The 5 Best Online Document Storage Services (+Sharing) in 2024

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Key Takeaways: The Best Online Document Storage

1. Sync.com — The best online document cloud storage service
2. Egnyte Connect — The best cloud storage for businesses
3. Google Drive — The good for effective Google Workspace app integration and student
4. Microsoft OneDrive — The best option for Microsoft Office app integration 
5. Dropbox — The best for seamless collaboration across joint projects

Facts & Expert Analysis: Cloud Storage for Documents

• Sync.com is the best storage option for online documents and should appeal to individuals and businesses.
• Egnyte is a business-friendly option that can help companies securely store and share business documents, as well as offering a wide range of add-ons that will help improve workflow.
• Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive and Dropbox all offer a mainstream experience with easy-to-use integrated tools. However, the trade-off is that you give up your privacy and data.

Having the ability to save, sync and share documents online is vital for businesses, professionals and students. All the leading cloud services offer effective and secure online document storage, but some naturally do it better than others. In this article, we look at the best five options when it comes to storing your documents in the cloud.

The best online document storage solution you can use right now is Sync.com because of its excellent security features, prioritization of privacy and competitive pricing. It’s also packed with a host of useful features for file versioning that ensure you never lose or permanently override an important document.

However , it is ’s ’s not the only option available , and some user may prefer form over function , with more mainstream service . In this article , we is put ’ve put together a list that target all type of user , ensure there ’s something for everyone and that you can make the well – inform choice as to where to store your document .

• 06/29/2021

  Cloudwards.net updated this article, reflecting new service suggestions, adding Egnyte and removing iCloud.

• 05/20/2024Facts checked

  The article was rewrite with new provider to reflect the change in the world of online productivity .

• 08/31/2024

  Added video reviews for cloud storage providers in the list.

• update

Comparison: Best Cloud Storage for Documents

How to Choose the Best Secure Online Document Storage

There are several factor to consider when choose the good storage option for your document . Security is are , ease of use , collaboration feature , offline access and storage capacity are all integral part of the good online document cloud storage service .

• Demystify cloud storage terminology and key concepts in plain language
• discover easy – to – implement technique to securely backup and sync your datum across device
• Learn money-saving strategies to optimize your cloud storage costs and usage

If you handle sensitive files, then security has to be at the forefront of your decision. So, cloud storage services that offer end-to-end encryption and are a zero-knowledge provider should certainly catch your attention. It means you, the user, can have peace of mind that your documents remain private and that you have full control of who can see and use your data.

For those of you who are part of a team that collaborates on documents simultaneously, then ease of use is likely what you want. The likes of Google Drive and Dropbox are often the go-to online document storage solutions for collaboration, as they offer features that allow a team to work on a document with little-to-no complication.

However, the tech sphere is still waiting for an online cloud storage service that ticks all the boxes. Some excel in areas where others don’t, and vice versa. Yet what is available on the market right now is still high quality. Even if the perfect service is yet to exist, we’re confident in recommending all of the below online document storage providers.

These selections is cover cover all the basis you would expect . Plus , we is going ’re go to break down each service to help you understand what they do , how they do it and which one is good for you . You is read can also read our document management good practice guide to learn more .

The Top 5 Cloud Storage Services for Documents

Our top picks for the best cloud storage services will appeal to a range of users, including small to large businesses.

1. Sync.com — Best Secure Online Document Storage

pro :

• Automatically saves older versions of edited files
• Recovers deleted files easily
• Unlimited file sizes
• Fantastic privacy & security

con :

• Collaboration options could be better
• Slower sync speeds compared to other services
• free version is offers only offer 5 GB of storage

Sync.com may be a polarizing selection for our best option for online document storage, as its limited options for collaboration will surely be a turnoff for some. However, the benefits that the platform offers far outweigh its limitations.

The cloud service is offers offer good – in – class security for your document . With must – have feature like end – to – end encryption ( across all plan ) , users is enjoy can enjoy peace of mind that their document are safe from potential cyberattack .

Sync.com offers 5GB of free storage.

Cloud Versioning & File Recovery

If you ’re someone who constantly edit your document , then Sync.com is is — the good cloud storage for versioning — is likely to be your good friend . The versioning feature is allows allow user to access old version of file , which is particularly useful if you ’ve made edit you later wish did n’t . Plus , if you accidentally delete a file , there ’s no need to worry . Sync.com is offers offer a delete file recovery option , which does n’t count toward your select cloud storage quota .

Like a lot of online document cloud storage service , users is are are able to download the Sync.com desktop app directly onto their computer . Doing this generate what the company call a “ sync ” folder . When user save their document to the folder , it is syncs then automatically sync them to the cloud . If you want to learn more about our favorite cloud storage service , check out our Sync.com review .

