Poll Best cloud storage for personal use

Best overall cloud storage with encryption for personal use

  • pCloud

    Votes: 4 10.8%

  • Sync

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Icedrive

    Votes: 2 5.4%

  • IDrive

    Votes: 1 2.7%

  • Koofr

    Votes: 2 5.4%

  • Terabox

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Blomp

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • MEGA

    Votes: 10 27.0%

  • Filen

    Votes: 1 2.7%

  • Degoo

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Jottacloud

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Dropbox

    Votes: 2 5.4%

  • Sync

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Google Drive / One Drive

    Votes: 8 21.6%

  • Others ( Please mention name & reason in comment )

    Votes: 8 21.6%
  • Total voters
    37
I don't use cloud storage on a PC, I use external backup drives, I do using iPhone & iPad using Apple iCloud.

Edit: Up + Downloading 2.5 TB+ to the cloud would for me would cause far more difficulties than keeping these files on external drives, there are advantages to the cloud but for me external drives are far simpler.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
  • Applause
  • Hundred Points
Reactions: LittleDude, BigWrench, DDE_Server and 5 others
Free or paid?

All the best security is on the paid versions, and the subscriptions are not cheap.

For free, OneDrive. 10+ years of proven performance, uptime, and security - even for the free tier.

Some of the others I never heard of, but they could be better. Not sure. So can't say.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DDE_Server, Khushal and anirbandutta01
I agree with @Sorrento I just back mine up to a flash drive/USB storage drive (WD) which is very secure. The reason I use Google Drive is to sync some documents or files between computers, not so much for large volume storage. I was using Dropbox when I had a business and needed more storage (paid plan) and for it's reliable syncing. I had used it for 10+ years without any problems, or of it ever being hacked.

I also agree with @bazang I have not heard of a lot of the ones mentioned. I would go with a more tried and true vendor that especially has a track record for security of their servers.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Sorrento, Khushal and anirbandutta01
I use OneDrive for my personal life due to its good integrity with Windows and Microsoft accounts. The fact upon a Windows clean install all your personal folders, Desktop/Documents/Images folders are automatically downloaded and placed where they belong is a turn on for me :LOL:

For work, I use Google Drive since it's easier to handle multi-device. I access and share data easily in all my devices with different OS.

I've never tried anything else besides those two, which gave me good sensations.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DDE_Server, Sorrento, Khushal and 3 others
I tried Dropbox, Google Drive, Proton Drive, OneDrive and Mega.
  • Dropbox and Google Drive were heavy on resources.
  • Proton Drive take long time to upload big amount of files and folders, and doesn't empty deleted files folder on schedule (you have to manually empty it).
  • OneDrive tries to back up user folders without asking for permission and shows ads.
So I'm using Mega right now, no problems so far.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DDE_Server, Sorrento, anirbandutta01 and 5 others
Hello everyone,

Here’s my take after juggling most of these for personal use:


My short answer (best all-rounder): pCloud


  • Why: Swiss jurisdiction, fast sync, rock-solid apps on all platforms, easy sharing. Add the pCloud Crypto add-on for a zero-knowledge “vault” (client-side encrypted folder). Good for a single service you can live in day-to-day.

If privacy is priority #1 (zero-knowledge by default):


  • Sync.com (Canada): End-to-end encryption for everything, link passwords/expiry, good sharing. Slower than pCloud for huge libraries, but privacy is excellent.
  • Filen (EU/Germany): End-to-end encrypted by default, open-source clients, generous pricing. Rapidly improving; a strong privacy-first pick.

Great value / lifetime deals:


  • Icedrive: Clean UI, very competitive lifetime plans, client-side encryption on encrypted folders. Still maturing vs pCloud/Sync, but excellent value.

For backup first, “drive” second:


  • IDrive: Fantastic for full PC/mobile backups and versioning. Can be private-key encrypted at setup. Not as slick for real-time folder collaboration.

Solid but not zero-knowledge:


  • Jottacloud (Norway): Friendly pricing and EU/EEA privacy laws, but server-side encryption only (no client-side).
  • Koofr: WebDAV lovers like it; again, no built-in zero-knowledge.

Big ecosystems (pair with your own encryption):


  • Google Drive / OneDrive / Dropbox: Best-in-class collaboration/speeds, but only server-side encryption. If you use them, pair with Cryptomator (free, open-source) or Boxcryptor to get client-side encryption.

On the “I’d skip” list for privacy/reliability concerns:


  • TeraBox, Degoo, Blomp: Attractive free space, but monetization/privacy trade-offs and reliability complaints. Not ideal for sensitive data.


How I’d choose​


  • Need simple + fast, occasional secure vault: pCloud (+ Crypto).
  • Need everything end-to-end by default: Sync.com or Filen.
  • Want a one-time purchase: Icedrive (lifetime).
  • Primarily backing up computers/phones: IDrive.
  • Deeply tied to Microsoft/Google collaboration: OneDrive/Drive + Cryptomator.

Must-do settings (whichever you pick)​


  1. Enable 2FA (app-based).
  2. Use client-side encryption for anything sensitive (built-in or via Cryptomator).
  3. Keep recovery keys offline.
  4. Versioning on and a local copy (3-2-1 rule).

My vote in the poll: pCloud (best overall) or Sync.com (best security by default). If there’s an “Others,” I’d mention Filen for a privacy-first, open-source option.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sorrento and Jack

You may also like...