Best Cloud Storage Software

9/19/2022

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Are you searching for the best free cloud storage option for your personal and business data? It is quite convenient to save and sync documents and media in the cloud. It enables simple file sharing, access from anywhere, and restoration in case something goes wrong.

Cloud storage may store data online instead of on your local computer. To upload and edit content, you must have internet access. Your PC’s hard drive does not hold any data that online storage service providers store. You may access your files using cloud storage solutions on any device.

The main benefit of cloud storage over local storage is that you may access your crucial data from any location as long as you’re on a computer or other devices connected to the internet. However, it might be challenging to locate and select the best cloud storage and backup option for personal use, so we’ve put together this guide to assist you.

 pCloud

Pros:

  • Free cloud storage for 10GB
  • Multimedia playback built-in
  • Increases storage via recommendations.

Cons:

  • A membership fee is necessary for encryption.
  • No support for productivity apps

Large amounts of space are available in certain free cloud storage options, but only temporarily. Your 10GB of storage from pCloud is yours forever, without restrictions or issues. To acquire the full 10GB, you’ll need to do a few more activities, including referring other customers to pCloud; otherwise, you’ll only get  2GB.

Sync.com

Pros:

  • 5GB of free, secured cloud storage
  • Effective privacy legislation
  • No file size restriction
  • Adequate security measures

Cons:

  • With 5GB of available space
  • The free plan does not include some file-sharing and versioning capabilities.

 Sync.com provides cloud storage of up to 5GB. That ought to be sufficient to give it a shot, but once you do, you could find it difficult to control the want to upgrade to 2TB of storage. It is among the best cloud storage options for large data because there is no file size restriction.

If it doesn’t bother you to put in a little extra work and prefer that “free” means free, you might benefit from Sync.com’s lucrative referral program. Gain an additional 1GB of free cloud storage for each registration. You get actual people to join up for Sync.com. Even though 20GB is the maximum, the company has been known to waive the restriction if you email them.

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 Icedrive

Pros:

  • 10GB of free storage
  • Great privacy and security
  • Affordable costs
  • Simple to use

Cons:

  • Lacking characteristics
  • Lifetime plans have a bandwidth.

The cloud storage market’s newest player, Icedrive, is already a leading provider and gives new users 10GB of free space. It also provides excellent security and privacy.  As mentioned in our review of Icedrive, it has a straightforward user interface and choices for lifetime storage. Additionally, it ranks among the fastest cloud storage solutions.

The lack of many features is Icedrive’s main drawback. There are no features like collaboration tools, block-level synchronization, or upload links for folders. Despite these drawbacks, it is a fantastic entry-level cloud storage option if you’re looking for a way to share files with others and synchronize information across many devices.

MEGA

Pros:

  • Place a high priority on privacy
  • Simple to use
  • Free 20 GB of storage

Cons:

  •  The speed isn’t the best.
  • Lacks third-party integrations and collaborative features

 Another service that ranks among our top-rated cloud storage services is MEGA, which, in large part, is due to its very generous free plan. It offers more free storage than any other excellent service on our list, with 20GB available without restrictions (emphasis on quality). By accomplishing what MEGA refers to as “achievements,” you may further boost this hefty amount.

Most are straightforward activities, such as setting up the desktop and mobile applications and confirming your cell phone number for two-factor verification. You will receive an additional 5GB of storage for each of them, for a total of 35GB. Additionally, you may invite friends for a fee of 5GB each.

Google Drive

Pros:

  • Integrates services from Google
  • Wonderful for collaborating
  • Free cloud storage for 15 GB
  • Really user-friendly

Cons:

  • Uncertain privacy laws
  • No personal encryption
  • The terrible history of privacy 

It would be absurd if Google Drive were left out of a list of the best free online cloud storage. Due to its easy Google Docs connection and substantial 15GB free storage limit. You don’t need to do anything if you already have a Google account because Google Drive storage is included by default.