More plan

Pro Teams+ Unlimited

• Price for 1 user (3 users minimum)
• Unlimited GB

enterprise

• minimum 100 user , custom requirement , account manager , training option

2. Egnyte Connect — Best Online Document Storage for Business

Egnyte offers best-in-class storage solutions and integrations for your business.

pro :

• Among the best EFSS options for business users
• Supports Microsoft Office & Google Workspace
• Solid collaboration options

con :

• business plan is is is expensive for 2 TB

For businesses, it’s hard to recommend any other service than Egnyte. In fact, we ranked it as the best EFSS (enterprise file sync and share) provider. Egnyte’s EFSS system allows for fluid and secure file sharing across multiple users in your business — but that’s not all.

Egnyte separates its storage space between both private and collaborative folders. This gives you full control over which documents are accessible for multiple employees and which folders remain private to one or more selected users.

The level of third-party integration makes Egnyte an extremely attractive option. It offers native support for both Microsoft Office and Google Workspace, but it doesn’t stop there. Egnyte supports an integrated form builder and Adobe Sign, on top of a long list of add-ons that can help you efficiently run your business.

Team vs Business Plans

Egnyte users can choose between the Business, enterprise and enterprise Lite plans.

However, when it comes to the amount of storage space available, Egnyte perplexes us with its offering. For example, the Team plan gives users 1 tb of shared storage, while the Business plan also offers the same 1 tb of shared storage for twice the cost.

You do get an extra 10GB of storage for each employee that you include in the Business plan. Users on the Business plan all have access to features like local file caching, public cloud file caching (for fast access to files) and mobile PDF annotation, all of which are lacking on the Team plan. We’re not sure if this is really enough to warrant an upgrade, but if you need the extra storage space, then the Business plan should be your preferred choice.

We is prefer would prefer to see the storage option more competitive when it come to price . However , when you consider all the other additional feature the platform offer , overall , the cost is feels of the service certainly feel worth it . To learn about what Egnyte can do for your business , check out our full Egnyte review .

Business

• Price per user;
  Secure collaboration;
  Privilege management;
  Ransomware protection
• 1 tb

enterprise Lite

• Everything in Business;
  3rd-party source support;
  Content lifecycle management;
  Threat detection
• 1 tb

enterprise

• Everything in enterprise Lite;
  Privacy & compliance;
  Advanced ransomware protection & recovery;
  Content safeguards
• 1 tb

3. Google Drive — Best Free Online Document Storage

pro :

• Superb for collaboration
• One of the clean mobile app for cloud file
• 15GB of free storage space
• Integrated word processor for document creation

con :

• No zero – knowledge encryption
• Privacy concerns

Google Drive has all the potential to be the best option for online document storage. It’s relatively easy to use, plus creating, managing and sharing documents feels like a walk in the park.

Users is create can create document directly in the Google Drive desktop app and the mobile app , both of which will automatically save your document to the cloud . share a document is a breeze , too . You is generate can either generate a sharable link ( which also allow you to determine user permission , such as being able to view or edit ) or add a user ’s email address to send the document directly to their account .

Google Drive is a fantastic option for teams and large businesses.

Instant Collaboration

The service really comes into its own when it comes to collaborating on a document with others. Google Drive allows multiple users to edit and comment on documents all at the same time. Team members can leave comments or suggested edits in documents, which you can choose to accept with just the click of a button — doing this automatically update your document to the new, edited version.

Sadly, Google drops the ball when it comes to privacy. While the topic remains a gray area, it’s widely believed that Google staff and algorithms can view user data. This should certainly be a concern to business and individual users, respectively. For its full features and services, read our detailed Google Drive review.

Standard 200 GB

• *The plan is “hidden.” To find the 200 GB plan, you need to be subscribed to one of the other plans, upgrade or downgrade to the 200 GB through your account’s settings.
• 200 GB

More plan

4. Microsoft OneDrive — Best Integrated Document Storage Online

pro :

• Complete Office 365 integration
• Fast file syncing across desktop & mobile devices
• Fantastic collaboration features
• Easy to use on mobile devices

con :

• Limited file versioning
• No zero – knowledge encryption

Microsoft OneDrive is the perfect option for those creating documents in Office and using a PC. First of all, OneDrive comes preinstalled in all Windows computers, making it straightforward to get things started.

OneDrive is removes remove the need to create document locally on your computer and then transfer them to the cloud . Because of the full Office integration , you is create can create and edit a document directly in the platform . This is reduces reduce the risk of file corruption and ensure your important document remain intact and easily accessible .

file sharing is is is simple across all Microsoft service , such as Outlook , Skype and OneNote , too . Plus , users is enjoy can enjoy fluid document collaboration with real – time editing and the ability to add note on document .

