You can never have too much storage space for all of your photos, videos, music, and other files — but getting enough for all of that data and the rest of your household can cost you a small fortune if you're not careful. Soon enough, you’re spending what you would to subscribe to all of the best streaming services for data you might just want to hold onto for safekeeping but don’t necessarily access every day.

Don’t get me wrong, the best cloud storage certainly has its place, especially if you follow the 3-2-1 backup rule where you keep three copies of all of your most important data: one copy locally on your devices, one copy on one of the best external hard drives, and one copy off-site, using either your cloud storage or the best cloud backup services.

At a time when we’re all dealing with subscription fatigue, these small monthly costs of a few dollars here and $10 there quickly add up. While I haven’t cancelled my own cloud storage subscriptions yet, I have found a better and cheaper way to store all my most important files. And the best part? There’s no monthly subscription, plus I can access my files from anywhere.

I’ve always wanted to set up my own Network Attached Storage (NAS) device, but up until recently, doing so was complicated and expensive. Fortunately though, that’s no longer the case, and after testing out the Ugreen NASync DH4300 Plus ($429, Amazon) for the past two weeks, I can’t believe I waited this long to give my home network the ultimate local storage upgrade.

A NAS for the rest of us

The NASync DH4300 Plus is not Ugreen’s first NAS device — that honor belongs to the higher-specced NASync DXP4800 Plus. While the DXP is geared toward professionals and power users, the DH4300 Plus is strictly for beginners and anyone, like me, who is just getting started with a NAS.

In the box, you get the sleek device itself, a power brick, a high-speed Ethernet cable, and all the screws you’ll need to install either your 3.5-inch hard drives, 2.5-inch SSDs, or even a mix of both.

The DH4300 Plus’s magnetic top pops right off, revealing four drive bays. If you want something smaller or don’t think you’ll need up to a whopping 120TB of storage (that’s four 30TB hard drives!), there’s also the cheaper, 2-bay Ugreen NASync DH2300 with a 60TB capacity.

Keep in mind though, with either model and the rest of Ugreen’s NAS lineup, you will have to provide your own drives. Luckily, Ugreen sent over four 4TB hard drives to get started, though I may swap them out later for faster SSDs or even larger 30TB hard drives to take full advantage of this NAS device’s max storage capacity.

Around back, the ports speak to the DH4300 Plus’s focus: a 2.5 gigabit Ethernet port to connect to one of the best Wi-Fi routers, two USB 3.2 ports for external drives, and an HDMI port. Given this is a NAS, you’ll mostly access your files over the network, but you can plug it into your TV directly for 4K video playback—a great value-add feature! (The port is not used to access Ugreen’s UGOS operating system, but more on that in a bit.)

On the front of the DH4300 Plus, there’s a power button, five status lights, and a handy USB-C port for quick-connecting and syncing external storage.

With everything unboxed, it was time for the fun part: adding storage to the DH4300 Plus.

Pop, screw, click

If you’ve ever built your own PC or added more storage to one, you’ll be right at home setting up the DH4300 Plus. However, even if you haven’t, the whole installation process is easy enough and shouldn’t take you more than a few minutes.

To get started, you just pop off the magnetic top and remove the drive bay enclosures for the number of drives you plan to use. Then, you need to screw your 3.5-inch HDDs or 2.5-inch SSDs into the trays using the corresponding, clearly labeled screws provided in the box.

From there, it’s just a matter of putting each drive enclosure back into the DH4300 Plus and pushing them down until you hear a click. Honestly, it couldn’t be easier, but do take your time and don’t use too much force when inserting your drives.

In just a few minutes, I had all four 4TB drives installed. With the hardware sorted, I powered the DH4300 Plus on. Then, I had to create a UGreen Account, register the DH4300 Plus to it, and wait for the system to boot up for the first time before I could proceed with getting everything configured.

A cloud’s worth of data at your fingertips

I jest, but the numbers don't lie: for most people, even using the DH4300 Plus with a single, large-capacity drive will equate to a whole lot more space than they currently have in their iCloud or Google Drive accounts. For instance, with a free Google Drive account, you get just 15GB of storage. With the DH4300 all set up and even though I’m only using 13.3% of its total storage space, I now have 1,092.3 times more than that.

Although you can access your files on the DH4300 Plus using any web browser, the easiest way to get started is by giving your phone a quick tap on the front of the device. This NFC Quick Connect feature immediately launches the Ugreen NAS app. I’m using one of the best Android phones, but this works just as well on an iPhone or any tablet with an NFC chip.

After configuring how I wanted to have the four hard drives in my NAS work (I chose a protected RAID setup to guard against drive failure and data loss), I headed to the app store within Ugreen’s UGOS operating system. There, I found loads of free apps — everything from media players to utilities — and downloaded a few essential ones to get started.

In addition to Ugreen’s own first-party apps, you can install third-party ones like Firefox or even Home Assistant, which I’m planning to put on my NAS later to control the best smart home devices using a custom dashboard on my phone, tablet, etc.

One of the main reasons I was interested in finally trying out a NAS is that, due to my work testing and reviewing the best mini PCs, I’m constantly switching between computers. I used to grab the nearest flash drive and transfer all of the data off a finished machine, but now I plan on doing that right in my browser using the DH4300 Plus.

Besides transferring data off all of my various flash drives, I decided to grab my portable hard drive and back that up to my new NAS too. I didn't stop there. Once those files were transferred, I went up into the attic, took down a 20-year-old hard drive (pictured above on the left), and successfully transferred all of my old pictures and videos off that vintage disk, too.

In addition to being a less expensive way to store all of your data, another cool thing you can do with a NAS is watch videos from it anywhere. I know most people prefer Plex or Jellyfin, but I was really impressed with Ugreen’s own Theater app. Not only does it make organizing your movie and TV show collection easier, but it also pulls relevant data from The Movie Database (TMDB). That way, all of your video content has thumbnails and ratings, plus the Theater app takes things a step further by also adding actor info and more.

Although I could have hooked up the DH4300 Plus via HDMI to my TV, I found a better and easier way to stream content locally. By installing Ugreen’s DLNA utility (available in the UGOS app store), I was able to use that protocol to have my NAS show up directly in the Roku Media Player app on my Roku Ultra. This let me watch all of our old home movies on the big screen with ease. However, I do prefer using the Theater app on my computer, as it gives me the option to download any missing subtitles.

Back in the summer, my mother-in-law showed up with five crates of old DVDs and Blu-rays that she and my wife had purchased over the years. My next plan (besides trying out Home Assistant) for the DH4300 Plus is to rip all of those old movies and TV shows to build out my own locally hosted, internet outage-free Netflix.

A digital must

Given the sheer amount of data each of us now creates almost daily on our smartphones, you absolutely need a secure and, more importantly, cost-effective way to store it — or you risk losing all of your precious photos and videos. Sure, you could just keep paying more for a phone or laptop with extra storage or rely on external drives and cloud storage, but as I mentioned before, that cycle gets expensive real fast.

Years ago, when I first became interested in NAS devices, there were really only two expensive options: Synology and QNAP. Then though, the former decided to heavily restrict third-party drives on its NAS devices. While that hurt some consumers in the short term, it actually ended up being a great thing for everyone else. With Synology losing its grip on the NAS market due to backlash, Ugreen, Minisforum, TerraMaster, and a bunch of other hardware makers used this to their advantage.

Now, you can get a reasonably-priced NAS setup like the DH4300 Plus I tested out far more easily. While you do still have to bring your own drives, that freedom of choice is now a massive advantage. You simply have a lot more affordable options when it comes to adding a high-capacity NAS to your home network than you used to.

If you’re tired of overpaying for cloud storage every month or just want the peace of mind from knowing that your most important files are backed up safely at home instead of on someone else’s servers, then a NAS could be the perfect, one-time investment for your own digital life.

While I’ve just scratched the surface of what I can do with the DH4300 Plus, I can’t wait to load it up with even more data and try out more apps. For now though, I’m off to start ripping those old DVDs and Blu-rays and set up Home Assistant, so stay tuned.

More from Tom's Guide

• I tested the Framework Desktop — and it made me rethink everything I knew about mini PCs
• I added this $29 smart sensor to my mailbox and it's one of my favorite home upgrades ever
• I ditched my laptop for a pocketable mini PC and a pair of AR glasses — here’s what happened

Google Photos and iCloud are among the best cloud storage services that make it easy to sync your photos across devices and share them with friends and family. However, they differ in several key ways, and choosing the wrong platform for your needs could result in a headache.

In this guide, we compare Google Photos vs. iCloud so you can decide which photo cloud storage app is right for you. While iCloud can be used for more than just photo storage, for the purposes of this comparison, we’re going to highlight what you can do in the Apple Photos app vs. Google Photos.

Google Photos vs. iCloud: What’s the difference?

Let’s dive into some key differences between Google Photos and iCloud, specifically Apple Photos.

Storage and pricing

Everyone with a Google account receives 15GB of free storage space to use across Google Photos, Gmail, and Google Drive. You can buy additional data through Google One if you need to store more content. Paid plans offer 100GB for $1.99 per month, 1TB for $9.99 per month, and 2TB for $19.99 per month.

iCloud offers only 5GB of free storage. iCloud+ plans provide an additional 50GB for $0.99 per month, 200GB for $2.99 per month, or 2TB for $9.99 per month. Plans for 6TB and 12TB of storage are also available.

Importantly, Google Photos can store photos and videos only. You can store other types of content, such as documents and audio files, with Google Drive, but you have to switch between apps to access this content. Meanwhile, iCloud supports all types of files in a single location, making it an all-in-one cloud hub for your content.

Another notable distinction is that Google Photos enables you to choose the resolution to upload when backing up photos and videos. On the other hand, iCloud automatically backs up original photos at full resolution and replaces the copies on your device with lower-resolution versions.

Compatibility

Google Photos offers apps for all devices, while iCloud provides apps for Apple devices only.

You can install Google Photos on a Mac computer or iPhone, but you can’t install iCloud on a Windows computer or Android phone.

You can still use iCloud on Windows and Android devices, but you must go through your browser to access the iCloud web app. This significantly detracts from the point of using a cloud storage app. Your photos won’t automatically upload to the cloud or sync across devices, and you’ll need to visit the iCloud website to view them.

Effectively, iCloud is only a good option if you have a Mac computer and an iPhone. If you use any non-Apple devices, you’ll have a much better experience with Google Photos.

Features

Both Google Photos and Apple Photos enable you to organize images into albums. Likewise, both automatically curate albums based on photo data like location, date, and people.

They use AI to tag elements of your photos, including people, objects, and landscapes (such as mountains or sunsets). This makes it easy to search your photos later using terms like “family photos” or “beach.”

That said, Apple Photos has a slight edge over Google Photos in terms of image editing. You can easily open any photo in Apple’s Photos app, which has relatively advanced touch-up options. Google Photos offers auto-correction and some basic color and light adjustments, but that’s it.

Photo sharing

With Google Photos, you can invite anyone with a Google account to join a shared album. The album owner can customize permissions for others to control whether they can add photos to the album or comment. It’s also easy to share photos to third-party apps like Facebook and X.

iCloud enables you to create shared Apple Photos albums, but users must have an Apple ID to access them. This can be a barrier for people without an Apple device. In addition, you can’t customize permissions in an iCloud album. Anyone invited can add or delete photos, and all content stored in the album counts against the album owner's storage limit.

Both apps also enable you to share photos and albums with a link. The recipient doesn’t need a Google or Apple account.

Google Photos vs. iCloud: Which is best for your photos?

Overall, Google Photos is a better choice than iCloud for anyone who isn’t fully locked into the Apple ecosystem. It’s also better if you have friends or family who aren’t Apple users since iCloud makes it challenging to share photos with them.

Interested in more photo storage options? Check out our guide to the best cloud storage solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Google Photos work on iPhones?

Yes, Google Photos has an iOS app that enables iPhone users to easily back up and sync their photos.

Is iCloud free to use?

iCloud offers 5GB of free storage, but users can upgrade to a paid plan for additional space.

Can I transfer photos from iCloud to Google Photos?

Yes, you can manually download photos from iCloud and upload them to Google Photos. Apple also offers a tool to transfer images directly to Google Photos.

Does iCloud support non-Apple devices?

iCloud is primarily designed for Apple devices, but you can access it via a web browser on Windows or Android (with limited functionality).

Google Photos and Amazon Photos are two of the best photo storage and sharing services, and it’s easy to see why. They both offer plenty of storage, user-friendly organizational tools, and seamless photo sharing across your devices.

However, there are some important differences between these platforms that you should know about. Below, we compare Google Photos vs. Amazon Photos to help you decide which is right for you.

Google Photos vs. Amazon Photos: What’s the difference?

Let’s explore the differences between Google Photos and Amazon Photos that you need to know about.

Storage and pricing

One of the biggest differences between Google Photos and Amazon Photos is how much storage you get and how much it costs.

Google offers 15GB for free with a Google account. However, that doesn’t comprise only Google Photos data — content you own in Gmail and Google Drive also counts against your storage limit. If you need more than 15GB, Google One storage plans cost $1.99/month for 100GB, $9.99/month for 2TB, and $19.99/month for 2TB with AI Premium features.

Amazon Photos offers just 5GB of storage for free. However, if you have an Amazon Prime membership, which costs $14.99/month or $139/year, you get unlimited full-resolution photo storage and up to 5GB of video storage at no extra cost. If you need more storage (with or without Prime), you can get 100GB for $1.99/month, 1 TB for $6.99/month, or 2TB for $11.99/month.

For anyone with more than 15GB of photos — or a growing library that could exceed that threshold in the future — Amazon Photos is the far better deal. You can get unlimited full-resolution storage for photos and all the other benefits of Prime, such as two-day shipping and streaming videos, for less than the cost of 2TB of storage with Google Photos.

Compatibility

Both Google Photos and Amazon Photos offer desktop apps for Windows and Mac and mobile apps for iOS and Android. They’re both accessible on any web browser, too.

Amazon Photos also offers an app for Fire TV and Fire tablet devices. The Fire TV app is handy because it enables you to quickly view your photos on the big screen or use them as screensavers.

Backup and syncing

The backup and sync experience is almost identical between Google Photos and Amazon Photos.

Both apps automatically back up new photos on your mobile device. You can choose whether to allow backups on Wi-Fi only or change the resolution of uploaded photos and videos. On the web, you can easily add images to your account by dragging and dropping. Both platforms also make it easy to download content to your device for offline viewing.

Features and photo sharing

Google Photos and Amazon Photos also compete closely on features. Both platforms offer similar features for organizing, editing, and sharing your photos.

They both automatically group your photos based on people and places, and you can easily organize them into custom albums. Google Photos goes one step further, though: It organizes photos into albums based on content dates and locations. The algorithm is very effective at grouping images—for example, from a vacation where you visited multiple cities.

Google Photos and Amazon Photos also use AI to make your library more searchable. You can search for a term like “sunset” and see all photos that include a colorful sunset, even if it isn’t the photo’s primary subject. The AI in both platforms is surprisingly good, but Google Photos may have the advantage. It offers excellent text search and facial, object, and scene recognition.

With either platform, you can easily share photos by inviting friends and family to an album or sending an album link. If you have contacts saved to your Google account, this process feels slightly more seamless with Google Photos. The platform will automatically suggest people you communicate with frequently.

One minor difference is that with Amazon Photos, if the owner of a shared album has a Prime account, anyone can upload unlimited photos to that album. With Google Photos, photos added to a shared album count against the contributor’s storage space.

Google Photos vs. iCloud: Which is best for your photos?

Google Photos and Amazon Photos both offer seamless photo storage and sharing. Which is better for you mostly depends on how much content you plan to store and whether you already have an Amazon Prime subscription.

If you have Prime, Amazon Photos is a no-brainer thanks to its unlimited photo storage. For non-Prime members who don’t plan to store more than 100GB of photos and videos, Google Photos could be the better value.

Want even more options? Check out our guide to the best cloud storage for photos, or compare Google Photos vs. iCloud Photos.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dropbox and Google Drive are among the best cloud storage platforms, and for good reason.

Both offer seamless cloud backup and sync, file-sharing options, and tons of integrations. But, they differ in capabilities and pricing, which can make one platform better suited for your needs.

Which cloud storage solution is best for you? In this guide, I'll compare Dropbox vs. Google Drive and run through their strengths and weaknesses to help you make your decision.

Dropbox vs. Google Drive: What’s the difference?

Here’s a breakdown of the main differences between Dropbox and Google Drive:

Storage

Dropbox and Google Drive each support hundreds of file types. You’re unlikely to find an extension that either of these platforms won’t accept.

That said, Google Drive can only preview some common file types for documents, photos, and videos. Dropbox enables you to preview more than 50 file extensions in the cloud, which can save you time and hard drive space.

Another difference lies in how the two platforms organize folders. Dropbox mirrors the standard folder structure that most people use on their computers, which makes for an intuitive user experience.

Google Drive supports a similar folder structure, but organizing data into folders isn’t the default. Instead, individual files are dumped into a single storage pool, and you must use Google Drive’s search tools to find your files. (You can, however, group files into folders).

Pricing

As of 2025 Dropbox offers 2GB of free storage. There are only two paid storage plans for individuals: Plus provides 2TB for $9.99/month (billed annually), and Essentials offers 3TB for $16.58/month (also billed annually).

If you need more storage, Dropbox Business plans start at $15 per user/month for 9TB, but they require paying for a minimum of three users.

Google Drive offers 15GB of storage for free, although this storage is shared with Gmail and Google Photos. Paid plans through Google One start at 100GB for $1.99/month and go up to 30TB for $149.99/month.

In general, Google Drive offers much more storage space for your money than Dropbox if you’re an individual user rather than a business with multiple users. For businesses, Dropbox Business plans are a better deal.

Compatibility

Dropbox and Google Drive offer apps for Windows and Mac computers and iOS and Android mobile devices. They also have web apps—which is where you’ll spend most of your time using these platforms.

Notably, Dropbox is compatible with some Linux systems, while Google Drive doesn’t support Linux.

Features and capabilities

Both Dropbox and Google Drive offer built-in productivity tools to help you get the most out of your files.

Dropbox has built-in apps like Dropbox Paper (for word processing), Dropbox Capture (for screenshots and recordings), and Dropbox Sign (for e-signing documents). It also has more than 100 integrations with third-party apps like the Microsoft Office 365 productivity suite, Google Docs, and more.

Google Drive is part of Google Workspace, so Docs, Sheets, and other Google apps are built-in. It also offers an integration marketplace with hundreds of third-party apps for note-taking, e-signing documents, converting file types, and more.

Backup and syncing

There are fundamental differences in how Dropbox and Google Drive handle file backups and syncing.

Dropbox supports uploads of up to 2TB at a time (depending on your plan). Google Drive supports larger files up to 5TB. However, in tests, Dropbox uploads were much faster than Google Drive uploads.

Dropbox’s major advantage is that it supports block-level sync. When you edit a file, only the changed portion needs to be re-uploaded to the cloud. If you edit a file and want to back up the new version to Google Drive, you must re-upload the entire file.

Dropbox also saves file versions for up to 180 days, while Google Drive saves versions for only 30 days.

Sharing

While both Dropbox and Google Drive support shareable links, Dropbox has more options for file sharing.

With Dropbox, you can set passwords and expiration dates on sharing links. You can also prevent a shared file from being downloaded.

Google Drive only enables you to choose whether a sharing link offers editing access.

Dropbox vs. Google Drive: Which is best?

Dropbox and Google Drive are both excellent cloud storage options with much to offer. Dropbox edges ahead thanks to its broader support for file previews, more advanced sharing options, block-level sync, and more intuitive user experience.

However, Google Drive offers more storage for your money and could be the better option for users on a tight budget.
Want to explore more providers? Check out our guide to the best cloud storage for photos.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer files from Dropbox to Google Drive?

Yes, you can manually download files from Dropbox and upload them to Google Drive. You can also use third-party services like MultCloud, CloudHQ, or Mover.io to automate the transfer process between cloud storage platforms.

Does Dropbox or Google Drive offer offline access?

Both Dropbox and Google Drive enable offline access. With Google Drive, users can access and edit files offline in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides. Meanwhile, Dropbox offers offline syncing for selected files through its desktop and mobile apps.

Can I encrypt my files before uploading them to Dropbox or Google Drive?

Neither Dropbox nor Google Drive provides end-to-end encryption by default. However, you can encrypt files manually before uploading them using tools like Cryptomator, Boxcryptor, or Veracrypt for added security.

Dropbox and Box are two of the best cloud storage platforms that target the same potential users. But while they seem nearly identical on the surface, they differ in small ways. Understanding these differences can help you choose the perfect cloud storage solution.

In this guide, we compare Dropbox vs. Box in terms of price, features, file sharing, and more to help you decide which platform is right for you.

Dropbox vs. Box: What’s the difference?

Here’s how Dropbox and Box compare in six key areas:

Storage

Both Dropbox and Box support a massive list of file types, from documents and photos to videos, design files, and beyond. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a file extension these platforms don’t support.

One benefit to Dropbox is that it supports larger file uploads than Box for similarly priced plan tiers. Paid Dropbox plans support file uploads ranging from 50GB to 250GB, while paid Box plans offer uploads ranging from 5GB to 150GB.

Pricing

One of the most significant differences between Dropbox and Box is their cost.

Dropbox offers just 2GB of storage for free, with paid plans starting at $9.99 per month (billed annually) for 2TB of storage. Dropbox Business plans start at $15 per user per month (billed annually) and 9TB per team.

Box offers 10GB for free. Its paid plans for individuals start at 100GB and run for $10 per month (billed annually). Box Business plans start at $15 per user per month (billed annually) and offer unlimited storage.

So, Box is the better value for businesses and individuals searching for free cloud storage. Meanwhile, Dropbox offers more value for individuals who need terabytes of storage.

Compatibility

Dropbox and Box offer dedicated backup and sync apps for Windows, Mac, and Android and iOS mobile devices. Both also have web platforms where you can upload, access, and share files.

Features and capabilities

Dropbox and Box offer many similar tools to help you manage your files and enhance productivity. For example, both include integrated e-signing and the ability to watermark shared files with your business’s logo. They also support file versioning, enabling you to review changes to files and instantly restore earlier versions.

Both platforms also support integrations with a wide range of third-party apps, including popular business software. Dropbox offers a few hundred integrations, while Box provides more than 1,500. Importantly, both platforms support popular office suites like Microsoft Office 365 and Google Workspace. You can automatically sync files from Microsoft Word and Google Docs straight to your cloud storage.

You’ll also find collaboration tools in both Dropbox and Box. For example, built-in word processing apps enable your team to work on documents without leaving the cloud storage platform.

Backup and syncing

Dropbox and Box handle file syncing very similarly. When you create files within either platform, you can choose to keep them online-only or download them to your computer for offline editing.

Both services also support selective syncing, so you can decide which folders are synced between your computer and the cloud.

Sharing and security

The two platforms manage file sharing in nearly identical ways. You can share files or folders using a link or email invitation. You can also set permissions for each collaborator, including whether they can edit or download a file.

Additionally, Dropbox and Box let you password-protect links and set link expiration dates for additional security. Both platforms encrypt files at rest using 256-bit AES encryption, too. However, only Dropbox supports end-to-end encryption.

Both platforms also support two-factor authentication and single sign-on for business customers. However, Box shines for enterprise-scale companies because it offers more customization options for security and compliance. For example, you can choose what countries your data is housed in or give administrators control over your company’s data encryption keys.

Dropbox vs. Box: Which is best for you?

Dropbox and Box are very similar in most key capabilities. However, when you dig in, you’ll find that Dropbox provides more affordable plans for individuals, larger file uploads, and end-to-end encryption. Conversely, Box excels with unlimited storage for businesses and thousands of integrations with popular business software.

Overall, Dropbox is slightly more suited for individuals and small businesses, while Box is better for large companies and enterprises.

Want to explore more solutions, such as Google Drive and OneDrive? Check out our guide to the best file syncing platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Box offer unlimited storage?

Yes, Box offers unlimited storage for business users on its paid plans. This makes it a strong choice for enterprises and companies with significant data storage needs.

Is Dropbox free to use?

Dropbox offers a free plan with 2GB of storage. However, for more storage and advanced features, you must upgrade to a paid plan.

Can I transfer files from Dropbox to Box?

Yes, you can manually download files from Dropbox and upload them to Box. Some third-party migration tools also offer automated transfer options.

The popular cloud storage service Dropbox suffered an outage today (May 14) that lasted about two hours. Dropbox is a popular service used by many individuals and businesses to share and store files.

Around 10:45 a.m. Pacific, Dropbox appeared to suddenly suffer from an outage with a sudden spike of around 1500 reports on Down Detector.

Dropbox users reported that they couldn't access their files or upload things in either the browser, desktop application and even the mobile app.

Dropbox fairly quickly acknowledged the issue and sent messages that indicating that it was investigating the problem.

By about 12:45 pm, Pacific, Dropbox indicated that a fix had been implemented though it took another 30 to 40 minutes for the Dropbox status page to return to green.

It is unclear what caused the global outage, but everything appears to have returned to normal.

Dropbox outage - Live updates

Dropbox Status page - all green

AS of 11:20 a.m. Pacific, the official Dropbox status page lists the service as operational.

Everything is green with no blips.

The last reported incident was on May 2 when for a couple of hours Dropbox appeared down for some users.

Dropbox community tab

Dropbox users are posting on the Dropbox Community page saying that things are going wrong.

One commenter said they're getting this error message:

"Something went wrong. Don`t worry, your files are still safe and the Dropbox team has been notified. Check out our Status Page to see if there is a known incident, our Help center and forums for help, or head back to home."

Others have complained about an inability to access files or not being able to upload them.

Dropbox "unavailable for some"

The status page just updated on Dropbox.

It now has a head line that reads, "Dropbox may be unavailable for some users."

The company says that it is investigating the issue.

It's not clear what section of the site is being affected by the outage.

But it looks like people aren't able to get into their files or even get them to load.

Currently, Down Detector has over 2400 reports.

Outage appears global

Over on X, the Dropbox Support account has been getting tweets from people reporting that the service is down for them.

We've seen people reporting in from California, the Phillipines, South Africa and Spain.

The Support account is responding and asaying that they are "aware and actively investigating the issue." They add that if you are still having issues after the problem is resolved to reach out to the support team.

Status page update

Dropbox says it is continuing its investigation of the issue.

The status page has been updated and now several components are reading as having "degraded performance."

These include the website, desktop application, Paper and the Dash.

I've seen some user reports claim that the API and smartphone app are also struggling but those are still listed as operational on the Status page.

A fix has been implemented

Dropbox says that a the issue may be resolved soon.

The status page now reads:

Monitoring - A fix has been implemented and we are monitoring the results.

Perhaps it's already working since reports have started dropping on Down Detector. It currently sits at around 1200 reports.

Reports down, fix in progress

While the fix has been in progress for the last 30 minutes or so, the Dropbox status page is still showing some issues.

However, Down Detector has largely gone back to zero with only 100 reports as of this writing. And we are seeing people chiming in on the Dropbox forums and to the support page saying that they're able to access the cloud service.

Green across the board

And it looks like the outage is over.

The status page is officially green across the board and now read as fully operational.

Google has fixed the bug that blocked users from saving images from Magic Editor to Google Photos for the last couple of months.

Google Photos is easily one of the best photo storage options on the market. However, many users were experiencing a bug that removed the option to save a copy of an image modified in the AI-powered Magic Editor. As such, affected users couldn't preserve any changes made to the image. Thankfully, it seems that Google has finally released a fix for the problem.

According to a statement made by Google, (via Android Police) in its support forums, there is now a solution for the issue. The statement reads, “We appreciate your feedback regarding issues with editing and saving in Magic Editor. We've rolled out a fix, and you should now be able to save your edits seamlessly. We're committed to making Magic Editor the best it can be and your contributions are a vital part of that process.”

As such, it should now be possible for all users to save AI-edited images again. Which also means that now is a great time to try out the feature if you haven’t. You don’t need to initially sign up for any subscriptions, as Google allows you to use Magic Editor ten times for free.

However, to have access to unlimited use of the feature, you will need to sign up for Google One’s $10 a month subscription model for Google One, which also offers 2TB of storage for Google Drive, Photos and Gmail. Alternatively, you can sign up for the AI premium package for $19, which allows access to Gemini Advanced.

While it is more pricey, access to Gemini Advanced can be a major improvement for the right user. We recently detailed 7 ways which we use it, and why it is worth the extra cash. For instance, it offers access to the more powerful Gemini 2.0, as well as seamless integration with Google Workspace. Not only that, you also gain priority access to new features with the subscription.

Overall, this change won’t affect everyone, but for those users who want to create astounding images with some of the best camera phones, it will be a welcome one. So let us know if you’ve been using the feature, and how you found the overall experience.

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I have rallied against phones with 128GB of base storage in the past, talking at length about how it just isn’t enough storage for a modern smartphone. And that's even if you offload most of your media to the cloud.

Unfortunately, as someone who reviews phones for a living, I don’t always get a choice in which phones I have, so 128GB models are sadly the norm.

This has actually gotten me into quite a bit of trouble in the past. I got a little overzealous in clearing out some of the junk files hiding in my phone, and in the process deleted nearly two years of photos and videos — and with no backup on hand to recover from my error.

