Which Services Offer the Most Cloud Free Storage?
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For cloud free storage, MEGA leads with 20 GB, then Google with 15 GB shared across Gmail, Drive and Photos. pCloud and Icedrive offer up to 10 GB. OneDrive, iCloud, Proton Drive and Sync.com give 5 GB each, and Dropbox Basic gives 2 GB. Each free plan has extra limits.
| Service | Free space | Notable limits | Encryption | Base |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEGA | 20 GB | Transfer speed limits | End-to-end | New Zealand |
| Google Drive | 15 GB | Shared with Gmail and Photos | Provider-managed | USA |
| pCloud | Up to 10 GB | Starts lower; reach 10 GB by completing tasks | Provider-managed; encrypted folder is paid | Switzerland |
| Icedrive | 10 GB | Monthly bandwidth cap | No end-to-end on free | UK |
| OneDrive | 5 GB | Small for photo libraries | Provider-managed | USA |
| iCloud | 5 GB | Shared with iPhone backups | Provider-managed; optional Advanced Data Protection | USA |
| Proton Drive | 5 GB | Limited version history on free | End-to-end | Switzerland |
| Sync.com | 5 GB | 30-day file history | End-to-end | Canada |
| Dropbox Basic | 2 GB | Small storage | Provider-managed | USA |
Over ten years, I have watched free plans shrink, grow and change rules. Use free space for convenience, not as the only home for important files. This guide shows how to get the most from cloud free storage safely.
What Are the Catches With Free Cloud Storage?
Free plans exist to win you as a paying customer, so they come with limits. The most common catches are below.
- Shared quotas: Google’s 15 GB covers email and photos too, so it fills faster than you expect.
- Bonus space that expires: some services grant extra space for tasks or promotions, then remove it.
- Bandwidth caps: some free plans limit how much you can download or share each month.
- Short history: free plans often keep deleted files and versions for shorter periods.
- Inactive accounts: some providers may delete accounts that go unused for long periods.
Which Free Plan Is Best for You?
| Need | Best free option |
|---|---|
| Most raw space | MEGA |
| Android phone and Gmail user | Google Drive |
| Windows and Office user | OneDrive |
| iPhone user | iCloud |
| Private documents | Proton Drive or Sync.com |
| Sharing large files occasionally | MEGA or pCloud |
For a closer look at Microsoft’s plan, read our guide to OneDrive free storage. For Dropbox, see Dropbox free storage.
How to Get More Free Storage
- Combine services. Use Google for photos and OneDrive for documents, for example.
- Clean your quota. Delete large email attachments and duplicate photos.
- Use storage saver for photos. Google Photos can resize photos above 16 MP to save space.
- Complete bonus tasks. pCloud raises free space when you finish its checklist.
- Use referrals carefully. Some services add space for each friend who joins.
Spreading files across many free accounts gets messy fast. If you need more than about 20 GB, a cheap paid plan is often simpler. See the cost of cloud storage for current prices.
Free space is not a backup
Free storage syncs deletions and keeps short history. Protect important files with a real backup service.
See the best cloud backup providersIs Free Cloud Storage Safe?
Free accounts use the same infrastructure as paid ones, so files are stored reliably. Privacy depends on the service. End-to-end encrypted services such as MEGA, Proton Drive and Sync.com encrypt files before upload. Others manage the keys themselves.
Protect any free account with a strong, unique password and two-factor login. Free accounts are often forgotten, which makes them easy targets.
Can You Use Free Storage as a Backup?
Only for a small set of files, and only with care. Cloud free storage was built for convenience. Free plans are too small for a full computer and keep limited history. They also sync deletions. Read cloud storage vs backup to see why.
For background on how online storage works, see our pillar guide on what cloud storage is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which service gives the most free cloud storage?
Among major services, MEGA offers the most permanent free space at 20 GB, according to recent independent roundups. Google follows with 15 GB, but that space is shared with Gmail and Google Photos. Check each provider’s current offer, because free plans change without much notice.
Is Google’s 15 GB free storage only for Drive?
No. Google says the 15 GB in a personal account is shared among Drive, Gmail and Photos. Large email attachments and full-quality photos count against it. That is why many users run out of space even if their Drive folder looks small.
Can I lose files on a free cloud plan?
Yes. Deleted files sync and leave the trash after a set period. Some providers may also remove accounts that stay inactive for a long time. Sign in regularly, and keep a separate backup of anything important instead of relying on a free plan alone.
Is free end-to-end encrypted storage really private?
End-to-end encryption means files are encrypted on your device before upload, so the provider cannot read them. That is strong protection. However, privacy also depends on your password, two-factor login and how you share links. A weak password undoes good encryption.
Should I pay for storage instead of using free plans?
If your files exceed about 20 GB, or you rely on one service daily, a small paid plan is usually worth it. You get more space, longer history and fewer limits. Plans around 100 GB start at about $1.99 per month from Google and Microsoft in the US.
Sources
- Google Help, Manage your storage in Drive, Gmail and Photos
- Microsoft, Compare OneDrive plans
- Apple Support, iCloud+ plans and pricing
- Dropbox, Dropbox Basic
- Proton, Proton Drive pricing
- Google Photos Help, Choose the backup quality
- EXPERTE, Free cloud storage comparison
Last updated: October 18, 2026. Free plan sizes were checked on the providers’ own pages and recent independent roundups on this date. Free plans change without notice.