There are 5 alternatives to iCloud storage that you can take as references. You will see a comparison for free storage, price, encryption, advantages, and disadvantages. Besides, for each alternative cloud, there will be an introduction n for their better features.
Like most users who seek an alternative to iCloud storage, you may also want to use another cloud with more flexibility, better pricing, or enhanced security in cloud storage. While iCloud is well-integrated into the Apple ecosystem, it has several limitations that may not suit everyone.
In this part, 5 alternatives to iCloud storage will be introduced to you, including Google Drive, Dropbox, pCloud, NAS, and Microsoft OneDrive. You can not only see the comparison between iCloud and the alternatives but also the respective introductions of the alternative cloud storage services.
You can see the comparison of free storage, price, encryption, advantages, and disadvantages between iCloud and the 5 alternatives.
| Service | Free Storage | Price (2 TB) | Encryption | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iCloud | 5 GB | $9.99/mo | End-to-end (certain data); in transit & at rest. | Seamless Apple ecosystem integration; easy backup. | Limited cross-platform usability; privacy concerns. |
| Google Drive | 15 GB | $9.99/mo | In transit & at rest. | Excellent collaboration; robust Google app integration. | Privacy concerns; less user-friendly on iOS. |
| Dropbox | 2 GB | $9.99/mo | In transit & at rest; client-side option. | Strong file syncing; third-party integrations. | Expensive for large storage; limited free storage. |
| pCloud | 10 GB | $9.99/mo | Client-side encryption (pCloud Crypto). | Lifetime plans; strong privacy focus. | Expensive for large storage; limited free storage.. |
| NAS | / | Varies (one-time) | Varies by hardware/software. | Local control; large storage capacity; no recurring fees (after initial purchase). | Less mainstream; potential long-term viability concerns. |
| Microsoft OneDrive | 5 GB | $9.99/mo (for 1 TB) | In transit & at rest; Personal Vault. | Microsoft Office integration; Windows integration. | Limited free storage; privacy concerns. |
Google Drive excels in document collaboration, making it a great choice for team projects. Unlike iCloud, it integrates deeply with Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, enabling real-time co-editing and sharing. It also offers 15GB of free storage, three times more than iCloud. Additionally, Google’s AI-powered search capabilities make finding files easier. While iCloud is limited to Apple devices, Google Drive works seamlessly across all platforms, making it more versatile as an iCloud alternative.
Dropbox is known for its block-level sync technology, which speeds up file uploads by only syncing changes rather than entire files. This is much faster than iCloud’s syncing process. Dropbox also integrates well with third-party apps, such as Slack, Zoom, and Trello, making it a solid choice for productivity. iCloud lacks such extensive app integrations and can be slower for large file syncs.
pCloud stands out with its zero-knowledge encryption, an optional feature that ensures only you can access your files. Unlike iCloud, which does not provide end-to-end encryption for all files, pCloud allows users to store files with complete privacy. Additionally, pCloud offers a lifetime subscription option, saving long-term costs compared to iCloud’s recurring monthly fees.
A NAS device provides a personal cloud without reliance on third-party services. Unlike iCloud, which stores your data on Apple’s servers, NAS lets you keep everything private on a local storage system. It eliminates monthly fees, making it a cost-effective option in the long run. However, this iCloud alternative requires an upfront investment in hardware and some technical expertise to set up, unlike iCloud’s plug-and-play convenience.
OneDrive is the best choice for Windows users as it is natively integrated into Windows 10/11. Unlike iCloud, which mainly caters to Apple users, OneDrive works seamlessly with Windows features like File Explorer and Microsoft 365. It also includes a Microsoft Office 365 subscription in its pricing, making it a great value for those who use Word, Excel, and Outlook regularly.
After choosing an iCloud alternative, you may need to migrate files from iCloud to this alternative. To automate the file transfer process, MultCloud can do you a great favor. MultCloud is a free but professional cloud-managing service. You can add your clouds, such as iCloud Drive, iCloud Photos, Google Drive, Dropbox, pCloud, NAS, OneDrive, Box, MEGA, IDrive, and Amazon S3, to MultCloud and manage all your cloud files in one place.
In addition to cloud file collecting, MultCloud also gives multiple helpful functions like Cloud Transfer, Cloud Sync, and Cloud Backup to help you easily transfer files between clouds.
The steps for using the above functions are quite similar. Let’s take the Cloud Transfer steps of iCloud Photos to NAS as an example.
1. Sign up for an account on the MultCloud website.
2. Add iCloud Photos to MultCloud by clicking “Add Cloud” and the iCloud Photos logo. When logging in to the iCloud account in the pop-up window, you need to go through the two-factor authentication.
3. Click “Add Cloud” and the NAS logo to add NAS to MultCloud.
4. Select the “Cloud Transfer” function and choose iCloud Photos as the source and a NAS folder as the destination.
5. Tap “Transfer Now” to move photos from iCloud to NAS.
Note: You can get 5 GB of free traffic every month to transfer files. If you want to transfer a lot of photos in a month, you can upgrade your plan.
When you are seeking an iCloud alternative because iCloud lacks flexibility, encryption options, and advanced collaboration features, you can take the above 5 recommendations into consideration. For better security, pCloud is the top choice. For collaboration, Google Drive and Dropbox excel. If you prefer a one-time investment for full control, NAS is the way to go. Finally, OneDrive is ideal for Windows users and those needing Office 365.
What’s more, if you plan to migrate iCloud files to another cloud, try MultCloud’s cloud-to-cloud transfer, sync, or backup functions. The process will be automatic and the functions can be used on 30+ clouds.