No affiliate links or sponsorship, and BravoTech isn’t affiliated with Google, Microsoft, Apple, Dropbox, or pCloud. This guide is based on each company’s official help and US pricing pages, checked October 17, 2026. We did not run hands-on tests.
Quick answer
Cloud storage keeps your files, photos, and phone backups on a provider’s servers so you can open them from any signed-in device and share them by link. For most people, the best cloud storage is the one built into their devices: iCloud+ for iPhone and Mac, Google One for Android and Gmail, and Microsoft 365 for Windows and Office. Free tiers range from 2 GB (Dropbox) to 15 GB (Google).
Key takeaways
- Free storage (Oct 17, 2026): Google 15 GB shared with Gmail and Photos; pCloud up to 10 GB (2 GB at sign-up); Microsoft 5 GB; Apple iCloud 5 GB; Dropbox Basic 2 GB.
- Cheapest paid entry points (US): iCloud+ 50 GB at $0.99/month; Google One Basic 100 GB at $1.99/month; Microsoft 365 Basic 100 GB at $19.99/year.
- Around 2 TB: iCloud+ and Dropbox Plus (billed yearly) both list $9.99/month; Microsoft 365 Family lists 2 TB shared by up to six people for $129.99/year.
- Sync isn’t backup: deletions sync too. Keep a separate copy of anything you can’t lose (CISA’s 3-2-1 rule).
- Security basics: turn on two-factor sign-in everywhere. End-to-end encryption is opt-in where it exists: Apple’s Advanced Data Protection, pCloud Encryption, and Dropbox’s Advanced team plan.
In this guide
- What is cloud storage?
- How does cloud storage work?
- Is cloud sync the same as backup?
- How much cloud storage can you get for free?
- How much does cloud storage cost in the US?
- Is cloud storage safe?
- Which cloud storage is best for you?
- Can you use more than one cloud service?
- Cloud storage guides on BravoTech
- FAQ
- Sources
How we built this guide
Storage amounts, prices, and security features come from each company’s official US pricing and help pages, re-checked October 17, 2026 (PKT). Where a page didn’t show a clear US price (pCloud, Google Workspace, most Microsoft 365 business plans), we say see vendor pricing instead of guessing. Prices exclude sales tax and can change. No hands-on testing, no screenshots, no affiliate links.
What is cloud storage?
Cloud storage is space on a company’s servers that you reach over the internet. You upload files, the provider keeps copies in its data centers, and you open them from a phone, a computer, or a web browser after you sign in. Because the files don’t live only on one device, a lost laptop or a broken phone doesn’t have to mean lost photos and documents.
This guide covers the five consumer services US readers ask about most: Google Drive (extra space is sold as Google One), Microsoft OneDrive (sold through Microsoft 365), Apple iCloud (sold as iCloud+), Dropbox, and pCloud, which says its files are protected under Swiss privacy law. Most people already have at least one free account: a Google Account, a Microsoft account, and an Apple Account each include some storage. The real decision is which account should hold your photos, files, and phone backups, and when it’s worth paying for more.
How does cloud storage work?
Every service in this guide works in roughly the same three ways. What differs is how much space you get, what shares that space, and which devices the apps are built for.
Sync folders on your computer
A desktop app keeps a folder on your computer matched with the cloud copy: change a file in one place and the change shows up everywhere. Google’s Drive for desktop, the OneDrive app, iCloud Drive (including the optional Desktop & Documents Folders setting on a Mac), Dropbox, and pCloud Drive all work this way.
Online-only files that save disk space
Most apps can also show your whole cloud library without downloading it. Google calls this streaming: files stay mainly in the cloud and use little local space, while mirroring keeps a full copy on your computer (Google Drive Help). Microsoft’s version is Files On-Demand, which is on by default in recent OneDrive builds and downloads a file only when you open it (Microsoft Support). On iPhone, iCloud Photos can keep space-saving versions on the device while full-resolution originals stay in iCloud (Apple Support).
Sharing by link or by invitation
You can send a link or invite specific people to view or edit. With Google, files in your Shared with me list count against the owner’s storage, not yours, unless you make your own copy (Google One Help). Apple says the same for iCloud Drive: joining someone else’s shared folder doesn’t use your iCloud storage (Apple Support).
