Uncover 6 safe cloud storage choices for Mac & iPhone (2026)

As a content material creator, I’ve collected a whole bunch of gigabytes of video tasks, uncooked footage, and images over 20 years. My childhood images from the 2000s sit alongside latest 4K video recordsdata, creating an archive I can’t afford to lose. After I bought the notification that I hit the 2TB restrict, I had two choices: pay much more or search for an iCloud storage different.

After researching and testing a number of providers, I discovered options providing higher capability, stronger privateness, and infrequently decrease prices. On this article, I’ll share 8 options to iCloud storage which may be helpful to anybody who can also be on the lookout for a option to retailer heavy enterprise recordsdata, video content material for a weblog, or treasured reminiscences.

Examine iCloud options: Storage, pricing, and key options

Cloud storage suppliers differentiate by means of storage capability limits, pricing fashions, and privateness implementations. Whereas iCloud caps storage at 2TB with customary encryption, options provide lifetime subscriptions, zero-knowledge safety, and capability exceeding 10TB.

pCloud: Finest iCloud different with lifetime storage plans

pCloud places an finish to recurring subscriptions with lifetime plans that pay for themselves. The one-time fee of $600 for two TB appeared excessive at first, till I calculated that the month-to-month payment of $9.99 for iCloud would price twice as a lot over a interval of ten years.

The digital drive implementation mounts cloud storage straight in Finder with out consuming native disk area. Information obtain briefly when opened, with modifications syncing robotically to the cloud. This method freed up 800GB on my Mac whereas sustaining entry to my full video mission library.

Supply: pCloud

“I’ve had a few years with Pcloud 2Tb lifetime. No complaints. Some issues I like: 1. Computerized backup of images/movies from my cellphone at full res which is nice as Google Photographs doesn’t sync full res totally free. 2. Computerized backup of Google Drive. 3. Computerized backup of social media accounts”, shares a Reddit group member.

Finest options:

• Favorable lifetime plans 
• 10TB most capability
• Block-level sync transfers solely modified file parts
• Constructed-in media participant with playlist creation
• Elective zero-knowledge encryption (pCloud Crypto)
• Prolonged file versioning 

Execs:

• One-time fee turns into cost-effective long-term
• Quick add and obtain speeds
• iOS and macOS apps with automated photograph add

Cons:

• Can not substitute iCloud for iPhone system backups
• Larger upfront price for lifetime plans

Worth: From $5/month or from $300/one-time.

Google Drive: Finest iCloud different for collaboration

Google Drive offers 15GB of free storage, triple iCloud’s 5GB allocation. Due to this fact, it was my first alternative as an iCloud storage different. As well as, I respect the real-time modifying capabilities. I can collaborate with my workforce on scripts and storyboards with automated battle decision. 

One Reddit person defined why he likes utilizing Google Drive:

“I like that I can arrange a folder on one machine and discover it on every part else.
Full integration with gmail (my mx factors to google.)
Integration with GSuite. I can open a .docx with gsuite whereas in my G: drive.
The ungodly quantity of storage I’ve obtainable. Nonetheless have not come near filling it up.
It is included with my gsuite sub. If I am paying for it already (and a superb value at that), I will use it, and on the finish of the day, it simply works”.

Nonetheless, some Reddit customers complain that the Google Drive desktop app may match incorrectly.

“As an IT skilled working primarily with firms utilizing Macs, Google Drive Desktop is horrible, as a result of it is so unreliable (stops syncing/importing, not exhibiting up-to-date content material generally, and so on.). That is essentially the most irritating half — you then should fully uninstall it manually.”

Supply: Google

Finest options:

• 15GB free storage 
• Actual-time collaborative modifying
• 5 TB particular person file measurement restrict
• Google Workspace integration (Docs, Sheets, Slides)
• Quick add and obtain speeds
• Highly effective search with OCR capabilities

Execs:

• Beneficiant free tier
• Glorious collaboration options
• Works seamlessly throughout all platforms
• Built-in with Gmail and Google Photographs

Cons:

Worth: Free or from $1.99/month. 

Dropbox: Finest different to iCloud  for skilled workflows and integrations

Dropbox pioneered cloud storage file synchronization and maintains intensive third-party integrations. The service connects straight with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, permitting customers to create and edit Workplace paperwork or Google recordsdata with out leaving Dropbox’s interface.

Dropbox Paper offers collaborative doc creation with wealthy media embedding and process task. The eSignature characteristic eliminates third-party doc signing providers. Display screen recording capabilities seize and robotically add recordings to cloud storage.

