Cheapest Cloud Storage in 2020 for All Your Files

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There are many cloud storage services out there, but which one is better? And how do you define “best” at all, because that word to me means “the most that I can get without paying anything.”

Whether you are a curmudgeon like me, or you don’t mind investing money monthly to host your critical files on a company server, there are many cloud storage providers to choose from. And since these providers change their prices and plans quite often, it’s important to stay on top of all of this so you know you’re getting the best deal.

Here’s a quick look at some of the major cloud storage players and their services depending on how much you’re willing to pay. Our list includes Amazon , Apple , Box , Dropbox , Google One , Mega, andOneDrive / Office 365 .

Best free cloud storage plan

Winner: Google (annoying data / transfer limit)

Best cloud storage plan for less than $ 5 / month

  • Amazon : 1 TB for $ 5 a month (billed annually , that’s $ 60. Also available: 100 GB for $ 1.60 a month if you pay annually, or $ 2 a month if you pay monthly) ?
  • Apple : 200GB for $ 3 / month (also available : 50GB for $ 1 / month) ?
  • Box : DNE ❌
  • Dropbox : DNE ❌
  • Google : 200GB for $ 3 / month (or $ 30 / year, which brings it down to $ 2.5 / month) ?
  • IDrive : 5TB ($ 5.79 per month or $ 69.50 per year, although they may have promotions for your first year) ? ?
  • Mega : DNE (400GB for € 5 / month, so your final USD price at the time of this writing is only about $ 6 / month) ❌
  • OneDrive : 100GB ($ 2 / month) ❌

Winner: IDrive , although it’s actually more of an online backup service than anything else. If you need simpler cloud storage, Amazon is a great alternative.

Best cloud storage plan under $ 10 / month

  • Amazon : 2TB for $ 10 / month (billed annually, i.e. $ 120; billed $ 12 / month monthly) ?
  • Apple : 2TB for $ 10 a month ?
  • Box : 100GB for $ 10 a month (5GB individual file limit) ❌
  • Dropbox : 2TB for $ 10 / month (billed annually; $ 12 / month billed monthly ) ?
  • Google : 2TB for $ 10 / month (or $ 100 / year, which brings it down to $ 8.33 / month) ?
  • IDrive : 10 TB ($ 8.33 / month or $ 100 / year) ? ?
  • Mega : 200 GB for € 5 per month (about $ 6 per month; 1TB tariff – about $ 12 per month) ❌
  • OneDrive / Office 365 : 1TB for $ 7 / month (or $ 70 / year, whichbrings it down to $ 5.80 / month. You can also add additional storage for $ 2 for 200GB, billed monthly) ?

Winner: IDrive again, if you don’t mind tinkering with a service that is more focused on backups. Otherwise, take advantage of the small annual Google discount .

Best cloud storage plan for under $ 20 / month

  • Amazon : 4TB for $ 20 / month (billed annually for $ 240) ?
  • Apple : 2TB for $ 10 a month ?
  • Box : 100GB for $ 10 a month (5GB individual file limit) ❌
  • Dropbox : 3TB for $ 16.58 / month (billed annually; $ 20 / month if billed monthly) ?
  • Google : 2TB for $ 10 / month (or $ 100 / year, which brings it down to $ 8.33 / month) ?
  • IDrive : 10 TB ($ 8.33 / month or $ 100 / year) ? ?
  • Mega : 1TB 10 € / mo (about $ 12 / month, 4TB plan – about $ 24 / month) ❌
  • OneDrive / Office 365 : 1TB for $ 7 / month (or $ 70 / year, which brings it down to $ 5.80 / month. You can also add additional storage for $ 2 for 200GB, billed monthly) ?

Winner: IDrive (there is a pattern here). Google and Amazon come second if you want basic cloud storage and better apps.

Special Bonus: Lifetime Storage

I do not quite understand where to place pCloud on our list; its regular plans aren’t very competitive, but it’s one of the few cloud storage services I’ve come across that offers a lifetime storage plan. Assuming pCloud will stay for a long time – and I believe so, given that it launched in 2013 or so and recently announced in 2019 that it is profitable – his life plans are a pretty intriguing deal. At $ 480 for lifetime access to 500GB or $ 980 for 2TB, their regular prices are slightly high, but pCloud is currently running a promotion that brings those costs down to $ 175 and $ 350, respectively. Take advantage of the subscription promotion and use the service for several years and you will save tons of money compared to other cloud services.

Update Aug 2020: I’ve updated all the prices in this guide and added an analysis from IDrive, which, you know, covered all categories. I don’t like its interface compared to something like Google Drive, but if all you care about is a lot of storage space on the cheap, this service is impossible to beat. I also talked a little about pCloud’s life plans, which can be a great alternative to everything else on this list.

June 26, 2019 update: Microsoft announced its new OneDrive Personal Vault , a secure section of an existing OneDrive setup that requires stricter security measures (such as an additional PIN, fingerprint, or authenticator code) to access. The company is also increasing the storage capacity of its OneDrive plans, and we’ve updated our article with new details.

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