Free cloud storage is not a myth — but it is fragmented. No single provider (with one notable exception) gives users massive storage for free with no conditions attached. However, by combining multiple reputable services, a single user can legally access more than 1TB of free cloud storage without paying anything.
This article compares 20 popular cloud storage services, explains what you actually get for free, and helps you decide which providers are worth using depending on your needs: backups, file sharing, privacy, daily productivity, or bulk storage.
Why Free Cloud Storage Still Exists
Cloud storage companies do not offer free tiers out of generosity. Free plans exist because they serve clear business goals.
Most providers use free storage to:
- attract long-term users early,
- encourage ecosystem lock-in (apps, devices, workflows),
- and upsell paid plans later.
For users, this model can work very well — as long as expectations are realistic. Free cloud storage is safe and useful if you understand:
- storage limits and caps,
- privacy and data-handling trade-offs,
- and which features are locked behind paid plans.
When used strategically, free tiers can cover a surprising range of real-world needs.
The 20 Free Cloud Storage Services (Free Tier Only)
Google Drive & Google Photos
Google Drive offers 15 GB of free storage, shared across Drive, Gmail, and Photos. It remains one of the most practical and reliable options for everyday users, especially for collaboration and document management.
Google Photos uses the same storage pool. While it does not add extra capacity, it excels at photo organization, search, and AI-powered tagging.
Best for: productivity, collaboration, everyday files
Trade-off: shared storage pool, data scanning
MEGA
MEGA provides 20 GB free and includes end-to-end encryption by default. It is one of the strongest privacy-focused options available without payment.
Best for: private file storage
Trade-off: bandwidth limits on free accounts
pCloud & Icedrive
pCloud and Icedrive each offer 10 GB free.
pCloud is known for stability and long-term reliability, while Icedrive focuses on modern design and client-side encryption.
Best for: general-purpose storage, secondary backups
Trade-off: advanced security features require paid plans
Box, Koofr & IDrive
Box offers 10 GB free, primarily aimed at collaboration and business use.
Koofr also provides 10 GB free and allows users to link multiple cloud accounts under one interface.
IDrive includes 10 GB free, with a stronger focus on backups rather than daily file access.
Best for: mixed setups, experimentation
Trade-off: interfaces and workflows vary
OneDrive & iCloud
Microsoft OneDrive and Apple iCloud both provide 5 GB free.
They integrate deeply with Windows and Apple ecosystems, making them convenient but limiting outside those environments.
Best for: Windows or Apple users
Trade-off: ecosystem lock-in
Proton Drive & Sync.com
Privacy-focused users often choose Proton Drive and Sync.com. Each offers 5 GB free, with strong encryption and no ad-based business model.
Best for: sensitive documents
Trade-off: fewer collaboration tools
Yandex Disk, Amazon Drive & NordLocker
Yandex Disk provides 5 GB free as a base tier.
Amazon Drive typically includes 5 GB, often linked to an Amazon account.
NordLocker offers 3 GB free, focusing on encrypted containers rather than bulk storage.
Dropbox & Internxt
Dropbox now offers only 2 GB free, making it one of the least generous options.
Internxt provides 1 GB free, prioritizing decentralization and privacy over capacity.
kDrive (Infomaniak)
kDrive stands out by offering 50 GB free, hosted in Switzerland with strong data-protection laws.
Best for: large free storage without ads
Trade-off: smaller ecosystem
TeraBox
TeraBox is the clear outlier, offering 1 TB (1000 GB) free.
This generosity comes with compromises: ads, limited privacy guarantees, and content scanning.
Best for: bulk storage, archives, non-sensitive files
Trade-off: privacy and advertising
Flickr
Flickr is photo-only and offers storage equivalent to roughly 5 GB, depending on image size.
Best for: photographers and public image galleries
Summary Table — Free Tier Comparison
| # | Service | Free Storage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Google Drive | 15 GB | Shared with Gmail & Photos |
| 2 | Google Photos | 15 GB | Shared storage pool |
| 3 | MEGA | 20 GB | End-to-end encrypted |
| 4 | pCloud | 10 GB | Stable provider |
| 5 | Icedrive | 10 GB | Modern UI |
| 6 | Box | 10 GB | Business-focused |
| 7 | Koofr | 10 GB | Links other clouds |
| 8 | IDrive | 10 GB | Backup-oriented |
| 9 | OneDrive | 5 GB | Windows integration |
| 10 | iCloud | 5 GB | Apple ecosystem |
| 11 | Proton Drive | 5 GB | Privacy-first |
| 12 | Sync.com | 5 GB | Zero-knowledge |
| 13 | Yandex Disk | 5 GB | Base tier |
| 14 | Amazon Drive | 5 GB | Amazon account |
| 15 | NordLocker | 3 GB | Encrypted containers |
| 16 | Dropbox | 2 GB | Very limited |
| 17 | Internxt | 1 GB | Decentralized |
| 18 | kDrive | 50 GB | Swiss-hosted |
| 19 | TeraBox | 1 TB (1000 GB) | Ads, low privacy |
| 20 | Flickr | ~5 GB | Photo-only |
How Much Free Storage Can You Actually Get?
Conservative, Realistic Total
(Google Drive & Google Photos counted once)
≈ 1,166 GB (≈ 1.16 TB) free
Maximum Possible Total
(Counting Google Photos separately)
≈ 1,181 GB (≈ 1.18 TB)
TeraBox alone accounts for approximately 86% of the total free storage.
Without it, the combined total drops to around 150–165 GB.
Important Reality Checks (Read Before Signing Up)
1. Not All Storage Is Equal
Some services limit file size, transfer speeds, or features. Free tiers often exclude version history, advanced sharing, or recovery tools.
2. Privacy Varies Widely
- End-to-end encryption: MEGA, Proton Drive, Sync.com
- Ad-supported or content-scanned: TeraBox, Google
3. Ecosystem Lock-In
- iCloud works best on Apple devices
- OneDrive integrates tightly with Windows
Best Use-Case Combinations
Best for massive free storage
TeraBox + kDrive + MEGA
Best for privacy
Proton Drive + Sync.com + Internxt
Best for daily productivity
Google Drive + OneDrive + Dropbox
Best for photos
Google Photos + Flickr
Is Free Cloud Storage Safe?
Yes — if you use it correctly.
- Avoid storing sensitive documents on ad-supported platforms
- Use privacy-focused providers for personal data
- Treat free storage as distributed, not centralized
Final Verdict
Free cloud storage in 2026 is not about finding one perfect provider. It is about strategy. By combining the right services, users can legally access over 1TB of cloud storage, reduce dependence on a single company, and choose where different types of data belongs.
Used wisely, free cloud storage remains a powerful tool.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some cloud storage providers offer paid upgrades and referral programs. If you choose to upgrade through links in this article, the author may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This does not affect rankings or recommendations.