12 Best Free Cloud Storage Providers (2024) – The Ultimate List

Cloud Storage has become an inherent part of our lives today. Each one of us is using it in some way or the other! 

If you are a beginner, a free cloud storage service would be sufficient for your needs. But which one should you go with? What are the options available in the market? Well, stay tuned cause that is exactly what we are discussing today.

I have personally used dozens of popular and not-so-popular cloud storage providers in the last few years. After extensive research and testing, I’m here with the most awaited article – Best Free Cloud Storage for 2024! 

In this article, you will discover my 11 best recommendations for free cloud storage along with their major pros and cons. I will also discuss the USP of every cloud storage and who should use it. 

So, without taking up any more of your time, let’s dive right into our Best Free Cloud Storage list right away!

mega logo

Mega

A generous free plan, top-notch security, and lightning-fast speeds make Mega a solid all-rounder cloud storage solution.

pcloud logo

pCloud

Blazing speeds, advanced syncing, and music streaming make pCloud a great choice for users prioritizing data sync and speeds.

sync-logo

Sync

Advanced security, document editing, and decent free storage make Sync.com a perfect choice for users focused on privacy & secure storage.

Best Cloud Storage Providers for 2024 (Overview)

Cloud StorageFree StorageZero Knowledge
Encryption
Visit
Mega20 GBYesVisit Mega
pCloud10 GBNoVisit pCloud
Sync5GBYesVisit Sync
Icedrive10 GBNoVisit Icedrive
Google Drive15 GBNoVisit Google Drive
One Drive5 GBNoVisit One Drive
Koofr10 GBNoVisit Koofr
Rakuten Drive10 GBNoVisit Rakuten Drive
Jottacloud5 GBNoVisit Jottacloud
MediaFire10 GBNoVisit MediaFire
iCloud5 GBNoVisit iCloud

Top 11 Cloud Storage Providers (2024)

1) Mega- Best Free Cloud Storage 2024

Kripesh’s Rating – 4.3/5

Mega offers a generous free plan with top-notch security and fast transfers. However, privacy concerns and limited sharing/editing features may be drawbacks. It’s perfect for users who value data security and fast file transfers.

mega

Pros of Mega

20 GB Free Space

With a free plan of Mega Cloud Storage, you get 20 GB of permanent online storage space, which is sufficient for an average user.

Zero Knowledge Encryption

Mega secures all your uploaded data with zero knowledge encryption, making it inaccessible to anyone except you.

Excellent Speeds

Downloading and uploading large files with Mega is effortless. You get to experience super-fast speeds. 

Decent Privacy Policy

Mega complies with GDPR, which means you can request the downloading of your personal data whenever you want. Overall, the Privacy Policy of Mega is pretty good. 

Encrypted Chat and Meetings 

With this feature, you can privately message anyone, start secure video calls, and share your screen. The free plan is limited to 1 hour of call/meeting and 100 participants.

Good Security

You get 2FA and recovery keys for safe logins. It also lets you check the session history of your devices and log out of them if you want.

Improved Media Players

The media players for playing video and audio have seen considerable improvement. You can now adjust playback speed, brightness, contrast, and loop videos on the video player.

Selective Sync

Mega also supports selective sync, meaning you can choose which folders from your device you wish to sync to the cloud.

Cons Of Mega

Bandwidth Limitations

Mega imposes a limit on the bandwidth consumed on its free and paid plans. Unlike other cloud storage providers, it meters data transfer for your IP address.

Server Locations

Mega has servers in New Zealand, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, and France. Some of these countries are a part of the 5 Eyes Alliance, which is not good for data privacy. 

Chinese Investors

A large part of Mega’s shares were sold to Chinese investors a few years back. Any relations with China are not a good sign for data security.

No File Editing

File editing is not possible except for TXT files. You can only preview all types of files.

Strict Terms and Conditions

Mega follows strict terms and conditions and removes any copyrighted content/media if it is reported to them.

