Online storage: the best free Cloud services in 2025

Free cloud storage is a practical solution, but not all offers are created equal: some limit the space available, while others impose restrictions on data sharing or security. To avoid unpleasant surprises, it’s best to choose a platform tailored to your needs. In this article, we review the best free Cloud services in 2025 and their advantages to help you make the right choice.

Google Drive: A practical cloud with 15 GB of free storage

Google Drive is an online storage service offered by Google since 2012. It enables users to save, synchronize and share files across multiple devices via a web interface or dedicated apps on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. Integration with Google Docs, Sheets and Slides facilitates collaborative working and enables real-time editing of documents, spreadsheets and presentations.

Each user benefits from 15 GB of free storage, shared between Google Drive, Gmail and Google Photos. For those with larger needs, Google One offers subscriptions ranging from 100 GB to several TB. Files can be shared via links with different levels of authorization (read, comment, modify), offering excellent control over data access.

Google Drive stands out for its advanced features such as intelligent search, text extraction via optical recognition (OCR) and automatic data backup on Android. Thanks to its integration with the Google ecosystem, it’s an easy solution for both home users and professionals looking for a reliable, affordable service.

kDrive: Secure Swiss cloud storage with 15 GB free of charge

kDrive is an online storage service developed by Infomaniak, a Swiss company renowned for its commitment to data confidentiality and the environment. This cloud offers a secure alternative to American solutions, guaranteeing that users’ files are hosted exclusively in Switzerland, without being subject to the CLOUD Act or analyzed for commercial purposes. Accessible via a browser, desktop or mobile application, kDrive makes it easy to store, synchronize and share files.

The free offer includes 15 GB of storage (one of the most generous on the market), while paid subscriptions give access to storage spaces of up to 2 TB for individuals and more for businesses. WebDAV-compatible, kDrive facilitates synchronization with third-party services such as Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive, as well as with NAS devices. OnlyOffice integration also enables online editing of Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents.

The service is also distinguished by its commitment to the environment, with data centers powered by renewable energy and a sustainable approach to reducing carbon footprints. Independent of major technology companies, kDrive represents a solid, transparent alternative for users wishing to protect their data while benefiting from a high-performance, environmentally-friendly solution.

MEGA: Secure cloud storage with 20 GB free of charge

MEGA is an online storage service founded in 2013, the successor to Megaupload that focuses on data privacy and security. The online service features end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only users have access to their files – even MEGA can’t view them. Available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, it makes storing and synchronizing files simple, while offering sharing options via secure links.

MEGA’s free offer includes 20 GB of storage (the most generous on the market). For larger needs, several paid subscriptions are available, with up to 16TB of storage. The service also offers complementary tools such as encrypted instant messaging, secure audio/video calling and automatic folder synchronization for both home and business users.

Although MEGA stands out for its security and free storage capacity, it has certain limitations, including transfer speeds that are sometimes lower than those of its competitors, and a lack of integration with third-party tools such as Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive.

pCloud: Encrypted storage space with 10 GB free of charge

pCloud is a Swiss online storage service launched in 2013 that lets users back up, synchronize and share files across different devices. Accessible via a web interface, a desktop app (Windows, macOS, Linux) and mobile apps (Android, iOS), pCloud enables users to easily manage their data while enjoying a fluid, cross-platform experience. It stands out for its lifetime offers, which enable users to acquire permanent storage space with a single payment.

The free pCloud offer includes up to 10 GB of storage, while paid subscriptions provide access to plans of 500 GB, 2 TB or more. In terms of security, the service applies 256-bit AES encryption on its servers and offers pCloud Encryption, a paid option enabling client-side encryption for enhanced confidentiality. Thanks to advanced features such as direct playback of multimedia files (audio and video) and integration with other cloud services, pCloud is equally suited to the needs of private individuals and professionals.

Its intuitive interface and multimedia features make it an attractive choice for those seeking a secure, high-performance service accessible on all platforms.

