Cloud Computing: A Small Business Guide

When it comes to data storage, processing and collaboration, many businesses choose the flexibility and convenience of cloud computing over traditional local hosting and on-premise software. 

With cloud computing, you can access and store data and applications online instead of on a hard drive. If your company uses Google Docs for editing and document collaboration, Dropbox or Google Drive for file storage, Slack for cross-team communications, or online CRM software for managing sales, you’re using cloud computing. 

Working in the cloud offers small businesses many benefits, including enhanced collaboration, easy access and fast turnaround. However, cloud computing drawbacks include security concerns and fewer customization options. We’ll explore cloud computing, how it works, cloud services to consider, and the pros and cons of cloud computing for small businesses. 

Cloud computing is the on-demand delivery of computing services, including applications, data storage and data processing, over the internet. You’ll usually pay for cloud computing services on a pay-as-you-go basis, so you pay only for the applications and cloud services you use. This approach helps lower your business’s operating costs and allows for flexible scaling. 

In today’s ever-changing business climate, small business owners must be able to access data and applications from their computers, tablets or mobile phones, whether in the office, out in the field or on the road. Cloud computing provides this anywhere access via an internet connection.

Cloud computing gets its name from the practice of drawing the internet infrastructure as a cloud in network flowcharts and patent diagrams from the 1990s.

Chances are, you’re using cloud computing right now, even if you don’t realize it. Cloud computing makes it possible behind the scenes, whether you use an online service like Gmail or Outlook 365 to send an email, collaborate on a document, store files or stream a video. [Related article: Best New Gmail Features for Business]

Here are some of the most common cloud computing uses: 

The best POS systems for retail stores, restaurants, and mobile businesses offer affordable cloud-based SaaS subscription plans with regular updates and customer support.

A web host houses your organization’s website and makes it accessible on the internet. You can choose a traditional web host or a cloud hosting service. Here’s more on traditional hosting vs. cloud hosting. 

A traditional web host uses physical server space to handle its clients’ web hosting needs. Within the traditional hosting space, services are either dedicated or shared. Each option has its merits.

While traditional web hosting relies on physical server space, cloud-based hosting carves virtual server space for each user. These are some key aspects of cloud web hosting: 

Editor’s note: Looking for the right cloud backup service for your business? Fill out the below questionnaire to have our vendor partners contact you about your needs.

Cloud-computing services range from data storage to functional programs, including accounting software, customer service tools and remote desktop hosting. These services can be categorized into three models: infrastructure, platform and software as a service.

Aside from Google Workspace, Google business tools include Google Business Profile, Google Ads, and Google Analytics.

Cloud services store data and host services in three primary ways: public, private and hybrid cloud. Cloud services may pose a security risk if you choose a provider whose storage model doesn’t align with your business’s size and needs.

The three main cloud-storage service options are public, private and hybrid clouds. Choose a service that aligns with your business’s size and needs.

Business cloud computing use is on the rise. According to Foundry’s 2020 cloud computing research, 92% of companies use services connected to or run in the cloud. Additionally, Flexera forecasts that two-thirds of SMB workloads will be in the cloud in 2022. Considering that the pandemic made online work ubiquitous, the trend is likely to continue. 

Cloud computing can help businesses save time and money by boosting productivity, improving collaboration and promoting innovation. Here are some of the top benefits of adopting cloud services for your small business:  

If you or members of your IT team are interested in enhancing their cloud expertise, consider Google’s Cloud Certifications options to boost knowledge and earning potential.

While there are many benefits to moving your business operations to the cloud, you should be aware of several potential downsides. 

By definition, cloud computing services require an internet connection. If you have an unstable or low-speed connection, your team will have trouble accessing the cloud applications and data they need to perform their work. Additionally, repeated downtimes, lags and errors due to a spotty internet connection may reduce their productivity. 

Ensuring your team has access to a high-quality, high-speed connection can easily address this cloud computing drawback. 