With World Backup Day now upon us today (March 31), I thought now was a good time to tell this story, if only to warn you readers about why you should always make sure you're backing up your data. Otherwise, you’ll end up like me, panicking late one Sunday night in an attempt to try and restore all your lost memories.

Not backing up is like playing with fire

This story takes place back in October 2022, a week before I was about to go on a big vacation.

As usual, the 128GB of storage on my phone was getting rather full, to the point where I felt like I needed to clear some space and erase some junk files. I knew I’d be taking a lot of photos and videos on my trip, and wanted to make sure I didn’t run out of space at the worst possible moment.

It’s also worth mentioning that at this point, I did not have any kind of backup system in place. Like an idiot, everything on my phone was saved to my phone and absolutely nowhere else. Despite the fact I could easily have invested in some backup software, or even just subscribed to Google One to save everything to the cloud.

Sifting through files and folders to delete junk files, or stuff you don’t need anymore is tedious work. There’s no shortage to the amount of useless files you can pick up over the course of several months and years.

So determined was I to get rid of as many as I possibly could, I enlisted the help of the CCleaner app. It’s a piece of software that will delete stray junk on your devices, and I’d been using the desktop version with zero issues for a good 15 years at this point.

Unfortunately I got a little overzealous with what I told the app to delete, likely due to my unfamiliarity with the Android version of the app as compared to the desktop edition. at any rate, CCleaner ended up erasing almost my entire photo reel. Or at least, everything that hadn’t already been organized into different folders.

It didn’t take me long to realize what had happened, and since this is not the kind of thing you can take lightly, I did start to feel a little bit of panic slip in.

Deleted doesn't mean gone forever

The good news here is that I was able to recover just about everything that got deleted. For starters, I have a habit of keeping my old devices lying around, rather than trading them in or scrapping them. Those phones are like a time capsule of what I had been up to when I switched phones, gathering dust and generally not doing anything at the bottom of a drawer.

This meant I could easily power them on and transfer all my old files and photos back onto my new phone. These things take time, but it wasn’t all that difficult. Sadly, it had been about a year since I switched phones at this point, which means there was a giant gap in my photo history spanning October 2021 to October 2022.

Anyone who knows anything about how device storage works, knows that “deleted” doesn’t actually mean it’s gone. All deleted means is that your device has hidden those files and makes a note that they can be saved over in the future. But until that actually happens, you can still recover them with some software help.

There’s no shortage of file recovery apps on Google Play, though I still restored to plugging my phone into my laptop and using a piece of desktop software.

Personally, I find that, even now, desktops do a much better job at file management than phones or tablets. Maybe it’s because I grew up with computers, but I always felt like file management on mobile was an afterthought rather than a feature — which is a stark contrast to both Windows and macOS.

But I digress. Once plugged in, I loaded up the file recovery software (Recuvva, in this case) and let it get to work restoring as many of the deleted files as I could. It’s kind of ironic that the CCleaner app is why I ended up in this mess, and the company’s own recovery software came to my rescue.

I got off (mostly) scott free

In the end, I managed to recover the vast majority of my lost photos and videos, though I did run the recovery a bunch of times just to make sure nothing got missed.

Admittedly, some images couldn’t be recovered, which is annoying. The vast majority of stuff seemed to have been recovered intact, and I only noticed a handful of photos were actually gone forever — nothing of consequence though, which is pretty darn lucky.

The only major consequence of this is that my Google Photos timeline is completely out of sync. Because the restored files were recognized as “new” by my phone, it thinks they were all created on October 30 and October 31, 2022. All 909 photos and videos.

Meanwhile Google Photos has just 873 files from the previous 12 months. So I'm reminded of my own carelessness every time I scroll back through my feed to find something Search can’t locate.

But at least they are still accessible and weren’t lost forever. It forced me to kick myself into gear and stop being so cavalier about the proper backup etiquette.

I religiously backup everything now

I like to think that I can learn from my mistakes. For starters, CCleaner was banished from my phone, never to return. Clearly I can’t trust myself to use it without breaking everything it touches, and anytime I feel like I need to free up space on my phone, I do it all manually. If that extra time means I don’t accidentally erase important files, then so be it.

I also made a point of signing up for Google One to bolster my meager amount of free storage on Google Drive.

I’d always resisted this, because I was too cheap to pay for the subscription. But that was back in the days when my phone had a microSD card port, and physical storage was easy to acquire. After my erasure scare, and with the benefit of hindsight, $30 a year for 200GB of cloud storage didn’t seem like such a bad deal. (For more on the merits of cloud storage, we've got a rundown of iCloud and Google Drive, with their assorted pros and cons.)

Not only is my phone set to backup every 24 hours, Google Photos will automatically backup everything I take with the camera. The only things that don’t get backed up are my downloads and all the memes I receive from various group chats. If those were backed up as well, my 200GB plan would probably be full by the time it came to renew.

Unfortunately no matter what I do, the 128GB storage on my phone always seems to be more than 80% full. It doesn’t matter how many files I offload to the cloud or how much junk I erase, the blasted thing is always stuck in a perpetual limbo of almost being full — but not quite.

Whether you have an iPhone or an Android, don’t make the same mistakes I did. We have guides on how to backup your iPhone and how to backup your Android device. If you need space to store it all, be sure to check out our list of the best cloud backup services. That way you won’t ever end up making the same series of stupid mistakes as me.

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If there’s one thing that I am generally terrible at, it’s remembering to back up all my data. And in my line of work, that has the potential to be a disaster. I spend a lot of time on my laptop and my phone, so both devices include a lot of important data that I can’t afford to lose.

I nearly fell victim to this not too long ago when I migrated from an iPhone 14 Pro Max to the iPhone 15 Pro Max. In the process, I nearly lost a bunch of important photos and documents that would have been safe and sound had I been backing things up. (Foolishly, I turned off automatic backups to save on data.)

You can understand, then, why I’ve been looking into some of the more common cloud-based services to avoid future fiascos. And since it’s World Backup Day this coming Monday (March 31), I thought I’d share the answers to the mobile backup questions I ran into when researching services.

Cloud-based backups may seem straightforward. But there are some things you should know going in, so you don’t get tripped up when it’s time to come up with a backup strategy. Let’s tackle some questions you might have about backing up your phone, including what options are available to you and what kind of service you can expect.

Why do I need to back up the contents of my phone to the cloud?

Two things should have you getting a backup plan in place that includes cloud storage. And the most important one is based on the first rule of tech: eventually, something will go wrong.

Even the newest phone or laptop can encounter an issue where you need to factory reset it, losing everything in the process. However, if you have a digital copy, you can be certain that you’ll never lose all your important data.

A cloud-based backup also makes moving over to a new device much easier. It allows you to quickly transfer important data and documents onto your new phone, even if you don’t have access to the original.

Say your old Samsung phone has a broken screen that won’t let you activate the Smart Switch feature for migrating to a new handset. That backup stored on the cloud lets you retrieve all your old apps and files.

What are the most widely available options for cloud-based backups?

Tom’s Guide has a round-up of the best cloud backup services for storing your most important files in another location. And while you’ll find some excellent options there, particularly for critical files, you can turn to other sources for basic backups.

For many people, the main service they’ll use will be the one that comes installed on their device. As such, I’m focusing on more basic cloud storage. To that end, I’d start with two cloud-based services that every phone owner will be able to access: iCloud and Google Drive.

If you happen to have one of the best iPhones, then you already have the basic version of iCloud installed on your Apple device. However, if you have one of the best Android phones, then you should be able to access Google Drive, usually from a preinstalled app version of the service already on your handset.

And that’s why we’re looking at iCloud and Google Drive, as opposed to some of the other backup services we’ve reviewed — those two options are readily on hand and easy to get started with if you’ve been putting off backups. Apple and Google cloud storage options offer a seamless experience with a dependable level of security.

Does my type of phone limit the cloud-based service I can use?

Let’s put that question another way: if you have an iPhone, do you have to back up to iCloud? And if you’re an Android user, are you limited to Google Drive?

It’s certainly easier to stick with the backup option that comes with your phone of choice. But nothing’s stopping you from using any service. For instance, if you have an iPhone, you can access Google’s cloud storage through the iOS version of Google Drive that’s available from the App Store. Place that app on your phone, and you can upload photos and other documents to Google Drive.

It’s a little trickier with iCloud from an Android device. While iPhones can automatically stash backups on Apple’s cloud service, Android phones can’t. However, you can access the iCloud website from a browser on your phone to upload and access photos and files. You will need to set up an Apple account first, though.

What do I get with a free account on iCloud or Google Drive?

Since both iPhone and Android devices come with their respective backup software installed, you’ll be able to access the free tiers of iCloud and Google Drive, respectively. Just be prepared for some limitations.

The free version of iCloud features 5GB of storage. Depending on how many photos you have — and what format you shoot them in — you can run into the limits of 5GB rather quickly.

Google Drive has a bigger storage limit for its free users — 15 GB. That includes backups from Google Photos and Gmail.

What are the paid options for iCloud and Google Drive?

Both iCloud and Google Drive offer different subscription tiers based on storage amounts. Apple’s iCloud has the lowest point of entry with 50GB for just 99 cents/month, but for the most part, the two services offer similar prices for the larger storage tiers.

You get more than just storage from these cloud services. iCloud and Google Drive subscriptions offer other features, too.

iCloud’s subscription service, imaginatively called iCloud+, offers users a private relay when they browse with Safari on their iPhones, meaning users can hide their IP address. iCloud+ also allows users to hide their email by creating random email addresses that forward to their personal inbox.

With iCloud+, it’s also possible to create a personalized email domain and connect home security cameras to record footage and view it securely. Finally, iCloud+ can be shared with family members with Apple accounts.

The Google Drive subscription, named Google One, has several unique features as well depending on the plan you buy. For instance, Google One subscribers have access to Google Experts for more support, advanced editing features in Google Photos, access to Gemini Advanced and even possible cashback on Google Store purchases.

Finally, much like iCloud+, you can share the Google One subscription between five family members. Unfortunately, while Google One used to offer a VPN, that feature has since been discontinued.

What are the pros and cons of iCloud and Google Drive?

Both iCloud and Google Drive offer relatively similar features with noticeable pros and cons to each. That’s especially true when you include the added features from a paid subscription.

iCloud is arguably one of the most secure services, and it feeds well into the Apple ecosystem. This means that it’s much easier to share files and backups between your Apple devices. The added security that comes with iCloud+ — remember, it can hide IPs and emails — is also a bonus.

However, if you own a mix of devices beyond the ones Apple makes, then iCloud isn’t quite as useful. While you can move files around, the cross-platform experience isn’t seamless, requiring you to change certain file extensions. Also, that low 5GB cap on storage for free accounts means you’ll probably need to upgrade to a paid tier sooner rather than later.

Google Drive and Google One have a lot to offer users. Google’s offering includes a much larger amount of storage for free, as well as access to Google Photos backups. It’s also much easier to use on non-Android devices, since Google Photos is available for the iPhone and Mac.

However, the real benefit to Google’s backup service comes when you include the features that are bundled with Google One, namely the access to Google Experts and Gemini.

Still, there are drawbacks to Google Drive. Even the larger 15GB capacity can fill up fast, especially if you have a particularly busy Gmail account. Security offerings don’t exactly stand out, especially after Google removed its VPN add-on.

Backup storage outlook

Overall, there’s a lot to love about both iCloud and Google Drive and what they offer. Hopefully, we have answered some of your questions about both iCloud and Google Drive. However, if you have any questions then please feel free to reach out in the comments.

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There are a lot of things to like about Google Drive, especially if you use services like Google Docs or have an Android phone. But Google is trying to make itself even more appealing compared to other cloud storage services — and the latest feature involves automatic video transcription.

As spotted by 9to5Google this feature has already started rolling out to users. Apparently Google is utilizing “speech recognition technology to transcribe the audio." This will be switched on by default for Google Workspace users, but personal Google accounts will have to actively turn the feature on before they can take advantage of it. 

The first thing you need to know is that this doesn’t seem to work on mobile. At least, I couldn’t see any options to manually add auto-generated captions to my videos. However the process on desktop in a web browser is super easy.

Google Drive will tell you that your request to add captions is pending. Meaning you need to sit tight and wait it out. 9to5Google claims that this “takes a moment to process”, and when you’re done you’ll be able to see those auto-generated captions by tapping the “CC” button on the bottom right side of the player. 

However, I wasn’t able to get the button to work properly, meaning my videos played caption-free. The lack of any kind of obvious progress bar certainly doesn’t help, and it means I’m unsure whether there are bugs that need to be worked out or if I need to wait a little longer. I suppose only time will tell.

Still, this is a great idea and means people won’t need to manually add captions to their videos. So whether you’re a content creator, or want to keep your personal videos accessible for friends and family members who are hard of hearing, this feature could be very usuefl. 

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It’s really easy to fill up your phone’s storage with photos and videos. In a time when microSD card support is rarer and rarer, it means the cloud can be a lifesaver. But what’s to stop you eating through your storage allowances in the exact same way? That’s where Google Photos’ storage saver feature comes in.

The goal of storage saver is to free up space in your Google cloud storage, by reducing the quality of backed up photos — lowering the amount of storage they need in the process. So far this feature has only been available on desktop, but it looks like it’ll be making the jump to Android in the near future.

Android Authority spotted this during an APK teardown of the latest version of the Google Photos Android app. The code references Google’s storage saver feature, with dialogue mentioning users being able to choose the quality of photos that are backed up to the cloud. 

However, reducing the quality is a permanent change, so while you will save storage space it means your photos won’t look as detailed as they were when you took them. Which is exactly how storage saver works on the web right now. Presumably that means photos will be reduced to 16MP, and videos downgraded to 1080p. 

It’s also worth noting that this change covers everything backed up to your Google Photos account. So there’s no picking and choosing which files get downgraded, while keeping some at their original quality. While it would be very nice to do that, it’s not something Google has offered at the time of writing. Google also limits compression to once per day, which should be fine for most people.

Judging from the code this change just means Android users will be able to tell Google Photos to compress photos and videos on the cloud from their phones — rather than having to log into Google Photos in a web browser. Which could prove useful if you don’t mind losing some quality to save storage space. After all, Google’s 15GB free allowance isn’t a lot. 

Of course if you need to keep all your photos and videos in their original form, then you’ll want to pay up for the right amount of storage. Google offers up to 5TB storage as part of Google One, but you may prefer to use one of the other best cloud storage services instead. 

Or, alternatively, if you’d rather not be locked in with a subscription, or upload to the cloud, the best external hard drives gives you a way to keep everything backed up locally. Just make sure to back everything up regularly, since it can’t be done automatically.

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Arlo produces some of the best home security camera hardware we've tested — but at the cost of locking its core features like cloud storage for video recordings behind a paywall. The company just raised the price of its lowest-cost Arlo Secure subscription plan (single camera or video doorbell) from $4.99 to $7.99. That 60 percent increase nearly doubles the price and is a concerning trend considering a price jump just last year already took it from $2.99 to $4.99.

While Arlo's cameras offer high resolution video and low latency motion detection that give them an edge over rivals, there's no beating around the bush that this system is getting pricey. Security cameras and video doorbells are largely subscription-based which we've compared in this cloud storage for security camera guide. Without a subscription, these devices will still show you a live feed and send you motion detection notifications. However, capturing tangible video and smart alerts that quickly identify subjects (people, pets, or packages) are the essential reasons we buy these cameras in the first place.

Manufacturers like Google and Eufy still include these premium features without making you pay monthly for them. For example, the unpaid tier of Google's Nest Aware for its doorbell and security cameras comes with three hours of rolling video storage and subject identification free with the hardware. Place Arlo's $8 single-camera secure plan side-by-side with Google's $8 per month tier and you'll see that Google offers a better value since its plan covers unlimited cameras (this includes those built into smart displays and speakers) in addition to offering 30-days of event video history. Arlo just stores 30-days of event history for that one camera.

Of course, this change makes the $12.99 (up from $9.99 last year) Arlo Secure plan for unlimited cameras look like a deal. That's one thing if you're invested in multiple devices for the Arlo ecosystem but punishes those who just use a single Arlo camera. I know a handful of people off the top of my head who live in apartment complexes and rely on just an Arlo video doorbell to protect their main entryway, so it's not completely unheard of to only have a single Arlo camera. 

You can always use the Arlo Smart Hub ($145, Amazon) to record video for some Arlo cameras and its video doorbells record to a MicroSD card locally. This is great for someone who simply wants to view recordings but keep in mind that you still won't be able to access Arlo app features like subject detection and create activity zones. Ultimately this feels like a move to push you all in on the Arlo ecosystem, even if it does perform well. With that said it's important to consider that the company is in control of how often and drastically the subscription price can change.

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Google Drive is certainly one of the best cloud storage services around but now, some users of the desktop version are experiencing an issue that led to files from their computers going missing.

While Google Drive allows you to upload files from a web browser or via an app on your phone, there’s also a desktop version that works in the same way as the best cloud backup services.

According to a trending issue post on Google’s support forums, beginning last week, a user noticed that Google Drive for Desktop on their computer had reverted back to the way it was in May of this year. Others chimed in reporting that they too had lost months of data.

After further investigation, there was no sign that either the users or Google had deleted the lost data. Instead as BleepingComputer points out, an issue with the service’s system prevented local data from being synced with Google Cloud.

Google is reportedly working on a fix

Now that this story is making the rounds online, Google is certainly aware of the issue but it’s still unclear as to whether or not a fix is currently in the works.

In that same trending issue post, another user relayed back what they reportedly heard from the Google Support team. Apparently, if the lost files aren’t recovered within 24-48 hours, they are permanently deleted from Google Drive.

The representative from the Google Support Team then went on to say that the issue is being investigated by the company’s product engineers who are “waiting for a root cause analysis” in order to see how they can fix the issue. As such, no timetable has been set for when or if a fix may be available to affected Google Drive users.

In the meantime though, it’s recommended that affected users avoid making changes to the root/data folder for Google Drive for desktop until the situation is resolved. The file that shouldn’t be changed can be found here:

• Windows: %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Google\DriveFS
• macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Google/DriveFS 

It’s also worth noting that Google’s support forums are manned by volunteers that don’t have the same knowledge as employees on the Google Drive team. Tom’s Guide has reached out to Google regarding this issue and we’ll update this piece if we learn more.

Why you should follow the 3-2-1 backup rule

Though cloud storage and cloud backup services have become increasingly useful tools, you always want to have a backup of your backup, just in case.

This is why many people swear by the 3-2-1 backup strategy. Invented by photographer Peter Krogh and detailed in his book Digital Asset Management for Photographers, the 3-2-1 backup strategy recommends that users maintain at least three copies of your data including the original along with two copies.

Besides extra copies though, Krogh suggests using two different types of media to store them on. For instance, you could keep your smaller files on one of the best USB drives and your larger files on one of the best external hard drives for safekeeping. 

At the same time, you should also keep one copy of your files in an off-site location. This could be at a friend or family member’s house but if the files are sensitive, you could keep them in a safe deposit box instead.

Whether a cloud storage service encounters an issue like in this case or your home or office is hit with a natural disaster or even a fire, if you follow the 3-2-1 backup rule, you can rest easy knowing you’ll always have an extra copy of your most important files.

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“SSDs? Where we’re going, we don’t need SSDs." Apologies for butchering an all-time great movie line from Back to the Future, but the future of tech is very much on my mind after recent revelations surrounding Microsoft’s ‘Project Silica’.

In my head, I associate the latter word with the six-headed beastie from The Odyssey when I mispronounce it in my head. Silica is actually an oxide of silicon, and in real-world terms silicon dioxide is often involved in the production of various types of glass.

Appropriate, seeing as that’s what the future of storage is going to be built around if Microsoft pulls off its grand vision for how we house data going forward.

The concept of what The Big M is doing with Project Silica is one of those times when the term ‘mind-blowing’ not only feels accurate, but somehow inadequate at the same time.

The numbers Microsoft is projecting on its Unlocked blog (thanks, PCWorld) are so futuristic, they make the Terminator look about as technologically advanced as Dorothy’s Tin Man chum.

Thanks to the progress Microsoft has made with Silica, it’s now possible to hold truly massive amounts of data on a pane of glass not much bigger than a coaster. Just how ‘massive’ are we talking here? Several terabytes of data — enough storage to hold around 1.75 million songs.

The practice of building a colossal glass-based storage center for the purposes of historical musical preservation is already well underway. Microsoft’s Silica team is working with a venture group called Elire to harness the power of glass storage for the group’s Global Music Vault, located in Svalbard, Norway.

While the head-spinning possibilities of glass storage have a tantalizingly futuristic allure, the ultimate goal with Silica isn’t just to maximize storage capacity or efficiency; it’s to make the whole process more environmentally sustainable.

Speaking on Unlocked, one of the leading engineers behind Project Silica, Ant Rowstron, is keen to emphasize the current limitations of mechanical storage solutions. “Magnetic technology has a finite lifetime. You must keep copying it over to new generations of media. A hard disk might last five years… and that frankly, is both difficult and tremendously unsustainable if you think of all that energy and resource we’re using.”  

Rowstron is right, of course. The shelf life on the types of mechanical storage drives we use in the best laptops and best gaming PCs is built to age about as well as your average episode of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. Currently, your average hard drive has a rough life expectancy of around 4-7 years, while even the best SSDs are only designed to last for a decade before the need to physically transfer their data to a new device becomes essential. 

One of the core concepts and main appeals of Silica as a boundary-smashing example of the evolution in digital storage is that a tiny glass plate could preserve data for thousands of years.

That’s obviously an incredibly exciting prospect… providing our fossil fuel-loving species sticks around long enough to see the benefits of the peerless durability of glass storage.

Yet comments from Richard Black, Silica’s Research Director, highlight the focus of the project appears to be centered around uneditable preservation, not the notion of us all carrying around teeny bits of glass in our back pockets with 370,000 absolutely banging tunes on them. “This technology allows us to write data knowing it will remain unchanged and secure, which is a significant step forward in sustainable data storage," said Black. 

Crucially, Sicilia’s primary aim is to transfer data onto pieces of glass, yet once the writing process is over, the data inside the glass can never be changed. So we’re very much in ‘write-only’ territory here, which kinda destroys my dream of owning a PS9 with 3TB of glass-based storage where I can install then uninstall hundreds of games on a whim. 

A glass act

Not that Silica isn’t directly working in tandem with some of the storage options we currently have at our disposal. Indeed, its team has been closely working with their Microsoft Azure comrades in a mission to find the most eco-sustainable solution to data archival options. 

Microsoft describes the relationship between Silica and the cloud-based Azure as “symbiotic," as the latter’s AI helps to speed up the read/write process. Oh, and if you want another example of the astronomical ambition of Silica, currently a single one of the project’s quartz glass plates can hold a copy of War and Peace (wait for it) 875,000 times. 

Silica’s method of glass storage has been in the works for years, and the process has evolved over time. Right now, the method involves four key steps. There’s an initial writing process involving a femtosecond laser (a real word, I promise), a reading method that uses a computer-controlled microscope, some decoding, then the act of storing the glass in units. Said units are also described as “passive” by Microsoft, in this context meaning no electricity is required to maintain them. 

The technique is now so advanced, a single piece of glass is capable of holding terabytes of data that could last 10,000 years. And for another fantastic piece of Microsoft-provided context, the tech giant claims each plate is capable of storing 3,500 movies. So roughly the amount of Fast & Furious movies currently in existence.

The idea behind a more sustainable form of data housing that could potentially last for thousands of years obviously has the potential to be a game-changer for our species.

While historical texts fade and even the fastest NVMe drives of the current day will at some stage go kaput, the power of glass storage means countless generations could benefit from having access to data that can endure for truly extraordinary periods of time. 

How much a write-only data storage solution is going to enrich your average MacBook Air walking down the street in 2023 is obviously limited right now. But looking into the future, the endurance of and epic capacity Project Silicon possesses could change how we archive our most precious data forever. 

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The big Windows 11 fall update is here. Along with features like Microsoft Copilot, the latest update introduces the new Windows Backup app. Much like Time Machine on Macs, Windows Backup regularly backs up your apps, settings, and folders to the cloud. While the new app can be beneficial, you’re stuck with it as Microsoft has confirmed you cannot remove Windows Backup from your system.

On its support website, Microsoft says that you can’t remove Windows Backup because it’s a system component. The company states that it will release a future Windows update that prevents Windows Backup from appearing on certain user interface screens like “All app” or “Install apps.” However, Windows Backup itself will remain in Windows.

As Microsoft details, the Backup app is a system component that “provides a solution for users to back up certain files and folders, as well as settings, credentials, and apps to the cloud through a single interface.” For instance, you can back up the Documents folder and the Desktop to the cloud. On top of that, you can restore your backed-up data to a new Windows device and continue where you left off.

As Windows Latest notes, some aren’t enamored with Windows Backup. At best, the app could be seen as bloatware meant to force people to use Microsoft’s OneDrive cloud storage. At worst, Windows Backup might not function properly or at all. For instance, some IT administrators found that the app failed to launch, receiving a “this feature is not supported by your organization” message. PC World tested the feature and found not everything was backed up when moving data to a different device, for example. 

Outlook 

The idea behind the Windows Backup app is sound, but it seems it might need some updating to truly function as intended. As some users have noted, the app either doesn’t back up everything or tries to sync with unwanted apps. And of course, you’ll need enough room on your OneDrive cloud storage so all your files are backed up.

Windows Backup is still fairly new (at least to the public) so we’ll keep an eye on any updates Microsoft delivers. Stay tuned for more.

More from Tom's Guide

• How to check Windows 11 laptop battery health
• Panos Panay is out at Microsoft
• Microsoft is fixing one of the things I hate most about Windows 11

If you regularly used Google Hangouts or any of Google's other now-defunct messaging apps sunset in favor of Google Chat, I have some bad news: Google is shutting down Album Archive, a gallary of images or videos shared on older Google services over the years. So now's the time to back up your content if you haven't already.

Google emailed users this week warning them that "some content that's only available in Album Archive will be deleted starting July 19." That includes some Google Hangouts data currently stored within Album Archive, background images uploaded in the Gmail theme picker before 2018, and small thumbnail photos, album comments, and likes. A banner on the Album Archive support page states the service will no longer be available after July 19, 2023.

Google's urging users to download a copy of their Album Archive data via Google Takeout. That way you can receive a download link through your email or transfer your data to one of the best cloud storage services like Google Drive, IDrive, OneDrive, or Dropbox.

While the email's pretty clear that some of your data stored within Album Archive will be gone for good after July 19, the support page suggests you may still be able to access it through other Google services even after next month. Users can "view and manage" content beyond July 19 on other Google services like Blogger, Hangouts (now Chat), Google Photos, and their default Google Account, the support page reads. If you go the email route, just know that the Google Takeout download link is only valid for seven days. 

That discrepancy between the email and support page has some people understandably confused. Either way, following Google's suggestion and snagging a copy of any images or video currently stored in the Album Archive couldn't hurt. At the very least it could make for a nice trip down memory lane. While you're at it, why not check out the best photo storage and sharing sites to help you keep track of everything? And if you're an avid smartphone videographer snapping away on one of the best camera phones, we also have a list of the best photo organizer apps so you can ditch endlessly scrolling through your camera roll. 

More from Tom's Guide

• 9 hidden Google Maps features everyone should know
• What is Google Bard? Everything you need to know about ChatGPT rival
• Google announces big AI upgrades — including identifying skin conditions

Storing files in the cloud means placing a huge amount of trust in the host, and that it’s keeping its security in top shape. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to have been the case with Google Workspace, according to a new report from security experts. 

Apparently, there’s an exploit that could allow hackers to steal Google Drive files and get away without a trace.

Researchers from Mitiga Security have published their findings on this exploit, which relates to whether you’ve paid for a Google Workspace license or not. Evidently usage logs are only kept if you’re paying for the service, and if you’re not then there’s no record of what’s been going on in your supposedly-private Drive space.

So, should any bad actors manage to compromise a Google Workspace account, they could then revoke this license. Once the account is officially “Cloud Identity Free”, they are able to do as they please without there being any record of what’s been happening. 

Mitiga claims to have notified Google of the issue, though the company apparently hasn’t responded. Hopefully it's actually figuring out a solution to the problem, because it’s a pretty serious one to have.

As TechRadar Pro points out, knowing what files have been compromised and taken during a data breach is essential. Knowing what data was taken means victims can be better informed about the risks of identity theft, fraud or other similar consequences. Without proper logs it’s impossible to make those kinds of judgments.

It’s true that the problem doesn’t make it any easier for threat actors to access your Google Workspace account in the first place. But once they’re in it means those hackers can do whatever they like, safe in the knowledge there will be no record of it.

That means it’s all the more important to make sure your account is kept safe and secure — keeping those ne’er-do-wells out of your private data. That means making sure 2-step verification is activated, and that you have a strong password. Or better still, learn how to use passkeys with your Google account for better security.

More from Tom's Guide

• Siri tipped for handy upgrade at WWDC 2023 — no more 'Hey Siri'
• Google Pixel 8 Tensor G3 chip just tipped for huge upgrades
• Apple AR/VR headset design leaks appear just before WWDC 2023

Apple has announced its plan to bring end-to-end encryption to iCloud in an effort to further protect its users from data breaches.

