Top 5 Recommended Cloud Storage Services

Cloud storage has become an integral part of digital life and IT infrastructure. We entrust it with valuable family archives, work documents, server backups, and databases.

The modern storage market is roughly divided into three main directions:

1. Cloud Sync & Collaboration: focus on convenient access from mobile devices and PCs, file sharing, and collaborative document editing (e.g., Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox).
2. Secure and Private Storage (Zero-Knowledge / Privacy-First): solutions focusing on end-to-end encryption (E2EE), where access keys are held exclusively by the user (Proton Drive, MEGA, pCloud).
3. Backup and Protocol Storage Services (Cloud Backup & Infrastructure Storage): tools for disaster recovery of PCs, NAS, or automated sending of dumps and archives from servers via FTP/sFTP/SSH and S3 protocols (IDrive, Backblaze, ISHosting, Hetzner).

To choose the right solution, it is important to understand: there is no such thing as a universal “one-size-fits-all” cloud. Below is a detailed breakdown of providers, their comparison, and practical recommendations for choosing.

1. pCloud — Best Cloud for Multimedia and Lifetime Use

Attention: The service is intended strictly for end-users and working with personal media content. Due to the lack of support for standard protocols (S3, WebDAV) and the paid client-side encryption module, pCloud is not suitable for automated server or database backups.

• Purpose: Multimedia storage, streaming, and lifetime purchase.
• Main Pros: Availability of “lifetime” plans (Lifetime) — pay once; built-in video and audio player for streaming playback; virtual pCloud Drive does not take up space on the PC.
• Cons: Client-side user encryption (Zero-Knowledge) is sold as a separate add-on module (pCloud Crypto).
• S3 Support: Absent. pCloud is positioned as a consumer multimedia cloud with a virtual drive and operates via its own proprietary API and branded applications (desktop, iOS, Android, web interface).
• Price / Plans: 10 GB free; 500 GB — $4.99/mo (or $199 Lifetime); 2 TB — $9.99/mo (or $399 Lifetime).

2. Proton Drive — The Standard of Privacy and Data Protection

• Purpose: Security, privacy, and private ecosystem backup.
• Main Pros: Full client-side end-to-end encryption (Zero-Knowledge) (even Proton has no access to the contents); Swiss jurisdiction; as part of the Proton Unlimited subscription, you get Proton Drive (500 GB), secure Proton Mail, VPN, and Proton Pass password manager.
• Cons: Higher cost per gigabyte; limited document collaboration functionality compared to Google/Microsoft.
• S3 Support: Absent. The service focuses on client-side end-to-end encryption (E2EE) and personal user privacy, so there is no direct S3 API protocol access to the storage.
• Price / Plans: 2–5 GB free; Drive Plus 200 GB — from $3.99/mo; Proton Unlimited (500 GB + all services) — about $9.99–$12.99/mo (with Black Friday discounts, the price drops to 33–50%).

3. ISHosting (Storage VPS) — Best Choice for Server Backups and System Administrators

Attention: This is specialized infrastructure storage (Storage VPS/FTP), not a consumer “Yandex/Google Drive.” The service has no mobile apps, convenient web gallery, or ready-made links for quick file sharing with friends — the solution is designed for administrators, developers, and automated backup scripts.

• Purpose: Server backups, website backups, automation scripts, and file storage via standard network protocols.
• Main Pros: High speed due to classic protocol access (FTP/sFTP/Rsync/SSH/SCP); direct disk mounting via SSHFS; excellent price for large volumes; complete independence from proprietary applications.
• Cons: Requires basic administration skills; no client with a nice user graphical interface for ordinary photos/videos from a phone.
• S3 Support: Limited / depends on configuration. Classic ISHosting storage plans focus on FTP/sFTP/SSH/Rsync. For S3 operation, the provider offers separate object storage solutions or requires setting up an independent MinIO/S3 gateway on top of the SSH disk.
• Price / Plans: Budget specialized storage plans (from $2–$3/mo for 100–250 GB and profitable scalability for volumes of 500 GB–5 TB).

