Cloud storage for your files: 4 alternatives to iCloud

With Apple cloud storage, you can access your files from anywhere. However, it is sometimes more convenient to use another cloud service. We list the best alternatives to iCloud!

4 alternatives to iCloud

If you use an iPhone or iPad, you will undoubtedly regularly come into contact with Apple’s online storage service: iCloud. This makes it very easy to share your files with all your Apple devices. Photos you take with your iPhone automatically appear in the Photos app on your iPad via Apple’s cloud storage, and vice versa.

Apple’s online storage has many advantages and is very easy to use. However, you can run into problems. Often it is the notification that the iCloud storage is full that causes the necessary headaches.

Taking out an iCloud subscription is an option, but why not opt ​​for one of these iCloud alternatives?

1. Dropbox: a household name

One of the most famous online storage services is Dropbox. This service has been around for years and allows you to store all your files online. It does not matter whether you want to store documents, music or photos online.

The advantage of Dropbox is that the service is available on almost all platforms. If you want to exchange photos or other files with several friends on, for example, a Windows PC or an Android tablet, Dropbox is one of the easiest solutions.

It’s even possible to set up Dropbox as a kind of replacement for the Photos app. Snaps are then automatically sent to Dropbox when you take them with your iPhone. You can then view and edit them on your PC, Mac, or other device.

With a free Dropbox plan, you get 2GB of storage for one user. That’s less than what you get with Apple cloud storage. For 2000GB you pay about ten euros per month, again for one user. If you want to use an account with several family members, you pay 17 euros for six users and you get 2000GB.

Pros: Easy to use, available everywhere.
Cons: Little storage in free version.

2. Google Drive: For Google Fans

With Google Drive you get 15GB for free to store your files online. The amount of space to store your files is also one of the biggest advantages of Google Drive. For 1.99 euros per month you get 100GB of storage and for 9.99 euros you have 1TB of space.

You can store all your files in the cloud storage, so it doesn’t matter whether you want to store photos, music or other files. You can easily share the files in the online storage with your friends. In addition, it is even possible to post and share comments in your photos with your friends.

Google Drive is fine to use as an individual program, but the app has many connections with the other programs from Google. For example, Google Photos is an alternative to Apple’s Photos app. The Google online services are therefore very similar to the Apple cloud storage, iCloud.

The Google Drive app is regularly updated. For example, Google Drive on the Mac has recently received a number of innovations.

Pros: Lots of space for free, storage is available from other Google services.
Cons: To get the most out of Drive, you also need to use the other Google services.

3. Microsoft OneDrive has a personal vault

With a Microsoft account you also have access to the online storage service OneDrive. Just like with Dropbox, you can enable OneDrive to send your photos directly to Microsoft’s cloud service.

OneDrive has the handy feature that there is a ‘Personal Vault’ in your folders by default. This is a storage location for your most important and sensitive files. There are a number of extra protections on this folder.

With a free account you get 5GB of storage. For two euros per month you get 100GB of storage. Microsoft also has two subscriptions where you get multiple online office apps. For 7 euros per month you receive 1TB of storage and you get access to Word, Outlook, Powerpoint and Excel.

Plus point: good integration with Windows PC.
Downside: limited space with free version.

4. Mega: lots of storage

The title says it all: Mega has the most free cloud storage. You get 20GB as standard to store your files online, much more than the free iCloud storage. With a paid account you get 400GB of storage for 5 euros per month. You can buy a maximum of 16TB storage for 30 euros per month.

A disadvantage of Mega is that you are limited in the amount of data transfer. So keep that in mind. If you transfer files a lot and often, it is better to choose another cloud storage.

In addition, the app feels a bit cluttered. Some functions are in illogical places and are a bit more difficult to find. If this doesn’t bother you, Mega is one of the best alternatives to iCloud.

Pros: Lots of free space.
Downside: Data traffic is limited, app is messy.

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