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Whereas it sounds totally made up, World Backup Day is actual and it’s occurring on March 31. That stated, we couldn’t consider a extra excellent time to take steps to guard your treasured recordsdata. Backing your knowledge up on an exterior storage drive is a good place to start out, however you may need to preserve your most vital stuff someplace that may by no means be misplaced, broken or stolen. Which means you may need to use the perfect cloud storage service out there; one which means that you can entry your recordsdata at any time when, wherever, whereas additionally saving house in your phone, tablet or computer.
There are many free cloud storage providers out there, whether or not your wants are private or skilled. Many supply upgraded paid plans, which suggests it is simple to discover a plan that may meet your must preserve your knowledge saved safely. For this text’s functions, we’ll be specializing in plans for the typical particular person.
Learn extra: World Backup Day deals on flash drives, SD cards and more
We have compiled a information to the most well-liked cloud storage providers: how they work, their strengths and weaknesses. We have even included some lesser-known providers if you wish to get away from the mainstream. To be clear, now we have not examined these providers — that is an outline and a few evaluation of among the prime choices out there.
What’s cloud storage?
Cloud storage is a kind of pc knowledge storage that enables your recordsdata to be instantly out there on nearly any internet-connected gadget wherever. Information are saved on servers in a knowledge heart, as an alternative of straight in your gadget.
Cloud storage comparability
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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 yearly); 200GB of storage for $3 a month ($30 yearly); 2TB of storage for $10 a month ($100 yearly). | Microsoft 365 Household provides 6TB of storage and prices $10 a month ($100 yearly); Microsoft 365 Private provides 1TB of storage and prices $7 a month ($70 yearly); OneDrive Standalone provides 50GB of storage for $1 a month ($10 yearly). | iCloud Plus provides 50GB for $1/month, 200GB ($3/month) or 2TB ($10/month). | Dropbox Plus provides 2TB of storage for $10 a month; Dropbox Household provides 2TB for $17 a month; Dropbox Skilled provides 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 as much as 30TB of storage. |
| Supported OS | Android, iOS, MacOS, Linux and Home windows | PC, Mac, Android and iOS | iOS and MacOS | PC, Android and iOS. | Desktop, iOS and Android |
Finest cloud storage service choices
Execs
- Reasonably priced, customizable private plans with options that make sense for the typical person
- Neat administration in a devoted app
- Straightforward to make use of for current Google accounts
Cons
- Google One subscription solely applies to at least one e-mail tackle
- Discovering Google One data requires a little bit of scrolling on the web site
How a lot free house you get
Google Drive provides 15GB of free storage.
What you may pay for
Should you’re seeking to broaden your private plan (which defaults as a fundamental free account), you may want to take a look at Google One.
Google One provides six completely different membership plans, the essential plan being 100GB for $2 per 30 days. The Google One app makes it straightforward to handle your account, swap between plans, release account storage and make the most of particular member advantages.
Should you go to Google’s Workspace web site, you may see business plans between $6 and $18 per 30 days per person. Each marketing strategy comes with a 14-day free trial.
Supported OS
Google One and Google Drive enterprise accounts are supported throughout Android, iOS, MacOS and Home windows
Backside Line
Should you’re seeking to broaden your private storage, Google One is an easy-to-use app that demystifies cloud storage and the way to get essentially the most out of your plan.
Execs
- Microsoft 365 Private and Microsoft 365 Household supply a ton of storage for an inexpensive worth
- OneDrive Standalone is obtainable in the event you’re not searching for further options
Cons
- There is not a middle-ground choice to get a ton of storage with out further options
- No possibility to extend cupboard space for OneDrive Standalone
How a lot free house you get
Microsoft OneDrive provides 5GB of free storage with the Primary free account.
What you may pay for
Microsoft has a sturdy collection of plans. For private wants, customers can select between Microsoft 365 Private, Microsoft 365 Household and OneDrive Standalone. Private and Household supply essentially the most bang in your buck, however in the event you’re simply searching for storage, these choices are loaded with options you do not want. For storage-only, you’ll be able to subscribe to OneDrive Standalone which provides 50GB of storage for $1 per 30 days or $10 yearly. Microsoft 365 has additionally launched a brand new, “Primary” tier that features 100GB of storage for $2 or $20 yearly, billed upfront, which may be a more sensible choice if the 50GB plan is a bit too limiting.
Supported OS
Microsoft OneDrive works on PC, Mac, Android and iOS.
Backside Line
Microsoft’s plans supply beneficiant packages at affordable costs for the typical person. As well as, the OneDrive Standalone possibility means you will not be pressured into shopping for greater than you want.
Execs
- Paid tiers are reasonably priced
- Bigger concentrate on privateness
- Homekit integration
Cons
- iOS solely
- Not all Plus subscribers use HomeKit
How a lot free house you get
Apple iCloud provides 5GB of free storage for all Apple gadget house owners.
What you may pay for
If 5GB is not sufficient house, you’ll be able to improve to iCloud Plus and get 50GB ($1/month), 200GB ($3/month) or 2TB ($10/month). All three paid plans embody Private Relay, Hide My Email, HomeKit Secure video and Family Sharing.
Supported OS
Apple’s iCloud storage is barely out there for iOS and MacOS.
Backside Line
Apple iCloud is a simple cloud storage service for Apple customers to take a look at as a result of it is already native to the gadget. Upgrading from the essential tier is straightforward and Apple fortunately does not tuck away helpful options behind the highest-priced plan.
