iCloud Drive is Apple’s response to popular cloud storage services like Google Drive. iCloud stores your photos, iPhone backups, and even messages; And iCloud Drive lets you store any files and documents you like. However, iCloud only gives you 5GB of free storage.
This means that, in a way, if you use iCloud enough, you will need more storage space. While you can pay for iCloud+, some users may prefer to use other cloud services.
If you’re looking for alternatives to iCloud Drive, these are by far the best.
1. Verizon Cloud
Verizon Cloud makes it easy to store your photos, videos, and other files on your iPhone or iPad. With Verizon Cloud, you can upload files from your phone and access your files on any device. You can also cast files on your TV.
Verizon Cloud is also one of the only cloud services that offer unlimited plans. So, if you need unlimited storage, consider using the Verizon cloud.
However, verizon cloud only allows you to back up your contacts in a free plan. Verizon cloud is also expensive compared to other services. Unlimited storage is $19.99 per month, 2TB is $14.99 per month, and 600GB is $6 per month. Verizon also doesn’t back up settings, apps, or uncommon file types.
Download: Verizon Cloud (Subscription required, free trial available)
2. Dropbox
Dropbox is one of the most popular cloud storage platforms available today. Loved by individuals and businesses, Dropbox can store all your files and keep them safe. The free Dropbox plan gives you 2GB of storage, and you can upgrade to a 2TB plan for $11.99 per month.
The free Dropbox plan, while with limited storage space, does allow you to connect three devices. If you use multiple devices, this makes it easy for you to manage all your photos or other files. Dropbox also has an easy-to-use web app to help download and organize.
Dropbox is more expensive than its competitors, but the app is easy to use and you can get a lot of space at a good price.
Download: Dropbox (Free, subscription available)
3. Box
Box is an affordable cloud storage platform that has been around for over 15 years. It has tens of thousands of loyal customers and has proven itself to be one of the top cloud platforms.
Box gives you 10GB of free space, more than any other platform. If you want to upgrade, you can do it at an affordable price. For $7 a month, you get 100GB of storage, plus the ability to add different users. You can pay $5 a month and enjoy an annual discount.
Box not only helps you protect your files, but it also helps you get things done. Box has an inbox where you can get notifications of projects you need to work with. Box allows you to create tasks for yourself and delegate tasks to others.
While it’s a great platform, you don’t get a lot of space in the premium plan. Other services offer more space for the same monthly fee. For many, however, these features make the monthly payment worth it.
Download: Box (Free, subscription available)
4. Amazon Drive
Are you an existing Amazon Prime member? If yes, you can use Amazon Drive. Amazon Drive is similar to other cloud storage platforms in that it allows you to back up your files directly from your iPhone.
Amazon Hard Drive does have a separate photos app where you can easily store your photos and videos. You can then play these photos and videos on your TV or Fire TV Stick. The Amazon Photos app also allows you to mail a physical copy of your photos to you or your loved ones. That’s what sets Amazon hard drives apart from other major competitors.
Amazon Hard Drive offers 5GB of capacity for all Prime members. So if you have Amazon Prime, or are considering joining, keep in mind your 5GB of free storage. You can also add more storage space, starting at $1.99 per month, 100GB.
Download: Amazon Drive (Subscription required)
5. Microsoft OneDrive
Microsoft OneDrive is a cloud storage service that offers a lot of things. If you use Microsoft products at school or work, you probably already have a OneDrive account. A good way to know if you already have OneDrive is whether your organization uses Outlook or Microsoft Teams.
You can open Outlook through your organization and view your available apps to access OneDrive. If available, you’ll see OneDrive there, along with the amount of space you have.
While the amount of OneDrive space you get varies, it’s still free, and it’s highly integrated with Microsoft’s OneDrive app. If you don’t have access to Microsoft OneDrive through your organization, you can still get 5GB in the free plan. If you’re interested in using Microsoft products like Microsoft Word, a monthly registration fee of $6.99 can give you a license and 1TB of storage.
Download: Microsoft OneDrive (Free, subscription available)
6. Google Drive
Google Hard Drive currently offers the most storage space for free. So if you’re looking for a lot of cloud storage and you don’t have Amazon Prime or Microsoft OneDrive, you can still use Google Drive. Google Hard Drive has a great iPhone app that can back up your content easily. Google Drive also has a dedicated photo app where you can automatically back up your photos. You can also color-code your Google Drive files for easy organization.
Google Drive is free in your Gmail account, so you may already have the opportunity to use it. What’s more, Google Hard Drive offers 15GB of free space and $1.99 per month for 100GB. If you need more space, you can get 2TB of space for $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year. Automatic backups and high amounts of free storage make Google Drive the best competitor to iCloud Drive.
Download: Google Drive (Free, subscription available)
Should you use iCloud Drive or something else?
iCloud Drive offers 5GB of free space to all Apple users. Although generous, sometimes it is not enough. This has led people to start looking for alternatives to iCloud. But should you use alternatives or just pay for extra iCloud storage?
One trick that some users are doing is to use Google Hard Drive or other services to back up photos and videos, and then use iCloud for iPhone backup. This way, you can get the best results from both worlds. Whatever you choose to do, you do have a lot of options when it comes to cloud storage. Don’t get carried away by thinking that iCloud is the only way to back up your content.