Limited File Sharing

File sharing is pretty restricted on Mega. You can simply share your files via links and optionally send a separate decryption key if you want. 

Conclusion

Mega is a powerful cloud storage that features the best free plan with 20 GB of storage. It also comes with zero-knowledge encryption, 2FA, and encrypted chat and meetings for extra security. You can also enjoy excellent speeds, fast sync, and functional media players. 

However, concerns arise due to server locations in some Five Eyes countries, strict terms of service, Chinese investors, and limited file sharing and editing options. Overall, Mega is ideal for users who prioritize robust security and swift speeds while transferring and syncing files.


2) pCloud – Best Speed and Sync

Kripesh’s Rating – 4.5/5

pCloud offers a generous 10 GB of free space, fast downloads, and advanced syncing, all with a focus on privacy. It even allows data center selection and smooth music streaming. But it lacks zero-knowledge encryption, and file editing, and offers average file sharing. 

It’s best for users who want fast file syncing across multiple devices along with the ability to stream music.

Pros of pCloud

10 GB Free Space

The free plan of pCloud offers a decent 10 GB of cloud storage space that you can unlock by completing tasks like creating an account, verifying your email, etc.

Fast Download Speeds

Because pCloud uses European servers, you can find swift speeds on the platform. I experienced fast download speeds, but the upload speeds were slightly slow.

Allows Data Center Selection

pCloud lets you choose a data center of your choice at the time of signing up. Most users prefer the European data centers. 

Advanced File Syncing

pCloud allows Block Level Sync and Selective Sync features, which makes it one of the best options for syncing files.

Good Privacy Policy

The Privacy Policy of pCloud is neat. They do not collect a lot of their users’ data, nor do they reveal it to any third parties. 

Reliable Cloud Backup

With pCloud, you can back up your desktop folders along with mobile photos and videos. You can also back up your Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Photos, Facebook, and Instagram accounts.

Good Security

pCloud supports 2FA for secure logins. It also lets you view all devices logged in to your pCloud account and disable anyone you want.

Built-in Media Players

From music to videos, images, and documents, you can preview all kinds of files on pCloud. It features a feature-rich music player for streaming songs and podcasts

Additional Tools

pCloud also features additional tools like pCloud Save (extension), pCloud Transfer (file transfer service), pCloud Pass (password manager), and branding pages for file sharing.

Cons Of pCloud

12-month Inactivity Clause

If you do not log in to your pCloud account for 12 months, it is automatically deleted. You should only store sensitive files on the free plan if you regularly use pCloud. 

No Zero Knowledge Encryption

pCloud does not provide a zero-knowledge encryption with its free plans. If you need this feature, you need to upgrade to a paid plan.

Limited File Sharing

You cannot enable link passwords or set up link expiry dates on pCloud’s free plan.

No File Editing

You can only preview your files on pCloud. It doesn’t integrate with editing services like Office Online to allow file editing and collaboration.

Conclusion

pCloud stands out with its generous 10 GB free storage, fast download speeds, advanced file syncing, and a strong focus on privacy and security. Its USP is that it allows data center selection and excellent media players for streaming music and podcasts.

However, the lack of zero-knowledge encryption, limited file-sharing options, and no file editing capabilities may be a limitation. If you need a secure cloud storage that syncs data between multiple devices and offers music streaming capabilities, check pCloud. 


3) Sync – Best for Security

Kripesh’s Rating – 4.3/5

Sync offers zero-knowledge encryption, document editing, swift speeds, and decent free storage. However, its dated interface, limited sharing, and servers in a Five Eyes country may hold it back.

It’s an ideal option for users looking for secure storage with MS Office integration. 

Pros of Sync

Zero Knowledge Encryption

All your data uploaded on Sync is secured with zero knowledge encryption. So, nobody except you can ever access it.

5 GB Free Space

Creating a free account on Sync instantly gives you 5 GB of cloud storage.

