5 best cloud storage services

Discover the best free and paid cloud storage including the pros and cons of each such as Google Drive, OneDrive, Mega, Box and more.

Google Drive , OneDrive and iCloud Drive are among the most popular cloud services today. However, there are other platforms that offer exclusive benefits to subscribers in free and paid plans, such as Mega , iDrive , Box and more. In the following lines, Tecnoblog lists the best cloud storages and explains the pros and cons of each one of them.

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The best cloud storage services (Image: Guilherme Reis/Tecnoblog)

INDEX

• Google Drive – Best for Google Workspace
• OneDrive – the best in Windows and Office 365
• iCloud Drive – the best in the Apple ecosystem
• Mega – the biggest free cloud storage
• iDrive – the best alternative to traditional services
• Box – cloud service with more integrations
• Dropbox – service with unlimited storage
• pCloud – lifetime payment service
• NordLocker – security focused service
• Proton Drive – service with vault, email and VPN
• Compare cloud storage services

Google Drive – Best for Google Workspace

Google Drive interface (Image: Murilo Tunholi/Tecnoblog)

Google Drive is one of the most popular cloud services in the world as it can be accessed by anyone with a Google account. In the free plan, the platform offers 15 GB of storage — enough to store light files, such as text documents, spreadsheets, PDFs and some photos.

If 15 GB is not enough, you can buy more space by subscribing to Google One . The most basic plan costs BRL 6.99 per month and guarantees 100 GB of storage, which can be shared with up to five people. There are also several options for plans up to 30 TB.

For those who use Google Workspace applications frequently or have an Android cell phone , Google Drive is essential for saving files that need to be accessed from anywhere. It’s simple to set up and even works on Apple computers or devices like Mac, iPhone and iPad.

Plans and prices :

Pros:

• Integration with Google account;
• 15 GB of free cloud storage;
• Expandable storage up to 30TB;
• Works on PC, Mac, Android and iOS phones;
• Google One can be shared with up to five people.

Contras:

• Offers few security and encryption options;
• Limit on the size of documents created in Google Workspace;
• Files are subject to analysis by Google for making targeted ads.

OneDrive – the best in Windows and Office 365

OneDrive interface (Image: Murilo Tunholi/Tecnoblog)

Microsoft’s cloud service, OneDrive is one of the best options for Windows users. In addition to working on computers and mobile devices, including Mac and iOS, the PC application allows you to automatically synchronize certain system folders.

On the free plan, OneDrive only offers 5 GB of storage. However, when purchasing the Office 365 subscription with Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, the available space increases to 1TB. You can also purchase 100 GB separately by paying only BRL 12 per month.

Due to the integration with Microsoft’s system and software, OneDrive is the best choice for Windows users and Office 365 subscribers . The app for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Android phones also works great, ensuring easy access on any device.

Plans and prices :

Pros:

• Integration with Windows and Office package;
• Works on PC, Mac, Android and iOS phones;
• Automatic synchronization of native Windows folders;
• Ease of handling heavy files;
• It offers a personal safe with a password to store sensitive files.

Contras:

• Only 5 GB of storage on the free plan;
• Difficulty synchronizing cell phone photos automatically;
• Files are subject to Microsoft’s review for targeted advertising purposes.

iCloud Drive – the best in the Apple ecosystem

iCloud Drive interface (Image: Murilo Tunholi/Tecnoblog)

iCloud Drive is the best cloud storage service for Apple ecosystem users. Despite only offering 5 GB of storage in the free plan, Maçã allows you to buy more space for low prices, starting at R$ 3.50 per month.

It is also possible to subscribe to Apple One , which guarantees access to iCloud+ of 50 GB of storage in the individual plan or 200 GB in the family plan. The biggest downside to iCloud Drive is its limited integration with Windows and Android. Both Google Drive and OneDrive work best cross-platform.

iCloud + also offers a personalized email domain, an option to hide email and other advantages. Those who don’t want to subscribe to Apple One can only hire iCloud+ with 50 GB, 200 GB or 2 TB of cloud storage.

