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Cloud storage comparisons: how do the main services stack up?
Cloud storage comparisons come down to five things: price per terabyte, encryption model, free space, jurisdiction and apps. In one line: Google Drive and OneDrive win on integration, iCloud+ on Apple devices, pCloud on lifetime value, and Proton Drive, Sync.com and Tresorit on privacy, because they never hold your keys.
| Provider | Free | Example paid plan (Oct 2026) | Who holds keys | Based in | Linux app |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Drive | 15 GB shared | See Google One | Provider | USA | No |
| OneDrive | 5 GB | 1 TB, $99.99/yr with M365 | Provider | USA | No |
| iCloud+ | 5 GB | 2 TB, $9.99/mo | Provider, or you with ADP | USA | No |
| Dropbox | 2 GB | Plus 2 TB, $9.99/mo | Provider | USA | Yes |
| pCloud | Up to 10 GB | 2 TB lifetime, $499 (sale) | Provider; you in Encryption folder | Switzerland | Yes |
| Proton Drive | 5 GB | 200 GB, $4.99/mo | You | Switzerland | Check status |
| Sync.com | Trial | 1 TB, $12/mo billed yearly | You | Canada | No |
| Tresorit | Small Basic tier | 1 TB Personal Essential | You | Switzerland | Yes |
| Internxt | 1 GB | 1–5 TB, annual or lifetime | You | Spain | Yes |
| Filen | 10 GiB | 2 TiB, €8.99/mo | You | Germany | Yes |
Prices from each provider’s own pricing page on October 16, 2026, in local currency shown. Renewal prices may differ from first-year offers.
Row by row: what each comparison point means
Free space
Free space is useful for testing, not a reason to choose on its own. Google’s 15 GB is shared with Gmail and Photos, while Microsoft’s 5 GB is shared with Outlook. See best free cloud storage.
Price
Compare cost per terabyte per year at the renewal price. 2 TB plans usually give the best value. Lifetime plans win only if you keep them for years. See cloud storage pricing per TB.
Who holds the keys
This is the privacy row that matters most. If the provider holds keys, it can read files. If you hold them, it cannot. Read zero knowledge cloud storage.
Jurisdiction
Company base and data location decide which laws apply. Swiss and EU providers fall under strong privacy law; US providers fall under US legal process. See cloud storage location.
Apps
Native apps for every device you use matter for daily life. Linux support is the biggest gap among mainstream providers; see best cloud storage for Linux.
Winner by use case
| Use case | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| Collaboration on documents | Google Drive | OneDrive |
| Microsoft Office users | OneDrive | Dropbox |
| iPhone and Mac households | iCloud+ with ADP | pCloud |
| Maximum privacy | Proton Drive | Tresorit |
| Private storage on a budget | Filen | Sync.com |
| Pay once | pCloud lifetime | Internxt lifetime |
| Linux | pCloud | Filen |
| Business with compliance needs | Tresorit | Sync.com Teams |
Want the deep test of the privacy leaders? We compared pCloud, Proton Drive, Tresorit and Internxt head to head.
Read the four-way reviewWhen to choose each type of provider
Choose a big-platform provider when integration and collaboration matter most. Choose a zero knowledge provider when files are sensitive. Many people use both: one for everyday work and one for private documents.
Head-to-head comparisons we’ve published:
- Google Drive vs OneDrive
- iCloud vs Google Drive
- iCloud vs OneDrive
- OneDrive vs pCloud
- Sync.com vs pCloud
For our ranked list, see the best cloud storage services.
Frequently asked questions
Which cloud storage is best overall?
There is no single best. Google Drive and OneDrive are best for collaboration, iCloud+ for Apple users, pCloud for lifetime value, and Proton Drive for privacy. Decide what matters most to you, then use the comparison table to narrow your choice.
Which cloud storage is the most secure?
Services with end-to-end encryption by default, such as Proton Drive, Tresorit, Sync.com, Internxt and Filen, are the most secure against provider access and server breaches. Account security still depends on your password and two factor authentication.
Is Dropbox better than Google Drive?
Dropbox has excellent sync and a Linux client, but only 2 GB free. Google Drive offers 15 GB free and stronger document collaboration. Neither is zero knowledge. Choose Dropbox for sync reliability and Google Drive for Google Docs and free space.
What cloud storage do most people use?
Google Drive, iCloud, OneDrive and Dropbox have the most users because they come with phones, computers and email accounts. Our guide to the most popular cloud storage explains why, and what popularity means for privacy.
How often do cloud storage prices change?
Prices and plans change at least yearly, and promotions change monthly. That is why our tables show a check date. Before buying, confirm the price and renewal terms on the provider’s official pricing page.
Get the free privacy checklist. One page that shows you how to check who holds the keys to your files, which settings to change first, and how to keep a real backup.
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