Execs
- Clear, easy-to-navigate web site
- App integrations with Slack, Asana, Zoom, Google Workspace and extra
Cons
- Provides the least quantity of free storage
- Most costly plans
- Private plans do not differ sufficient to warrant separate, otherwise priced plans
How a lot free house you get
Dropbox provides 2GB of free storage
What you may pay for
Dropbox provides Plus and Household plans for $10/month and $17/month respectively. Each plans supply 2TB of storage, with Household divvying up the house amongst six customers. Based mostly on the positioning’s comparability, there do not look like sufficient variations to warrant charging nearly double for the Household plan. There may be additionally Dropbox Skilled, which provides one person 3TB of storage for round $17/month.
Supported OS
Dropbox works on PC, Android and iOS.
Backside Line
Dropbox’s plans are loaded with options however supply little or no center floor for person customization. Including yet one more private plan forward of Plus may give clients a bridge between 2GB and 2TB.
Execs
- Limitless photograph storage with a Prime membership
- Clear, simply comprehensible person interface on desktop and cell
Cons
- Transferring in the direction of photograph and video solely in 2023
- Solely three plans with month-to-month fee choices
How a lot free house you get
In case you have an Amazon account, you routinely get 5GB of photograph, video and file storage at no cost. Should you’re a Prime subscriber, you get limitless photograph storage.
What you may pay for
Amazon has a number of paid plans, however you might not need to make investments an excessive amount of proper now with the service planning to transition subsequent 12 months. You may improve your plan to 100GB ($2/month), 1TB ($7/month) or 2TB ($12/month). After that, there are 10 different plans out there going all the way in which as much as 30TB, however these plans renew yearly and it is unlikely the typical person would wish a lot house.
Supported OS
Amazon Drive is obtainable on desktop, in addition to iOS and Android. After Drive shuts down, the Amazon Photographs app would require a separate obtain.
Backside Line
Amazon Drive remains to be an possibility for storage, however as of Dec. 31, 2023, Amazon Drive will no longer be supported and Amazon will put extra focus into Amazon Photographs. The iOS and Android app will now not be out there for obtain as of Oct. 31 of this 12 months. After that, you may must obtain the Amazon Photographs app. For now, you’ll be able to nonetheless add recordsdata on the Amazon Drive web site till Jan. 31, 2023.
Different Cloud Storage Choices
Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Field and Amazon aren’t your solely cloud storage choices.
SugarSync is a Dropbox-like different with apps for each cell platform. The service provides private and enterprise plans with a 30-day free trial to start out. With a private SugarSync account, you get 100GB for $7.49 a month, $250GB for $10 a month or 500GB for $18.95 a month. The service provides safe file-sharing (even when they do not have an account), collaboration, file syncing, in addition to distant knowledge wipes within the occasion of loss, theft or injury.
Another choice for cloud storage is pCloud. The service provides annual and lifelong plans for people, households and companies. PCloud does not restrict file sizes and does not throttle your add or obtain speeds. Whereas your pCloud recordsdata are securely saved on the corporate’s servers, you’ll be able to add an additional layer of safety by buying pCloud Crypto. PCloud Crypto gives client-side encryption the place the encrypted model of your recordsdata are saved on pCloud servers, however the plain-text recordsdata keep in your pc. Along with your Crypto Move code, you’ll be able to encrypt or decrypt your recordsdata.
You may subscribe to Premium 500GB ($50 a 12 months) or Premium Plus 2TB ($100 a 12 months). Each of those plans, in addition to the Customized 10TB Plan additionally supply a lifetime subscription for a flat payment. Clients can begin with annual plans and improve to lifetime plans later in the event that they select.
Cloud storage: Phrases to know
Cloud: This refers to software program and providers which are saved on the web, as an alternative of regionally in your pc or cellphone. The cloud means that you can entry your recordsdata wherever with an web connection.
Information heart: Despite the fact that your recordsdata are saved within the cloud, there’s nonetheless bodily {hardware} concerned. The corporate that you have bought cloud storage from — like Google or Apple — can have precise servers the place buyer info lives.
Terabyte: A terabyte is a unit of measurement for digital knowledge. One terabyte equals about 1,000 GB.
Which cloud storage service is best for you?
Incessantly requested questions
How do I clear my cloud storage?
The method for clearing your cloud storage could differ relying on which service you employ. Within the Google One app, for instance, there is a Free Up Account Storage button.
Why use cloud storage?
As an alternative of getting to recollect a thumb drive, or emailing objects to your self, cloud storage enables you to entry your recordsdata, paperwork and images on demand. In case your pc or cellphone crashes, you do not have to fret about shedding your content material, as a result of these recordsdata are saved on a separate server. Cloud storage is usually a handy possibility as a result of choices like Google One, iCloud and OneDrive are constructed into providers many use each day. Cloud storage additionally enables you to preserve your gadget’s native storage freed up.
Is cloud storage protected?
In response to Norton, cloud storage is a protected possibility for customers as a result of the on-site servers are normally situated in warehouses that few staff have entry to. As well as, the recordsdata saved on the servers are encrypted, including one other layer of safety.
No kind of digital storage is risk-free, however cloud storage providers additionally supply extra rapid safety features like two-factor authentication and safety checkups. Privateness and safety features could differ between providers.
How a lot cloud storage do I would like?
How a lot storage you may want will rely upon what you are storing. A pupil will doubtless want a smaller storage plan than knowledgeable photographer. In case your wants change, most plans allow you to simply improve or downgrade.
For extra info, try how to clear up space in your Google Drive and the best iPhones of 2024.
Sarah Mitroff contributed to this text.
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