Cloud storage is gradually replacing on-premise options. The benefits of cloud storage include:
- Access from multiple locations. Once the data is in the cloud, it can be accessed from anywhere.
- Expand or contract as needed. Cloud storage capacity can be increased or decreased depending on the needs of the customer, avoiding paying for unused storage.
- Downtime protection. If one cloud server goes down, another can handle user requests. This avoids downtime.
- Better performance. Cloud storage enables distribution of user requests across multiple servers, which reduces the load on each server for faster response.
- Saves money. Managing storage in-house can require specialized hardware, software, and other resources. Cloud storage can be cheaper.
Using cloud storage, merchants can store images, videos, and user-generated content, as examples. Many cloud storage providers offer limited free plans. Cloud storage vendors can accommodate files and data, though not all do both. Many providers also offer Europe-based storage to help comply with data and privacy regulations.
22 Cloud Storage Sites
Dropbox is one of the oldest cloud storage services. It maintains all customer files in one location, thus enabling any device to access them anytime and from anywhere. It offers 2GB of free storage and paid plans of 1TB of storage for $8.25 per month and 2TB for $16.58. For $20 a month, Dropbox offers unlimited storage for businesses on a per-user basis.
Google Drive offers centralized storage for any type of file. It offers 15GB of free storage for three Google products: Photos, Gmail, and Drive. Paid plans include (a) $1.99 per month for 100GB of storage, (b) $10 per month for 1TB, and (c) a data-storage plan of $100 per month for 100TB. Google is upgrading the data service to a new product called Google One. It will offer storage as well as access to Google experts.
Box enables secure access, sharing, and management of content from anywhere. It offers 10GB of free storage that can be increased to 100GB for $10 a month. The unlimited storage business plan costs $15 a month for three to 10 users. `
Mega is a global cloud storage platform based in New Zealand. It offers 50GB of free storage. Paid accounts include (a) 200GB for $5 a month, (b) 1TB for $10 a month, (c) 2TB for $20 a month and (d) 8TB for $30 a month.
Microsoft OneDrive offers standard cloud storage features such as accessing files from any device, offline access by syncing files to a device, and backup and disaster recovery. It offers 5GB of storage for free and 50GB for $1.99 per month. The 1TB and 5TB plans cost, respectively, $69.99 and $99.99 per year and come with Office 365 access.
Apple iCloud comes with every Apple device and offers 5GB of free storage. Paid plans start at $0.99 per month for 50GB of storage, $2.99 for 200GB, and $9.99 for 2TB.
Nextcloud is an open-source, self-hosted file sharing platform. This enables users to start their own file sharing service by setting up a private cloud environment. Nextcloud offers multiple support plans starting at €1900 per year for 50 users.
SpiderOak offers file sharing and collaboration as part of its cloud storage platform. Its cloud backup service maintains versions of all files, even deleted files. The service comes with a free 21-day trial. Businesses with a minimum of 500 users can sign up for the enterprise backup service.
IDrive is a cloud backup provider that works across multiple devices — computers, tablets, smartphones — to store files in one location. It offers a 5GB free plan and multiple paid plans for personal and business use, starting at $69.50 per year for 2TB of storage and $99.50 for 5TB.
pCloud offers centralized cloud storage. Its lifetime storage plans require a one-time payment: 500GB for a $175 one-time payment ($480 without a promotion) and 2TB for $350 ($980 without a promotion).
MediaFire stores photos, documents, videos, and other files in a single place to enable access from anywhere. MediaFire offers 10GB of free storage. Paid plans start at $7.50 per month for 1TB of storage. Business users can get up to 100TB for $80 per month.
Tresorit offers enhanced security for storing files in the cloud. Plans include 200GB of storage for $12.50 per month and 2000GB for $30. Business plans start at $25 per month for 1000GB.
Egnyte enables enterprise file storage and sharing. Its plan for up to three employees offers 1TB of storage for $10 per employee per month. Business plans for five to 25 employees start at $8 per employee per month for 5TB.
SugarSync enables automatic access and sharing of any kind of file. It offers (a) 100GB for $7.49 per month, (b) 250GB for $9.99, (c) and 500GB for $18.99. Business plans start at $55 per month for 1TB.
Storegate is a cloud storage service based in Europe. It offers a 100GB plan for $18.99 per month. The business plans include 500GB for $11.99 per user per month and 1000GB for over five users for $10.99 per user per month.
OpenDrive offers unlimited cloud storage, backup, and content management. The free plan includes 5GB of space. Business plans start at $5 per month for 500GB. OpenDrive’s unlimited plan, at $9.95 per month, is the lowest price per gigabyte across all vendors on this list.
Jungle Disk offers secure backup and storage. Plans start at $8 per user per month depending on the security features. JungleDisk’s questionnaire helps determine your security needs to find the right plan, with the right features.
Carbonite is an online backup service. It offers plans based on the number of computers that require backup. Prices range from $6 per month for one computer to $50 per month for multiple computers and servers.
FlipDrive offers centralized cloud storage for all types of files. Its free plan includes 10GB of storage. Paid plans include (a) 25GB of storage for $5 per month, (b) 100GB for $10, and (c) 250GB for $20.
FilesAnywhere is a cloud storage provider that offers a 100GB plan for $9.99 per month. Business plans start at $60 per month for 2TB of storage.
ElephantDrive is a cloud backup service for users requiring the backup of large volumes of data. Personal plans start at $9.95 per month for 1000GB. Business plans start at $39.95 per month for 2000GB. ElephantDrive also offers a 2GB “free forever” plan.
ADrive is a cloud storage provider. Plans start at $2.50 per month for 100GB for individuals. Business plans start at $7 per month for 200GB.