The greatest online backup for images is Google Photos, included in this storage. It also applies to Drive, Gmail, and other Google applications.

This software suite is probably Google Drive’s strongest attribute with tools and apps for practically every file type, including documents, spreadsheets, photographs, and videos.

Microsoft OneDrive

Pros:

  • 5GB of free storage
  • integrates with Windows and Office 365
  • good tools for cooperation

Cons:

  • Zero-knowledge security is absent
  • Free plans provide fewer features. 

We’ve spoken about Google Drive, and Microsoft’s cloud storage option is quite comparable. It combines cloud storage with Microsoft’s enduringly highly-liked Office and Outlook services and the Windows operating system. In a separate study, we contrasted Google Drive and OneDrive; however, to better understand OneDrive as a standalone service, read that evaluation.

A 250GB file size restriction and 5GB of storage are available for free users (see our guide to OneDrive’s file size limit). This storage may be used with Microsoft’s desktop and mobile applications and through direct interaction with Office applications.

IDrive

Pros:

  • 10GB of free storage
  • Hybrid cloud backup and archiving
  • Desktop and mobile applications
  • Faster speeds

Cons:

  • More concerned about cloud storage than backup
  • More difficult than the other items on the list

IDrive is a hybrid solution that serves as a backup service rather than a cloud storage service. As we noted in our review of IDrive, in addition to allowing users to plan automatic backups, IDrive also includes a sync folder, placing it on par with the other services on our list.

Due to its wide feature set, it gets the top rank on our short list of the best cloud backup services. You receive 10GB of free storage space, which scales up to 10TB on premium plans; these plans are quite affordable compared to the amount of storage they offer.

Koofr

Pros:

  • European Union-based
  • 10GB of free storage
  • Simple to use

Cons:

  • Paid services are pricey.
  • Zero-knowledge security is absent
  • A little missing in features 

The free storage plan of Slovenia’s Koofr, a tiny cloud storage startup, was recently improved. You currently receive 10GB of storage for free, but there isn’t an accomplishment or referral system to increase this. All of Koofr’s clients are protected by the GDPR because it is based in the European Union, and the service receives high marks for security and privacy.

The absence of zero-knowledge encryption is the service’s main flaw (apart from the cost of its subscription plans).

However, this is also true of many other items on the list, and Koofr appears to be more reliable than companies like Google, at least in terms of customer privacy.

Dropbox

Pros:

  • Simple to use
  • Good synchronization skills
  • 16GB of free storage is offered.
  • High speeds

Cons:

  • Storage defaults to only 2GB
  • Historical data breaches
  • Poor for maintaining privacy

 One of the greatest cloud storage services with sync is Dropbox, the grandfather of all cloud storage companies. Although it isn’t the greatest cloud drive now accessible, it’s respectable overall and deserving of a position on this list. It is the cloud provider that, back when it first began in 2007, gave the concept of cloud storage the appearance that it was even viable.

 Although you can acquire a Dropbox account for free, you only receive 2GB of free storage, which is less than practically every other provider on our list and far less than MEGA’s allocation. Nevertheless, it is still a quick and simple online storage option for customers (read our Dropbox vs MEGA comparison).

By completing at least five stages in the tutorial (such as installing the desktop and mobile applications, uploading files, taking the tour, etc.), you can increase your Dropbox free storage by 250MB, and you can add an additional 16GB by inviting friends at a rate of 500MB per invite.

Apple iCloud

 Pros:

  • 5GB of free storage
  • Seamless compatibility with Apple products and applications

Cons:

  • Use on non-Apple devices is challenging
  • Zero-knowledge security is absent
  • Limited native features

Apple’s iCloud is a service that works with other companies to become more than the sum of its parts, much like Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive. It provides 5GB of free storage, and if you have an Apple device, it is perhaps the easiest service on our list to set up and use. However, the service isn’t really anything to think about if you’re not a part of the Apple ecosystem.