Even though 52% of companies experience better security in the cloud than with onsite IT environments, a perceived lack of cloud security remains a concern for many small business owners. 

The key to maximizing security is finding a reputable cloud service provider, understanding its contingency plans in the event of a security breach and taking your own steps to bolster security. To improve cybersecurity, ensure there’s sufficient data encryption, implement additional authentication measures, introduce a data loss prevention (DLP) solution, and establish clear communication between management, your IT team and the cloud provider to minimize security incidents and formulate a clear response plan. [Follow these cybersecurity tips that take less than an hour to implement.] 

Ask cloud computing vendors these 10 security questions before signing up for their services:

Compliance is an issue for any business that uses backup services or cloud storage. In fact, according to a survey by Statista, 44% of companies consider compliance to be their biggest cloud computing challenge. 

Every time your company moves data from internal storage to a cloud, it must comply with industry laws and regulations. For example, healthcare organizations must comply with HIPAA rules, retail companies must comply with SOX and PCI DSS regulations, and companies dealing with the European market must comply with GDPR standards. 

While many established cloud providers have aligned themselves with relevant accreditation programs, your company is ultimately responsible for ensuring that all data processes and workloads are compliant. 

Conduct a regular compliance audit that includes information from all your cloud providers.

While cloud computing offers the benefit of not managing complex infrastructure like servers in-house, saving your company time, money and effort, this means less control over your company’s software, systems and computing assets. 

With less oversight and control, it becomes harder to assess security system efficiency, implement incident responses, or get a complete overview of data and user activity to identify abnormal patterns and potential breaches. 

To mitigate this lack of control, assess every new cloud provider’s allowed visibility level, and determine what measures it takes to prevent data breaches. You can also use a monitoring tool or set up an API to help you get insights into your data. 

Implementing any new technology requires training personnel and establishing an effective troubleshooting system during and after the launch. Initially, you may also encounter resistance among your employees, especially those unfamiliar with cloud technology.

However, once you establish the onboarding process, determine IT team members responsible for implementing and adopting cloud services, and outline the benefits of cloud operations, you can get your company on track in no time. 

Do your due diligence with the services you investigate to inquire about their security protocols and compliance standards, train your staff about using the cloud solution, and follow best practices to ensure your data is safe from unauthorized users.

While we addressed potential security issues as a cloud computing drawback above, it’s essential to understand precisely what can go wrong in a cloud computing setup. 

According to Check Point’s 2022 Cloud Security Report, some of the most pressing cloud security challenges are incorrect cloud infrastructure setup, unauthorized access and insecure APIs.  

If you’re considering moving your operations to the cloud or implementing cloud services, consider these top cybersecurity risks.

Ease of access makes cloud computing attractive to many small businesses, but it’s also the source of potential security risks. In many organizations, employees have varying cloud service access levels. The more people and access levels involved, the easier it is to overlook an unauthorized access setting. 

Additionally, the infrastructure’s cloud nature means companies must rely on their provider’s security controls. These controls aren’t always straightforward, opening more avenues for misconfiguration.

To mitigate this security risk and streamline access management, track all levels of access your team members have to various cloud services. You can even create a basic tracking document in Google Sheets if you keep it updated. Conducting regular cybersecurity audits that include security details and protocols from all cloud providers can also reduce the risk. 

APIs allow better control and visibility into your cloud systems and applications. However, external APIs are often insecure and provide an entry point for potential cyberattacks that can compromise confidential data and manipulate services. 

According to the Salt’s State of API Security Report for Q1 2022, API attack traffic increased nearly 700% from December 2020 to December 2021, showing that it’s a serious threat to small businesses. 

Building in-house APIs can significantly reduce this security risk. However, not all businesses have the internal expertise or resources to do this. To mitigate the risks, implement authentication and authorization practices, encrypt traffic using TLS/SSL, validate input, log API activity, use API firewalls, and conduct a regular audit and penetration testing to identify and fix outdated APIs.