Excellent Speeds

You will get to experience exceptionally fast upload and download speeds on pCloud.

Selective Sync

On the Sync drive for desktop, you can manually select which folders you wish to sync with the cloud.  

Online Document Editing

Sync integrates with MS Office Online to allow effortless file editing and collaboration.

Clean Privacy Policy

Their Privacy Policy is clearly defined and they also don’t collect unnecessary information from users.

Great Sharing Options

Sync lets you set password protection to secure your links. Users don’t need to create an account for uploading files to your shared folder. However, you can’t set a link expiry date for free. 

Exceptional Privacy Measures

Sync complies with GDPR and HIPAA, making it highly secure for file sharing. It also has a SOC 2 certification ensuring safe data storage. 

Good Security

You can enable 2FA, email-based password recovery, and automatic logouts on Sync. You can also view linked devices and log them out of your account. 

Good File Versioning

Sync offers 30 days of file versioning even on its free plan. So you can restore any file versions from the past 30 days. 

Cons of Sync

Limited Sharing

You can only create 3 simultaneous shared links. To create a new share link, you’ll have to delete a previous link.  

Average Interface

The interface of Sync lacks user friendliness and a modern design. They can work on revamping the design.

Belongs to 5 Eyes Alliance

The servers of Sync are in Canada, which is a member of the 5 Eyes Alliance. The countries in this alliance share intelligence data, which is not good for user’s security.

No File Previews and Playbacks

Though you can edit files on Sync, it doesn’t allow file previews and media playbacks because it’s encrypted with zero knowledge.

Conclusion

Sync.com is another popular cloud service known for its top-notch security and strong privacy practices. You get a decent free plan with 5 GB storage, excellent speeds, selective file syncing, and online document editing with MS Office. 

However, they can work on improving their UI, file previewing, and sharing options. Their servers housed in a Five Eyes country might also concern some users. If you need secure cloud storage for online document editing and collaboration, consider Sync.


4) Icedrive – Best User Interface

Kripesh’s Rating – 4.3/5

Icedrive stands out with its generous free plan, blazing-fast speeds, and friendly UI with a transparent privacy policy.

However, it lacks zero-knowledge encryption, advanced sharing options, and a virtual drive on Mac. It is ideal for users who need a friendly UI with fast transfers and good file management.  

Pros of Icedrive

10 GB Free Space

With Icedrive, you get 10 GB of free cloud storage, along with other advanced security features! 

Exceptional Speeds

You get to experience extremely fast upload and download speeds with Icedrive cloud storage.

Excellent Interface

It has one of the best and most friendly interfaces out of all cloud storage options. It is clean, modern, and easy to use. 

Clean Privacy Policy

Its Privacy Policy looks very transparent. And because Icedrive is GDPR Compliant, you can also request a copy of your data stored with them!

Good File Syncing

Icedrive lets you manually select which folders you wish to sync with the cloud. Any changes made to those folders will be automatically updated on the cloud. 

Convenient Preview and Playback

You can easily preview all types of files on Icedrive. It also features good media players for watching videos or listening to music. 

Cons Of Icedrive

No Zero Knowledge 

The free plan of Icedrive does not offer a zero-knowledge encryption feature. You need to upgrade your plan for that.

Limited Sharing Options

You cannot set passwords and expiry dates for your shared links. However, when sharing a folder, you can choose an access level from ‘Read Only’ or ‘Editor’.

No Virtual Drive on Mac

Sadly, you don’t get an Icedrive virtual drive on Mac OS. You can simply manage and view your files, but not sync them with the web. 

12-Month Inactivity Policy

Icedrive automatically deletes any free plans on its platform that have remained inactive for over 12 months.

Conclusion

Icedrive has a generous 10 GB free plan, swift speeds, one of the most attractive UI, a clear privacy policy, and good file syncing. However, the free plan lacks zero-knowledge encryption, has limited sharing options, and no virtual drive for Mac OS. 