Finest options:

• Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace integration
• Dropbox Paper for collaborative documentation
• Contains eSignature performance
• Display screen recording with automated add
• Password-protected file sharing
• In depth third-party app ecosystem

Execs:

• Robust collaboration options
• Skilled instruments for enterprise workflows
• Quick synchronization speeds
• Works throughout all main platforms

Cons:

Worth: Free or $9.99/month.

Internxt: Most inexpensive iCloud different

Though Internxt solely offers 1 GB totally free, it gives the perfect phrases for paid storage of huge quantities of recordsdata. For five TB of storage, you solely should pay $4.5 per 30 days on an annual foundation.  The service implements end-to-end encryption with distributed knowledge storage throughout a number of areas, fragmenting recordsdata to forestall unauthorized entry. All paid plans embody fundamental VPN entry and antivirus safety. 

“I bought storage from Internxt and from the get go the help from the workforce was actually good!
I’m paying lower than I did when utilizing different cloud servers like Drive and iCloud, and when asking ChatGPT to summarise the superb print, Internxt is far more safe.
Very proud of the service, and excited concerning the new updates rolling out this quarter!”, shares a Reddit person.

Finest options:

• Lowest price for giant capability with encryption
• Quick switch speeds
• Included VPN and antivirus on paid plans
• Lifetime plan choices

Execs:

• Most inexpensive per-GB pricing
• Robust privateness protections
• Extra safety instruments included
• iOS and macOS app help

Cons:

• Restricted collaboration options
• Smaller characteristic set than established suppliers

Worth: Free or from $18/first 12 months for 1TB, then $120/12 months.

Microsoft OneDrive: Finest different to iCloud bundled with Microsoft 365

In case you use each Home windows and macOS at work, Microsoft OneDrive could suit your wants. It is easy to collaborate with colleagues and no downside to open workplace recordsdata from any machine. 

The Private Vault characteristic offers further encryption for delicate recordsdata, requiring biometric or two-factor authentication for entry. Information On-Demand performance shows cloud recordsdata in Finder with out downloading till opened, just like pCloud’s digital drive method however with deeper system integration on Home windows.

Supply: Microsoft

“I’ve used google drive, idrive, mega, field..all are fairly good however i nonetheless desire onedrive for its longivity”, says a Reddit person.

Finest options:

• Microsoft 365 apps included with subscription
• Native macOS and Home windows integration
• Private Vault for delicate recordsdata
• Information On-Demand saves native storage
• Collaborative modifying in Workplace apps
• Computerized file versioning

Execs:

• Finest worth when needing Workplace functions
• Deep system integration
• Robust collaboration options
• Works properly throughout platforms
• Enhanced safety with Private Vault

Cons:

Worth: Free or from $1.99/month,

IDrive: Finest complete backup resolution

IDrive combines cloud storage with full machine backup. One 5TB plan can defend limitless units, together with your Mac, exterior drives, iPhone, and iPad — all below one account. You get more room than iCloud’s 2TB plan, for a cheaper price.

For further privateness, you should use your personal encryption key so solely you may entry your recordsdata. IDrive also can again up knowledge from providers like Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Dropbox, and Field.

Finest options:

• 5TB storage with limitless machine backups
• Steady automated backup
• Shopper-side encryption obtainable
• Cloud app backup (Microsoft 365, Google Workspace)

Execs:

• Glorious worth for capability
• True backup resolution past storage
• Backs up a number of units
• Bodily transport choice
• First-year low cost pricing

Cons:

• Primarily backup-focused, not sync-focused
• Interface much less polished than opponents
• Worth will increase after first 12 months

Worth: Free or from $9.95/month.

To sum up: Selecting your iCloud different

One of the best iCloud different is determined by what issues most to you — space for storing, privateness, value, or collaboration instruments. In case you’ve ever searched easy methods to purchase extra storage on iPhone not iCloud, you’ve most likely realized Apple doesn’t provide further machine storage past iCloud upgrades. That’s why shifting images, movies, and huge recordsdata to a separate cloud service is usually a smarter long-term resolution. My swap from iCloud’s 2TB restrict to higher-capacity providers confirmed me that defending years of reminiscences requires each sufficient area and powerful safety.

Select pCloud if you need long-term financial savings and greater than 2TB, particularly for giant photograph or video libraries. Go along with Google Drive or Dropbox if collaboration and integrations matter most. Internxt is an effective budget-friendly encrypted choice, OneDrive works properly in the event you already use Microsoft 365, and IDrive is greatest if you need full machine backups, not simply file syncing.

With Setapp you may entry instruments that enable you to join a number of cloud accounts, liberate area in your Mac, and share recordsdata sooner — multi function subscription. In case you’re constructing a better storage workflow throughout providers like pCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox, Setapp makes managing every part less complicated. Strive Setapp free for 7 days and improve the way in which you’re employed with cloud storage.