Once Advanced Data Protection becomes available, iPhone, iPad and Mac owners will be able to add extra protection to their sensitive data stored in the company’s cloud storage service. This is an optional feature and users will need to enable it themselves from the iCloud settings menu on their devices.

Apple devices running either iOS or iPadOS currently use a file encryption methodology called Data Protection according to an Apple support document. Meanwhile, while Intel-based Macs use a volume encryption technology called FileVault, Macs powered by Apple silicon use a hybrid model that supports Data Protection.

iCloud already protects 14 sensitive data categories including passwords in iCloud Keychain and Health data using end-to-end encryption by default. Once Advanced Data Protection is enabled though, the number of protected categories will increase to 23 and include iCloud Backup, Notes and Photos. 

However, Advanced Data Protection won’t encrypt every data category as iCloud Mail, Contacts and Calendar need to be able to interoperate with other systems and services.

Head of security engineering and architecture Ivan Krstić provided further insight on Advanced Data Protection in a press release, saying: “Apple makes the most secure mobile devices on the market. And now, we are building on that powerful foundation. Advanced Data Protection is Apple’s highest level of cloud data security, giving users the choice to protect the vast majority of their most sensitive iCloud data with end-to-end encryption so that it can only be decrypted on their trusted devices.”

Making things more difficult for law enforcement

Offering enhanced security for user data stored in the cloud makes a lot of sense for Apple, especially when 1.1 billion personal records were exposed worldwide in 2021 as the result of data breaches according to a new white paper (PDF). However, the company’s new Advanced Data Protection feature may make things a lot more complicated for law enforcement.

In a report on this new feature, The Wall Street Journal highlights how Apple will no longer be able to provide iCloud phone backups after being requested to do so by law enforcement agencies. Even though the company has prevented the FBI and other government agencies from accessing encrypted data on the best iPhones, it has provided them with iCloud backup data in the past when after being legally requested to do so.

Once Advanced Data Protection becomes generally available and iPhone users start enabling it, Apple will no longer have the ability to comply with these requests which often include chat logs and attachments from iMessage. Law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and around the world will likely take issue with Advanced Data Protection but how this feature will affect future investigations remains to be seen. 

In a statement to The Washington Post though, the FBI expressed its concerns about the threat posed by end-to-end encryption, saying: “This hinders our ability to protect the American people from criminal acts ranging from cyber-attacks and violence against children to drug trafficking, organized crime and terrorism. In this age of cybersecurity and demands for ‘security by design,’ the FBI and law enforcement partners need ‘lawful access by design.’”

When will Advanced Data Protection be available?

Even though Apple just announced this new feature, Advanced Data Protection is already rolling out to Apple Beta Software Program members in the United States. This will give the company time to tweak and perfect the feature before it becomes generally available.

If you’re not in the Apple Beta Software Program, you’ll need to wait until the end of the year (which is approaching fast) to test Advanced Data Protection for yourself. After the feature is released in the U.S., it will begin rolling out to the rest of the world early next year. At that point, we’ll likely know a bit more about how it works and if there are any downsides to enabling Advanced Data Protection for iCloud.

Anyone who has ever had their computer crash midway through writing something important will be grateful for Google Drive, one of the best cloud storage options out there — but that’s not all it’s good for.

Good Drive is the go-to choice for many professional teams across numerous industries who work together every day — including Tom’s Guide. I’ve personally learned a few Google Drive tips and tricks that have definitely improved my productivity at work and I’d love to share them with you. 

So, with that, here are 11 Google Drive tips to save you time.

1. Use Google Drawings to edit images

If you need to edit an image in a pinch, but don’t have access to Photoshop, you could do worse than using Google Drawings. It doesn’t have anything like the functionality of Adobe’s image suite, but it is free and easy to access. From the Google Drive home screen simply select My Drive and then click More. This expanded menu will contain Google Drawings, among other handy apps.

 2. Use advanced search to filter results

Those who have dozens or even hundreds of similarly titled documents may have a hard time finding exactly which ‘untitled 1.docx’ they are looking for (no judgment, ok?). In a case like this, the default search bar is less than useful. 

Thankfully, by selecting the filter icon on the right-hand side of the search bar, you can apply additional parameters to search by, including: owner, type, date modified, and a host of other differentiating features. 

 3. Install add-ons  

If you’re using the vanilla version of Google Drive then you’re likely missing out. Much like iOS and Android have their apps and Chrome has its extensions, Google Drive Workspace has add-ons. 

With a large number of free offerings that have been downloaded by millions of users, you can add a huge amount of new features to your drive for no cost. Add-ons like Automagical Forms are a great free option for converting fiddly PDF files. Simply click on the plus button in the lower right of the screen, then browse, search and download add-ons from the Workspace Marketplace.

4. Access files offline 

Imagine the scenario: you need to get a document finished in the next hour, but you're about to run for a train where you'll have no cellular coverage. Disaster, right? Not if you have Offline working enabled! Using Offline mode, you can work on documents even when you have no internet connection. Of course, you'll have to set this up ahead of your internet drought, while you still have a connection.

Go to your Drive Settings, then to General and make sure Offline is ticked. You'll have to make individual documents or files available for offline. To do this, while in a document, select File and then Make available offline. 

5. Share files with others 

One of the biggest advantages of using Google’s office suite compared to Microsoft’s is the ability to share documents, sheets, slides, and forms at the click of a button. Simply select the share button in the top right corner then type in the name of someone in your contacts you wish to share with. In larger companies and networks this feature is invaluable in making sure everyone is working with the same materials and information. This is a great way to bypass the 25MB Gmail attachment limit.  

 6. Scan from your phone  

Using the Google Drive App on your phone, you can actually take a picture with your phone, scan it and upload it straight to your Drive. Simply open the app, select the plus icon, tap scan and then take a picture with your phone. 

 7. Multitask within Drive

You don’t need to have multiple tabs open when using any Google Drive app. The explore function opens up a sidebar on your screen where you can search the net for information and references or find images and even filter through your own drive and shared files. Simply select the explore button in the bottom right corner of your screen.  

8. Remove complex formatting

When copying and pasting information into a document from multiple sources, it can end up looking like a mess and be tricky to work from. To clear all formatting from text in Google Docs and return it to standard text simply highlight it, select ‘tools’ from the toolbar and then click Clear all formatting, or even just use the shortcut Ctrl + \ on Windows and Cmd + \ on Mac. You can also remove all formatting when pasting text: press Ctrl + Shift + V on Windows or Cmd + Shift + V on Mac. It saves my editors no end of headaches.  

 9. Star your frequently used documents 

If you find yourself searching for the same documents, sheets, etc over and over again, why not add them to your starred list instead, then you can find them on a separate tab in seconds. To do so, simply right-click the document, and select Add to Starred. You can now find it in the Starred tab of your Google Drive home screen. 

 10. Create a shared drive 

There’s no need to constantly email different versions of documents back and forth between team members. With a shared drive, everyone you invite can access and even edit straight onto the document. It’s fairly straightforward, simply select Shared drives and then click Create a shared drive. Now simply name it and invite your team to collaborate.  

11.  Rescue documents from the trash 

We have all accidentally deleted something important before. Much like the recycle bin on Windows, Google Drive has you covered. Items in the trash will stick around for 30 days. Click the Bin button, bottom left, then right-click a document to either restore it or condemn it to be erased forever.

We have a wide range of computing guides to help you get the most out of your tech. If you're looking for more help with G Suite, read how to change margins on Google Docs, how to view word count on Google Docs and how to do a strikethrough on Google Docs.

Want to declutter your Mac a little? Learn how to clear the cache on Mac. Teams driving you around the bend? Here's a tutorial on how to stop Microsoft Teams from opening on start up. Need to do a fresh Windows install? Here's how to install Windows 10. Trying to open your iPhone pictures on a Windows PC? Make sure you check out how to open HEIC files on Windows.

Every time you see an ad online and decide to click on it, the website you’re on and the ad tech responsible for serving the ad get paid. However, cybercriminals frequently use bots and other nefarious schemes to commit ad fraud, which may not be a big concern for consumers but can cost businesses loads of money.

As reported by Gizmodo, the ad tech firm Pixalate has discovered that cybercriminals have managed to weaponize Apple’s iCloud Private Relay for their own gain. The firm has dubbed this ad fraud scheme iP64 and it could end up costing advertisers in the U.S. more than $65 million by the end of this year.

First announced back at Apple's 2021 Worldwide Developers Conference, iCloud Private Relay is a privacy feature that is only available for iPhone and iPad users who subscribe to Apple’s iCloud Plus service. Essentially, it allows users to browse the web without revealing their real IP address, making it more difficult for sites and companies to track them online.

According to Pixalate’s report, 90% of the web traffic that appears to come from Private Relay is actually fake. If true, this is a really big deal as Apple has said on multiple occasions that its privacy tool has built-in fraud protection. 

At the same time, Private Relay is designed in such a way that “only valid Apple devices and accounts in good standing are allowed to use the service”. However, Apple takes things a step further in its iCloud Private Relay Overview (PDF) stating: “Websites that use IP addresses to enforce fraud prevention and anti-abuse measures can trust that connections through Private Relay have been validated at the account and device level by Apple”.

How cybercriminals are using iCloud Private Relay to commit ad fraud

In its report, Pixalate says that cybercriminals are committing ad fraud by inserting iPv6 and IPv4 IP addresses from Private Relay into digital advertising bid requests. While Private Relay is designed to be used exclusively with Apple’s Safari browser, the firm found IP addresses from the service attached to Mozilla Firefox as well as to non-Apple devices that can’t even run Safari.

During its investigation, Pixalate also observed Private Relay IP addresses coming from data centers as well as other browsers besides Safari which should be impossible. It also found Private Relay IP addresses that were part of a ‘bot ring’ where groups of users only visit a few websites or apps which is quite suspicious.

Even though Apple says that Private Relay IP addresses shouldn’t change during a browsing session, Pixalate observed them changing multiple times. This is another sign of ad fraud as these schemes use IP addresses that change automatically to make them harder to detect and track.

When it comes to the websites being targeted by this ad fraud scheme, Pixalate noticed that the bots used in it often visited E! Online, ESPN, Major League Baseball, NBC News and Weather.com quite frequently.

Tom’s Guide has reached out to Apple regarding Pixalate’s report and we’ll update this article if and when we hear back.

Is iCloud Private Relay still safe to use?

Even though cybercriminals are allegedly using iCloud Private Relay to commit ad fraud, the service is completely safe to use. However, Pixalate is recommending that companies block IP addresses from the service for the moment to avoid falling victim to ad fraud.

Thankfully, you can quickly turn off Private Relay if a website or network doesn’t work with the service according to a support document from Apple. To do this, go to Settings > Wi-Fi and tap the More Info button next to the Wi-Fi network you're currently connected to. Scroll down and toggle Limit IP Address Tracking to off to disable Private Relay. If you’re on mobile data, disabling the feature works the same way, but you need to go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options and toggle Limit IP Address Tracking to off.

Even though iCloud Plus is quite cheap at $0.99 a month for 50GB of storage, $2.99 for 200GB and $9.99 for 2TB, you might be better off with one of the best VPN services if you just want to hide your IP and avoid being tracked online. A VPN also gives you greater control over what country or region your devices appear to be in which allows you to bypass region blocks if you want to access the best streaming services while traveling.

iCloud is a constant for iPhone users. If you have an iPhone 14 or one of the best iPhones, you’re most likely using iCloud to back up your phone and photos. But many users don't know that they can access iCloud through the web, and it just got a big overhaul. 

Apple has announced a new beta for the iCloud web client that should update what was previously a basic user interface. The beta version has a clean look, with tiles for each app: Photos, Mail, Drive, etc.

You can even create documents through Pages from the iCloud Beta web client and instantly see them reflected in your Drive from the iCloud for web beta home page, which feels similar to using Microsoft Office 365 online. Previously, you would have had to take a couple of extra steps to verify that the new Pages document was added to your Drive. 

Having tested the new and old layouts myself, I can definitely say the new layout is superior. Things even as simple as opening apps into a new window instead of the same window feel like massive quality-of-life improvements. If you’re someone that uses iCloud on the web regularly, switching to the beta version is a must. It's another nice upgrade for iCloud, which already is set to get some upgrades for its Windows app.

Currently, there is no timeline for when the program will leave beta, but everyone can access the beta as long as they have an Apple ID. Just note to access the beta version, you need to go to the beta page.

If you go to the standard iCloud homepage it will show you the older version, even if you’ve already accessed and used the beta page. There is a banner at the top though that will lead you to the beta version if you went to the wrong page by mistake. 

iCloud for web beta: Other updates 

In addition to revamping the user interface and how opening various apps work, there are a few other new features in this new beta version of iCloud for web. According to Engadget, the beta now allows iCloud for web users to access several iCloud Plus features.

You can access custom email domains and the Hide My Email email forwarding service, which creates random unique email addresses for use when you don’t want to give out your personal email address.

If you want an email forwarding service but aren’t looking to shell out for iCloud Plus, DuckDuckGo offers a free email privacy tool that also allows for email forwarding through unique email addresses.

The iCloud for web beta also allows all users to easily access Data Recovery. This allows users to recover files deleted from Drive, as well as recover contacts and even restore an earlier version of their calendar.

This update isn’t going to encourage you to sign up for iCloud Plus; though if you do want to sign up for iCloud Plus, consider Apple One and bundle it with Apple Music and Apple TV Plus. What it will do is encourage existing users in the Apple ecosystem to use iCloud more — and in more places. Worst case, it’s still a great quality-of-life improvement for those who already use iCloud for web.

The best photo storage sites are vital if you take a lot of photos. Many of the best cameras have sensor sizes pushing 50MP these days, and RAW files can easily get to the 70-100MB size. Meanwhile, the best camera phones now have large sensors too, so even if you're a casual phone photographer, space can run out very quickly.

The best photo storage sites will give you the space you need to store your images, and should give you the option to expand your storage later on if you need to. They'll also give you the reassurance that your image library is backed up to the cloud, so you won't lose everything should your hard drive go kaput.

Whatever your needs, we've rounded up the best photo storage sites below.

The best photo storage and sharing sites today

Flickr is our pick of the best photo storage and sharing sites, thanks to its massive amount of storage and a simple, clean interface that makes it a joy to use. It remains the best option for serious shooters. Flickr also offers a great selection of tools, extensive tagging features and support for both viewing and downloading photos at a variety of resolutions (including, unusually, the option to offer the original size). There's even a stats engine that lets you track who is looking at your photos, while a very easy drag-and-drop system allows you to organize albums of your photos and collections of photos from you and other photographers.

Since being sold to SmugMug, the company announced a cap of 1,000 photos on free accounts. If you upgrade to a Pro account ($72 per year), you get unlimited storage, the ability to view your images at resolutions up to 6K, no ads and the option to stream videos up to 10 minutes in length. Pro subscribers also get $35 off a $70 order at photo-book service Blurb. (In our opinion, Blurb isn't that great, so check out our picks for the best photo books). You also get 50% off the first year of a SmugMug subscription, among other bonuses.

Read our full Flickr review.

Aimed at serious photographers, 500px offers an image-focused design that puts your photos front and center, providing a clean and elegant way to display your best shots. You can organize your pictures into Sets (photos on a particular theme) and Stories (photos of an event) that present the images in a strikingly dramatic fashion.

The free version of the service allows you to upload up to seven photos per week, but you can upgrade to one of two paid levels for a reasonable fee: Awesome usually costs $4.99 a month, and Pro $9.99 a month, though the site is currently offering a discount on the first year (to $3.99 and $7.99/month). Both offer unlimited uploads, plus more customization options and listings in the sites' pro directory. Whichever option you choose, 500px remains one of the best photo storage sites.

Google's photo-sharing service was designed primarily as a way to back up photos and video taken on smartphones, but it has evolved into one of the smartest pieces of software in the entire Google ecosystem.

Google Photos uses AI to categorize your photos, making it super-easy to find the one you're looking for. Type in "cat" for instance and it'll search through them all and find every relevant photo (that could be a lot for some people). It will also identify people and group them together; once you give the group a name, you can then search for all photos featuring a particular family member or friend.

It's also now a decent photo editing and sharing service. Once you've uploaded a photo, you can edit it by cropping and tweaking colors. Once the editing is done, you can create albums of photos and video that can be shared publicly or with specific Google users. In our roundup of the best photo editing software, we named Google Photos best for sharing. And, it's available for both Android and iPhone users.

Google keeps adding new features too. For example, if Google Photos sees that a particular friend is in your photo, it will offer to share it with them. It can also automatically colorize black-and-white images, too. For more information, here's our complete guide to Google Photos. If you have a Google Assistant-enabled smart display, such as the Google Nest Hub or the Google Nest Hub Max, you can also sync your Google Photos with the display, so they'll show up on the screen.

Google Photos used to offer unlimited space and uploads, up to a maximum resolution of 16MP and video at 1080p. But these days, any photos you upload from a non-Pixel device will count against your free 15GB Google Drive limit. Anyone using a Pixel 2-5 will be unaffected, so long as they stick to High or Express quality uploads. If you want to store bigger images or video files, you'll need to pay for space on Google Drive, which starts at $1.99 / £1.99 a month for 100GB.

Amazon Photos is Amazon's photo storage site for Prime members. (Prime membership costs $139/ £95 year after a recent price hike.) The service lets you store and share unlimited photos on your desktop, smartphone or tablet, and automatically tags images and videos, such as by animal type, person, and location. You can also order photo prints, cards, calendars and more — all with free shipping. It's too bad that Amazon Prints sits at the bottom of our best photo books list.

Users can invite up to five friends or family members to receive unlimited photo storage and collect photos in a Family Vault, and you can show photos on the Echo Show or Fire TV. That might be a good way to share the latest family snaps with the grandparents. Amazon has added a feature called Groups that allows you to share photos with a larger group, which is useful if you are involved in a club or society.

Read our full Amazon Photos review.

Apple's iCloud service integrates with its own Apple Photos software on Macs and iOS devices, although you can use the basic features on a Windows PC. You can upload photos to the free 5GB of space and share them in an online photo stream that can be viewed in Apple Photos or as a web page. Photos can be tagged with names and locations, and other iCloud users can also add their photos. That's a neat trick for creating a photo record from multiple photographers — say, of a party or concert everyone attended. Apple Photos will also identify and group images with similar faces, which you can tag with a person's name and contact info.

If you run out of space, Apple offers three additional tiers: 50GB for 99 cents/month, 200GB for $2.99/month, and 2TB for $9.99/month. The latter two plans can be shared with other family members. Note also that Apple has now rolled out a feature to let iCloud users easily transfer photos and video to Google Photos — which might be worth checking out if you're running short of space and haven't already maxed out your Google storage.

Adobe offers its Portfolio website creator and photo storage service to users of its Creative Cloud software subscription service, which provides access to programs like Photoshop and Lightroom.

The starting plan is $9.99/month and includes 20GB of storage, as well as Adobe Fonts, Photoshop and Lightroom. A Photoshop-only plan comes with 100GB of storage for $20.99/month, while a Lightroom-only plan with 1TB of storage is $9.99/month.

If you really want to splash out then the top-tier plan is $52.99/month, and includes 100GB of cloud storage, plus all of Adobe's apps, including Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Premiere Pro, After Effects, and more.

It's well worth a try, particularly if you are already paying for a Creative Cloud subscription. Individual photos and events can be tagged and labeled with captions and the presentation is clean and easy to use — no surprise, given that it's aimed at professional photographers marketing their services on Adobe's Behance website. Still, it would also work well for amateurs looking for a clean, simple way to show off their work.

Although it lacks a free tier, ImageShack's starting subscription — $3.99/month, or $37.99/year for unlimited photos — is pretty generous. With that, you also get the ability to watermark photos, embed photos, and share them. The Pro ($29.99/month) and Premium ($99.99/month) tiers add additional bandwidth for users to view and download your photos, plus dedicated support, a dynamic image resizer, and API access. Regardless of the plan, photos are limited to 25MB in size, which could be a hindrance to professional photographers.

ImageShack also lets you tag photos, and follow other photographers on its site. And another nice extra is that there are apps for Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows that let you automatically upload and back up photos to your ImageShack account.

The free version of Photobucket offers photo storage for 250 photos, though it comes with very intrusive ads, including pop-ups that obscure your images. There are three levels of paid, ad-free service: Beginner (25GB of storage for $6/month), Intermediate (250GB for $8 a month) and Expert (unlimited storage for $13/month). If you pay for an annual subscription, the cost drops to $5.39/month for Beginner, $7.19 for Intermediate, and $11.69 for Expert.

All of these plans allow you to show the photos on a third-party site, which is useful if you want to put the photos on a social network site that doesn't have its own image-uploading feature.

Photobucket has a generous collection of editing tools through a simple, easy-to-use interface. This list includes unusual tools like the smart color brush, which selectively adds color back into a black-and-white image.

Once you have edited your photos, you can add basic tags and organize them into albums or stories, the latter of which is a neat scrolling presentation of photos and accompanying text. Photobucket also provides extensive support for selling prints: you can buy individual photos, photo books (starting at $1.99) or even things like fleece blankets and tablet cases with your photos on them.

SmugMug is another design-focused photo storage site that offers a stylish home for your photos, with a custom homepage (such as richardb.smugmug.com) and many well-made design templates. Against that, SmugMug costs more than most of the services in our list. There is no free version (though there is a 14-day free trial) and the cheapest level costs $9 per month (or $75/year). That rises to $360/year for the Pro plan, which offers professional features such as ecommerce tools.

Regardless of the plan, you get a lot for your money, with unlimited storage of photos (each up to 500MB in size) and 1080p videos, and a good range of editing tools that are simple to use but powerful. These won't replace Photoshop in a professional photographer's toolbox, but they are good enough to fix most common photography issues and tweak a photo.

Dropbox offers support for photo storage, with its Android and iOS apps automatically uploading photos from mobile devices. You can also upload images from your computer to Dropbox as you would with any other files. Once photos are in the cloud, you can create and share basic slideshows that anybody can access, or share the files directly with other Dropbox users.

Unfortunately, there is no tagging, no printing and no way to edit photos online. Dropbox does offer a free collaborative editing tool, called Dropbox Paper, that is rather like Google Docs, but this doesn't offer photo-editing features. As such, Dropbox is a good option for photographers who want to back up photos, but not for those who want to catalog and permanently store their images.

Dropbox offers a free 2GB plan; a 2TB plan costs $9.99/month, and includes 30 days of version history and file recovery. The Pro Plan ($16.58/month) gets you 3TB of storage, but 180 days of file recovery, as well as a host of other features. Here is a list of all of Dropbox's storage plans.

The big kahuna of social sites also offers a surprisingly good set of photo storage, sharing and editing tools, with some caveats. After uploading photos from a cellphone, web browser or desktop client, you can create albums, add captions and tag photos by date, location or the people in the pictures. Face recognition has also been added; it will try to recognize the faces in your shots and tag those people if they are on Facebook. However, Facebook does shrink the images to fit onto the page; Facebook recommends sizing pictures to 720 or 960 pixels wide. You can use 2048-pixel-wide images if you select the high-quality upload option, but if the image is larger than 100 kb, it will get compressed for viewing.

Another downside is that there is no way to share the original-size photo. But if a lot of your family members and friends are already on Facebook, it's a great way to share casual shots or family photos.

The best general cloud storage for photos

If you're not so interested in the sharing, editing and organizing aspects of photo storage, and simply want a safe home for your digital images, you might be better looking at general cloud storage. We also have an article comparing cloud storage vs external hard disk drive so you can see what the advantages are.

You can view a full list on our best cloud storage for photos page, but we've included the top three here in case you want to jump straight to them.

How to choose the best photo storage site for you

To be considered one of the best photo storage sites, a service should offer six things:

1. Value: It should have enough storage to keep all of your photos in one place over the years at a low cost.
   
2. Quality: Your photos should be preserved in all their original high-res glory, not compressed beyond recognition.
   
3. Ease of use: You need to be able to upload photos easily and edit them.
   
4. Ease of access: Finding photos by date, tags or other means should be achieved without hassle.
   
5. Shareability: A good photo site makes sharing photos as easy as taking them, allowing you to post pictures to sites like Facebook, Twitter and others.
   
6. Printability: You or someone else who likes your photo should be able to buy a print or put together a photo book easily.

What is the best way to store large number of photos?

As you might've guessed, we think it's by using a cloud service. Firstly, it's easier to upgrade your cloud storage than it is to add a new hard drive or SSD to your computer. Cloud storage is also a more reliable way to store files — hard drives used for mass storage have a life expectancy, and when they fail, their contents are usually lost forever. Sure, cloud services comes with a long term subscription cost versus a single upfront fee of a hard drive, but there are more benefits to be had too.

The best photo storage services offer ways to tag and organize your image library, which is important when dealing with a huge volume of files. It's much easier to search by tags than by trying to dig through folders using your computer's file explorer.

Lastly, why limit yourself to one machine by storing photos on a physical drive? With many of the best photo storage sites, you can log into your account from any machine and view your photos. This is especially useful if you edit your photos on multiple machines, meaning you can tweak your exposure from anywhere.

Of course, you could go old school and print your photos out, but prints are liable to fading and, again, you'll not necessarily have a backup if they get lost.

How much storage do you need?

In one sense, this question is impossible to answer: it obviously depends on how many photos you have, as well as on other factors such as which devices you use and which quality settings you shoot at.

However, we can give you some simple calculations, based on various average sizes of photos.

If you do most of your photography on a smartphone, your images are probably 4-10MB in size. Modern mirrorless cameras will usually run to more like 15-20MB and RAW files can be as big as 70MB. So, as a (very) rough estimate, that gives you:

Even a (very rough) estimate like the above gives you an idea of the huge difference between the 5GB of free storage you get on Apple's iCloud vs something like the 250GB you get with Photobucket's Intermediate subscription.

But do also bear in mind that some services are based on number of photos rather than size — and if you mainly shoot with more space-hungry devices such as big-sensored mirrorless cameras and DSLRs, you might therefore be better choosing one of those (or something that offers unlimited storage).

Of course video is a different matter still, and is even harder to calculate due to length being yet another factor. Our suggestion here is to divide the file size by length of video for a given device to get an estimate for MB/minute, then work out roughly how many minutes' footage you will want to store, then go from there. You might need a calculator for that one.

How we test photo storage sites

To find out which photo sites offer the best bang for your buck, we tested a number of them by uploading an assortment of photos from our camera reviews, tagging and organizing them as the site recommended. We also evaluated how well a site's auto-tagging feature worked, if available, and looked at if a site stored our images at their full resolution.

We then looked at the various ways we could share and print photos, to determine which site offers the best and easiest-to-use range of features.

Also part of our evaluation was the cost of storage, for both free and paid tiers. While this wasn't the determining factor — organizational and sharing features were given a higher priority — it did count in our overall rating. With all those factors considered, we were able to compile our list of the best photo storage sites.

More from Tom's Guide

If you'd like to do a little more reading before making your decision today, read about the 5 things to consider when selecting your next online storage provider and how to choose a cloud storage provider.

We have a wide range of buying guides to help you make the right decisions. If you're also looking to edit photos, make sure you check out our photography guides, including the best photo editing software, best free photo editing software and best photo editing apps. If you're a videographer, check out our guides on the best video editing software and best video editing apps. If you're not keen on paying for your software just yet, why not read our guide to the best free video editing software. Only need to store images? You might also be interested in our guide to the best cloud storage for photos. And if you want to upgrade your gear, make sure you read our round up of the best cameras you can buy today.

If you're concerned with running out of storage space, using the best cloud storage is a great way to free up space on your PC, smartphone, laptop, and other devices. Using cloud storage also allows you to store a backup of your most precious files in the cloud.

However, as the cloud storage market has developed, it now means that finding the right service for you is less dependent on what service has the most gigabytes for the lowest price, and instead on all-important privacy and security features. This can include bulletproof backups, real-time collaboration, and/or rock-solid privacy credentials.

I've used all of these services, tested upload speeds, bothered customer support, and compared how they handle sync conflicts. Overall, IDrive came out on top, but that doesn't mean the other products I've included on this list aren't worth your consideration.

Below you'll find the best cloud storage solutions for a range of factors, from best for collaboration to best for security, and more.

The best cloud storage deals right now

The best cloud storage overall

If you're looking for cloud storage that you can use across multiple users, then IDrive is a great choice.

IDrive lets you connect your entire digital ecosystem under one subscription: phones, tablets, laptops, desktops, and even NAS drives from Synology and QNAP. It does bear noting, however, that unlimited users are limited to IDrive's "Business" tiers.

Still, its free 10GB tier is great if you're interested in just taking it for a spin, and if you don't mind being limited to one user, its 100GB plan costs just $2.95 per year (or $0.25 per month).

One of the features I was most impressed by was IDrive Express. Restoring terabytes of data over a home broadband connection can take days, and so to get around this, IDrive will ship you a physical hard drive for large restores. All you need to do is upload your files, ship the drive back to them, and they'll take care of the rest. Simple.

In testing, I appreciated the modern look and feel of IDrive's web interface and mobile apps, although the same cannot be said for its Windows desktop app. It feels a lot more outdated than its counterparts, although this isn't necessarily a dealbreaker.

