Finest cloud storage providers

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A decade ago clouds were white, puffy things that we pointed to in the sky.

This is still true today. But “the cloud” means something completely different. It started as a catchphrase, but now it's not uncommon to hear it in an afternoon conversation over coffee.

In fact, it is an incredibly common occurrence in our daily lives.

Its popularity has increased for good reason: cloud storage is safe, affordable, and undoubtedly easy to use. In addition, it has myriad uses, from backups and document archiving to team collaboration and file sharing.

However, choosing the best cloud storage services is not always easy, especially since there are so many options in the market.

To make your decision a little easier, I looked at dozen of vendors and narrowed them down to my top nine recommendations.

Then I checked them out to help you make the right choice based on what you need.

The top 9 options for cloud storage services:

pCloud – the best cloud storage with lifelong access
iDrive – best device backups with unlimited users
Zoolz – the best high volume data storage services (over 100TB)
Icedrive – best desktop and portable cloud storage software
Degoo Cloud – best for storing and sharing photos
SpiderOak One – best storage and backups for more security
OneDrive – best cloud storage for Windows / PC users
iCloud – best cloud storage for Apple / iOS users
Google Drive – best for Google users

How to choose the best cloud storage services for you

Each option on this list has its own set of advantages, features, and benefits. They are all great in one way or another. However, choosing between them is not always easy, especially if you don't know what to look for.

So don't forget to keep the following considerations in mind as you go through the process.

Storage limits

Each cloud storage service offers different plans with different storage limits and different prices depending on how much storage space you need.

You don't necessarily need to know how much space you will need before making a decision.

Fortunately, most of the providers on the list make it easy to upgrade and add more storage. Some charge a small monthly fee to add more storage, while others may require upgrading to a different plan.

With that in mind, I always recommend starting with the lowest plan until you reach those memory limits. From there you can upgrade if necessary.

However, it is important to choose a provider who can scale with you.

For example, if you know you need hundreds of terabytes of storage space, you need a storage provider because you will outgrow a standard cloud storage service quickly.

safety

Legal requirements for your industry and personal preferences may require enhanced security features and functionality.

And when it comes to cloud storage, not all providers are equally secure.

Some practice no knowledge, meaning they don't know your password, account details, encryption keys, or the files you store on their servers.

In addition, end-to-end encryption is common, but not every provider uses it. Some may change their security processes while your files are being moved, while they are being saved, or when you are sharing them with other people.

So you need to be aware of the types and levels of security you will need.

This is especially important when you need advanced security to comply with laws, such as: B. the HIPPA data protection laws in the healthcare industry.

Number of users

This consideration is not that important when looking for personal cloud storage. However, if you need cloud storage for your business, you will typically have to pay monthly per user.

It is therefore important to understand how many users you have and how much storage each account takes up.

Some providers, such as B. iDrive, offer plans with unlimited users and a comprehensive storage limit. So you only need to upgrade when you've reached the maximum storage capacity instead of paying for new accounts separately.

Others don't offer this, however, and you have to pay for the number of users you have.

Your use cases

There are several types of cloud storage services that we will get into in a moment. However, this is an important consideration to keep in mind when deciding which provider is best for you.

Do you need device backups? You may need simple file sharing or access to files from multiple devices. You may want to archive sensitive information.

There are many use cases. Hence, it is important that you understand your requirements before making a decision.

operating system

iCloud is specially designed for Apple devices. So it doesn't make sense if you don't use the Mac operating system or don't have an iPhone.

On the other hand, OneDrive is specifically for Windows users.

Some providers offer solutions that work regardless of your operating system. So this is not a critical consideration unless you plan on using a cloud storage service specifically for your operating system.

You may even need more than one of these services. I use iCloud to back up my phone and for personal use, but I use pCloud and Google Drive to run my business.

The different types of cloud storage services

There are tons of different types of cloud storage services, including backups, archives, hybrid deployments, and standard file storage.

