Best Free Cloud Storage in 2024 – Review Updated on Dec 2024

Cloud storage is an online space to save and access your data and files from anywhere. It’s perfect for keeping your files, sharing with others, and freeing up your computer, tablet and phone storage space. Which free cloud storage option is best for you, considering the various choices available?

Consider which free cloud storage offers the most features. Consider how much free space they give you, how safe your stuff will be, what cool things they can do, and whether they work well with your device.

We will check out some of the five best free cloud storage picks in 2024. 

Cloud storage has unique appeals you will never find in non-cloud storage options.

• The most significant advantage of cloud storage is data accessibility from anywhere in the world. This feature is attractive to companies whose teams collaborate worldwide.

• Another vital is cost-effectiveness, which allows you to pay only for the space you use. With other storage devices, you end up paying for more space than you require because of the predefined storage capacity standards. 

• Cloud storage options allow multiple user access. Employees working in other office branches or remotely from their homes can access the data anytime.

• The flexibility and scalability will enable you to upscale your storage capacity instantly, and you do not even have to move data from one place to another as in the case of other non-cloud storage options.

Google Drive is a widely embraced free online storage service with over a billion users. It offers a generous 15 GB of free storage and free cloud services. It provides an adaptable platform for storing photos, documents and spreadsheets with seamless sharing and collaboration.

Accessible on computers, phones, or tablets, Google Drive ensures availability even offline. Google Drive is a natural choice if you want free photo storage and free cloud storage for photos. If you are considering GDrive, we have a detailed review on Google Drive.

Dropbox is another free cloud storage with over 500 million active users. Dropbox offers a modest 2 GB of free file storage. Though seemingly limited, Dropbox distinguishes itself with remarkable user-friendliness.

Effortless syncing spans Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS, ensuring universal file access—one of the best choices for an app that offers free online photo storage.

Introducing Dropbox Paper, a collaborative document editor, adds another layer of appeal—security features aligned with industry standards and robust encryption for data in transit and at rest. Users wield control over sharing settings and permissions, complemented by two-factor authentication and password protection.

Without a doubt, Dropbox is the best free cloud storage. While the 2 GB Online free cloud storage might be limited, opportunities to earn additional space through referrals and tasks exist. For those seeking expansive storage, options like Dropbox Plus (£7.99 per month) or Dropbox Professional (£16.58 per month) are available.

Tailored for Apple devotees, iCloud offers a commendable 5 GB of free storage. Seamless integration with Apple’s suite, featuring Pages, Numbers, Keynote, Notes, and Reminders, enriches the user experience. iCloud ensures effortless backup, synchronisation of settings and preferences, and universal accessibility. 

Security measures, embracing encryption for data in transit and at rest, contribute to a robust privacy framework. Like its counterparts, the 5 GB free storage is shared with iCloud Mail and iCloud Photos, urging contemplation of additional storage options, starting at £0.99 per month for 50 GB. 

Check out this article to learn how many backups iCloud keeps on your iPhone.

iDrive distinguishes itself by focusing on both personal and business plans. It offers 5 GB of free storage through its web app. iDrive supports diverse file formats and ensures seamless syncing across Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS devices.

Security takes precedence, as evidenced by encryption for data in transit and at rest. Users control sharing settings and permissions, protected by two-factor authentication and password protection.

While the 5 GB free storage might pose limitations for professional users, upgrading to iDrive Personal (£65.84 per year) or iDrive Business (£65.84 per year), offering 5 TB or 10 TB of storage, provides scalability iDrive, one of the cheapest cloud storage you can afford.

Check out our detailed review on iDrive vs Backblaze for the best Cloud Storage UK.

Designed for Windows users and Microsoft Office enthusiasts, OneDrive provides 5 GB of free storage. It integrates seamlessly into Microsoft’s suite, which features Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook, enhancing overall productivity. For those looking for cheap online storage, OneDrive provides a cost-effective solution.

OneDrive excels at syncing settings, preferences, and data across devices. Its security features, including encryption for data in transit and at rest, contribute to a robust privacy framework. Like its counterparts, the 5 GB free storage is shared with Outlook.com and Skype accounts, signifying potential saturation.

OneDrive is the best cloud storage for photos accessible, and you can get additional storage starting at £6.99 monthly for 1 TB. If you plan to store critical documents on OneDrive, you must learn how to backup OneDrive effortlessly. 

As your data is away from you, somewhere within the vicinity of your cloud service provider, you might need clarification about whether your data is safe. Another area for clarification is whether someone from the public can access your data from the cloud. The data on the cloud is secure, and let’s see how.

• Your data is safe because a password protects it, and encryption technologies play their roles. They are used to prevent others from interpreting it. No one can access your data without a password, and the encryption prevents others from reading it. 

