Best Cloud Storage of 2026
Compare the best cloud storage services for personal backup, file sharing, and team collaboration. Secure your files with encrypted cloud backup.
Some products are sponsored. Rankings reflect our honest assessment. See our affiliate disclosure
At a Glance
Quick Answer
Google Drive is the best cloud storage for most users in 2026. It scored 9.2/10 in our testing and starts at $1.99/mo. 15GB free storage (best free tier). Dropbox is better if you need excellent file syncing reliability.
Cloud storage has become essential - our photos, documents, and memories live in the cloud now. But with so many options, how do you choose? Google, Apple, Microsoft, Dropbox, and a dozen others all want your files (and your money).
I've been storing files in the cloud for over a decade. I've experienced sync failures, pricing increases, service shutdowns, and the anxiety of wondering if my files are really safe.
These rankings reflect years of actual use - syncing real files, recovering real data, and dealing with real problems.
Our Top Pick
Editor's Choice
Google Drive
Editor's ChoiceBest for collaboration with 15GB free storage
Pros
- 15GB free storage (best free tier)
- Excellent real-time collaboration
- Seamless Google Workspace integration
- Powerful AI-powered search with Gemini
Cons
- Privacy concerns with Google scanning
- Storage shared with Gmail and Photos
- Limited offline capabilities
Free tier • Paid from
$1.99/mo
All Cloud Storage Ranked
Filter and sort to find your perfect match
- 15GB free storage (best free tier)
- Excellent real-time collaboration
- Seamless Google Workspace integration
- Privacy concerns with Google scanning
- Storage shared with Gmail and Photos
- Limited offline capabilities
Free tier • Paid from
$1.99/mo
- Excellent file syncing reliability
- Smart Sync saves local storage
- Great sharing and collaboration
- Only 2GB free storage
- Expensive compared to competitors
- 3-device limit on free tier
Free tier • Paid from
$11.99/mo
- Seamless Apple device integration
- Automatic photo and backup sync
- iCloud Keychain password manager
- Only 5GB free storage
- Limited Windows support
- Not ideal for non-Apple users
Free tier • Paid from
$0.99/mo
- Unlimited backup for one flat price
- Set-it-and-forget-it simplicity
- B2 storage at 1/5 AWS S3 cost
- No file sync feature
- Backup only (not general cloud storage)
- External drives must be connected monthly
Free tier • Paid from
$9/mo
- Excellent backup features
- Unlimited devices on one account
- Physical drive backup option
- Sync is secondary to backup
- Interface feels dated
- Slower upload speeds than competitors
Free tier • Paid from
$59.88/yr
- Seamless Microsoft 365 integration
- Personal Vault with extra security
- Real-time collaboration on Office docs
- Only 5GB free storage
- Best features require Microsoft 365
- Sync issues with large files reported
Free tier • Paid from
$1.99/mo
- Lifetime subscription option
- Swiss privacy laws
- Optional zero-knowledge encryption
- Crypto add-on costs extra
- No native document editing
- Fewer integrations than competitors
Free tier • Paid from
$49.99/yr
- End-to-end zero-knowledge encryption
- Swiss privacy laws protection
- GDPR, HIPAA, ITAR compliant
- Premium pricing
- Limited free plan
- Occasional app freezing issues
Free tier • Paid from
$11.99/mo
- Zero-knowledge encryption included free
- Canadian privacy protection
- Excellent file sharing controls
- Slower sync than competitors
- No Linux desktop app
- Fewer integrations available
Free tier • Paid from
$8/mo
- Enterprise-grade security and compliance
- 1500+ third-party app integrations
- Unlimited storage on business plans
- Expensive for small teams
- 10GB free storage limited
- Occasional sync slowdowns
Free tier • Paid from
$5/mo
- 20GB free storage (industry-leading)
- Zero-knowledge encryption included free
- No file size limits
- Transfer quotas on all plans
- Not ideal for collaboration
- Privacy concerns from 2022 security audit
Free tier • Paid from
$5.95/mo
Best For Your Needs
Find the perfect cloud storage for your specific use case
Best Cloud Storage for Personal Use
Backup photos, documents, and files securely
View recommendationsBest Cloud Storage for Business
Team collaboration and enterprise security
View recommendationsBest Cloud Storage for Enterprise
Compliance, audit logs, and unlimited scaling
View recommendationsBest Cloud Storage for Students
Affordable storage for school and projects
View recommendationsBest Cloud Storage for Creatives
Store and share large media files
View recommendationsBest Cloud Storage for Photos
Backup and organize your photo library
View recommendationsBest Cloud Storage for Videos
Store and stream large video files
View recommendationsBest Cloud Storage for Backup
Automatic backup and file versioning
View recommendationsBest Cloud Storage for Collaboration
Real-time editing and team sharing
View recommendationsBest Cloud Storage for File Sharing
Easy sharing with large file support
View recommendationsMost Secure Cloud Storage
End-to-end encryption and zero-knowledge privacy
View recommendationsBest Cloud Storage for Privacy
Zero-knowledge encryption keeps your files private
View recommendationsBest Cloud Storage for Large Files
No file size limits for big uploads
View recommendationsBest Cloud Storage with Sync
Keep files synced across all devices
View recommendationsBest Cloud Storage for Mac
Native macOS integration and Finder sync
View recommendationsBest Cloud Storage for Windows
Explorer integration and OneDrive alternatives
View recommendationsBest Free Cloud Storage
Get free storage space for your files
View recommendationsBest Cheap Cloud Storage
Lots of storage without the big price tag
View recommendationsBest Unlimited Cloud Storage
No storage limits for power users
View recommendationsCompare Cloud Storage
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best cloud storage in 2025?
Google Drive is our top pick for best cloud storage in 2025. It scored 9.2/10 in our testing, offering best for collaboration with 15gb free storage.
What is the cheapest cloud storage?
Tresorit is the most affordable option at $11.99/mo. It scores 8.5/10 in our testing.
Which cloud storage has the highest rating?
Google Drive has the highest rating at 9.2/10. 15GB free storage (best free tier).
How many cloud storages did you test?
We tested 11 cloud storages for this comparison. Our testing methodology includes real-world usage, feature analysis, and price-to-value assessment.
Are these cloud storage reviews honest?
Yes, we independently test all cloud storages using our own accounts. Some links are affiliate links, but this doesn't affect our ratings. See our disclosure policy for details.
How We Test
Our team tests every product thoroughly before making recommendations. We evaluate performance, features, ease of use, customer support, and value for money. Each product goes through real-world testing scenarios to ensure our ratings reflect actual user experience.