The list in brief
1. Best overall: Microsoft OneDrive
2. Best user interface: Dropbox
3. Best for business: IDrive
4. Best self-hosted: Nextcloud
5. Best for encrypted backups: Backblaze
6. Best zero-knowledge: Tresorit
7. Best simple business option: SpiderOak One
How to choose
How we review
When it comes to the best cloud storage for businesses, cloud storage security is crucial, particularly in data and privacy-sensitive sectors, and so investing in secure cloud storage that offers state-of-the-art policies is non-negotiable.
The top cloud storage for businesses is often provided by the best cloud storage providers, who also largely provide the best personal cloud storage. What sets cloud storage for businesses apart is the necessary and integral focus on cloud storage security and collaborative tools.
As with any cloud storage market, there are many providers vying for your cloud custom, and as so many offer similar features, make sure you're aware of what you and your business need. Consider security and collaborative elements first, but also versatility, service access and support, device number limits, and the amount of storage capacity you can access for each staff member, alongside file size limits.
We've tested all the leading cloud storage providers on these metrics. This guide will point you toward the best cloud storage for businesses, by evaluating each of our choices against the above elements.
The quick list
In a rush and looking for the top cloud storage solutions for businesses? Here’s a brief rundown of the leading cloud storage providers. For a more comprehensive understanding, see the full reviews below.
The best cloud storage for businesses
Microsoft OneDrive is ideal for businesses using Microsoft 365. It offers seamless integration with applications like Word and Teams. OneDrive stands out with its end-to-end encryption and dynamic collaboration tools.
The cloud storage for businesses with the best user interface
Dropbox offers an intuitive user interface and feature-rich file sharing. It’s not just a storage solution but also provides options to create and modify files.
The best business cloud storage for server and device backup
IDrive is a top cloud backup and storage platform, focusing on file versioning, user management, and security. While it’s low on third-party integrations, it’s perfect for businesses needing high-capacity storage.
The best self-hosted cloud storage for businesses
Nextcloud is a self-hosted cloud storage solution allowing businesses to create a private cloud. It offers enhanced control over data security and integrates with open-source applications like Collabora Online.
The best business cloud storage for encrypted backups
Backblaze is all about secure backup, ensuring essential files are safe from threats. It’s designed for simplicity and reliability, automatically backing up files in the background.
The best zero-knowledge cloud storage for businesses
Tresorit offers zero-knowledge encryption, ensuring utmost privacy and security. It doesn’t integrate with third-party apps but is perfect for businesses prioritizing data security. Tresorit’s strength lies in its end-to-end encryption.
The most straightforward encrypted cloud storage for businesses
SpiderOak One Backup is straightforward, focusing on end-to-end encryption. While it might lack some business-specific features, its zero-knowledge architecture ensures top-notch security.
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The top 3 cloud storage providers for businesses right now
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The best cloud storage for businesses of 2024 in full
Best overall
Microsoft OneDrive is the perfect platform for businesses already using Microsoft 365. Integration across those applications, including Word, Excel, Teams, and SharePoint, enables users to collaborate dynamically, making OneDrive our choice for the best cloud storage platform for business.
One of its greatest strengths is that it's both a cloud storage and cloud syncing platform. File versioning, tracked changes, and link sharing all operate seamlessly alongside OneDrive’s core functionalities, strengthening its credentials. Security is another strength, as while AES 256-bit encryption is applied to all data at rest, Microsoft goes further with the Personal Vault, with this subfolder providing unlimited end-to-end encryption for all business customers.
Data is also backed up across several servers, so you can be confident it won’t be lost. Microsoft’s enterprise plans also offer best-in-class cybersecurity services and advanced threat detection functionality. Ensuring the integrity of employees’ accounts is easy too, with administrators able to enforce 2FA and periodic password changes.
Its business plans offer a choice between a OneDrive plan or Microsoft 365 bundle. Two standalone OneDrive plans cost $5 per user a month (Plan 1) including 1TB of storage space.
There are two packages with Microsoft 365: Microsoft 365 Business Basic, which includes 1TB storage per user, Microsoft Teams, and web access to apps such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel for $6 per user a month; and Microsoft 365 Business Standard, with 1TB storage per user, Microsoft Teams, desktop and mobile access to all Microsoft 365 apps, and collaboration tools such as Yammer and Microsoft Planner, for $12.50 per user a month.
Recent improvements in OneDrive's collaboration tools now allow for more intuitive sharing and co-editing of documents, directly addressing the needs of small teams working in dynamic environments. The integration capabilities have been expanded, enabling smoother workflows with Microsoft 365 apps and third-party tools, a move that significantly reduces the friction in day-to-day operations.
