Finding good cloud storage can take a lot of effort, money, and time.
As of the latest update, we had signed up with over 20+ different providers.
We believe Uptime and Security are two of the most important factors when it comes to storing your sensitive files in the cloud.
This is how our monitoring process in brief:
- We create an account with the service
- Upload a text file to the cloud storage server
- Share out the specific text file.
- Monitoring the availability of the text file using Uptime Robot every 5 minutes
- Looking out for the specific ‘Keyword’ or ‘Ping’ from the file that we had shared out
- It will report as ‘Down’ if the server is down or the file is not there
Click to see the live cloud storage server status.
If you need more detailed information, please check out this spreadsheet here.
SIDENOTE. Some providers imply different sharing features and our agents are not able to crawl and look for the shared text file. Thus in these circumstances, we ping the server by IP Port or https status.
GCS’s Top-Rated Cloud Storage
We conduct extensive testing and review on each of the providers or services before recommending it to you. Here go our shortlisted best picks.
Spending time and effort to navigate around and get a grip on how we as average users will interact and utilize it.
The data and specifications are great. But a personal human touch and impression are what make us different.
SIDENOTE. Do keep in mind that some of the links below might contain affiliates and will direct you to our partner merchant if you click on them. While it does not cost you anything and we would certainly hope that you will keep on supporting us to sustain and continue our work here as a trusted community.
1. pCloud
pCloud Pros (+)
+ Good Uptime (99.97%)
+ Unbreakable Security
+ Affordable Plan
pCloud Cons (-)
– Crypto is Add-on
– No FTP or SFTP Support
They are so proud of their security system that they hire hackers to breach into their cloud service system.
Whoever succeeds will be given a $100,000 cash prize.
None succeed of course.
This is by far the most intuitive and easiest interface or platform that I had used before.
And they do have a family plan if you are looking to share among with your beloved members.
Please be reminded that all plans come with a 10-day money-back guarantee.
…or read our detailed pCloud review.
2. Sync.com
Sync.com Pros (+)
+ Excellent Uptime (100%)
+ Security with no Extra Cost
+ No Traffic or File Size Limit
Sync.com Cons (-)
– Not Linux Friendly
– No Lifetime Plan
Sync.com believes that privacy is the fundamental right of anyone, and that’s why they vow to protect your data with a 100% private cloud facility.
They achieve it by implementing SSAE 16 Type 2 certified data center locations for all your data across multiple duplications.
Started in 2011, now they had over 750k paying customers all around the globe.
or read our detailed sync.com review
3. Icedrive
Icedrive Pros (+)
+ Excellent Uptime (99.99%)
+ Two Fish Encryption
+ Cheapest Plan with $1.67/mo
Icedrive Cons (-)
– No Encrypted Folder for Free Plan
– Monthly Bandwidth Capped
A relative newcomer in the industry.
Not exactly a perfect ecosystem but it does what it takes to become a good and affordable option.
The lack of ios and Mac applications at the beginning stage is what really holds them down but the problem gets addressed by now.
To be honest, I access their platform using the web-based most of the time.
One of the most affordable cloud storage providers in the UK that does not skim on features and security.
What catches our eye is their lifetime cloud storage plan that comes with full security features without an add-on!
Check out the Bonus Round of our pCloud vs Icedrive and you’ll see for yourself.
…or read our detailed icedrive review.
4. Google Drive
Google Drive Pros (+)
+ Excellent Uptime (100%)
+ Google Eco-System
+ Excellent Collaboration
Google Drive (-)
– Privacy Concerns
– No Zero-Knowledge-Encryption
A generous of 15GB free storage as a starter.
It may not shine in the security and privacy department as it doesn’t offer zero-knowledge encryption.
But Google Drive is excellent for potential users who are looking to collaborate online and offline, share, and work in the G Suite Files.
Yet, privacy concerns might still be the biggest obstacles to overcome here.
We compare these 3 prominent cloud storage providers side by side, Google Drive vs Dropbox vs Onedrive. Find out who’s the winner.
…or read our detailed Google Drive review.
5. MEGA
Mega Pros (+)
+ Excellent Uptime (100%)
+ Stream Preview
+ Zero-Knowledge-Encryption
Mega Cons (-)
– Slightly Expensive
– Monthly Transfer Data Capped
Reputable cloud storage from New Zealand.
They had made themselves a name by offering 50GB of free storage.
Not entirely true but still they put up the effort to provide you with the maximum freebies within a limited time frame.
One of the most generous free cloud storage providers in the lists here.
Get to know how you can achieve all those 50GB of free storage in our review!
…or read our detailed Mega Cloud Storage review.
6. Tresorit
Tresorit Pros (+)
+ 100% Private and Secure
+ Award-winning Security Features
+ End-to-End Encryption
Tresorit Cons (-)
– Expensive
– File Size Limit at 10GB
Definitely not the cheapest or most easily affordable option available.
But they make it up to the premium price by offering built-in end-to-encryption with Swiss privacy.
Highly secured European data centers that comply with GDPR.
From our point of view, it’s best to utilize them for your business or corporate needs as they certainly deserve the best security features around.
Not all are willing to pay a premium for security when these most secure cloud storage can perform as well for the fraction of the cost.
…or read our detailed Tresorit review.
7. Dropbox
Dropbox Pros (+)
+ Excellent Uptime (100%)
+ Reputable and Reliable
+ Offline Access
Dropbox Cons (-)
– No Zero-Knowledge-Encryption
– Security Breaches History
Dropbox is easy to use that seamlessly syncs with the cloud.
It’s the easiness to use that distinguishes Dropbox from other competitors in terms of storing, retrieving, managing, and accessing files from any device on the go.
Pioneer in the cloud storage industry and had since been the leader. Yet, people are moving away from and picking one of these secure dropbox alternatives.
Pricing is on the higher side for most personal consumers and most features seem to tilt toward business users.
A great productivity tool for a business entity, but if you prefer personal usage, it’s better to steer away.
…or read our detailed Dropbox review.
8. iCloud
iCloud Pros (+)
+ Excellent Uptime (100%)
+ Privacy Above All
+ Affordable
iCloud Cons (-)
– Lack of Customization
– No Versioning
Who doesn’t know Apple and the principle they uphold right?
For sure, privacy will be the key and nothing will stop Apple from defending itself.
But the iCloud design surrounding the Mac OS and iOS makes them the perfect match for Apple users but not others.
Premium brand but surprisingly affordable cloud storage from Apple Park!
…or read our detailed iCloud review.
Factual Reviews, Simple Cloud Storage Solution
Get reliable best cloud storage reviews, advice, how-to guides, news, and research from backup and cloud storage experts.
Get to the basics with my “Definitive Guide to Cloud Storage” here.
Long story cut shorts. Below are the 6 most important factors that IT experts would consider when picking up cloud storage providers.
Let’s check them out now, shall we:
- Data Security
- Multi-Location Backup
- Reliability & Stability
- Storage Capacity
- Pricing & Cost
- Customer & Technical Support
Most of the features above should be a must if not all of them come in standards when you are seeking a decent service nowadays.
I know it’s hard to fit all of them into one bill but I’ve got some that I would recommend if you are seriously looking for not just any personal cloud storage services.
“You know what’s important when you no longer have them.”
Joe – GoodCloudStorage