Watch the shared pool
Your free space is usually shared with email. Google’s 15 GB covers Gmail, Drive, and Photos; Microsoft’s 5 GB covers OneDrive files and Outlook.com attachments; iCloud’s 5 GB covers backups, Photos, iCloud Drive, and iCloud Mail. A full inbox can stop photo uploads, and a big photo library can stop email.
Is cloud sync the same as backup?
No. Sync keeps every device identical, so a deletion or a bad edit spreads everywhere. A backup is a separate copy you can restore from. Apple puts it plainly: iCloud protects data in two ways, syncing (iCloud Photos, iCloud Drive, Notes) and backing up (iCloud Backup takes periodic snapshots of what isn’t synced) (Apple Support).
Here’s what that means in practice:
- Deleting syncs. Delete a photo on one device with iCloud Photos turned on and it’s deleted everywhere; you have 30 days to recover it from Recently Deleted (Apple Support). Delete an online-only OneDrive file on your PC and it’s removed from OneDrive on all devices; the OneDrive recycle bin keeps personal-account items for up to 30 days (Microsoft Support).
- Undo windows differ. Dropbox lists 30 days of file history and deleted-file restore on Plus, 180 days on Standard, and one year on Advanced (Dropbox plans). Microsoft 365 subscribers get OneDrive ransomware detection and can restore files up to 30 days after an attack (Microsoft Support).
- Phone backups aren’t equal. iCloud Backup saves iPhone settings, Home Screen layout, app data, and (if you don’t use Messages in iCloud) your messages (Apple Support). Google states you can’t back up your entire iPhone to your Google Account; it syncs photos, contacts, and calendars instead (Google One Help). On Android, data managed by Android backup counts toward your Google storage (Google One Help).
- Computer backups are optional extras. Drive for desktop can back up local folders, which can only be mirrored (Google Drive Help), and Microsoft lists Windows backup among OneDrive features (Microsoft plans page).
The 3-2-1 rule
The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommends the 3-2-1 rule: keep 3 copies of any important file (1 primary and 2 backups), on 2 different media types, with 1 copy stored offsite (CISA). A cloud service can be your offsite copy. It shouldn’t be your only copy.
How much cloud storage can you get for free?
Google gives the most free space of the big three (15 GB), but it’s shared with Gmail and Google Photos. Microsoft and Apple each give 5 GB, Dropbox Basic gives 2 GB, and pCloud starts you at 2 GB with up to 10 GB available for free if you complete its setup steps and invite friends.
| Service | Free storage | What shares it | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google (Drive, Gmail, Photos) | 15 GB | Gmail, Drive, Photos, Android backups | Over quota for 2+ years: content may be removed, with at least 3 months’ notice |
| Microsoft OneDrive | 5 GB | OneDrive files and photos, Outlook.com attachments (separate 15 GB Outlook.com mailbox) | Over quota: files go read-only; account frozen after 3 months; may be deleted after 6 months |
| Apple iCloud | 5 GB | iCloud Backup, iCloud Photos, iCloud Drive, iCloud Mail, and more | When full: no new iCloud backups, photos stop uploading, iCloud Mail can’t send or receive |
| Dropbox Basic | 2 GB | Dropbox files | Listed as “Free: 2 GB to store and share your files” |
| pCloud Basic | Up to 10 GB | pCloud files | 2 GB at sign-up; free accounts are closed after 12 months of inactivity |
Free tiers are fine for documents and a phone’s contacts and calendar. They fill quickly once photos and videos start backing up.
How much does cloud storage cost in the US?