Icedrive is best for users who prioritize a user-friendly experience, transparency, fast file transfers, and basic file management features.


5) Google Drive – Best for Collaboration

Kripesh’s Rating – 4.0/5

Google Drive is the best option for collaboration with real-time editing, fast speeds, and a generous free plan. Integrations boost its appeal, but privacy concerns and limited sharing might discourage security-minded users. It is ideal for speedy collaboration on office files.

GOOGLEDRIVE

Pros of Google Drive

15 GB Free Space

Upon signing up for a Google account, you get 15 GB of cloud storage for free! You also get access to all Google services like Gmail, Drive, Meet, Docs, Contacts, etc.

Lightning Fast Speeds

With Google Drive, you get to experience exceptionally fast upload and download speeds. This makes it a great cloud storage for backing up your files.

Best for Collaboration

Google Drive is your best shot if you want to work on office files or collaborate in real time with your team members.

Remarkable Sync Feature

Google Drive supports selective sync. Changes are reflected across all devices as soon as you make edits to a file!

Smooth Media Playback

You can enjoy one of the best media playback functionality on Google Drive. It also allows you to preview and edit all types of files on the Google Drive web app.

Excellent Search Algorithm

You can enter your search query to accurately locate any file stored on your Drive. It even locates your searched keyword from within documents, images, and other file types.

Powerful Integrations

Apart from Google services, Google Drive integrates with third-party apps like Zapier, Slack, Salesforce, Discord, and hundreds of others to improve your workflow.

Great Versioning

Google Drive offers a unique versioning policy. Either your file versions are stored for 30 days, or up to 100 versions are stored, whichever of them is shorter.

Cons Of Google Drive

Weak Privacy Policy

As we all know, the Privacy Policy of Google is very doubtful. They collect a lot of their users’ data and then use it to display personalized ads to them.

No Zero Knowledge Encryption

Because your data does not remain encrypted with zero knowledge, it is always at risk of being compromised.

Strict Terms and Conditions

Google Drive employs strict conditions on its platform. Any copyrighted content uploaded on Google Drive is automatically deleted.

Limited Sharing

With Google Drive, you get limited sharing functionality. You cannot set passwords and expiry dates for your shared files.

Conclusion

Google Drive excels when it comes to real-time editing and collaboration, fast transfers, seamless syncing, and a good free plan with 15 GB storage. Its integrations with various Google apps and third-party services enhance its appeal. 

However, privacy concerns due to Google’s data collection practices, lack of zero-knowledge encryption, and limited file-sharing options might not excite security-focused users.

Overall, Google Drive is ideal for users who need a free cloud storage service with fast speeds and collaboration on Office documents.


6) OneDrive

Kripesh’s Rating – 3.8/5

OneDrive excels for fast file transfers, decent free storage, and seamless MS Office integration. It offers advanced syncing and security features but lacks top-tier encryption and file-sharing facilities. It is ideal for MS Office users.

onedrive

Pros of OneDrive

Excellent Speeds

You get to experience super-fast file uploads and downloads on OneDrive. This makes it great for backing up files quickly.

Decent Free Storage Space

Registering for an account on Microsoft OneDrive gives you 5 GB of online storage free of cost.

Excellent Editing and Collaboration

If you wish to work on office documents online, OneDrive would be great for creating, editing, sharing, and collaborating on your files online.

Advanced Sync and Backups

OneDrive supports both selective and block-level sync. You can also enable automatic backups for your local folders, so they always remain synced to the cloud.

Good Version History

OneDrive offers a 30-day versioning, so you can preview and restore the previous versions of your files.

Good Interface

OneDrive features a neat and friendly interface across all devices. Beginners won’t have any problem getting started with it. 

Secure Personal Vault

It features a secure vault where you can store your confidential data. It can only be unlocked with a password. The free plan lets you store up to 3 files.

