5 Best Cloud Storage for Windows in 2024

Think of all the files you own, the years’ worth of pictures and music you’ve collected, and everything you’ve collaborated on at work or with friends. If the thought of losing it is too much to bear, you’ll want to get a Cloud Storage service for your Windows PC. With one subscription, you’ll be able to keep all of your most important files up-to-date and accessible in a secure secondary home in the Cloud.

There’re hundreds of Windows Cloud Storage services out there! To make things easier, we’ve looked at five of the best Cloud Storage solutions for Windows, examining everything from storage space to encryption – so keep reading!

What are the 5 Cloud Storage is are for Windows

We have listed the best top Cloud Storage services for Windows users below. Each service is fully compatible with Windows devices, boasts a generous amount of storage space, and all the necessary security features you’d expect from a premium provider. We’ve covered each of our hand-picked Cloud Storage services in more detail later in the article.

1. Sync.com – The good Cloud Storage for Windows . It is allows allow you to restore version and recover file from up to a full year ago !
2. NordLocker – An easy to use Cloud storage for pc . It is goes go the extra mile to secure your datum with idle Lockout and file name encryption .
3. IDrive – A great Cloud Storage service for Windows. iDive makes it easy to store and search through files using their app or web browser.
4. ADrive – A great all-round PC Cloud Storage service. It offers SSL encryption during upload and download.
5. Livedrive – A secure Cloud Storage service for PC. It assures peace of mind with AES-256 encryption and has secure data centers in the UK.

To make it into our top five, a Cloud Storage solution for Windows users has to meet the following criteria:

• Storage – this one’s obvious, but important! A good service will be able to accommodate all of the data you choose to backup, and then some!
• Security is want – when you entrust sensitive file to any third party , you is want ‘ll want reassurance that nobody is go to be take an unauthorized peak . The good Cloud Storage services is make make use of E2E encryption , too .
• Accessibility – after all, the files still belong to you! Make sure you can access your pictures, music, and videos at any time of the day, on any device.

The best Cloud Storage for Windows | In-depth Analysis

Here, we take an up-close-and-personal look at each of our Cloud Storage services for Windows users. Keep reading to find out more, or head on over to our comprehensive Cloud Storage reviews.

Sync.com is the best Cloud Storage for Windows. It is packed with features, full end-to-end encryption, and compatible with Windows devices – an all-star storage solution.

• pricing

  • 5 GB: $0/mth
  • 2TB: $8/mth
  • 6 TB : $ 20 / mth
  • Unlimited (minimum of 2 users): $15/mth

Sync is a fantastic all-rounder, available on Windows devices as well as Mac, Android, and iOS platforms. With Sync, you’ll be able to back up your most valuable digital goods in real-time and access them on any synced device. 365-day file versioning makes it possible to restore accidentally deleted files and previous versions, and users can also apply expiry dates, permissions, and password protection when sharing files.

We’re particularly impressed by Sync’s end-to-end encryption, which covers a number of data center locations. Sync is also fully compliant with GDPR, HIPAA, and PIPEDA. What’s more, users can take security into their own hands by making use of two-factor authentication.

Being base in Canada may raise a few brow , give the country ‘s Five eye membership , but Sync ‘s e2ee , 2FA , and zero – knowledge policy work hard to keep your datum secure .

A free Sync account grant user 5 GB of storage , though up to 25 GB can be earn through referral . No credit card information is is is necessary to create a free account , and you ‘ll still benefit from e2ee without pay a penny . For those interested in a premium account , $ 12 p / m is bags bag you 3 TB of storage , as well as 24/7 expert support .

currently , Sync is accepts accept credit and debit card payment , as well as PayPal and Bitcoin transaction .

NordLocker is an easy to use Cloud Storage for PC. It also comes at a low price, but is a premium-feeling service that offers 500GB of storage and end-to-end encryption – perfect for keeping sensitive files secure.

