Googles cloud storage walks hand in hand with Android and Google Workspace. However, one limitation we found is that you cant back up external or network drives Dropbox only stores what you transfer to the Dropbox folder on your device. If youre looking for a cloud storage provider that takes privacy and security seriously, Internxt is a top competitor. Make sure you check out our top cloud storage deals to get cloud storage space for less. This offer from Polarbackup is jaw-droppingly good. ), Conveniently compatible for all devices (Windows PC, Mac, mobile app, tablet, etc. Lets go through them together!Assess Your Own Cloud Storage Needs:Am I a heavy user or a light user?How much cloud storage do I really need?Do I really need advanced cloud storage encryption?How confidential are my files?How long do I need cloud storage?What device(s) am I using? Lifetime deals are not really sustainable for us as a company, but they are great for the users. one noted. A bonus pro worth mentioning is thefree plan of 10TB of storage upon the creation of an account. On top of this you get all the syncing and sharing features youd expect, strong 256-bit AES encryption with private key management, and lightning fast upload and download speeds. Google Drive vs OneDrive (opens in new tab), Google Drive vs Dropbox (opens in new tab), IDrive vs Dropbox vs pCloud (opens in new tab), OneDrive vs Dropbox vs Google Drive (opens in new tab). $999 for 10TB. The Family Plan has the same storage and transfer capabilities, but for six individual users, for $16.99 a month. Although theres no lifetime plan, MEGA still offers a generous free plan. The standard file sync and share capabilities are all there, of course, but so are more advanced features like block-level file copying, media playback, file previews, selective sync and extendable versioning. Cloud storage may not theoretically be as secure as local, but the best cloud storage uses cutting-edge security and encryption. When it comes to lifetime cloud storage, you typically have two payment options: a one-time lump sum payment or a subscription payment. Have you tried any of the other services weve recommended? IDrive takes first in our list of the best cloud storage providers, and for good reason. Although most cloud storage providers keep a copy of your files to allow you to resubscribe, eventually your data will be deleted. Although its certainly not terrible, Sync.coms interface could use a facelift both on mobile and desktop. The third package offered by the pCloud provides 2 TB of cloud storage and costs $350 for a lifetime. Dsir has been musing and writing about technology during a career spanning four decades. pCloud, being one of only two reputable cloud storage providers that offer lifetime plans, is our top pick for this list. The first is Dropbox, which is arguably the elder statesman of cloud storage. We have no reason to believe that pCloud or Icedrive would go down this road, though Icedrive is still a new service. Dropbox is a fantastic choice for personal cloud storage. Naturally, well be kicking things off with our number-one pick, which is pCloud. Save 78% Cloud storage provider Pcloud has gained popularity thanks to its lifetime plans. Moreover, pCloud is the only cloud storage provider offering the option to get a lifetime license. Icedrive offers more storage space than any of its competitors, the pricing is great, especially if you get the lifetime deal which will probably get more expensive as time goes by. The Pro plan alone is only $4.17 a month, which is less than a day's worth of coffee for many freelancers who need that caffeine fix. Yes! Even for the mobile app version, it works like a charm. From Outlook to AutoCAD, OneDrive is compatible with a variety of different other services, both internal and third-party. Please note that when you purchase extra storage for your existing lifetime plan, you pay the whole price for the new plan added and you get the quota added on top of the previous Lifetime plan that you have. Unlike most online backup providers, IDrive actually comes with file syncing and sharing, which is more of a cloud storage thing. Meanwhile, Icedrive starts to save you money after less than three years on all three lifetime plans. TL;DR: As of April 23, The Lifetime Backup & Security Subscription Bundle worth $3,799 is on sale for just $79.99 with the code SPRING10 . Block-Level Sync is basically a cloud feature that allows you toedit only certain parts of a file. If you head on to the encryption page on theirwebsite, youll immediately see the security measures theyve incorporated, such as: Yes, all these are on top of the256-bit AES encryption. Thats the only way we can improve. If you dont really need an elaborate cloud storage provider, DropBox is actually a good cloud storage solution, especially for syncing folders and if you just need the speed. It also has great speeds, but like Google Drive it lacks zero-knowledge encryption, and its free plan isnt the best with only 5GB of free storage space. Tom's Guide is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Google's 2 TB plan would be expensive for me. All iCloud accounts get 5GB of online storage space for free, but if you plan to use either the file storage or backup features, that 5GB can vanish in an instant. What is Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)? This offer is only available through . Our next honorable mention is OneDrive, which is Microsofts own cloud storage solution. 