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Where can you get the most free cloud storage?
The most free cloud storage comes from Google Drive with 15 GB, followed by services such as Koofr, Filen and pCloud at around 10 GB. Proton Drive gives 5 GB with end-to-end encryption. The best free cloud storage balances space with privacy, device limits and how long the free plan really lasts.
| Provider | Free space | Encryption | Based in | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Drive | 15 GB (shared with Gmail and Photos) | Provider holds keys | USA | Space shared across Google services |
| Filen | 10 GiB | End-to-end, by default | Germany | Smaller company, newer apps |
| Koofr | 10 GB | Provider holds keys; optional Vault | Slovenia | Vault must be set up separately |
| pCloud | Up to 10 GB | Provider holds keys; Encryption folder is paid | Switzerland | Some space unlocked by tasks |
| IDrive | 10 GB | Optional private key | USA | Backup-first design |
| Proton Drive | 5 GB | End-to-end, by default | Switzerland | Smaller free space |
| OneDrive | 5 GB | Provider holds keys | USA | Outlook attachments can count |
| iCloud | 5 GB | End-to-end with Advanced Data Protection | USA | Fills quickly with phone backups |
| Dropbox Basic | 2 GB | Provider holds keys | USA | Device limit on free plan |
| Internxt | 1 GB | End-to-end, by default | Spain | Very small free tier |
Free storage figures checked on each provider’s own pricing page in October 2026. Free offers change without notice.
How we compared free cloud storage plans
We compared free plans on five points: usable space, encryption model, apps, restrictions and how the provider makes money from free users. Space alone is a poor guide, because a big free tier that scans your files may cost you more than a small private one.
- Usable space: what you get on day one, and what needs tasks or referrals.
- Encryption: whether the provider can read your files.
- Restrictions: device caps, file-size caps, bandwidth limits and inactivity deletion.
- Apps: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android support.
- Business model: upsell to paid plans, or advertising and data use.
Best free cloud storage by need
The right free plan depends on what you store. For pure space, Google Drive wins. For privacy, Proton Drive and Filen lead. For Linux users and sharing, other picks make more sense. Our ranked list of the best free cloud storage goes plan by plan.
| Need | Our pick | Why | Read more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most free space | Google Drive | 15 GB, mature apps | Google Drive free storage |
| Private and free | Proton Drive or Filen | End-to-end encrypted by default | Encrypted cloud storage free |
| Free backup | IDrive Basic | Backup features, optional private key | Free cloud backup |
| Sharing big files | Depends on link limits | Free plans cap link traffic | Free storage for sharing files |
| Linux | pCloud, Filen, Koofr | Native or well-supported clients | Free cloud storage for Linux |
| Windows users | OneDrive | Built into Windows | OneDrive free storage |
How to get more free cloud storage
You can get more free space legitimately by combining several free accounts, completing provider tasks, inviting friends, and cleaning out large files. Avoid tricks that break terms of service, such as creating many accounts with one provider, because they can get you locked out.
- Complete onboarding tasks. pCloud unlocks part of its free space when you verify your email and install apps.
- Use referral programs. Several services add space for each friend who joins.
- Spread files across providers. Keep photos in one, documents in another.
- Clear what you do not need. Old phone backups and duplicate videos take most space.
We list every legit method, with the steps, in how to get free cloud storage. If your space is already full, start with what to do when cloud storage is full.
Want free space that stays private? We tested which free plans keep your keys on your device.
See private free plansWhat free cloud storage really costs you
Free cloud storage costs nothing in money, but you pay in limits, and sometimes in data. Free tiers tend to have shorter version history, lower bandwidth, fewer devices and slower support. Some providers also use account activity to sell ads or train systems.
From experience, the most common problem is not the size. It is inactivity rules. Some providers delete or freeze free accounts after months without a login. If you keep an old free account as an archive, sign in at least every few months and read the inactivity policy.
Privacy trade-offs
Big free plans from large platforms are usually funded by a wider ecosystem. Read is Google Drive private and our guide to cloud storage and AI training before you put sensitive files in any free account.
Reliability trade-offs
Free plans rarely come with service guarantees. Treat a free account as one copy, never the only copy. Our free cloud backup guide shows how to build a no-cost backup that still follows the 3-2-1 rule.
When to move from free to paid
Move to a paid plan when you need more than about 15 GB, longer version history, or support you can reach. For many people, a small paid plan costs less per year than one lost file. Compare renewal prices before buying.
Two guides help here: best cheap cloud storage for the lowest cost per terabyte, and lifetime cloud storage if you prefer to pay once. For the bigger picture, read our cloud storage guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which cloud storage gives 50 GB free?
Very few mainstream providers give 50 GB free today. Large free offers usually come with conditions, short promotions or limited apps. MEGA has offered 20 GB at sign-up, and several services give around 10 GB. Check the current terms on the provider’s own pricing page before you rely on them.
Is free cloud storage safe for personal documents?
It depends on the encryption model. Free plans from Proton Drive, Filen and Internxt encrypt files on your device, so the provider cannot read them. Free plans from Google, Microsoft and Dropbox are secure against outsiders, but the provider can decrypt files. Use a private option for IDs and contracts.
Do free cloud storage accounts expire?
Some do. Many providers can close or remove data from free accounts after a long period of inactivity, often a year or more. The exact rules differ, so read the terms and sign in regularly if you use a free account as a long-term archive.
Can I combine free storage from different providers?
Yes. Using one free account per provider is allowed and common. Tools like rclone can manage several accounts from one place. Avoid creating multiple accounts with the same provider to get extra space, because that usually breaks the terms of service.
Is 5 GB of free storage enough?
Five gigabytes is enough for documents, a few hundred photos and light sharing. It is not enough for phone backups or video. If your phone backs up automatically, 5 GB fills quickly, so turn off photo backup or move photos to a separate service.
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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