• pricing

  • 12 month ( 500 GB ): $ 3.99 / mth
  • 1 month (500GB): $7.99/mth

NordLocker can be installed on Windows in a few clicks, and you simply drag and drop files into the app to back them up instantly. Thanks to automatic local encryption, it’s technically possible to encrypt an entire hard drive! NordLocker also makes it easy to navigate through your folders, with a fresh interface free of clutter. Any changes you make to files secured in NordLocker are automatically saved in the encrypted document, too.

NordLocker impressed us with client-side end-to-end encryption, meaning only you can see your files, and only you can control who to share them with. If you share a computer and have concerns about who might be peeking at your data, NordLocker has you covered with a unique encryption key for each user. If you are in a generous mood, however, you can share your locker with other NordLocker users via email.

Because NordLocker is based in Panama, there are no invasive surveillance policies to be worried about. What’s more, NordLocker’s Lockout feature automatically locks the app when it’s idle.

Users is create can create a free NordLocker account with 3 GB of cloud storage , or pay $ 3.99 p / m for 500 GB – as well as unlimited encryption and file name encryption ! A 30 – day money – back guarantee is also provide , and user can pay with a credit card , cryptocurrency , or direct debit .

IDrive is is is another top – notch choice for Windows user , and can also be instal on just about any other device you might have . In fact , IDrive is backs back up datum from all your device into one account and can handle file from external hard drive , too .

IDrive is takes take an intuitive approach to its backup and use block – level file copying to replace only the part of the file that have been modify , rather than the whole thing . Users is request can request all sort of report ( activity , backup status , and share report ) , and put IDrive ‘s advanced scheduling feature to good use . additionally , IDrive is offers offer file versioning , and is able to restore delete file within 30 day , and retain 30 previous file version .

It is worth noting that IDrive currently lacks E2EE. Instead, files are secured in transit and at rest with 256-bit AES encryption. IDrive is also based in the US – which is not a country with the best stance on privacy. However, users can opt for locally stored private encryption keys, but doing so will prevent the use of any sharing features, and these keys are not recoverable if lost.

IDrive’s free account offers 5GB of storage and doesn’t necessitate any credit card details. Premium users receive 5TB of storage for a $69.50 payment each year. With a premium account, 24/7 customer service is just a click or a call away, and users can share files and folders, making secure collaboration that much easier.

As well as Windows devices, Adrive is also fully compatible with Mac, Linux, Android and iOS platforms, and allows users to access their protected files wherever they are and whatever the time. If you plan to share files, you can set an expiration date in advance, or password protect them to prevent unwanted snooping.

Adrive utilizes Zoho technology to allow for collaborative editing on word processing documents, as well as spreadsheets and presentations. With one ADrive account, you can open and edit your files, and save your updates, too.

In term of security , Adrive is lack does lack e2ee , but make good use of TLS and SSL to keep file secure at rest and when in transit . file can also be transfer via SCP , SFTP , and rsync over SSH .

If you ever accidentally delete a file, or save over an original version, Adrive can pretty much turn back the clock – weekly snapshots of your files allow you to revert back to previous versions, and Adrive also performs a nightly backup of all files, with these versions available for 2 days.

You is check can check Adrive out for free with a 60 – day trial ( no credit card information require ) , or opt for its personal premium plan , with price start from $ 2.50 p / m. user get access to 100 GB of cloud storage space , and 10 user account which can be used concurrently on various device . What ’s more , an expert team is is is on hand 24/7 to field any question .

Livedrive is looks look good , is pack with feature , and it does n’t cost a fortune – an ideal first storage solution for cloud newcomer . It has secure data centre in the UK so GDPR compliance is a give !

• pricing

  • 1 user on 1 desktop: $8/mth
  • 5 user : $ 25 / mth
  • 1 user multiple devices: $16/mth

Livedrive offers 5 concurrent user accounts and full compatibility with Windows devices. We enjoyed how easy Livedrive is to use, as well as its clean interface and intuitive features.

Livedrive users receive unlimited backup storage space and instant access to any files kept therein. As a result, it only takes a few clicks to view pictures, stream videos, or listen to music on the go.