Suppose you want to subscribe to extra capacity. In that case, iCloud is competitively priced, and it’s definitely a little more private alternative than other significant cloud storage services like Google Drive or OneDrive.

MediaFire

Pros:

  • 10GB of free storage
  • Enough free storage

Cons:

  • Little knowledge about privacy and security
  • No desktop programs
  • Less features

We start digging the bottom of the barrel for free cloud storage with our final two suppliers. Something is not always amazing or even decent just because it is free. In our last MediaFire review, we called the service “bare-bones,” and we still feel that way about this service, which is towards the bottom of our list.

Let’s start with the positives, as MediaFire provides free file storage, which is what we’re talking about. Free users get 10GB of space for free, but with sign-up referrals, you may raise this to 49GB. You also get 200MB for downloading the app, linking your Twitter account, and tweeting about it.

Degoo

Pros:

  • Free 100GB of storage
  • Support for mobile devices

Cons:

  • Costly paid plans
  • No support for productivity apps

We usually exercise caution when dealing with firms that advertise absurdly high storage capacities, such as 1TB of free cloud storage. We’ve lowered our requirements for acceptable free storage options for our last entry, but that doesn’t mean Degoo gets a pass. The sole positive aspect of this supplier is its 100GB of free storage.

Described as a cloud backup solution, Degoo. This implies that it lacks the daily productivity-enhancing options as Sync.com or Google Drive provide. There is no file synchronization feature and no meaningful way to share your work with others.

In our earlier Degoo review, we didn’t suggest the desktop application, but the mobile apps, which support iOS and Android, aren’t terrible.

Blomp

Pros

  • There is plenty of free storage and enough for additional.
  • The software is simple to use.
  • Compatible with all the widely used systems.
  • No restriction on the size of uploads.

Cons

  • Simple applications with limited features.
  • To access media files from your account, you must download them.
  • Unable to exchange files
  • Alert for account cancellation after 30 days.

Anyone who signs up for Blomp receives a massive 20 GB of storage space for free.

This program and website’s relatively restricted feature set allows you to create folders, upload files, and download your backup data. However, this makes them simple and clutter-free so that it could be a positive thing.

As long as the file you upload doesn’t exceed 20 GB (as that’s the entire storage available), there is no size restriction. Additionally, bulk uploads through the website and app are supported.

The picture files you’ve uploaded won’t be previewed on the website, desktop app, or mobile app. To watch them, you must first download them to your computer or smartphone.It’s disappointing that this service doesn’t operate the same way as most cloud backup applications, which allow you to preview films, music, and photographs.

But when it’s free, 20 GB isn’t at all awful. Additionally, if you recommend friends who sign up, you might receive up to 200 GB of free space. .Blomp is compatible with iOS and Android mobile devices as well as Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Letsupload

Pros

  • Free file storage is limitless.
  • No limits on download or upload speed.
  • Free storage up to 15 GB

Cons

  • After 30 days, files in free accounts expire.
  • Very many pop-up advertisements.
  • Installing the desktop client requires some effort. 

Letsupload stands out from the rest of the cloud storage providers on this list since it offers unlimited backup space free. It is far more than most websites give, whether you require 10 GB, 1 TB, or 100 TB. You may save an almost unlimited amount in your account, but you won’t be missing out on any cool features.

The maximum upload size, when the account becomes inactive, adverts, support for FTP and torrent uploads, and the amount of time you must wait between downloads are some variations between a free and premium account.

Through WebDAV, you may access your account. There are instructions on their website for implementing this on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and BlackBerry devices. We were unable to make this work correctly, and the only way we could access our account was through their website.

Internxt

Pros

  • Encryption with no prior knowledge.
  • Without advertising.
  • Direct exchange of files (goes right to the file).
  • For extra room, cheap designs are available.

Cons

  • Uploads of folders not supported by web app.
  • There is no trash can if you need to restore a deleted item.
  • Files cannot be moved between directories.

