Best free cloud storage in the UK: 2026 comparison

The best free cloud storage in the UK depends on what you need to store and which devices you use. Google gives the largest clearly documented general allowance in this comparison at up to 15 GB, but that space is shared with Gmail and Google Photos. Hivenet currently advertises 10 GB free for everyday files and photos. Proton Drive is the stronger privacy-first choice, while OneDrive and iCloud fit naturally into Microsoft and Apple devices.

Free plans change often. The figures below were checked against provider documentation on 20 August 2026. Treat promotional or earned storage separately from the amount available immediately after signup.

If you are comparing paid plans, business controls, or higher storage limits, use our broader guide to the best cloud storage services for UK users.

Best free cloud storage in the UK at a glance

“Free allowance” means account storage, not an unlimited backup service. File-version history, recovery windows, transfer quotas, collaboration controls, and support can differ sharply between free and paid plans.

Our practical picks

• Best for Google collaboration: Google Drive
• Best for encrypted distributed storage: Hivenet
• Best privacy-first option: Proton Drive
• Best for Windows: Microsoft OneDrive
• Best for Apple devices: iCloud
• Best for straightforward cross-platform sharing: Dropbox

There is no honest “best overall” without knowing whether storage capacity, privacy, office collaboration, device backup, or easy sharing matters most.

Hivenet: 10 GB of encrypted, distributed storage

Store with Hivenet currently includes 10 GB free for everyday files and photo backup. Hivenet says files are encrypted, split into fragments, and distributed across its storage infrastructure. It also states that files and photos are not used to train AI models.

That makes Hivenet worth considering if you want a European-led alternative to the largest platform vendors and prefer a distributed storage design. Check the current product page before signup for device support and features available on your operating system.

Google Drive: up to 15 GB shared across Google services

Google accounts include up to 15 GB at no charge. The important detail is that the allowance is shared across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos, so a busy inbox or photo library can leave much less room for files.

Google Drive is the strongest free choice here for real-time work in Docs, Sheets, and Slides. It is less compelling if you want storage separated from email or if end-to-end encryption controlled only by you is a requirement.

pCloud: up to 10 GB after account tasks

pCloud advertises up to 10 GB of free storage, but the full amount is not necessarily available immediately. Its official help centre explains that users unlock space through onboarding tasks and referrals.

pCloud can suit people who want to access media across devices and may later consider one of its paid plans. Treat the advertised maximum as an earned allowance, not a guaranteed starting balance.

Microsoft OneDrive: 5 GB for Microsoft accounts

Microsoft provides 5 GB of free cloud storage with a Microsoft account. That storage covers OneDrive files and photos and is also used by some Microsoft account data, including Outlook.com attachments.

OneDrive is the most natural choice for Windows users who already work in File Explorer and Microsoft 365. Microsoft currently supports individual OneDrive files up to 250 GB, although transfer method and account conditions still matter.

Apple iCloud: 5 GB for the Apple ecosystem

Apple includes 5 GB of iCloud storage for free. The same allowance can hold iCloud backups, iCloud Photos, iCloud Drive files, and other synced data.

iCloud works smoothly across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, but 5 GB can disappear quickly once device backups and photos are enabled. It is usually a convenience choice for Apple users, not the most generous general file-storage plan.

Proton Drive: 2 GB initially, with up to 5 GB after setup

Proton Drive uses end-to-end encryption for file contents, filenames, and folder names. A new free account starts with 2 GB and can reach 5 GB after the user completes a welcome checklist within the stated window, according to Proton’s storage guidance.

Choose Proton Drive when privacy matters more than the largest possible allowance. Be precise when comparing it with other providers: “up to 5 GB” includes storage earned through setup tasks.

Dropbox Basic: 2 GB and simple sharing

Dropbox Basic includes 2 GB and supports access through desktop, mobile, and web apps. The free plan is easy to understand and useful for lightweight syncing or sharing, but it connects up to three devices and offers much less storage than Google Drive or Hivenet.

Dropbox remains a sensible option when recipients already know its sharing workflow and storage capacity is a secondary concern.

MEGA: verify the current free offer before signup

MEGA is widely associated with privacy-focused cloud storage and a comparatively large free tier. Its account promotions and transfer allowances have changed over time, so this guide does not present a fixed figure that could mislead new users. Check the current MEGA signup offer and its transfer limits before choosing it for large files.

