I have about 2TB of files spread across multiple cloud storage services. Photos, documents, code repositories, video projects - the works. I've experienced the panic of thinking I lost files, the frustration of slow syncs, and the relief of successful recoveries.
Here's what I've learned: the advertised storage space doesn't matter if the sync is unreliable. A service with "unlimited" storage is useless if files mysteriously don't appear on your other devices.
I've also learned that most people don't need as much storage as they think. Before paying for 2TB, actually check how much you're using. Google Drive's 15GB free tier is plenty for many people.
Let me share what I've discovered about each of these services through years of actual use.
How I Tested These Cloud Storage
How I Actually Tested These Services
Sync Reliability: Uploaded identical test files across services and verified they synced correctly to multiple devices. Tested conflict resolution when editing files on multiple devices.
Speed Testing: Measured upload and download speeds for various file sizes - small documents, large videos, and thousands of tiny files.
Mobile Experience: Used each service's mobile app for actual work - uploading photos, accessing documents, sharing files.
Recovery Testing: Deleted files and tested recovery. Checked version history functionality with real documents.
Sharing Features: Tested link sharing, collaboration features, and permission controls with actual collaborators.
Security Review: Evaluated encryption, two-factor authentication, and zero-knowledge options where available.
Google Drive
Best for collaboration with 15GB free storage
Google Drive offers seamless integration with Google Workspace, making it ideal for collaboration. With 15GB free storage, real-time editing in Docs/Sheets/Slides, and excellent search, it's the most popular cloud storage solution.
- 15GB free storage (best free tier)
- Excellent real-time collaboration
- Seamless Google Workspace integration
- Powerful AI-powered search with Gemini
- Works on all platforms
- Generous family sharing (up to 5 members)
- Privacy concerns with Google scanning
- Storage shared with Gmail and Photos
- Limited offline capabilities
Pricing
Free
$0/mo
Google One 100GB
$1.99/mo
Google One 2TB
$9.99/mo
Most Popular
Dropbox
Pioneer of cloud sync with excellent sharing
Dropbox pioneered consumer cloud storage and remains excellent for file syncing and sharing. With smart sync, Paper for collaboration, and robust third-party integrations, it's great for productivity-focused users.
- Excellent file syncing reliability
- Smart Sync saves local storage
- Great sharing and collaboration
- Dropbox Paper for docs
- Dropbox Dash AI search across tools
- Transfer large files easily
- Only 2GB free storage
- Expensive compared to competitors
- 3-device limit on free tier
Pricing
Basic
$0/mo
Plus
$11.99/mo
Most PopularProfessional
$19.99/mo
iCloud
Essential for Apple ecosystem users
iCloud is the native cloud solution for Apple users, offering seamless integration with all Apple devices. From photo backup to device sync and Find My, it's essential for anyone in the Apple ecosystem.
- Seamless Apple device integration
- Automatic photo and backup sync
- iCloud Keychain password manager
- Find My device tracking
- Family sharing for up to 6 members
- Private Relay VPN included (iCloud+)
- Only 5GB free storage
- Limited Windows support
- Not ideal for non-Apple users
Pricing
Free
$0/mo
iCloud+ 50GB
$0.99/mo
iCloud+ 200GB
$2.99/mo
Most PopulariCloud+ 2TB
$10.99/mo
Backblaze
Unlimited backup at the best price
Backblaze offers simple, unlimited cloud backup at an unbeatable price. With automatic continuous backup, easy file recovery, and B2 cloud storage at 1/5 the cost of AWS S3, it's the go-to choice for straightforward, affordable data protection.
- Unlimited backup for one flat price
- Set-it-and-forget-it simplicity
- B2 storage at 1/5 AWS S3 cost
- Physical drive recovery option
- 30-day version history (1 year optional)
- S3-compatible API
- No file sync feature
- Backup only (not general cloud storage)
- External drives must be connected monthly
- Limited collaboration features
Pricing
B2 Cloud Storage
$0/mo
Personal Backup Monthly
$9/mo
Personal Backup Yearly
$99/mo
Most PopularPersonal Backup 2-Year
$189/once
Business Backup
$9/mo
IDrive
Best for comprehensive backup and versioning
IDrive specializes in backup with features like continuous backup, versioning, and physical drive shipping. It's ideal for users who prioritize data protection and want to backup multiple devices affordably.
- Excellent backup features
- Unlimited devices on one account
- Physical drive backup option
- 30 previous versions retained
- Snapshots for ransomware protection
- Very affordable for storage offered
- Sync is secondary to backup
- Interface feels dated
- Slower upload speeds than competitors
Pricing
Free
$0/mo
Personal 5TB
$59.88/mo
Most PopularPersonal 10TB
$99/mo
OneDrive
Best for Microsoft 365 users with deep Office integration
Microsoft OneDrive offers seamless integration with Microsoft 365, making it essential for Windows users and businesses. With deep Office app integration, Personal Vault security, and excellent collaboration features, it's the go-to choice for the Microsoft ecosystem.
