Best Cloud Storage

Are you looking for reliable cloud storage that’s free? With the growing demands for storing and sharing files, choosing the right solution is more important than ever. There are several options on the market that offer free plans with varying storage capacities. In this comparison, I have prepared an overview of the best cloud storage, ranked by the amount of free space.

Which storage offers the most free space?

What to watch out for when choosing cloud storage

When selecting cloud storage, it’s important to pay attention to a few things that can significantly affect how comfortably and securely you manage your data. Free storage space size is often a key factor – some services offer just a few gigabytes, which can quickly run out if you have a lot of photos, videos, or documents. If you plan to use storage long-term, make sure to keep an eye on the price-to-capacity ratio, as it’s often worth paying a one-time or monthly fee for more storage. If you need to pay for storage, you might be surprised that some offer hundreds to thousands of GB of space for a single lifetime payment.

Device support is also important – will you want your data to be accessible not only from your computer but also from your phone or tablet? Choose storage that has apps for your devices.

You should place a strong emphasis on the security of your data. Find out how providers encrypt your files, and whether they do it not only during data transfer but also when storing them on servers. Some services go further by offering user-side encryption, which means that even the provider has no access to your files. You should also consider where the service has its servers and what data protection laws apply in that country – data privacy laws can vary depending on where the company is registered. Lastly, don’t forget to check out other features like easy file sharing, app integrations, and synchronization options – all of these can determine how pleasant cloud storage is to use on a daily basis.

Reviews of individual storage services

1. MEGA

MEGA is a cloud storage service based in New Zealand, which prides itself on a strong emphasis on privacy and data security. It offers users a very generous 20 GB of free storage space, making it one of the largest free plans on the market. Interestingly, MEGA is known for its encryption, which happens directly on the user’s side, meaning that even the company itself cannot access the data. This makes MEGA an attractive choice for those looking for maximum security and privacy protection. MEGA also offers the possibility to expand the free storage through various promotions. In any case, you can purchase additional space at favorable conditions. The lowest plan starts at 2 TB.

• Free space: 20 GB
• Country of origin: New Zealand
• Security: End-to-end encryption
• Storage expansion: Promotional options
• User-friendly interface: Web, desktop, and mobile apps

2. Google Drive

Google Drive is part of the Google ecosystem, based in the United States, and offers users 15 GB of free storage, which is shared with other Google services like Gmail or Google Photos. Thanks to deep integration with other Google apps, Drive is a perfect choice for those who use tools like Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides daily. It also offers excellent synchronization options across devices. Moreover, it boasts high-quality security, including two-factor authentication and the ability to encrypt data during transmission.

• Free space: 15 GB
• Country of origin: USA
• Security: Two-factor authentication, encryption
• Integration: Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Gmail)
• Data sharing: Allows easy file sharing and collaboration

3. pCloud

pCloud is a cloud service based in Switzerland, offering users 10 GB of free storage. The most interesting aspect of pCloud is that you can purchase lifetime storage plans at very affordable prices. Switzerland is known for its strict privacy laws, which is a big advantage for pCloud. Users can also expand free storage up to 20 GB through a referral program. pCloud offers client-side encryption as an optional premium feature, meaning even pCloud doesn’t have access to your files. It’s an ideal choice for those who want a secure and easy-to-use service.

pCloud is one of the most popular storage services that offer lifetime plans. Users can make a one-time purchase of 500 GB, 2 TB, or 10 TB of storage, ensuring enough space without recurring fees.

• Free space: 10 GB
• Country of origin: Switzerland
• Security: Optional encryption (pCloud Crypto)
• Storage expansion: Referral program
• Platform support: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

4. Icedrive

Icedrive is a cloud storage service based in the UK, offering 10 GB of storage space for free. The service is known for its innovative encryption technology, which is applied on the user’s side, meaning that only the user has access to their data. Icedrive offers a modern and easy-to-use interface, and its security focus makes it a popular choice for those seeking reliable storage for personal files and sensitive data. Icedrive offers a one-time payment for lifetime access to its storage. Users can purchase 512 GB, 2 TB, or 10 TB of space, though it is not as advantageous as pCloud.

• Free space: 10 GB
• Country of origin: United Kingdom
• Security: End-to-end encryption
• Innovation: Modern and user-friendly interface
• Storage expansion: Available subscription plans

5. MediaFire

MediaFire, founded in the USA, offers users 10 GB of storage for free. The company focuses on easy file sharing, which is its main advantage. It is especially popular among users who want to easily upload and share large files without complex setup. While it is not among the most secure storage services, it is ideal for users who need fast and efficient sharing. Space expansion is possible through referral programs and various tasks, such as installing the app.

• Free space: 10 GB
• Country of origin: USA
• Security: Basic encryption, weaker security
• Storage expansion: Option to increase space through tasks
• Best for: Quick and easy file sharing

6. OneDrive

OneDrive is a cloud service from Microsoft, based in the USA. It offers 5 GB of storage for free and is fully integrated into the Microsoft ecosystem, making it an excellent choice for users who use Windows or Office 365. OneDrive is known for reliable file synchronization and high security, which includes data encryption both in transit and at rest. For users looking for simple integration with Microsoft applications, OneDrive is an ideal solution.

