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Best Free Cloud Storage For Everybody (2021 Review)

Less than ten years ago, dozens and dozens of free cloud services were around the internet fighting to be the Best Free Cloud Storage. With high competition and high cost crushing the smaller players, we only have a few significant players. We will look at the best free cloud storage available, list the strength and weaknesses so you can make a decision that suits your needs.

What is Cloud Storage?

Cloud storage is a model of pooled disk drives that span across multiple servers. These servers are available on networks, like the internet, and allow users to store, retrieve and edit files. This server storage model on the internet is often represented as cloud spaces in technical diagrams, thus getting the name Cloud storage. Even though cloud storage comes in many forms, the Best Free Cloud Storage must be available to any user online and require a simple email address setup.

Add on Tools

All of our Best Free Cloud Storage services listed below allow access using a standard web browser. They also have add-on tools or apps that will enable you to access the service optimally and securely. Many of the best free cloud storage providers recommend using these tools because they add an extra layer of encryption or authentication. Below each free cloud service has its tool linked in the Sync App column.

Overview of Best Free Cloud Storage Services

Here is the Best Free Cloud Storage breakdown of each service and how they compare to each other. All providers of this free cloud service offer a paid premium service, but this overview explicitly looks at only the free service. We base the outline on the three most essential components: Client Encryption, Free Space, and Max File Size.

HOSTFREE SPACEMAX FILE SIZECLIENT END ENCRYPTIONSync App
Microsoft OneDrive5GB
(up to 10GB)
100GBNoOneDrive
Google Drive15GB5TBNoDrive
Apple iCloud5GB2TBNoiCloud
Mega15GB
(up to 50GB)
No LimitYesMegaSync
MediaFire10GB
(up to 50GB)
20GBYesMediaFire Mobile
Yandex Disk10 GB
(up to 20GB)
2GB, 50GB with AppNoYandex.Disk
Best Free Cloud Storage Overview Table

Best Free Cloud Storage Providers

Microsoft OneDrive 2.5

Space 2/5
Max file size 4/5
Client End Encryption 1/5

The tech giant Microsoft operates OneDrive (formally SkyDrive). OneDrive will complement many of the services already in use for users deeply integrated into the Microsoft ecosystem. Office users can easily access files from free cloud service for editing with a couple of quick clicks. Windows users can store personal settings from Windows or BitLocker recovery keys securely. Though they are a little light on free space with 5GB, you can increase it to 10GB by referring other users to the service.

Google Drive 3.5

Space 4/5
Max file size 5/5
Client End Encryption 1/5

Google Drive is a top choice for many users because of its simple, clean, and easy-to-use interface. Even when your transfer limit has exceeded, there is a method to bypass it. A considerable advantage of this free cloud service is its search feature. If you have hundreds or thousands of files you want to shift through and find, the drive’s search option will allow you to find what you are looking for quickly. Free comes with a price here, as with all other Google products. The algorithm is indexing and tracking files in and out of the free cloud service, and it’s not clear how that information is used and kept

Apple iCloud 2.0

Space 1/5
Max file size 4/5
Client End Encryption 1/5

This free cloud service is another product that’s all about its eco-system. Like the Microsoft service, Apple users that are full integrated with Apple hardware will feel like iCloud is almost a requirement. I think the prompts to sign up for their paid service are a little too pushy. You are regularly prompted to sign up for assistance whenever your iPhone or iPad auto backs up photos or runs through a system update.

Mega 5.0

Space 5/5
Max file size 5/5
Client End Encryption 5/5

Out of all the free cloud services on this list, Mega is my favorite for a few reasons. To begin, they respect your privacy and offer client-end encryption. They don’t care and don’t want to know what you have in this free cloud service. Your files are your business, and they respect that. Next, Mega allows you to store up to 15GB worth of files, and this can be increased to 50GB if you refer other users to their service. This bypass method helps get around some limits but is often not needed. Last, they have no cap on file size. If you make videos, this means a lot because HD quality videos can chew up space quickly, and sharing them with your team can be difficult.

MediaFire 4.5

Space 5/5
Max filesize 4/5
Client End Encryption 5/5

Like Mega, Media allows up to 50GB of storage (with referrals) and store files with few restrictions. The max file size is a decent 20GB, and they also allow client end encryption which is very valuable. A negative point, or annoying point, is the amount have ads they present on the download page when you follow a link to their site—considering that it helps them pay the bills to offer this free cloud service, it’s something to overlook. Once you have an account, the process of uploading files is pretty straightforward.

Yandex Disk 2.5

Space 4/5
Max Filesize 3/5
Client End Encryption 1/5

This not-so-common service is from the Russian search giant Yandex. The free cloud service has no restrictions on the length of time files can be stored on their servers and offer a complimentary virus scan to ensure files are not infected. The service can be easily accessed through a browser or by using their app. You will start off with 10GB of free space and increase up to 20GB by referring to the service.

Conclusion

I will say that we are slightly biased in this review for Best Free Cloud Storage and that we lean more towards Mega. Because they have been around for so long and have a very strong reputation of putting the end-user above all, I think they deserve it. In a world where everybody is trying to sell personal information without authorization, it’s hard to find a company that actually draws a hardline and refuses to do it. So if you are looking for the Best Free Cloud Storage and value your privacy, I think you should pick Mega.

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