Storage costs have dramatically decreased over the years, yet Apple continues to charge nearly ten times the price for storage upgrades. This can become a significant issue when you're looking to store an ever-growing collection of cherished family memories, a media library, and backups.
Today, we're diving into the world of cloud storage, from household names like Google, Apple, and Microsoft, to lesser-known brands that might better meet your specific needs. We aim to guide you on where to invest your hard-earned money most effectively.
Exploring Cloud Storage Options
The first step in choosing a cloud storage provider is to determine how much storage you need and what you're willing to pay. Options are quite similar among the big players, but it's worth noting the deals they offer. For those requiring substantial storage, Google provides up to 30TB on Google Drive, and iDrive offers a staggering 100TB. However, companies like Google and Microsoft offer much more under their business plans, which require payment for a minimum number of users.
While Sync's unlimited offering seems attractive, today we'll focus on personal plans rather than delve into the complexities of business accounts.
Pricing Breakdown of Major Providers
- Google Drive: Free 15GB; 100GB for £1.59/month; 2TB for £7.99/month; 30TB for £119.99/month.
- Microsoft OneDrive: Free 5GB; 100GB for £1.99/month; 2TB for £14.48/month; 11TB for £59.99/month.
- Apple iCloud: Free 5GB; 50GB for £0.99/month; 2TB for £8.99/month; 12TB for £54.99/month.
- Dropbox: Free 2GB; 2TB for £7.99/month; 3TB for £16.59/month; additional options available with business plans.
- Sync.com: No free tier; 200GB for $5/month; 2TB for $8/month (billed annually); unlimited storage available with business plans.
- iDrive: Free 10GB; 100GB for $0.24/month; 5TB for $5.80/year (annual plan); 100TB for $83.29/year (annual plan).
- Proton Drive: Free 5GB; 200GB for £4.09/month; 1TB for £16.29/month.
Privacy and Security Concerns
Privacy is a significant concern, especially following Apple's recent removal of Advanced Data Protection for UK users due to government regulations. Most major cloud services, except for a few like Sync, Proton, and iDrive, do not offer end-to-end encryption. This means they could access your data if compelled by law enforcement, which may not sit well with everyone.
The Role of Backups
An often overlooked aspect of cloud storage is the importance of backups. Accidentally deleted files can sometimes only be recovered within a set timeframe, which varies by provider:
- Google: 25 days.
- Microsoft, Dropbox, Apple, Box, iDrive: 30 days.
- Sync.com: 180 or 365 days depending on the plan.
- Proton: Configurable for many years on paid plans.
Proper backup solutions are crucial, especially since many services are geared towards business accounts, which complicates personal backups.
Choosing the Right Service
Your choice will depend on your specific needs:
- Best for iPhone users: iCloud integrates seamlessly with iOS devices.
- Best for Android users: Google Drive or OneDrive, depending on your device’s integration.
- Best for Windows users: Any service works well due to the non-restrictive nature of Windows.
- Best for unlimited storage: Sync.com under a business plan.
- Cheapest option: iDrive, especially with its first-year promotional price.
- Best for privacy: Apple (outside the UK), Sync, or Proton for their stronger privacy measures.
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