We Compared The Best Cloud Storage Services. Here's The Result
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Key notes
- If you are looking for a cloud service provider, finding the right fit in the burgeoning market can be tough.
- While Amazon Web Services (AWS) stays at the top of the cloud providers, for personal use, the preference is a bit different.
- When talking of cloud storage services, what matters most is the amount of storage space, data security, and price.
Wondering which is better, iCloud vs Google Drive vs OneDrive vs Dropbox? Then this post will clear up your confusion about the best cloud storage service providers to choose from.
When talking of cloud service providers, the first few names that come to your mind are Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, and iCloud.
But, with a plethora of cloud service providers in the market, from big names to small players, it can be tough to pick the right fit.
Here’s a detailed list of the best cloud storage for personal use that you can get or try out for free.
In the meanwhile, how do you select the best cloud storage services in 2022?
What is the most important requirement when selecting a cloud service provider?
The best cloud storage providers earned your trust on the basis of reliability, security, amount of storage offered, and pricing.
But, what’s the most important requirement when selecting a cloud service provider?
Considering that storing your data is the primary concern, the security and the privacy of the data are what should be on your priority list.
Usually, a platform using AES 128-bit encryption and above is considered to be the most secured.
Who is the biggest cloud provider?
While the AmazonWeb Services (AWS) stands out as the biggest cloud provider in 2022, the best choices for personal use remain as:
- IDrive
- Google Drive
- Microsoft OneDrive
- iCloud
- pCloud
- Dropbox
But, if you want to choose between iCloud, Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox, here’s a comparison to help you pick the one that suits you the best.
iCloud vs Google Drive vs OneDrive vs Dropbox
Google Drive, iCloud, OneDrive, and Dropbox are among the top cloud storage platforms with their own pros and cons.
So, if you are looking for a cloud storage service, but are not sure which is the best, here’s a quick comparison to help you make a choice.
iCloud – Best-paid cloud storage service at the lowest price
Designed specifically for Apple users, iCloud boasts an outstanding interface, and connects and creates a backup of all your device applications, seamlessly.
Storage
iCloud offers a cloud storage service which is called Files on iOS and iCloud Drive on macOS and Windows.
It offers free storage space for up to 5GB only for Apple users. Paid storage option starts from 50GB and goes up to 2TB.
Privacy & Security
iCloud is known for its balanced approach when it’s to convenience and security. It employs SSL encryptions, AES 128-bit encryption, and two-factor authentication for enhanced security.
Also uses the iCloud keychain with 256-bit encryption for passwords and other private data.
Compatibility
The access is limited to web, macOS, iOS, and few options with Windows. The app is not available for Android users.
Usability
Available across all your Apple devices, iCloud allows you to access and store all your data, including media, calendar, iWorks documents, etc.
You can also access iCloud files from the web if you are using Windows 10 or Android.
Pricing
After the 5GB free storage allowance, you can buy extra cloud space for $0.99/month for 50GB and that goes up to $9.99/month for 2TB.
Google Drive – More free cloud storage space
Whether you want to create documents, store them online, or backup your files on your PC, Google Drive is much more than just a cloud storage service.
Storage
Talking of its free cloud storage plan, it leads the pack with three times more space compared to OneDrive and iCloud, and about 7.5 times more than Dropbox.
Having said that, you can also add extra storage space with a paid plan. The paid storage option also comes with additional perks and proves to be a great value for money.
Privacy & Security
When talking about security, Google Drive offers HTTPS for all its services. Moreover, it also provides enhanced security for your data with SSL encryption and dual-factor authentication.
However, it could have done better with a 128-bit AES encryption for the unused data.
Compatibility
One of the best parts about Google Drive is that it integrates with all platforms including Web, Mac, iOS, Android, and Windows.
Moreover, it works seamlessly with other Google apps like Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, etc., and smoothly integrates with third-party services.
Usability
Apart from helping you to save space for all your Google files, it also doubles up as a file syncing and storage solution.
If you set up the Google Drive desktop client, it can save and sync files easily, across all platforms, whenever you want.
You can then access these files or download them from the Google Drive website on any device.
Pricing
After the 15GB of free storage space, you can add extra cloud storage for $1.99/month for 100GB and go up to 30TB of additional space.
When comparing the iCloud vs Google Drive pricing, Google CDrive definitely wins the race.
OneDrive – Ease of use and mobile app support
Being a Microsoft product, OneDrive works best with other Microsoft apps and is known for its ease of use.
Storage
OneDrive offers free storage of up to 5GB with a file size limit of 15GB. However, you can add up to 6TB of storage with paid plans.
When comparing OneDrive vs Google Drive, the latter offers much more free storage allowance in comparison.
Privacy & Security
OneDrive uses TLS encryption and directs you to HTTPS. Besides, it uses a unique AES256 key to protect your network, applications, and content from unauthorized access.
Moreover, it boasts the Personal Vault feature with two-factor authentication as an added security measure for your sensitive data.
Compatibility
While it comes built-in with Windows, OneDrive is also available as an app on other platforms, and access its web version as well.
Due to its integration with Microsoft 365 and Windows 10, it allows you to use the complete range of Microsoft apps.
Moreover, it also integrates with Google products and 3rd party apps.
Usability
Known for its slick functionality and design, OneDrive is extremely easy to use and reliable. Along with its wide range of features, it also boasts an equally easy-to-use web and mobile interface.
OneDrive is available on different clients like PC, web, or mobile where you can sync, view, play, and store data (documents, photos, video, music, or settings).
Pricing
Once you have used up the 5GB free storage space, you can pay to add more storage. Plans start from $1.99/month for 100GB and go up to 6GB for $9.99/month.
Dropbox – Best cloud storage service with a digital signing feature
An excellent choice for online storage, it flaunts the digital signature service (HelloSign) that allows you to digitally sign documents and request e-signatures from others.
Storage
While you can download all the Dropbox apps for free, it offers only up to 2GB of free storage. Hence, to download and save more apps or files, you would need to pay and add up to 16GB more.
You can earn another 500MB of storage space through referrals.
Privacy & Security
Dropbox uses the usual SSL/TLS for file transfer and 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) for data at rest.
You can also opt for multi-factor authentication using an authenticator app on your smartphone, or through text messages.
Compatibility
You can download its app on almost all platforms including Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire, Windows tablets, and the web.
Moreover, it also integrates easily with all Google and Microsoft apps, except Gmail, which has to match your Dropbox email.
Usability
You can easily download Dropbox as a desktop application and it’s equally easy to install the same. It detects your OS and recommends the appropriate client, automatically.
Once installed, you can access it from the system tray and simply drag and add files in the Dropbox folder. Rest, everything else like the file syncing, storage, etc. is all automatic.
Pricing
Once you have used up the free 2GB storage, you can add up to 2TB for $9.99/month.
Our conclusion
While iCloud is a great choice for Apple users, OneDrive is easy to use and offers fast syncing.
Dropbox, on the other hand, is perfect to sync and share files, and Google Drive is great in terms of free storage and pricing.
Therefore, if you ask which is better iCloud or OneDrive or Google Drive, it would completely depend upon your needs and the device you are using.
But, if you are looking for the best cloud storage apps for Windows PC, you can refer to our post for top recommendations.
Our iCloud vs Dropbox vs Google Drive vs OneDrive comparison should help you make the right pick, but if you still have doubts, do leave a comment in the comments box below.
