Most providers have a free tier in their pricing, but storage limits can range from as low as 2GB to as high as 200GB if you refer new customers. There are free cloud storage services, but they usually require some compromises on the amount of storage space and file size limits. It can be tough to fork over your hard-earned cash for a storage space you can’t even see with your own eyes. Things to Consider Before Buying Cloud Storage Free vs. But if you want added security and more storage space, you’ll have to jump into the paid tiers. In short, Degoo offers accessibility with minimal effort on the part of the user. There’s also an end-to-end encryption option in which data is spread onto different servers for added protection, but it’s available only via subscription. Information gets encrypted in transit and while hanging out in storage. Best Free Cloud Storage: Degooĭegoo offers a surprising amount of security, even in the free tier.
However, there is no way to set a password for a document. You can control who sees documents with the right settings. On the downside, it’s not the most secure platform for storing files. Plus, there are other Google services that can go along with Drive, like Gmail, calendars, and meetings. Google Drive includes an entire suite for working and collaborating with people all over the world. Where businesses really benefit is in the creation, editing, and collaboration that can take place on documents, sheets, and presentations. However, for most offices, that’s a generous file size. Google Drive has a 5TB file size limit, which could be an issue for some creatives in certain industries. Once you hit that 15GB storage mark, you enter paid subscription territory. Granted, it will work better for a smaller team than a corporate one. If you’re not sure if this is for you, consider that you can get 15GB of free storage space to test things out, which is pretty substantial. If you’ve got a team working on the same documents and using the same media, Google Drive makes the best cloud storage for business. There’s also the issue of single-folder syncing, which doesn’t let you back up files outside the folder. It doesn’t have the third-party integrations of larger services like Google Drive and Dropbox, but for the price, you get better security. It’s got basic folder and file sharing, though not as robust as some services. The service offers versioning, where you can store older versions of files, but those old versions don’t count toward your storage limit. You keep a Sync folder on your computer, where you put everything you want backed up or saved. The setup is simple, and the interface doesn’t require an advanced degree to navigate.
The monthly fee for an individual plan isn’t prohibitive, and it comes with excellent security features, with encryption when you download and upload. However, it’ll give you a good idea of whether this is the cloud storage service for you. The free service stores up to 5GB, which won’t take you very far. Sync offers an excellent bang for your buck as far as paid services go and the best personal cloud storage. Best Overall: iDrive - Best for Photos: Amazon Photos - Best for Personal Use: Sync - Best for Business: Google Drive - Best Free Cloud Storage: Degoo Keep an eye on your budget though, because services can get pricey if your file number and sizes keep growing. Still others are primarily for backing up computers.Ĭheck your file sizes, media, and connection speeds, and you’ll have a pretty good idea of what you need. Other storage services focus on documents rather than media. Photos eat up space, and some providers limit file sizes, creating problems for photographers and other creatives. You can base your storage needs on what and how much you need to store. Many providers have a free tier but provide more storage space for a fee. The best cloud storage options may have apps for easier uploading and downloading, access, and file sharing. A provider operates and manages the storage for a fee, though there are some free plans out there. Cloud storage offers storage space on the Internet, aka the cloud. You need a safe digital space to store and protect photos, videos, presentations, and documents.