Cloud storage is a service paradigm in which data is transported and kept on distant storage systems, where it is maintained, managed, backed up, and made available to users over a network, most often the internet. Cloud data storage is often charged on a per-consumption, per-month basis.
Cloud storage is built on a virtualized storage system that features accessible interfaces, near-instant elasticity and scalability, multi-tenancy, and metered resources. Data in the cloud is kept in logical pools across different commodity storage systems on-premises or in a data centre operated by a third-party cloud provider.
Our survey of popular cloud services revealed that almost half of them took just 25% longer to upload and 27% longer to download than expected. You can also learn which services utilise the most computer resources by reading our cloud storage CPU comparison.
Top 10 Cloud Storage Companies in 2022
If you’re specifically interested in cloud storage speeds, we offer special data that compares the leading providers below. Without further ado, here are the top ten cloud storage service providers available today.
1. pCloud
More information on pCloud:
- Pricing: Get 10GB free when you buy 2TB for $95.88 per year ($7.99 per month).
- The number of devices is unlimited.
- pCloud.com is the website.
Pros:
- Outstanding value
- Levels of encryption are available.
- An ingenious virtual drive
- EU servers are now accessible.
Cons:
- Zero-knowledge encryption does not come cheap.
- There is no document integration.
We frequently recommend pCloud in our cloud storage evaluations, and it’s easy to understand why. It boasts a variety of distinct features packaged in a sleek and safe package. It also has a competitive price, placing it against Sync.com.
Superior Media And Sharing Capabilities
pCloud is an excellent choice for media enthusiasts. This is due to capabilities included in the inbuilt pCloud music player, which automatically organises playlists by artist, album, or folder. Its video player is also rather sophisticated, allowing you to modify playback speed and convert video files to different formats.
If your device’s media storage space is getting low, pCloud’s virtual drive will come in useful. PCloud may install a virtual drive on your device (similar to Local Disk (C:)) that uses your cloud storage rather than the storage on your hard drive.
If you’re a creative who enjoys posting on social media, pCloud’s backup function allows you to back up photographs that you’ve already published on your social media. This function also allows you to back up your entire device to the cloud, as well as migrate all of your files from another cloud service to pCloud.
2. Sync.com
More information on Sync.com:
- Pricing: 5GB free with the purchase of 2TB for $96/year ($8/month).
- Individual plans allow for a maximum of 5 devices.
- Sync.com is a website.
Pros:
- Outstanding value
- Cloud storage that is secure
- Simple to use
Cons:
- slower than several competitors.
Sync.com is our top pick for the best cloud service, topping several of our cloud storage rankings. It is one of the most secure cloud services available, and it is constantly developing and adding new capabilities as the service evolves and grows.
Security and Collaboration in One Convenient Package
To begin with, Sync.com includes zero-knowledge encryption as standard. This implies that if there is a security breach or if the authorities demand access to your account, the intruder will only see scrambled data because you are the only one who has the encryption key.
Sync.com also provides comprehensive sharing restrictions, such as passwords, download limitations, and expiration dates for sharing links. Furthermore, Sync.com enables you to create and edit Microsoft Office documents (including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents) in a secure collaborative environment while maintaining zero-knowledge encryption.
3. Icedrive
More information on Icedrive:
- Pricing: 10GB is free with the purchase of 1TB for $49.99 per year ($4.17 per month).
- The number of devices is unlimited.
- Icedrive.net is the website.
Pros:
- Security of the Twofish algorithm
- Encryption with zero knowledge
- Examine encrypted files.
Cons:
- Zero knowledge does not come cheap.
- The plans are limited in number.
Icedrive is a new supplier on our list that you may not have heard of previously. Given that it has just been in business since 2019, this is hardly surprising. It has made waves, though, with incredibly competitive pricing and several unique features that set it apart from some of its more established competitors.
Innovative Encryption Techniques and Zero-Knowledge Security
One of the most notable distinctions between Icedrive and the other providers on our list is that it does not employ the industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption. Instead, it employs the Twofish algorithm.
At the turn of the century, Twofish was one of the final competitors for the Advanced Encryption Standard competition. Some believe that Twofish is more secure (albeit often slower) than the ultimate winner, Rijndael (now known simply as AES). The current standard, according to Icedrive, is endorsed by the NSA—make of that what you will, but don’t let it terrify you just yet.
Paid accounts come bundled with zero-knowledge encryption, so files should be protected from prying eyes. Unlike most other zero-knowledge providers, Icedrive allows you to preview files by streaming them encrypted to your computer, where they are decrypted in real time.
