1. IDrive
" Best All-Around "
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Free storage5 GB
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Number of devicesUnlimited
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BackupDisc image or chosen folders
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PlatformsPC, Mac, iOS, Android
Things we liked / disliked:
- Affordable
- Secure
- Disk image backup
- Only 5 GB with free plan
Things we liked / disliked:
- Affordable
- Secure
- Disk image backup
- Only 5 GB with free plan
-
Free storage5 GB
-
Number of devicesUnlimited
-
BackupDisc image or chosen folders
-
PlatformsPC, Mac, iOS, Android
Thanks to its well-rounded offer that ticks all the boxes, IDrive is the ideal cloud storage choice for many. In addition to providing a generous amount of storage with all of its plans, IDrive includes a multitude of syncing, backup, and security features. Furthermore, this is one of the best cloud storage free options around.
Features
IDrive has almost everything you need when it comes to cloud storage. Firstly, it offers immaculate security features that guarantee the safety of your files and data. After creating an account, you can choose whether you want to use a personal private key for decryption or let IDrive handle it for you. The first option offers a higher degree of security, as you’ll be the only one capable of decrypting your files. But in case you lose or forget the key, you won’t be able to reclaim access to your account.
When it comes to syncing, IDrive may very well be the best value cloud storage because you can use it on an unlimited number of devices. You can freely sync your files across all your devices, which gives you incredible flexibility. After installing the service app, you select the folder on your local machine that you want synced, or you create a new one. File sharing is equally straightforward – you just right-click on the file or folder you wish to share and select the Share option. Unfortunately, recipients are required to set up an IDrive account. Furthermore, sharing is only an option if you’re not using a private encryption key. You cannot put up passwords for files, but you can regulate whether recipients get permission to edit files.
IDrive is also one of the best backup cloud storage options available. For starters, you can choose to back up individual folders from your device. IDrive advises users to back up most folders like My Documents, but you’re free to select which ones you wish to back up. You can also choose where to back up your folders – it can be on the cloud, another local device, or via the Express Device option. However, the truly standout feature is the disk image backup. This basically makes a copy of your entire hard drive. In case of an HDD failure, you can restore this image, which brings you back to your previous settings and OS installation.
Storage & pricing
Unfortunately, IDrive isn’t the best unlimited cloud storage option, as all of its plans have storage caps. But the service still offers enough storage to keep even the most demanding users satisfied.
There are three different plans available with IDrive: Free, Personal, and Business. The free plan gives you 5 GB of storage. There’s no credit card required, and the service is free for life – always great to see when it comes to free plans. This is definitely one of the best free cloud storage plans available.
The IDrive Personal plan has two variants. The 5 TB variant currently costs $52.12 for one year, while the 10 TB one is $74.62. Both of these are for one user only, but can be used on an unlimited number of devices. There’s an ongoing promotion at IDrive that gets you one year of the 5 TB plan for only $6.95 – a very affordable option that the competition can’t match.
The Business plan goes from 250 GB ($74.62 for the first year) to 1.25 TB ($374.62 for the first year). The business plans allow for an unlimited number of users and offer HIPAA/GDPR compliance.
Final thoughts
If you’re looking for the best private cloud storage, the low price and a plethora of security, backup, and sharing options make IDrive a prime choice for cloud storage.