Read our full OneDrive for Business review.
Best user interface
Dropbox, while not a jack-of-all-trades like Google Workspace, still comes with plenty of options to create and modify files alongside backup and storage.
Its simple desktop client provides drag-and-drop functionality for files of any known format onto the cloud, and the system prides itself on compatibility. Files can also be easily circulated among users using the in-built share function, even if the person you’re sharing them with does not have a Dropbox account. Dropbox Transfer also makes it extremely easy to transfer files to others, whether or not they've got an account.
That way, the receiver gets access to an exact copy of the file with all the appropriate permissions, without getting to the original. With free accounts, Dropbox Transfer has a file size limit of 100MB. Upgrade to a business account, however, and the maximum file size quickly expands to a whopping 100GB.
Dropbox Business Standard is available for $20 per user a month when billed annually, for a minimum of three users; while Dropbox Business Advanced is available for $26 per user a month, again for a minimum of three users. For both plans, the amount of storage available increases every user you add.
The service's clean, minimalistic design is both easy to understand and operate. The desktop app is available on Windows and macOS, alongside a smartphone app available via Google Play and Apple App Store. There’s also a very smooth web-based interface for those wanting to keep things lightweight.
Dropbox has introduced several updates particularly beneficial for small businesses. A notable change is the enhancement of Dropbox Spaces, which has evolved into a more robust workspace for teams. This feature now offers better organization and project management tools, such as task assignments and progress tracking, tailored to streamline operations for small business teams.
Dropbox has significantly bolstered its security measures with the addition of Dropbox Passwords for business accounts, providing seamless password management and safer login processes across team members' devices. This upgrade ensures that sensitive business information remains secure, while also simplifying access to various tools and services.
Additionally, the introduction of new file backup and recovery options marks a significant improvement, offering businesses peace of mind with advanced data protection and easy retrieval capabilities.
Read our Dropbox Business review, our Dropbox review to learn more about its personal plans, and our comparison pitting IDrive vs Dropbox vs pCloud.
Best for business
IDrive is undoubtedly one of the best cloud backup and cloud storage platforms. However, the lack of cloud syncing features means it loses some marks from a business standpoint. Strengths include file versioning and snapshots, business-specific features such as user management and activity logs, and security, as businesses can choose to employ end-to-end or standard encryption.
Its two sets of business plans include IDrive Team and IDrive Business, which are subdivided into different plans and pricing, with Team's first plan (at $69.65 a year) covering five computers and five users, with 5TB of storage. From there, it increases to 10TB, 10 computers, and 10 users for $139.65 a year; 25TB, 25 computers, and 25 users for $349.65 a year; and 50TB, 50 computers, and 50 users for $699.65 a year.
These prices are for the first year only, with each increasing in the years after that, though two-year plans are available too. IDrive Business meanwhile offers unlimited users, computers, servers, and more for $69.65 for the first year, with 250GB of storage. Plans increase up to 500GB, 1.25TB, 2.5TB, 5TB, 12.5TB, and 50TB, and are available on an annual or monthly payment basis.
IDrive has introduced IDrive 360, a comprehensive endpoint backup solution designed to meet the unique needs of small businesses. This new offering includes real-time backup capabilities, ensuring that files and folders are backed up the moment changes are made, thereby minimizing data loss risks.
The introduction of improved business reporting tools within IDrive’s dashboard enables you to monitor backup activities and storage usage more effectively, ensuring operational efficiency.
Collaboratively speaking, however, IDrive doesn’t excel. It simply doesn’t integrate with third-party platforms in the same way as competitors like Microsoft OneDrive or Nextcloud. IDrive is instead oriented towards businesses that want high-capacity, highly secure storage that can back up several servers and devices simultaneously.
Likewise, if your staff needs access to a lot of static data, with less emphasis on collaborative editing, then it's certainly one of the best cloud storage platforms for you.
Read our IDrive review focusing on the business side of the service; our IDrive personal cloud backup review on its other cloud storage offerings; and our comparison feature pitting IDrive vs Carbonite.
Best self-hosted
In the strictest sense of the word, Nextcloud isn’t a cloud storage provider. Instead, it’s a suite of software platforms providing self-hosted cloud storage and file management services. As a result, it's likely the best platform if your business is looking for an innovative, self-hosted cloud storage solution.
Nextcloud enables business leaders to connect on-prem storage infrastructure to a local area network (LAN), essentially creating a private cloud. There are several benefits of such a system, alongside a few potential negatives. Benefits include enhanced control over security because you will always know exactly where your data is stored.
