequently asked questions
How do I clear my cloud storage?
The process for clearing your cloud storage may vary depending on which service you use. In the Google One app, for example, there’s a Free Up Account Storage button.
Why use cloud storage?
Instead of having to remember a thumb drive, or emailing items to yourself, cloud storage lets you access your files, documents and photos on demand. If your computer or phone crashes, you don’t have to worry about losing your content, because those files are stored on a separate server. Cloud storage can be a convenient option because options like Google One, iCloud and OneDrive are built into services many use on a daily basis. Cloud storage also lets you keep your device’s local storage freed up.
Is cloud storage safe?
According to Norton, cloud storage is a safe option for users because the on-site servers are usually located in warehouses that few employees have access to. In addition, the files stored on the servers are encrypted, adding another layer of security.
No type of digital storage is risk-free, but cloud storage services also offer more immediate security features like two-factor authentication and security checkups. Privacy and security features may vary between services.
How much cloud storage do I need?
How much storage you’ll need will depend on what you’re storing. A student will likely need a smaller storage plan than a professional photographer. If your needs change, most plans let you easily upgrade or downgrade.
