Best Free Cloud Storage 2025: Up to 20 GB Free

Want to store files in the cloud for free? No problem: Many cloud storage providers offer no-cost storage space. However, not all services are equally generous – and free plans almost always have limitations.

We'll introduce you to the best free cloud storage options and tell you what else they offer users who aren't ready to buy a subscription.

Free plans are the norm for cloud storage, not the exception. Of the eleven platforms in our comparison, only two – IONOS and STRATO – don't offer any free storage. However, not all cloud storage services give as much: Depending on the provider, you can expect anywhere from 2 GB to 20 GB.

Here are our top picks for free cloud storage:

MEGA* (Mega Encrypted Global Access) is a cloud storage service from New Zealand that launched in 2013 as the successor to the file-sharing platform Megaupload. With over 300 million registered users, MEGA is one of the most popular cloud storage solutions worldwide.

MEGA stands out with the most generous free plan among all the providers we reviewed. They also emphasize privacy and have excellent sync speeds.

Regardless of the device you're on, MEGA's modern apps offer a smooth user experience: You can quickly and easily access your cloud-based files through your browser, desktop, or smartphone. Its sync options are flexible, too, allowing you to choose which cloud folders to sync.

Unfortunately, free users don't get the full MEGA experience since downloads are slower compared to its premium plans: MEGA limits transfer speeds for free users. The company also doesn't specify exactly what these limitations are.

You'll also miss out on some features: You can't password-protect or add expiration dates to sharing links, and there's no way to restore previous file versions. Free users can only view old versions for up to 30 days. You also won't have access to MEGA's VPN or password manager.

Google Drive* is Google's cloud storage solution. If you have a Gmail account or an Android phone, you've got Google Drive.

Google Drive is a key part of Google Workspace, Google's collaboration and productivity platform, which includes office tools like Docs, Sheets, and Slides.

Google Drive shines as a collaboration platform. Unlike basic cloud storage services like MEGA, Google Drive lets you not only store your files in the cloud but also work on them directly with Google's comprehensive office tools.

You can create documents like text files, spreadsheets, or presentations in Google Drive, share them, and work on them with others in real time. Changes update instantly and sync across all devices, giving everyone access to the most current version.

Working with Google Drive is smooth and easy, just like other Google products. The platform is highly intuitive since it's designed for a wide range of users.

Google Drive's free plan includes all essential cloud storage features. There aren't any bandwidth limits either.

Google isn't very clear about the exact limitations of the free plan, though. They mention some restrictions for offline access, collaboration features, and file sizes - but they wouldn't give us more details about these.

Free users also can't access advanced Google tools and Workspace features, like longer video calls and recordings in Meet or scheduling features in Calendar.

pCloud* is a Swiss cloud storage provider that calls itself "The most secure cloud storage." Like MEGA, pCloud focuses on security and privacy, while collaboration takes a back seat.

pCloud stands out for its performance: In our review, upload and download speeds were excellent, and it didn't guzzle too much of our CPU. With that in mind, it's little surprise that pCloud ranked second out of 11 in our performance comparison.

Free users also get plenty of storage. While it starts at 3 GB, you can easily increase it to 10 GB by completing a simple checklist. You get 1 GB for email verification, 1 GB for your first file upload, and 1 GB for downloading the pCloud app.

A key element of what makes pCloud secure, its end-to-end protection, is not available in the free plan: Free users can't access the encrypted Crypto folder. This feature comes standard with its business plans, but individual users need to purchase it separately.

There are some other limits too. Link traffic, or the data used when sharing and downloading files through shared links, is capped at 50 GB per month in the free version. You also only have 15 days to restore old file versions.

Rounding things out, the free version doesn't include as many sharing options as its paid subscriptions: You can't set passwords for shared links or add expiration dates.

IceDrive* is a newer cloud storage service from Wales that stands out with its affordable prices and modern apps. Like pCloud, IceDrive focuses on privacy, but free users don't get access to end-to-end encryption.

IceDrive impresses with its user-friendly design. Its web and desktop interfaces are fast, modern, and easy to use. The desktop version stands out with its handy "mount" feature: Use this to add your cloud storage as an external drive with a single click and remove it just as quickly. This way, your cloud folders only show up when you need them.

IceDrive includes some collaboration features, too: Every document you share has its own "Discussion" area where you can chat with team members through comments. However, real-time collaboration isn't available.

Unfortunately, IceDrive doesn't offer end-to-end encryption for free users. You only get it with paid plans, and unlike pCloud, you can't buy it as an add-on for the free plan.

It also lacks advanced sharing settings. This means that you can't add passwords, expiration dates, or download limits to your sharing links. Free users also have a 50 GB monthly bandwidth cap.

Microsoft OneDrive* is a cloud storage service that comes pre-installed on Windows devices. Since Microsoft's popular Office tools, like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, are smoothly integrated with OneDrive, you can edit documents directly in the cloud and sync changes across all your devices.

OneDrive also works great for team collaboration, making it easy to share and work together on files and folders.

While you get great collaboration features, you'll have to compromise on privacy and data protection - just like with Google. Microsoft doesn't offer end-to-end encryption either. Plus, Docs and Google's other project collaboration features are a bit smoother and more user-friendly.

Most cloud storage services only offer end-to-end encryption to paying customers - if at all. Not Proton Drive*: This Swiss cloud storage stands out with its strong focus on user security and privacy. All data is end-to-end encrypted, even if you're using its free version.

Plus, all Proton apps are open-source, so anyone can check them for security issues.

However, this focus on security comes at a cost, as the Swiss cloud storage service falls behind competitors in almost every other area. File sync is noticeably slower than other providers, and its features are limited to the basics.

Sync* is a Canadian cloud storage service known for its flexible sync settings, user-friendly apps, and good value for money.

However, there are some questions about privacy: Sync no longer seems to offer end-to-end protection, even though they used to advertise it. For a company that promotes high security and privacy standards, we expect more transparency.

There are some cloud storage services that limit their free storage so much that they should only be used as trials for paid subscriptions or those who need small amounts of digital space.

Tresorit* is a Swiss cloud storage service that markets itself as a privacy-friendly alternative to Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, and Dropbox - openly pointing out the privacy issues of these US cloud giants on their website.

At least Tresorit stays true to its word by offering end-to-end protection in all plans. However, the free plan's storage space is so limited that it's only enough for important documents. Plus, individual files can't be larger than 500 MB.

Dropbox* is one of the most popular – and still best – cloud storage services out there. With Dropbox Paper, users can now take advantage of a collaboration platform that makes working together on documents and projects simple.

Unfortunately, even with Paper, Dropbox's free Basic plan falls short of competitors because it only offers 2 GB of storage space. Users will likely hit this limit sooner rather than later.

Cloud storage isn't hard to come by these days. Many providers offer enough free storage space to cover basic needs like backing up important documents and photos. The most generous providers are MEGA (20 GB) and Google Drive (15 GB), followed by pCloud and IceDrive (10 GB each).

Need more storage but want to keep costs down? Check out our list of the cheapest cloud storage options.