Cons Of OneDrive

No Zero Knowledge Encryption

Unlike other popular cloud storage, OneDrive lacks zero-knowledge encryption on its free plan. With zero knowledge encryption, nobody else except you can access your data.

Average File Sharing

You cannot set passwords or expiry dates on your shared files with OneDrive’s free plan.

Conclusion

If you need fast file transfers, a decent 5 GB storage, and tight integration with MS Office for online editing and collaboration, you can check out OneDrive. It also offers advanced file syncing, backups, and a secure vault for storing sensitive files. 

However, the free plan lacks zero-knowledge encryption and has limited file-sharing options. Overall, it is ideal for anyone working in the MS Office ecosystem.


7) Koofr

Kripesh’s Rating – 3.8/5

Koofr offers a generous free plan, fast transfers, and good privacy with European servers. It’s secure but lacks zero-knowledge encryption, document editing, and a modern look. Koofr is ideal for basic secure storage, not document editing.

Koofr logo

Pros of Koofr

Generous Free Storage

Koofr offers 10 GB of free cloud storage when you sign up for its free plan.

Good Speeds

The upload and download speeds on Koofr are pretty swift. This makes it a great option for backing up your files and folders. 

European Servers

The data centers of Koofr are housed in Europe, which is excellent from the data security point of view. 

Lots of Integrations

Koofr integrates with popular cloud storage, including Dropbox, Google Drive, Instagram, OneDrive, and Facebook. So you can keep backups of these accounts. 

Good Media Playback

It lets you play all types of files, including videos and audio. However, there are no options to adjust speed, quality, volume, or seek forward/backward.

Good File Sharing

With Koofr, you can set a password and expiry date for your shared files. However, custom passwords are not allowed. It generates a random numeric password you can use.

Supports Selective Sync

Koofr supports a good selective syncing functionality. You can manually select which device folders you wish to sync with the cloud.

Good Security and Versioning

You can protect your logins with 2FA and Yubikey support. You can also create up to 5 versions of your files that are stored for 120 days.

Cons of Koofr

No Zero Knowledge

Unfortunately, Koofr doesn’t offer zero-knowledge encryption on its free plan. Koofr Vault is a zero-knowledge encrypted add-on that can be availed on the paid plans.

No Document Preview and Edit

You cannot preview any Office files or edit them on the free plan of Koofr.

Outdated UI

The user interface of Koofr looks pretty old and outdated from the 90s. They need to work on redesigning it with a modern touch.

Conclusion

With Koofr, you get a generous free plan, fast speeds, European data centers for enhanced privacy, and integrations with popular cloud storage services. It offers good security features like 2FA, versioning, selective sync, and secure file sharing with passwords and expiry dates. 

However, the free plan lacks zero-knowledge encryption and document preview/editing capabilities. The user interface feels outdated as well. Overall, if you need basic file management with good security, you can check Koofr. 


8) Rakuten Drive

Kripesh’s Rating – 3.8/5

Rakuten Drive stands out by offering fast speeds, secure sharing, and document editing features. But its limited free storage, lack of top security, and no desktop app may be drawbacks. You can consider it if you wish to edit files and share them securely. 

Rakuten Drive logo

Pros of Rakuten Drive

Lightning Fast Speeds

With Rakuten Drive, you get super swift speeds. I tried uploading and downloading a large video file and was impressed with the speed. 

Excellent File Sharing

It lets you set a password and link expiry date when sharing files with others. You can also set link permissions like view, edit, or download. This is great for secure file sharing. 

Check Logged-in Devices

You can check which of your devices are logged in to your Rakuten Drive and sign out of any if you want. 

File Preview and Editing

You can preview and play all types of files on Rakuten Drive except music files. It also supports editing documents online.

Good Interface

The user interface of Rakuten Drive is pretty neat and friendly for beginners. It is easy to navigate and looks modern in design. 