In speed tests on a 100 Mbps connection, a 5GB test folder was uploaded in under 7 minutes. Downloads ran slightly slower. CPU usage stayed low throughout, which is important if you're working while backups run in the background.

I was also pleasantly surprised to find that IDrive's support operates 24/7 via phone, email, and live chat — increasingly rare these days.

Read our full IDrive personal cloud backup review, and our IDrive business review.

*All prices are based on undiscounted rates of the cheapest available annual plan.
**Entry-level Team and Business plans shown: plans go up to 500TB and 500 users / 50TB and 50 users.
***IDrive is offering 10TB storage at a hugely discounted $4.98 for the first year

Best cloud storage for collaboration

Collaboration is where Google Drive beats the pack. Multiple people can edit the same document simultaneously, watching each other's changes move in real time. If you've ever dealt with the nightmare of emailing document versions back and forth, you'll appreciate how seamlessly this works.

The 15GB free storage dwarfs what most competitors offer. Plus, paid plans under Google One start at just $1.99 per month for 100GB. The AI-powered search impressed me — vague descriptions can still help you find files you'd completely forgotten about.

In terms of privacy, Google holds the encryption keys, which means the company can technically access your files if required by law — something that may be off-putting for those looking for absolute privacy.

The web interface packs in a lot of features, which is great, but it comes with the downside of being overwhelming for new users. During testing, I found myself having to dig for settings buried in sub-menus, regardless of the fact that it's one of the cloud storage services I'm more familiar with. Mobile apps perform beautifully, though, and Android users get near-invisible integration with their devices.

In speed tests, Google Drive tied for first place with IDrive. A 5GB folder was uploaded and downloaded in just over 7 minutes each way. Google's global data center network keeps things reliable, with Workspace customers effectively guaranteed constant uptime.

Read our full Google Drive review, our Drive Enterprise review, and our Google Cloud review.

Best cloud storage for file sharing

Dropbox is well-known in the cloud storage space for inventing the "magic folder" concept that every competitor now copies. Simply drop a file in, and it appears everywhere as soon as it's uploaded. What keeps professionals paying Dropbox's premium prices is the engineering underneath: block-level sync means the service only uploads the changed portions of a file, not the entire thing.

For video editors or anyone working with large assets, this speed difference adds up, which is why I'd recommend Dropbox to you if this is what you're looking at using cloud storage for. A small edit to a 2GB file syncs in seconds rather than requiring a full re-upload.

That being said, Dropbox's 2GB free tier feels miserly compared to Google's 15GB or MEGA's 20GB. Dropbox clearly wants to convert free users quickly. The Plus Plan at $9.99 monthly jumps to 2TB, and the Professional Plan at $16.58 monthly offers 3TB with a 180-day version history.

During testing, Dropbox's Dash feature caught my attention. The AI-powered tool searches across connected platforms (Notion, Gmail, Trello) to find files regardless of where they live. Replay and Capture tools let teams leave timestamped feedback on video projects without scheduling meetings to discuss them — a real time-saver.

When I tested it upload and download speeds, it was a little slower than IDrive and Google, taking a still reasonable 8 minutes to upload a 5GB folder and slightly slower to download it.

The interface remains among the cleanest in the industry — I actually appreciate that it doesn't try to do too much. Smart Sync shows all your cloud files in the desktop folder without consuming local storage, downloading them only when opened. Support ranges from community forums for free users to direct email and chat for paid accounts, which could be better, but is still appreciated.

Read our Dropbox review and our Dropbox Business review.

Best cloud storage for security

If you want to keep your files as secure as possible, then Sync is a great option. Zero-knowledge architecture means that even Sync's staff can't view file contents or help recover them without your password. For anyone handling confidential files, this is a strong feature.

The free tier offers 5GB (expandable through referrals). Paid plans start at $8 monthly for 2TB, climbing to $15 monthly per user for unlimited team storage. The flat pricing with no transfer fees appeals to anyone regularly shipping large files.

I found Sync's Vault feature to be a nice touch — it stores files in the cloud without syncing them locally, freeing up hard drive space for archival material you rarely access. CloudFiles lets you browse your entire cloud library through Windows Explorer or Finder, downloading files only when opened.

Unfortunately, speed tests revealed the trade-off for this encryption. Uploading a 5GB folder took around 10 minutes, far slower than Google Drive, OneDrive, IDrive, and Dropbox. Downloads were even slower than this at around 12 minutes. The bottleneck appears to be CPU-intensive client-side encryption rather than network speeds. To put it simply, you're paying for privacy in performance.

The web interface received a major overhaul in July 2025 and finally looks modern, something it had previously been crying out for. Support remains email-only for personal plans, though Teams+ subscribers get phone support and a dedicated account manager.

Read our full Sync.com review.

Best cloud storage for Windows

If you want a set-and-forget cloud storage solution, OneDrive integrates into Windows 11 so naturally that it's easy to forget it's running. The Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders can automatically sync to the cloud without manual configuration, backing up your files without a second thought. Files On-Demand shows everything in Explorer without consuming local storage, downloading items only when opened. If you're a Windows user, it just feels native.

OneDrive's Personal Vault is a feature I wish more services offered. The protected folder requires additional identity verification (fingerprint, SMS code, or authenticator app) before opening, then auto-locks after 20 minutes of inactivity. It's good for anything you'd rather not have immediately accessible.

Integration with Microsoft 365 apps enables real-time co-authoring in Word and Excel that rivals Google's collaboration tools. Version history makes reverting changes painless, and the mobile app includes a document scanner that converts paper to searchable PDFs directly into cloud storage.

During speed testing, OneDrive placed second overall, with a combined sync time of around 15 minutes for an upload-download round-trip.

Read our full Microsoft OneDrive review, our OneDrive for Business review, and our Microsoft Azure review.

Best cloud storage for Privacy

MEGA built its entire service around the assumption that you don't trust them — and I mean that as a compliment. Files are encrypted on your device before uploading, using keys derived from your password. The company publishes transparency reports detailing government requests, and they can't comply with demands to reveal file contents because they genuinely can't see them, making this a perfect cloud storage service for those who value privacy above all else.

The 20GB free tier leads the industry for zero-knowledge storage. However, what surprised me in testing was the ecosystem around storage — it's more than just a file locker. Paid accounts include an encrypted VPN with ad blocking, a password manager called MEGA Pass, and unlimited encrypted video calls. MEGAdrop lets non-users upload files directly to your account through secure links.

Desktop apps cover Windows, macOS, and Linux (a rarity among mainstream providers). Mobile apps feel polished. Support operates exclusively via email, with no phone or chat options. Paid users get priority responses, but free accounts may wait a while.

In testing, the combined sync time for a 5GB folder came in at 17 minutes, with the multi-threaded architecture handling batches of small files particularly well, making it just a little slower than Dropbox. However, you should keep in mind that quotas on cheaper plans can throttle heavy downloaders.

Read our full MEGA cloud hosting review.

Cloud storage services compared

Based on our testing, IDrive is the best cloud storage provider of premium solutions, offering great value-for-money across a range of highly-secure, feature-packed plans. It's also our top pick for the best free cloud storage, the best cloud storage for photos, and the best personal cloud storage provider.

Google Drive provides leading integrations with Google Workspace as well as slick mobile and desktop apps, while Dropbox continues to be one of the best cloud storage solutions thanks to ease-of-use and third-party app integrations.

Microsoft OneDrive provides integration with Microsoft 365, as well as premium plans for individuals, families, and businesses, making it a great choice for Windows users.

*IDrive is currently offering 10TB for just $4.98 for the first year

Best cloud storage benefits

Cloud storage FAQs

The best cloud storage for business: what you need to know

Identifying the best cloud storage for business means looking for highly stable, secure systems that protect data at all times. End-to-end encryption and zero-knowledge architecture are particularly important, but also look for StaaS products, as they offer advanced cloud sync and collaborative features for seamless digital workflows, increased employee cooperation, and productivity.

Powerful administrative features provided, such as access management, system auditing, 2FA, and role-based permissions, are also worth keeping an eye out for, particularly for medium- and large-sized organizations.

What you need to know about free cloud storage 

If you've got less complex storage requirements or have a tight budget, most providers offer free plans. While less feature-rich, with smaller storage allowances and other limitations, free cloud storage can be more than sufficient for personal needs.

You can store important documents and images, but should you want more capacity, you'll have to pay to upgrade. However, the advantage is that you can try out different platforms for free before you do.

How we test the best cloud storage

When we review cloud storage providers, we test upload and download times for files, as these speeds are integral to performance and usage. We also look at how each provider's security stacks up, how responsive customer service teams are when there's a problem, at pricing, and at any additional features offered.

Our comprehensive reviews also make a point of comparing each cloud storage service to competitors across key features and pricing, so you can benefit from as much information as possible before you make your choice.

Take a look at some of our other reviews of leading platforms, including:

• Box and Box for Business
• iCloud
• SpiderOak
• MEGA
• GoodSync
• Wasabi
• Egnyte
• Nextcloud
• Tresorit
• LiveDrive

Ready to purchase cloud storage? Make sure you check out our top cloud storage deals to get cloud storage space for less.

Next steps with cloud storage

Make sure to follow a cloud storage checklist when looking for a provider, and consider the most important factors when selecting an online storage service, as well as these tips for data backup and recovery. If you're unsure about the differences between cloud storage, cloud backup, and cloud sync, it's worth doing your research first.

If you're buying cloud storage on behalf of a small company, take a look at the best cloud storage for small businesses, but also learn the top reasons you should use small business cloud solutions; find out why small businesses should use cloud services; and understand why a multi-cloud strategy benefits businesses.

Are you an iPhone user of iCloud, and have no space left in your storage? Learn how to free up space if your iCloud storage is full.

Three years ago, Google Photos launched its new ‘Memories’ feature, which automatically collected your photos into ‘stories’ akin to those found on Instagram or Snapchat. At the time, those stories were completely private — but that’s now about to change. Assuming you want it to, that is.

Today, Google has announced it’s making it easier to share moments, with what it claims to be the “biggest update to Memories since its launch.” This also involves a new collage editor, which is designed to let you create and share custom creations more easily. 

This new update starts rolling out today, and according to Google this means you’ll start seeing more videos pop up in the app. Specifically “the best snippets from your longer videos” which will be automatically selected and trimmed down. 

Google Photos will also offer a more “dynamic” feel, with use of “subtle zoom” that adds some movement and which, along with music, is supposed to make the newly created Memories more immersive.

Crucially, this will be different from the dynamic zoom utilized in the 3D-esque Cinematic Photos feature that first launched in 2020. However, Cinematic Photos is also getting an update, which will apparently “transform multiple still photos into an end-to-end cinematic experience.” Music is also being added to make photos “feel a little more like a movie.”

If all that wasn’t enough, a new Styles feature will automatically add graphics and artwork to your Memories. Several designs will be available when this reaches your phone, and presumably Google will continually add more in the months ahead.

If Google doing all this stuff automatically isn’t your thing, the new collage creator tools gives you the option to get your own creative juices flowing; you pick the photos, the designs and customize the layout. 

Google Photos is also giving you the option to edit photos in the collage editor. This option is available to everyone, though Google One members and Pixel owners will have access to 30 more designs and extra editing features.

Even with all these new features, though, the most notable change is the ability to share Memories with others. People have apparently been pestering Google for this option for some time, and the company has now decided to acquiesce. That ability will be rolling out to Android devices as part of this new update, so in a few taps you'll be able to share those memories as you would anything else — be it a photo or a video.

Sadly, iOS and web users will have to wait a little longer to get the same ability. How much longer isn’t clear, but Google says the feature is “coming soon”.

If you have important files backed up on Amazon Drive, it’s time to make sure you have copies elsewhere. Amazon has sent out emails to customers signalling that its cloud storage platform will be shutting down at the end of next year, and once that deadline has passed certain files will be lost forever.

Why some and not all files? Well, the change is motivated by the company’s newfound focus on Amazon Photos, and that means if you have pictures and videos in your Amazon Drive account they will automatically be moved over. Amazon Prime members get unlimited full-resolution photo storage and 5GB of video, while non-Prime customers get a total of 5GB for everything.

Other file types currently supported by Amazon Drive, however, will not make the jump, so you have until December 31 2023 to retrieve them. After that, it’s up to you whether you want to store them locally or consider the remaining best cloud storage options available. 

Amazon Drive will continue to work as it has for the past decade until October 31, when the Amazon Drive app will be removed from Android and iOS marketplaces. Then, on January 31 you will no longer be able to upload anything, and the service will solely act as a repository for files already uploaded. From there, you’ll have exactly 11 months to rescue the files that aren’t compatible with Amazon Photos.

“We understand that content saved on Amazon Drive is very important to our customers,” the company writes in a new FAQ page explaining the change. “We will communicate our plan to remove or delete files prior to December 31, 2023 and provide sufficient time for customers to save their files. 

“Customers are encouraged to use Amazon Photos to access photo and video files and download all other files locally (or with another service) before December 31, 2023.”

It’s unclear how many people were actively using Amazon Drive, but presumably it’s not enough to justify reserving storage when the company needs to provide unlimited photo uploads to its Prime customers. In any case, if you have precious documents in Amazon’s cloud, now’s the time to make sure they’re safely backed up elsewhere.

Alternative cloud storage options

If you've got a lot of files stored in the cloud and you want to keep them there, then you're in luck. The rise of cloud computing means there's a whole suite of cloud storage options available. 

One of the most prevalent is Google Drive, which syncs up with your Google account and can comes with a productivity suite attached: think Google Docs, Sheets, and Forms. 15GB is provided for absolutely free with the scope to pay for more when needed. 

Microsoft OneDrive provides 5GB of cloud storage linked to your Microsoft account for free. And Dropbox's free tier offers 2GB of cloud storage; not a huge amount but plenty for storing a clutch of word documents and the odd PDF. 

And Apple users have access to iCloud that pretty much automatically offers you 5GB of cloud storage when you setup an iPhone, iPad or MacBook. Like the above services, you can then pay to increase storage capacity. 

So even with Amazon Drive now on borrowed time, there are plenty of options for you to keep your desired file and photos in the cloud. 

In the same way that you should regularly change your passwords, you should also back up your local files periodically to prevent losing them due to hardware failure or other unexpected incidents like a fire, flood or even a break-in.

Even if you store your files online using one of the best cloud storage services, it always pays to have an extra, physical copy of your most important data. This also applies when using a cloud backup service to store a separate copy of your files in the cloud.

In fact, many experts including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommend employing the 3-2-1 backup rule which entails creating a primary backup and two copies of your data. However, the rule goes a step further by suggesting you also save your backups on two different types of media and keep at least one backup offsite. This way you won’t need to turn to one of the best data recovery software solutions should a disaster strike.

Sure, you can manually move a copy of your important files to another hard drive on your PC or even to an external hard drive but why not automate the process instead? Fortunately, IDrive has created an excellent local backup tool that’s extremely easy to use and can be scheduled to run on its own at a time that’s convenient for you. Besides allowing you to back up your files to an external drive or even a USB flash drive, you can also back up your files to network-attached storage (NAS) devices.

In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through the process of getting IDrive’s tool set up and show you how to back up and recover data from your local storage so that you can rest easy knowing your pictures, documents and other important files are safe no matter what.

How to back up your local files for free using IDrive

1. Head to IDrive’s website
2. Create an account or sign in with Google
3. Download IDrive
4. Install IDrive
5. Login to your account
6. Choose your backup location
7. Backup your files
8. Schedule backups in advance

Read on to view detailed instructions for each step.

1. Head to IDrive’s website. Open your browser and navigate to https://www.IDrive.com/. At the top right corner of the page, click on Sign up if you need to create an account or Sign in if you already have one. 

2. Create an account or sign in with Google. Here you have the option to Sign up with Google or create a new account. If you do the latter, you’ll need to enter your first name, last name, email address and a new password for your account. (Although this guide is focused on backing up your local storage, you also get 10 GB of cloud storage space for free when you create an account.)

3. Download IDrive. From here you’ll need to download the IDrive client and install it on the computer you want to back up. While IDrive is available for PC, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS, we’ll be covering how to use the company’s software on PC. 

4. Install IDrive. IDrive downloads as an executable which you’ll need to find in your Downloads folder and double click to begin the installation. A window will appear asking you where you want to install the application and then you’ll need to click Accept and Install. 

5. Login to your account. Once IDrive is finished installing, the program will open automatically and you will need to login with your username and password. 

6. Choose your backup location. At the top of the page, you want to make sure Backup files to Local, Wi-Fi or Express device is selected in order to avoid using your 10 GB of cloud storage space. You then need to click on the blue box with three dots underneath this option to choose your backup location. 

While you can choose to back up your files to any hard drive or SSD on your computer, you can also back up your files to a USB flash drive, an external hard drive or a NAS device instead.

7. Backup your files. After choosing which files you want to back up and where you want them to be saved, you then need to click the Backup Now button in the bottom right corner. This will start the backup process which can vary in the amount of time it takes depending on the size of the files you want to backup. 

Once the operation is complete, a window showing a Backup operation summary will appear showing you when the backup started, when it ended, the number of files being backed up and the size of those files. You can also click View Log for additional details.

8. Schedule backups in advance. In order to schedule backups in advance you need to click on Scheduler in the menu on the left under Restore. Here you’ll be able to pick particular days of the week for IDrive to back up your files though you can also check the Daily Schedule box to have your files backed up each day. On this screen, you can also check the Email notification box to receive a notification in your email every time IDrive backs up your files. 

How to restore your local files using IDrive

1. Open the Restore tab 
2. Choose where you want your files to be restored
3. Restore your files
4. View your restored files

Read on to view detailed instructions for each step.

1. Open the Restore tab. To recover the files you’ve backed up, click on the Restore tab in the menu on the left. Here you will see all of your backups. Check the box next to the folder icon to choose the backups you want to restore.  

2. Choose where you want your files to be restored. Although you have the option to restore your files to their original location, you can also have them restored on your desktop or on any other drive on your computer. To pick another location, click on the blue box with three dots, and here you can choose where to restore your files.  

3. Restore your files. When you're ready to restore your files, simply click on the Restore Now button on the bottom left. The program will begin restoring them and you can see how much time has elapsed and the Estimated Time Left underneath the progress bar. 

4. View your restored files. Once the operation is complete, a Restore operation summary window will appear just like after a backup. Here you can click on View Log to see more information about the restore process or find the files on your computer by clicking Locate.

Now you know exactly how to back up and restore your local files using IDrive. This way you can rest easy knowing that you have an encrypted backup of your most important documents for safekeeping. As we mentioned before, it’s also a good idea to create multiple backups and store them on different types of physical media as well as in the cloud to follow the 3-2-1 backup rule. 

Ctrl C, Ctrl V is the comfort food equivalent for keyboard shortcuts — so the fact that Google Drive did not have this shortcut all along is just weird. Well, better late than never, Google is finally rolling out an update for Google Drive that will let you cut, copy or paste files into the Drive and manage them easily.

Google’s blog post says you will be able to move around files using Ctrl C (or Command on Mac) Ctrl X and Ctrl V like you would in any file manager. If you copy a file and paste it on a Google Doc or an email, for example, it will insert the file title and link with it as well. 

In their blog post Google mentions, “This saves you time by allowing you to copy one or more files and move them to new locations in Drive, and across multiple tabs, with fewer clicks.”

Note that these shortcuts will only work if you use Google Drive on a Chrome browser. Earlier you had to use the right-click menu to take action on files, an added step compared to using the no-brainer shortcuts. 

You can also create shortcuts to files with Ctrl (or Command) + Shift + V. Ctrl + Enter will open a selected file or folder in a new tab on Chrome. 

Google says the update should be “available to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google Accounts when using Google Chrome.” The new shortcuts have started rolling out and will be available to everyone in the next week. 

Google also rolled out the ability to make a copy of an existing encrypted document, spreadsheet or presentation on Docs, Sheets and Slides if client-side encryption is enabled. This is for Workspace Enterprise Plus, Education Standard and Education Plus users.

Google has been making a bunch of much-needed updates off late. Recently, Google Docs got a handy upgrade that lets you separate blocks of text. And Google Drive got a huge upgrade with “search chips” that made finding files a lot easier, just a few months back. 

You can also learn how to share a Google Drive folder with friends or colleagues and how to lock down Google Drive files to prevent others from copying or downloading them. 

I've tested dozens of the best cloud storage services, and when it comes to photos, what matters most is how well a platform handles uploads, organization, and the day-to-day experience of finding the shot you need. With photos and videos getting bigger every year, cloud storage makes sense for freeing up device space, but the wrong service can turn a simple backup into a frustrating chore.

The best cloud storage for photos makes uploading and organizing effortless, offers enough space to grow with your library, and stays affordable even when you have thousands of images. I've prioritized platforms with strong mobile apps, automatic backups, and smart features like facial recognition and AI-powered search.

Check out our full list of the best cloud storage services for photos below.

The quick list

In a rush? Here's a quick rundown of my top picks for cloud photo storage.

The best cloud storage for photos: exclusive Tom's Guide deals

The best cloud storage for photos of 2026 in full

The best cloud storage for photos overall

IDrive topped our rundown of the best cloud storage services, and for photos specifically, it's hard to beat. I like that you can connect all your devices (ideal if you're switching between a phone, a tablet, and a laptop) and the Auto Camera feature automatically uploads new photos and videos the moment they hit your device.

Organization is intuitive. You can sort shots by who's in them, create custom folders by event, date, or location, and sync everything across linked devices. Sharing works via email or direct link, with granular control over who can view or edit, all secured with 256-bit AES encryption and an optional private key.

IDrive's Cloud Drive keeps files synced across devices in real-time, matching your storage cap, which is a nice extra that some competitors charge separately for.

Pricing is highly competitive. The Mini plan offers 100GB for an outstanding $2.95 a year (yes, per year). The Personal plan delivers 5TB for the equivalent of about $5.80 a month for the first year, then $99.50 annually on renewal. Or you can start with 10GB free.

Read our IDrive cloud storage review.

The best value cloud storage for photos

Google Drive is a versatile cloud platform that syncs with the entire Google ecosystem, and pairing it with Google Photos creates what I consider the best all-around photo management experience for most people.

What keeps me recommending Google Photos is how little effort it takes to stay organized. The AI sorts your images by people, places, and objects automatically, so you spend less time filing and more time finding what you need. The editing tools are surprisingly capable too: Magic Editor handles complex adjustments, and Photo Unblur rescues blurry shots that would otherwise be deleted.

Sharing is straightforward. Google Drive creates links for photos or albums with customizable permissions for viewing, commenting, or editing. All Google accounts get 15GB free, shared across Photos, Gmail, and Drive, so keep that shared pool in mind when planning storage. Google One plans start at 100GB (Basic) for $1.99 a month or 2TB (Premium) for $9.99 a month.

Read our full Google Drive review.

The best budget cloud storage for photos

Dropbox is one of the largest file storage platforms, with around 700 million users, and it handles photos reliably. I appreciate that it doesn't try to reinvent the wheel. It's a solid, no-surprises backup tool that just works. Install the mobile app and activate automatic photo transfer, and from there, any edits you make in external software sync up instantly as Dropbox detects the changes.

The folder system keeps things organized, and file version history has 30 days on the Plus plan, 180 days on Professional and team plans. If you accidentally overwrite a photo or want to revert an edit, the original is still there. Dropbox also integrates with Adobe Creative Cloud, letting you jump straight into Photoshop or Illustrator from your stored files.

The free tier gives you 2GB, which is enough for a handful of photos but not much more. Dropbox Plus starts at $9.99 a month for 2TB, with Professional at $16.58 a month for users who need more advanced features. Business plans are available too.

Read our Dropbox cloud storage review.

The simplest cloud storage for photos

OneDrive is the cloud storage you already have if you're a Windows user, and honestly, I'd recommend giving it a fair shot before looking elsewhere. It's a general-purpose platform, not a photo-specific one, but the photo management tools hold up better than you might expect. AI-powered tagging, search by content, and album creation all work as expected.

Sharing albums or individual photos is simple via link, email, or social media, with options for view-only or editing access. The integration with Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint adds value beyond just storage.

Pricing is competitive. The standalone 100GB plan is $1.99 a month, matching Google One's entry tier. Microsoft 365 Personal at $9.99 a month gets you 1TB plus the full desktop Office suite. Microsoft 365 Family at $12.99 a month covers up to six users with 1TB each, making it the best multi-user deal on this list.

Read our Microsoft OneDrive cloud storage review.

The best free cloud storage for photos

Flickr is the OG photography platform, with over 60 million users and still one of the best places to store, organize, and show off your work. It's the only service on this list that doubles as a photo-sharing social network, and if you care about your photos being seen and appreciated (not just backed up), that's a distinction worth paying attention to.

Free accounts get up to 1,000 uploads, though private photo and video limits apply. Flickr Pro removes storage limits entirely and adds advanced statistics. Pro pricing works out to $7.08 a month on a two-year commitment, $8.00 a month billed annually, or $13.00 a month paid monthly.

You can tag photos with keywords, group them into albums, or pin them to a map for easy browsing later. The interface is clean for uploading single images or batches, though it can slow down with lots of high-resolution files.

Read our Flickr review.

The best cloud storage for photo editing

If you're a photographer who already lives in Adobe's ecosystem, Creative Cloud's storage is the natural extension of your workflow. The integration with Lightroom, Photoshop, and Elements means edits, syncs, and exports happen without ever leaving the platform.

The Lightroom plan at $11.99 a month (annual commitment) gets you 1TB of storage alongside the full Lightroom app. The Photography plan at $19.99 a month adds Photoshop to the mix with the same 1TB. If you need the full Creative Cloud suite, the Pro plan at $69.99 a month includes over 20 Adobe apps but only 100GB of cloud storage, so it's really an apps-first plan, not a storage plan.

Managing photos in Creative Cloud is a pleasant experience. The image galleries are polished, sharing is easy, and everything syncs. It's not the cheapest per-gigabyte option on this list, but if you're already paying for Adobe's editing tools, the storage feels like a natural part of the package rather than an extra expense.

Read our Adobe Creative Cloud review focusing on its cloud storage.

The best cloud storage for photos, compared

Cloud storage for photos FAQs

What is cloud storage for photos and pictures?

Cloud storage relies on physical servers in data centers, connected to the internet, to stash your files online. These setups are owned and managed by providers, handling everything from photos to docs.

For photo storage, the top cloud services often double as the best photo-specific options. You can upload, save, download, and back up your images securely, accessing them anywhere with an internet connection.

How to choose the best cloud storage for photos

With so many solid photo storage services out there, picking the right one means weighing what matters to you. Think about mobile and desktop access, gallery sharing to showcase your work, and how many photos (based on your library size) you want stored online.

Most follow a "freemium" model: some free storage to start, but more space requires a monthly or yearly fee. Prices per GB vary widely, so compare plans and estimate your needs before committing.

A 16MP JPEG averages 4.8MB, so 500 of them need about 2.5GB, and most services cover that for free. For RAW files, though, 500 16MP shots could hit 2.5TB, pushing you toward a paid plan since not all services support uncompressed formats like RAWs or TIFFs, so double-check compatibility before you sign up.

Upload and download speeds depend on your internet connection; if yours is slow, physical storage might be the smarter move. Look for Android and iOS apps if mobile matters, and some platforms, like Flickr, let you build profiles or portfolio sites alongside your storage.

The biggest advantage of cloud storage is accessing, editing, and sharing your photos from anywhere, not just your desk.

How we review the best cloud storage for photos

When reviewing cloud storage services, we start by testing upload and download speeds, since these drive platform performance and usability. Then we dig into security tools, checking how robust and thorough they are to keep your files safe from hacks or mishaps.

We also gauge customer support—how fast they respond and how well they solve issues, because you need reliable help when things go sideways. With free and paid plans galore, we break down pricing details and test any extra features or tools each service throws in.

We stack each platform against its rivals, focusing on price and standout features. All this testing is to arm you with the info you need to pick the right one.

Read more on our testing methodology.

Next steps with cloud storage

Follow our cloud storage checklist when looking for a provider of online storage, and learn top tips for data backup and recovery.

If you're looking for storage beyond just photos, or have a tighter budget, take a look at our other buying guides that evaluate the best free cloud storage, the best personal cloud storage, and the best cloud storage for business.

Backblaze’s scalable on-demand storage and online backup solution for business and home use has helped the company become one of the best cloud storage and best cloud backup options available. 

It’s also one of the longest-running cloud storage providers in the industry, with over 500,000 customers in 175 countries. In our Backblaze cloud storage review, we look at the unique selling points of the service, so you can decide whether it’s the right solution for your needs.

Backblaze cloud storage review: Snapshot

Backblaze is strong both as a cloud backup solution for personal use and SMEs, and as a pay-as-you-go cloud storage solution for larger companies. Its regularly updated software is easy to use and practical, and pricing is highly competitive.

While it isn’t particularly fast at making backups of your files, you should still consider Backblaze as an alternative to bigger cloud storage providers, and you could potentially save a fortune in ongoing costs.

Score: 4/5

Read on for our full and detailed Backblaze cloud storage review.

