If you’re looking for good cloud-based service, then check out our cloud storage comparison. We are going to tell you everything you’ll need to know about cloud storage, starting with monthly storage allotment, pricing tiers, and additional services.
Cloud storage is the best way to go in order to prevent hard disk cluttering.
Why Go Cloud?
Because, at some point in the future, we’ve got to come to terms with the fact that traditional storage devices like hard drives, external hard drives, memory cards, and sticks will become obsolete. As networks grow, so does our need to keep our files away from harm’s way.
That’s where cloud storage kicks in, and the idea is as elegant as it is commodious: you can stash everything you can think of on the cloud, without having to clutter your PC’s or Mac’s internal memory.
By switching to a cloud-based solution you’ll ensure not only that your hard drive remains pristine, but you’ll also have a contingency plan in case something goes wrong. Most cloud-based storage services have great offers when it comes to storage allotment, with a pricing tier tailored after your profile.
So, whether you’re the owner of a company or a simple user, there’s always a solution for your storage needs. Check out our cloud storage comparison section for more information on cloud products.
The Best Cloud Storage Services in 2024
Here’s a rundown of the best cloud storage services that you can use. Note that while some of them are business-oriented, there are a few designed for simple users.
1. Backblaze
Backblaze is widely considered one of the best cloud storage services out there on the market. Although most users view it as a product more suitable to cloud beginners than pros, it still manages to keep its rank.
This cloud-based storage service is very easy to use, and in a matter of minutes, users can begin taking advantage if its functions. Even though Backblaze is mostly oriented towards backup and recovery than storage, it has a lot of offers.
The first aspect that recommends Backblaze as a good and reliable cloud storage service is that it makes no difference between personal and business plans. The pricing tiers are the same for both profiles. Thus, both categories of users can reap the advantage of unlimited storage allotment.
Price | Storage Allotment |
5 Dollars/ month | Unlimited Storage |
50 dollars/ year | Unlimited Storage |
95 dollars/ 2-year plan | Unlimited Storage |
2. CrashPlan
CrashPlan is another good choice if you’re looking for a reliable and wallet-friendly cloud storage service provider. One great feature that recommends CrashPlan as a cloud storage service is its improved performance features.
In just a matter of seconds, the manager will scan and back up everything you have on the computer without consuming additional memory resources. As a cloud storage service, CrashPlan is one of the best choices out there, no matter what your profile is.
CrashPlan offers three price tiers: a Code42 CrashPlan Standard edition, which is mainly addressed to families or individual users, a Code42 CrashPlan Premium edition tailored specifically for small businesses which want to try out a cloud solution and a Code43 CrashPlan Enterprise edition, for corporations.
Pricing starts at 6 dollars per month and goes all the way up to 50 dollars per month, based on the selected edition.
Edition | Price | Storage Allotment |
Code42 CrashPlan Standard | 6 dollars/month/user * | 15 GB/user ** |
Code42 CrashPlan Premium | 9 dollars/month/user * | 50 GB/user ** |
Code42 CrashPlan Enterprise | Contact Required | Unlimited Storage |
*The offer is available if the users opt for a yearly subscription with a minimum of 25 subscribers.
**Number based on how many subscribers there are.
3. SOS Online Backup
If you’re running on a tight budget, then SOS Online Backup is the answer to all your cloud-related problems. Even though this cloud service is more suitable for backup and recovery than storage, it still manages to dazzle clients with its smart deals and large storage allotment.
Another positive aspect of using the SOS Online Backup as your default cloud storage service is that it features a continuous backup and monitoring system, which automatically detects any changes made to your files and updates the backup archive.
Price | Storage Allotment |
5 dollars/month | 50 GB |
7.99 dollars/month | 100 GB |
9.99 dollars/month | 150 GB |
12.99 dollars/month | 250 GB |
20.99 dollars/month | 500 GB |
39.99 dollars/month | 1 TB |
159.99 dollars/month | 5 TB |
299.99 dollars/month | 10 TB |
4. Dropbox
Dropbox is, without a doubt, considered a King among cloud storage providers, being used by millions of users all over the world. The reason why Dropbox has gained so much popularity is that of its integration feature.
Whenever you need to put something on the cloud, just right-click on the file or folder and select the Dropbox feature. Moreover, Dropbox is even compliant with Microsoft 365, which means you can modify and create MS documents on the go while working directly on the cloud.
Docs and files aren’t the only things you can share using Dropbox. Having a good storage allotment plan, users can share up to 2 GB of files, folders, docs, and pictures, without having to pay any fees.
Like Backblaze, Dropbox has a 30-day file recovery system, which means that you can always retrieve your data lost within a 30-day interval.
This is why Dropbox features in our cloud storage comparison article.
Edition | Price | Storage Allotment |
Basic | Free | 2 GB |
Pro | 11.21 dollars/month | 1 TB |
Business | 13.47 dollars/ month | Unlimited Storage |
5. Flickr
When it comes to storing all your favorite photographic or video memories, Flickr is the best ways to go. So, whether you’re an amateur photographer who wants a good place to store all your favorite moments spent with your friends and family or a pro who doesn’t want all his work going to waste, Flickr is a good choice. It does not impose any restrictions as to the number of photos or their sizes.
And, as far as photo-storing clouds go, Flickr offers a storage allotment of 1 TB for a free account.
Edition | Price | Storage Allotment |
Basic | Free | 1 TB |
Pro | 5.99 dollars/year | Unlimited storage |
Cloud Storage Comparison – The conclusions
Here are some of the pros and cons of using one cloud storage provider over the other.
BackBlaze | CrashPlan | SOS Online Backup | Dropbox | Flickr | |
Pricing | 5$/month or 50 dollars per year | 6$/month; 9$/month; business plan | 5.99$;7.99$;9.99$;12.99$;20.99$;39.99$; 159.99$; 259.99$ | Free; 11.21$; 13.47$ | Free;5.99$/ year |
Storage Allotment | Unlimited Storage | 15 GB; 50GB; Unlimited | 50GB; 100GB; 150GB;250GB; 500GB; 1TB; 5TB; 10TB. | 2GB; 1TB; Unlimited | 1TB; Unlimited |
Windows App | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Mac App | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Android App | No | No | Yes | No | No |
Free Trial | 15 Days | 30 Days | 30 Days | No | No |
File Sharing | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Sync | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Recovery Time | 30 Days | Unlimited | Unlimited | 30 Days | Unlimited |
Integration | No | No | No | Yes | No |
Security Protocols | AES/SSL | TSL | LDAP | OAuth | OAuth |
Cloud Storage Comparison – Our Verdict
In our cloud storage comparison, we were careful to include only the most relevant criteria you should use when choosing a cloud-based provider for your business. Like any other software, each provider has its pros and cons, some of them better suited for a specific job than others.
For example, if you own a small business, it’s easier and less expensive to opt for Dropbox or for CrashPlan than Backblaze or Flickr. Also, keep in mind that not all platforms can be accessed using mobile applications.
In order to conclude our cloud storage comparison, we have only one more order of business: profile. To choose the best cloud storage service out there, you must first figure out your profile. Owners of small or large businesses should look toward cloud services that have a good storage allotment plan while individual users should opt for cheap cloud solutions.