Cons Of Rakuten Drive

Misleading Free Storage

Though it offers 10 GB storage on the free plan, you only get 1 GB on sign-up. The rest can be unlocked by verifying and completing your account, sharing folders, and transferring files.

No Zero Knowledge Encryption

Unfortunately, Rakuten Drive lacks zero-knowledge encryption and 2FA support. This may not be good for security.

No Music Player

You cannot play music files on Rakuten Drive. It doesn’t have an in-built music player as of now.

No Desktop Apps

It only features a web app and mobile app for Android and iOS. It doesn’t have a desktop app at the moment.

Conclusion

Rakuten Drive makes its mark with advanced file sharing, blazing-fast speeds, a friendly UI, and document editing functionalities.

However, its free plan storage is misleading. It also lacks zero-knowledge encryption, and the absence of a music player and desktop app limits its functionality.

Overall, Rakuten Drive is best for users prioritizing fast file transfers, secure file sharing, and online document editing. 


9) Jottacloud

Kripesh’s Rating – 3.8/5

Jottacloud shines with its fast speeds, decent free plan, and friendly UI. It boasts strong security, AI photo search, and backups, but lacks zero-knowledge encryption and audio playback. It is ideal for users who need fast uploads, photo management, and document editing.

Jottacloud logo

Pros of Jottacloud

Excellent Speeds

You can enjoy blazing-fast upload and download speeds on Jottacloud.

Decent Free Storage

Upon signing up for a free account, you get 5 GB of cloud storage space.

Selective Sync

The desktop app of Jottacloud allows you to manually select device folders you wish to sync with the cloud. 

Office Online Support

You can preview and edit your files in Office Online. This is great if your work revolves around editing documents on the go!

Modern Interface

The user interface of Jottacloud is super smooth and modern. It is clean and easy to use with an appealing design.

Good Security

Though it lacks zero-knowledge encryption, it offers security features like 2FA and login history. You can check your logged-in devices and browsers with it.

AI Photo Search

If you are searching for a specific photo on your drive, simply type in a keyword and it’ll use AI to bring all relevant images for you! 

Good Backups

You get good mobile backups with Jottacloud. It also allows you to back up your entire device using its desktop app.

Cons Of Jottacloud

No Zero Knowledge Encryption

Zero-knowledge encryption ensures only you can access your data. However, this feature is unavailable on the free plan of Jottacloud. 

No Audio Playback

Jottacloud doesn’t have an in-built audio player at the moment. So audio playback is not supported.

Average File Sharing

You can share your files via public links. However, setting passwords and expiry dates on your shared files is not allowed on the free plan.

Versions Can’t be Restored

You can only download the previous versions of your files. You cannot view or restore them.

Conclusion

Jottacloud comes with a decent free plan, blazing-fast speeds, a selective syncing option, and a modern interface. Good security features, AI-powered photo search, and reliable backups make it stand out. 

However, it lacks zero-knowledge encryption on the free plan, doesn’t support audio playback, and has limited file-sharing options. Overall, Jottacloud is ideal for those who prioritize fast uploads, secure file storage, photo management with AI search, and online document editing. 


10) MediaFire

Kripesh’s Rating – 3.2/5

MediaFire offers decent storage space with fast speeds and a friendly interface, But its weak security, no syncing, limited features, and poor sharing options make it unsuitable for sensitive data. Consider it only for temporary storage of non-critical files.

mediafire logo

Pros of MediaFire

10 GB Free Space

MediaFire offers a decent 10 GB of free storage space when we create an account.

Fast Speeds

I observed fast speeds upon uploading and downloading my files on MediaFire’s web app. 

Decent Interface

The user interface of Mediafire is pretty neat and well-organized. It looks decent for cloud storage.

Cons Of MediaFire

Weak Security 

Forget zero knowledge or 2FA, MediaFire doesn’t even have basic end-to-end encryption! It’s the primary requirement for any cloud storage solution. You shouldn’t store sensitive data here.