When you join up with Internxt, you may receive an additional 2 GB of storage for free. Because it offers zero-knowledge encryption, ensuring that only you ever view your information, compared to most other cloud storage services, it is marketed as being more secure.Your data is not even accessible to the site’s owner or staff. There are only a few buttons along the top of the page that allow you to upload files, create new folders, search, and share items.

When you share, you receive a link that, when clicked, immediately begins the download. It’s extremely wonderful that recipients aren’t scouring the page for a download option. Additionally, you may define the maximum number of downloads per file. 

You may change the look of your folders, thus, you may distinguish them from the competition by adding a special symbol or color. Although this doesn’t serve a purpose, it’s a pleasant bonus that most file storage websites do not support. We dislike how difficult it is to move files from one folder to another using the web app.

By completing tasks like installing the app, sharing a file, introducing friends, and signing up for their newsletter, you may unlock up to 10 GB of total capacity. You may access your data from their website or the app on your computer, phone, or tablet.

Jumpshare

Pros

  • Uploading intuitively from your desktop.
  • Features like screen recording that are extra.
  • High file upload size restriction.

Cons

  • Little initial storage capacity.
  • Only once friends have been invited, more storage.

Each user has access to 2 GB of free storage on Jumpshare, which accepts hundreds of different file kinds. You can receive up to 18 GB for free if you invite others to sign up!

Each file can only be uploaded up to 250 MB. The desktop application also allows you to record your screen for a minute and capture screenshots.

Users of Windows and Mac can download an application that enables extremely straightforward drag-and-drop and hotkey file-sharing features. For iPhones and iPads, there is also an app.

Amazon Photos

Pros

  • Unlimited space for photos.
  • Upload using PC and mobile applications.
  • Free 30-day trial.
  • Spread among non-users.

Things We Dislike

  • Free to Prime subscribers only.
  • Amazon.com’s Amazon Photos online storage service gives Prime subscribers unlimited, full-resolution photo storage along with 5 GB of space for films.

Despite the fact that they lack an Amazon account, users may publish files to establish a public link that anybody can utilize. Albums can also be shared; however, mass downloads by the receiver are prohibited.

Both the online version and the desktop client program can be used to upload files; however, only the former supports folder uploads. Additionally, you may submit pictures and videos from Android and iOS devices via a mobile app.

TeraBox

Pros

  • Large quantity of storage.
  • Rapid establishment of accounts.
  • Opportunities for advanced sharing.
  • Limit of 4 GB per file upload.

Cons

  • Your recipients must create an account to download your files.

The majority of rival services don’t provide a lot of storage. It’s obvious that you won’t receive the best of the best if it’s offered for free and there is anything they want you to purchase.

TeraBox (formerly known as Dubox) offers a massive 1 TB (1024 GB) for free sets it apart from other services. You may distribute files with an automated expiration date and even make the download process password-protected.

Both individual and bulk file uploads via folders are possible. To make it simple to search images, films, music, etc. Everything is automatically divided into sections. 

You receive twice as much storage space, quicker downloads, maximum video playback quality, a 20 GB upload size restriction, no advertisements, and more when you upgrade to premium.

There is an app available for iOS, Android, and Windows.

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Conclusion

IDrive and pCloud provide outstanding security, potent functionality, and long-term affordability for personal customers if you merely want a strong cloud-based service for backups and storage. On the other hand, IDrive demands a monthly membership, whereas pCloud only costs once.

That doesn’t mean you should disregard any of the other options on our list, either. The ease with which Google Drive, OneDrive, and iCloud interact with their ecosystems ensure they will always be mentioned. You can’t go wrong with MEGA’s abundant storage or Dropbox’s drag-and-drop ease.

If you’ve utilized any of the products we’ve mentioned or disagree with any of our assertions, please leave us a comment with your opinions. What do you think is the best cloud storage, in your opinion? Do we have a choice that’s not on the list?

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