Entry plans start at $0.99 a month (iCloud+ 50 GB), and about $10 a month buys 2 TB from Apple or Dropbox. These are the US list prices on each company’s official page on October 17, 2026:
| Provider and plan | Storage | US list price | Sharing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google One Basic | 100 GB | $1.99/mo | Up to 5 other people |
| Google One Standard | 200 GB | $2.99/mo | Up to 5 other people |
| Google AI Plus | 400 GB or 2 TB | From $4.99/mo | Adds Gemini features |
| Google AI Pro | 5 TB | $19.99/mo | Higher Gemini limits |
| Microsoft 365 Basic | 100 GB | $1.99/mo or $19.99/yr | 1 person (can’t share storage) |
| Microsoft 365 Personal | 1 TB | $9.99/mo or $99.99/yr | 1 person; includes Microsoft 365 apps |
| Microsoft 365 Family | 2 TB shared | $12.99/mo or $129.99/yr | Up to 6 people |
| Microsoft 365 Premium | 2 TB shared | $19.99/mo or $199.99/yr | Up to 6 people |
| iCloud+ | 50 GB / 200 GB / 2 TB | $0.99 / $2.99 / $9.99 per mo | Up to 5 other family members |
| iCloud+ | 6 TB / 12 TB | $29.99 / $59.99 per mo | Up to 5 other family members |
| Dropbox Plus | 2 TB | $9.99/mo billed yearly | 1 person |
| Dropbox Standard | From 3 TB for the team | $15/user/mo billed yearly | Teams (1 person or more) |
| Dropbox Advanced | From 15 TB for the team | $24/user/mo billed yearly | Teams of 3 or more |
| pCloud Premium / Premium Plus / Ultra | 500 GB / 2 TB / 10 TB | See vendor pricing | Family plan (Lifetime only) from 2 TB for up to 5 accounts |
A few details change the math:
- Google: your account’s free 15 GB is included in the plan total, not added on top (Google One).
- Microsoft: 2 TB of shared storage applies to new Family and Premium subscriptions from October 8, 2026. Subscriptions that started earlier keep 1 TB per person until they renew on or after May 2, 2027. Personal, Family, Premium, and Pro plans can be extended up to 10 TB (Microsoft storage quotas).
- Apple: residents of some US states pay sales tax on top of the listed monthly price (Apple Support).
- Dropbox: the prices above are the billed-yearly rates shown by default; monthly billing is listed separately on the same page (Dropbox).
- pCloud: sells yearly subscriptions and one-time Lifetime plans. When we checked, its pricing page showed marked-down Lifetime prices, and the currency changed by location, so we’re not quoting a number here. See pCloud’s pricing page.
At 2 TB, iCloud+ and Dropbox Plus both work out to $119.88 a year, while Microsoft 365 Family’s $129.99 a year covers up to six people and includes the Microsoft 365 apps. If you only need 100 GB, Microsoft 365 Basic’s yearly price works out to about $1.67 a month.
Is cloud storage safe? Privacy and security basics
The major services encrypt your data in transit and on their servers. Your bigger day-to-day risks are a stolen password, an over-shared link, and a deleted or damaged file that syncs everywhere. Here’s what each company documents. These are the companies’ own claims; BravoTech did not audit them.
| Service | Two-factor sign-in | Encryption the company documents | End-to-end option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Drive | 2-Step Verification; passkeys and security keys supported | Drive files encrypted in transit and at rest with AES-256 | Client-side encryption only for Workspace organizations whose admin turns it on |
| Microsoft OneDrive | Two-step verification for Microsoft accounts | TLS in transit; each file encrypted at rest with its own AES-256 key | Not documented for personal OneDrive on the pages we checked; Personal Vault adds a second verification step |
| Apple iCloud | Required for all new Apple Accounts | Standard data protection: encrypted in transit and at rest, keys held by Apple; 15 categories always end-to-end | Advanced Data Protection (opt-in): 25 categories, including iCloud Backup, iCloud Drive, and Photos |
| Dropbox | Available to all users (authenticator app, security key, passkey; SMS in select countries) | 256-bit AES and SSL/TLS listed on Plus, Standard, and Advanced | Listed only on the Advanced team plan |
| pCloud | SMS/notifications or Google Authenticator | 256-bit AES and TLS/SSL | pCloud Encryption: a client-side encrypted Crypto folder, sold as an optional extra |
What Apple’s Advanced Data Protection changes
With iCloud’s default standard data protection, Apple holds the keys for most of your data so it can help you recover it. Turning on Advanced Data Protection moves the keys for most categories, including iCloud Backup, iCloud Drive, and Photos, to your trusted devices, so not even Apple can read that data (Apple Support).
The trade-offs are real. You need two-factor authentication, a device passcode, and up-to-date software on every signed-in Apple device; you must set up a recovery contact or a 28-character recovery key; and iCloud.com web access is turned off by default. Shared Albums, iWork collaboration, and “anyone with the link” sharing stay on standard protection (Apple Support).
A simple security checklist
- Turn on two-factor sign-in and save the recovery or backup codes somewhere offline.
- Use a unique password from a password manager (our LastPass vs 1Password comparison covers two popular options).
- Share with named people instead of public links, and remove access when a project ends.