Bad Privacy Policy

Similar to Google, Mediafire scans all your uploaded files and auto-delete any copyrighted material. 

No File Syncing or Playback

Unfortunately, Mediafire doesn’t support selective sync or block-level sync on its platform. It also doesn’t allow you to preview, playback, or edit any files. 

No Desktop App

MediaFire is one of the oldest players in the cloud storage market. Sadly, it still doesn’t feature a desktop app!

Poor File Sharing

You cannot set passwords or expiry dates for your shared files.

Conclusion

While MediaFire offers a decent free plan and boasts good speeds with a friendly UI, its security drawbacks are a major concern. It lacks basic encryption, file syncing, file previewing, and a desktop app, and offers poor sharing options.

Overall, MediaFire is not recommended for storing sensitive files due to its weak security features and lack of functionality. If you want to store general data and need fast speeds, you can consider it. 


11) iCloud

Kripesh’s Rating – 3.6/5

iCloud shines with its user-friendly interface, photo syncing, and phone support. However, limited storage, lack of top security, and restricted sharing make it less ideal for users outside the Apple ecosystem or those requiring advanced features.

icloud

Pros of iCloud

Decent Cloud Storage

The free plan of iCloud offers 5 GB of cloud storage space with music, documents, photos, calendars, contacts, etc.

Easy to Use

Apple users find iCloud Drive fairly easy to use. It is extremely easy to set it up with your iCloud account.

Good Privacy Policy

The privacy policy of iCloud is much better and cleaner than Google Drive or Dropbox.

Decent File Syncing

iCloud is best for syncing photos from your Apple devices to the cloud. It doesn’t offer block-level sync and selective sync. But you can select which apps can sync data with the cloud.

Call Support

In case of any queries or doubts, you can schedule calls with their US team. I found the support team very supportive and knowledgeable.

Cons Of iCloud

No Zero Knowledge Encryption

iCloud is end-to-end encrypted and offers 2FA for security. However, it lacks zero-knowledge encryption.

Restrictive Sharing

You can only share files stored on your drive with other users with an Apple ID. Thus, it is not usable outside the Apple ecosystem.

Primarily for Apple Devices

iCloud is designed to work with the Apple ecosystem in general. Thus, you may not find apps for Android and Linux devices. They do have a Windows app though.

No Editing or Versioning

iCloud doesn’t allow you to edit your documents. It also doesn’t store previous versions of your files.

iCloud Scandal

In 2014, photos of many celebrities were leaked from iCloud. After this incident, they enhanced their security and introduced 2FA.

Conclusion

iCloud offers a decent free plan, ease of use, a strong privacy policy, and good photo syncing for Apple users. It also provides phone support with knowledgeable staff. However, its lack of zero-knowledge encryption, restricted file sharing, and limited editing make it less desirable. 

Overall, iCloud is best for Apple users who prioritize a friendly interface, basic file management, and photo storage within the Apple ecosystem.


Why Should You Trust Me?

I’ve been working full-time in the digital industry since 2015. In these years, I’ve tested dozens of free and paid cloud storage services. IcedriveSync, pCloud, and Proton Drive are popular names. Reviews of these tools are available on my blog and YouTube channel.

I still have active subscriptions to most of these cloud storage and use pCloud and Icedrive as my primary storage services. Testing out so many cloud storage providers has given me the knowledge and experience to suggest the right one for your needs.

Conclusion

In this article, we looked at the  Best Free Cloud Storage Services for 2024. I hope it helped you figure out which free cloud storage provider is the best for your requirements. I use Google Drive for collaboration with my team and have purchased the lifetime plans of pCloud and Icedrive.

In case you want to upgrade to a paid cloud storage solution, you should check out my article on Best Cloud Storage in India 2024. Anyway, if you have any doubts about these free cloud storage options, leave them in the comments box below. I would be glad to answer them. 