4. IDrive
More information on IDrive:
- 5GB is free, while 5TB is $5.79 per month.
- The number of devices is unlimited.
- Website of the provider: idrive.com
Pros:
- Low-cost storage
- Backup as well as cloud storage
- Simple to use
- abundant in features
Cons:
- There is no monthly plan.
IDrive is a one-of-a-kind alternative, providing a hybrid solution for both cloud storage and online backup – it’s really our number one recommendation for online backup, owing to its amazingly low rates and tremendous depth of features.
5. MEGA
MEGA Specifications
- 20GB for free, and 2TB for $122 per year (about $10 per month).
- The number of devices is unlimited.
- MEGA Io is a website.
Pros:
- Encryption with zero knowledge
- There are no US servers.
- Excellent free storage.
Cons:
- Time-limited incentives
- Concerns about ownership
If you’re concerned about privacy with other free cloud storage companies, such as Google (our number seven recommendation), you may choose Mega, which is on the opposite end of the privacy spectrum. Despite having run-ins with the government, MEGA’s flamboyant founder, Kim Dotcom, is no longer a member of the firm. MEGA’s primary priority is security. Therefore, zero-knowledge encryption is the gold standard, with no one else having access to your data but you.
6. OneDrive
More information on OneDrive:
- 5GB is free, while 1TB costs $6.99 per month.
- The number of devices is unlimited.
- Microsoft’s website is www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/onedrive.
Pros:
- Excellent teamwork tools
- Excellent apps that are integrated
- A wide range of features
- Ample free storage
Cons:
- There is no zero-knowledge encryption.
- File versioning is restricted.
There are large cloud computing names and then there’s Microsoft. Microsoft has sought to dominate every industry in computers, so it’s not a surprise that it has an online storage solution in its OneDrive service, which enables seamless interaction with other Microsoft services, such as Office. It’s even built into Windows itself.
7. Koofr
More information on Koofr:
- 10GB is free, while 1TB is $10.85 per month.
- The number of devices is unlimited.
- Koofr.eu is the website.
Pros:
- Connections to other cloud accounts
- Drive virtual
- Microsoft Office 365 compatible
Cons:
- There is no zero-knowledge encryption.
- more expensive than others
Koofr isn’t a household brand, but it does have several features that set it apart from the other providers on our list. As our Koofr review will show, Koofr isn’t the cheapest option. It offers various very low-cost options with 100GB of storage or less, as well as a free 10GB plan.
8. Google Drive
More information about Google Drive:
- Pricing: 15GB is free with the purchase of 2TB for $99.99 per year ($8.33 per year).
- The number of devices is unlimited.
- Google Drive (https://www.google.com/drive/)
Pros:
- Excellent teamwork tools
- Excellent apps that are integrated
- Ample free storage
Cons:
- There is no zero-knowledge encryption.
- Concerns about privacy
If you want something comparable to OneDrive, you may want to consider Google Drive. Google, like Microsoft, provides storage that meshes seamlessly with its own suite of office programmes, which serve to completely replace the Microsoft Office experience – and do it rather effectively.
An Infinite Number of App Integrations
Thanks to Google Docs’ built-in versioning tools, you can collaborate in real time, leave comments, and roll back changes. Only OneDrive and Dropbox can truly compete with Google Drive in terms of collaboration, and you can see how they compare in our Dropbox vs Google Drive vs OneDrive post.
You may integrate additional productivity tools, grammar checkers, and other Google Drive apps from the marketplace. Google Drive can also be combined with other programmes such as Google Calendar and Google Keep, a simple note-taking app.
9. Dropbox
More information on Dropbox:
- Pricing: 2GB free with a 2-TB purchase for $203.88 per year ($16.99 per month).
- Number of devices: from three to an infinite number
- Dropbox.com is the website.
Pros:
- Collaboration with Microsoft and Google
- Smart synchronisation
- There are no US servers.
Cons:
- There is no zero-knowledge encryption.
- Not the cheapest option.
- Concerns about privacy
Dropbox was not the first cloud storage service, but it was the first to effectively popularise the concept. It’s still running strong more than a decade later, with only Google Drive having a greater market share. Dropbox also has the kind of brand awareness that services like Sync.com can only dream of right now.
10. Box
More information about the box:
- Pricing is as follows: 10GB is free; 100GB is $14 per month or $120 per year.
- The number of devices is unlimited.
- box.com is the website.
Pros:
- Options for a strong partnership
- Integrations with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office
- Excellent security
Cons:
- primarily concerned with business.
- Expensive
- Private key management is an additional expense.