Two-thirds of the respondents in Bitglass’ 2020 Cloud Security Report named data loss and leakage as their biggest cloud computing security concern. Aside from malware attacks, cloud data can be lost if the cloud provider accidentally deletes it, if there’s a physical catastrophe like a fire or earthquake that damages remote servers, or if an encryption key is lost. 

To reduce the risk of data loss, ensure you back up all your data stored in the cloud. At the very minimum, you should follow the 3-2-1 rule of secure backups: 

Also implement a cloud DLP solution that protects your data from unauthorized access and automatically disables access when suspicious activity is detected. 

To mitigate the damage of a small business data breach, get cyber insurance that protects against losses from ransomware and other cyberthreats.

The cost of cloud computing varies widely, depending mainly on the cloud service you need. Here’s a general idea of typical costs:

Cloud-based software pricing also depends on the industry. Other factors that affect pricing include the number of users, how you will launch and distribute the software across the company, and priority tech support options.

The best cloud storage of 2024

Best cloud storage : quick menu

The best cloud storage services backup your files and folders to the cloud, ideally offering plenty of storage capacity at a convenient price point.

It's January 2024, so although the holidays may be long gone,  the promotional cycle for the best cloud storage deals is expected to motor on through January. 

It's almost like cloud storage companies, like any company selling a product, wants to play on your fear of missing out, but don't worry: that's why we're here.

As ever, we've updated this page with the best offers we can find, and are doing our level best to keep you up-to-date with developments in the high octane world of cloud storage services.

For example, did you know that  Amazon shut down its eponymous Drive service on New Year's Eve? As a result, we've sctubbed it from this page and suggest migrating your data (which is still accessible via Amazon Photos for the time being) to a new provider - which you're looking at a whole list of. And how.

Strictly speaking, you don’t need a cloud storage solution, but for peace of mind in an enterprise setting, it’s advised to back up data according to a ‘3-2-1’ backup strategy, and cloud backup is an affordable way to get there.. We’ve got an extensive write-up on what that means, and why it’s important for sensitive data, If it were us, for example, we’d mirror data on:

Cloud storage is also commonly bundled with online collaboration tools, such as Google Workspace and Microsoft 365, which have become commonplace amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

In practice, it’s often more cost-effective, especially in an enterprise setting, to opt for these kinds of services when choosing the cloud storage for business. Offering plenty of storage capacity and more besides, they make it easy to secure, access, and share files, photos, and email wherever you are, online, on desktop, and on mobile.

However, you might have reservations about opting for a Big Tech company, whether that be down to data privacy concerns, not wanting to put all of your eggs in one basket, or to feel more confident that pricing won’t gradually skyrocket. 

In choosing the best cloud storage providers, we’ve tried to account for both of these perspectives when reviewing the best cloud storage services, looking at set-up, security, sync speeds, and sharing performance. We’ve also checked file recovery and versioning options, so everyone’s always on the same page. 

Accounting for budget is so important, in fact, that we’ve also listed the best free cloud storage services, plus lifetime cloud storage deals, which charge a large one-off sum for unlimited access to a hefty data allowance.

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

See how our top picks compare in the following analysis and reviews as we discuss reasons to subscribe, reasons to avoid, our test results, and what we liked most about each cloud storage platform.

Best overall

Free tier: 5GB

Storage size: 5-10TB

Number of devices: Unlimited

No annoying device limits, connect as many as you need 

Excellent security 

Highly configurable 

Easy to use 

No unlimited storage option 

 Appealing price point is for a “limited time only” 

Subscribe if:

✔️  You want a cloud storage service that is feature-rich: IDrive boasts a significant number of features, including Snapshots, which lets you store up to 30 different versions of your files and a physical recovery option.

✔️ Flexible backup options: With IDrive, users can back up an unlimited number of devices – computers, mobile phones, servers – to a single account.

