Understanding the cloud is quite simple. Many people already use it unconsciously: for example, by using Google Docs for online document processing or by saving their images to Google Photos.
These services have a great advantage: they will never let you lose your data, when an external hard drive has a necessarily limited life, or when a physical device can be destroyed at any time. Even unfortunately. The cloud also allows you to find your data whenever and wherever you want, regardless of the device used.
The best cloud services in 2022
If you’ve finally decided to back up your data to the cloud, here are the best platforms you can use for that.
Google Drive / Google One
Google Drive is one of the most widely used services in the world and you are probably one of the users without realizing it. Indeed, all Google accounts (and thus Gmail) immediately 15GB of free storagecan be used specifically for storing photos via Google Photos, transferring files via Gmail, or documents created with Google Docs. Simple, easy to use and completely transparent.
Google Drive is available on all mobile platforms through dedicated apps as well as simple web access. You can even go further, because a free Windows application lets you use your documents stored in the cloud as if you were on your own computer via a “fake” hard drive connected to the Internet.
The easiest to use and most accessible platform for everyone. And if 15GB isn’t enough, you can subscribe to the Google One offer, which allows you to increase your storage at very competitive prices.
- Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows and Mac
- Free offer limited to 15GB
- 1.99 €/month (15.95 €/year) for 100GB
- €2.98 (€29.93/year) for 200GB
- €9.97/month (€99.78/year) for 2TB
Microsoft OneDrive
OneDrive is a solution developed by Microsoft. If you have a computer running Windows 10 or Windows 11, your paths have already crossed as the online storage solution is naturally integrated into the system and enabled by default. This is also its biggest strength: its integration with the entire Microsoft ecosystem, including Office apps like Word or PowerPoint.
The OneDrive cloud is basically equivalent in functionality to that offered by Google and has the simple advantage of not needing to download additional software to integrate with Windows. But the base storage provided is much more limited at just 5GB, but if you’re mainly working on Office, it’s definitely a must-have. OneDrive is also compatible with Android, iOS/iPadOS, and Mac.
- Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows and Mac
- Free offer limited to 5GB
- 2 €/month (20 €/year) for 100GB
- 7 €/month (69 €/year) for 1 TB
apple iCloud
Same idea with OneDrive, but this time from Apple. iCloud is the solution developed by the manufacturer for macOS, iOS and iPadOS. You know the Cupertino company: this platform only really makes sense and is really easy to use on the brand’s devices, as it’s completely dedicated to them, except for Windows.
Its main advantage over other solutions is that it stores all iPhone or iPad related data including messages, contacts, calendars, app data and photos. iCloud is the best solution if you want the cloud mainly to make sure you don’t lose any data from your Apple device.
Be careful though, you will again be limited to 5GB free and will need to purchase an additional subscription (iCloud+) to increase your storage. But there is nothing better in the Apple ecosystem.
- Compatibility: iOS/iPadOS, Mac
- Free offer limited to 5GB
- €0.99 per month for 50GB
- 2.99 €/month for 200GB
- €9.99/month for 1TB
Dropbox
Dropbox has long been the best-known cloud service in the industry, especially among individuals. But now that big companies have created their own solutions integrated into their ecosystem, Dropbox has refocused specifically on enterprise solutions.
And it does it well! If you want to collaborate on the same file with several people like Google Docs, but without having to be limited in terms of file types and software to use, Dropbox is a great solution for that. What’s more, the platform, which is an external company to the manufacturers’ big war, finds many native integrations seamlessly across various platforms such as Windows and macOS.
That said, Dropbox pricing only really makes sense for user groups today. A person using the service is only entitled to 2GB of free storage, and prices won’t be as attractive as on other platforms unless you need a lot of storage.
- Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows and Mac
- Free offer limited to 2GB
- €11.99 per month (€119.88/year) for 2TB
- €19.99 per month for 3TB (€198.96/year)
Amazon Driver
Yes: Amazon also has a file storage service in the cloud. And as with the company, this is tied to a Prime subscription. Its main interest is to provide unlimited storage of your photos without compression if you are a Prime subscriber; this is often the #1 use for individuals when it comes to the cloud. Think about it!
For the rest, Amazon Drive is pretty limited, especially in its integration with operating systems. It’s also primarily intended for photos and videos, even if other file types work. That’s why we’ll recommend it to you, especially if you’re already on Prime and have a large catalog of photos to save: unlimited! But on the video side and other files you will be limited to 5GB.
- Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows and Mac
- Free offer limited to 5GB
- $1.99 per month ($19.99/year) for 100GB
- $6.99 per month for 1TB ($59.99 per year)
- $11.99/month ($119.98/year) for 2TB
pCloud
If you’re looking for something other than storage and storage, pCloud is for you. Unlike most other platforms, pCloud doesn’t really want to expand its cloud storage with a few software solutions that will turn it into a cloud computing vendor, choosing to focus on pure storage while maximizing its usefulness.
Of course, your storage will be available on any platform you want to access, whether through a web client or an app, and you can quickly share it with your friends. But best of all, there are no restrictions on file size and pCloud offers a very useful 30-day recovery system in case of loss or error. It is also possible to enable end-to-end encryption, unfortunately with a paid option, to maximize the security of your files.
- Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows and Mac
- No free offers
- $49.99 per month for 500GB (one-time payment, $175 for life)
- $99.99 per month for 2TB (one-time payment, $350 lifetime)
sync.com
Sync.com also focuses on file storage but emphasizes total security. The files you send to the platform are truly encrypted before being transferred to your cloud, which means Sync company doesn’t know what you’re storing. End-to-end encryption is also enabled by default without having to pay extra for it.
Sync.com also offers apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS and has the ability to automatically select files to sync to the cloud to free up local storage on mobile devices. But the service is mainly aimed at companies, and subscription formulas such as after-sales service can leave something to be desired for simple individuals.
- Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows and Mac
- Free offer limited to 5GB
- $8/month for 2TB (billed annually)
- $20 per month for 6TB (billed annually).
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