- Keep a second backup of anything irreplaceable, following the 3-2-1 rule above.
- For very sensitive files, use an end-to-end option (Advanced Data Protection, pCloud Encryption) or encrypt files yourself before uploading.
Which cloud storage is best for you?
The best cloud storage is usually the one your devices already use, because backups and photo sync work best with the built-in service. Choose by your main devices first, then by price and sharing needs.
Quick picks
Editorial picks by device ecosystem (based on official documentation, not lab tests):
- iPhone, iPad, Mac: iCloud+. iCloud Backup is Apple’s only cloud option for a full iPhone backup. 50 GB is $0.99/month.
- Android, Chromebook, Gmail: Google One. You start with 15 GB, and Android backups use the same pool.
- Windows PC and Office apps: Microsoft 365. Personal pairs 1 TB of OneDrive with the Microsoft 365 apps.
- Mixed devices and big shared files: Dropbox. Plus lists 2 TB and file transfers of up to 50 GB.
- Rather pay once: pCloud Lifetime, if you’re comfortable prepaying for many years.
If you mostly use Apple devices
iCloud is built into iPhone, iPad, and Mac settings. Apple offers two ways to back up an iPhone, iCloud or a computer (iPhone User Guide), and iCloud Backup covers device settings, Home Screen layout, and app data (Apple Support). The free 5 GB fills quickly once iCloud Photos is on, so 50 GB or 200 GB is the usual next step. Before wiping a phone, see how to reset an iPhone for the backup steps, and how to set up iCloud Family Sharing to share one plan.
If you use Android, a Chromebook, or Gmail
Google’s 15 GB covers Drive, Gmail, and Photos together, and Google One plans from 100 GB can be shared with up to five other people (Google One). Our What is Google Drive? guide explains how Drive and Google One fit together, and Google Drive storage full? shows how to free space before you pay.
If you use Windows and Microsoft Office
OneDrive comes with every Microsoft account, and Microsoft 365 plans bundle cloud storage with the Office apps. Basic is storage-only (100 GB), while Personal and Family add the Microsoft 365 apps (Microsoft). Read What is OneDrive? for how sync, Files On-Demand, and folder backup work.
If you share large files across platforms
Dropbox isn’t tied to one phone or computer platform, and its plans page lists transfers of up to 50 GB on Plus and 100 GB on Standard and Advanced (Dropbox). The trade-off is the smallest free tier (2 GB). See Dropbox vs Google Drive and What is Dropbox? for more.
If you’d rather pay once
pCloud sells Lifetime plans as a one-time payment, and defines “lifetime” as 99 years or the account holder’s lifetime, whichever is shorter (pCloud Help). A long prepayment depends on the company staying in business, so weigh that against a subscription you can cancel. Our pCloud review has more background.
If you’re choosing for a small team
Team plans add admin controls, shared folders, and per-user billing. Google Workspace lists pooled storage of 30 GB per user on Business Starter, 2 TB on Business Standard, and 5 TB on Business Plus (Google Workspace). Dropbox Standard ($15/user/month billed yearly) starts at 3 TB for the team (Dropbox). For Workspace and Microsoft 365 business prices, see vendor pricing (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 business): both pages tie the price to billing terms, promotions, or Copilot options.
Can you use more than one cloud service?
Yes, and many people do: one service for phone backup and photos, another for work files or sharing. A common setup is iCloud+ for an iPhone’s backup and photos, plus Google’s free 15 GB for Gmail and Google Docs.
Two cautions. First, backing up the same photo library to two services uses space in both, so pick one home for photos. Second, don’t let two apps sync the same folders: Apple says to turn off another provider’s Desktop and Documents sync before turning on iCloud’s Desktop & Documents Folders on a Mac (Apple Support).
Cloud storage guides on BravoTech
Start here, then go deeper into the service you use. We update these guides as plans and prices change.
Google Drive and Google One
- What Is Google Drive? How Drive, Docs, and Google One storage fit together.
- Google Drive Storage Full? Free up the shared 15 GB before you upgrade.
- Dropbox vs Google Drive Which one suits sharing and collaboration.
Microsoft OneDrive
- What Is OneDrive? Sync, Files On-Demand, backup, and Microsoft 365 plans.
Dropbox and pCloud
- What Is Dropbox? The basics of Dropbox’s cloud storage.