4. Google One/Google Drive

• Purpose: Synchronization, ecosystem, document collaboration.
• Main Pros: Integration with Google Docs, Sheets, and Google Photos; 15 GB of base space; family sharing for up to 5 people; availability of neural network features (Gemini) on higher tiers.
• Cons: Lack of default end-to-end encryption (Zero-Knowledge); not suitable for full system image backups or servers.
• S3 Support: Not in Google Drive. The personal Google Drive cloud operates via its own REST API. Object storage with S3 support (with the ability to enable S3 interoperability) exists only in the corporate Google Cloud Storage (GCS) cloud, but this is a separate infrastructure product with different pricing.
• Price / Plans: 15 GB free; 100 GB — $1.99/mo; 2 TB — $9.99/mo (or $99.99/year).

5. Friendhosting (Storage HDD VDS)

Attention: This is specialized infrastructure (VDS on high-capacity HDD drives), not a consumer cloud disk. The service has no mobile clients or automatic gallery — the solution is targeted at system administrators, developers, and automated backup scripts.

• Purpose: Storage of large data arrays, archival backup of servers, databases, and deployment of personal storage via SSH/sFTP/Rsync protocols.
• Main Pros: Full Root access to the virtual server, allowing the deployment of any stack (from a classic rsync server to your own MinIO, Nextcloud, or Syncthing); hosting in reliable European data centers; high flexibility when working with large volumes of information.
• Cons: Linux administration skills required; lack of ready-made out-of-the-box GUI applications for regular users.
• S3 Support: Not out-of-the-box, but easily implemented. Since this is a full-fledged VDS, the S3 protocol can be set up independently within minutes by installing MinIO or an S3 gateway on top of HDD drives.

Specialized and Limited Alternatives

The services below did not make the main Top 5 due to specific terms of use, geo-blocking, lack of open protocols, or high risks of account blocking during automated data copying.

IDrive

Attention: The service may work unstably or block access entirely when requested from certain regions due to strict geo-blocking on the side of IDrive’s CDN infrastructure and anti-fraud systems. Before using, be sure to check the availability of the web panel and clients under your provider/IP.

• Purpose: Full backup of PCs, mobile devices, servers, and NAS.
• Main Pros: Support for an unlimited number of devices on a single account; backup of network drives (NAS) and databases (SQL, Exchange); physical hard drive shipping service for express recovery (IDrive Express).
• Cons: Unstable availability from some countries without a VPN; steep renewal cost growth after the first promo period; outdated desktop client interface.
• S3 Support: Yes (via a separate IDrive e2 service). Compatible with AWS S3 API and offers high-performance object storage. Within the standard personal plan (IDrive Personal), the S3 protocol is not supported — work is done only via proprietary software.

Backblaze (Computer Backup & B2 Cloud Storage)

Attention: The service is not a classic file-sharing “disk.” Personal Backup works on strict background mirroring algorithms for one specific PC, while B2 requires skills in configuring S3 clients or CLI tools.

• Purpose: Unlimited computer backup or S3 object storage for servers.
• Main Pros: Division into two distinct products:
  • Personal Backup: Truly unlimited backup volume for a single PC/Mac in the background.
  • Backblaze B2: Affordable S3-compatible object storage with pay-as-you-go billing.
• Cons: The Personal Backup plan strictly prohibits backing up network-attached storage (NAS) and external network shares (B2 is forcibly required for this); lack of familiar collaboration features and convenient link sharing for users.
• S3 Support: Full support in Backblaze B2. The Backblaze B2 product provides a 100% S3-compatible API, allowing connection of any CLI tools, SDKs, Rclone, Cyberduck, Veeam, or server control panels. S3 access is not included in the Personal Backup plan.
• Price / Plans: Personal — from $9/mo for 1 PC with unlimited volume. B2 — $6.95/mo for 1 TB of storage (first 10 GB free).

Microsoft OneDrive

Attention: The service is strictly focused on the Windows ecosystem and document workflows. Due to the risk of locking the entire Microsoft account via automatic anti-fraud algorithms, OneDrive is strongly discouraged for storing encrypted backups, executable files, or unstructured server archives.

• Purpose: Office document work, auto-synchronization of desktops on Windows OS, and family file sharing.
• Main Pros: Built into Windows 10/11; seamlessly bundled with a Microsoft 365 subscription license (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); Personal Vault with additional authentication.
• Cons: Extremely modest base free volume; strict automatic content scoring with the risk of sudden ecosystem account blocking without the right of recovery; absence of capabilities for direct server backups.
• S3 Support: Not in OneDrive. The personal and business OneDrive cloud operates via the Microsoft Graph API. An S3 equivalent for developers and infrastructure exists only in Microsoft’s corporate Azure Blob Storage cloud, which has its own REST API.
• Price / Plans: 5 GB free; Standalone 100 GB — $1.99/mo; Microsoft 365 Personal (1 TB + Office) — $6.99/mo or $69.99/year.

