Best free cloud storage: 11 services compared for 2026

The best free cloud storage depends on what you value most. MEGA provides one of the largest clearly documented starting allowances at 20 GB. Google Drive is the easiest choice for Google Docs collaboration, Hivenet combines 3 GB with photo backup and distributed storage, and Sync.com, Proton Drive, and Internxt put user-controlled encryption closer to the center of the product.

This comparison covers 11 services with ongoing free plans. We checked each allowance and major limitation against current provider information on August 20, 2026; Hivenet's free allowance was rechecked on September 7, 2026. Free plans and regional availability can change, so confirm the terms before moving important files. UK readers who need regional guidance can use our separate free cloud storage comparison for the UK.

Advertised limits are only part of the decision; see how cloud storage capacity works in practice, including the constraints behind scaling and "unlimited" plans.

The best free cloud storage services at a glance

Students can use our free cloud storage for students comparison to weigh collaboration, device access, school-managed accounts, privacy, and bonus conditions alongside space.

These are use-case recommendations, not a universal ranking. A smaller encrypted plan can be a better fit for personal records, while a larger allowance may matter more for photos or a working folder.

How we compared the free plans

We used current provider pages rather than treating promotional bonuses as permanent storage. The comparison weighs six practical questions:

• Starting allowance: how much storage remains available without a paid subscription.
• Unlock conditions: whether the advertised maximum requires setup tasks, referrals, or a time-limited bonus.
• Encryption model: whether the provider controls the decryption keys or the files use end-to-end or client-side encryption.
• Recovery: whether the free plan includes version history or deleted-file recovery, and for how long.
• Access: supported devices, browser access, sync, sharing, and any device or transfer quota.
• Upgrade path: whether you can move to a practical paid tier without migrating to another service.

We did not run repeatable speed, support, or reliability tests, so this guide does not claim that one provider is “fastest” or the single winner for every user.

11 free cloud storage options compared

1. Hivenet: 3 GB for photo backup and everyday files

Hivenet includes 3 GB at no charge, automatic photo backup, online-only files, and access across devices. Files are encrypted, split into fragments, and distributed across its storage infrastructure. Hivenet also states that it does not use files or photos to train AI models.

It is a practical fit for people who want to test distributed storage with everyday documents and camera-roll backup. Google and Microsoft still provide broader document-editing and workplace integrations. Review Hivenet's current free storage features.

2. MEGA: 20 GB with end-to-end encryption

MEGA starts free accounts with 20 GB and encrypts files on the user's device. Its apps support file sync, camera uploads, sharing, and version history across common desktop and mobile platforms. The recovery key is important because MEGA cannot simply reset access to end-to-end encrypted files.

The main caveat is transfer quota. A 20 GB storage allowance does not mean you can always download or share the full amount in one session on a free account. Check MEGA's current plan and transfer terms before relying on it for frequent large transfers.

3. Google Drive: up to 15 GB for collaboration

A standard Google Account includes up to 15 GB at no charge. That capacity is shared across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos, so it is not a dedicated 15 GB file drive. When the account is full, uploads, photo backup, and even Gmail can be affected.

Drive remains the strongest fit here for real-time work in Docs, Sheets, and Slides. Its standard consumer storage is not an end-to-end encrypted vault in which only the customer holds the key. See how Google's free storage is allocated.

4. pCloud: up to 10 GB for media and virtual-drive access

pCloud advertises up to 10 GB on its free Basic plan. Some of that capacity is unlocked by completing setup steps and successful referrals, so a new account may not receive the full amount immediately. Its virtual drive can reduce local disk use, and the service includes built-in audio and video playback.

pCloud's optional client-side encryption product is separate from standard free storage. If encryption-key control matters, confirm which folder and plan provide it. Review pCloud's current free-storage unlock conditions.

5. Icedrive: 10 GB for a straightforward cloud drive

Icedrive currently advertises 10 GB free and offers web, desktop, and mobile access. The allowance works well for documents and a modest collection of photos when you want a simple mounted or synchronized cloud drive.

The free plan's normal storage is protected in transit and at rest, but Icedrive's user-controlled, zero-knowledge encrypted area is reserved for paid plans. Do not treat “encrypted storage” and “only I hold the key” as the same promise. Check Icedrive's current free offer and applications.

6. Sync.com: 5 GB with end-to-end encryption

Sync.com's free plan includes 5 GB, end-to-end encryption, two-factor authentication, access on up to five devices, and 30 days of file history and deleted-file recovery. It also permits a small number of password-protected links and shared folders.

That is a useful privacy-and-recovery baseline, though the free sharing and device limits can become restrictive. It is better suited to a focused personal folder than a large collaborative workspace. See Sync.com's current free-plan limits.

