Best Cloud Storage 2025: 9 Providers Compared

There's no single best cloud storage service since each platform has its own strengths and weaknesses. To help you find the best cloud storage for your needs, we compared eleven of the most popular providers using objective criteria (more about our testing criteria below).

Here's our top 5:

MEGA*, short for Mega Encrypted Global Access, is a cloud storage service launched in 2013 as the successor to Megaupload. The original platform was known for illegal music and movie sharing, which is why MEGA still has a somewhat controversial reputation.

At its core, MEGA is a cloud storage service like any other, but it stands out from major providers like Google or Microsoft by focusing more on user privacy. With over 300 million registered users, MEGA has become one of the most popular cloud storage solutions worldwide.

MEGA strikes a balance that many other privacy-focused cloud storage services can't achieve: it combines high security standards, including end-to-end protection in all plans, with user-friendly operation - all without compromising on performance.

The end-to-end encryption ensures that your cloud files are protected not only from outside access but also from MEGA itself. This sets MEGA apart from solutions like Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive, which want to keep access to your data encryption keys.

In our performance test, where we measured upload and download speeds during synchronization, MEGA ranked first.

It also offers great value for money, especially for higher storage needs starting at 2 TB. With 20 GB of free storage, MEGA is more generous than all other providers in our comparison.

In practice, MEGA hasn't always lived up to its security promises. In 2022, researchers found vulnerabilities in MEGA's encryption system that could - in theory - have allowed the provider to access user data. While MEGA fixed these issues through security updates, some doubts remain.

If you're looking for a cloud storage service for working together on documents, MEGA isn't the right choice: it completely lacks collaboration tools like real-time editors or office integrations.

pCloud* is a Swiss-based cloud storage provider with a mission similar to MEGA's: As "Europe's most secure cloud storage" (according to the provider), pCloud aims to combine high security standards with user-friendly features and lots of functionality. In our opinion, they've done a pretty good job at this.

pCloud really impressed us on the technical side: The sync speed was excellent and their encryption standards are top-notch.

While they support end-to-end encryption, it comes at an extra cost: It's only included in business plans by default - other users need to pay extra for it.

pCloud also offers great value: The free storage is generous at 10 GB, and for medium storage needs (500 GB to 2 TB), pCloud is one of the most affordable cloud storage options available.

pCloud raises some questions about how they put their security standards into practice. We mainly see a lack of transparency, starting with their company structure: While pCloud claims to be a Swiss company, most employees seem to be based in Bulgaria.

Unlike MEGA, which makes its application source code public, you have to take pCloud's word for their claims. It's disappointing that pCloud isn't more open about this. They don't provide a detailed whitepaper about their security standards. Third-party audits could help build trust here - but these are missing too.

Like MEGA, pCloud isn't designed for collaboration: It doesn't have its own document editor, and there are no integrations with Office 365 or similar services.

Dropbox* is the pioneer of cloud storage. When the platform launched in 2008, it was many users' first experience with cloud storage.

A lot has changed since then, and Dropbox is now just one of many cloud storage options. But because this early pioneer has kept up with market trends, Dropbox remains a solid choice today.

Dropbox delivers solid performance across the board. The interface is fast, modern, and well-organized despite its many features. You can easily access your files across all devices. In our performance tests, syncing was relatively quick and reliable, though CPU usage was a bit high.

Dropbox has now added its own collaboration platform called Dropbox Paper – likely to compete with Google and Microsoft.

While it can't match the office suites from the cloud giants, Dropbox Paper offers enough tools for small teams to work together well. The shared workspace lets you organize documents, create content, work together in real-time, and share feedback right in the cloud.

Dropbox's pricing isn't very flexible: With a minimum storage of 2 TB, the starting costs are higher than other cloud storage providers. If you need less than 2 TB of storage, you'll pay more than with competitors. Dropbox isn't very generous with free storage either: You only get 2 GB free, much less than MEGA or pCloud.

While Dropbox has offered end-to-end encryption since 2024, it's only available for business plan users. Individual users have to make do with server-side encryption, which isn't ideal for data privacy.

Google Drive* is Google's cloud storage that comes with every Google account. It's part of Google Workspace, the productivity and collaboration platform that includes Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Calendar.

Google Drive's biggest advantage is how well it works with other Google services. You can create documents like text files, spreadsheets, presentations, and more directly in Google Drive, share them with others, and edit them using Google's familiar tools.

You can even start meetings or schedule calendar events right from a document. As you'd expect from Google, working together with others is smooth and easy.

Google Drive is also one of the cheapest cloud storage options available - and it's very generous with free storage (15 GB). Only MEGA offers more.

This convenience comes at a cost: You'll have to make some compromises on privacy when using Google's storage solution. There's no end-to-end protection. This means Google has the key to your data and could technically access it.

This matters not just for government requests, which are easier to obtain in the US than in EU countries due to different privacy laws, but also for how Google uses your data. According to their privacy policy, Google might use your data to improve their services or train AI models.

If you're looking for cloud storage with strong privacy guarantees, Google isn't your best choice.