Dropbox

Attention: The service is intended strictly for user synchronization and team collaboration. Due to the lack of support for standard server protocols (S3, sFTP) and strict daily limits on public traffic (upon exceeding which links are temporarily blocked), Dropbox is not suitable for file hosting, content distribution, or automated backups.

• Purpose: Corporate file exchange, document collaboration, accelerated work folder synchronization.
• Main Pros: Highest desktop file sync speed (thanks to block-level transfer technology of only modified file parts); advanced document ecosystem (Dropbox Paper, Sign electronic signature, DocSend analytics).
• Cons: Very small volume in the base free plan; high price tag per gigabyte for individual users; lack of flexible permission settings for system administrators on basic plans.
• S3 Support: Absent. Dropbox uses its own proprietary storage architecture and provides developers only with its own Dropbox REST API.
• Price / Plans: 2 GB free; Plus 2 TB — $11.99/mo.

MEGA

Attention: Due to strict dynamic limits on outbound traffic (Bandwidth quota) and an architecture with client-side encryption (Zero-Knowledge), MEGA is not suitable for hosting public files, distributing heavy media content, or standard server backups without running intermediate local gateways.

• Purpose: Privately stored user files, backups of personal data with end-to-end encryption (E2EE).
• Main Pros: Generous free disk space out-of-the-box; default client-side end-to-end encryption (Zero-Knowledge / E2EE) — the service has no direct access to file contents; advanced cross-platform clients and web interface.
• Cons: Strict dynamic limits on transfer and downloading of outbound traffic (downloading pauses when transfer is exhausted); if the master key is lost, recovery of encrypted data is impossible.
• S3 Support: Limited / via local gateway (MEGA S3 Gateway / MEGACMD). There is no direct external REST S3 endpoint: integration with S3-compatible software works only by launching the MEGACMD console application locally, which creates a virtual S3 bridge.
• Price / Plans: 20 GB free; Pro I (2 TB) — approx. €9.99/mo.

Hetzner Storage Box/Storage Share

Attention: This is a highly specialized network storage (NAS/Storage), not a user disk with fast public links. Due to the lack of mobile apps “for everyone” and the standard S3 protocol on basic plans, the solution is not suitable for ordinary users without administration skills.

• Purpose: Inexpensive massive backup storage for servers, websites, video storage systems, and users connecting disks via network protocols.
• Main Pros: Incredibly low cost per 1 TB; support for FTP, SFTP, SCP, Rsync, WebDAV, and SMB/CIFS; European data centers with a high level of reliability.
• Cons: Lack of a user-friendly consumer interface and smartphone apps; geo-blocking and restrictions during authorization from certain countries (strict identity verification required upon account registration).
• S3 Support: Not in the Storage Box line (operates strictly via SFTP/Rsync/WebDAV/SMB). For S3 protocol operation, the provider has a separate infrastructure product — Hetzner Object Storage, focused precisely on the S3 API for developers and servers.
• Price / Plans: BX11 (~1 TB) — from €3.80/mo; BX21 (~5 TB) — from €12.50/mo.

Cloud Storage Comparison

Provider	Main Scenario	S3 API Support	Base Free	Price for ~1-2 TB	Access Method / Protocols	Encryption (Zero-Knowledge)
pCloud	Multimedia / One-time Purchase (Lifetime)	No	10 GB	$9.99/mo or $399 Lifetime (2 TB)	Web / Virtual Drive / App	Add-on option (pCloud Crypto)
Proton Drive	Privacy / Security Suite	No	2–5 GB	~$9.99–$12.99/mo (500 GB + VPN/Mail)	Web / Mobile / Desktop	Yes (Default)
ISHosting (Storage VPS)	Server & Website Backups / Admin	Limited (priority sFTP/SSH)	No	~$3–$10/mo (by volume)	FTP / sFTP / SSH / SCP / Rsync	Configured by user
Google Drive / Google One	Documents / Ecosystem / Collaboration	No (only in Google Cloud)	15 GB	$9.99/mo (2 TB)	Web / App / REST API	No (Server-side encryption)
Friendhosting (Storage HDD VDS)	Cheap Large-Volume Server Storage	No (classic VDS)	No	from €4.50–€10/mo (depending on disk)	SSH / sFTP / Rsync / Web interface	Client-side

How to Choose the Right Solution?