Plans and prices :

Pros:

• Integration with Apple’s ecosystem;
• Works on PC, Mac and iOS devices;
• Low price plans;
• iCloud+ offers personalized email domain and private relay;
• iCloud+ storage can be shared with up to five people.

Contras:

• No app for Android;
• There is no search tool in the web version;
• Only works with one file format (iWork).

Mega – the biggest free cloud storage

Mega’s interface (Image: Murilo Tunholi/Tecnoblog)

Mega is less popular than Google Drive, but it offers just as good a cloud service as its competitor . In the free plan, the platform guarantees 20 GB — more free storage among the options on this list. In addition, the Mega app works on PCs, as well as Android and iOS phones and tablets.

If you want more storage, you can subscribe to the most basic plan — Pro Lite —, which costs around R$ 27 and offers 400 GB. This plan also guarantees automatic backup and easy sharing of files between users who do not have an account on the platform.

The downside is that Mega’s price is charged in euros and can change at any time. The platform also does not offer many integrations with other applications – that is, downloading and uploading files needs to be done manually, which can delay processes in everyday life.

Plans and prices :

Pros:

• 20 GB of free cloud storage;
• Expandable storage up to 16TB;
• Works on PC, Mac, Android and iOS phones;
• Allows the installation of an application for automatic synchronization;
• Ensures users’ privacy with encryption.

Contras:

• Premium plans charged in euros;
• Free plan limits download speed;
• It doesn’t have many integrations with productivity apps.

iDrive – the best alternative to traditional services

iDrive interface (Image: Murilo Tunholi/Tecnoblog)

iDrive is one of the best cloud storages for those who want to escape the traditional Google Drive, OneDrive and iCloud Drive . It is easy to configure, has useful backup tools, offers security with encryption and two-factor authentication, and is still competitively priced, especially for Brazilians.

The service often offers discounts of up to 90% in the first year of subscribing to the plan with 1TB of storage. Although the price is charged in dollars, it is possible to pay only US$ 1.95 (about R$ 10 in June 2022 quotation) for the package with 12 monthly payments.

This promotion, however, is only valid if you are already a subscriber to another cloud service – and you must prove this at the time of finalizing the payment. You can also stay on the free plan, which offers 10 GB of storage.

Plans and prices :

Pros:

• 10 GB of free cloud storage;
• Expandable storage up to 35TB;
• Works on PC, Mac, Android and iOS phones;
• Offers security with encryption and two-factor authentication;
• Provides a discount on the monthly fee, if the user is a subscriber to another service.

Contras:

• Premium plans billed in dollars;
• Doesn’t offer good business plans;
• It doesn’t have many integrations with productivity apps.

Box – cloud service with more integrations

Box interface (Image: Murilo Tunholi/Tecnoblog)

Box is the cloud service that offers the most integration with other productivity and communication apps . It is possible, for example, to create files in Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace software and save them directly and natively in the Box cloud.

There is also integration with several business apps such as Slack, Zoom, Adobe, Salesforce, Oracle NetSuite, Quip and more. The service also offers Box Edit, an extension for browsers that allows you to edit any file stored in the cloud using software installed on your PC.

The free Box offers 10 GB of storage, but it is possible to have up to 100 GB in the individual plan. Enterprise plans guarantee unlimited space at any level. Although Box’s integrations are quite attractive for anyone, the service is best used by companies, not least because prices are charged in dollars.

Plans and prices :

Pros:

• Integration with dozens of enterprise applications;
• 10 GB of free cloud storage;
• Unlimited storage on enterprise plans;
• Works on PC, Mac, Android and iOS phones;
• It offers functions of data protection, digital signature, and two-factor authentication.

Contras:

• The biggest advantages are exclusive to business plans;
• Premium plans billed in dollars;
• Individual plans only offer a maximum of 100GB of storage.

Dropbox – service with unlimited storage

Dropbox interface (Image: Murilo Tunholi/Tecnoblog)

As a differential, Dropbox offers unlimited storage, but only in the most expensive professional plan. For large teams that deal with very heavy files, the cloud service can be very useful, as you don’t have to worry about running out of space to save everything.

Another advantage is the file and version histories recovery feature that records up to a year of modifications. The service also offers Dropbox Passwords in all plans , which stores passwords securely, and Dropbox Transfer , which allows you to send large files to people outside the platform.