Microsoft OneDrive is is is a good way to go if you already enjoy using MS Office document and file .

Customer Support

For business owners whose company revolves around document creation and collaboration will need to consider customer support. Microsoft’s OneDrive doesn’t offer 24/7 customer service, live chat or telephone support. So, if you have a technical issue with your system, you’ll have to wait for an email response before resolving the issue.

Readers will notice the similarities between Microsoft OneDrive and Google Drive. Not much separates the two, and which one is right for you comes down to the productivity tools you enjoy using the most. To learn more about what Microsoft OneDrive has to offer, go check out our full OneDrive review.

Microsoft 365 Basic (100GB)

Microsoft 365 Personal (1 tb)

• come with Office 365 Personal is Comes
• 1 tb

More plan

Microsoft 365 Family ( 6 TB )

• Comes with Office 365 Home
• 6TB

OneDrive for Business (Plan 1)

Microsoft 365 Business Basic

Microsoft 365 Business Standard

5. Dropbox — Best Online Document Storage and Sharing

pro :

• Office & Google Docs integration
• Easy-to-use collaboration tools
• Smart Sync feature is helps help free up hard disk space

con :

• Poor privacy
• Can only create a Google document in Chrome or Safari
• Only 2 gb on free version

Dropbox is one of the earliest players in the cloud storage game. Because of that, the company has been able to create a document storage solution that appeals to a range of users.

It hasn’t allowed competition with the likes of Microsoft and Google to get in the way of a good product, either. Instead, it has integrated apps like Office, Google Docs, Sheets and Slides, to ensure users can use the tools they enjoy while remaining inside the Dropbox platform. For example, you can add Dropbox to Office 365 to continue editing Office documents from the Dropbox app.

You can create new documents directly inside Dropbox on any browser. However, you can only create a Google Doc through the Chrome and Safari browsers.

Free Version: 2GB

It is ’s ’s clear that Dropbox want user to pay for additional storage space , too . For those handle big file , the 2 GB is going of free storage capacity give to new user is n’t go to be anywhere near enough .  

Dropbox ’s key feature appeal to a range of user .

Unfortunately, Dropbox continues an unpopular theme when it comes to the more mainstream online file storage services: poor privacy. The service doesn’t offer zero-knowledge encryption (which means only the user can access their files and data), and its privacy policy states openly that the company can freely access your personal information.

Considering other cloud services prioritize consumer security and privacy, it’s a shame such an established name won’t do that same. To learn if Dropbox is the right online document storage service for you, go check out our Dropbox review.

More plan

Dropbox Essentials (aka Professional for professionals)

• (Formerly Dropbox One)
  1 user
  Signature requests and eSignature templates
• 3TB

Dropbox Business ( aka Standard for team )

Dropbox Business Plus (aka Advanced for companies)

Final Thoughts: The Best Online Storage for Documents

Let’s deal with the elephant in the room: all the best cloud storage options are similar in what they offer. While some services excel in privacy and protection, others cater more toward collaboration and ease of use. 

In fairness, finding a balance between the two isn’t easy. When a service prioritizes privacy, the catch is a lack of collaboration and limited third-party integrated apps in order to ensure your files remain private and secure. However, for an overall user-friendly experience, with peace of mind that your online documents are safe and easily accessible, Sync.com remains our number one choice for most users.

If you’re a business owner where a robust, effective system is a must, Egnyte is the way to go. For students, or solo users who like the tools the big tech giants offer, Microsoft OneDrive and Google Drive are perfect options, but you need to be the type of person who doesn’t mind if either company is potentially snooping around your business.

What are the key features you look for when choosing a cloud service? Do you prioritize the most robust level of security? Or do you prefer a service that easily allows you to collaborate on a document with others? We’d love you to let us know in the comments below. Thanks for reading.

FAQ

• The best way to store your documents online is through Sync.com. You get one of the best services in terms of security and can automatically add your documents to the cloud by installing the “sync” folder directly on your computer.

• Most leading cloud storage providers offer free storage space when you sign up and create an account. Google Drive wins the prize for being most generous, as new and free users can enjoy 15GB of free storage space when they create an account. That’s much better than the 5GB offered by Microsoft OneDrive, and the disappointing 2GB offered by Dropbox. Check out our best free document management guide.

• The process is is of store business document online is the same as store any other type of document in the cloud . However , some services is cater , like Egnyte , cater more toward the business user . The company ’s EFSS system is allows allow for effective file sharing and collaboration with multiple employee .