The best type for you depends on what you want to do with your cloud storage solution.

Before we dive into my top recommendations, let's take a moment to go over some of the most common types.

File storage

Standard cloud file storage services let you upload pictures, videos, text documents, audio, spreadsheets, and the most popular file types anytime, anywhere.

Examples are Google Drive, Icedrive, pCloud and OneDrive.

This usually includes collaboration tools and advanced sharing capabilities for businesses and teams of all sizes. They make it easy for everyone to access what they need and work together in real time.

This is a great type of cloud storage service for individuals and businesses of all sizes with no strict security requirements and no need to collaborate or share documents.

You can also keep your phone / computer storage space open for other purposes.

Backups

Backups are an incredibly inexpensive way to make cloud-based copies of your files, device settings, servers, etc. should something happen to the original document or device.

This process is usually done automatically, daily, or at the touch of a button, depending on your preferences.

Regular backups will protect you and your business in the event that someone hacks into your system, files are deleted, or something physically happens to your device (i.e. your phone or laptop).

If something happens, you can roll back everything to the last backup you had.

iCloud, SpiderOak, Zoolz, and iDrive offer backup services for a variety of devices, including phones, computers, servers, settings configurations, and more.

Hybrid deployments

This is a combination of public and private cloud storage for businesses that need hyper-secure storage and general storage space.

Private clouds are much more secure and are not shared with other users. They are therefore called private. And that comes with a higher price.

However, public cloud resources are shared with numerous users to keep costs down. But this also means that less security is built in.

Therefore, it makes sense that you don't want to store sensitive information or patient data in a public cloud.

As a result, certain industries may need a hybrid deployment to cover their sensitive documents, as well as other files and backups that may not require as much security.

# 1 – pCloud Review – The Best Cloud Storage Services with Lifetime Access

Most cloud storage services charge monthly based on the amount of storage required. However, PCloud offers lifetime schedules so you don't have to worry about paying a monthly fee.

This is very important, especially if you plan to use the storage space for a long period of time.

In addition, pCloud's Life Plans offer a variety of features including:

Shareable links and file requests
Brandable and customizable share links
TLS and SSL channel protection
Five copies on different servers
Automatic synchronization
Offline access functions
Built-in video and audio player
File versioning up to 30 days in the past

pCloud also offers an add-on service for additional security and client-side encryption. You have the option to pay annually or for a lifetime subscription.

There are two lifetime storage plans to choose from, including:

Premium – 500GB for $ 480 (only $ 175 for a limited time)
Premium Plus – 2TB for $ 980 (only $ 350 for a limited time)

If you prefer to pay annually, you can too.

You can test pCloud for free for up to 10 GB of storage space. So open a free account or buy lifetime access to get started!

# 2 – iDrive Review – The best storage and device backups with unlimited users

If you need cloud storage or cloud backups for a large number of people, it is cheaper to choose a plan with unlimited users. IDrive Business lets you have as many users as you want with flexible plans based on how much storage space you need.

IDrive's personal plan is affordable even if you just need cloud storage for yourself.

However, in the business plans, the service really shines. These business plans come with a ton of powerful features including:

Unlimited PC, Mac, iPhone, Android and tablet backups
Continuous and automatic data backup
External hard drive backups
Remote management through a browser-based application
User and group management
One-time registration
24/7 priority support
Server backups
Business compliance

It's a great option for businesses of all sizes that need backups and affordable cloud storage.

Pricing starts at $ 99.50 per year for 250GB, with storage limits of up to 12.5TB if you need more. Alternatively, you can opt for monthly plans starting at $ 49.95 per month for 1.25 TB.

You can try iDrive for free for up to 5GB to see if it's right for you. From there, you can upgrade if you run out of space or need access to additional features.

Open a free account and choose your plan to get started today!

