What you actually get with each service, how encryption works in practice, what the CLOUD Act means for non-US users, and which services give you zero-knowledge encryption versus standard encryption.
Cloud storage services use the word "encrypted" to mean significantly different things. Understanding the distinction determines whether your files are private from the service provider itself — or just from random internet attackers.
For most personal use — photos, documents, work files — standard encryption is adequate. For sensitive files (legal documents, financial records, confidential business data), zero-knowledge encryption is meaningfully stronger.
The US CLOUD Act (2018) requires US-based companies to provide user data to US government authorities on request — regardless of where the data is physically stored. If your files are on Dropbox servers in Germany, US law still applies because Dropbox is a US company.
This is relevant for non-US users who store sensitive data on US-headquartered services. The practical implications depend on your situation:
Services incorporated in Switzerland (Proton Drive, Tresorit), Canada (Sync.com), or the EU (Internxt) are not subject to the CLOUD Act directly, though international agreements complicate the picture.
These are the services most people accumulate without thinking about — often as defaults with a device purchase or as part of a suite they already use.
Seamless Apple ecosystem integration — device backups, Photos sync, iCloud Drive, Keychain passwords, and iMessage backup. Default option for iPhone and Mac users. 5GB free tier is shared across all Apple services.
Apple ecosystem only — limited usefulness on Windows, not available on Android. Standard encryption by default means Apple can access your data. Advanced Data Protection (E2EE, opt-in) is available in most regions but not enabled by default — worth enabling if you use iCloud for sensitive files.
Storage shared across Gmail, Google Photos, and Drive. 15GB free tier is the most generous of any mainstream service. Deep integration with Android, Google Docs, and the broader Google Workspace. Accessible from any browser.
Google scans files for policy violations and — in some contexts — for advertising personalisation. No zero-knowledge option. US jurisdiction. Storage is shared with Gmail, so email attachments count against your limit. Consider whether you want your files hosted by an advertising company.
Best-in-class sync reliability and selective sync. Strong third-party app integrations. Paper collaborative documents. Shared folders and team features. Long-established reputation for just working correctly across all platforms.
Expensive relative to alternatives — 2TB at $11.99/mo vs iCloud at $9.99/mo or pCloud at a lower annual rate. Standard encryption only. No zero-knowledge option. Frequently on work expense accounts and forgotten as a personal subscription. Free tier is 2GB — barely usable.
1TB storage included with Microsoft 365 subscription. Deep Windows integration — files appear in File Explorer without additional software. Office document co-authoring. Personal Vault for sensitive files with additional verification.
Standalone OneDrive subscription is redundant if you already pay for Microsoft 365 — 1TB is included. Check your Microsoft account before paying for OneDrive separately. Mac and mobile experience is weaker than Windows.
These services offer zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption — your files are encrypted on your device before upload and the provider cannot access them. The tradeoff is that if you lose your password, your files may be permanently inaccessible.
Swiss-based cloud storage with fast sync speeds and a virtual drive mount (files appear on your computer without taking up space). Generous free tier. Lifetime plans pay for themselves in 2–3 years versus Dropbox. pCloud Crypto add-on adds E2EE for an extra cost.
E2EE is not included by default — requires the pCloud Crypto add-on ($3.99/mo or $125 lifetime). Without Crypto, pCloud uses standard encryption. Swiss jurisdiction is genuine and meaningful but standard encryption still means pCloud can technically access your files. Lifetime plans require trusting the company stays in business.
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End-to-end encryption by default — Proton cannot access your files. Open-source clients independently reviewed. Swiss jurisdiction. Proton Unlimited bundles ProtonMail, Proton Calendar, Proton VPN, and Drive. Active development — significantly improved in 2023–24.
Sync speeds are slower than Dropbox or pCloud. Desktop client is newer and less polished than established services. Limited third-party integrations. E2EE means lost passwords cannot be recovered. The bundle pricing only makes sense if you also use ProtonMail or VPN.
End-to-end encryption by default. Open-source clients. EU-incorporated and subject to GDPR. Competitive pricing for E2EE storage. Lifetime plans available. Actively developing — antivirus and photos features added in 2024.
Younger company than Proton or Tresorit — less established track record. Desktop apps are functional but less polished than Dropbox. Fewer third-party integrations. EU jurisdiction is stronger than US for privacy but weaker than Switzerland for government independence.
Canadian-incorporated E2EE cloud storage. Good Dropbox-like interface with full E2EE. Secure sharing links. Competitive pricing for the storage amounts offered. Strong option for Canadian users who want domestic jurisdiction.
Less well-known than Dropbox or Google Drive, which can make sharing with others slightly awkward. Canadian jurisdiction is outside US CLOUD Act but Canada is a Five Eyes member — a consideration for high-sensitivity data. E2EE is the meaningful protection here regardless of jurisdiction.
Swiss E2EE storage with strong business and legal professional positioning. Polished apps across all platforms. Granular access controls and audit logs. Designed for sharing sensitive documents with clients and colleagues. Independently audited E2EE implementation.
The most expensive option in this comparison — significantly pricier than Internxt or Proton Drive for the same storage. The premium is justified for professionals sharing sensitive documents; less so for personal photo storage. No lifetime plan option.
Cloud backup (Backblaze, Carbonite) is different from cloud storage. Backup services automatically copy everything on your hard drive to the cloud — you don't choose files individually. Storage services (Dropbox, Drive) sync specific folders you choose.
Unlimited backup of one computer — every file, automatically. File versioning keeps 1 year of file history by default. Physical drive restore by mail available. Consistently well-regarded for price-to-storage ratio. Simple — it just runs in the background.
Backup, not sync — files are not accessible on other devices like Dropbox. US jurisdiction. Standard encryption. Initial backup can take weeks on slow connections. Not a replacement for cloud storage if you need to access files across devices.
Several genuinely useful free options are worth checking before paying for additional storage:
| Service | E2EE | Jurisdiction | Free tier | Lifetime plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iCloud (with ADP) | ✓ opt-in | US | 5GB | ✗ |
| Google One | ✗ | US | 15GB | ✗ |
| Dropbox | ✗ | US | 2GB | ✗ |
| OneDrive | ✗ | US | 5GB | ✗ |
| pCloud | add-on | Switzerland | 10GB | ✓ |
| Proton Drive | ✓ default | Switzerland | 1GB | ✗ |
| Internxt | ✓ default | EU (Spain) | 10GB | ✓ |
| Sync.com | ✓ default | Canada | 5GB | ✗ |
| Tresorit | ✓ default | Switzerland | ✗ | ✗ |
| Backblaze | ✗ | US | ✗ | ✗ |
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