Technically speaking, it reduces the attack surface area, and IT administrators also have significant control over how data is stored, including the level of encryption used. This enables businesses to tailor their storage solution to their specific needs.
Another strength is the wide range of open-source applications that can be integrated. These include Nextcloud Files, Nextcloud Talk (a video-conferencing platform), and Collabora Online (a suite of office applications). These enable Nextcloud to compete against competitors offering extensive cross-platform integrations, like Microsoft and Google.
Potential downsides — we’d call them important considerations — include an increased responsibility on the behalf of business leaders to manage data backup and maintain infrastructure. In short, Nextcloud’s flexibility means more responsibility is shifted to the business.
The recent implementation of NextCloud Hub 3 brings a comprehensive overhaul to its interface, making navigation and file management more intuitive for you and your team. This update aligns with the integration of advanced collaboration tools, such as NextCloud Talk and Groupware, which streamline communication and project management directly within the cloud environment.
When it comes to pricing, Nextcloud's free open-source software means you can pick the services you’d like, but these cost extra. There are three different paid plans—Basic, Standard, and Premium— pre-configured and ready to use, available on annual payment plans, costed based on user numbers. There is a free trial available for one hour, if you want to get a feel for the service before signing up.
Read our Nextcloud review.
Best for encrypted backups
Unlike the other options mentioned so far, Backblaze doesn’t come with file-sharing or management capabilities. Instead, it offers a very secure backup service that keeps essential files safe from malware attacks and system corruption. Its emphasis is on security, while functionality takes a back step.
Backblaze is built with novices in mind, as you only need to set it up once, and only need to access it again should your computer somehow be compromised. There’s a very simple installation wizard that guides you through the first-time setup, and once done, Backblaze will automatically back up all files and folders in the background.
You can set up backups to run continuously, daily, or when manually prompted. Usage is restricted to just one device per user per account, and while there’s support for external hard drives, there is none for network drives or mobile devices.
While advanced users may find functionality lacking, those with little cloud storage experience will find Backblaze appealing for the very same reason. For as little as $7 a month or $70 a year, users get access to unlimited storage space on a single device. While it only stores older versions of files for up to 30 days, you can extend that to one year for an additional $2 a month, and there are no file size limits.
There's also the Backblaze B2 offering, which is a pay-as-you-go subscription plan that charges $0.005 per GB and $0.01 per GB for downloads.
Despite limited functionality, Backblaze is really popular with its user base, with over 1EB (exabyte, or one million terabytes) of data stored securely. It has also helped recover over 50 billion files since its launch. If you're looking for a simplified option that lets you back up and store files on the cloud, you need look no further. The introduction of increased data caps at competitive prices ensures that you can scale your storage needs affordably as your business grows.
Read our Backblaze cloud backup review, and our comparison feature pitting IDrive vs Backblaze.
Best zero-knowledge
Tresorit banks its cloud storage technology on a claim of “zero-knowledge encryption”. Apart from the select few you choose to share files with, no one will have access to what you upload, with your account secured by 2FA and end-to-end encryption.
Because of the strong focus on security and privacy, Tresorit’s technology doesn’t integrate with third-party applications. There are no options to edit or modify files on the cloud or stream audio and video, without downloading them first. These elements can feel limiting, but if you're a data-centric company requiring extensive security, Tresorit is well worth the compromise.
It offers both cloud storage and network drives, with data residency options for several data centers worldwide helping you choose where to store data. It has good servers with decent download and upload speeds. The desktop and mobile apps are smart and intuitive, while a guided tour helps you get your bearings when you begin.
Tresorit offers a free 14-day trial on all its subscription plans, which start at $14.50 per user a month when billed annually. That plan, Business Standard, offers up to 1TB of storage space per user for three to nine users. The Business Plus plan meanwhile is available for $19 a month per user for 3 or more users, with 2TB of storage per user. There is also an enterprise plan for upwards of 100 users.
Tresorit has expanded its file version history from 90 days to up to 180 days for premium plans, offering you greater flexibility in recovering previous versions of documents. This is particularly beneficial for maintaining records and managing projects over extended periods.
Read our full Tresorit review.
Best simple business option
SpiderOak One Backup is a multi-purpose cloud platform with a near-best-in-class security framework. It provides cloud storage, syncing, and backup across all operating systems, although the lack of business-specific features is somewhat disappointing. It is also more expensive than many competitors.
A standout feature is end-to-end encryption standard for all data managed, and few other platforms provide this kind of zero-knowledge architecture. It also means that no one at SpiderOak can access your company’s data, even if compelled to by law enforcement.