Nextcloud: A privacy-friendly cloud with 8 GB free of charge

Nextcloud is an open source online storage and collaboration solution that lets users host their own data on a personal or professional server. Designed as an alternative to centralized services such as Google Drive or Dropbox, Nextcloud offers total control over files, calendars, contacts and other personal data. It also includes advanced features such as collaborative document editing with OnlyOffice or Collabora Online, as well as communication tools such as videoconferencing and instant messaging.

One of the great advantages of Nextcloud is its flexibility. Users can install it on their own servers or choose from providers offering free hosting with several gigabytes of storage. Some services, such as Zaclys or Cloudeezy, offer up to 10 GB free of charge, while paid subscriptions give access to more space and features. Thanks to its open source model, it is also highly customizable via a large library of additional applications.

Compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, Nextcloud ensures synchronization between all devices. It boasts enhanced security, with file encryption and advanced access management tools.

OneDrive: A Windows-integrated cloud with 5 GB of free storage

OneDrive is Microsoft’s online storage service integrated into the Windows ecosystem and accessible from a browser, desktop application or mobile app (iOS and Android). It enables users to save, synchronize and share files across multiple devices, with strong integration to the Microsoft 365 suite of software (Word, Excel and PowerPoint). Every user with a Microsoft account benefits from 5 GB of free storage, with the option of extending this space with paid subscriptions up to 1 TB or more.

One of OneDrive’s key assets is its advanced collaboration features, which enable multiple users to edit the same document in real time. It also incorporates security tools such as file encryption, two-factor authentication and a digital safe to protect sensitive data. Recently, Microsoft added colored folders to Windows Explorer and improved search via artificial intelligence to optimize file organization and accessibility.

Its adoption in the business world is reinforced by the addition of Copilot, an artificial intelligence that assists users in file management and retrieval. Although free space is limited compared with some competitors, OneDrive remains an unavoidable choice for those evolving in the Microsoft ecosystem.

Dropbox: simple cloud storage with 2 GB free

Dropbox is an online storage service that lets users back up, synchronize and share files across multiple devices. Compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, it features an intuitive interface and integration with numerous third-party tools. Thanks to its automatic synchronization system, files are updated in real time on all connected devices.

The free package (called Dropbox Basic) offers 2 GB of storage, while paid subscriptions give access to several terabytes of space and advanced features. These include file version history, deleted document recovery and the ability to share files with permissions. Dropbox also offers tools such as Dropbox Sign for electronically signing documents directly from the platform.

Thanks to its ease of use and numerous collaboration features, Dropbox remains a benchmark in the cloud. It’s particularly popular with professionals and teams working remotely, thanks to its integration with tools like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 and Slack. Although free storage space is limited compared to some competitors, Dropbox makes up for it with its reliability, synchronization speed and advanced sharing features.

Find the best free Cloud service with these selection criteria

The choice of a free Cloud storage service is based on several criteria, starting with the storage capacity offered. Each platform offers more or less generous space, ranging from 2 GB for Dropbox to 20 GB for MEGA, or even more with bonuses. It’s important to assess your needs: a few gigabytes’ storage is enough for documents, while a larger volume is required for bulky files such as photos. Some services allow you to increase your available space through sponsorships or temporary promotions, a point to consider if you want to optimize your storage at no cost.

Data security and confidentiality are also crucial. Not all free Cloud services guarantee the same level of protection. Some, like MEGA, offer end-to-end encryption for maximum security, while others like Google Drive and OneDrive focus more on integration and ease of access, but with less stringent privacy policies. It is advisable to check whether the service offers two-factor authentication (2FA) and data recovery options in the event of accidental deletion.

Ease of use and limitations must also be taken into account. An intuitive interface, synchronization between devices and compatibility with operating systems are all assets for everyday use. However, some services restrict file transfers by limiting maximum upload size, download speed or account inactivity, and may result in data deletion after a certain period. So it’s important to read the terms of use to avoid unpleasant surprises and choose the solution best suited to your needs.

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