Backblaze’s competitors

Backblaze: Key features

Backblaze products can be split into two services: Computer Backup and B2 Cloud Storage. The Computer Backup service includes unlimited backups from a single computer, including all connected external drives. B2 Cloud Storage is a more versatile, yet complex online storage solution for larger organizations. 

Like other cloud storage providers Amazon S3, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, with B2 Cloud Storage you pay only for the amount of data you store and download each month.

Backblaze’s Computer Backup product’s standout feature is its unlimited storage space. Even if you have multiple large hard drives physically connected to your computer, the data on them will be backed up. 

Network drives won’t be backed up, though. By default, many file types won’t be backed up either, including .exe files and ISO disk images. This cuts down on the amount of time backups take. You can edit which file types are excluded in the Backblaze settings.

If you ever need a copy of your backed-up data, you can download it directly from the Backblaze website. Another option for rapid data recovery is for Backblaze to send you a USB drive with your files on it. This costs $189 per hard drive, but if you return the drive to Backblaze, this will be refunded.

You can only return five drives in every 12-month period, and you must pay return shipping costs, but it’s a useful option that could save you time and network bandwidth.

Backblaze: Key features and highlights

By default, Backblaze runs in the background, continuously checking your files for changes and backing them up. If you find this an intensive use of computer resources, you can disable automatic backups and only back up manually when you want to. Another option is to schedule backups to run once a day. 

Once you upload files to Backblaze, you can share them with other people. This is done through the Backblaze website interface, by simply choosing the files you want to share. You’ll be charged an additional $0.005 per GB a month for storing these sharable files, plus $0.01 per GB each time the files are downloaded.

Backblaze: What’s new in 2022?

At the end of 2021, Backblaze went public on the Nasdaq, under BLZE. In the cloud storage and computing space, Backblaze isn’t as big a name as Amazon, Google, or Microsoft, so the company is aggressively adding features that position it as a serious alternative to these big players. 

For instance, in April 2022, Backblaze added a Universal Data Migration service. This means Backblaze will handle the often complicated process of migrating your files from other cloud storage providers, servers, or from local storage to its cloud storage platform. This service is entirely free, making transitioning to Backblaze appealing for many businesses worrying about initial costs.

Backblaze has also added an improved Partner API, which makes it easier for third-party software to be written to work with Backblaze B2. At the same time, the company has launched a new pricing structure for resellers in an aggressive push to get more users on the platform.

All these new features show Backblaze is a company actively working towards being the best cloud storage and best cloud backup provider available, and should give confidence to businesses looking for a provider that’ll be with them for the long haul.

Backblaze: Pricing

The Computer Backup service has particularly simple pricing. You pay $7 a month for unlimited backups from a single computer. You can pay one year or two years in advance for a modest discount. If you have multiple computers to back up, you can order multiple licenses at one time, but there’s no discount for doing so.

The cloud storage product Backblaze B2 costs $0.005 per GB a month for storage, and $0.01 per GB for downloads. Overall, it’s one of the best-priced cloud storage solutions in the industry, beating Amazon, Microsoft, and Google.

* Price for storage only. Data download costs an additional $0.01 per GB after the initial 1GB each day

Testing Backblaze

We tested Backblaze’s Computer Backup service on a Windows 10 desktop connected to the internet via a 300Gbps connection. For the mobile app, we used a Huawei Galaxy phone running Android 12. This setup reflected an average home user or an SME, and enabled us to test the average speed and usability of the service.

How fast is Backblaze?

Backblaze isn’t particularly fast at making backups of your files, especially when you perform the initial backup. In our testing, backups performed at a maximum of 6GB an hour. So, if you have a lot to back up, the first backup may take several days. This is somewhat intentional. Backblaze includes automatic throttling, so backups never become a burden on your computer or network. 

In the Performance settings dialog, you can manually adjust how many backup threads the software will use, and whether the speed will be throttled. But even when you set these to maximum, your initial backup will still take quite some time.

How secure is Backblaze?

Backblaze goes into detail about its approach to encryption on its website. It uses 2048-bit public/private keys, symmetrical AES-128-bit keys, and HTTPS over SSL. In short, your backups are securely transferred and stored. You can create a private encryption key to add another layer of security to your backups, so only you will ever be able to decrypt the stored data. 

Backblaze also supports two-factor authentication through providers like Authy and Google Authenticator. This means accessing your Backblaze account requires you to authenticate your credentials on your mobile phone, or by verifying a login via an alert sent to your email address.

How does Backblaze's backup service work?

Backblaze’s backup product is engineered to be easy to use out of the gate. Create an account with a username and password, download the app, and run it. It will immediately start backing up all the important files on your computer to Backblaze cloud servers.

This makes it different from providers like Dropbox, which require you to specify the folders you want to back up. Backblaze is designed to be a set-and-forget complete backup of the documents and critical files on your computer, which many users will find appealing.

Besides the installed software, there’s also the Backblaze website and mobile apps. You can use these to browse through the files you’ve backed up, and share files with others.

Alternatives to Backblaze

Backblaze aims its products at a few distinct groups. Home users and SMEs will mostly gravitate to the unlimited backup option. 

Where Backblaze takes a one-computer, unlimited-data approach, IDrive does the opposite. With IDrive, you can back up an unlimited number of devices, but the amount of data you can store is limited by your plan. This makes it a better option if you have many devices and don’t need to store much data.

The Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage service competes in a different niche, though. As an enterprise-level cloud storage solution with a pay-as-you-go payment model, plus strong support for third-party apps and integrations, it goes up against giants like Amazon S3 and Google Cloud.

Backblaze B2 is undoubtedly less expensive than these bigger providers. Yet, one of the reasons enterprise businesses might choose Amazon S3 over Backblaze is how easy it is to integrate Amazon S3 with the rest of the Amazon ecosystem. Backblaze, on the other hand, exists as a separate entity.

Backblaze cloud storage: Final verdict

Backblaze is a strong choice for backup and cloud storage. We recommend its Computer Backup product to those with a single computer that’s full of important data and documents they want to back up to the cloud. Backblaze’s unlimited, continuous backup is about as simple as they come, and it’s priced competitively.

If you have numerous devices to back up, that product becomes less appealing. For larger businesses, there’s Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage, which has fantastic pay-as-you-go data storage pricing. It may not be as feature-rich as Amazon S3, and is slower than many competitors, but it’s an excellent choice you should definitely consider when shopping for a cloud storage provider.

Next steps with cloud storage and cloud backup

With so many cloud-focused products on offer, it’s essential to understand all the types of services available. Read our primer on what cloud storage is before deciding between cloud storage and cloud backup, and find out how to choose a cloud storage provider.

You can get started with free cloud storage via the best free cloud storage providers, but the top cloud storage gives you more storage space, better features, and faster speeds. Finally, you may want to consider a multi-cloud approach, where you use more than one provider to solve all your cloud requirements.

To see what other options are open to you, see our rankings of the best personal cloud storage, and the best cloud storage for business.

IDrive is a cloud storage service for individuals and businesses that offers terabytes of storage at affordable prices. In our IDrive cloud storage review, we’ll help you decide if this is the best cloud storage and best cloud backup platform for you.

IDrive cloud storage review: Snapshot

IDrive offers outstanding value for individuals and businesses that need to store lots of data in the cloud. The platform offers up to 100TB for individuals, or 35TB for teams. It supports backup and sync, including from mobile devices and external drives. IDrive also supports file sharing, and you can set passwords or expiration dates on shared files.

A unique feature that IDrive offers is the IDrive Express service. The company will send you a physical hard drive onto which you can transfer files, and then mail it back to have your data uploaded to the cloud. This service is helpful if you have large volumes of data to upload.

For individual users, IDrive offers more bang for your buck than competing cloud storage platforms like Google Drive. For businesses, you can find lower cloud storage prices from Zoolz Cloud Backup, but you miss out on helpful features like IDrive Express and mobile app support.

Score: 4.5/5

Read on for our full and detailed IDrive cloud storage review.

IDrive’s competitors

IDrive: Key features

IDrive enables individuals to back up files from an unlimited number of computers, mobile devices, and connected hard drives or NAS drives. For businesses, IDrive can also back up SQL, SharePoint, Exchange, and Linux servers.

You can turn on sync so that changes to your files are recorded in the cloud in real time. You also have the option to copy files directly into the cloud using IDrive’s web app.

IDrive makes it relatively easy to schedule backups from your devices. You can schedule backups daily or on specific days of the week, and set starting times for your backups. You can also opt to receive a desktop notification or email when backups are completed.

It also enables you to create different backup schedules for different groups of files. For example, you can schedule daily backups for projects you’re actively working on, and weekly backups for infrequently modified folders.

IDrive supports file sharing through links. Each share link can be customized with an expiration date (up to 30 days), or maximum number of downloads (up to 25 times). You can also add a password to protect share links. However, it doesn’t enable the sending of files directly by email. You must create a share link and send it to the recipient yourself. 

You can track all of your active share links through the IDrive dashboard.

IDrive: Key features and highlights

IDrive’s desktop app includes an option to clone your entire hard drive and back it up to the cloud. This option is only available on Windows computers, though cloned disks can be downloaded or viewed on Mac and Linux operating systems. Disk cloning can be regularly scheduled just like other backups.

IDrive Express is a service included with all IDrive plans. With IDrive Express, you can request that the company sends you a physical hard drive. You can transfer terabytes of files onto the drive, then mail it back to IDrive and the company will transfer your data into your cloud account. It’s a fast, hassle-free process for getting large amounts of data into the cloud.

If you need to restore data from the cloud, you can also use IDrive Express to receive a physical hard drive that contains all the contents of your cloud storage account.

IDrive: What’s new in 2023?

IDrive continues its practice of monthly updates to refine and enhance its software. A notable upgrade is the enhancement of two-factor authentication (2FA) for login, fortifying the security of your IDrive account. 

The addition of Map Drive support for Entire Machine Local Backup is a significant change, simplifying the process of local backups. Also, the SQL Backup Progress display enhancement and Schedule Backup enhancements, released earlier in June, offer better insight and flexibility in managing backups. 

We still look forward to seeing more collaborative tools, particularly features allowing comments and notifications on shared files, which would further enrich the platform's functionality.

IDrive: Pricing

IDrive has three different pricing tiers, as well as a free plan that includes 10GB. Personal plans support a single user and an unlimited number of computers. You can choose between five plans that range between 5TB and 100TB, starting from $99.50 a year. 

When it comes to IDrive Business, Team plans support a set number of users and computers up to a set amount of storage. Team plans start from five computers, five users, and 5TB for $99.50 a year. Plans range up to 35 computers, 35 users, and 35TB. 

Business plans support an unlimited number of users and devices, and enable you to back up servers as well as computers. Plans start at $99.50 a year for up to 250GB, shared among all users.

All IDrive plans are billed annually or biannually. All users receive 25% off their first billing cycle.

Testing IDrive

We tried out IDrive’s desktop and web platforms to find out whether they’re secure and fast enough for business use.

Is IDrive secure?

IDrive includes 2FA and end-to-end encryption to keep your files secure. To use end-to-end encryption, you must set up backups through the IDrive desktop app rather than upload files to the cloud using the platform’s web app.

It’s up to you whether you use a default encryption key from IDrive or set up a private key. If you use a private encryption key, IDrive cannot recover your files if you lose it.

How fast is IDrive?

We tested IDrive’s speed by uploading and downloading a 1GB file using the IDrive web app. With a 95Mbps internet connection, uploading the file took one hour and 57 minutes. Downloading the same file took three minutes and 10 seconds.

IDrive’s upload speed is slow compared to competing services like Zoolz. If you have a lot of data to transfer and can wait a few days for a hard drive to be mailed to you, you can use IDrive Express to get your data into the cloud. IDrive’s download speeds are also on the slow side, but not far from the average among cloud services we’ve tested.

It’s worth noting that IDrive uses block-level sync when syncing files from your devices to the cloud. This should speed up future backups, since only the modified portion of files needs to be re-uploaded.

Alternatives to IDrive

IDrive is one of the best cloud storage and cloud backup services for individuals and businesses, but it’s far from the only option. Two competitors worth exploring are Google Drive and Zoolz.

Google Drive is the cloud storage arm of Google Workspace, a productivity suite that includes Google Docs, Sheets, Meet, Gmail, and more. It’s straightforward to use, and the integration with Google Workspace is invaluable if your business relies on Google’s productivity tools. Notably, Google Drive supports simultaneous editing on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations stored in the cloud.

If you don’t rely on Google Workspace, Google Drive has several important shortcomings compared to IDrive. First, it’s relatively expensive. Whereas 5TB individual storage from IDrive costs $99.50 a year, 2TB from Google Drive costs $99.99 a year. If you do need to move large volumes of data around, Google Drive doesn’t offer a physical hard drive service similar to IDrive Express. Also, Google Drive doesn’t offer an option to back up servers.

Zoolz is more similar to IDrive, and specifically to IDrive’s business plans (it also offers the Zoolz BIGMIND service). All Zoolz plans support unlimited users and devices, including servers. Plans start at $199.99 a year for 1TB, compared to $499.50 a year for 1.25TB at IDrive. 

However, Zoolz doesn’t offer a physical hard drive service, and we’ve found that uploading and downloading data to and from the Zoolz cloud can be slow. Unlike IDrive, Zoolz doesn’t offer plans for individuals or small teams.

IDrive: Final verdict

IDrive is one of the best cloud storage and best cloud backup services we’ve seen for individual use, with support for up to 100TB at prices that few competitors can match. You can use IDrive across all of your devices, including mobile devices and external storage drives. The platform supports simple file sharing and scheduled backups, and offers end-to-end encryption to keep all of your data secure.

One of the best things about it is the IDrive Express service. This makes it easy to transfer a large amount of data to the cloud after you first sign up. It also streamlines the process of recovering data in the event of a cyberattack or hard drive failure.

IDrive is equally attractive for families, small teams, and small businesses with fewer than 35 employees. Pricing for IDrive Team plans is competitive, but bear in mind this plan doesn’t include server backup.

For businesses that need support for unlimited users or server backups, the choice between IDrive and Zoolz is a tough one. Zoolz is significantly cheaper than IDrive, and offers almost all the same features, with the exception of the innovative IDrive Express service. 

You won’t lose your data with Zoolz, but it could take days to download all of your data if a server fails. IDrive can send your data via a physical hard drive in the mail, which is a service that makes IDrive such a compelling cloud storage and backup provider.

Next steps with cloud storage and cloud backup

It's wise and necessary to establish what cloud storage is before you dive in and choose between cloud storage and cloud backup. If you're struggling to find the right service, learn how to choose a cloud storage provider.

While it's easy to start with free cloud storage via the the best free cloud storage services, the best premium cloud storage offers more storage, top-line features, and quicker uploads and downloads. There's also the option of multi-cloud, where one than more provider offers you multiple sources for your cloud needs.

When you're ready, also make sure to see what other types of cloud storage are available, in case your requirements change. We've ranked the best personal cloud storage and the best cloud storage for business to cover all bases.

Dropbox is one the most well-known, widely-used best cloud storage companies, offering advanced cloud backup solutions for business and personal users. In our Dropbox cloud storage review, we take a closer look at what’s on offer, and reveal why it’s regularly ranked among the top cloud storage platforms. 

Dropbox cloud storage review: Snapshot 

Dropbox is considered among the best cloud storage platforms, and for good reason. It offers advanced backup and storage solutions for individuals, as well as its Dropbox Business plans for businesses of all shapes and sizes. It’s slightly expensive when compared to some alternatives, but there’s a 30-day free trial that you can use to make sure it’s the right option. 

On top of this, Dropbox boats tight security. Its end-to-end encryption ensures your data can’t be hacked, and all files are secured by AES-256-bit encryption when at rest. There is currently no support for zero-knowledge encryption. 

There are also excellent file sharing and collaboration tools to streamline business workflows. An industry leader like IDrive may be a better option for some businesses, but most will find Dropbox to be right up there with the leaders, as long as you have a generous budget.

Score: 4/5

Read on for our full and detailed Dropbox cloud storage review. 

Dropbox’s competitors 

Dropbox: Key features 

Dropbox is considered one of the top cloud backup platforms on the market, and its features don’t disappoint. These include automatic backups, link sharing, and file management, as well as a suite of other noteworthy tools. 

Its real-time collaboration tools are among the best we’ve seen, enabling you to work on documents alongside other team members. You can assign tasks, embed links, @mention team members, and share documents with the click of a button. It’s even possible to leave comments with feedback or annotations, to guide future work. 

Administrative controls are also great, and enable you to limit who can see and work with what files. For example, you can create user groups within your organization. Each group can be assigned certain permissions, and you can add users to multiple groups as and when required. 

Another important feature we love about Dropbox is its advanced security. Although it doesn’t offer zero-knowledge encryption, its protection has tightened since it experienced a massive data breach in 2012. It currently offers end-to-end and at-rest encryption, along with various link-sharing security measures and two-factor authentication (2FA), which Dropbox calls “two-step verification”.

Dropbox: Key features and highlights

Dropbox Paper takes collaboration seriously, enabling you to create and edit documents in real-time directly from the web client. It may not be the most powerful and feature-rich document editor available, but it enables you to work on documents in a fun, streamlined way. You can add comments, everyone’s work is carefully tagged by name, and there are enough formatting options to satisfy most writers.

Last, but certainly not least, Dropbox boasts a tidy mobile app. This enables you to conveniently access and preview files from the comfort of your mobile device. You can download files for offline access, add comments, and upload files directly from your mobile device.

 Dropbox: What’s new in 2022?  

Dropbox provides regular product updates outlining new features, and anything else you may find useful according to the plan you’re on. The most recent update was published in April 2022, and you can expect three to four a year. Although some competitors update their software more regularly, Dropbox updates are usually major and include numerous additions. 

The recent April update added a selection of innovative features. At the top of the list is Dropbox Shop, which enables you to sell digital content directly through your cloud storage account. PDF editing tools were also introduced, e-signature templates (through its integration with HelloSign), and there’s a new audio file format converter. 

Many more updates were added, but there’s one clear message you can take away here: Dropbox is committed to remaining at the forefront of the cloud storage industry, and its regular product updates reflect this. 

Dropbox: Pricing 

Dropbox provides 2GB with a free account. Personal plans start at $11.99 a month ($9.99 with annual billing) for a single user and 2TB. The Family ($19.99 a month, $16.99 annually) plan supports up to six users with 2TB of shared storage. 

The Professional plan supports a single business user, comes with 3TB, and costs $19.99 a month ($16.59 annually). The Standard plan ($15 per user a month, $12.50 annually) adds 5TB for three or more users, and the Advanced plan ($25 per user a month, $20 annually) adds advanced team management and other tools. 

There’s also a 30-day free trial available for all three business plans.

Testing Dropbox 

To see how well Dropbox performs compared to the alternatives, we signed up for an account and put it to the test. We specifically focused on upload and download speeds and third-party integrations.  

How good are Dropbox’s upload and download speeds?  

If you’re working with a large amount of data, upload and download speeds are crucial. To put Dropbox to the test, we uploaded and then re-downloaded a 657MB video file using a relatively slow Wi-Fi connection with a 40Mbps download rate and 12Mbps upload rate. 

Uploading the file took significantly longer than we would have liked. Instead of being finished within the 10 minutes we expected, it took almost 20 minutes. Downloading the large file only took a few minutes, but we still weren’t impressed. 

Despite its claims that it's one of the fastest cloud storage platforms, and that it doesn’t limit upload and download speeds, Dropbox is significantly slower than many of its competitors, suggesting bandwidth throttling may take place. For example, we would expect the same file to upload in under five minutes with pCloud.  

How well does Dropbox integrate with third-party platforms?

Dropbox offers a wide range of integrations through its App Center. Here, you can install apps to help you connect everything, from marketing and sales programs, to accounting platforms and workflow automation suites. Some popular integrations include Google apps, Microsoft apps, Slack, Adobe, and AWS. 

To see how well Dropbox App Center integrations work, we tested how easy it would be to create and edit Google Docs and Sheets within the Dropbox interface. All you have to do is click the "Create new file" button, and you’ll be editing your new document within minutes. Of course, you will need a Google Workspace account to be able to do this. 

Other integrations we tested worked great as well. We connected to Canva within a few seconds, and linking Zoom took no more than a couple of clicks. Overall, we were impressed.  

Alternatives to Dropbox 

Dropbox is a popular cloud storage provider, but is by no means the only one worth considering. For example, IDrive is well suited to large businesses that require advanced tools and business-specific solutions. It’s also more affordable than Dropbox, with its lowest-priced plan starting at just $5.79 a month. 

On top of this, IDrive includes powerful zero-knowledge encryption. This is optional (and free), but ensures that no one can view your files without your permission. It lacks the real-time collaboration tools that Dropbox has, but it does enable you to share files in a variety of ways.

Another popular alternative is pCloud, which is a little basic compared to Dropbox and IDrive, but is a great option if you’re looking for a simple, user-friendly cloud storage solution. It’s also competitively priced, and sits as one of the best budget options available. 

pCloud also offers strong security, with the pCloud Crypto add-on providing advanced protection. It includes rapid upload and download speeds, yet a lack of advanced collaboration tools and our experience of substandard customer service could be a concern for some people.

Dropbox: Final verdict 

All things considered, Dropbox lives up to its reputation as one of the world’s leading cloud storage and backup platforms. It’s slightly expensive, but there’s a 30-day free trial and lots of useful features to explore. 

For example, the real-time collaboration tools are among the best we’ve seen, and Dropbox Paper takes this to the next level. Admin controls are excellent, you will benefit from solid security (though zero-knowledge encryption is absent), and there’s a mobile app that enables you to perform most of the functions available to desktop users. 

In addition, Dropbox is easy to use. The user interface is simple and intuitive, yet there are plenty of advanced tools hidden under the surface. Linking third-party platforms is straightforward thanks to the variety of extensions available in the App Center. 

On the downside, Dropbox’s upload and download speeds are average at best. This could be problematic for those working with large files or large amounts of data, but it shouldn’t be a major issue for most people. 

Although alternatives such as IDrive and pCloud have their merits, we would strongly recommend placing Dropbox at the top of your list of cloud storage platforms to consider if you’re looking for a beginner-friendly, scalable, feature-rich option you can rely on.

Next steps with cloud storage

For more information about how to find the best cloud storage, it might be wise to learn how to choose a cloud storage and backup provider. It's also worth looking into the best free cloud storage, the best personal cloud storage, the best cloud storage for business, and the best cloud backup services, to see which providers are right for your needs.

Back in 2015, Google announced an extremely generous offer: unlimited storage on Google Photos. This generosity proved to be unsustainable, and in 2020 Google announced that unlimited Google Photos storage would end in June 2021, thanks to 28 billion images and videos being uploaded every week. 

For those that find the new free 15GB cap a constant headache, we’ve got some good news: unlimited Google Photos storage is coming back, albeit for a price and only for T-Mobile customers in the United States. 

Currently, T-Mobile offers two Google One packages: a $5-per-month offering which offers customers 500GB storage for Gmail and Google Drive, or a $10 package which delivers 2TB.

As reported by TechRadar, from April 26 T-Mobile will offer its customers a new plan which provides the same 2TB of cloud storage alongside unlimited uploads of high-resolution images to Google Photos for $15 per month.

While that’s $5 more than Google One Premium, Google’s own offering requires any photos uploaded to come out of the bundled 2TB storage allocation. Notably, however, while Google One’s features can be shared with up to five family members, the unlimited Google Photos storage is only available to the main T-Mobile account holder. 

How much is too much?

While it’s certainly nice not to fret about which photos are keepers and which aren’t worth eating into your allocation, a truly unlimited Google Photos option is probably overkill for most people. 

2TB, after all, is around 600,000 photographs, meaning you’d need to take over 1,600 photos a day to fill the space in a year.  In other words, only the most prolific photographer (or more likely, videographer) will likely need to spend that extra cash.

Of course, the equation becomes more complicated if you’re already using your Google Drive allowance for other things. If you’re terrible at clearing out your Gmail, or use Drive as a backup for your entire PC, then it may be a relief not to have to worry about Google Photos eating into that storage cap.

Either way, it’s significant that T-Mobile is offering something that is no longer available from Google directly. Is this a sign that other carriers will follow suit eventually? We’ll have to wait and see.

If you use Google Photos to manage and edit your images, then you'll be glad to hear that Google’s added some new dynamic shortcuts to common editing tools while you’re looking at a photo with text.

The feature doesn’t seem to be fully live yet according to Android Police, but if it is available on your device's Google Photos app, you’ll find that when viewing a photo in full-screen mode, “chips” for copying or listening to the in-image text, cropping the image and for marking it up now appear near the bottom of the screen alongside the usual sharing, editing and delete buttons.

This is set to be one very useful upgrade as manipulating in-image text has been tricky before with some tools buried away in the settings. And for people who take a lot of snaps of things with text in, this new feature may be a bit of a quiet triumph for Google Photos. 

It builds on another recently added shortcut that lets you quickly use Google Lens to read the text in an image and then Google Search for it.

I was able to find some of the new chips popping up when I looked at screenshots on my iPhone 13 Pro Max, as you can see in these two screenshots I took of the iOS settings menu and the Tom's Guide home page.

However, the only Android phone I was able to find these chips enabled on was my colleague's Google Pixel 6 Pro.

Google Photos is a surprisingly effective way to sort through and refine images, but a lot of those features are kept hidden away, perhaps to avoid distracting users who just want to scroll back through their collection of snapshots. 

With these new buttons though, it’ll be clearer exactly what you can do with these photos, and hopefully easier to find the option you actually want to use too, if Google can keep improving the algorithm that chooses which options to display.

If you're not already a Google Photos user, see what we think of it on our best cloud storage for photos. If you need something more powerful though, check out our guide to the best photo editing apps. 

Read next: Google Photos just got a bunch of new and upgraded features — here's what you need to know

Google Drive is one of many Google services, that's receiving upgrades, and this lot promises to make it a lot easier to search for files, folders and more within the cloud-based storage service. 

Dubbed "search chips," Google Drive for users of the Workspace services will now have the option to search for documents and files based on the files' location, type, the people with whom they’ve been shared, when the files were last modified and more. These options come in the form of an additional suite of small drop-down menus nested below the scratch bar in Google Drive. 

This might sound like a trivially simple upgrade, but as a user of Drive for work, I can’t begin to tell you how frustrating it’s been to try and track down various documents in my own segment of Workspace-grade Drive, let alone try and find various files shared across the Tom’s Guide team and our publisher Future.   

Unsurprisingly, I write a lot on a daily basis. Trying to distinguish one iPhone 14 or Samsung Galaxy S22 story draft from another in search results can be a minor nightmare, with documents served up from mere hours ago to nearly two years ago with seemingly little or no logic. 

Google itself recognised that searching for a few keywords the user believes might be relevant to a desired file or document can be too broad and leads to inefficient searching and inaccurate results. 

It’s hoped that by offering an extra degree of filtering, finding files will become a lot easier. I for one welcome this change with open arms. 

Other Drive improvements have also been added, such as serving up spelling suggestions along with search chips, allowing search chips to work on their own or together, and offering additional date options to the “last modified” chip.

Rollout of this upgrade has already started, though it could take some 15 days from Feb. 15 for the search chips to be added to your version of Drive on the Google Workspace. 

As this improvement has been designed for enterprise users, don’t expect to see it on the personal version of Google Drive just yet. I’m hoping Google extends the update to all users of Drive before too long.

Alongside a redesign of Gmail, it’s good to see Google is looking at refining some of its widely used tools, as good as they are. Tweaks that streamline things and make life easier for users are definitely appreciated.

More recently, Google Drive just got the copy and paste upgrade that will make your life much easier as well.

Want to try out another new Google enhancement? Google Search's new dark mode is rolling out to different devices and browsers right now.

Running out of iCloud storage? You're not alone. Even with one of the best iPhones, that free 5GB from Apple doesn't stretch far, especially if you're saving loads of photos and files. While upgrading to the best iCloud storage for photos and pictures is an option, you'd be surprised how much space you can reclaim by decluttering. 

Efficient storage management is crucial for maintaining a seamless digital experience. Whether you're a professional relying on cloud storage for work files or a casual user with a growing photo collection, maximizing your iCloud space can save you both money and hassle. And if you're switching from Android, you can now transfer Google Photos to iCloud making the transition smoother.

From identifying what's using up space to library management, there are steps you can take to optimize your iCloud usage. In this guide, we'll walk you through five simple yet effective tips to free up your iCloud storage and get you back on track. 

4. Delete email attachments

Just as for messages, attachments in emails can take up a huge amount of space—especially if your iCloud account is storing several years’ worth of emails. Thankfully, you don’t need to indiscriminately erase all of your emails from storage. iCloud Mail includes a simple way to view emails with attachments sorted by size.

Open up iCloud Mail and select View, then Sort by Attachments. Now, you can either delete all of the emails that have attachments in just a few clicks. If you don’t want to delete quite as many emails, choose a specific cutoff like 15 MB and remove all emails with attachments greater than that size.

If you're still having space issues, then you should definitely now read how to upgrade iCloud storage on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Find out how to clear the cache on Mac and how to clear RAM on iPhone — these are both great first steps if your Mac or iPhone is behaving a little sluggish.

File syncing solutions are an essential tool for businesses looking to boost collaboration, efficiency, and data security. The best file syncing software keeps files and folders seamlessly synchronized across devices and users, enables real-time sharing and co-editing, and provides robust data protection.