7. Microsoft OneDrive: 5 GB for Windows and Office users

A free Microsoft account includes 5 GB of OneDrive storage, access across PCs, Macs, phones, and tablets, and web or mobile versions of Microsoft's productivity apps. It is easy to adopt when Windows and Microsoft documents already shape your routine.

Five gigabytes fills quickly with photos or device backups, so it works better as a document workspace than a large media archive. Microsoft manages the standard service-side encryption keys. Review Microsoft's current free OneDrive plan.

8. Apple iCloud: 5 GB for Apple devices

Apple provides 5 GB when you set up iCloud. The same allowance can hold device backups, iCloud Photos, iCloud Drive files, and data from other apps. Integration with iPhone, iPad, and Mac is the main benefit; the small shared quota is the main constraint.

Apple encrypts iCloud data, and Advanced Data Protection can extend end-to-end encryption to more categories when enabled on eligible accounts and devices. Recovery planning becomes more important with that option. See Apple's current iCloud storage guidance.

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

A new Proton Drive account starts with 2 GB. Users can unlock another 3 GB by completing the Drive welcome checklist within 30 days, bringing the total to 5 GB. Proton applies end-to-end and zero-access encryption to file contents, filenames, and folder names.

The free capacity is modest, but the encryption model makes it a strong fit for a curated set of private documents. Complete both account and data-recovery setup before relying on it. Proton explains the current 2 GB to 5 GB unlock process.

10. Dropbox: 2 GB for simple sharing

Dropbox Basic provides 2 GB and connects up to three devices. The free plan includes desktop, mobile, and web access, shared links, and 30 days of deleted-file recovery and version history. Its familiar folder sync and recipient-friendly links remain useful for small exchanges.

The starting allowance is one of the smallest in this comparison, and standard Dropbox storage is not end-to-end encrypted with a customer-held key. Check Dropbox Basic's current features and limits.

11. Internxt: 1 GB for testing zero-knowledge storage

Internxt's current free plan provides 1 GB with zero-knowledge encryption. It offers browser, desktop, mobile, and command-line access, and publishes its client code. The encryption architecture is the reason to try it; the allowance is too small for a substantial photo or video library.

Use the free tier to test its workflow and recovery process before considering a paid plan. Review Internxt's current free Drive terms.

How to choose the right free plan

Start with the job, not the largest number

For collaborative documents, choose the service your collaborators already use. For photos, check automatic upload, supported file types, and whether the allowance is shared with email or device backups. For sensitive records, examine who controls the encryption keys and what happens if you lose your password.

If your requirement begins at hundreds of gigabytes, a free plan is usually a trial rather than a durable solution. Our guide to free 200 GB cloud storage claims explains why large headline allowances often depend on trials, bundles, referrals, or significant restrictions.

If your target is measured in terabytes, our guide to free 2TB cloud storage claims separates paid tiers, fragmented accounts, and conditional access from one durable free plan.

Check recovery before you need it

Upload a test folder, delete a file, restore an older version, and download an export. Save recovery codes somewhere outside the same cloud account and enable multi-factor authentication. End-to-end encryption can reduce provider access, but it also means the provider may be unable to recover your data after a lost key.

Do not confuse sync with an independent backup

Cloud sync keeps working files consistent across devices. It can also synchronize an accidental deletion or damaged file. Version history helps only within the provider's retention window. Keep another recoverable copy of irreplaceable files and read our explanation of cloud sync versus cloud backup.

Avoid building one archive across many free accounts

Splitting a collection across several services creates more passwords, recovery methods, policies, and inactivity rules to track. Use one primary service whose paid path you could accept, then keep a separate backup rather than assembling a fragile patchwork of small allowances.

Frequently asked questions

Which service gives the most free cloud storage?

Among the 11 documented plans in this comparison, MEGA starts with 20 GB. Google provides up to 15 GB shared across Drive, Gmail, and Photos, while Icedrive provides 10 GB and Hivenet provides 3 GB. A larger allowance does not automatically mean better privacy, sharing, recovery, or transfer capacity.

Which free cloud storage is best for privacy?

Sync.com, Proton Drive, Internxt, and MEGA document end-to-end or zero-knowledge protection on their free storage. Compare recovery, app support, and what metadata remains visible as well as the headline encryption term.

Can free cloud storage replace a backup?

Not by itself. A synchronized folder is useful for access and may include short-term recovery, but a resilient backup uses a separate copy and a restoration process you have tested.

Are referral bonuses permanent?

It depends on the provider and offer. Some bonuses expire, some require the referred account to complete specific steps, and terms can change. Treat the provider's documented starting allowance as the safer comparison point and verify any bonus before relying on it.