If you liked this content, you can subscribe to my Newsletter for all the latest information on digital and AI tools! This is Kripesh signing off. Keep growing and stay safe! 🙂 

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Kripesh Adwani

Kripesh Adwani is a digital tool expert who buys, tests, and reviews SAAS tools for small businesses. Based on 10+ years of experience in tech he provides insightful reviews. His content is widely consumed, serving millions of users each month. Kripesh has also been featured in more than 50 publications, including The Economic Times, The Free Press Journal & Cloudways.

22 thoughts on “12 Best Free Cloud Storage Providers (2024) – The Ultimate List”

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    Reply
  2. This post provides valuable content regarding cloud storage. But TeraBox is not open in India; I will definitely try Mega cloud storage. Thanks again for sharing valuable content.

    Reply
  3. As of May 2023 Degoo are STILL carrying out the same shady business practices as before. They hide behind a ‘bot’ who claims you have been uploading and sharing content that you do not own. I first encountered this ‘bot’ in 2021 when it accused me of this so I uploaded proof which Degoo accepted. However in 2023 I received a message from Degoo claiming the exact same thing with the same content. I replied to explain this to them and this time they claimed my ‘appeal’ was rejected.

    I replied again with additional evidence and explained to them what will happen if they delete my account. They said “Unfortunately, uploading copyrighted materials, even legally purchased ones, is not allowed”. This information is going to be used against them because if it is legal to have the files on your computer it is also legal to have a backup of those files. It also does not infringe their own terms and conditions. They may claim it infringes 7.4 but in fact it doesn’t since no laws are being broken. Of course if you’re sharing copyrighted content it would be a different story.

    I will not stand for companies trying to accuse their customers of breach of contract as a way to get out of providing lifetime services.

    Here’s the longer story..

    I paid a one-off fee for a lifetime 10TB Degoo Ultimate subscription and that is exactly what I’m going to get from them unless they want to see the consequences of their actions.

    Ironically they do provide the service they claim to provide in that you can upload your content to their site for backup purposes. What you need to watch out for is their company trying to renege on the service you paid for under false pretences. Be sure to do your research and hold their owners to account.

    On 17th May 2023 Degoo changed tack and no longer referred to sharing content after I proved that I could not be possibly sharing anything from there.

    On 17th May 2023 ‘Gerry’ at Degoo said “Hello, Unfortunately, uploading copyrighted materials, even legally purchased ones, is not allowed. Deleting flagged files after they were found by the copyright bot is not a valid reason to approve an appeal or cancel file deletion. The account is unlocked and any active subscriptions are reinstated. Unfortunately, your files are no longer recoverable. Sincerely, Gerry, Degoo Support”

    The problem with Gerry’s message is that there is no law against making a backup of your content regardless of whether it is copyrighted (if it’s legal on your computer then it’s legal in backup form elsewhere). There are of course laws against sharing copyrighted content but my lifetime account with Degoo came with sharing disabled. In the absence of laws the question of whether backing up copyrighted content where the customer has paid for the content comes down to the terms of service. Degoo’s terms of service as of 16th May 2023 do not mention the backing up of content which the customer has paid for.

    Unfortunately for Degoo I will not let this matter rest until I receive a formal apology from one of their key players for actively trying to close lifetime accounts under false pretences. I shall update this review if I receive such an apology.

    In the meantime I have reported the matter to various authorities governing companies such as this in Sweden starting with The Swedish Consumer Agency who have opened a case for the matter. I strongly advise other victims to do the same to stop Degoo doing the same with others. Keep records of your communications with Degoo as evidence.

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  4. As a tech professional, I appreciate this comprehensive list of free cloud storage options for 2024. The breakdown of each provider, like Mega, pCloud, and Google Drive, along with their pros and cons, is really helpful.
    It’s great to see options that cater to different needs, from secure storage with Sync to developer tools like GitHub. Thanks for the detailed insights—looking forward to more informative articles!

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