Over the past few years, we have seen a drastic change in storage options for PCs and mobile devices. Fast SSDs are now available for computers and consoles, and smartphones also have fast storage options. However, the new and fast ones are still a bit expensive.
Moreover, modern laptops come with smaller storage size options. So, cloud storage options are good if you need to store a lot of data. Not only are they easily accessible, but they are also cost-effective in many ways. Cloud storage has become an integral part of our lives, whether you realize it or not.
Cloud storage options are suitable for people with a lot of data who do not want it stored on their limited SSD space. Today, we will look at the best cloud service providers currently available.
What is Cloud Storage?
Do you need help understanding Cloud storage and how it works? Don’t worry—we’ve got your back!
Cloud storage and servers enable you to create your cloud storage. Cloud storage is a service that allows you to save your files and data on remote servers instead of your local device. Think of it as a digital locker you can access from anywhere with an internet connection. This makes it easier to back up all your important computer files online, such as documents, photos, videos, etc.
You now have the convenience of accessing all your files from any part of the world, which makes the ‘Oh damn, I left the files in the computer and didn’t transfer’ excuse redundant.
This comes with the advantage of knowing that your favorite pictures, videos, music, files, and documents are secure and easily accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
With immense popularity comes a horde of stuff promising you the best cloud storage services, but there will undoubtedly be differences; some will be good, and some will be bad.
Benefits of Cloud Storage
Cloud storage has many benefits compared to traditional physical storage devices. Here are some key ones:
- Easy Accessibility: One of the best things about cloud storage is its accessibility. All you need is an internet connection and a device with a browser, and you are good to go. You can retrieve files from any device with an internet connection. Files are automatically updated across all devices, and you can quickly share them with colleagues, friends, or family. Furthermore, you can easily access the files on the go.
- Cost-Effective: Cloud storage options are also cost-efficient, as you pay on the go and can scale storage up or down based on needs. This eliminates the need for physical storage devices.
- Data Protection: Since the data is on the cloud, you can automatically back up files to prevent data loss. Furthermore, data recovery is also convenient as you can quickly recover data in case of hardware failure or natural disasters.
The list of benefits is long. However, it is crucial to understand the use case of cloud storage.
Do You Need Cloud Storage?
Cloud storage is basically for everyone. It’s a game-changer for regular folks wanting to save their pics and videos safely, as well as students and pros working on group projects. Even small businesses and huge companies can use it to store their stuff without the hassle of managing their own servers. If you’ve got digital things you care about, cloud storage can help you.
If we talk about specific cases, there can be users who have a lot of photos and videos they want to store, but their smartphone and PC don’t have enough space. In that case, cloud storage will be best. Or, if you are always on the go, you can access your files from anywhere with a cloud. And if you handle sensitive information, you’ll appreciate the extra security features. Cloud storage might be your new best friend if you value convenience, safety, and easy access to your stuff.
Is cloud storage secure?
What would be your reaction if you uploaded important files to the cloud and, after some time, found that the Cloud storage provider had gone out of business?
Or did your bank become corrupt? Maybe someone hacked into your service provider, and your files are being published online; there may be many such issues.
To overcome these possibilities, I have created a list of cloud storage providers where you needn’t worry about all these things.
These highly developed companies follow high-security standards, such as data encryption, Application security, Physical security, privacy, and many more.
If you are interested in these security measures, you can head toward this Wikipedia article for more info; since I am writing about the top 8 cloud storage providers, I will not go deeper into cloud computing security.
8 Free & Best Cloud Storage Service providers to store photos, docs, music, and other files
Depending on your needs, you can choose any of the cloud storage providers below. All these are well-known cloud service providers with features that make it very easy to back up and access your data anywhere in the world on different devices. They also have an excellent trust score.
1. Dropbox
Dropbox is the current frontrunner in the Cloud storage competition and the most popular solution. It is one of the only services that offer storage solutions for Linux and Blackberry, along with the usual Windows, Mac OS X, Android, and iOS standards. Dropbox also has an official Windows app. The mobile app automatically backs all your data to the cloud remotely.
The free basic account comes with 2 GB of storage. Although it’s more than enough for storing files and documents, it doesn’t quite fulfill the wishes of the media hoarder, who has many videos and music.
To expand storage, upgrade to the 2 TB plan for $9.99 monthly. Dropbox also offers 500MB of additional free storage for each friend, and you can sign up for the service with a limit of 16GB.
2. Google Drive
At the heart of Google’s various online services is Google Drive, an important platform used by many people daily.
Google Drive is now the built-in app on every Android smartphone, where you can sync your photos, videos, and other files using a simple interface. You can also share your data with anyone by inviting them or creating a shareable link with different privacy options.
Organizing data in Google Drive is as easy as organizing a computer hard drive. You can create different folders and files, such as Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, forms, and drawings.
When creating a Google account, a person gets up to 15 GB of storage or a link. A person already has a drive account even if they use Gmail, Google, or YouTube, which, let’s face it, most of us already do.
After your 15 GB storage is full, you can upgrade to Google’s paid plan, which offers 100 GB of data storage for $1.99/month and 1 TB for $9.99/month.
They also have high storage plans, such as 10 TB, 20 TB, and 30 TB, which I don’t think you will ever need if you use it for personal storage purposes.
Google Drive’s space is shared across all of Google’s platforms, so even if you attach large attachments to your emails, they will count in the 15 GB of storage available. The drive is a product of Internet giant Google, which makes it one of the best cloud storage service providers.