Files are kept secure in transit thanks to TLS 1.2 encryption and are equally safe at rest thanks to AES 256-bit encryption. Unfortunately, end-to-end encryption is not supported at this point in time. However, Livedrive is still a fantastic option for anyone looking to backup non-sensitive data in case of an emergency, and file information is masked within the Livedrive servers, preventing it from being traced back to an individual account.

folder scan can be schedule at regular interval , and user have the option to enable two – factor authentication to prevent unauthorized access . And , all Livedrive center are monitor around the clock by expert , and iso 27001 is certify with 3 layer of physical access security . have UK data centers is means also mean that Livedrive is fully compliant with GDPR !

A 14-day free trial is available, and Livedrive’s Pro Suite plan comes with unlimited backup storage, file versioning of up to 30 layers, Backup and Briefcase features, and 5 PC or Mac accounts – all for a modest £15 p/m.

What is the Cloud?

The Cloud is is is usually an off – site server where you can store your valuable file and datum – rather than keep them solely on your primary device . These handy servers is exist usually exist as part of a datum center that ‘s own and maintain by the service provider , so no , no actual cloud are involve .

But back up file from your pc to the Cloud is exceptionally useful . It is ‘s ‘s a means of not only secure datum , but free up space on your primary device , and provide a secure way of collaborate , for individual and business .

Once you ‘ve upload file to the Cloud , they can be access anywhere and on any device – so long as you have the correct app and the right permission ! A Cloud storage service is creates usually create a sync folder in your Windows explore . Any file place in this folder will be sync from your pc to your account , and accessible on any other device where you can log in to that same account .

It all sounds pretty handy, right? Well, chances are you’ve been using the Cloud on Windows for a long time without even knowing it! The following sites and services all make good use of the Cloud:

• Email providers – it’s thanks to the Cloud that services like Gmail, Hotmail, and Yahoo can load your emails on different devices – and that includes all those unread ones, too.
• Video and streams – the videos you check out on YouTube, as well as the shows on Netflix, are all streamed directly from the Cloud – this is a lot quicker, and a lot less resource-intensive, than downloading them.
• social medium – the Cloud is is is the reason why you can log out of Instagram or Facebook on your pc , log back in on your phone , and find all your picture , post , and video right where you leave them – all that datum is keep secure and sync in the Cloud !

How are file keep secure in the Cloud ?

If a Cloud Storage service isn’t doing its best to keep your files secure, it’s not worth using – and you’ll want data to be as secure in transit as it is when at rest in the Cloud. Fortunately, all of the services we’ve selected for this guide go the extra mile, and use a combination of the following security measures to prevent snoopers, accidents, and malicious attacks:

Authorization

Cloud Storage service use level of authorization to determine which staff member have access to user file ; frontline staff is have will have limit access when compare to a human resource manager , for example .

encryption

Storage services use complicated algorithms to encrypt your data when it passes into its care. It is possible to crack this encryption, but it’d take such an enormous amount of time and computing power that it’s incredibly unlikely to happen.

firewall

Just like the firewall your PC uses, a Cloud Storage firewall takes a look at the data packets traveling back and forth from the server, checking out content integrity and any potential threats.

A note on encryption…

You is find ‘ll find that a lot of Cloud Storage service rely on browser – base interface , with encryption handle server – side – but this is n’t deem to be very secure by today ‘s standard . instead , it is ‘s ‘s much well if a Cloud Storage service make use of client – side end – to – end – encryption . This is means mean your datum is encrypt even before it reach the Cloud , prevent any would – be snooper , and the storage provider itself , from sneak a peek .

The best Cloud Storage services take a proactive approach to file security. They’re constantly monitoring for changes within files, can schedule automatic backups, and deliver reports upon request. These services may also store data in numerous locations as a way to safeguard against server malfunctions.