- pCloud Review Lifetime plans, encryption, and who pCloud suits.
iCloud and iPhone
- How to Set Up iCloud Family Sharing Share one iCloud+ plan with family.
- How to Reset an iPhone Back up to iCloud or a computer first.
- How to Clear Cache on iPhone Free device storage (separate from iCloud storage).
Working with files
- Google Docs vs Microsoft Word The editors behind Drive and OneDrive.
- LastPass vs 1Password Password managers for strong, unique cloud logins.
FAQ
What is the best cloud storage?
For most people it’s the service built into their main devices: iCloud+ for iPhone and Mac, Google One for Android and Gmail, and Microsoft 365 for Windows and Office. Dropbox suits mixed devices and file sharing, and pCloud suits people who want a one-time Lifetime plan.
Which cloud storage gives the most free space?
Google gives 15 GB, shared across Gmail, Drive, and Photos. pCloud offers up to 10 GB if you complete its setup steps and invite friends (2 GB at sign-up). Microsoft and Apple give 5 GB each, and Dropbox Basic gives 2 GB.
What is the cheapest cloud storage?
Among these five, the lowest listed US entry price is iCloud+ 50 GB at $0.99 a month. For 100 GB, Google One Basic is $1.99 a month, and Microsoft 365 Basic is $19.99 a year (about $1.67 a month). Prices checked October 17, 2026.
Is cloud storage the same as a backup?
No. Sync services copy deletions and edits to every device. Keep a separate backup, such as a full iCloud Backup or a computer backup, and follow CISA’s 3-2-1 rule for files you can’t replace.
What happens if I stop paying for cloud storage?
You generally drop back to the free allowance. If you’re over it, Google blocks new uploads and Photos backups and may remove content after 2 years over quota (with at least 3 months’ notice). Microsoft makes OneDrive read-only, freezes it after 3 months, and may delete it after 6 months. Apple stops iCloud backups and photo uploads. pCloud gives a 5-day grace period, keeps files over the free limit for 30 days, then moves them to Trash for another 15 days.
Can I share cloud storage with my family?
Yes, on most paid plans. Google One plans from Basic up can be shared with 5 other people, iCloud+ with up to 5 other family members, and Microsoft 365 Family or Premium with up to 6 people in total. Microsoft 365 Basic and Personal can’t be shared. pCloud’s Family plan (Lifetime only) covers up to 5 accounts.
Sources
Official vendor and government pages only. All checked October 17, 2026 (PKT).
Show all 30 sources
- Google One Help: How your Google storage works
- Google One: plans and US prices (one.google.com/about)
- Google Drive Help: Stream & mirror files with Drive for desktop
- Google Drive Help: Encrypted files in Drive, Docs, Sheets & Slides
- Google Account Help: Turn on 2-Step Verification
- Google One Help: Back up your device (iPhone & iPad)
- Microsoft: OneDrive / Microsoft 365 plans and US prices
- Microsoft Support: Microsoft storage FAQs
- Microsoft Support: Microsoft storage quotas
- Microsoft Support: How OneDrive safeguards your data in the cloud
- Microsoft Support: Two-step verification for your Microsoft account
- Microsoft Support: OneDrive Files On-Demand for Windows
- Microsoft: Compare Microsoft 365 business plans
- Apple Support: iCloud+ plans and pricing
- Apple Support: Manage your iCloud storage
- Apple Support: What does iCloud back up?
- Apple Support: iCloud data security overview
- Apple Support: How to turn on Advanced Data Protection for iCloud
- Apple Support: Set up and use iCloud Photos
- Apple Support: Set up iCloud Drive
- iPhone User Guide: Back up iPhone (iCloud or computer)
- Dropbox: Plans and prices
- Dropbox Help: Turn 2-factor authentication on and off
- pCloud Help: Plan details
- pCloud: Pricing (Lifetime and subscription plans)
- pCloud Help: Two-factor authentication
- pCloud: pCloud Encryption (client-side)
- pCloud Help: Account inactivity and what happens when a subscription ends
- Google Workspace: Pricing and plans
- CISA: Data Backup Options (3-2-1 rule), PDF
Changelog
- October 17, 2026: New pillar guide for /cloud-storage/. Free tiers, US prices, and security features re-checked on each vendor’s official pages. pCloud and Google Workspace prices are listed as “see vendor pricing” because the pages didn’t show a stable US list price. No hands-on testing.
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