3. OneDrive
Microsoft’s OneDrive appears to be a boon for all Windows users. Anyone who creates a Microsoft account can get 5 GB of free storage space; earlier, basic account holders used to get 15 GB of free space.
Microsoft changed its basic plan and reduced it to 5GB in 2016. OneDrive has a user-friendly web and mobile interface along with a desktop and mobile app where you can sync directly from your desktop. Mobile users can link their gallery or camera upload, similar to Dropbox and Google Drive.
Whenever you put a photo, document, or any other file in the created OneDrive folder, it automatically appears in the other OneDrive clients on your other computers. You can even share files and a whole folder; OneDrive has an online version of Office applications where you can edit documents.
OneDrive also offers plans with high storage space, such as 50GB for $1.99/month, OneDrive + Office 365 with 1TB space for $6.99/month per user, and OneDrive + Office 365 with 1TB space for $9.99/month for five users.
4. Mega
A New Zealand-based company, it was set up by the German-born entrepreneur Kim Dotcom in 2013. Dotcom founded Megaupload, the popular file-sharing site that was taken down by the FBI after several copyright infringements.
Now, Kim is not involved with the company. When Mega was launched, over 100,000 users registered within 1 hour. Mega is an online platform for cloud storage that has gained immense popularity and has been praised for its services.
Mega takes its security very, very seriously. Encryption is its way of life, and the whole process on Mega is heavily encrypted; Mega itself cannot access your information since you hold the Encryption key from start to finish. Their security standard makes them one of the best cloud storage services in the market.
Mega is very generous, and its initial free package starts from 50 GB of space being provided to a person. This can be extended up to 500 GB or more for an adequate sum.
5. pCloud
Another popular Cloud Storage Service platform, opening an account on pCloud, will provide you with 10 GB of free storage. You can later upgrade to 20 GB through incentives such as recommending it to friends, sharing it on social media, etc. pCloud has a clean and easy-to-navigate interface where you can easily copy, move, download, and share files and folders.
One of pCloud’s unique features is that it lets you backup other online services. You can link your Dropbox, Facebook, Picasa, and Instagram accounts, and all your files will be automatically uploaded to your pCloud account every three days.
Like other cloud service providers, pCloud has a desktop and mobile app and the usual web interface. These apps allow you to automatically sync your files to the cloud.
But the real advantage comes when pCloud offers to expand your storage at reasonable prices. The storage options available are reasonable and good value for money.
6. iCloud
Next, we have Apple’s iCloud storage service. It’s a digital storage space for all your Apple devices. You may save your images, videos, and information and back up your iPhone or MacBook. The primary goal is to establish a single ecosystem in which your data is constantly available and up to date on all your Apple devices.
Since it is an Apple service, it works flawlessly within the ecosystem. So, if you have multiple Apple devices, this is one of the best services you can get. While Apple is known for its expensive price tags, this iCloud service is one of their most affordable. You can get the 200GB storage option for USD 2.99 monthly, which is okay if you use all Apple devices and services.
What truly distinguishes iCloud is its tight integration with the Apple ecosystem. iCloud Photo Library allows photos taken on your iPhone to appear instantly on your Mac. Documents created on your iPad can be modified using your iPhone. This seamless sync is game-changing for Apple users. Aside from storage, iCloud includes services such as iCloud Drive for file management, iCloud Backup for data protection, and iCloud Keychain for password synchronization across multiple devices.
While iCloud is an enticing bundle for Apple fans, it does have downsides. Its concentration on the Apple ecosystem restricts its appeal to consumers with diverse devices. If you’re a big Apple fan, iCloud is a great option. On the other hand, other cloud storage choices may be worth considering if you prefer a more platform-agnostic solution or want to save money.
7. Box
Box has been around for a long time, starting in 2005. It mainly associates itself with business services but also caters to personal storage options. The box is great for storing content online and sharing it with friends and co-workers. While it has many different features, it is simple to use. It’s important to be able to have all of your files, no matter where you go.
The initial free package gives you 10 GB of space. Sounds good, right? Don’t hold your breath because Box limits the upload of a single file to 250 MB. This is quite lower than the options offered by other services- Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox.
The box-free account doesn’t support versioning. And one more thing- Dropbox and Box are not the same.
8. Amazon Drive
Finally, we have Amazon Drive, part of the Amazon ecosystem. If you are a Prime member, then this service will be familiar to you. It simply expands Amazon’s online buying experience by offering a location to store digital items. You can backup your photographs, videos, and other things, view them from several devices, and even share them.
One of Amazon Drive’s main advantages is its integration with Amazon Prime. Prime members receive unlimited photo storage, which is an excellent value. The service also integrates with other Amazon services, such as Amazon Photos, for printing photos. It’s simple to use, with a straightforward UI that’s easy to explore.
While Amazon Drive has many advantages, it is not without drawbacks. Non-Prime members’ storage options may be more expensive than competing cloud storage providers. Furthermore, while it provides basic file management functionality, it lacks some of its competitors’ collaborative capabilities and advanced features. If you’re already an Amazon Prime member and need a location to save your images, Amazon Drive is a great option. However, you may want to look into alternative solutions if you require sophisticated file management, robust sharing capabilities, or lower-cost storage plans.
Verdict
There is nothing like unlimited free cloud storage. Every company needs to maintain its infrastructure for better services, which requires a lot of money.
So now you have a list of the top Cloud Storage Service providers with free and upgradable plans and related information to help you make an informed choice. Cloud storage is essential, after all.
Which cloud service are you using? Is it on our list of best cloud storage service providers? Do let me know in the comments.
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