Although Box is a business-focused cloud storage company, it nonetheless has two options for personal customers – one free and one premium. Because of its origins as a business-focused storage solution, Box is jam-packed with sophisticated features. Everything from powerful collaboration options to two-factor authentication, note-taking, and project management is available, making for a comprehensive feature set.
The one item lacking from the box (which we’ll demonstrate) is private key management, which is essential for zero-knowledge privacy. This is a paid function with Box, and the firm won’t even tell you how much it costs until you contact them directly.
What Is the Process of Cloud Storage?
Cloud storage is a method of storing your files and folders on web servers, allowing you to access them from anywhere and on any device that has an internet connection. Your data is kept on servers owned by your cloud storage provider, who normally provides a web interface, desktop software, or mobile app to access it.
These servers might be in your own nation or on the other side of the globe. Most services utilise a sync folder on your desktop, which allows you to conveniently save data. Any files you place in this folder are likewise uploaded to the cloud servers and are immediately updated whenever you make modifications.
Why Do We Use Cloud Storage?
People utilise cloud storage for a variety of purposes, beginning with storage. While services like Dropbox and Sync.com are not ideal for disaster recovery, they are ideal for the short-term storage of data that you often use.
In fact, that’s exactly what Drew Houston had in mind back in 2007 when he devised the “sync” folder format now employed by cloud storage providers. He was on a Chinatown bus from New York to Boston when he discovered he had forgotten his USB drive. He determined he needed a solution to store and retrieve data online that required no work on his behalf.
Sync folders help with device synchronisation, often known as “sync.” Any file that you drag and drop into a sync folder is automatically transmitted to the cloud and subsequently to any other devices that have a sync client installed. You’ll never have to worry about tampering with removable storage again. Changes to files are also synchronised across devices, which makes cloud storage perfect for working remotely.
Mobile Application Syncing
Cloud storage services often provide mobile apps for Android and iOS that allow you to access data saved in the cloud. Many allow you to upload files both manually and automatically. As a result, they are ideal for protecting images captured with your smartphone camera while also preserving memory.
If you have numerous cloud storage accounts, check out our list of the best cloud managers for Android. A few cloud storage products do not sync devices. We can’t think of any programme that doesn’t allow you to transfer files. File sharing may be used for cooperation as well as socialising.
Most cloud storage platforms allow you to invite certain individuals to view files based on their email address, as well as provide links to files that may be used more generally. Many cloud storage options also allow you to share folder access with others, including the ability to offer others edit and upload capabilities.
Some cloud storage options interface with productivity software such as Office Online, Google Docs, Trello, DocuHub, and DocuSign. Unfortunately for residential users, such interfaces are more frequent with EFSS products, which are essentially enterprise cloud storage services.
Online Backup vs. Cloud Storage
Before you begin really looking for cloud storage, it’s a good idea to grasp what the term “cloud storage” truly implies. This way, you won’t wind up with software that falls short of your expectations.
The first barrier to overcome is understanding the distinction between cloud storage and online backup. It’s easy to get these phrases mixed up: both cloud storage and online backup are used to protect files in faraway data centres. Both allow you to access files stored in these data centres from various devices. Online backup is also sometimes referred to as “cloud backup.”
The primary distinction between the two is that online backup’s ultimate purpose is disaster recovery, whereas cloud storage is typically best suited to speedy file access and collaboration. At techlion.net, we prefer to think of cloud storage as a productivity tool, but many people use it for other purposes as well, such as streaming music, viewing films, and sharing images.
Online backup protects hard drives better than storage because of backup schedulers, better data recovery choices, and a few other features detailed in our best online backup guide.
Aside from storage, cloud storage has two functions in common: file sharing and file synchronisation. Furthermore, a few storage applications feature integrated productivity-enhancing programmes such as word processors and task organisers.
If you want to understand more about the distinctions between backup and storage, we have a full post dedicated to the issue. It’s also worth noting that there are a few cloud options that blur the borders between storage and backup. Two of the greatest are IDrive and SpiderOak ONE.
Is Cloud Storage Trustworthy?
Most cloud storage providers encrypt your data before sending it to their servers, and many store it encrypted. However, no system is 100% safe, and cloud storage systems can be compromised.
Dropbox, for example, experienced a massive breach in 2012 when 68 million credentials were exposed. For legal reasons, government officials may also seek access to your data. Using a service with zero-knowledge encryption, which means that the only person who can decode your data is you, can assist in keeping your data more safe.
Setting up two-factor authentication with cloud storage providers is also recommended. When you log in, you must provide an extra code that is either given to your phone as an SMS message or created by an authenticator app. Even if someone knows your password, 2FA prevents them from accessing your account unless they also have access to your phone.