• Cloud service providers use redundancy. They duplicate your data to another location. If one storage device loses data, they will provide it from other locations. 

• Cloud service providers have solid mechanisms to avoid data breaches. They update their infrastructure so no hacker or virus can infect the system. They consult data security consultants to safeguard the data better and mitigate all possibilities of data breaches and attacks.

Although there are numerous advantages to using cloud storage options, there are also some limitations.

• The first one is to be internet-dependent. A good internet connection will be necessary. Furthermore, for massive data, you need more usable internet volume.

• Migrating data from one cloud storage service provider to another is tedious, and moving large amounts of data becomes hectic. That is why large-scale businesses do not shift to other cloud storage service providers but stick to the existing ones. Such a scenario is called vendor lock-in.

• You cannot customise your storage set-up in cloud storage. For large-scale businesses requiring complex storage needs, this incapability of customisation and lack of data control according to their needs would be challenging to adjust.

Some of the Important Aspects to Consider when selecting a Cloud storage provider, carefully consider several vital factors, such as:

• Free Storage: What does the provider give for free?

• Paid Plans: What is the difference in price between paid plans, and what is the amount of storage available in paid plans?

• Scalability: If you need more document space, can you conveniently add more storage to your configurations?

• Encryption: LMS? Is your data encrypted to protect it?

• Two-Factor Authentication: Can two-factor authentication be made available to boost the security signage of a system?

• Data Recovery: What does the provider do if someone accidentally deletes data or if the system crashes altogether?

• Sharing Permissions: Can you share files with others and set their rights to access those files for you?

• Real-time Collaboration: Is there real-time document sharing between the provider’s users?

• Version Control: Do you have the ability to crack previous versions of your files?

• Desktop Apps: Can Windows, Mac OS, and Linux desktop applications be used?

• Mobile Apps: Are there iOS and Android applications?

• Web Interface: Is it possible to organise storage on the Internet and use its resources as if you are using a USB with a free connection to the Internet?

• Offline Access: Do you have the ability to open your files even without an internet connection?

• File Synchronisation: Another option is whether the provider automatically synchronises files between your devices.

• Backup and Restore: To what extent are such features available at the provider, and does it provide a tool for backup and restore?

The cloud storage provider you select will depend on the needs they have met you. Here are some factors to consider:

• Free Storage: Choose a provider that offers a large amount of free storage space.

• Easy-to-Use Interface: For personal use, a clear with having easy-to-use functions is essential.

• Mobile Access: Let’s take an example of a provider with excellent mobile app support.

• Security Features: Fast and uncompromising encryption and two-factor authentication should be paramount when choosing the platform.

• File Sharing and Collaboration: You should also consider the availability of a particular service provider who can collaborate in real time and share files.

• Advanced Features: For version control, file recovery, and sharing, you may look for specific email options, such as the ability to roll back an email, save a copy, and restrict who can forward the mail.

• Large File Storage: If you have large files and plan to transfer image or video files online, you need space to store them.

• File Sharing and Collaboration: Find a provider that allows seamless file transfers to clients and file sharing with other team members.

• Backup and Recovery: The creative workforce requires a dependable standby and reverence solution.

• Free Storage: Ideally, providers should give students ample free storage to encourage their use of the internet source.

• Easy File Sharing: A provider that offers files students can easily share with classmates and professors is applicable.

• Offline Access: Online access may be helpful when students need to read during their spare time or the ride.

Here are some tips to help you make the most of your cloud storage:

• Organise Your Files: Creating a well-structured folder system is essential for easier file browsing.

• Delete Unnecessary Files: Periodically, you should remove files you don’t require as they take up space.

• Compress Large Files: Although using Small Files may be optimal for data storage and sharing, data can be compressed to Small Files, even in large format, to reduce the region’s storage space.

• Use Cloud Storage for Backups: Operate with cloud storage for backup data, such as necessary documents, photographs, and videos.

• Take Advantage of Additional Features: Check other services provided by your cloud storage service, such as sharing, editing, or collaborating on files with others.

Selecting a preferred Best free cloud storage UK is similar to choosing a preferred gadget. The decision depends on the features offered by each product and aligning them with individual needs. One must carefully consider storage, user-friendliness, and integration into daily routine.

Whether one favours the adaptable features of Google Drive, the straightforward functionality of Dropbox, the seamless connectivity with Apple devices provided by iCloud, the diverse feature set of iDrive, or the compatibility with Microsoft products offered by OneDrive. A personalised, cheap cloud storage solution is available for every user, ensuring scalability.

As you explore these storage options, go for what feels suitable. These services simplify your digital life and ensure your files are always there when needed.