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Comparison
Best cloud storage for personal use
Updated July 2026
At a glance
- Best overall: Google Drive, for its 15 GB free tier and cheap upgrades.
- Most free space: MEGA, 20 GB with encryption built in.
- Best for privacy: Proton Drive or Sync.com, encrypted so only you can read your files.
- Best value: pCloud, with lifetime plans that beat a subscription over time.
The best cloud storage for personal use is the one that fits your devices, your budget, and how private you need your files to be. We compared twelve services on the three things that decide it: how much free space you get, what the first paid plan costs, and whether the provider can read your files. The table below ranks them by free storage, and each pick after it explains who it suits.
| Service | Free storage | Entry paid plan | Encryption | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEGA source | 20 GB | ~€4.99/mo, 400 GB | By default | A large free tier with built-in encryption |
| Google Drive source | 15 GB | $1.99/mo, 100 GB | No | Everyday use in the Google and Android world |
| pCloud source | 10 GB | ~$4.17/mo, 500 GB | Optional | Lifetime plans and media libraries |
| IDrive source | 10 GB | $83.88 first yr, 5 TB | Optional | Multi-device backup on a budget |
| Box source | 10 GB | $14/mo, 100 GB | No | Work and team document sharing |
| Icedrive source | 10 GB | ~$4.92/mo, 1 TB | Optional | Cheap storage with an encrypted folder |
| Apple iCloud+ source | 5 GB | $0.99/mo, 50 GB | Optional | iPhone, iPad, and Mac owners |
| Microsoft OneDrive source | 5 GB | $1.99/mo, 100 GB | No | Windows and Microsoft 365 users |
| Proton Drive source | 5 GB | ~$3.99/mo, 200 GB | By default | Privacy-first storage, encrypted by default |
| Sync.com source | 5 GB | $3.50/mo, 150 GB | By default | Zero-knowledge storage with roomy plans |
| Dropbox source | 2 GB | ~$9.99/mo, 2 TB | No | File sync and sharing across devices |
| Tresorit source | 3 GB | ~$11.99/mo, 1 TB | By default | Security and compliance for professionals |
Free tier shown as an available-space meter. Entry paid plans seen July 2026, in USD unless noted, and some monthly figures reflect annual billing. A few free tiers (pCloud, Proton Drive) require completing setup steps to reach the full amount. The encryption column notes whether the service offers zero-knowledge (client-side) encryption. Prices and limits change, so confirm current details with each provider using the source link.
How we compared
We read each provider's own plan page for the free tier and the entry paid price, and noted whether the service offers zero-knowledge encryption, where the keys stay on your device and the company cannot open your files. Prices are in US dollars and were checked in July 2026. Storage sizes are stable, but prices move, so treat the figures as a starting point and confirm on the provider's site before you buy.
Best overall: Google Drive
Google Drive is the default for good reason. The free tier is a roomy 15 GB, it runs on every phone and computer, and it comes with Docs, Sheets, and Slides at no extra cost. Paid storage through Google One starts at around two dollars a month for 100 GB, one of the cheapest upgrades anywhere, with 2 TB near ten dollars. The catch is privacy: Google manages the encryption keys, so it can read your files and respond to legal requests. For everyday documents and photos that is a fair trade for most people, but it is the reason privacy-minded readers look elsewhere.
Most free space: MEGA
MEGA hands new accounts 20 GB, the largest free tier of any mainstream service, and it encrypts files end to end by default so only you hold the keys. That makes it a strong pick if you want breathing room without paying and value privacy at the same time. The download-speed limits on the free plan are the main compromise, and the paid plans are priced in euros, so the dollar cost shifts with the exchange rate.
Best for privacy: Proton Drive and Sync.com
If you want a provider that cannot read your files, look at Proton Drive or Sync.com. Both use zero-knowledge encryption by default, so your data is locked on your device before it uploads. Proton Drive comes from the team behind Proton Mail and fits neatly with an encrypted email and calendar. Sync.com offers larger tiers at a lower price and has a long track record with privacy-focused users. The one rule with either: if you lose the password, no one can recover your files, so store it somewhere safe. Our guide to cloud storage safety explains that trade-off in full.
Best value: pCloud
pCloud stands out for its lifetime plans. Instead of a monthly bill, you pay once for storage you keep for the life of the service, starting near two hundred dollars for 500 GB. Over four or five years that undercuts almost every subscription. pCloud also sells an optional encryption add-on called Crypto for files you want locked client-side. If you plan to stay put for years, run the numbers in our cheapest cloud storage guide.
Best for Apple users: iCloud+
On an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, iCloud+ is the natural home for your files and photos. Paid tiers start at 99 cents a month for 50 GB, and Apple's Advanced Data Protection option turns on end-to-end encryption for most of your iCloud data. The free tier is a tight 5 GB, which fills quickly once device backups start, so a paid plan is almost a given for active Apple users.
Best for Windows and Office: OneDrive
OneDrive is built into Windows and comes with a Microsoft 365 subscription, which bundles 1 TB of storage with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for about the price of storage alone elsewhere. If you already pay for Office, you are likely paying for OneDrive too. Like Google, Microsoft holds the keys, so it is a convenience-first choice rather than a privacy-first one.
How to choose
Start with your devices. All-Apple households should default to iCloud+, and Windows and Office users to OneDrive, because both are already there and already paid for. If you live across platforms, Google Drive is the safe all-round pick. Choose Proton Drive, Sync.com, or MEGA when privacy matters more than convenience, and pCloud when you would rather pay once than forever. For a photo library, read our best cloud storage for photos guide, since original-quality backup is not something every service does well.
Frequently asked questions
Which cloud storage is best for personal use?
For most people, Google Drive is the best all-round choice thanks to its 15 GB free tier and cheap 100 GB plan. Apple users are better served by iCloud+, Windows users by OneDrive, and anyone who wants privacy by Proton Drive or Sync.com.
What is the best free cloud storage?
MEGA gives the most free space at 20 GB, with end-to-end encryption included. Google Drive offers 15 GB, and pCloud, IDrive, Box, and Icedrive each give 10 GB.
Is Google Drive good for personal use?
Yes. Google Drive works on every device, includes Docs and Sheets, and its paid plans are among the cheapest. The trade-off is privacy: Google holds the keys and can read your files.
Do I need to pay for cloud storage?
Not always. A free tier of 10 to 20 GB covers documents and a phone backup for many people. You start paying when a photo and video library outgrows the free space.
More in cloud storage: Cheapest cloud storage · Best for photos
Free File Hosting is an independent publication. We review and compare third-party services and are not affiliated with any provider named on this site. The historic freefilehosting.net file-hosting service is no longer in operation. Prices were checked in July 2026 and change often; confirm current pricing with each provider.