Cloud storage is a great way to not only store important files, backup your devices, and ensure you have a safe copy of all your documents; it also helps you access all your digital goods from multiple devices and when you're on the go. You can get ahead of the curve with these awesome cloud storage apps for iOS and Android.
Remember, not every cloud storage app is equal. It’s important to identify the specific features you need and choose an appropriate app. There are also some great free cloud storage apps here that don’t cost you anything.
Following is a handpicked list of best cloud storage apps, with popular features and latest download links.
- 1. Amazon Drive
- 2. Box
- 3. Dropbox
- 4. Google Drive
- 5. Microsoft OneDrive
Amazon Drive is one of the best cloud storage apps on the market. Users can share files to create a public link accessible by anyone who uses it, even if they don't have an Amazon account. The app itself works fine and isn’t anything special. Deleted files go into your deleted items list and can be restored unless they are deleted permanently.
Amazon Drive is a good start for anyone who uses Amazon Prime. Those with Amazon Prime will already get 5GB of free storage along with unlimited backup for photos and videos. You can upgrade to unlimited storage for about $60 per year. Those without Amazon Prime get unlimited photo backup for $12 per year.
Plus, if you have Amazon Prime, you can get unlimited photo uploads via the Amazon Photos app (Google Play link). It also recently changed its prices. The $1.99 per month price gives you 100GB, the $6.99 per month price gives you 1TB, and the $11.99 per month price gives you 2TB.
Price: Free / $1.99-$11.99 per month
Devices: iPhone, iPad, Android
If we missed any of the Best Cloud Storage Apps, tell us about them!
2. Box
(Android)
Box.com is an up-and-comer in the cloud storage world. There are a variety of file management apps and others that have Box integration as well and that’s nice. Box users can share whole folders of data or pick single files to share with a public link.
New users can sign up for personal accounts for free and get 10GB of free storage while $10/month gets you 100GB. Business prices range from $5-$15/month per user and include far more features. The app works pretty well and it puts an emphasis on simplicity and organization. It is a bit more expensive than most for its base 100GB plan for individual use so keep that in mind.
Price: Free / $5-$15 per month / Enterprise options
Devices: iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows and macOS
Everybody knows about Dropbox and there’s a good chance that some of you have this app pre-installed on your devices already. The app comes with the auto-photo upload, easy sharing options, the latest Android design elements, Microsoft Office support, and the ability to send files to others. It’s a very solid option with more features than most. Dropbox focuses on keeping a synced folder accessible everywhere.
Individual accounts get 2GB for free. You now get 2TB for $10 per month which is on par with industry competitors. There is also a family plan for $16.99 per month that gives you the same 2TB but it’s usable by up to six people.
Price: Free / $9.99-$16.99 per month
Devices: iPhone, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire, or your computer
4. Google Drive
(Android, iPhone, iPad)
Google Drive is one of the most popular cloud storage apps on the market. With Google Drive's web app, you can access all your files, including images, from anywhere. Google Drive makes it really simple to collaborate with others. You can allow comments on a document or let files be opened and accessed by more than one person at a time.
Users get 15GB free out of the gate with Google Photos integration if they so choose. There is also an assortment of office apps available for documents, note taking, spreadsheets, and presentations. The plans are fairly versatile and include 100GB ($1.99 per month), 200GB ($2.99 per month), and 2TB ($9.99 per month). Between the photo storage, full-featured office apps, and collaborative features, Google Drive is a step above most in this game. Since its pre-installed on all android devices, it is considered to be the best cloud storage apps for Android.
Price: Free / $1.99-$9.99 per month
Devices: iPhone, iPad, Android or your Mac or Windows computer
Microsoft OneDrive is a popular cloud storage option because it integrates directly with a variety of Windows products. You can access your files through a client or your web browser. For starters, can get 5GB of free cloud storage and you can upgrade to 50GB for $1.99 per month. OneDrive storage is also included in every Office 365 subscription, be it for personal use or for businesses.
You can get a bundled package of OneDrive space and Microsoft Office 365 for $6.99 per month (1TB, one device) or $9.99 per month (6TB, five devices). That gives you Microsoft Office and online cloud storage space for an exceptionally reasonable price. There is also an optional $1.99 per month OneDrive standalone package with 100GB.
Price: Free / $1.99-$9.99 per month
Devices: iPhone, iPad, Android and Windows
6. Proton Drive: Cloud Storage
(Android, iPhone, iPad)
Proton Drive is an app that allows you to privately and securely access storage services from Proton, the creators of secure services such as Proton Mail. This storage service is end-to-end encrypted, ensuring that only you can access the files, images, photos, or videos you store on it. Proton Drive hosts its content on servers located in Switzerland, which has the most secure data protection laws in the world. Therefore, no court order can force the company to allow access to your files.
Proton Drive allows you to determine who can access your files. From the app, you can upload and download files, plus manage links to send content. You can also protect the app with a PIN code so that only you can access it.
The Proton Drive cloud storage service uses open source encryption. This makes it possible to verify that the encryption is secure and working properly.
Price: Get 1GB for free. $4.99/month for 200GB or $11.99 for 500GB, which also comes with Proton Mail, Calendar, and VPN. Business plans also available.
Devices: iPhone, iPad, Android and Windows
What makes the best cloud storage app?
Below are the six features that are important for a good cloud storage app:
Amount of storage: More storage is always better, but there are other factors to consider, such as monthly transfer limits, file types allowed, and how shared storage buckets are divided.
Competitive pricing: It's tempting to go with the cloud storage app that offers the most GBs for the least dollars, but it's important to consider the features that are important to you. For example, if you need offline access or multi-device access, you may be willing to pay a little more for an app that offers those features.
Offline and multi-device access: You need to be able to access your files whenever and wherever you want, on all of your devices. This is especially important if you travel frequently or work from home.
Organization tools: The best cloud storage apps offer organization tools that make it easy to sort, filter, search for, and organize your files. This can save you a lot of time and hassle.
Security and reliability: Security is paramount when it comes to cloud storage. Your files are safe with a cloud storage app that uses strong encryption and has a good track record of uptime.
Storing and syncing documents and media in the cloud is a huge convenience. Being able to access files anywhere, on any device, has become the norm at work and in our personal lives. It also makes it easier to share files with other people.
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