• Free space: 5 GB
• Country of origin: USA
• Security: Encryption in transit and at rest
• Integration: Full compatibility with Windows and Office 365
• Platform support: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

7. iCloud

iCloud is a cloud storage service from Apple, based in the USA, offering users 5 GB of free space. This storage is fully integrated with Apple devices and allows easy synchronization of files, photos, and other data between iPhones, iPads, and Macs. If you are an Apple product user, iCloud is very useful due to its seamless integration with iOS and macOS. However, the 5 GB free may not be enough for more demanding users, requiring an upgrade with paid plans.

• Free space: 5 GB
• Country of origin: USA
• Security: End-to-end encryption
• Integration: Perfect for Apple users
• Storage upgrade: Option to expand for a fee

8. Box

Box is a cloud service rooted in the USA, primarily aimed at businesses and teams, but also offers free personal accounts with 10 GB of storage. Box stands out for its strong security and integration with various tools, making it ideal for professional collaboration. It also offers advanced document management tools and security features, which are very attractive to business customers. Thanks to its robust infrastructure and focus on data protection, Box is an ideal choice for businesses, but also for regular users seeking more free capacity.

• Free space: 10 GB
• Country of origin: USA
• Security: Advanced security features, encryption
• Integration: Support for business tools
• Suitable for: Team collaboration and companies

9. Sync.com

Sync.com is a Canadian cloud service offering 5 GB of free storage. The main advantage of Sync.com is its focus on security – it provides user-side encryption, so even the company itself doesn’t have access to the files. Sync.com is especially suitable for those looking for secure storage with a strong focus on privacy. In addition, Sync.com offers features such as sharing encrypted folders with other users and easy synchronization between devices.

• Free space: 5 GB
• Country of origin: Canada
• Security: User-side encryption
• Privacy: No access to data from Sync.com
• Platform support: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

10. Amazon Photos

Amazon Drive – or rather Photos, operated by the Amazon giant, offers users 5 GB of free storage. The service is integrated with Amazon’s ecosystem, making it an interesting choice for Amazon Prime customers, who can enjoy unlimited photo storage. Although the service is less popular than competitors like Google Drive or Dropbox, Amazon Drive is a reliable choice for storing and backing up files. Security is ensured through encryption during transfer and storage.

• Free space: 5 GB
• Country of origin: USA
• Security: Encryption during transfer and storage
• Integration: Linked with Amazon Prime
• Storage upgrade: Paid plans for more space

11. NordLocker

NordLocker is a cloud storage service focused primarily on security, based in Lithuania. It offers users 3 GB of free storage space and places a strong emphasis on encryption and data protection. The service is part of the Nord Security group, known for its VPN service NordVPN, and therefore places a strong emphasis on privacy and data security. It’s a great choice for those who want a small but secure space for storing sensitive data.

• Free space: 3 GB
• Country of origin: Lithuania
• Security: Data encryption before uploading
• Privacy: Strong focus on data protection
• Storage expansion: Option to increase capacity

12. Dropbox

Dropbox, based in the USA, is one of the most well-known cloud storage services. However, it only offers 2 GB of free storage, which is relatively small compared to competitors. Nevertheless, Dropbox is popular due to its ease of use and excellent file synchronization across different devices. Dropbox is ideal for sharing and collaborating on files in real-time, but if you need more storage space, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan.

• Free space: 2 GB
• Country of origin: USA
• Security: Basic encryption and two-factor authentication
• Synchronization: Fast and efficient across devices
• Storage expansion: Limited free space

13. Internxt

Internxt is a relatively new cloud service based in Spain, focusing on decentralized storage and maximum privacy protection. It offers only 1 GB of free storage space but emphasizes that user data is encrypted and divided into fragments, ensuring high security and privacy. Internxt is suitable for users who prioritize privacy over large capacity and are looking for a more ethical alternative to traditional cloud storage services. One of the best aspects of Internxt is its lifetime plans, which start at very affordable prices.

• Free space: 1 GB
• Country of origin: Spain
• Security: Decentralized encryption
• Focus: Privacy protection
• Eco-friendly approach: Sustainable cloud storage

14. Proton Drive

Proton Drive comes from Switzerland and offers only 1 GB of free storage space. Proton is known for its security products such as ProtonMail and Proton VPN, and its cloud storage service also focuses on privacy and security. Proton Drive uses strong end-to-end encryption, meaning your data is protected from unauthorized access. Although the free storage size is not large, Proton Drive is an ideal choice for those who want maximum data protection.

• Free space: 1 GB
• Country of origin: Switzerland
• Security: End-to-end encryption
• Privacy: Strong data protection
• Storage expansion: Paid upgrade available