- Seamless Microsoft 365 integration
- Personal Vault with extra security
- Real-time collaboration on Office docs
- 1TB storage with Microsoft 365 subscription
- Ransomware detection and recovery
- Available on all major platforms
- Only 5GB free storage
- Best features require Microsoft 365
- Sync issues with large files reported
- Can be confusing with SharePoint
Pricing
Free
$0/mo
Microsoft 365 Basic
$1.99/mo
Microsoft 365 Personal
$9.99/mo
Most PopularMicrosoft 365 Family
$12.99/mo
OneDrive for Business Plan 1
$5/mo
OneDrive for Business Plan 2
$10/mo
pCloud
Swiss privacy with lifetime storage option
pCloud offers unique lifetime payment options and optional client-side encryption. Based in Switzerland, it's ideal for privacy-conscious users who want to pay once and own their storage forever.
- Lifetime subscription option
- Swiss privacy laws
- Optional zero-knowledge encryption
- Built-in media player
- Virtual drive saves local space
- 10GB free with bonuses up to 20GB
- Crypto add-on costs extra
- No native document editing
- Fewer integrations than competitors
Pricing
Free
$0/mo
Premium 500GB
$49.99/mo
Premium Plus 2TB
$99.99/mo
Most PopularLifetime 2TB
$399/once
Tresorit
Swiss security with end-to-end encryption
Tresorit is a Swiss-based, security-first cloud storage solution offering end-to-end encryption and zero-knowledge privacy. Designed for professionals and businesses handling sensitive data, it provides GDPR, HIPAA, and other compliance certifications.
- End-to-end zero-knowledge encryption
- Swiss privacy laws protection
- GDPR, HIPAA, ITAR compliant
- Secure file request feature
- Digital rights management (DRM)
- Outlook and Gmail integrations
- Premium pricing
- Limited free plan
- Occasional app freezing issues
- Less popular than mainstream options
Pricing
Personal
$11.99/mo
Professional
$27.49/mo
Most PopularBusiness Standard
$14.5/mo
Business Plus
$19/mo
Enterprise
$0/mo
Sync.com
Zero-knowledge encryption by default
Sync.com offers zero-knowledge encryption by default, ensuring only you can access your files. Based in Canada with strong privacy laws, it's the top choice for security-conscious users.
- Zero-knowledge encryption included free
- Canadian privacy protection
- Excellent file sharing controls
- HIPAA and GDPR compliant
- 5GB free with encryption
- No file size limits
- Slower sync than competitors
- No Linux desktop app
- Fewer integrations available
Pricing
Free
$0/mo
Solo Basic 2TB
$8/mo
Most PopularSolo Professional 6TB
$20/mo
Box
Enterprise content management with top-tier security
Box is an enterprise-focused cloud content management platform with robust security, compliance certifications, and extensive third-party integrations. Ideal for businesses needing advanced collaboration, governance, and workflow automation.
- Enterprise-grade security and compliance
- 1500+ third-party app integrations
- Unlimited storage on business plans
- Box Sign for e-signatures included
- Advanced admin and governance controls
- SOC, HIPAA, FedRAMP compliant
- Expensive for small teams
- 10GB free storage limited
- Occasional sync slowdowns
- Complex pricing tiers
Pricing
Individual Free
$0/mo
Personal Pro
$10/mo
Business Starter
$5/mo
Business
$15/mo
Most PopularBusiness Plus
$25/mo
Enterprise
$35/mo
MEGA
20GB free with zero-knowledge encryption
MEGA offers generous free storage with end-to-end encryption by default. Based in New Zealand with strong privacy focus, it provides zero-knowledge security without extra cost, making it ideal for privacy-conscious users who need substantial free storage.
- 20GB free storage (industry-leading)
- Zero-knowledge encryption included free
- No file size limits
- MEGA Pass password manager included
- End-to-end encrypted chat and calls
- Cross-platform apps available
- Transfer quotas on all plans
- Not ideal for collaboration
- Privacy concerns from 2022 security audit
- Inactive accounts may be deleted
Pricing
Free
$0/mo
Pro Lite
$5.95/mo
Pro I
$11.4/mo
Most PopularPro II
$22.79/mo
Pro III
$34.19/mo
Business
$10/mo
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?
After years of storing files across these services:
Google Drive is still the best for most people. 15GB free is generous, the integration with Google Workspace is seamless, and the search is unmatched.
iCloud is essential if you're in the Apple ecosystem. The integration with Photos and device backup is worth the premium. Just don't expect it to work well on Windows.
Dropbox is the most reliable for sync. If you need files to appear instantly on all devices, Dropbox's sync engine is still the gold standard.
pCloud offers the best lifetime deal if you hate subscriptions. Pay once, get storage forever. The Swiss privacy is a nice bonus.
Backblaze is the best for pure backup. Unlimited backup for $9/month is unbeatable. It's not really cloud storage - it's peace of mind.
MEGA gives you the most free storage (20GB) with end-to-end encryption included. Great for privacy-conscious users.
The right choice depends on your ecosystem (Apple vs Google vs neither), whether you need collaboration features, and how paranoid you are about privacy.
Our Top Recommendation
Google Drive
Best for collaboration with 15GB free storage. Starting at $1.99/mo.
Get Google DriveA Note From the Author
Cloud storage services frequently change their pricing, features, and storage limits. I update these comparisons whenever major changes happen. Last comprehensive review: December 2025.