✔️ You need cloud storage you can trust with your life: With IDrive’s end-to-end encryption protocols, you can rest assured that any files you store are safe. 

Don't subscribe if:

❌ You're on a strict budget: IDrive isn't the cheapest cloud storage on the market, with some of the more  appealing price points only available for a “limited time only” 

❌ You've got ambitious growth plans: There's no unlimited storage options, which could be an issue for some enterprises.

❌ You want a slick interface: The user interface of the desktop client does leave a little to be desired.

Bottom line ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

IDrive is a terrific cloud storage solution - a fantastic all-rounder with an easy-to-use backup option. It offers a great balance between security, usability and performance. 

Want to know more?

Check out our in-depth IDrive review for a closer look at the service, and see why it's our top cloud storage pick for 2024.

IDrive tops our best cloud storage charts with its appealing mix of easy-to-use desktop and mobile apps, excellent backup features, strong security and great value.

Signing up gets you from 10TB (personal) to 50TB (business) , but pure storage is just the start. Sync support keeps files up-to-date across all your hardware, and excellent backup features enable protecting everything from individual files and folders to full SQL, Exchange, SharePoint and other servers. We found this was very easy to use, and our tests revealed iDrive's performance was a close match to Google Drive and the other top contenders.

The service is strong on the security fundamentals, with end-to-end encryption and two-factor authentication to protect you from attack. But it also excels at extras, such as an option to transfer your data to iDrive on a physical device, ideal if you've a slow internet connection and 50TB to protect. IDrive sends you the drive, pays return postage (in the US), but it's still free once a year for personal users (three times for business plans.)

The free tier gives you a decent 10GB of storage, more than enough to try the apps and get a look at what iDrive has to offer. And if you like what you see, right now there's a spectacular deal offering 10TB storage for only $4.98 for the first year, little more than $0.01 a day.

Read our full IDrive cloud storage review.

Performance: This is an area where IDrive really shines. It boasts fast upload speeds and a file recovery feature that is especially handy if you think you’ve lost some important data. IDrive also provides block-level syncing when you are syncing files from a device, such as a smartphone or tablet, to the cloud. Other backup features, including disk image backup, NAS backup and server backup, are useful additions depending on what you’re looking for from your cloud storage.

Security: IDrive is certainly no slouch on the security front. It comes with two-factor authentication and end-to-end encryption to protect your data. This works via a private key that is unique to you, so look after it!  There’s also the offer of standard encryption, which although not as secure as end-to-end encryption, still provides protection against most potential breaches. It also means a bit less responsibility for the end user as iDrive keeps hold of the encryption key, so you can restore your data whenever you need to, without having to remember a private key.

Expand to read our expert technical analysis of IDrive ↓

IDrive and physical recovery

IDrive's Express service lets you put your data on all the best hard drives and post them off - for when you want the added protection that comes with physical storage.

Customer support: IDrive has several support options so you should be able to contact the company should an issue arise. There’s live chat functionality, as well as the option of contacting support via either telephone or email. As with many companies, some users have complained that response times vary, but we’ve been pleasantly surprised by some fast remediation whenever a problem emerged. 

Features: First of all, IDrive offers users the possibility of backing up their files across an unlimited number of devices, from computers to mobile devices, as well as NAS drives. 

There’s also the possibility of real-time syncing and backup scheduling, both of which are great for ensuring you never forget to back up the latest version of your files. You can also opt to receive desktop or email notifications informing you when your backups are completed. 

You can also share files simply through links. You can configure these links to expire after a set period - up to a maximum of 30 days - or a number of downloads. All of your active share links are also visible through the IDrive dashboard so there’s complete clarity over what you’re sharing with, say, external partners. 

Usability: IDrive does boat some good usability on the whole, although a revamp of its design and interface in certain areas could improve this. Menu and setting screens are pretty clear, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble configuring IDrive exactly to your liking. 