1. For everyday tasks, smartphone, and working with documents: Choose Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive. They are integrated into mobile and desktop operating systems and allow editing files on the fly with colleagues.
2. For absolute privacy and confidential data: Pay attention to Proton Drive (especially with the Proton Unlimited subscription) or MEGA. Data is encrypted on your device, and the provider physically cannot hand it over to third parties.
3. For full backup of a workstation, multiple PCs, or NAS: The best options are IDrive and Backblaze. They automatically save changes in the background, support versioning, and allow quick recovery of the entire system.
4. For servers, websites, databases, and scripts (DevOps/Admin): Use ISHosting (FTP/sFTP/SSH) or Hetzner Storage Box. Direct SSH/sFTP access allows configuring backups via Cron, BorgBackup, Restic, or Duplicati without overpaying for interface add-ons.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is S3?

S3 (Simple Storage Service) is a cloud object data storage standard originally created by Amazon (AWS), but today supported by many other providers.

Unlike familiar folders and files on a disk (file system) or disk partitions (block storage), S3 stores data as objects in a flat space without a tree hierarchy (folders), assigning each file a unique URL address.

2. How does a sync cloud differ from a backup service?

A sync cloud (Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox) instantly reflects any changes: if you accidentally delete or corrupt a file on your PC, it will be deleted or changed in the cloud in the exact same way. A backup service (IDrive, Backblaze) saves previous file states and disk images, creating recovery points that you can roll back to even weeks later.

3. What is Zero-Knowledge encryption and why is it needed?

Zero-Knowledge means that data is encrypted on your device before being sent to the cloud, and only you hold the decryption key. Even provider employees or law enforcement agencies will not be able to read your files, no matter how much they want to. Such protection is offered by default by Proton Drive and MEGA.

4. How to cheaply backup a VDS / VPS server with websites?

For server tasks, it is best to use protocol storage without overpaying for a graphical interface — ISHosting (FTP/sFTP/SSH) or Hetzner Storage Box. You configure utilities like BorgBackup, Restic, or standard Rsync via Cron on the server, which ensures high speed, flexible archive depth, and low costs.

5. Is it worth buying lifetime plans?

Lifetime plans (e.g., with pCloud) pay for themselves in 3–4 years compared to a monthly subscription. This is an excellent choice for family photo archives or long-term storage of media files if you do not plan to change providers in the coming years.

6. How to protect files in regular clouds (Google Drive/OneDrive) if they lack Zero-Knowledge?

Use third-party encryption utilities before uploading. Excellent free open-source solutions are Cryptomator and VeraCrypt. They create an encrypted safe folder inside your cloud, preserving confidentiality even on public services.

Conclusion

Choosing the ideal cloud storage is always a compromise between access convenience, privacy level, gigabyte cost, and technical functionality. Trying to use the same service for document collaboration, family photo storage, and background backups of a dedicated server most often leads to overpayment or reduced security.

The modern approach to data storage lies in the smart selection of a tool for a specific task. Highlight your main priorities: whether you need fast smartphone integration, absolute data anonymity, full freedom of server administration via SSH, or the possibility of a one-time payment without monthly subscriptions.

Consider the following scenarios:

• pCloud — The Best Cloud for Multimedia and Unlimited Use: Ideal for those who want to eliminate monthly payments with lifetime plans and stream media files without downloading them to a PC.
• Proton Drive — The Gold Standard for Privacy and Data Protection: The optimal choice for storing confidential documents and personal information protected by end-to-end encryption (Zero-Knowledge) under Swiss jurisdiction.
• ISHosting (Storage VPS) — The Best Choice for Server Backups and System Administrators: An excellent specialized solution for flexible automation of website and database backups via FTP, sFTP, SSH, and Rsync protocols.
• Google One / Google Drive: An indispensable tool for everyday work, on-the-fly document editing, the Android ecosystem, and real-time file sharing.
• Friendhosting (Storage HDD VDS): A cost-effective alternative for deploying high-capacity server storage based on HDD drives with full root access for non-standard tasks and scripts.