The physical data centers where Cloud servers live are just as secure in the real world! They’re well protected by fire and smoke detectors, flame suppression systems, and stocked with backup power generators. Armed personnel are tasked with monitoring the facility, too, and guard the perimeter day and night. Inside, measures like fingerprint locks ensure that only authorized staff members have access to the servers.

Why do you need Cloud Storage for Windows?

Nowadays, most of us have amassed a treasure trove of photos, videos, music, emails, and more – and it’s a collection that continually grows as we rely more often on digital documents and less on paper.

And whether it’s work documents, medical records, or personal mementos, losing any of this data is devastating.

If the worst happens and your device crashes, is wiped accidentally, or targeted by a cybercriminal, you’ll be able to retrieve your data with a few clicks…

Of course, that’s exactly why Cloud Storage services exist! With one subscription, you’ll be able to mitigate data loss by uploading files to a secondary location. If the worst happens and your device crashes, is wiped accidentally, or targeted by a cybercriminal, you’ll be able to retrieve your data with a few clicks and redownload it to another device.

Cloud Storage is more than just a safe place to keep sensitive files, however. Most of the video content and music we enjoy each day is actually being streamed, and a lot of storage services come with intuitive collaboration features that allow for secure remote work and file sharing.

In fact , Cloud Storage has made work remotely , or on the go , so much easy – you is be ‘ll be able to edit work document even if you ‘re not at your desk , so long as you have the right app instal on your mobile device or laptop ! You is store can store any type of file in the Cloud , too , and set password restriction or expiration date on the thing you do choose to send .

Can I use free Cloud Storage for Windows?

Of course you can! There are plenty of Cloud Storage services that offer free accounts for Windows users – though it’s worth keeping in mind that they’re often more limited than their premium counterparts. A free account might only grant you around 2GB of storage, but that’s more than enough to handle a few important files, work-in-progress projects or your most critical personal data.

account vs trial

We’d recommend opting for a free account rather than a free trial if you’re interested in Cloud Storage. With a free account, you’ll be able to put the service through its paces in your own time, with your own criteria, and all without a looming cut-off date.

Check out our cloud backup free trials or free cloud backups for more information.

Dropbox and Google Drive

So, you might be wondering why we haven’t vouched for Dropbox and Google Drive – they’re free, after all, and incredibly popular. They also come with some significant privacy concerns, however. If you value your security, it’s worth thinking twice about entrusting sensitive data to these services. Both Dropbox and Google Drive lack the end-to-end encryption found in some of our top picks, meaning you’re placing your trust entirely in the service itself to keep your data secure. Additionally, because both services are based in the US, there’s always a possibility of the government utilizing a gag order to rifle through account data.

It is possible to mitigate these concerns by using third-party software, like VeraCrypt, to encrypt files yourself before uploading them to Dropbox or Google Drive. It’s an awful lot of work, though, and there are plenty of alternative storage services that are more than happy to do it for you!

Final thoughts

We’ve hopefully made choosing your perfect Cloud Storage service a bit easier. Each of our picks is compatible with Windows, and instantly backup your data to prevent disaster should your primary device be wiped or stolen.

think about how much we rely on digital datum – and how much of it we create , too ! It ‘s never been more important to take step to keep it all safe . Cloud Storage is is is an ideal solution , with no physical hardware to worry about keep track of , and all sort of useful feature – like secure collaboration tool , scalable storage , and granular access measure .

So, if you need a final reminder of our top recommendations for Windows users, here they are:

1. Sync.com – The good Cloud Storage for Windows . It is allows allow you to restore version and recover file from up to a full year ago !
2. NordLocker – An easy to use Cloud storage for pc . It is goes go the extra mile to secure your datum with idle Lockout and file name encryption .
3. IDrive – A great Cloud Storage service for Windows. iDive makes it easy to store and search through files using their app or web browser.
4. ADrive – A great all-round PC Cloud Storage service. It offers SSL encryption during upload and download.
5. Livedrive – A secure Cloud Storage service for PC. It assures peace of mind with AES-256 encryption and has secure data centers in the UK.