To find the top file syncing tools, we thoroughly tested a range of leading products, evaluating factors like ease of use, syncing speed and reliability, security features, integrations, and customer support.

Our choice for the best overall file syncing solution is Google Drive. Its tight integration with the massively popular Google Workspace suite and direct syncing to your computer's hard drive via Google Drive for desktop make it a powerful yet user-friendly option for a wide range of businesses. Read on for our full list of the best file syncing software to find the optimal software for your team's requirements.

The quick list

Looking for the best file syncing solutions at a glance? Here’s an overview of top file syncing software. Click on the links for detailed reviews.

Make sure to check out this exclusive cloud storage and VPN deal:

The top 3 best file syncing solutions right now

The best file syncing solutions of 2026 in full

Best overall

Google Drive almost needs no introduction; thanks to the popularity and widespread adoption of Google Workspace, it’s one of the most widely used file-sharing platforms on the planet.

Google has rebranded some of its services, merging the functionalities of Google Backup and Sync with Drive File Stream into a single, more efficient application called Google Drive for desktop. This change means you now have a streamlined process for syncing files across your devices, whether you're a personal user or part of a larger business operation using Google Workspace.

With Google Drive for desktop, you can expect a more integrated experience. For instance, you can now sync photos and videos to Google Photos and Google Drive simultaneously, which wasn't as straightforward before. This integration simplifies managing your digital assets across Google's platforms.

Another significant improvement is the option to mirror Drive files on your local device. This means files are stored both on your computer and in the cloud, allowing for faster access to frequently used documents and reducing online data usage. However, this can take up significant hard drive space, so it's worth considering how it aligns with your storage capabilities and needs.

Google has also enhanced its collaboration tools within Google Drive. Features like blocking downloads, prints, or copies of specific files have become invaluable for users looking to share content securely. The ability to work offline on Docs, Sheets, and Slides then automatically sync your changes once you're back online ensures that you can work from anywhere, anytime, without interruption.

However, while Google Drive offers a robust platform for file sharing and syncing, its advanced functionality, such as granular permission settings or detailed audit trails, may not satisfy users with more sophisticated enterprise-level needs. Additionally, while Google Drive's search functionality is powerful, navigating a very large volume of files can sometimes feel less intuitive than some might hope.

Read our Google Drive review.

Best value

Egnyte is a file sync solution built for modern businesses, with a focus on risk and cost reduction for teams of all sizes.

One of Egnyte’s core technologies is the Content Intelligence Engine, which automatically classifies your data to highlight risk, locate regulated or proprietary files, and easily identify data owners.

You can rapidly scan for personally identifiable information (PII), to stay compliant with GDPR (the General Data Protection Regulation), CCPA (the California Consumer Privacy Act), and other regulations, and use pre-configured policies to ensure compliance with SEC (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission), HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), and other industry standards.

Automation is another big part of Egnyte’s appeal: picking up on and responding to unusual behavior, and automating file management, like archiving and deletion, data retention and legal holds, and privileging hot or cold storage.

Egnyte has streamlined its dashboard and file management systems, making it easier for you to navigate and manage your files and folders. Egnyte now offers enhanced project folders. These project folders allow teams to work together more effectively, with features designed to streamline project management, such as task assignments, progress tracking, and automated workflows.

It has also expanded its integration ecosystem. Egnyte now offers more integrations with leading software like Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Trello. This means you can seamlessly work with files stored on Egnyte directly from within these apps, enhancing productivity and collaboration across your team.

Egnyte's mobile app has also seen improvements, offering better functionality and a more user-friendly experience. This ensures that you and your team can access, share, and manage files securely from anywhere, at any time, directly from your mobile devices.

Businesses looking to lock down compliance, eliminate data risks, and benefit from automation should definitely consider Egnyte, with plans starting at $10 per user a month for teams of 1-10 users when paid annually.

Read our comprehensive Egnyte review.

Best budget

Dropbox is another popular backup and sync solution which has made great strides in providing a robust yet simple business solution. Plans start at $9.99 per user a month.

The Team plan includes an admin login to manage multiple users and teams, with an audit log and granular sharing permissions. File transfers are secured with 256-bit AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) and SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security) encryption, although encryption keys are held by Dropbox.

There are some clever innovations at work here, too. LAN syncing searches for files on local servers before the cloud, to speed up sharing, while Smart Sync enables you to see files without having to store them locally.

One of the notable recent additions is the integration of Dropbox with leading communication and collaboration tools. This means you can now work on Dropbox files directly through Slack or Zoom, streamlining workflows and reducing the need for switching between apps. This is a big plus if you're working in a team or managing one, as it simplifies collaboration significantly.

Another significant update is the introduction of Dropbox Passwords for all paid plans. This password manager stores and autofills your passwords across all devices, making it easier to manage access to your services without compromising on security. Coupled with Dropbox Vault, a feature designed to store sensitive personal information with an additional layer of security, Dropbox is pushing the boundaries of what we expect from a file syncing solution.

All in all, Dropbox is a thoroughly tested, well-trusted, industry-leading solution, with plenty of business features to help your team get more done, faster.

Read our Dropbox Business review and Dropbox review.

Best for Office users

If your business extensively uses Microsoft Office, you may find that OneDrive for Business is your best option. This is especially true now that Microsoft has released free, online versions of World, Excel, and PowerPoint so that outside collaborators without Office can easily view and edit files.

Of course, OneDrive for Business works seamlessly with the Office apps, so finding your files, accessing version history, and conflict resolution all work flawlessly with Microsoft’s productivity suite.

The OneDrive mobile app also stands out, seamlessly integrating with the suite’s other mobile apps, and includes a handy feature for scanning physical documents like whiteboards or business cards.

If you're navigating through a sea of files daily, the new AI features in OneDrive for Business can really help. It offers intelligent search capabilities that go beyond simple keyword matching, using machine learning to understand the content of your files and how they're related to your work habits. This means finding the document you need becomes faster and more intuitive, even if you can't remember the exact name.

With the increasing threats to data security, Microsoft has bolstered OneDrive with advanced security measures like sensitivity labels. These labels allow you to classify and protect your documents based on their content and the level of confidentiality required.

OneDrive now also offers a more robust audit trail feature, which is perfect for businesses that need to comply with regulations like GDPR. You can track who accessed a document, what changes were made, and when, giving you a clearer oversight of your data.

Collaboration in OneDrive for Business has also seen improvements, particularly with the integration of Microsoft Teams. You can now work on documents directly within Teams, facilitating real-time collaboration that's more seamless than ever.

Lastly, Microsoft has introduced a "Known Folder Move" feature to OneDrive for Business. This feature automatically backs up and syncs your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders to OneDrive, ensuring that all your important files are protected and accessible from anywhere.

If your business doesn’t use Microsoft Office, OneDrive’s appeal is greatly reduced. However, if you’re looking for simple, “it just works” file syncing for Office collaboration, look no further. Business plans start at $5 a month and include Microsoft 365.

Read our OneDrive for Business review.

Best budget option for teams

Sync.com is one of the most complete file-syncing solutions out there in terms of features and has a great interface that’s intuitive and easy to use. As if that weren’t enough, it’s also one of the cheapest solutions out there, with annual business plans starting at the equivalent of $6 per user a month.

Sync.com was built with collaboration in mind. You can send and receive files to non-Sync users, and control access with passwords and expiry dates, making out-of-company collaborations a breeze. Activity logs let you know what’s going on with each of your shared files, while advanced version history makes it easy to retrieve deleted or changed files.

It also integrates with popular apps like Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Cloud. A central administrative account also makes it easy to add and remove employee accounts, reset passwords, see activity, and manage billing.

Sync.com now offers end-to-end encryption on all plans, ensuring that your files are secure from the moment they leave your device until they reach their destination.

Another update worth mentioning is the introduction of the Sync Vault, a feature that allows you to store files online without syncing them to all your devices. This is particularly useful for freeing up space on your devices while still keeping your files accessible in the cloud.

Sync.com has also expanded its device compatibility, now offering improved apps for iOS and Android, alongside its desktop applications. These mobile apps have been refined for better usability, allowing you to access, share, and manage your files on the go with greater ease.

For businesses, Sync.com has introduced more granular control over sharing and collaboration. Administrators can now set folder permissions at a more detailed level, controlling who can view, edit, or share files within specific folders.

In summation, Sync.com is an intuitive file-syncing solution with rock-bottom prices for businesses looking for something that “just works”.

Read our Sync.com review.

Best for security

Syncplicity is a feature-rich file syncing solution for businesses of all sizes. Enterprise users especially will find a bevy of useful administrative features, including single sign-on access, file and folder tagging, hybrid cloud solutions, and 24/7 support.

Where Syncplicity really shines, however, is in security. The architecture is built with zero-knowledge policies in mind, so Syncplicity never sees or has access to customer encryption keys.

The software also supports group and user-based permissions, choice of server location (US or EU), and remote device wiping. Syncplicity meets FedRAMP (Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program) standards out of the box, and has more than a few US government clients.

Now, you can co-edit documents in real-time, directly within Syncplicity, without needing to download files or use third-party applications.

Another significant recent update is the improvement in mobile app functionality. Syncplicity's mobile app now offers offline access to files and the ability to mark files for offline viewing, which is great if you often find yourself needing to access important documents on the go without a reliable internet connection.

For IT administrators, Syncplicity has introduced advanced analytics and reporting tools. These tools provide deeper insights into how data is being used within your organization, helping you to monitor and optimize data flow, spot potential security risks, and ensure compliance with data protection regulations.

Pricing starts at $20 per month for businesses, although the best and most secure features are only available to Enterprise users, who should contact Syncplicity for a quote.

Best for rapid sharing

Resilio has a unique approach to file syncing, using peer-to-peer technology to instantly and directly share files between devices or users, without storing them on cloud servers. The company has its roots in BitTorrent and thus has secure and lightning-fast P2P built right in.

Because of this, it’s one of the fastest file-syncing solutions out there, and companies like Mercedes-Benz and VoiceBase have all praised its speed and reliability. Businesses that use and share large files will find it to be a big time-saver. It’s also highly secure, as transfers are encrypted and cannot be ready by third parties, including Resilio.

All this would be enough to make Resilio Sync a great product, but it’s also rich in business features: two-factor authentication, bidirectional real-time file and folder sync, one-time file sending, and more. Resilio works on Windows, Linux, macOS, NAS devices, iOS, and Android.

If you're concerned about internet bandwidth consumption, Resilio has introduced bandwidth throttling controls. You can set limits on how much bandwidth Resilio Sync uses, ensuring that your file syncing activities don't interfere with other critical online operations. This is especially useful for businesses with limited internet resources or those operating in bandwidth-constrained environments.

We're also impressed at the recent improvement to Resilio's forums and support. Over the past year, Resilio has invested in enhancing its customer support and community forums. New resources, including detailed guides, tutorials, and an active user community, are now available, making it easier to get up and running with Resilio or troubleshoot any issues that arise.

In 2025, Resilio began offering Resilio Sync as a free product for non-commercial use. For business use, it now offers the Resilio Active Everywhere Platform, with pricing available on request.

Best multi-cloud

Files.com is both an API and an app, enabling your business to integrate with third-party cloud vendors, including Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and others, via a wide variety of protocols: web, FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, etc.

Accounts can be linked across services, so you can connect customers, vendors, and partners to your own accounts and to each other, with custom branding and white labeling for a seamless customer experience.

With all of this versatility, Files.com can operate as a Swiss army knife of file transferring for you, making it possible to get your files moved between all the platforms you use.

For businesses that rely heavily on automation, Files.com has introduced more automation features and triggers. These can help automate routine tasks like file transfers, backups, and notifications, further enhancing efficiency and ensuring that your data management processes are as streamlined as possible.

If you’re just looking for simple file syncing, Files.com is probably too complex a solution, and pricing starts at $99 per month. However, it’s one of the best we’ve found for securely linking multiple cloud solutions through multiple protocols and providing seamless cloud integration between a business and its customers.

The best file syncing solutions, compared

File syncing FAQs

What is a file syncing solution?

A file syncing solution is a software tool that allows users to synchronize files and data between devices, ensuring that the most updated version of a file is available on all of the user's devices. In other words, file syncing is the process of updating files across multiple devices to keep them in sync.

File syncing solutions work by using a server or cloud storage to store the files, which can then be accessed and updated from any device. When a file is updated on one device, the file syncing solution automatically updates the file on all other devices that have access to the file.

File syncing software offer a range of benefits, such as accessibility, collaboration, and backup. With file syncing solutions, users can access their files from anywhere with an internet connection, making it easier to work remotely. Collaboration is made more efficient as files can be shared and updated in real-time. Additionally, file syncing solutions can serve as a cloud backup of important files, ensuring that they are not lost if a device is lost or damaged.

Services vary in terms of their features and capabilities, with some offering limited storage space while others offer unlimited storage. Some solutions prioritize security with strong encryption methods, while others prioritize ease of use with intuitive interfaces.

How to choose the right file syncing solution for you

To choose the best file syncing solution that meets your needs, there are several factors that you should consider. Firstly, compatibility is an essential consideration. The syncing solution you opt for should be compatible with the devices and operating systems that you use. Ensure that the solution works seamlessly with your desktop, laptop, mobile device, and any other devices that you frequently use.

Secondly, storage space is a crucial factor to keep in mind. Consider the amount of storage space you require for syncing your files. Some file syncing solutions offer limited storage space, while others offer unlimited storage. Choose a solution that aligns with your storage needs.

Thirdly, security should be a top priority when selecting a file syncing solution. Look for a solution that uses strong encryption methods to keep your files safe from unauthorized access.

Fourthly, collaboration is another aspect to consider. If you need to collaborate with others on files, look for a file syncing solution that offers collaboration features such as commenting, version control, and real-time editing.

Fifthly, ease of use is an important consideration. The file syncing solution you choose should be simple to use with an intuitive interface. Look for a platform that allows you to effortlessly upload and access your files, and has a clean and organized interface.

Lastly, pricing is an essential factor to consider. File syncing solutions can be free or paid, with varying levels of features and storage. Consider your budget and storage needs to find the best pricing plan for you.

How we review the best file syncing solutions

When it comes to evaluating file syncing solutions, we use a variety of methods to ensure that we thoroughly test each software's capabilities. Whenever possible, our process involves installing and testing the software on different devices, operating systems, and networks to determine its efficiency, reliability, and compatibility.

We start by installing the file syncing software on different devices, including laptops, desktops, and mobile devices. We also install the software on different operating systems, such as Windows, MacOS, and Linux.

Once the software is installed, we configure it based on the recommended settings and options. This includes selecting the folders to sync, setting up automatic sync, and configuring any other necessary options.

We then test the software's performance by syncing different types of files, including small and large files, text documents, images, videos, and music files. We also test how the software handles conflicts, such as file versioning and file deletions.

We test the software's reliability by deliberately disconnecting devices and networks to see how the software handles syncing errors and interruptions. We also test the software's ability to recover from errors and sync changes after reconnection.

We evaluate the software's security features, including encryption, password protection, and two-factor authentication. We also test how the software handles sharing files with other users and how it manages access permissions.

We assess the software's user interface, ease of use, and available features. We also evaluate the software's compatibility with other software and services, such as cloud storage platforms, productivity tools, and backup solutions.

Finally, we test the software's customer support options, including online help resources, user communities, and technical support.

For more information, see our testing methodology page.

Next steps with file syncing solutions and cloud storage

We've put together a guide on how to share files between Android and iPhone if you just need to transfer a few files, but a more robust cloud storage solution may be the better option for better file sharing.

If that sounds expensive, remember there are many free cloud storage solutions. You also have the option of storing a sharing your photos on photo sharing sites.

Google Photos has long been a favorite for storing and sharing memories, but recent changes have left many seeking alternatives.

A good photo storage platform should offer more than just space. It should be intuitive, secure, and provide tools to help you organize and rediscover your images. That's why we've put the top contenders through rigorous testing, evaluating everything from ease of use and pricing to advanced features and overall performance.

Out of the many options we tested, Dropbox is our top overall pick. While not specifically designed for photos, its generous storage, versatile features, and seamless integration make it a powerful tool for managing your entire digital life, not just your photos. Yet, there are many to choose from, so let's take a closer look.

The quick list

Here’s the best Google Photos alternatives at a glance. For any you’re interested in, click on the link to view the full review.

The best Google Photos alternatives of 2026 in full

The best Google Photos Alternative Overall

Dropbox has been an industry favorite since its inception in 2008. Like Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox does not cater directly to photo storage users but offers a limited selection of features with some appealing advantages in terms of shareability and storage space.

Free accounts (Basic) only include 2GB and are more suited to documents than albums of photos. However, they do have sharing and collaboration features as well as secure settings and apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.

The greatest difference between the Basic account and the Individual Plus subscription tier ($9.99 a month) is in the account storage size. There are additional features in security (Vault, passwords, remote device wipe), sharing (Basic includes up to 100MB/transfer, Plus is 2GB/transfer), and access (Plus includes smart sync and mobile offline folders).

With the standard 2TB capacity on Individual Plus accounts, Dropbox compares favorably with other good Google Photos alternatives such as OneDrive.

Dropbox can auto-sync photos from your devices to the cloud and integrates with third-party apps such as photo editor Pixlr. There is also integration with Facebook to download images from the site and with Adobe Creative Cloud for easy transfer. Unlike most photo-specific cloud storage, Dropbox does not feature smart tagging or AI categorization, making the collation of photo albums harder.

If you already have a Dropbox subscription and want to store many photos as a secure backup, then Dropbox is probably for you. It is unrivaled in the size and versatility of its file storage.

Read our Dropbox cloud storage review.

The best value Google Photos alternative

Flickr has operated for over 16 years and remains one of the most trusted cloud-based photo storage services. With the addition of social media exposure and insights through the Flickr public platform, this company has cemented its place as a go-to solution for serious photographers.

The simple and well-designed interface makes Flickr an attractive alternative to Google Photos. You can tag and share images, as well as download them in multiple sizes and resolutions. The 1,000-photo limit for free accounts will only be enough for casual users, with the image limit equating to roughly 2 to 3GB.

Pro accounts (from $5.54 a month if you choose a two-year plan) provide unlimited storage, ad-free browsing, and access to analytics for images displayed across the Flickr platform. This is an appealing feature for photographers looking to have their work noticed by a wider community across the world.

These accounts also come with discounts on Adobe (two months free on the Creative Cloud Photography plan), Blurb (photo book coupons), and Priime (20% off Priime Lightroom preset bundle). Another benefit is a Pixsy plan that helps combat image theft by searching for improper use of your images and advocating on your behalf.

Read our Flickr review.

The best budget Google Photos alternative

Microsoft’s OneDrive is a powerful, general cloud-based storage solution. The limited features for photo storage (photo editing, smart tagging) are made up for by the account size and ability to upload almost any file type. High usability for Windows-based customers, options for file organization, strong layers of file protection, and auto-categorization features are also useful.

Pricing for OneDrive is comparable to Google Photos, with 5GB of storage for free accounts and $19.99 a year for a 100GB tier. The 1TB OneDrive Tier ($99.99 a year) also includes the Office suite of productivity tools and Microsoft Designer.

OneDrive delivers a thoughtfully designed user experience. Whether you're using the desktop integration, web interface, or mobile apps, navigating your files feels intuitive. Features like automatic photo and video uploads from your phone provide much-appreciated convenience.

For Microsoft users who already subscribe to Microsoft 365, OneDrive is an easy decision for photo storage, as it costs nothing extra.

For non-Microsoft users, it's less compelling, but there are advantages over other services in terms of the price of large storage tiers and the inbuilt security, which means you can store photos in a secure space (Personal Vault).

Read our full Microsoft OneDrive review.

The best Google Photos alternative for Prime members

Amazon Photos is a cloud service for free Amazon account and paid Prime account members and is available on iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows. Features offered compare favorably to Google Photos, including facial recognition and metadata reading for smart tagging and easy searchability.

Although Amazon only provides 5GB for non-Prime members (much less than the 15GB for Google Photos or the 1,000 images for Flickr), this is a good option for casual users. Adding 100GB of space to a free account is only $1.99 a month, which compares well to Google Photos.

However, Prime members ($14.99 a month) get unlimited storage, photo editing, smart collation through metadata, and secure family sharing through the Family Vault—an absolute steal if you’re also taking advantage of other Prime benefits.

The Amazon ecosystem surrounding Photos allows for easy-to-order, super-fast delivery of many types of prints (photos, cards, albums, calendars), a handy feature that many will appreciate.

The Family Vault feature is especially useful for sharing selected photos, simplifying the process compared to creating manual shared albums in competing services.

Read our Amazon Photos review.

The best Google Photos alternative for iOS

If you’re an iOS user, you’re probably already familiar with iCloud, Apple’s native cloud backup storage. For iPhone or iPad users looking to back up the photos on their devices, iCloud’s seamless integration makes it the simplest solution. With iCloud backup, a picture taken on your iPhone is available nearly instantly for you to edit on your iPad.

Apple offers all iPhone, iPad, and Mac owners up to 5GB of free iCloud storage space. If you need to upgrade, you can choose 50GB, 200GB, or 2TB for $0.99, $2.99, or $9.99 a month, respectively (the 2TB plan can be shared with family).

You also have the option to bundle iCloud storage with Apple One, which includes Apple Music, Apple TV+, and Apple Arcade. Apple One plans start at $19.95 a month for 50GB of storage. The family plan, which can be shared with up to five people, increases the storage to 200GB for $25.95 a month. There's a third option, Premier, at $37.95 a month, which includes 2TB of storage.

One downside to iCloud is the 5GB of free storage fills up quickly, especially if you plan to use iCloud to back up your device’s contacts, messages, and documents in addition to your photos. There’s also the downside that iCloud is not supported on non-iOS devices, though you can access iCloud through your web browser. If you’re looking for an easy way to share photos between an iPad and an Android phone, for example, look elsewhere.

Check out our full Apple iCloud review.

The best Google Photos alternative for power users

If you are serious about photography or photo storage, then Adobe is one of the best alternatives to Google Photos. Here, users will find packaged photo storage solutions that include access to Lightroom and Photoshop, with program selections and storage capacities dependent on pricing tiers.

Each plan comes with Lightroom (Adobe’s editing, organizing, and storage program), Spark (online and mobile design app), and Portfolio (website building). The Lightroom Plan costs $11.99 a month, and the Photography Plan costs $19.99 per month.

The former comes with 1TB of storage and is the most comparable to Google Photos in terms of usability, while the latter also includes Photoshop (Adobe’s graphics/photo editor), but only includes 20GB of space by default.

Although pricey, Adobe works hard to provide a system that is easy to use, with programs that are industry standard. There is integration with Gmail and apps for Windows, iOS, macOS, and Android. Adobe supports a wide range of formats, including RAW files, and users can take advantage of the Adobe Behance social media platform to showcase their creative works (similar to Flickr’s platform).

What makes Adobe Creative Cloud stand out as one of the top Google Photos alternatives is that it offers the best features of every service outlined in this article, and delivers it in one professional package. This comes at a price but is well worth considering if you’re serious about photography.

Another of Adobe's unique strengths is how it caters to your potential growth as a photographer. The learning curve for programs like Lightroom and Photoshop can be steep, but Adobe's vast library of tutorials and active community offers a wealth of support.

Read our Adobe Creative Cloud review covering its cloud storage.

The best open-source Google Photos alternative

Piwigo is an open-source software package that will appeal more to professional photographers and organizations and is a great option if you need a photo management program for your website. If you already have your own hosting, this could make photo storage inexpensive.

Piwigo also offers its own cloud-based photo storage. This used to be unlimited storage, but now storage is paid for on a sliding scale. Pricing has also increased significantly. The cheapest option costs €29 ($32) per month for 10GB of storage. You can add storage to every plan, but it's not cheap. For example, an additional 1TB costs €100 ($105) per month.

By offering both self-hosted and cloud-based options, Piwigo demonstrates a flexible design that acknowledges the diverse needs and skillsets of its potential users. And the availability of add-on storage means that Piwigo can scale up as your needs grow, an important consideration for those with expanding image libraries.

Similar to other services, you can manage the privacy of photos and viewing permissions for individuals, groups, and organizations. Piwigo has also created an easy-to-import system for files from editing and organizational applications such as Shotwell, digiKam, and Lightroom.

The best Google Photos alternative for pro photographers

If you're looking to showcase your work and potentially license images online, 500px is an appealing platform. This service is all about commerce and community, of furthering your work and gaining a valuable audience. Here, you'll find resources on photography education (free and paid), as well as community interaction (photo quest competitions).

Free accounts are allowed up to 2,000 images (minimum 3GB file size recommended at 3000px resolution), with up to 21 new photo uploads/week. Each image is recommended to be over 3MB with a resolution of 3000px. People with free accounts can also contribute to 500px groups, create and share galleries, and license work online.

There are two paid subscription tiers: Awesome and Pro. Awesome subscriptions are $3.99 a month if you pay annually and include add-on access to Luminar 4 (photo editing), as well as a dedicated online profile, ad-free browsing, statistics on uploaded images, and unlimited storage space.

The Pro account is $7.99 a month and includes everything in the Awesome tier as well as profile customization, priority directory listing, professional resume displays, and the ability to add resources to the Resource Hub as an additional income.

This is a unique feature for Pro users who can create photography tutorials through both videos and documents. These are available on 500px for free or at a cost (the uploader decides), offering income through community education.

The power of 500px comes through the presentation and industry exposure of your work, with a showcase directed towards licensing, recognition, and career-building. If as a pro or semi-pro photographer, and you were using Google Photos due to its unlimited capacity, 500px will be a useful consideration to not only store important photographs but also take advantage of commercial opportunities.

For the commercial possibilities and flattering gallery themes, there are very few competitors to 500px.

The best Google Photos alternatives, compared

How to choose the best Google Photos alternative for you

Google Photos is a great all-around cloud storage solution, but users should base their hunt for alternatives on their own unique preferences and needs. These might include price, storage capacity, image collation, or sharing capabilities.

If you’re after a large storage space for the best price and the largest variety of file types, then Dropbox wins. But if you’re becoming more serious about photography, Adobe’s Creative Cloud offering will be worth the higher price because of its powerful photo editing apps.

Professional photographers have two great options in 500px and Flickr (which is also excellent for casual users). Both offer exposure for your work alongside excellent album organization and potential commercial opportunities. If you're an Amazon Prime member, taking advantage of unlimited photo storage on Amazon Photos makes sense. But if you want the cheapest photo-specific storage, consider Piwigo.

How we review the best alternatives to Google Photos

When evaluating the best Google Photos alternatives, our testing process involves a thorough analysis of each solution's features, performance, and user experience. We take into account the needs of photographers and other users who require a reliable and secure platform to store and organize their photos.

Whenever possible, we begin by installing each alternative on different devices, including laptops, desktops, and mobile devices. We also test the software on different operating systems, such as Windows, MacOS, and Linux.

We upload a variety of photos, including RAW files and high-resolution images, to test how quickly and efficiently each solution can upload and sync files across devices. We also test the software's ability to automatically backup photos and organize them based on location, date, and other metadata.

We also test the software's organizational features, including tagging, album creation, and search functionality. We also evaluate the software's ability to recognize faces, objects, and places in photos, making it easier for users to find specific images.

See our testing methodology page for more information.

Next steps with cloud storage

Follow our cloud storage checklist checklist when selecting online storage, and our top tips for data backup and recovery. Learn the differences between cloud storage, cloud backup, and cloud sync, and make sure you're well informed.

If buying cloud storage for a small company, research the best cloud storage for small business, learn the top reasons to use small business cloud solutions, and discover why a multi-cloud strategy benefits businesses.

The best free cloud storage allows you to securely save a copy of your most important files in the cloud for safekeeping. Whether they be documents, images or even videos, these free services by the leading cloud storage providers will let you back them up online.

When you sign up for the best free cloud storage you may not have access to all of the features available with paid plans. Plus, you usually get less space overall. Still, you usually get more than enough storage for personal use.

It can be difficult to narrow down which of the best cloud storage services you want to go with. However, by choosing a free plan from one of these providers first, you can try out their services to find one you like. It’s worth noting that file size limits, ease of use and support options are something to consider if you do upgrade to a paid plan. We’ve thoroughly tested and reviewed each of the free cloud storage services on this list and highlighted other features and functionality you might find useful.

The quick list

Need the best free cloud storage solutions in a hurry? Here's a rundown of the best providers, but be sure to check our full reviews below for more details.

Take a look at this top cloud storage deal:

The best free cloud storage providers

The best free cloud storage overall

IDrive is the ideal platform if you need somewhere to back up multiple servers and devices, and prioritize end-to-end encryption. The basic free forever plan only supports 10GB of storage, but this should be more than enough for you to test the platform.

The apps aren’t the most impressive, but work as described, and the web app in particular is surprisingly useful, making it easy to manage your various backups. However, it isn’t designed for collaboration, and file-sharing is somewhat limited. If you’re a photographer, video editor, or anyone managing lots of data, IDrive should be one of your top considerations.

Read our full IDrive review

The best free cloud storage for collaboration

Dropbox is a fantastic choice for free, personal cloud storage. The free option offers 2GB of storage, but provides ways to increase space by completing its starting guide (250MB), referring others to Dropbox (500MB per referral, up to 16GB), and contributing to its community forum (1GB).

