Almost everyone now backs up data in the cloud. And it is not the services that allow it that are lacking. Most offer a free base and can significantly expand storage space for a few dollars a month. If you don’t know which one to choose, we have selected the best cloud services for you to protect your data.
Understanding the cloud is quite simple. Most people already use it without realizing it: by using Google Docs for online document processing or by saving their images in Google Photos for example.
These services have a great advantage: they allow you to never lose your data, when an external hard drive necessarily has a limited lifespan or a physical device can be destroyed at any time. Even unfortunately. The cloud also allows you to find your data regardless of the device used, and at any time.
Read also: Cloud gaming: what is the best game streaming service?
The best cloud services in 2022
If you’ve finally made up your mind to back up your data to the cloud, here are the best platforms you can use for it.
Google Drive / Google One
Google Drive is one of the most widely used services in the world, and chances are you are one of the users without even realizing it. Indeed, all Google accounts (and therefore Gmail) immediately have the right to 15 GB of free storage, which can be used in particular to store photos via Google Photos, transfer files via Gmail, or documents created with Google Docs. Simple, easy to use and completely transparent.
Google Drive is available on all mobile platforms via dedicated applications, but also by simple web access. You can even go further, since a free Windows application allows you to use your documents stored in the cloud as if they were on your own computer through a “fake” hard drive connected to the Internet.
Simply the easiest to use and most accessible platform for everyone. And if 15 GB is not enough, you can subscribe to the Google One offer which allows you to increase your storage at very competitive prices.
- Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows and Mac
- Free offer limited to 15 GB
- €1.99/month for 100 GB (€15.95/year)
- €2.98 for 200 GB (€29.93/year)
- €9.97/month for 2 TB (€99.78/year)
Microsoft OneDrive
OneDrive is the solution developed by Microsoft. You have surely already crossed paths with it if you have a computer running Windows 10 or Windows 11, since the online storage solution is natively integrated into the system and activated by default. This is also its greatest strength: its integration into the entire Microsoft ecosystem, including Office applications such as Word or PowerPoint.
The OneDrive cloud is basically equivalent in terms of functionality to that offered by Google, with the simple advantage of not having to download additional software to make it integrate with Windows. The basic storage provided is however much more limited, at only 5 GB. But if you mainly work on Office, it is an absolute must-have. OneDrive is also compatible with Android, iOS/iPadOS and Mac.
- Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows and Mac
- Free offer limited to 5 GB
- €2/month for 100 GB (€20/year)
- 7 €/month for 1 TB (69 €/year)
Apple iCloud
Same idea as OneDrive, but from Apple this time. iCloud is the solution developed by the manufacturer for macOS, iOS and iPadOS. You know the Cupertino company: this platform only really makes sense and is really easy to use on the brand’s devices, since it is totally exclusive to them with the exception of Windows.
Its main advantage over other solutions is that it stores all data related to iPhone or iPad, including messages, contacts, calendars, app data and photos. If you want the cloud mainly to make sure you don’t lose any data from your Apple device, iCloud is simply the best solution.
Be careful though, you will again be limited to 5 GB free, and you will need to take out an additional subscription (iCloud +) to increase your storage space. But in the Apple ecosystem, there is no better.
- Compatibility: iOS/iPadOS, Mac
- Free offer limited to 5 GB
- €0.99/month for 50 GB
- €2.99/month for 200 GB
- €9.99/month for 1 TB
Dropbox
Dropbox has long been the best-known cloud service in the industry, especially among individuals. But now that large companies have created their own solutions integrated into their ecosystems, Dropbox has refocused on enterprise solutions in particular.
And does it well! If you are looking to collaborate on the same file with several people like Google Docs, but without having to be limited in terms of file types and software to use, Dropbox is a great solution for that. What’s more, being an external company to the great war of manufacturers, the platform finds many natural integrations on various platforms like Windows and macOS without a hitch.
However, Dropbox pricing today only really makes sense for user groups. An individual who uses the service is only entitled to 2GB of free storage and the prices will not be as tempting as on other platforms, unless you need a lot of storage.
- Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows and Mac
- Free offer limited to 2 GB
- €11.99/month for 2 TB (€119.88/year)
- €19.99/month for 3 TB (€198.96/year)
Amazon Drive
Yes: Amazon also has a file storage service in the cloud. And as often with the company, this one is linked to the Prime subscription. Its main interest is to offer unlimited storage of your photos without compression if you are a Prime subscriber, which is generally the number 1 use for individuals when it comes to the cloud. Think about it!
For the rest, Amazon Drive is rather limited, especially in its integration with operating systems. It is also really thought for photos and videos in priority, even if the other types of files will work. We will therefore recommend it to you, especially if you are already Prime and have a large catalog of photos to save: it’s unlimited! On the video side and other files, however, you will be limited to 5 GB.
- Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows and Mac
- Free offer limited to 5 GB
- $1.99/month for 100 GB ($19.99/year)
- $6.99/month for 1TB ($59.99/year)
- $11.99/month for 2TB ($119.98/year)
pCloud
If you’re looking for storage, and nothing but storage, pCloud is for you. Unlike most other platforms, pCloud is not really looking to expand its cloud storage with a few software solutions that would turn it into a cloud computing vendor, and has chosen to focus on pure storage while maximizing its usefulness.
Of course, your storage will be available on any platform on which you want to access it, whether through a web client or an application, and you can quickly share it with your friends. But above all, there are no restrictions on file size and pCloud offers a very useful 30-day recovery system in the event of loss or error. It is also possible to activate end-to-end encryption with an unfortunately paid option to maximize the security of your files.
- Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows and Mac
- No free offer
- $49.99/month for 500 GB ($175 one-time payment, lifetime)
- $99.99/month for 2TB ($350 one-time payment, lifetime)
Sync.com
Sync.com also focuses on file storage, but emphasizes total security. The files you send to the platform are indeed encrypted before they are even transferred to your cloud, which means that the Sync company does not itself know what you are storing. End-to-end encryption is also enabled by default, without having to pay extra for it.
Sync.com also offers Windows, macOS, Android and iOS apps, with the ability on mobile to automatically select files to sync to the cloud to free up local storage space. However, the service is mainly aimed at companies, and its subscription formulas like its after-sales service can leave something to be desired for simple individuals.
- Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows and Mac
- Free offer limited to 5 GB
- $8/month for 2TB (billed annually)
- $20/month for 6TB (billed annually).
