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Which free cloud storage sites have real free plans?
Free cloud storage sites with real, permanent free plans include Google Drive (15 GB), Filen, Koofr, pCloud, IDrive and Box (about 10 GB each), Proton Drive, OneDrive, iCloud and Jottacloud (5 GB), Dropbox (2 GB) and Internxt (1 GB). Very large free offers often come with ads, data mining or short time limits.
| Site | Free space | Encryption | Based in | Ads? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Drive | 15 GB | Provider keys | USA | No | Shared with Gmail and Photos |
| Filen | 10 GiB | End-to-end | Germany | No | Linux app |
| Koofr | 10 GB | Provider keys; Vault optional | Slovenia | No | Connects other clouds |
| pCloud | Up to 10 GB | Provider keys | Switzerland | No | Some space via tasks |
| IDrive | 10 GB | Optional private key | USA | No | Backup-focused |
| Box | 10 GB (individual) | Provider keys | USA | No | Small per-file upload limit on free |
| Proton Drive | 5 GB | End-to-end | Switzerland | No | Open-source apps |
| OneDrive | 5 GB | Provider keys | USA | No | Shared with Outlook.com |
| iCloud | 5 GB | E2EE with ADP | USA | No | Fills fast with backups |
| Jottacloud | 5 GB | Provider keys | Norway | No | European option |
| Dropbox | 2 GB | Provider keys | USA | No | Device limit |
| Internxt | 1 GB | End-to-end | Spain | No | Lifetime free |
Figures for linked providers checked on their pricing pages on October 16, 2026. Box, OneDrive, iCloud and Jottacloud figures reflect their long-standing free tiers; confirm on each site before signing up.
How we built this directory
We included only sites with a permanent free plan, not a trial, and that let you sign up without a credit card. We noted encryption, home country, ads and any catches. Sites known mainly for piracy hosting or aggressive ads are excluded.
For our ranked view of the best options, read best free cloud storage. For the bigger picture, our pillar on free cloud storage explains how to stretch free space.
Sites with huge free offers: read the fine print
Some sites advertise hundreds of gigabytes or even a terabyte free. These usually pay for it with advertising, data use, strict file-type rules, or slow speeds. Some are based in jurisdictions with weaker privacy law. Use them, if at all, only for non-sensitive files.
- Check the privacy policy for advertising and data-sharing sections.
- Check where the company is based and where data is stored.
- Test download speed and file retention before trusting it.
Our guide to reading a cloud storage policy shows what to look for.
Best free sites by purpose
| Purpose | Best free sites |
|---|---|
| Private documents | Proton Drive, Filen, Internxt |
| Office documents and collaboration | Google Drive, OneDrive |
| Free backup | IDrive; see free cloud backup |
| Sharing big files | See free storage for sharing files |
| Linux | Filen, pCloud, Koofr; see free cloud storage for Linux |
| Managing several clouds | Koofr |
Free and private? We compared the free plans that encrypt files before upload.
See encrypted free plansHow to use several free sites safely
Using several free accounts gives you more total space, but it spreads risk. Use a unique password and two factor authentication for each, keep a list of what lives where, and avoid duplicating sensitive files across many services.
- Use a password manager for every account.
- Turn on two factor authentication; see 2FA for cloud storage.
- Sign in every few months to avoid inactivity deletion.
- Manage them together with rclone if you’re comfortable with command-line tools.
Want legitimate ways to earn more space? See how to get free cloud storage.
Frequently asked questions
Which site gives the most free cloud storage?
Among mainstream, reputable services, Google Drive gives the most at 15 GB. Several sites offer around 10 GB. Some lesser-known sites advertise much more, but usually with ads, data use or restrictions, so read their terms and privacy policy first.
Are free cloud storage sites safe?
Reputable ones are safe from hardware loss and use encrypted connections. Privacy varies: some can read your files, while end-to-end encrypted sites like Proton Drive, Filen and Internxt cannot. Avoid unknown sites for sensitive files.
Do I need a credit card for free cloud storage?
Not for the sites listed here. Their free plans need only an email address. If a site asks for card details for a “free” plan, it is usually a trial that becomes paid unless you cancel.
Can I use free cloud storage forever?
Many free plans are permanent, but providers can change terms, and some delete inactive accounts. Sign in regularly, read inactivity rules, and keep another copy of anything important.
What is the best free cloud storage site for privacy?
Proton Drive is our top free pick for privacy, followed by Filen and Internxt. All three encrypt files on your device so the provider cannot read them. Proton Drive also has open-source, audited apps.
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.
Get the checklistSources
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