The file sharing leader provides several features that make it easy to share large files with others, whether they use Dropbox or not. You can also use the Dropbox Paper collaboration tool, allowing for seamless file sharing between users, and automatic syncing of photos from the desktop app.

An extra free feature is the File Requests tool, which allows you to request users upload directly to your Dropbox account, and to edit files without downloading them while working on the web client version. There are also desktop and mobile apps for the usual suspects, as well as less well-supported platforms like Linux and even Kindle.

One limitation however is that you can’t back up external or network drives to your account. Dropbox only stores what you transfer to its folder on your device. This isn’t a major issue, but differentiates the platform from competitors like IDrive.

Security is impressive without being exceptional, with all files encrypted at rest and in transit, but there is no end-to-end encryption, though accounts can also be secured with 2FA. We think however that you could do much worse than Dropbox for your cloud storage solution

Read our full Dropbox review

The best free cloud storage for Microsoft 365 users

For personal use, Microsoft OneDrive is a great free cloud storage option, with its free plan offering 5GB of storage. It balances high-capacity storage with functional user interfaces, powerful integrations with the entire Microsoft 365 suite, and a robust security framework.

Once you’ve set OneDrive up, it will perform as described with no further effort or stress on your part. Current users of Microsoft 365 also benefit, because 1TB of OneDrive storage is included in your subscription. Its close relationship with Microsoft Office apps and Windows 11 mean it's ideal for Microsoft users, while mobile apps allow for cross-platform use.

It also provides collaborative features that aren't limited to OneDrive users, so you can share files, customize access, and edit files online without downloading them.

Read our full Microsoft OneDrive review

The best free cloud storage for privacy

MEGA.nz is a very popular, New Zealand-based cloud storage company, founded in 2013 by Kim Dotcom, a rather controversial figure in the online world. It offers end-to-end encryption and a generous 20GB of storage via its free plan, with absolutely no throttling.

While its zero-knowledge encryption technology makes collaboration a bit difficult, individual files can still be shared using a dedicated encryption key required to unlock them. Files can also be password-protected to add another layer of security.

MEGA does not impose any limitations on individual file size, and allows restoration of previous versions of corrupted files using built-in file versioning technology. The downloadable client is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, while its entire source code was released on Github. This is good for tech-savvy users who want to audit the technology for security issues.

As well as its source code being publicly available, MEGA's zero-knowledge encryption technology also implies it can't get to your data without permission.

Read our full MEGA review

The best free cloud storage for Apple users

If you use Apple mobile and desktop devices, and don’t plan on making the jump to Windows or Android anytime soon, then Apple iCloud is the logical cloud storage platform for you.

When used on iOS, iPadOS or macOS, nothing comes close to iCloud in terms of integration, functionality, and ease of use. It seamlessly takes care of device and app backup, and syncs data across all connected devices. For miscellaneous file storage, there is also iCloud Drive.

iCloud’s free plans offer 5GB of free storage, not a particularly high amount, but you can always buy more storage, starting at $0.99 a month for 50GB and ranging up to $9.99 a month for 2TB. Moreover, any items purchased from the iTunes Store can be stored for free without counting towards the free 5GB. We also like that you can share the 2TB storage plan with family members.

iCloud doesn’t impose any limits on individual file size. Users can also take advantage of the iWork apps included with it, such as Pages, Numbers, and Keynote. Compatibility issues prevent iCloud from achieving mainstream status, but it still makes for a lucrative offering for MacBook or iPad users.

Read our full Apple iCloud review

Which is the best free cloud storage service?

IDrive is our top choice for the best free cloud storage, offering high-value, extremely secure storage via end-to-end encryption, backup and restore features, and a user-friendly web app. It's also our choice for the best cloud storage, the best cloud storage for photos, and the best personal cloud storage.

Following IDrive among the best free cloud storage providers are Dropbox, OneDrive, MEGA, Apple iCloud, and pCloud, with each offering varying levels of storage alongside unique features and advanced security tools.

What you need to know about cloud storage security

With many comparisons and much debate on the security of cloud storage, especially when pitting on-prem (on-premises storage) vs cloud storage, or even cloud storage vs external hard disk drives, the best cloud storage (including the best free cloud storage) often utilizes top-line security and encryption tools.

It may not technically be as secure as local storage for obvious reasons, but how secure is cloud storage, and how do secure cloud systems protect your files?

Encryption is key here: end-to-end encryption protects data along its whole path from device to storage and back, while in-transit and at-rest encryption render data indecipherable even if intercepted by criminals. Zero-knowledge architecture meanwhile ensures that not even a cloud storage provider's staff can access your data, nor can they be compelled to release it even if law enforcement demands it.

For enterprises, cloud storage security is significant, particularly if you operate in data or privacy-sensitive sectors. There, investing in secure cloud storage that offers state-of-the-art policies is non-negotiable. However, the very best providers not only protect data, but infrastructure housing it.

Data centers owned by Storage-as-a-Service (StaaS) cloud storage providers have 24/7 security guards, biometric authorization for entry, and frequent auditing. The location of data centers is key too, with different countries having different data privacy laws, so ensure data is stored in a nation that complies with your data privacy obligations.

Further reading on cloud storage

If you've signed up to either OneDrive, iCloud, or Dropbox, make sure to read our comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to use Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, or iCloud. Find out more about data backup and recovery too, if you're unsure as to what to do should you lose your stored data.

Once you know how to hide photos and videos in Google Photos, you'll be able to keep images you don't want people to see hidden away from prying eyes.

Owners of Pixel smartphones have long been able to lock sensitive photos and videos away in the Google Photos app, meaning that they are neither backed up, sharable or visible in your Photos grid.

The company has promised that this feature will roll out to all Android and iOS devices by the end of 2022, and it appears that this is now happening. My own handset — a slightly ageing Samsung Galaxy S10e — has the update, which arrived without any fanfare. However, it doesn't appear to be on iOS yet and Google's own support page for the feature states that "This feature is only available on Android 6 and later."

If the option has already been rolled out to your phone, here’s how to hide photos and videos in Google Photos on Android.

 How to hide photos and videos in Google Photos in Android

1. Open the Google Photos app and find a photo or video you want to lock away, then tap it. That video of Hamilton the cat looks like a prime candidate. 

2. Tap the three vertical dots in the top right-hand corner of the image/video. 

3. Swipe left along the list of options below the image/video until you see “Move to Locked Folder.” Tap it. 

4. If you haven’t already set this feature up, the app will invite you to do so now by authenticating with a fingerprint. You’ll have to imagine what this looks like as, ironically, Android wouldn’t let me screenshot for privacy reasons. 

5. Once done, you’ll be presented with a screen reminding you that copies and edits aren’t automatically locked away, and that locked items will be deleted if you uninstall Photos. Tap "Continue." 

6. Another confirmation screen follows. Tap "Move." 

7. One more step: you have to let Photos modify the image or video, so tap "Allow." 

8. Wait for the load screen to complete, and your image is safe and secure. 

How to find locked photos and videos in Google Photos

Now that your photos and videos are safely secured, how on Earth do you access them? Google Photos hides that away a little…

1. From the main menu of Google Photos, tap "Utilities."

2. "Locked Folder" is the sixth option down on the subsequent menu. 

Looking for more Google Photos tutorials? Here's how to delete Google Photos permanently, how to upload to Google Photos, how to back up to Google Photos from a phone, tablet, or computer, and how to blur the background in Google Photos.

When it comes to the best cloud storage, businesses have more options than ever thanks to the growing number of providers ranking among the best cloud storage for business. One option open to businesses is hybrid cloud storage, where data is stored on local and cloud-based servers.

Hybrid cloud storage has important advantages over both traditional cloud and on-premises storage. As a combination of cloud storage and local storage, it can enable businesses to scale data storage capabilities, increase processing speed for frequently accessed data, and cut down on IT costs.

Is hybrid cloud storage right for your business? We explain how a hybrid cloud storage model works in practice, and what types of situation it's best suited to.

What is hybrid cloud storage?

Hybrid cloud storage involves a mix of cloud-based and on-premises data storage. The key to a hybrid cloud model is that data can move seamlessly between the cloud and local servers. That way, data can be moved around in whatever way your business needs to maximize both computing efficiency and cost efficiency. 

For example, a hybrid cloud storage system might involve keeping 30% of your company’s data stored on your own servers, managed by your own IT staff. This data could be ‘working’ data that is frequently accessed by employees or is currently in use for a major computational process. 

The other 70% of your data might be stored with a dedicated cloud storage service like Amazon S3. This data can be stored cheaply, but can also be freely moved onto your company’s servers at any time if it needs to be accessed for a project.

Hybrid cloud storage is more flexible

One of the major advantages of hybrid cloud storage is that it’s more flexible than either full cloud storage or full local storage. Since data can move back and forth between the cloud and your company’s IT infrastructure, you can access exactly what you need when you need it—and store everything you don’t need immediately at low cost.

This comes in handy for businesses that have many one-time projects or seasonal increases in data flow. For example, if your company sucks in tons of customer data during a busy holiday season each year, your IT team can preemptively move data to the cloud to free up space on the local servers.

This ensures that local storage capacity is never a bottleneck for your business. Importantly, turning to the cloud for short-term storage is much more cost effective than purchasing additional servers that your company only needs for a few weeks each year.

Hybrid cloud storage offers scalable data sharing

Another benefit to using a hybrid cloud model is that it makes it easier to share data with the public, clients, or third-party firms. Broadcasting data from local servers is often difficult or inefficient because it takes up a significant amount of bandwidth. However, data that is stored in—or could be readily moved to—the cloud can be easily made available for sharing.

This is particularly important for companies that engage in partnership projects where continuous data sharing is integral to success. By moving data onto the cloud, it is fully accessible to anyone who is granted access. At the same time, under a hybrid model that data can quickly be shifted back onto local servers for computational processes or at the end of a joint project.

Hybrid cloud storage doesn’t always make sense

While a hybrid cloud model can work well for many businesses, it isn’t the best option for every single company.

By definition, a hybrid cloud system requires that your business operates and maintains its own servers. That requires a massive upfront investment and a dedicated IT team. If you are unwilling or unable to commit to keeping up a whole server network, then a traditional cloud storage solution might be a better fit.

Hybrid cloud storage may also be less cost efficient than traditional storage methods if your company has highly predictable data flows or simply needs to archive old data. In that case, it is easy to manually move data from local storage into cloud storage. 

Opting for typical cold cloud storage, which has high latency for data access, can be much cheaper than opting for the hot cloud storage typically used in hybrid cloud systems.

Hybrid cloud storage: Summary

If your business is struggling to manage big data, hybrid cloud storage may be able to help. This storage model blends the best parts of on-premises and cloud storage systems to offer flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency. This type of storage doesn’t make sense for every business, though, so it’s important to assess your needs before making the leap to hybrid cloud storage.

Further reading on cloud storage

When it comes to cloud storage versus local storage, we've compared cloud storage vs external hard drives, as well as public vs private cloud storage, to see how the cloud compares in its various forms. We've also compared cloud storage vs cloud backup vs cloud sync, to clear up the differences between these types of cloud service.

You’ll know Google Drive or Google One, but what is Google Cloud storage? Google is well known as a provider of some of the best cloud storage products, and below, we discuss in more detail what Google Cloud storage is, and why you should consider using it for your cloud storage if you're a larger business or enterprise.

What is Google Cloud storage?

Google Cloud storage is a part of the Google Cloud Platform, which aims to be a competitor to Amazon S3 and Amazon Web Services (AWS) as well as other big names in the market such as Microsoft. It focuses on the development and deployment of modern web applications.

Aimed at companies of all sizes, Google Cloud offers object storage with no limits on the amount of data stored or the size of objects. Google promises low latency and high durability for its service, and data can be stored in locations around the world. What’s more, it can be accessed via the command line or through a web browser.

Google Cloud storage competes with the best cloud storage for business, particularly when it comes to larger companies and enterprises.

What are Google’s other cloud services?

To help explain in more detail what Google Cloud storage is and what it does, it’s useful to briefly discuss Google’s other cloud services to differentiate between them.

When you first create a personal account with Google, you automatically get 15GB of storage for free. That storage can be used with Google Drive, which is purely for storage; Gmail, which is for email but can also store attachments; or Google Photos, which is for storing, sharing, and editing photos and videos.

When you find that you need more storage, that’s when you upgrade to a Google One account. There is a choice of three subscriptions based on how much data you need to store. The starter plan comes with 100GB of storage and costs $1.99 a month (or $19.99 a year), increasing to 200GB at $2.99 a month, and 2TB at $9.99 a month. 

There are other benefits to paid Google One plans too, like access to Google experts and the ability to add family members to your plan. You even get store credit for purchases from the Google Store with the higher two plans.

Google Workspace is similar to Google One, except it is primarily for businesses and organizations that have a lot of users. It gives you access to Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos, but also a much larger range of Google apps that includes Calendar, Meet, Slides, and Forms.

Pricing for Google Workspace starts at $6 per user a month for 30GB of storage, and goes up to $18 per user a month for 5TB. It’s more expensive than Google One, but you get access to more apps and have more control over the permissions for each user.

Google Cloud is also aimed primarily at businesses, but as we’ll discuss next, it has a different purpose than Google Workspace and Google One.

Google Cloud storage: an enterprise-level product

With Google Cloud storage, data can be stored in a choice of “storage classes”. Different storage classes will suit different use cases, and you can start off with one and then reconfigure later if you find your use cases evolving.

The storage classes are Standard, Nearline, Coldline, and Archive. Standard is for what is classified as “hot” data which needs to be accessed frequently, like video streaming or images displayed on websites. Pricing for Standard starts at $0.02 per GB a month.

Nearline pricing starts at $0.01 per GB a month, and is for data that can be stored for at least 30 days, like daily backups. Coldline is even less expensive at $0.004 per GB a month, and is for data that can be stored for 90 days, such as disaster recovery backups. 

And finally, Archive is the least expensive at $0.0012 per GB a month. It is for data that can be stored for a year, e.g., archives that need to be kept to meet regulatory requirements, but which are seldom accessed.

Exact pricing is based on several factors, including the amount of data stored, the amount that is read and moved between your storage “buckets,” the number of operations you carry out (which can include listing objects), and retrieval and early deletion fees. 

The way pricing is calculated is quite complicated, so you’ll want to visit the pricing page to evaluate it yourself. But here is an example: if you wanted to store a 15GB object as Standard in a multi-region for 12 hours, it would be treated as half a day or 0.016666667 of a month, so the formula would be $0.026 (monthly price) x 15 x 0.016666667 = $0.0065.

Google Cloud storage: Features

Apart from cost-effective pricing, Google Cloud storage also has several features that will make it attractive to businesses. Object lifecycle management is probably the key feature, because it can help to save you money. With it, you can set up conditions for when data should be deleted or when it can be automatically transitioned to a less expensive storage class, for example after it reaches a certain age.

Google Cloud also has a long list of storage bucket locations in regions around the world, which not only means you can choose a location closest to your business, but can also set up multiple redundancy options. This means that if one location fails, you can automatically retrieve data from the next and still expect response times of a fraction of a second. 

When you first begin using a new cloud data storage provider, one of the most important considerations is how you get your data uploaded, particularly if there is a lot of it built up over a long period of time. 

Google offers two high-performance methods for transferring your data: Storage Transfer Service, and Transfer Service for on-premises data. Both offer the speed and scalability required to make the process simple, even for large scale transfers.

Object versioning means you can store copies of objects when they are deleted or modified, and retention policies ensure data is kept for a certain amount of time before being deleted. Object holds can be placed on certain objects to prevent them from being deleted, and permissions can be applied at both the object and bucket level.

Google Cloud Storage: Summary

Google Cloud storage is a provider of flexible, low-cost data storage options for businesses of all sizes, but particularly those that are employing modern web application models and need ways to deploy them that are both efficient and inexpensive.

It has a choice of data storage classes that meet different use cases, and provides the tools necessary for your data to be automatically and seamlessly transferred between them as use cases or criteria change - so that your business is making use of the service in the most cost-effective way possible.

Further reading on cloud storage

Read our reviews of the platforms mentioned here, including our Google Cloud review, our Google Drive review, our Google Drive Enterprise review, and our AWS review. We also compared Google Cloud to other providers in our comparison pitting AWS vs Azure vs Google Cloud vs IBM Cloud.

What is Amazon S3?

To answer the question what is Amazon S3, you must first ask: what is AWS? AWS stands for Amazon Web Services, and one of those web services it offers is Amazon S3, also known as Amazon Simple Storage Service. Amazon S3 underpins almost all of Amazon's cloud storage facilities.

Among the best cloud storage systems available, S3 provides scalable, affordable, versatile, reliable, and secure cloud storage, and when companies store and retrieve files from Amazon’s cloud storage, they are using Amazon S3. 

First introduced in 2006, Amazon S3 departs from the traditional folder/file structure by storing objects with a unique identifier and supporting metadata instead. Such an approach allows for improved scalability and versatility over the traditional model, and is why Amazon S3 has gone on to become the largest cloud storage platform in use today. 

It powers industry giants including Twitter, Facebook, Netflix, Reddit, Minecraft, Pinterest, and Tumblr. However, it’s easy for any company to use it, regardless of size: in fact, your first 5GB of storage is free.

How is Amazon S3 different to other cloud storage services?

On Amazon S3, files are known as objects. These can be anything from photos and videos to web pages and databases. Instead of being organized into folders, the objects are put into buckets and accompanied by metadata that defines what they are and how they can be used. 

The lowest levels of storage are abstracted away, which means you don’t need to worry about how each object is being stored in the cloud. This storage model makes it possible to store massive amounts of unstructured data without relying on a single data center. 

Objects can be stored on different physical disks in Amazon’s many data centers, greatly improving redundancy. Amazon guarantees a 99.999999999% durability rate, which means your data is essentially indestructible.

How do you use Amazon S3?

Your first interaction with Amazon S3 will probably be through the Amazon S3 Console, which is available within the AWS Management Console. It’s a browser-based interface that you can use to create and configure buckets and upload, download, and manage objects. 

When you create a bucket, you specify which AWS region that it’ll be located in (e.g., US East). Choosing a local region lowers latency for you and your customers. Amazon provides multiple APIs, so you can develop your own applications that work with Amazon S3 storage. You can use the REST API to work with buckets and objects using HTTP requests, or SOAP over HTTPS. 

Many other applications have been built to simplify the use of Amazon S3 in particular scenarios. With AWS Storage Gateway, for example, you can connect your on-premises software applications with Amazon S3, so you can store and retrieve objects using industry-standard protocols such as NFS and SMB.

What are S3 storage classes?

Every piece of data you store has different requirements for performance, durability, and availability. For example, you might need the files being served to your website to be instantly available but only want to keep customer records for data archival regulatory reasons. 

Amazon S3 has six storage classes designed for this and other needs. Each storage class has its own price per GB. S3 Standard is the general-purpose storage class for frequently accessed data. It offers 99.99% availability, low latency, and high throughput. 

At the other end of the scale, S3 Glacier Deep Archive is used for storing data sets for 10 years or longer, and it takes up to 12 hours to retrieve the data.

How much does Amazon S3 cost?

There’s a long list of different prices that depend on your storage class and region. Importantly, you only pay for what you use and there’s no minimum fee. You pay for objects stored in Amazon S3, requests made, and data transferred. There are also incidental management fees for features like analytics and cross-region replication.

For S3 Standard storage in the US East region, the price is between $0.021 per GB a month and $0.023 per GB a month. S3 One Zone Infrequent Access, which is for infrequently accessed data that needs millisecond-fast access, costs $0.01 per GB a month. 

S3 Glacier Deep Archive only costs $0.00099 per GB a month, but it’s meant for long-term data archiving, and can be accessed just once or twice a year.

Amazon S3: Summary

Amazon S3 is the cloud storage solution from Amazon that powers a large portion of the modern internet. Thanks to its object-based storage model, S3 is flexible, scalable, highly reliable, and accessible. It’s also cheap. Businesses only pay for what they use, instead of a large flat-rate fee for data storage. 

You can interact with your storage through a web-based console, APIs, and a long list of Amazon products and third-party software. It’s an outstanding choice if you have a large amount of data to store, if you want secure file uploads and downloads, or if you want a cloud storage solution that can scale with your company’s needs.

Further reading on cloud storage and web hosting

Learn more about how AWS and Amazon S3 work together as cloud storage in our AWS review; check out what AWS hosting offers on the web hosting side of things; and see how AWS compares to other high-level cloud environments in our comparison pitting AWS vs Azure vs Google Cloud vs IBM Cloud.

With hacking and malware attacks increasingly targeting businesses of all sizes, it's critical to establish a data backup and recovery plan, as data security goes a long way towards keeping systems safe. However, a single mistake should never mean that years of digital work should be lost forever.

With most businesses now backing up with the best cloud storage, data backup and recovery will revolve around cloud storage. However, there's more to that than just finding the best cloud storage for business. Below, we outline five tips that can help you to ensure your data is protected, and available when you need to access it.

1. Redundant backups are key

Although having a single, complete backup of your business’s files and computing network is better than nothing, it’s still not all that secure. Both you and your cloud storage provider could be affected by the same piece of malware. Or a regional disaster like an earthquake could destroy digital infrastructure both at your offices and at your cloud data center.

So, it’s essential that your backup and recovery strategy includes multiple backups. Ideally, your data should be mirrored at multiple data centers that are thousands of miles apart. Even better, store your data with two different cloud vendors so that your files live on multiple, disconnected networks.

2. Take advantage of automated scheduling

If you have to remember to backup your files to the cloud, there’s a chance that sooner or later you’re going to forget to do it. If that happens, your business could potentially lose days’ or even weeks’ worth of critical data in the event of a breach.

Thankfully, you can rely on automation. Most business cloud storage providers offer software that helps you designate files for backup and recovery, and then keeps them synced to the cloud. Look for the option to run incremental backups, which can help reduce the amount of bandwidth your backup regime requires.

Occasionally, you’ll also want to run large backups that include your network applications and company databases. Try scheduling these to upload overnight so they don’t suck up network resources during the workday.

3. Encryption is critical

Most businesses need to backup at least some sensitive data, such as customer information, billing details, or employee records. Even if your data isn’t necessarily sensitive, you don’t want all of your company’s files to leak out in the event that your network or cloud provider are hacked.

That’s why encryption is so important when it comes to backing up data to the cloud. Your cloud provider should offer end-to-end encryption so that data is encrypted before it ever leaves your computer. Even if a hacker is able to steal files from your backup, the files cannot be decrypted without your company’s key.

4. Keep an eye on regulations

Your business’s obligation to follow privacy laws like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) doesn’t end when you send your data to the cloud. 

In fact, it’s up to you to make sure that your data will be stored in compliance with all applicable regulations. Be sure to ask your cloud storage provider about what steps they take to achieve compliance.

Another thing to consider is whether your data will be stored in the same country as your business. Storing data internationally can sometimes cause regulatory headaches, especially if you’re backing up sensitive customer data. In addition, some countries have stronger data privacy laws than others. Always know where your data will be stored and how it could affect your data privacy.

5. Recovery time matters

When your business network goes down, every second of the recovery process matters. For most companies, a day without data means a day without revenue.

Downloading terabytes of application data, databases, and files from the cloud can take weeks. But many cloud providers will put a complete copy of your business backup on a hard drive and mail it to your business overnight. This type of courier service can enable your business to get back up in running within a day or two.

Data backup and recovery: Summary

Backing up your data to the cloud is an essential part of protecting your business against hacks and system failures. But signing up for a storage platform isn’t on its own a reliable backup and recovery solution. You need to establish a robust plan that considers elements like data security, redundancy, and recovery time. With all those pieces in place, you can feel assured that your business is ready to bounce back from any data loss event.

Further reading on cloud storage

We compared on-prem vs cloud storage, cloud storage vs external hard disk drives, and discussed whether cloud storage is secure, how secure it is, and how cloud storage security is crucial.

The best cloud storage and the best cloud backup providers are just two reasons why cloud computing has become essential to most modern businesses. However, rapid and widespread adoption of cloud storage and backup services does pose problems, specifically relating to organization and to cloud storage security.

When it comes to the best cloud storage for business, safe transmission and storage of data are paramount, especially in a modern world in which threats to cybersecurity are more frequent and sophisticated. When choosing a cloud backup provider, it’s important to look at a number of factors: 

• Hybrid backup solutions: Hybrid cloud storage affords users an added level of safety by storing sensitive information locally on hard drives, as well as in the cloud
• Device coverage: The average household or business has numerous devices to protect, including personal computers, smartphones, and tablets running various operating systems
• Data access: Do you need software, or can you access your files online or through a mobile app? Flexibility is key in this regard, as you never know when and where you need access
• System image backup and recovery: A system image is a snapshot of an entire disk, including the operating system, applications, preferences, and files, allowing a user to easily roll back to a prior state in case of data loss or corruption
• Searchability and versions: Often, you only need to recover a single file rather than a whole directory, or just a particular version of a file. This is particularly useful in collaboration settings, when multiple users make changes to a single document
• Encryption and security: Find out whether the provider’s software encrypts your data locally before sending it to their servers, and how the data is encrypted once there

Cloud backup and cloud storage for businesses

There are some extra considerations for businesses looking to store their data in the cloud. 

• Multiple providers: Although there are factors of cost and operational efficiency to take into consideration, using multiple providers can reduce the risks of losing your data if a vendor’s systems go down or are broken into
• Multiple storage tiers: Some of your data may require additional protection or services. Look for a cloud backup provider with multiple tiers so you can cost-effectively manage assets of different volume and sensitivity
• The existence of a Virtual Private Cloud (VPC): VPCs allow for a more secure and configurable cloud storage solution, giving you greater control over the cloud platform where your data is stored and accessed
• Consider on-site private cloud options: These provide similar infrastructural and security advantages, without having to store your data off-site

Keeping your data safe

Here are some good tips for ensuring your data’s safety when moving to the cloud: 

• Update existed service level agreements (SLAs). SLAs that were written and signed before the widespread adoption of cloud solutions need to be updated with new terms for accessibility, backup responsibilities, and ownership
• Safe scalability. Ensure you can easily and safely increase your storage as needed, without any risks data as it’s being moved to larger and faster storage solutions
• Redundancy is key. Make sure your backup provider has redundancy built into their storage solutions, with multiple versions of your data preferably kept in physically separate sites to avoid the dangers of natural catastrophe

Ronan McCurtin, senior sales director for Northern Europe at Acronis, and Sabo Diab, VP Global Marketing, CTERA Networks, contributed to this article. 

Further reading on cloud storage

Read our cloud storage checklist, our list of factors to consider when selecting online storage, and our tips for businesses in data backup and recovery. We also compared cloud storage vs cloud backup vs cloud sync.

It’s easy to take thousands of photos with a smartphone and digital camera, and it’s hard to imagine losing even one. Each represents a memory that can’t easily be replaced or recreated, so it’s important to make sure every image is safe, no matter what happens to your devices.

Better cameras mean higher-quality pictures, which means more space is required to store them. CDs, USB sticks, and external hard drives have fallen out of fashion because they can’t hold all files in a time-efficient, affordable manner: instead, they’ve been surpassed by the best cloud storage services. 

There’s no better option than backing up photos with cloud storage. Whereas a physical hard drive can fail or become corrupted, cloud storage servers are incredibly well maintained, and kept safe from malicious attackers. It's also cheap and scalable—most services allow you to upgrade instantly if you need more storage. 

Best of all, when photos are uploaded, you can access them from any device whenever you want to look back at your memories. Google Photos is among the best cloud storage for photos, and comes preloaded with most Google and Android devices, but you can use it from an iPhone or a Windows computer too.

It also includes a range of features for organizing photos, so that you can easily find a specific image when you want it. We’ll walk you through the process for uploading images from your smartphone, tablet, and computer; explain how to make a backup of your library; and how to sort images for easy retrieval later.

Google Photos: Storage options and upload limits

Before you start backing up images to Google Photos, it’s important to understand the difference between high and original quality backups. When you select high quality backup, Google will compress images slightly before transferring them. If you’re uploading from a smartphone, you likely won’t notice any drop in image quality. Google’s compression is very efficient, especially for JPG image files.

The advantage is that these backups are completely free. They don’t count towards the 15GB of free cloud storage you get with a Google account, so you can store as many images as you want. Note that Photos also accepts videos, and high quality uploads are stored in 1080p, which is already the maximum resolution at which many cameras are capable of recording.

If you’re shooting with a DSLR or thinking about printing photos, though, you might not want any compression. In that case, select original quality, which will upload the full-size image. Keep in mind that you can back up RAW image files, but check Google’s support documentation to see what types of RAW files are supported.

Original quality photos and videos do count against your 15GB limit, and remember that this limit is shared among all Google services, from Photos to Drive and Gmail. If you need more Google Cloud storage, you can sign up for a Google One subscription. There are three plans providing 100GB, 200GB, and 2TB of data respectively, and for each, paying annually saves you 16%

The 100GB plan costs $1.99 a month, or $11.99 a year. 200GB costs only fractionally more at $2.99 a month, or $29.99 a year. The 2TB plan will set you back only $9.99 (or $99.99 for the year). Benefits include the ability to share data with family members, priority customer support, and discounts on items purchased from the Google Store (3% for the 200GB plan and 10% for the 2TB plan).

