Cloud storage is a model of computer data storage in which the digital data is stored in logical pools, said to be on “the cloud”. The physical storage spans multiple servers, and the physical environment is typically owned and managed by a hosting company. Cloud storage uses data centers with massive computer servers that physically store the data and make it available online to users via the web. Cloud storage services work as a network of connected data servers collectively used to share and access your files across devices. Users can remotely upload their content, store them and retrieve the data as and when required.
Google Drive
Google’s cloud storage services are built into Google’s own services – it’s included if you’ve got a Google account, an Android phone or a Chromebook. You get a generous 15GB of storage for free, and you can use Google’s own suite of online apps to edit, collaborate on, manage, and share your files. Even better, if you want to open an exotic file that Google doesn’t have an app for, it does a great job of searching for one that will help you out, all without leaving the interface.
| Features | Built to work with Google. Save Gmail attachments. Powerful search. Google Photos. Work smarter with apps. Docs, Sheets, Slides. Google Forms. Take Drive even further. Scan documents. Work offline |
| Pros | Uptime is good. Indexing, including contents, is possible. Searching is useful and thorough. |
| Cons | Viewing is related to files’ structuring. The Internet is a must, requiring a little higher bandwidth. |
| Free Storage | Available upto 15 GB |
| Premiums storage Plans starts from | $2.88 |
| Our Ratings | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Apple iCloud
Apple offers pretty decent cloud storage services that are great if you’re a regular iPhone, Macbook, or iMac user. It comes with iCloud is its integration with the Mac Finder app. It means you’ll be able to store any files into iCloud from your Finder app. If you leverage iWork, you’ll also be able to integrate iCloud with the entire suite of products.
It comes with 5GB for free which–like OneDrive–is pretty low. Especially if you plan on using it to back up your Macbook or iPhone. But it comes default on every Apple device, which means that you’ll be able to access photos and files from all your past iPhones. Along with photos, iCloud also stores all of your text messages and iMessages. You’ll be able to search through them all for a specific conversation or message with ease as well even if you get a new iPhone.
| Features | iCloud Drive iCloud Photo Library Family Sharing Safari and iCloud Keychain services |
| Pros | Seamless Integration with other Apple products. Syncing across devices is extremely useful and reliable. Pricing is very competitive. |
| Cons | Sharing Folders Version Control with documents Outlook calendar syncing |
| Free Storage | Available upto 5 GB |
| Premiums storage Plans starts from | Customized |
| Our Ratings | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Dropbox
Dropbox is a file hosting service operated by the American company Dropbox, Inc., headquartered in San Francisco, California, that offers cloud storage, file synchronisation, personal cloud, and client software. Dropbox is a modern workspace designed to reduce busywork-so you can focus on the things that matter. Sign in and put your creative energy to work.
| Features | Cloud storage. Keep all your files safe with powerful online cloud storage. File sharing. Share any file or folder easily with anyone, hassle free. Productivity tools. Use Dropbox tools to be more productive in the workplace. Content collaboration. Easily collaborate, edit, and share content with team members. |
| Pros | Easy access over multiple platforms. Simple to use. Multiple people can use it. Instant Cloud backup of files from mobile or desktop. |
| Cons | Could be easier to open a ticket to receive support Pro price can be cost prohibitive |
| Free Storage | Available upto |
| Premiums storage Plans starts from | $11.99 |
| Our Ratings | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Amazon Cloud Drive
Amazon Drive, formerly known as Amazon Cloud Drive, is a cloud storage application managed by Amazon to easily backup and access the documents, spreadsheets, music, photos, and videos. Amazon cloud storage is a secure, online cloud storage platform. It will help you to keep your important documents safe. It has added the features to access the recent files easily and quickly. It supports bulk uploading of photos and videos.
| Features | Cloud storage file backup File sharing Photo printing |
| Pros | Great service for backing up photos. Amazon Prime members get unlimited space for images. Good Web interface. |
| Cons | Expand the space for free users. |
| Free Storage | Available upto 5GB |
| Premiums storage Plans starts from | Customization on Request |
| Our Ratings | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Microsoft OneDrive
Microsoft OneDrive is a file hosting service and synchronization service operated by Microsoft as part of its web version of Office. OneDrive is Microsoft’s storage service for hosting files in the cloud. OneDrive offers you a simple way to store, sync, and share your files. Windows 10 uses OneDrive also to synchronize system settings, visual customizations, themes, app settings, and even Microsoft Edge’s tabs, browsing history, and saved passwords.
| Features | Adapts video playback to internet speed. Save notebooks to OneDrive. Edit Office docs online simultaneously. Browse animated GIFs & search for text in photos. Online viewing for Office documents. Upload multimedia from mobile devices. |
| Pros | Free storage Easy organization Close collaboration with Office Social networks |
| Cons | Document management Privacy concerns User error Encryption Syncing |
| Free Storage | Available upto 5 GB |
| Premiums storage Plans starts from | $4.94 |
| Our Ratings | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
pcloud
pCloud is secure cloud storage, where you can store, share and work on all your files. You can access them on any device, anywhere you go. pCloud offers some of the best and most affordable lifetime access plans on the market. This is especially beneficial if you plan to use your cloud storage space over a long period of time.
| Features | It helps you to keep your private files confidential with the highest level of encryption. Allows to backup your valuable memories to pCloud by just clicking a click of a button. It helps you to filter your files according to their file format. It stores versions on your files for a specific period, which helps you to search archive files. |
| Pros | Syncs really fast both upload and download Reliable decent uptime and quite stable |
| Cons | Offline folders Backups |
| Free Storage | Available up to 5GB |
| Premiums storage Plans starts from | $480 |
| Our Ratings | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
iDrive
idrive provides Online Backup to Cloud for PCs, Macs, iPhones, Android, and other Mobile Devices all into ONE account for one low fee. Files stored with IDrive can be accessed from PCs or Mac. It has a mobile app for iOS and Android devices. It takes a backup of the file in real-time by automatically recognizing the changed part of the file. It allows you to back up the entire drive including the OS and settings.
| Features | IDrive helps you to protect data through regular online backups. Data is available all the time when you need it, as well as stored safely off-site. IDrive protects multiple devices, at a single price. |
| Pros | It works seamlessly There is a desktop app as well as a website to view your data. |
| Cons | The user interface is very hard to use. Does not offer unlimited storage. |
| Free Storage | NA |
| Premiums storage Plans starts from | $69.50 |
| Our Ratings | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Key TakeAway
Cloud storage services are quickly replacing physical storage options like hard drives and servers for businesses across the globe and it makes sense. They’re easy to use, secure, and accessible from anywhere with an internet connection. Google Drive and Dropbox are our top recommendation. Each service offers flexible plans at affordable prices to suit individuals and businesses of all shapes and sizes.
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Vijay Sood is a seasoned digital marketer with a passion for driving online growth and innovation. With a robust background in developing and executing comprehensive digital strategies, Vijay excels in leveraging SEO, content marketing, and social media to boost brand visibility and engagement. His expertise lies in transforming data-driven insights into actionable marketing campaigns, helping businesses achieve their digital objectives.