# 3 – Zoolz Review – The Best High Volume Cloud Storage Services

If you need a safe place to store large amounts of backup data (100TB area), Zoolz is an excellent choice. They offer long-term storage plans in increments of one, three, and five years.

The longer your term and the more space you have, the more you can save.

Additionally, Zoolz's enterprise bulk backup storage plans provide a variety of security, management, and reporting features including:

Automatic flushing by days and versions
Intelligent duplication algorithm also for encrypted files
On-the-fly decryption for easy access
Military AES encryption
Easy deployment through Active Directory deployment
Advanced device management
Bandwidth and storage monitoring
Automatic system warnings
Continuous change monitoring
Server backups

If you don't need mass storage, Zoolz offers standard cloud backup plans for businesses of all sizes starting at $ 15 per month (or $ 99 per year) for up to 1TB of storage.

Talk to a cloud specialist to learn more and get started today!

# 4 – Icedrive Review – The Best Desktop and Portable Cloud Storage Software

If you're looking for cloud storage that feels more like a hard drive with the portability and flexibility of cloud servers, Icedrive is a smart choice. It uses drive mounting software that allows you to access your files as if they were stored right on your computer.

You can also get up to 10GB of storage for free, which makes this one of the most robust free plans on this list.

Icedrive offers different storage apps for different devices including web-based, mobile and desktop. You can easily access your files from anywhere.

The mobile app is available for iOS and Android devices with a clear and intuitive interface.

With the built-in media player, you can view documents in various formats, watch videos and listen to audio files, and create a full device backup with just a few taps.

In addition, the various apps offer numerous powerful functions, including:

Client-side Twofish encryption
password protection
Share timeout functions
Collaboration tools

Icedrive offers monthly, yearly and lifetime plans. Monthly plans start at $ 4.99 per month for up to 1TB of data, which is incredibly affordable. Alternatively, you can pay $ 49.99 per year or $ 149 for lifetime access.

Choose your storage needs to get started!

# 5 – Degoo Cloud Review – The best cloud storage services for storing photos

If you're interested in a better way to store your photos, Degoo Cloud is a photo storage service that allows you to rediscover memories using AI and a built-in personal picture feed.

In addition, Degoo has over 23 million users worldwide. So you are in good company.

In addition, you get first-class security. When you upload an image, you can encrypt it with a password. From there, the data is broken down into parts and distributed to several data centers in different countries.

The company even claims it is 100% NSA approved. So you can rest assured that your photos are safe.

It's also a great way to free up some space on your phone. You can choose when to upload your files to save your phone's battery life. Alternatively, you can choose to have things automatically uploaded to your Degoo account.

In addition, Degoo works on virtually any device with available iOS, Android, and web-based applications.

You have three different plans to choose from, including:

Free – 100GB of storage, three devices, and Degoo ads
Pro – 500GB of storage, ten devices, and no ads for $ 2.99 per month
Ultimate – 10 TB of storage and unlimited devices for $ 9.99 per month

Create a free account today to get started with Degoo!

# 6 – SpiderOak One Review – The Best Cloud Storage Services and Backups for Safety

If you want or need advanced levels of security, SpiderOak is an excellent choice. It has everything you need to keep your data safe and comply with local, state, and federal regulations (like HIPPA).

SpiderOak is not a true cloud storage provider, but offers data backups. However, you can share and access these files.

So it works similarly, but you can only save backups or upload whatever you want.

In addition, SpiderOak exercises no knowledge, which means that the company does not know your passwords, the data you have saved or the metadata of the files you uploaded.

Nobody but you knows what you are storing in the cloud. The system was developed taking data protection and security into account with end-to-end encryption.

This means that your files will be encrypted before they leave your computer and that they will remain encrypted throughout the storage time.

In addition, you will also receive:

Point-in-Time Restore to restore data to any point in time
File sharing (No knowledge does not apply to shared files)
Mobile apps for file viewing
Separate encryption keys for each file
File versioning
Access to deleted files

Pricing starts at $ 6 / month for up to 150GB and goes up to 5TB for $ 29 / month.

