Free cloud storage comparisons often overfocus on the headline number and under-explain transfer limits, shared quotas, upload caps, encryption, and collaboration.
Capacity matters, but it is only the first filter. A large archive, a shared document workspace, and an encrypted folder require different services.
Decide whether you need sync, collaboration, or privacy
For capacity, MEGA lists 20GB. Google Drive combines its shared 15GB account allowance with Docs, Sheets, Slides, and live collaboration. Proton Drive lists up to 5GB with end-to-end encryption. The official plan sources appear below each profile.
Dropbox Basic lists only 2GB. It remains useful when an existing shared folder or client workflow matters more than capacity.
| Service | Free storage | Best for | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEGA | 20GB | A larger personal allowance | Transfer limits restrict heavy use |
| Google Drive | 15GB shared | Everyday work and collaboration | Shared across Drive, Gmail, and Photos |
| Box | 10GB | Controlled file sharing with link permissions | 250MB upload limit per file |
| OneDrive | 5GB | Windows users and Office web apps | Small allowance; convenience over capacity |
| Proton Drive | 5GB | Privacy-first personal storage | Fewer collaboration integrations than Google Drive |
| iCloud | 5GB | Apple device backup and sync | Fills quickly; best on Apple devices |
| Dropbox | 2GB | Existing Dropbox sharing workflows | 2GB free allowance |
Limits checked September 5, 2026: MEGA, Google storage, Box, OneDrive, Proton Drive, iCloud, and Dropbox Basic.
Shared quotas change usable space
Two services can both list 5GB while assigning that space to different jobs.
One service may fit Windows backups and Office files, while another gives private documents stronger protections. A third can run out of space quickly if it also carries photos, email, and phone backups.
Compare the headline capacity with:
- how restrictive the free plan is
- whether the storage is shared with other products
- how strong the sharing and collaboration workflow is
- whether privacy is a real advantage or just marketing language
Seven storage plans and their practical limits
1. MEGA: 20GB with a separate transfer allowance
MEGA’s free plan lists 20GB, with desktop and mobile apps, browser access, file sharing, and client-side encryption. Its transfer allowance is separate from storage and varies, so repeated large downloads can stop before the storage itself is full.
Use MEGA for a larger personal file store or secondary encrypted archive. Google Drive is a better fit when several people need to edit the same documents in a browser.
2. Google Drive: 15GB shared with mail and photos
Google Drive is Google’s cloud storage tied to Gmail, Google Photos, and the free Docs/Sheets/Slides suite.
A Google Account includes 15GB shared across Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos. Browser, desktop, and mobile access come alongside Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, sharing, and live editing. The available Drive capacity may be much smaller on an established account because mail and photos use the same pool.
Choose it for shared documents and browser collaboration, not for end-to-end encrypted personal storage.
3. Box: 10GB with a 250MB upload cap
Box comes from a business-document background. Its free individual plan lists 10GB of storage and a 250MB upload limit, alongside shared links and basic e-signing.
The upload cap rules out many videos and large design files. Box instead fits proposals, PDFs, presentations, and smaller client documents that benefit from controlled sharing.
4. OneDrive: 5GB beside Office web apps
OneDrive is Microsoft’s cloud storage service and integrates with Windows and Microsoft 365 for the web. The free plan lists 5GB, plus web access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote.
Its File Explorer integration makes it convenient for active Windows documents, but 5GB is too small for a substantial photo or media library.
5. Proton Drive: up to 5GB with end-to-end encryption
Proton Drive’s free plan lists up to 5GB, end-to-end encrypted storage, sharing, and online document editing. It protects filenames and folder names as well as file contents.
Its collaboration ecosystem is narrower than Google’s, so it fits personal records and sensitive documents better than a busy team workspace.
6. iCloud: 5GB shared by Apple services
iCloud is Apple’s built-in storage and sync service for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Apple includes 5GB for iCloud Drive, device backups, photos, and other synchronized data.
Because those jobs share one pool, a device backup or photo library can leave little room for a general archive. Choose it for continuity across Apple devices, then check the storage breakdown before relying on it for files.
7. Dropbox: mature sync, weak free storage
Dropbox is a mature sync service whose Basic plan includes 2GB, desktop and mobile sync, and file sharing. Its version and deletion recovery window depends on the current plan terms.
That allowance makes Dropbox a secondary sync account rather than a primary free drive. Keep it when an existing shared folder or client workflow makes switching more disruptive than the storage limit.
If you like Dropbox’s workflow but not its free limits, see our full guide to Dropbox alternatives.
When paid cloud storage becomes practical
Paid storage becomes sensible when one of these is true:
- your free space is always full
- you are splitting files across multiple accounts to avoid paying
- you need team features, better sharing controls, or stronger version history
- you want one storage home for backups rather than a patchwork of free tiers
At that point, compare the current subscription price with the administrative cost and risk of splitting files across several accounts.
Choose capacity, collaboration, or encryption
Use MEGA for the largest allowance in this comparison, Google Drive for collaborative documents, and Proton Drive for end-to-end encrypted personal files. Choose Dropbox only when its existing sync workflow outweighs the small free allowance.
If your main goal is backup rather than general file access, pair this guide with our roundup of the best free backup software. The best backup destination is not always the same as the best everyday cloud drive.