Despite being very good for companies, Dropbox is not recommended for users who intend to stay on the free individual plan. It only offers 2GB of storage at the most basic level, with no integration with any specific system. Also, Dropbox Passwords and Transfer are only available when paying a monthly fee.

Plans and prices :

Pros:

• Business plan with unlimited storage;
• Works on PC, Mac, Android and iOS phones;
• Allows the installation of an application for automatic synchronization;
• Offers password storage services;
• Easy to send large files to people who don’t have Dropbox account.

Contras:

• Only 2 GB of free cloud storage;
• Premium plans billed in dollars;
• Very limited individual plans.

pCloud – lifetime payment service

pCloud interface (Image: Murilo Tunholi/Tecnoblog)

Cloud service focused on security with encryption, pCloud is the only one on the list that offers a lifetime payment option in a single installment. Despite the prices being quite high — and charged in dollars — you only have to spend it once, keeping forever the advantages of the individual or family plans contracted.

Business plans offer unlimited storage , but you can’t buy them with a lifetime payment. For companies, the service also guarantees central employee management, secure file sharing and a function to restore data with up to 180 days.

Those who want to stay on the free plan can enjoy 10 GB of storage. To get this space, however, you need to complete the service tutorial and invite some friends to the platform.

Plans and prices :

Pros:

• Up to 10 GB of free cloud storage;
• Works on PC, Mac, Android and iOS phones;
• High-level security, with encrypted files;
• Lifetime plans, with payment in a single installment;
• Unlimited storage on the enterprise plan.

Contras:

• Premium plans billed in dollars;
• 2TB maximum storage on Individual and Family plans;
• Limited to five devices.

NordLocker – security focused service

NordLocker interface (Image: Murilo Tunholi/Tecnoblog)

NordLocker is a security – focused cloud storage service. In all plans, including the free one, files stored on the platform are protected with encryption directly on the computer. According to Nord, not even company employees can see the data stored by users.

On the free plan, users get 3GB of storage. This space can be expanded up to 2 TB in the premium plans — which can be purchased in frequent promotions, with a discount of up to 45% in the first year of subscription.

Although Nord offers a VPN and password manager , these services are not included in the NordLocker monthly fee. Brazilians who value security find it easy to hire a subscription, as prices are charged in reais. There is also a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Plans and prices :

Pros:

• Premium plans with up to 2 TB of storage;
• Works on PC, Mac, Android and iOS phones;
• High-level security, with encrypted files;
• Frequent promotions with a discount of up to 45% on the annual subscription;
• It offers 24/7 support.

Contras:

• Only 3GB of free cloud storage;
• NordVPN and NordPass are not included in the monthly fee;
• It has no integration with productivity apps.

Proton Drive – service with vault, email and VPN

Proton Drive Interface (Image: Murilo Tunholi/Tecnoblog)

Proton Drive offers an end-to-end encrypted vault that can be used to store files as securely as possible. Servers located in Switzerland ensure that data saved in the cloud is protected by some of the strictest privacy laws in the world.

Despite offering top-notch security, Proton Drive is quite limited on the free plan, with only 1GB of storage available. It is worth remembering that, in addition to the vault, the platform offers access to Proton Mail, Proton Calendar and Proton VPN.

Another weak point of Proton Drive is the lack of a dedicated application for computers or cell phones. For now, the vault can only be accessed via web browsers . In addition, prices are charged in euros or dollars, making life difficult for Brazilian subscribers.

Plans and prices :

Pros:

• Premium plans with up to 500 GB of storage;
• Proton Mail, Proton Calendar and Proton VPN are included in the monthly fee;
• Top-notch security with encrypted Swiss vaults;
• Files can be shared with password;
• Shared links may have an expiration date;

Contras:

• Only 1 GB of free cloud storage;
• Does not offer application for computer or cell phone;
• Premium plans charged in euros or dollars.

Compare cloud storage services

Are you still in doubt which is the best cloud storage? Listen to Tecnocast 024 – Who has one, has none to know the best ways to deal with the cloud and file management.