In this Hitech world of the Internet, data storage is a big issue for everyone. In this arena, almost every person has smartphones, laptops, computers which have large amounts of data.
Cloud Storage Services provides us a platform on the internet where we can store our precious data and we can easily access it from anywhere, only we need a good internet connection every time.
Here We will discuss the 5 Cheapest Cloud Storage Services so you can know about the best cloud storage service. Which cloud storage service is the safest and is cloud storage too expensive? How much does 1 TB of cloud storage cost? So many questions are in our minds about it, so let’s dive into this deep ocean of cloud storage services.
What Is Cloud Storage?
As our Title is 5 Cheapest cloud storage services but before this topic, I have to know, what is cloud storage?
We do not have so much storage space in the particular device for photos and videos that we are using, so we use external devices for storing data such as pen drives, hard disks.
These external devices can be misplaced or corrupted sometimes, and we cannot access them from anywhere and anytime. Then we need a permanent storage area that is outside our device, that is safe and we can access it anytime from anywhere via the internet.
If you want to store your files, documents, and images online safely, access them from anywhere, and share them across devices, then cloud storage is a perfect solution for you.
Cloud storage is a cloud computing model that stores data on the Internet through a cloud computing provider that manages and operates data storage as a service. It’s delivered on-demand with just-in-time capacity and costs and eliminates buying and managing your own data storage infrastructure. This gives you the global scale and durability, with “anytime, anywhere” data access.
What is Cloud Computing And How does Cloud Storage work?
In the simplest terms, cloud computing means storing and accessing data and programs over the internet instead of your computer’s hard drive. Cloud computing is the on-demand delivery of IT resources over the Internet with pay-as-you-go pricing. Instead of buying, owning, and maintaining physical data centers and servers, you can access technology services, such as computing power, storage, and databases, on an as-needed basis from a cloud provider.
Cloud storage is purchased from a third-party cloud vendor who owns and operates data storage capacity and delivers it over the Internet in a pay-as-you-go model. These cloud storage vendors manage capacity, security, and durability to make data accessible to your applications all around the world.
Applications access cloud storage through traditional storage protocols or directly via an API. Many vendors offer complementary services designed to help collect, manage, secure and analyze data at a massive scale.
5 Cheapest Cloud Storage Services
Although some cloud storage systems offer limited storage options with basic features for free, to take full advantage of this impressive technology, you will want to purchase a cloud storage subscription. But don’t spend more than you need to spend. Here are the 5 cheapest cloud storage service options, along with ‘pros’ and ‘cons’ for each service to help you decide which is the best for your needs.
1. Google Drive- Most generous free cloud storage
For those who already use Google services, such as Gmail, you may not realize you automatically have access to one of the cheapest cloud storage options with Google Drive. When you sign up for a Google account to use Gmail, you receive up to 15 GB of cloud storage for free.
If you need more cloud storage, you have the option of paying for extra storage with Google One by upgrading your Google Drive account. In Google’s many services, it will be a natural progression to add a subscription with Google One cloud storage.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Google Drive
Pros Of Google Drive
- Highly integrated with Google’s word processing and spreadsheet apps
- Easy to sync files from the local hard drive with Google Drive
- Great 15 GB free tier for those who only need basic storage
- Most generous free cloud storage
Cons Of Google Drive
- Doesn’t offer massive storage tiers for high-end users
- Price isn’t the lowest on our list
Pricing Structure Of Google Drive
- 15 GB for free
- 100 GB for $1.99 per month
- 200 GB for $2.99 per month
- 2 TB for $9.99 per month
2. pCloud- The cheapest 500 GB cloud storage
With a pCloud account, users will receive 10 GB of free storage space. For more storage, customers can subscribe to the pCloud pay service for either 500 GB or 2 TB. With its pCloud lifetime $49 plan, you can also subscribe to it for a lifetime.
This 500 GB level of storage is not commonly found with cloud storage providers, who often offer levels of 1 TB or larger. So those who are looking for one of the cheapest cloud storage options for storing photographs, graphics, and other medium-sized files will appreciate the value they receive with pCloud.
One aspect of pCloud to consider is that the service limits your account to 500 GB of download traffic per month. If you are using the pCloud storage to give others the ability to download the files, you may run up against this limit fairly regularly, causing issues.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of pCloud
Pros Of pCloud
- Has more security and encryption options than some others
- Supports all kinds of devices and operating systems
- Offers a single payment option for lifetime access to your storage
- The cheapest 500 GB cloud storage.
Cons Of pCloud
- Has limits in the amount of data you can download from your account each month
- No option for live chat or phone support
Pricing Structure of pCloud
- 500 GB for $4.99 per month
- 2 TB for $9.99 per month
- One-time lifetime access payment offered of $175 for 50 GB or $350 for 2 TB
However, by applying the exclusive pCloud promo code, you will be able to make massive savings on it.
3. Media Fire – The cheapest 1 TB cloud storage
MediaFire offers a 1 TB storage capacity option that carries one of the lowest prices per GB of storage that you’ll find in the cloud storage marketplace.
