INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Free cloud storage has really taken off thanks to fast, reliable internet connections
The appeal is understandable: you can store your files online and then access them from any device that's connected to the internet,
including desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones.You can also back up important files to a remote location (essential in case your own
hardware is damaged or stolen), and share files with friends, family and colleagues by simply sending them a link.The only problem is choice
There are so many free cloud storage services to choose from, it can be hard to decide which is right for you.Size isn't everything, so as
well as capacity, we've also considered the security offered by each service, multi-platform support, ease of use, and any limitations on
Google DriveHeavyweight cloud storage offering tied in with G suite apps15GB of space for freeG Suite toolsBackup and Sync desktop appFree
storage allowance: 15GB (expandable)If you're a Google user, you already benefit from Google Drive integration, such as the ability to save
email attachments from Gmail
However, anyone can sign up for the free cloud storage, even if they don't have a Gmail address, by creating a new Google account.With 15GB
of space for new users, Google Drive is one of the more generous cloud offerings, and there are occasional ways to boost this capacity free
Google Drive also includes online office tools for word processing, spreadsheets and presentations which can makes sharing files with others
pCloudA smart service with a slick online interfaceEasy-to-use sharing optionsSmart desktop and mobile appsPlenty of options to boost your
free storageFree storage allowance: 10GB (expandable)You might not recognize the name, but if you're looking for a decent chunk of cloud
storage free of charge, pCloud could be just the ticket
To kick things off, you're given a fairly generous 10GB to play with, and there's a bandwidth allowance of 50GB of downlink traffic per
month.While we're primarily interested in the free version of pCloud, note that you can upgrade to 500GB of space for a monthly plan of
expanded up to 20GB via an additional 4GB for completion of offers, as well as referrals that add 1GB each
Add in decent streaming options and a neat online interface, and pCloud is well worth a look.3
Microsoft OneDriveAnother sterling storage solution, particularly for Windows usersGreat integration with other Microsoft productsCan edit
Free users get a mere 5GB of storage, although it's relatively inexpensive to increase this to 50GB.If you have Office 365, you'll
automatically get boosted to 1TB of space, but not everyone wants an Office subscription.Like Google Drive's appeal to Google users,
OneDrive will be a good fit for anyone who is committed to using Microsoft's services
There's neat integration with Outlook.com, for instance
OneDrive also ties in nicely with Windows 10, and there is a selection of reasonable mobile apps to facilitate access on the move.It's
possible to share files with other people even if they aren't OneDrive users (complete with customizable permissions), and the ability to
edit files online without downloading them is a welcome touch.4
DropboxAnother big name with some great support for third-party appsRaft of platforms supportedLoads of nifty featuresOnly 2GB storage space
initiallyFree storage allowance: 2GB (expandable)Dropbox is a stalwart of the free cloud storage world, with a web interface that remains
streamlined and easy-to-use.Despite its popularity, Dropbox actually has one of the least generous free packages for new users (just 2GB),
but there are various ways to boost this space without paying, including inviting friends to join (you get 500MB per referral up to 16GB),
completing the Getting Started guide (250MB) and contributing to the Dropbox forum (which elicits 500MB per 'Mighty Answer'
can back up photos automatically
The File Requests feature also allows you to request another user to upload a file to your Dropbox account.There are desktop apps for
Windows, Mac and Linux, and mobile apps including Android, iOS and even Kindle
This gives Dropbox broad appeal, as does the support for third-party apps and services.The web version of Dropbox lets you edit files
without needing to download them, and really the only thing that counts against the cloud storage service is that most alternatives offer
more space to free users.5
MediaFireA highly experienced cloud storage operatorCan boost free storage to 50GBImpressive UI and sharing optionsAdverts with free
accountsFree storage allowance: 10GB (expandable)MediaFire has been around for over a decade, and those years of experience really show
You're given 10GB of free space initially, but you can boost this by an extra 40GB through activities like referring friends and following
MediaFire's social media accounts
Few people would disagree that 50GB of free cloud storage is impressive
Free accounts carry ads, but this is a small sacrifice to make.There's support for large files up to 4GB, and the sharing options are very
impressive, even allowing sharing with non-users.The web-based interface is excellent too, and MediaFire offers mobile apps for convenient
uploading and downloading on iOS and Android
These make it easy to access files you're storing in the cloud, and include convenient features such as automatic photo
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