Tresorit* is a Swiss cloud storage service that markets itself as a secure alternative to Google Drive and Dropbox, openly calling out the privacy issues of US providers on its website.

Tresorit stands out with its high security standards. All plans include end-to-end encryption, which means even Tresorit can't access your unencrypted files.

Tresorit only uses ISO-certified data centers in the EU and regularly undergoes independent third-party audits to back up its security promises. They also hold certifications like the Digital Trust Label from the Swiss Digital Initiative.

Security is also a top priority for file sharing: you can set detailed access rights and track file access with activity logs.

If you're looking for a secure alternative to US cloud giants like Dropbox, Google & Co., Tresorit is worth checking out.

Tresorit could improve its presentation. While the minimalist interface is generally easy to use, we noticed slow loading times and frequent lag during our review.

Tresorit isn't a complete collaboration platform: It doesn't include office tools or integrations for real-time document collaboration.

Also, Tresorit is quite expensive. While there is a budget-friendly starter plan, it only offers 50 GB of storage. For other storage sizes, Tresorit is usually one of the most expensive options in our price comparison.

Can't find what you're looking for in our top 5? Here are some other cloud storage options that might better match your needs:

Microsoft OneDrive* is the obvious choice for Windows users and anyone comfortable in the Microsoft ecosystem. Its smooth integration with Microsoft 365 makes sharing and working together on documents in the cloud simple and straightforward.

However, data privacy has some of the same issues as Google: Microsoft doesn't use end-to-end encryption, meaning they keep the key to your data. Also, Google Workspace offers slightly better collaboration features.

Proton Drive* stands out with its strong focus on user security and privacy. All data in the cloud storage is end-to-end encrypted, and all Proton apps are open-source - anyone can check them for security issues.

Unfortunately, this comes at the cost of speed and features: Proton Drive syncs much slower than other cloud storage options in our comparison, and its sharing and collaboration options are limited.

Icedrive* impresses with its modern, user-friendly apps and handy "mount" feature that adds your cloud storage like an external drive at the click of a button. It also offers solid security standards and attractive lifetime plans.

However, sync speeds were disappointing in our performance tests, and Icedrive isn't suitable for real-time collaboration since it lacks an editor. Also, the security standards aren't communicated clearly enough, and there's no third-party security audit.

Sync* stands out with its user-friendly apps, flexible sync settings, and good value for money. However, the provider can't deliver on its privacy promises - there's no end-to-end protection (despite previous claims). This lack of transparency is a deal-breaker, especially for a provider that puts such emphasis on security and privacy.

Here's the complete ranking of providers from our comparison:

While all cloud storage services promise pretty much the same thing, there are big differences in how well they deliver. To compare providers fairly, we created a testing system that looks at all important aspects.

We'll explain our criteria in detail next. First, here's our complete rating table:

First, cloud storage needs to be easy to use. Since it targets a broad audience, it should be accessible to users of all experience levels.

All cloud storage services work the same way: they store your files in the cloud and sync them across devices so you can access them anytime. Most cloud storage providers offer three user interfaces:

The web portal lets you manage your cloud files directly in your browser. As long as you have your login details and an internet connection, you can access your cloud storage from any device.

Here, we look for fast performance and an intuitive design. The cloud storage should be well-organized and make navigation and file management as simple as possible.

Besides a reliable search function, filtering options, and file categories (like favorites), quick-action buttons are important so you can upload files and create folders with just a few clicks.

Google Drive shows how it's done: The web app is simple and user-friendly, packed with all the important features, and smoothly integrated into the Google Workspace universe:

While the web interface is mainly designed for file organization and management, some cloud storage providers go a step further: They offer editors and office apps that let you edit documents like text files, presentations, or spreadsheets directly in the cloud. You can even work on documents with team members in real-time.

About half of the cloud storage services we reviewed offer such office features, though the scope varies between providers (and some features are only available as paid add-ons). We cover the collaboration features in detail in the "File Sharing & Collaboration" chapter.

Even when editing isn't possible, documents should at least open in preview mode. Photos and videos should also display and play reliably.

If you want to access your cloud files outside your browser, you'll need to install the cloud storage desktop app. This app acts as a sync assistant: it makes sure all your cloud files are available on your desktop and changes sync between your devices.

You can usually access files directly in your file manager, where the cloud folder shows up like a regular drive:

Cloud storage desktop apps should run quietly in the background and make sure files sync reliably between the cloud and your device. Of course, you can adjust some settings which we'll cover in more detail in the "File Storage & Sync" chapter.

Cloud storage smartphone apps ensure you always have access to your cloud files on the go.

They also offer some extra features: You can usually set up automatic syncing of all photos and videos from your device to the cloud. A handy scan feature lets you take photos of documents and save them directly to the cloud.

In our evaluation, we look at which platforms have available apps. While desktop apps for Windows and macOS are always available, Linux users often get left out. Many cloud storage providers have also stopped supporting older operating system versions.

Check the comparison table to see which cloud storage apps are available for different operating systems:

Syncing is one of the main jobs of cloud storage. It keeps your files up to date across all your devices. When you make changes to a file on your computer, they automatically upload to the cloud and then sync to all your other connected devices.