SpiderOak’s four different subscription options are joined by a 14-day free trial on all plans, enabling you to test it before committing. All four plans come with the exact same features, with storage amounts the only differentiator. Plans range from 150GB ($6 a month) to 5TB ($29 a month), and discounts are available with annual payments, though these are quite small.
SpiderOak has also enhanced its 'No Knowledge' privacy environment, reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding your sensitive business information against cyber threats. This is complemented by improved data recovery features, ensuring that in the event of data loss or ransomware attacks, your business's critical information can be securely retrieved.
If you’re looking for a highly secure, straightforward, and reliable cloud storage solution, you'd do well to consider SpiderOak’s offerings.
Read our full SpiderOak One Backup review.
The best cloud storage for businesses, compared
| Cloud storage provider | Lowest-priced plan | Storage capacity | Number of devices | Encryption |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft OneDrive | $5 per user per month | Unlimited | Unlimited | End-to-end |
| Dropbox Business | $20 per user per month | Unlimited | Unlimited | In-transit and at-rest |
| IDrive | $69.65 per year | 12.5TB | Unlimited | End-to-end |
| Nextcloud | $42.60 per user | Unlimited | Unlimited | Fully customizable |
| Backblaze | $7 per month (10 users) | Unlimited | Unlimited | End-to-end encryption |
| Tresorit | $14.50 per user per month | 1TB per user | Unlimited | End-to-end |
| SpiderOak One | $6 per month | Up to 5TB | Unlimited | End-to-end |
How to choose the best business cloud storage for you
Know your current system
Before upgrading your business's cloud storage, it's worth taking stock of what you're currently using. An audit will allow you to optimize current resources, make an informed choice on future investments, and consider your storage framework.
Ask the following questions: are there any internal data centers? Do you use private and public cloud services? And what data security and privacy protocols exist? Knowing the answers will immediately increase preparedness for a new solution.
Look for value
Many feel pressured to deliver comprehensive cloud storage and network infrastructure at a low cost. Fortunately, there are many affordable and high-value providers, and the best approach is to consider several, making use of trials and free-forever plans to find a solution that aligns with your needs.
Seek secure cloud storage
When comparing on-prem vs cloud storage, or even cloud storage vs external hard disk drives, security is key. How secure is cloud storage?
Providers of the best cloud storage for business offer cutting-edge security and encryption. When choosing a cloud storage and backup provider, look for highly-stable secure cloud systems with end-to-end encryption and zero-knowledge architecture.
These respectively provide complete data security from start to finish and prevent providers' employees from viewing or accessing your important files. In-transit and at-rest encryption meanwhile make data indecipherable even if intercepted.
Prioritize business workloads
Should you suffer data loss, a full system recovery and reboot can take hours, if not days: this isn't an option for businesses. A day without networked devices, cloud storage, or data security means lost revenue and time wasted.
When looking for the best cloud storage for business, prioritize services offering 24-hour customer support that'll help you get up and running as soon as possible. It's also worth considering a data recovery solution, which will further protect you against data loss.
Be mindful of data centers and locations
The best providers protect data and infrastructure, with data centers staffed 24/7 by security guards, biometric authorization for entry, and frequent security auditing. The location of these centers is key for most businesses, as different countries have different data privacy laws. You'll need to make sure data is stored in a nation that complies with your data privacy obligations.
Utilize cloud and file syncing
Many of the best cloud storage for business providers will also offer file syncing tools and are Storage-as-a-Service (StaaS) providers, meaning they offer advanced cloud synchronization and collaborative features such as access management, system auditing, file sharing, file versioning, and more for your organization.
These elements offer seamless digital workflows, increased employee collaboration and productivity boosts, while administrative features mean you can control file access via two-factor authentication and role-based permissions.
How we review the best cloud storage for businesses
As part of our evaluation of cloud storage providers, we evaluate the speed of uploading and downloading files as these factors are crucial to their performance and practicality. Additionally, we assess the security measures of each provider, their customer service responsiveness during any issues, pricing, and any extra features provided.
Furthermore, we conduct thorough comparisons of each cloud storage service with its competitors, focusing on essential features and pricing, to provide you with comprehensive information before making your final decision.
See our testing methodology page for more information.
Next steps with cloud storage
If you're buying cloud storage on behalf of a smaller company, find out how to choose the best cloud storage for small business, and why small businesses should use cloud services.
Find out more about business cloud storage in our five top tips for data backup and recovery and learn about the differences between cloud types in our comparison pitting cloud storage vs cloud backup vs cloud sync.
