The best free cloud storage solutions of 2024: Your ultimate guide by Digimagg

While iPhone users are likely familiar with iCloud, it's not restricted to the Apple ecosystem. Anyone can access this popular cloud storage service by visiting the website and registering with an email address. However, iCloud Drive falls short compared to Google Drive in terms of storage capacity. It offers only 5GB to free users, making it one of the lowest options on this list. Nevertheless, given Apple's reputation for security, users can trust the safety of their data stored on iCloud.

For paid plans, Apple iCloud provides fewer options compared to Google One, but you can still subscribe to 50GB for just $1 per month, which is a more affordable starting point. Apple also offers plans with 200GB, 2TB, 6TB, and 12TB storage options, with pricing reaching up to $60 per month, although rates may vary by region.

Whether or not you have a Gmail account, chances are you've encountered Google Drive at some point. This widely used feature from Google serves as a primary solution for many businesses due to its seamless integration with other Google services like Gmail, Google Photos, and Google Workspace. With the free plan, users receive 15GB of storage across all Google services, allowing them to store their files and data. Moreover, Google Drive offers built-in safeguards against malware, spam, and ransomware, along with alerts for suspicious activities. It also integrates smoothly with other Google services such as Docs, Sheets, and Slides, enabling users to manage their storage within familiar platforms.

For those interested in a paid subscription, Google Drive provides numerous options through its service called Google One. With eight different pricing plans, users can choose from a range of storage limits, starting from 100GB and extending up to 30TB, priced between $2 per month and $150 per month.

In terms of storage capacity, Mega stands out. Free users not only receive a generous 20GB allocation but also have the opportunity to boost this through Mega's 'achievements' system. By completing tasks like downloading the app or inviting others to join, users can earn an extra 5GB of storage, although these rewards are valid for only one year. Mega offers several additional features not commonly found in other cloud storage services, such as video calls, messaging, and screen sharing. Moreover, it provides seamless file and folder sharing options even with non-Mega users.

However, it's important to note that Mega imposes transfer limits on free users, restricting the amount of data they can upload or download within a six-hour timeframe. These limits are influenced by factors like user location and Mega's network capacity, though they are unlikely to pose a problem for all but the most intensive users.

You might not be familiar with Rakuten, but this Japanese tech giant has a presence in various technology sectors, including the messaging app Viber and streaming services. Among its offerings is Rakuten Drive, a cloud storage solution. New users signing up for Rakuten Drive are entitled to a generous 10GB of free storage right from the start. While its ongoing paid subscription service may not be as inexpensive as some others on our list, it does provide a substantial 1TB of data storage for $7.99 per month.

One notable feature of Rakuten Drive is its ability to directly edit Microsoft Office documents within the system, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel files. This feature, introduced in November of the previous year, could be particularly appealing to Microsoft enthusiasts seeking more free storage than Microsoft's own solution provides.

Microsoft takes a somewhat different approach to providing free cloud storage, requiring users to enroll in the full Microsoft 365 package to gain access. This comprehensive package includes access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and OneNote, all consolidated in a single hub.

Similar to Apple's strategy, OneDrive offers a modest 5GB of free cloud storage for non-paying users. Additionally, users receive 15GB of mailbox storage through Outlook, though storage for items other than emails is limited.For cloud storage, Microsoft offers a wide range of Microsoft 365 plans tailored to various business needs. However, in terms of personal and business cloud storage, users have various options starting at $2 per month for 100GB of storage, with plans scaling up to $10 per month for 6TB.

NordLocker, the cloud storage service offered by the creators of NordVPN and NordPass, renowned for their top-notch security services, assures users of robust security for their digital assets stored in the cloud.However, the free plan from NordLocker offers limited benefits, providing only 3GB of cloud storage without a paid subscription. Nonetheless, users benefit from end-to-end encryption for all their data and receive email support for any platform accessibility issues.

In terms of pricing, NordLocker tends to be slightly pricier than major tech firms, offering two pricing tiers: $8 per month for 500GB and $20 per month for 2TB. Nevertheless, users can enjoy significant savings by opting for an annual subscription, reducing the cost to just $3 per month for 500GB and $7 per month for 2TB upon signup.

Despite not being classified as a major tech corporation like Google or Microsoft, Dropbox holds the distinction of being one of the original cloud storage services, established in 2007. It offers a straightforward cloud storage solution, unencumbered by complex tech ecosystems seen in other entries on the list. However, this simplicity also translates to somewhat limited functionality compared to its counterparts.

For instance, Dropbox provides the least amount of storage among the platforms listed, offering just 2GB, which might be insufficient for users storing large files like videos and photos. Additionally, users are restricted to accessing Dropbox on only three devices, potentially posing a challenge for those with multiple devices. The paid subscription plans are relatively pricey as well, starting at $12 per month for 2TB of storage. Nevertheless, Dropbox offers a significantly higher storage ceiling, with its most expensive plan priced at $30 per month for 15TB, surpassing the storage capacities offered by any other platform on the list..