Google Photos: How to back up photos from a phone or tablet 

Uploading images from an iOS or Android smartphone or tablet is incredibly easy. To get started, just download the Google Photos app from Google Play or the Apple App Store for free. Once it’s installed, log in with your Google account. If any photos were previously tied to your account, they should appear automatically. 

When you first sign in, you can decide whether to back up original or high quality images, as well as whether to enable uploads when your device isn’t connected to Wi-Fi. We recommend only allowing uploads on Wi-Fi (the default option) since uploads can quickly chew through your mobile data plan.

However, if your mobile plan provides large amounts of data, you can override this and upload photos and videos on Wi-Fi and mobile networks. Users can also implement different settings for photo and video uploads. For example, you can upload photos over Wi-Fi and mobile data, but prevent videos from uploading until you connect to Wi-Fi.

When you first launch the app, it will ask you to turn on automatic backup and syncing too. Because you’re reading this article, we’ll assume you want to do this, so follow the on-screen prompts. You’ll need to provide the app with permissions, such as access to your photo library. If you previously didn’t set up automatic backup and sync, you can activate it by going to the account control screen. 

Notably, Android devices have additional options, including the ability to select specific image folders that you want to backup. This is especially useful if you only want to sync your camera roll.

One of the best things about Google Photos is that you can use it to free up space on your device. In Settings, select "Manage device storage". The "Free up space" option will automatically delete any photos from your device that it has already backed up.

Once you’ve made your upload decisions, click "Confirm", and your photos will begin uploading. After some time, your photos will be securely available from any device connected to your account. Preparing to back up to Google Photos on a tablet is similar: first download the app, and once launched, the process for setting up backup and syncing is much the same.

Google Photos: How to back up to photos from a PC or Mac

Google Photos also enables you to back up photos from your desktop or an external hard drive. The easiest way to do this for one-time transfers is to use the Google Photos browser interface. Sign in, select "Upload", and then choose what photos you want to copy to the cloud. 

Uploading multimedia from your computer is a slightly different process than for phones and tablets. If you’re using a Windows 10 device, the first thing you’ll need to do is download the Google Photos client. If you want automatic backups to ensure all photos are synced, you’ll need Google’s Backup & Sync desktop app.

Install the software, and then select which folders you want to sync. If you want to upload files from an external hard drive or SD card, those will need to be connected to your computer to select for backup within the app. After logging in, proceed to the next step, where you’ll be prompted to set up automatic backup and sync. 

At this step, you’ll need to choose whether to upload photos and videos only, or all file types. The app isn’t limited to uploading photos, but any image and video files will automatically be sent to Google Photos. Choosing all types will result in data being uploaded to Google Drive as well as Photos. This is ideal if you want to backup your entire device. 

However, if you want to solely focus on photos and videos, choose the first option. Going forward, the app will run in the background, and initiate uploads anytime you add new files to your synced folders.

You’ll need to select the folders and drives that will be uploaded. At this stage, you’ll also need to select the resolution you’d like to upload photos at, just as with phone and tablet setup. After you complete the two previous steps, all that’s left to do is click "Confirm", ensure your computer is connected to Wi-Fi, and wait. 

Depending on connection speed and the size of your library, this may take several hours. However, once the initial upload is complete, you’ll have seamless access to your photos across your devices.

Google Photos: How to upload photos from Google Drive 

Until mid-2019, there was no distinction between Google Photos and Google Drive. If you uploaded photos to one service, they were automatically copied over to the other. However, that joint management system has been modified to prevent users from accidentally deleting photos.

Now, photos uploaded to Drive won’t automatically show up in Photos, and vice versa. If you want to copy images from Drive to Photos, you’ll need to do it manually. In the Photos web interface, find the "Upload" button in the upper right corner and select "Upload from Google Drive". 

You can then choose which images you would like to copy, and whether to upload them in original or high quality. Since the photos are already in the cloud, the transfer is nearly instantaneous. Once your images are copied over, you have the option of deleting them in Drive to help free up storage. 

Note that this is true even for images that were uploaded prior to 2019—when Google separated Drive and Photos, it applied the management change to all images in your cloud account. Of course, it’s a good idea to double check that images are sitting safely in Photos before you delete copies from Drive. 

Google Photos: How to back up analogue prints 

If you have reams of old 4x6 prints sitting around your house, Google can help you digitize and then back them up. Download the Google PhotoScan app for iOS or Android to start scanning your photos one by one. 

The nifty thing about the app is that it can eliminate the bright spots that normally appear when you try to take a photo of a glossy print. The app requests four scans of each photo from different angles, then stitches those scans together to give you a perfectly digitized rendering. Every photo you scan will be automatically uploaded to Photos for storage.

Of course, you can also use another photo scanning app or physical scanner to digitize your photos. If you go this route, you can upload your images to Photos from your smartphone or computer as described above.

Google Photos: How to manage and organise your photos 

After uploading images from all your devices and some of your old glossy prints, you likely now have a small mountain of images to sort through in the cloud. Thankfully, Google Photos offers plenty of options for organizing photos.

The simplest thing you can do to sort photos is to create albums. Google makes it easy to select any number of images and group them into a new album, or add them to an existing album. Navigate to the "Albums" section of the mobile app or web interface to create a new album, then select which images you want to add to it with just a tap or click.

It’s worth noting that you can’t create albums inside of albums, so think carefully about a naming scheme that will help you stay organized. You also can’t tag photos, although you can add individual descriptions. Any text in these descriptions is searched when you enter terms in the search bar.

Once you have an album set up, you can easily share it with anyone. If your friends and family have Google accounts, they can comment on photos. You can also invite them to add their own images to an album, which is a great option for sharing everyone’s images from a trip or event. Photos others add to an album you shared don’t count against your storage limits, unless you save copies to your account.

Of course, this is a Google platform, so it involves some magic in the form of machine learning. Google automatically scans every image you upload, and detects faces and objects (for better or worse, you give up some privacy when you use Google services). 

It won’t automatically connect a name to a face, even if that person has a Google account, but you can tag someone, and it will apply that tag across all images where the same person appears. Then, if you search for a name or specific object, Photos will automatically show all images with that person or object in them.

Machine learning can also help categorize images into albums. Your photo library is automatically sorted into People & Pets, Things, and Places, and then into hundreds of categories like Mountains, Cooking, Dogs, Boats, and more. 

It’s uncanny how good Google is at doing this, and it can be pretty neat to explore these categories, since they bring together photos from different times in your life. You can also improve Google’s image categorization by giving feedback on whether your images were identified correctly. 

Google Photos: How to edit your photos 

One of the only major features missing is a capable image editor. Whether using the app or the browser interface, you can only make basic touch-ups and crops. Within Google Photos, open any image and click or tap the sliders icon. 

You’ll see a few options for adjusting the lighting, color, and pop of your image, as well as a simple pen tool for marking up images. You can also choose to apply any of around a dozen filters, or use the "Auto" function to have Google automatically adjust your image for you. 

These options are far from comprehensive, but they’re good for making quick improvements to images on the go. Another inclusion is the "For you" tab, where you’ll find already edited and stylized versions of some of your recent photos. If you like the edits that the algorithm made, you can keep changes or even order prints. 

How to back up your Google Photos library to a hard drive 

Google Photos is a highly secure option for storing photos in the cloud. But with files that are impossible to replace, it’s a good idea to keep at least two complete backups. Photos serves as one of these backups, and creating a hard copy of your library on a physical hard drive can serve as another.

Before we dive into how to create a backup, it’s important to understand one major catch: there’s no simple way to keep your physical backup automatically synced with your Google Photos library. That means it’s important to occasionally add all the photos you’ve uploaded since your last backup to your physical drive.

To download some or all of the images in your Photos library, you’ll need to use Google Takeout. You can access this directly or navigate within Google Photos to Settings > Manage your data and personalization > Download your data. Click "Deselect all" (unless you want to back up other data from your Google account, not just photos) and then select "Google Photos".

This will automatically export your entire photo library. If you only need to back up a subset of your library, uncheck the "All Photo Albums Included" box, and then deselect any albums you don’t want to download. 

Before your download begins, you’ll need to decide on a couple of options. You can send photos directly to another service, or get an email download link. You can also modify compression settings and choose the maximum size for each download. If your library is larger than the maximum size you select, you will receive multiple download links.

Note that Google also lets you schedule automatic, recurring data exports. But, if you choose this option, you won’t only get download links for the new photos you’ve added to your library in the meantime—Google will export your entire photo library each time.

Once you begin the export, Google Takeout will create a downloadable copy of all the files you selected. If you have a large library, it may be several hours or more before you receive a download link. Download the files to your hard drive or an external drive to keep as a spare physical backup.

Google Photos: Summary

Setting up automatic backup and syncing across all your devices will ensure seamless access to your photo library across all your devices. 

You can also now begin taking advantage of Google Photos’ excellent features, such as smart search capabilities that make it easy to sort photos by content type, location, or even the people captured in the image. This saves time, and ensures you can always pull up the perfect shot at the perfect moment.

Further reading on cloud storage

Take a look at our cloud storage checklist, our five things to consider when selecting online storage, and our tips for businesses in data backup and recovery.

The best cloud storage and backup services offer a convenient and secure way to keep your important files and data safe and easily accessible from any device. Whether you're looking for personal cloud storage or the best cloud storage for business, cloud storage services provide top scalability and instant access with internet connectivity.

However, with thousands of cloud platforms available, how do you pick the correct service for your needs? You may even wonder what cloud storage is. We provide you with the information you need in our comprehensive step-by-step guide to choosing a cloud storage and backup provider.

In following the steps laid out below, you can quickly identify which features you need to look out for, while bearing your specific requirements in mind. While the cloud might sound abstract for storage, it features real and practical differences, particularly when thinking about how competing services store information. As such, finding the right provider can have a huge impact on your experience and security.

How to choose a cloud storage and backup provider: Preparation

Before you can get started picking a cloud provider, the first thing you’ll need to do is decide what you want to use the cloud for. Unless you have a clear idea of which files you’ll be storing, and how frequently you’ll need to access them, you’ll struggle to decide which features are important to you when comparing multiple platforms.

For example, if you own a small business and want to run your mission-critical applications from within the cloud, you’ll need to find a so-called hot storage service. This type of cloud provider will enable you to access your files quickly and easily, almost as if they were stored locally.

On the other hand, if you just need a secure place to store duplicates of key files and archived materials, you should search for a cold storage provider instead. Cloud providers in this category are typically a bit cheaper, but won’t allow you to download or sync your stored files as fast.

Another factor you should consider is whether you want a platform that focuses on cloud storage or cloud backup. Although they sound similar, in reality, there are some major distinctions between the two.

Cloud storage services are designed to be the primary location in which you store your data. This means cloud storage servers are often set up to enable you to easily modify stored files, and come with advanced collaboration tools. 

By contrast, cloud backup services are intended to securely replicate files already stored on other storage systems, so that you can retrieve them in case of hardware failure, software crashes, or ransomware attack. Thus, such services normally feature advanced file versioning options and complete drive image storage tools.

Step 1: Pick a service with sufficient volume

When choosing a cloud storage provider, the first thing you’ll want to look at is how much space is on offer. If you’re just searching for personal storage for a few key documents, you may be able to cut costs by opting for a modest amount of space. For example, IDrive, which is our choice for best cloud storage, doesn’t charge anything for up to 5GB of space.

Of course, in most cases, you’ll need to find a roomier package. One of the key reasons that you might be thinking about moving to the cloud is the scalability that cloud tech offers. To truly take advantage of this, you’ll need to find a platform that automatically warns you, and adds extra storage space, when you get close to exceeding your limits.

Step 2: Decide how to share your cloud

Looking for a cloud service for use in a business environment where multiple employees can access the same files? Then you should pay close attention to how the storage is distributed.

Some companies, such as pCloud, charge per user, giving each a set amount of space to work with. This has the advantage of being more scalable—if you hire more employees, you can just add them to your network and they’ll be automatically assigned their own slice of your cloud.

The downside to picking a service that assigns gives each user their own mini cloud is normally cost efficiency. That’s because some users will need more space than others, so you’ll usually end up paying for a large volume of unused storage to prevent anyone from maxing out their assignment.

Alternatively, you can pick a cloud storage subscription that permits unlimited user connections but charges based on the total amount of storage used, which is exactly what IDrive does for its business clients. This is often the best way to do things if your users need to access a static shared directory but don’t require access to a large number of personal files.

Step 3: Don’t compromise on security

Just like locally-stored information, data in the cloud is vulnerable to hacking attacks or getting infected by malware. Staying protected is partly your responsibility—a large proportion of users expose themselves to extra risk by misconfiguring cloud accounts—but it’s also important to use a service with adequate inbuilt security features. 

The most secure cloud systems use end-to-end encryption. This is a zero-knowledge solution that effectively means cloud-stored data will only be encrypted and decrypted by your local device. Consequently, nobody, including your cloud provider, will be able to access or manipulate your cloud volume without permission.

If you aren’t storing highly sensitive information and feel that end-to-end encryption is overkill, you should still use a cloud storage service with adequate cloud storage security provisions. Most cloud providers protect your information at rest and during transit using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) or Transport Security Layer (TLS) encryption.

Step 4: Verify provider uptime track record

Just like a local storage system, cloud server networks can suffer from all manner of technical failures. To avoid a scenario in which your files disappear in the middle of an important operation, ask prospective cloud services for evidence of their uptime track record before you sign up. 

The most reliable cloud services incorporate Service Level Agreements (SLAs) into their client contracts. These are clauses that commit the provider to a minimum uptime percentage, normally offering some kind of compensation if that level isn’t met. Google, for instance, gives out financial credits to its clients if their multi-region Cloud Storage volumes fall below 99.95% uptime.

Step 5: Check where and how your data will be stored

It’s important to remember that when you move your data to the cloud, the reality is that you’re transferring it to a data center—or network of data centers—with a real-world address. Before you purchase online storage, you should always find out what that address will be.

For performance reasons, you should avoid any cloud storage or cloud backup platform that will store your files far from your base of operations or customers. Using a distant cloud network will likely result in slow transfer times when uploading, accessing, or downloading data.

In addition, some countries strictly control how and where their businesses can store data. Always be sure to verify that you won’t fall afoul of local regulations by shifting your operations to an overseas data center.

Step 6: Find integrations that work for you

Cloud storage works best when it interacts seamlessly with your current software stack. The majority of modern professional tools—from Microsoft 365 to Adobe CC—feature some kind of cloud integration, but not all software packages play nicely with all cloud providers. Find out if the cloud provider you are considering using supports application program interfaces (APIs) if integrations are important to you.

Sometimes, switching to the cloud is worth the extra effort of revamping your workflow to transition to cloud-friendly applications. All the same, be aware that opting for a cloud platform that doesn’t work well with your current tools will make your cloud adoption more complex and resource-intensive.

Step 7: Identify backup features that match your needs

Not all cloud data backup and recovery services are created equal. To keep your business’s information adequately protected, pay attention to how each platform you evaluate handles backup syncing and restoration. 

With most services, you’ll be able to customize how and when your backups occur, but it’s good to check what options are available. If you constantly generate new files and information, you’ll want a continuous backup tool to minimize data loss risks. At the other end of the spectrum are discrete backups. These are preferred by some because they make it easy to restore data systems to a state associated with a particular time or date.

Also, find out whether old copies of files automatically get overwritten once your storage limit is used up. Additionally, you should look at the steps the service takes to secure your backups—are they duplicated on multiple servers, and are those servers actively scanned for malicious activity or hardware failures?

How to choose a cloud storage and backup provider: Summary

Cloud storage and backup services are incredibly useful when it comes to protecting your data from risks of all kinds and enabling better collaboration between team members working with shared resources. How you should go about choosing a cloud provider all comes down to your specific needs.

If you need a way to safeguard your daily operations data from technical issues, an end-to-end cloud platform capable of creating continuous backups might be what you’re looking for. However, users who are more interested in the productivity benefits of cloud migration should focus on connectivity speeds and third-party integrations offered by cloud services.

Whichever platform you do end up choosing, remember that the transition to working in the cloud needs to be approached strategically. Especially for large businesses, setting up internal protocols and policies for cloud data management can take time, so it’s often better to split your migration into distinct phases. 

Further reading on cloud storage

See how we establish the differences between different cloud types in our comparison of cloud storage vs cloud backup vs cloud sync. If you're buying on behalf of a small business, learn how to choose the best cloud storage for small business, the top reasons to use small business cloud solutions, and why a multi-cloud strategy benefits businesses.

Backing up important files and data remains vitally important, especially with all manner of security and hardware issues, ranging from hard disk failures to malware attacks. 

While copying data to an external hard disk drive had long been less time-consuming and more cost-effective, the landscape has changed as the best cloud storage services have proven their safety and utility. As a result, it's now cheaper and more secure to back up to dedicated cloud servers than keeping physical hard drives.

These leading providers also now offer seamless backups, as well as file syncing solutions, so you can make sure you always have access to recent copies of your files. Having said that: is it now time to stop buying and filling external hard disk drives and fully switch to the cloud for data backups? And is cloud storage secure?

We compared cloud storage vs external hard disk drives in order to see how both options stack up against one another.

Cloud storage vs external: Universal access

If setting up a file backup is difficult, the chances that you’ll do it frequently and regularly are low. That’s why it’s essential that you choose a backup method that works seamlessly from any device.

Cloud storage and backup technology wins handily when it comes to accessibility. To transfer files to and from the cloud, all you need is an internet connection. Want to transfer files like photos from your smartphone or tablet? You can do it from anywhere, even without Wi-Fi if you have a generous mobile data plan.

Now, try to make the same transfer from your mobile device to an external hard drive. At the very least, you need to connect your phone to your computer and your computer to your hard drive. That’s a lot of wires, and it’s not a backup you can easily set up on the go.

Cloud storage vs external: Security

Security used to be a major flaw with cloud storage, with some cloud providers losing users’ data to hacks. But, cloud storage security has come a long way in a short time.

Many secure cloud systems now use virtually uncrackable 256-bit AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) encryption to protect your data before it even leaves your devices. Some services go even further by offering zero-knowledge encryption—meaning that only you know your encryption key. This in turn means that even if a hacker got their hands on your data, they wouldn’t be able to unlock it.

To be fair, data security on an external hard disk drive is pretty strong. Hackers can’t access your hard disk unless it’s connected to your computer. However, if you broaden security to include reliability, hard disks start to look a lot less attractive. 

More than one-quarter of all modern hard disk drives fail before the end of their warranty period. When that happens, it can be expensive or impossible to recover your data.

Cloud storage vs external: Sync technology

One of the biggest advantages to cloud storage is that you can keep your files backed up all the time. That’s thanks to sync technology, which runs in the background on your devices and automatically uploads any new or modified files to your storage space. There’s no need to worry about forgetting to back up your files for weeks on end.

You can also run automatic backup software with a hard disk drive. But for that to work, your hard disk needs to be connected all the time. That’s not feasible for mobile devices, and it only increases the likelihood that your drive will fail.

Cloud storage vs external: Cost per quality

For many people, the goal is simply to get the cheapest backup solution. That may make hard drives seem like the more attractive option, since you can get terabytes of storage for well under $100. Meanwhile, cloud storage often requires a monthly subscription.

However, consider what you’re getting in return for the pricing difference. If an external drive fails, the warranty may pay the cost of the drive itself. But the manufacturer won’t help you recover your files, which can cost $1,000 or more and isn’t guaranteed to work.

With cloud storage, on the other hand, there’s virtually no chance that your files could disappear. Most services create redundant copies of your files on multiple servers around the world. Plus, you get file versioning and advanced recovery options to save your data in case you accidentally delete a file.

Cloud storage vs external: Conclusion

For us, there’s little question that cloud storage is the best way to back up your data. You get much more peace of mind, and the ability to back up your data continuously from any device. In fact, it might not be too long before physical hard drives become another casualty of digital progress.

Further reading on cloud storage

Make sure to read our feature comparing on-prem vs cloud storage, and our article asking how secure is cloud storage?, which also highlights the most secure providers. It's also worth looking at our feature explaining why cloud services should be a priority for any small business. And if you're using an external or internal HDD, then take a look at our guide on how to check your hard drive's health. 

When comparing the best cloud storage vs cloud backup vs cloud sync, it's important to know that each are different operations utilizing the cloud. If you don't already know, the cloud consists of multiple physical servers owned by a cloud computing provider, on which you can store data remotely.

In this piece, we not only compare cloud storage vs cloud backup vs cloud sync, but also explain how all three complement one another.

Cloud storage vs cloud backup vs cloud sync: Understanding concepts

Cloud storage, cloud backup, and cloud synchronization are not wholly separate operations, but are inclusive aspects of cloud computing. Cloud computing providers often include a combination of all three as part of their service. Here, we’ll discuss the differences between these operations, and where they overlap.

Each cloud storage provider has slightly different features that vary depending on whether its target market is business clients, individuals, or both. Common features include remote access, file encryption, and file sharing. 

Microsoft OneDrive makes itself attractive to business users with cloud storage plans that integrate with business collaboration platform Microsoft Teams. It includes unique features, such as automated document filing whenever files are shared in team chats. In contrast, Apple’s iCloud doesn’t offer unique benefits for businesses, as it’s mostly marketed toward individual Mac users, who appreciate that the storage works in the background, allowing seamless access to digital data. 

Dropbox, meanwhile, can serve all types of users as a simple file storage service hosted on the cloud. However, its ability to be integrated with market-leading productivity suites is particularly attractive for businesses. 

Conceptualizing the difference between cloud backup and cloud storage services is complex, as some cloud computing services, like iCloud, are both. iCloud will synchronize and store all the data on your mobile device on the cloud unless you specifically request it not to, but will not automatically store all the data on your Mac laptop/desktop devices.

If you want iCloud to store everything on a Macbook or iMac, you’ll have to manually save all local files to the cloud.

Most business users will be looking for dedicated cloud backup providers, like IDrive and Carbonite Safe, which provide continuous versioning and file history of devices. Dedicated cloud backup providers continuously back up every file on a device to the cloud, without any manual uploading required. 

If your computer was exposed to ransomware while using a cloud backup service, every single data set associated with your device could be restored later. Your device would then function as though the cyber attack had never occurred, which is essential.

Most cloud storage providers offer automatic cloud backup of all files you’ve shared with them as an inclusive feature of their storage service. If you change the file on your computer, the update will automatically synchronize on the cloud. Many cloud storage services, like OneDrive and Dropbox, allow you to restore earlier and deleted versions of files and folders. 

However, cloud storage services which include backup as a feature typically only store copies of files you’ve manually uploaded to them, with some exceptions. One is Microsoft OneDrive, which automates backups of every Microsoft 365 file you use. Although you don’t manually upload files to the Microsoft OneDrive, it still only protects certain files and data sets.

Cloud synchronization is best described as a process that enables cloud storage records to be accurately maintained. When cloud storage data is changed on a physical device, cloud synchronization ensures it’s automatically updated on the cloud. Dropbox requires a utility be installed on your physical device for cloud synchronization to occur, and you then move files into that utility. 

In contrast, cloud synchronization is built into Mac applications and works as long as iCloud computing is enabled. Microsoft OneDrive’s cloud synchronization utility, like iCloud’s, is built into Windows operating systems and productivity tools.

Judging performance

Cloud computing services that specialize in cloud backup, and include features like versioning and file history, are the best choice to ensure you can restore all files and folders in case of accidental deletions or wipes, and protect workflow.

Cloud backup companies of this nature, like IDrive and Carbonite, automatically upload every file on a device to the cloud, synchronizing whenever files are updated, and encrypting the data as it’s transferred, to enhance security. If you’re looking to protect the data devices from accidents that could jeopardize locally-stored files, cloud backup services with versioning and file history are best for your needs. 

Mac users who are only concerned with the protection of personal data like music, photos, notes, and texts (as opposed to files generated on productivity applications) will probably never have to use another cloud computing service bar iCloud. As iCloud seamlessly synchronizes data from Mac applications to the cloud, users will experience no difficulties restoring historic data on new Mac devices. 

Business users will be concerned with protecting critical data for collaborative projects or information sets which, if lost, could jeopardize workflow. Because of this, Dropbox is still a favored cloud storage solution for businesses, as it can store all varieties of files without compatibility issues and allows 100GB secure transfers. Plus, Dropbox can be integrated with both Microsoft and Google’s productivity suites, as well as popular business communication applications like Slack. 

Although Microsoft and Google’s cloud storage solutions are great when you’re working on their own productivity suites, using their storage for projects conducted on other productivity suites can become complex. Dropbox gives teams/individuals within your organization the flexibility of choosing their preferred productivity suite while still allowing for inter-organization file-sharing and project collaboration.

What support should you expect?

Support varies depending on the cloud computing provider you choose, and the quality of support provided is typically equivalent to the price you pay for the product. For example, only Dropbox Business users have access to phone support, while those on other Dropbox pricing tiers have to rely on chat or email support. 

There’s no consistent amount of phone support you can expect to receive from cloud computing services. Dedicated cloud backup service IDrive has a 24/7 phone helpline available for support inquiries but their main competitor, Carbonite Safe, only makes phone help available after you’ve exhausted their live chat support. 

iCloud’s support is lacking as phone help is only available to those who can convince Apple the solution isn’t available online via their forum or chat. You’ll likely be directed to your local Genius Bar rather than speak with a consultant on the phone.

Phone, email, and virtual chat options are available to business users of Google Workspace and Microsoft OneDrive business users. Google has an FAQ available to other users, whereas other Microsoft users must make do with virtual support.

Pricing and plans: how much should you pay?

Many cloud computing services have free plans available, including iCloud and OneDrive (5GB), Dropbox (2GB), and Google (15GB). Individual users with scant personal data will probably find the free plans adequate for their cloud storage needs. 

Pricing of plans increases commensurate to the amount of data you need to store on the cloud. In the case of cloud storage providers which also offer productivity applications, like Google Workspace and Microsoft, you often have access to more applications or better support as you acquire more data storage. 

Dedicated cloud backup services, like iCloud and Carbonite Safe, include additional kinds of backup, such as image and server backup, on more expensive plans.

Cloud storage vs cloud backup vs cloud sync: Verdict

As you know by now, cloud storage vs cloud backup vs cloud sync isn’t a straight showdown at all, but most cloud storage services offer some kind of cloud backup, and vice versa. Cloud synchronization is simply the process of automating updates between local files and those stored on the cloud. All services are offered by cloud computing providers.

We’d encourage individual Windows users to choose a backup service like IDrive or Carbonite to protect all the data on their devices in case of loss, damage, or wipes. iCloud should suffice for most Mac users. 

Mac users who use productivity suites on their devices to conduct business may also want to employ an additional cloud storage solution, like Dropbox or Google Workspace. 

Business users should decide if they simply want a storage solution or one with complete productivity and communications suites, too. Dropbox will suffice for storage which integrates with communications/productivity applications, but organizations who want a complete toolkit may prefer Google Workspace or Microsoft OneDrive.

Further reading on cloud storage

We've covered cloud services' importance to small businesses in a range of features, including our list article outlining eight reasons why businesses should use small business cloud solutions; and our editorials outlining why cloud computing is perfect for small businesses and why cloud services should be a priority for any small business.

Cloud storage solutions were once considered less reliable than physical storage, but not anymore. Nowadays, individuals and businesses happily store essential documents and personal data on the cloud. Providers offer hundreds of gigabytes or even terabytes at affordable rates, and more consumers are choosing to switch to the best cloud storage solutions.

One huge advantage is that you can access documents from any device with an internet connection. Important information isn’t bound to one physical desktop, which is especially useful for teams who collaborate on projects. However, the market is saturated with options, and it can be difficult to decide which cloud storage solution will best serve the needs of you or your business. 

But before you consider switching to cloud storage, there are several critical questions to ask. For example, can the cloud really replace the trusty hard drive as your primary location? How easy is it to access important files and documents from other devices? And perhaps most importantly of all: will your data be safe? 

In this article, we'll answer these questions and provide insights into how to make the most of your cloud storage solution, no matter which platform you choose. We’ll explain how to use Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, and iCloud. When you see these service's capabilities, you should be able to decide which is right for you.

Cloud storage solutions: How to choose yours

The most important step in moving to cloud storage is making sure you choose a platform that suits you. For example, iCloud is best suited for people who predominantly use Apple devices: if you regularly use a Windows computer or an Android device, iCloud probably isn't right for you. 

Likewise, if you use Microsoft 365 applications exclusively, then Microsoft OneDrive will likely be the most seamless platform for you. If you use Google Workspace or Google Docs, then Google Drive will probably be your best choice. The point is to find the provider that best fits your computer and software usage.

Free or paid?

It can often be tempting to use free cloud storage solutions, but we advise against it for business. The reality is that these plans offer limited storage, can be less reliable, won't provide high-quality customer support, and data security protocols are more likely to be below standard.

We also discourage business users from using a free solution because providers of the best cloud storage for business offer highly affordable packages. Compared to the frustration and lost productivity of a poorly performing platform, or the costs of data loss or a cyberattack, investing in a high-quality service is a no-brainer.