# 7 – OneDrive Review – The Best Cloud Storage Services for Windows Users

If you're using Windows and none of the other options are a good fit, OneDrive is an affordable and easy-to-use option. Family, individual, and business plans are available for individuals and businesses of all shapes and sizes.

Plus, you can access, edit, and manage your files from any device, no matter where you are in the world.

Some plans also include access to Microsoft Office apps like Word and Excel. So it's very important if you don't already have these tools.

Each business plan includes 1 TB of storage space, including:

Secure file sharing
Access to expiration dates
Access files in the cloud without downloading them
Offline access
Mentions, comments, and tasks
File folders and access controls
password protection
Multi-sided scanning

In addition, you can get unlimited cloud storage with the Business 2 plan. It also includes advanced security features so you can rest assured that your files are safe.

OneDrive's business plans include:

Business 1 – $ 5 / month is paid annually for 1TB of storage
Business 2- $ 10 / month paid annually for unlimited storage and enhanced security
365 Business Basic – $ 6 / month for 1TB plus essential Office apps
365 Standard – $ 15 / month for 1TB plus all Office apps and collaboration tools

Alternatively, you can get 5GB for free or pay $ 1.99 / month for 100GB of personal storage.

Choose your plan to get started with OneDrive today!

# 8 – iCloud Review – The Best Cloud Storage Services for Apple Users

iCloud is definitely not the strongest competitor on this list. However, it is a great choice if you are already using Apple devices and want to easily store and access your files from one device to another.

You will also automatically receive 5 GB of storage space for free.

If you are a light user, this might be enough for you. However, if you have a lot of photos or videos, you will likely need more space.

Additionally, it's incredibly easy to set up and upgrade to a higher plan.

You can upgrade from any of your devices using your iTunes account. There are also several storage plans to choose from, including 50GB, 200GB, and 2TB.

You can also share this storage space with up to six people in your household.

This area can also be used for device backups, including your Apple Watch, the home screen and app organization, purchase history, photos, videos and device settings. This means that you don't have to start from scratch when you get a new device.

You can just use the backups stored in iCloud.

In the US, paid plans start at $ 0.99 / month and extend to $ 9.99 / month.

These prices vary in other countries and regions. So, before upgrading, find out the iCloud storage plan pricing for your country.

# 9 – Google Drive Review – The best cloud storage services for Google users

If your organization uses G Suite (now called Workspace), Google Drive is included with your subscription. It's packed with powerful features and is incredibly affordable for businesses of all sizes.

Paid work plans include business email accounts, cloud storage, video conferencing, internal messaging, and various web-based tools for document creation, Powerpoints, and more.

This gives you everything you need to connect, collaborate, and share documents with your entire team.

However, if you're not already using or planning to use Workspace for business email, consider choosing Workspace Essentials (excluding email and starting at $ 8 / mo) or another option from this list.

Google Drive offers several features including:

Desktop, web-based and mobile applications
Central user and data management
Data Loss Prevention Services
AI-driven predictions for important content
Shared drives for easy team access
Cloud-based streaming
Advanced settings for sharing and accessibility

Google Workspace pricing starts at $ 6 per month per user with up to 30 GB of storage per user. You can also upgrade to a higher plan for more space and additional features.

Alternatively, there is a business plan with unlimited storage, advanced security features, and custom pricing.

Choose your plan to get started with Google Drive today!

Wrap things up

pCloud, iDrive, and Icedrive are my top recommendations for most users. Each service offers flexible plans at affordable prices for individuals and businesses of all shapes and sizes.

However, your storage and security needs also play a role in the option you should choose.

So don't forget to keep the considerations we talked about as you step through the process of choosing the best cloud storage services for you and your team.

What's your favorite cloud storage service?