2TB: $299 (opens in new tab) | 5TB: $399 (opens in new tab) | 10TB: $999 (opens in new tab). Most cloud storage vendors make it easy by setting secured restrictions to ensure that the pictures and videos are accessible only to your password-protected account, or to anyone with a private web link. ACN Company Number 639906353. Thank you for reading. You are able to pay for your subscription monthly or annually. As much as I love Icedrive for personal or small-scale use, Id have to be honest and say that if youre using it for large-scale work and business,pCloud will be the better choice. You download it on your computer device, and it works as if its part of your operating system. The Lite, Pro and Pro+ plans increased from $59, $149 and $499 to $99, $229 and $599, respectively. Some users utilize multiple cloud services in what is called a multi-cloud service (opens in new tab). The Zoolz desktop interface is neat and easy to navigate, and there are also mobile apps available for managing files on the go. No need to go to a website to log in each time! When we compare on-prem vs cloud storage (opens in new tab), or even cloud storage vs external hard disk drives (opens in new tab), security is key. That said, Google Drive is still very fast, so you wont have to wait long for your files to upload and download. Written by StackCommerce,. Though this is more of an advanced tech-savvy concern, I still think its worth the mention. But if you look at it as a business investment for lifetime storage, Id say its worth it. On the flipside, it lacks competitors' collaboration tools, an in-built document editor, and a smoother interface. You only pay once and benefit from advanced features such as 30-day trash story and native file sharing capabilities within the pCloud applications and web interface. Cloud storageis the best way to store your data in the cloud because it can be accessed from any device and from anywhere. Aside from this, security and privacy are all-around excellent with strong data encryption and the ability to store files on servers located in Europe, which means theyre protected by the GDPR. This is aimed more at businesses than individuals. Lifetime storage is a scam. pCloud is the best option for lifetime cloud storage. Multiple cloud storage options (50GB, 200GB, and 2TB). This may not be a basic feature that affects the functionality of Icedrive as a cloud storage per se, but its a factor to consider. *All prices are based on undiscounted rates of the cheapest available annual plan. While there are some great free cloud storage plans out there, well be focusing on premium packages including the best cloud storage for business. This is why it is often imperative for users to have a backup plan (usually by having a local copy of the files available). It comes with companion apps including Google Photos (opens in new tab), Docs, Sheets, and Slidestogether known as Google Workspacemeaning you can create, edit, store, view, and synchronize files via this unified, web-based interface. 0 USD. Unfortunately, there are some pretty big privacy concerns with Google as a whole. That's more than enough to expand your inexpensive Chromebook 's potential! Well-designed and subtly integrated into the Apple ecosystem, iCloud brings intuitive cloud storage to users. Google Drive is the cloud storage service offered by Google. Personally, I appreciate this particular feature, especially with the surge ofprivacy invasion issuesfrom many major online companies, server providers, and social media platforms. 1 Cloud Storage Always Free quotas apply to usage in US-WEST1, US-CENTRAL1, and US-EAST1 regions. Although its free plan only offers 10GB half of some other services mentioned here its worth considering. But provided that the company will last 5 years, that span of time is worthy the money youve paid compared to some yearly subscriptions. MEGA is an excellent choice for photo management. If you are a power user, on the other hand, you might want to go for the PRO III plan. This review is ridiculous for having Zoolz in it. Regardless of which payment option you choose, lifetime cloud storage can be a great investment for individuals and businesses looking to store important files and data securely. Polarbackup is also based in the UK, ideal for those looking for a European-based provider. Although it doesnt have as many features as pCloud does especially when it comes to file sharing its still one of our favorite cloud storage providers that also comes with great security and very affordable plans. As you saw, there are a lot of things to consider. 