Capacity is only part of the decision. Recovery options, account-inactivity rules, transfer quotas, and your ability to export data can matter just as much.

How to choose a free cloud-storage service

Separate guaranteed storage from earned or promotional storage

A provider may advertise a headline maximum that requires installing apps, verifying an account, inviting friends, or completing a checklist. Compare the space available on day one first, then note any extra allowance and whether it expires.

Check what shares the allowance

Google’s free storage is shared with Gmail and Google Photos. Microsoft’s allowance also covers more than files stored in OneDrive. Apple’s 5 GB can be consumed by device backups and photos. A headline figure does not tell you how much room will remain for documents.

Match the service to your devices

Check current apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android rather than assuming every provider supports every platform equally. Also check whether offline access, photo backup, and online-only files are included on the free plan.

Understand the encryption model

Encryption in transit and at rest protects data in different situations from end-to-end encryption where the provider does not hold the decryption key. If you store sensitive information, read the provider’s security documentation and account-recovery rules. Strong encryption can also mean permanent data loss if you lose a private recovery key or passphrase.

Review deletion, recovery, and inactivity rules

Free accounts may have shorter version histories, limited recovery windows, or inactivity policies. Keep a second copy of important files and test that you can export them before relying on any service.

What UK GDPR means for cloud storage

A UK or EU server location does not automatically make a cloud service compliant. The UK Information Commissioner’s Office explains that organisations remain responsible for how personal data is processed when they use a cloud provider. For international transfers, the legal analysis also depends on the organisations involved, not only the physical server location.

If you use cloud storage for work or customer data, review the provider’s contract, subprocessors, international-transfer terms, access controls, deletion process, security evidence, and incident handling. The ICO recommends security measures appropriate to the risk, including encryption where appropriate. See the ICO’s data-security guidance and its international-transfer guidance.

For ordinary personal storage, UK GDPR compliance is not a substitute for basic account security. Use a unique password, enable multi-factor authentication, protect recovery codes, and encrypt especially sensitive files before upload when appropriate.

Should you combine several free accounts?

Combining free services can increase total capacity, but it also creates more accounts, recovery methods, privacy policies, and places to search. A simple split can work: collaborative documents in Google Drive, device backups in iCloud or OneDrive, and sensitive files in an end-to-end encrypted service.

Do not treat several free accounts as a complete backup strategy. Keep at least one independent copy of irreplaceable data and make sure you can restore it. Our guide to cloud sync and cloud backup explains why synchronisation alone does not protect against every form of deletion or account loss.

When a paid plan makes sense

Upgrade when storage management consumes time, when you need longer recovery history, when a team requires administration and audit controls, or when a business needs contractual guarantees. Avoid choosing a paid plan on capacity alone. Compare export options, support, security documentation, data-processing terms, and the cost of leaving later.

Frequently asked questions

Which free cloud storage gives the most space in the UK?

Among the clearly documented general allowances in this comparison, Google offers up to 15 GB, shared across Drive, Gmail, and Photos. Hivenet advertises 10 GB. pCloud offers up to 10 GB after tasks and referrals. MEGA’s current signup offer should be checked directly because allowances and promotions can change.

Which free cloud storage is best for privacy?

Proton Drive is the clearest privacy-first option in this group because it documents end-to-end encryption for file contents and names. Hivenet also documents encrypted, fragmented, distributed storage. Read each provider’s current recovery and key-management documentation before relying on it for sensitive files.

Is free cloud storage safe for important files?

It can be one part of a backup plan, but no single account should hold the only copy of an important file. Enable multi-factor authentication, keep recovery details secure, and retain an independent backup.

Does UK GDPR require data to stay on UK servers?

No simple server-location rule answers every case. The organisations involved, processor relationships, transfer mechanism, contracts, and security measures all matter. Businesses should follow current ICO guidance and obtain specialist advice where the processing risk requires it.

Is cloud storage the same as cloud backup?

No. Cloud storage prioritises access, syncing, and sharing. Backup focuses on recoverable copies and restoration after loss. Some products combine the two, but users should verify version history, deletion handling, and restore options.