However, this is not the easiest cheap cloud storage option to use. MediaFire doesn’t offer a desktop app, which forces users to use the MediaFire website to pass files from a computer to the cloud storage space. It is far less convenient than other cloud storage options.
MediaFire does offer a mobile app for its service, so those seeking cloud storage for use primarily with a tablet or smartphone may receive a better benefit from MediaFire than those looking for cloud storage through a laptop or desktop computer.
Advantages And Disadvantages of Mediafire
Pros Of Mediafire
- Extremely low price per GB of storage for a 1 TB storage tier
- Has a mobile app to simplify use with a tablet or smartphone
- Simplifies the process of sharing files with others
- The cheapest 1 TB cloud storage
Cons Of Mediafire
- Security features are not as strong as some others
- Lacks a desktop app to simplify using the service
Pricing Structure Of Mediafire
- 1 TB for $5 per month
4. Sync- The Cheapest 2 TB cloud storage
For those who need larger amounts of cloud storage at a low price, Sync has extremely competitive pricing in the 2 TB to 4 TB ranges. You’ll appreciate a large number of extra features Sync offers too, including up to one year of deleted file recovery. Sync also has strong security features, ensuring that your data stored in the cloud remains well-protected.
If you are using Sync to host files that you’ll allow others to download regularly, the service does not place limits on the amount of shared data you may have each month.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Sync.com
Pros Of Sync.com
- Security features outperform others on this list
- Doesn’t place limits on the number of file transfers that can occur each month
- Includes excellent file recovery options
- The Cheapest 2 TB cloud storage.
Cons Of Sync.com
- It May require rearranging the hard drive folder structure for file synching
- Doesn’t have lower storage tiers for users with basic needs
Pricing structure Of Sync.Com
- 2 TB for $8 per month
- 3 TB for $12 per month
- 4 TB for $15 per month
5. Dropbox – Works well across a variety of devices
Dropbox has one tier made for individuals seeking cloud storage, giving users 2 TB of data storage. But you will have a limit of 2 GB per file transfer.
Its biggest advantage is its ease of use, featuring apps and features that work with almost any kind of device and operating system.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Dropbox
Pros Of Dropbox
- Extremely easy to sync your local hard drive with Dropbox
- Provides support for file collaboration
- Works well across a variety of devices
Cons Of Dropbox
- Could use more storage tier options
- Highly restrictive size of files for transfers
Pricing Structure Of Dropbox
2 TB for $9.99 per month
What Are The Pros and Cons of Cloud Storage Services?
Pros Of Cloud Storage Services
- Accessibility: Files in the cloud can be accessed from anywhere with an Internet connection.
- Cost savings: Cloud storage for your business will come at little or no cost for a small or medium-sized organization. This will reduce your annual operating costs and even more savings.
- Disaster recovery: All businesses should invest in an emergency backup plan and cloud storage can be used like this by creating a second copy of important files. You can store these files at a remote location and they can be accessed through an internet connection.
- Scalability: With cloud storage, you only pay for the amount of storage you require. If your business experiences growth, then the cloud operator can help accommodate your corresponding growth in data storage needs.
Cons Of Cloud Storage Services
- Security and privacy in the cloud: There are concerns with valuable and important data being stored remotely. Before adopting cloud technology, you should be aware that you are giving sensitive business information to a third-party cloud service provider and this could potentially put your company at risk.
- Vulnerability to Attacks: With your business information stored in the cloud, there is a vulnerability to external hack attacks. The internet is not completely secure, and for this reason, there is always the possibility of the theft of sensitive data.
- Data Management: Managing data in the cloud can be a hassle because cloud storage systems have their structures. The existing storage management system of your business may not always integrate well with the cloud vendor’s system.
- Lifetime costs: With public cloud storage, the price costs over the years might increase and tend to add up. This is when the lifetime costs will hit you. If your applications are local and your data is in the cloud, then it can add to networking costs.
Our Final Recommendation
Now you know what is the cheapest cloud storage provider at every tier. Whether you’re just looking for some extra space in the cloud or need a huge amount of affordable cloud storage, you can find the right service for your needs.
While we mainly focused on price here, it’s important to consider the ease of use, feature set, and integration of your cloud storage service as well. It might be worth paying a few extra dollars per month for those benefits, compared to a service that doesn’t fit in your workflow as smoothly.
We use pCloud because it offers a single payment option for lifetime access to our storage. Onetime lifetime access payment offered of $175 for 50 GB or $350 for 2 TB
We hope this article 5 Cheapest Cloud Storage Services is beneficial for you, now you can have so much help to select cloud storage for your personal or professional use.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Ans. If we compare Dropbox and Google Drive, the best cloud storage service is Dropbox. It is almost the same as Google Drive based on security, but its slightly easier file sharing and faster syncing make it a better service, particularly for those who collaborate on a lot of documents.
Ans. Dropbox does not scan your files with an antivirus. It would still be possible to get infected by a virus not detected by its solution. You should take the normal protection measures, such as running an up-to-date antivirus on your computer.
Also, Read:
Pros And Cons Of Cloud Storage
What’s the Safest Computer Data Storage Option?
What Is The Future of Data Centers in the IT Industry?
Industries Revolutionized by Cloud Technology