8 Mike_Keeler 2 yr. ago The only ones I know of are pCloud and Icedrive. These are our picks for the best cloud storage services. But accessibility has a disadvantage too, which is thelack of privacy. As always, you can check out our full Google Drive review for a deeper dive into the pros and cons of the service. Website Rating is operated by Search Ventures Pty Ltd, a company registered in Australia. Its lack of collaboration features also means that youll want to look elsewhere if you plan on using your cloud storage to work with other people. The best part is that some of them provide unlimited cloud storage for free! 10TB: $1,699 | 5TB: $899 | 2TB: $399 | 400GB : $149 (opens in new tab). Our pCloud review will reveal everything about this feature-rich cloud file sharing service, Best suited for video storage, it lets you access your files from anywhere, share with contacts, collaborate on them, and free up local device storage by transferring all your data to cloud storage. Each of them (except for the monthly subscription) comes with 3 cloud storage options. If you're buying cloud storage on behalf of a small company, take a look at the best cloud storage for small business (opens in new tab), but also learn the top reasons you should use small business cloud solutions (opens in new tab); find out why small businesses should use cloud services (opens in new tab); and understand why a multi-cloud strategy (opens in new tab) benefits businesses. Read our full IDrive personal cloud backup review (opens in new tab), and our IDrive business review (opens in new tab). That's more cloud storage than most people will ever need. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Unfortunately, the zero-knowledge encryption requires you to make an additional purchase of pCloud Crypto, which will run you an additional $125 for lifetime access. Powerful administrative features provided, such as access management, system auditing, 2FA, and roles-based permissions, are also worth keeping an eye out for, particularly for medium- and large-sized organizations. If you've got less complex storage requirements, or have a tight budget, most providers offer free plans. Quick summary: pCloud is a secure and easy-to-use Swiss-based storage provider that lets you store up to 10GB for free, and it offers lifetime plans for up to 2TB which makes its service cheaper in the long run because you wont have to worry about renewal fees. Theres also aShare Timeout feature,which allows you to set adurationfor the files youve shared. There are just some benefits and drawbacks that would be more beneficial/detrimental to certain circumstances! > Tech > Apps and Software TL;DR: As of May 3, you can. Only YOU and the people you provide access to will know. Common subscription issues with cloud storage services can include subscription fees, bandwidth limits, and payment problems. 500GB: $199 (opens in new tab) | 2TB: $399 (opens in new tab) | 10TB: $1190 (opens in new tab), 4. Services often also offer file-sharing too, so you can share key documents with others. Not only does your data need to be encrypted by TLS in transit and use an encryption protocol with adequate key sizes while at rest (read our description of encryption for more info), these services also need to offer a way to do this client-side to get top marks for privacy. Theres a fine line between these two. A lump sum payment requires you to pay the entire cost of the storage upfront, while a subscription payment allows you to pay for the storage on a recurring basis.Choosing between a lump sum and a subscription payment depends on your budget and how you plan to use the storage. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. It connects and backs up all your device applications smoothly. It boasts excellent security, including full 256-bit AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) encryption, and compliance with various legislative frameworks including HIPPA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and GDPR (opens in new tab) (the General Data Protection Regulation). It also gets top marks for security and privacy, as your files are protected with zero-knowledge 256-bit AES encryption. The price of said plan and the value provided in terms of storage space is next on the list, followed by our general cloud storage criteria, such as features, ease of use, speed, security and privacy. More than the fancy interface, theyre all about protecting you making it safe for legal privacy practices. Lifetime Plans Pricing Though pCloud is a bit pricier, it's worth the price for the extra layers of security and the fast sync you're getting. Although there are unfortunately only two real options, you can still store quite a lot of data in the cloud without having to pay, especially if youre willing to spread it across multiple services. When they say lifetime, the ideal duration isfor as long as possible.As long as the cloud provider is up and running, youll have access to their lifetime cloud storage service, and all the benefits they bring.But realistically, of course, there will be someunavoidable circumstances,such as the closing down of a company or the termination of a cloud storage service due to some reasons.If such things happen, well have no choice but tofollow the policiesof our providers and adjust with them. In essence, it enables you take away any file or folder on your desktop and access it on a variety of other devices. While the above picks are the best options for those who are looking for lifetime cloud storage or at least a generous free plan there are other services that deserve a quick mention. With no