When rating sync capabilities, we mainly look at two things: features and performance.

The more control cloud storage gives you over synchronization, the better. Desktop apps offer many advanced features that let you fine-tune how your data syncs. Here are the key features we look for:

Here's how the sync features compare across providers:

For you to access the latest file versions and work without interruption, syncing should be fast and run smoothly in the background. Three main factors matter here:

To test all providers under comparable conditions, we set up consistent criteria. All cloud storage services had to sync an identical test folder using a 400 Mbps connection.

The test folder included:

Here's how the providers ranked in performance:

As you can see, there are clear differences between providers. MEGA and pCloud stand out with fast upload and download speeds while maintaining acceptable CPU usage. Microsoft OneDrive and Google Drive fall in the middle range. Dropbox offers good download speeds but struggles with high CPU usage.

At the bottom of the list are providers like Proton, which take much longer to upload than the others but use less CPU power. This means syncing takes longer but runs more quietly in the background.

Most cloud storage services now call themselves "collaboration platforms." Users can not only store files in the cloud for themselves but also share them with others in just a few clicks and, depending on the provider, work on them together.

You should be able to quickly and easily share files and entire folders with others. At the same time, detailed sharing options are important so you can control exactly who has access.

Cloud storage services typically offer two main methods for sharing files:

Here's a comparison of the main sharing features from different providers:

Some cloud storage services stop at basic file sharing, while others offer much more. Several providers stand out with extensive office tools built right into their cloud storage:

In cloud storage services with document editors, you can not only share files but also work on them in real-time with others. Changes sync instantly, so everyone stays up to date. You can also leave comments and assign tasks to each other.

Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive are great for team collaboration because they work smoothly with their productivity platforms - Google Workspace and Microsoft 365. Dropbox has also stepped up its game by creating Dropbox Paper, a powerful office suite.

Here's a comparison of the main collaboration features:

All cloud storage services promise to keep your files safe and private. But in reality, they don't always follow through on these promises or explain things clearly.

We take a closer look at how well providers protect your data, what encryption standards they use, and how clearly they explain their security measures and privacy policies.

When it comes to privacy, there's a basic difference between providers: some offer end-to-end encryption, others don't.

Some cloud storage providers include end-to-end protection by default in all plans - this gets the highest score in our rating table. We deduct points if end-to-end encryption is available but only for an extra fee or in special plans.

Then there are providers, especially cloud giants like Google and Microsoft, who reject this concept because they don't want to give up access to your valuable data.

The following table shows which providers support end-to-end encryption and which don't:

End-to-end encryption protects your data from unauthorized access by the provider, but a complete security plan must also guard against external attacks and data loss.

First, modern encryption standards are key. The best providers use proven standards like AES-256, which banks and government agencies also use. These standards keep your files safe during transfer and storage.

We also look for specific security features like:

Since you might store sensitive data in the cloud, it's important to choose a cloud storage provider you can trust. While you shouldn't blindly trust any company, sufficient transparency and standard certifications can help you evaluate providers.

Providers like Proton Drive are especially transparent because they make their application source code publicly available. This open-source approach allows independent experts to check security measures in detail, spot potential weaknesses, and confirm the system's reliability.

If providers don't make their applications open-source, they should at least fully document their security practices. We look for detailed whitepapers, solid terms of service, transparency reports, and regular external audits. Also, certifications like ISO 27001 show that providers follow high security and privacy standards.

Providers who clearly communicate their practices and get checked by independent organizations show they take your data protection seriously and build a basic level of trust.

Another important point is the jurisdiction under which the provider operates. For example, US-based providers fall under the CLOUD Act, which lets US authorities access stored data in certain cases - even if it's stored outside the US.

Providers based in Germany and other EU countries follow stricter privacy laws that only allow data sharing under clearly defined and very limited conditions. It's also easier for EU providers to comply with GDPR.

Here's a comparison of the key security features:

Cost is naturally an important factor when choosing a cloud storage service. Each provider offers different plans with increasing storage space.

Since pricing structures vary between providers, we standardized the costs in our comparison based on specific storage sizes and awarded points in each price segment.

If you're looking for free storage space, MEGA (20 GB) and Google Drive (15 GB) are the most generous.

For users with low storage needs (100 GB), Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, and Icedrive are the cheapest options. Providers with high minimum storage like MEGA, Tresorit, and Dropbox are naturally more expensive in this segment.

For medium storage needs (500 GB), pCloud, and Icedrive are the most affordable; for higher storage needs (2 TB), Icedrive and Sync lead the pack, though most providers in this segment are quite affordable (under $10 per month).

Cloud storage makes it easy to access your files anytime, anywhere. Your data is stored in one central location and automatically synced across all your devices. This means you'll always have the latest version of your documents at hand - whether you're working on your laptop, PC, or smartphone.

There are many cloud storage options available. Some focus on team collaboration (like Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive), while others protect your privacy with end-to-end encryption (like MEGA, pCloud, Tresorit). Some try to offer both (like Dropbox).

There's no perfect solution since each cloud storage has its pros and cons. Our comparison tool and detailed reviews will help you find the best cloud storage for your needs.