Best Cloud Storage 2026: Free & Paid Options Compared
Cloud storage is essential for backing up files, syncing across devices, and collaborating with others. But which service offers the best value?
We compared the top cloud storage providers to help you choose.
Quick Comparison
| Service | Free Storage | Paid (1TB) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Drive | 15 GB | $9.99/mo | Google users |
| OneDrive | 5 GB | $6.99/mo | Microsoft users |
| Dropbox | 2 GB | $11.99/mo | Syncing |
| iCloud | 5 GB | $9.99/mo | Apple users |
| pCloud | 10 GB | $49.99/yr | Lifetime option |
1. Google Drive — Best Overall
Free: 15 GB (shared with Gmail & Photos)
Paid: $1.99/mo for 100 GB, $9.99/mo for 2 TB
Google Drive integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace and offers generous free storage.
Key Features
- ✅ 15 GB free
- ✅ Excellent web apps (Docs, Sheets)
- ✅ Fast search
- ✅ Real-time collaboration
- ✅ Works everywhere
- ✅ Google Photos integration
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Most free storage | Privacy concerns |
| Great collaboration | Shared with Gmail |
| Fast syncing | Google ecosystem lock-in |
Best For: Google Workspace users and general cloud storage needs.
2. Microsoft OneDrive — Best for Office Users
Free: 5 GB
Paid: $1.99/mo for 100 GB, or included with Microsoft 365
OneDrive is the natural choice for Microsoft 365 subscribers.
Key Features
- ✅ Deep Windows integration
- ✅ Office Online included
- ✅ Personal Vault (encrypted)
- ✅ Photo backup
- ✅ Real-time collaboration
- ✅ Ransomware recovery
Microsoft 365 Bundle
| Plan | Price | Storage | Apps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal | $6.99/mo | 1 TB | Office apps |
| Family | $9.99/mo | 6 TB (6 users) | Office apps |
Best For: Windows users and Microsoft 365 subscribers.
3. Dropbox — Best for Syncing
Free: 2 GB
Paid: $11.99/mo for 2 TB
Dropbox pioneered cloud syncing and remains the gold standard for reliability.
Key Features
- ✅ Excellent sync reliability
- ✅ Smart Sync (selective sync)
- ✅ Paper (documents)
- ✅ Transfer (large files)
- ✅ Rewind (recovery)
- ✅ Third-party integrations
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Most reliable sync | Low free storage (2GB) |
| Great integrations | Expensive |
| Smart Sync works well | Feature creep |
Best For: Power users who need rock-solid syncing.
4. iCloud — Best for Apple Users
Free: 5 GB
Paid: $0.99/mo for 50 GB, $9.99/mo for 2 TB
iCloud is essential for Apple device owners.
Key Features
- ✅ Seamless Apple integration
- ✅ Photo library sync
- ✅ Device backup
- ✅ Keychain password sync
- ✅ Private Relay (paid)
- ✅ Hide My Email (paid)
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Perfect for Apple | Poor Windows support |
| Works automatically | Limited free storage |
| End-to-end encryption | No Linux |
Best For: Anyone with multiple Apple devices.
5. pCloud — Best Value
Free: 10 GB
Lifetime: $199 for 500 GB, $399 for 2 TB
pCloud offers lifetime plans—pay once, use forever.
Key Features
- ✅ Lifetime purchase option
- ✅ Swiss privacy laws
- ✅ pCloud Crypto (client-side encryption)
- ✅ Music/video streaming
- ✅ Generous free plan
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lifetime plans | Less polished apps |
| Good privacy | Smaller company |
| 10 GB free | Limited integrations |
Best For: Users who want to pay once and avoid subscriptions.
Feature Comparison
Security
| Service | Encryption | 2FA | Zero-Knowledge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Drive | At rest + transit | ✅ | ❌ |
| OneDrive | At rest + transit | ✅ | ❌ |
| Dropbox | At rest + transit | ✅ | ❌ |
| iCloud | E2E for some data | ✅ | Partial |
| pCloud | Optional E2E | ✅ | ✅ (Crypto) |
File Sharing
| Service | Public links | Password | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Drive | ✅ | ❌ Free | ❌ Free |
| OneDrive | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Dropbox | ✅ | ✅ Paid | ✅ Paid |
| iCloud | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| pCloud | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Collaboration
| Service | Real-time editing | Comments | Version history |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Drive | ✅ Excellent | ✅ | ✅ 30 days |
| OneDrive | ✅ Good | ✅ | ✅ 30+ days |
| Dropbox | ✅ Good | ✅ | ✅ 180 days |
| iCloud | ✅ Limited | ✅ | ✅ 30 days |
| pCloud | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ 30 days |
Pricing Comparison
Monthly Plans
| Service | 100 GB | 200 GB | 1 TB | 2 TB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Drive | $1.99 | $2.99 | - | $9.99 |
| OneDrive | $1.99 | - | $6.99* | - |
| Dropbox | - | - | - | $11.99 |
| iCloud | - | $2.99 | - | $9.99 |
| pCloud | - | - | - | $49.99/yr |
*OneDrive 1TB includes Microsoft 365 apps
Who Should Use What?
| User Type | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Google user | Google Drive |
| Microsoft user | OneDrive |
| Apple user | iCloud |
| Power user | Dropbox |
| Budget conscious | pCloud |
| Privacy focused | pCloud with Crypto |
Our Verdict
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Free storage | Google Drive (15 GB) |
| Value | OneDrive (with M365) |
| Syncing | Dropbox |
| Privacy | pCloud |
| Apple users | iCloud |
Bottom Line
Google Drive offers the best free plan and is great for most users.
OneDrive is the best value if you need Microsoft 365 anyway.
pCloud is ideal if you hate subscriptions and want a lifetime plan.
Last updated: January 2026