recurring payments, you don't have to worry about account suspensions or bumped prices further down the line. In this in-depth pCloud review, we'll go over pCloud's features, security and pricing, to see if it really is one of the best cloud storage services. It's available across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, and . As we mentioned, there are unfortunately only two good choices for lifetime cloud storage, namely pCloud and Icedrive. Heres why, Need Windows on a really old PC? means easier file sharing, Offers a free plan with 2GB of free space, Accessible almost everyone uses or is familiar with GDrive, Comes with a free plan with 15GB of free storage and no restrictions, Works on any PC device and mobile apps alike, Not the most secure in terms of files (no passwords, authentication, encryptions), Not the most secure in terms of personal information and data, Linked with Windows operating system and Microsoft. For example, if you are a 500 GB Lifetime member and you're . At the end of the day, if you need a lot of storage and dont like the idea of recurring subscription fees, then we think pCloud is the best lifetime choice. Best Lifetime Cloud Storage Deals in 2023, Other Cloud Storage Services [No Lifetime Plans], Summary Best One-Time Cloud Storage Services, https://cloud.google.com/learn/what-is-cloud-storage, https://www.pcloud.com/help/general-help-center/what-is-pcloud-lifetime, Compatible with most devices and operating systems (Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android), Access data from anywhere (needs internet connection), Data is backed up and you will never lose a file again, Military-grade encryption, security and privacy protection, Compatible with Apple and Windows devices, pCloud backup gives you secure cloud backup for PC and Mac, Youre confident of its security and privacy, No extra payment for client-side encryption, You can set the time of the files you shared, Decentralized technology for added security, Lacking collaboration and productivity features. . Plus, with lifetime plans you dont have to worry about recurring payments every month or year. I had to buy higher tier subscription to get access to automatic download tools in order to do it ?!?! All rights reserved. ExpressVPN, Toms Guides #1 VPN provider, is offering free unlimited cloud backup courtesy of Backblaze for a whole year with its annual subscription. Read our full Zoolz cloud storage review (opens in new tab), and our Zoolz BigMIND review (opens in new tab). Thats why this guide will explain exactly what cloud storage is and why you might want to store your files in the cloud in the first place. You just wont have the client-side encryption, but for afree plan? If youre used to the hard drive or USB interface, youll enjoy the overall look and integration of the Icedrive. 98 Likes, 0 Comments - & (@superdigitalproduct) on Instagram: "Microsoft office . pCloud is also very easy to use, as all of its clients desktop, web and mobile are well designed. And if you want tolevel up your security, there are additional costs. Prices range (opens in new tab) from $14.99 a month for 1TB of storage to $674.99 a month for 50TB. pCloud, being one of only two reputable cloud storage providers that offer lifetime plans, is our top pick for this list. NY 10036. When we speak of security, Im willing to put my full trust in Sync.com because (if I may use the word) theyre the more ethical choice. Read more about their planshere. Since almost everyone has a Gmail by now, its also themost accessible cloud storage spacethats user-friendly and easy to share. pCloud. If we take lifetime plans out of the equation, there areA LOTof cloud storage options out there that work as well. Though pCloud is a bit pricier, its worth the price for the extra layers of security and the fast sync youre getting. If you're unsure about the differences between cloud storage, cloud backup, and cloud sync (opens in new tab),it's worth doing your research first. Everyone knows that iCloud is another affordable cloud storage. Unfortunately, we found these are clunky and frustrating to use, while upload and download speeds can be slow, which could be an issue if frequently working with larger files. Free plan. They have also just conducted an independent security audit. Internxt Lifetime Cloud Storage 10TB: $999 (opens in new tab) Even if you arent, you can test it with a forever-free capacity of 5GB. While not as barebones as some of the other options listed, we found Google Drives UI to be clean and intuitive. Or, a retiree might work due to any combination of the above.". From there, you can upgrade storage to a maximum of 30TB for $299.99 a month. This is one of the reasons why despite the cost, its considered aninvestment,especially for business operations that require secure storage space. We are independently owned and the opinions expressed here are our own. 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Platform balances high-capacity storage with functional user interfaces, powerful integrations with the Microsoft. A European-based provider it works like a charm ' collaboration tools, an in-built editor! Knows that iCloud is another affordable cloud storage than most people will ever need (!