There are some differences here depending on the type of device you are accessing IDrive through. For instance, there are fewer options if you’re using the iOS version. While the Android app lets you backup SMS messages, this isn’t possible with the iPhone and iPad versions, which are limited to contact, calendar, photos and videos. While this may be more of an Apple issue than an IDrive one, it will still affect usability for certain users.

Price: IDrive offers 5GB of free storage - no credit card required. After that, you’ll probably want to look at the Persona, which costs $59.62 a year for 5TB, and there’s the option of a $15 upgrade for twice the amount of storage (10TB).

If the Business plan is more likely to suit your needs, you can gain cloud storage fpr an unlimited number of users and devices. This is available from $74.62 a year for 250GB, increasing to $8699.62 for 50TB of space per user. Alternatively, there’s the Team plan, which comes in several versions. Here, the cheapest plan starts at $74.62 for one year.

It’s also worth remembering that TechRadar readers can get 10TB of cloud storage for $3.98 for the first year. You can grab this exclusive deal by clicking here. 

The best cloud storage for security with some pleasing privacy touches

Free tier: 10GB

Storage: 20GB-20TB/ user

Number of devices: Unlimited

Advanced security features

Reliable customer support

Easy-to-use interface

Limited collaboration features compared to more established competitors

Several hoops to jump through for the free plan

Subscribe if:

✔️ You want advanced security features: Internxt is a zero-knowledge file storage service focused on absolute privacy

✔️ You need reliable customer support: Chat support is responsive and the Help Center is extensive.

✔️ You want an easy-to-use interface: An intuitive interface most users will be instantly familiar with.

Don't subscribe if:

❌ You want free storage without limits: The download limit on shared files, for example, isn't included in the free plan.

❌ You need more advanced features: Features like file versioning, offered by some rivals, aren't available here.

❌ If collaboration is important to you: In-app collaboration isn't on offer.

Bottom line ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Internxt has a clean interface and first-rate security credentials. Although some advanced features are lacking, reliable support means this is a cloud storage platform well worth a look.

Want to know more?

Check out our in-depth Internxt review for a closer look at this cloud storage platform's excellent security credentials.

Internxt is a security-focused cloud storage provider who applies multiple technologies to ensure your data stays safe. End-to-end encryption shields your data from snoopers; the service stores files in chunks spread around its networks, protecting it from hardware failures; a virus scanner checks your files for malware, a password generator to protect your accounts, and a temporary email.

You can be sure of this as, unlike other 'secure' cloud providers, Internxt is committed to open source. This means that the source code for their apps are available on Github so developers can check that end-to-end encryption and other features have been set up correctly.

Paid plans start at just $1.49 a month for 20GB, a low total but also not much storage. Fortunately you get 2TB for a reasonable $10.99 per month, and the business plans offer up to 20TB for €190 per month (to cover two users.) You can also enjoy annual and lifetime plans of up to 10TB, and checkout using various payment methods such as credit and debit cards (including Mastercard, VISA, American Express, and more), PayPal, bankcontact, iDeal, and SOFORT.

We found Internxt's well-designed web view and apps did a good job of helping us find and manage files. Windows Explorer and Mac Finder integration made uploading as simple as a drag and drop. Sync support keeps files up-to-date across all your devices, and you can share files with others via custom links.

Internxt can't quite match the advanced features you'll find with OneDrive or Dropbox, and it has one or two small unexpected hassles.  Although there's a free 10GB plan, for instance, to get it all you must install both the desktop and mobile apps (1GB each), share a file via a link (1GB) and invite five friends. (1GB each). Still, Internxt's security-first approach and quality apps give it a lot of appeal, and if that's what you're after, it more than deserves a place on your shortlist.

Read our full Internxt cloud storage review.

Expand to read our expert technical analysis of Internxt ↓

Performance: During our speed tests, Internxt held up well and it was especially impressive to find that the encryption process didn't have a detrimental effect on speed at all. During our performance tests, the upload of 625MB of data took just 1 minute 55 seconds, which holds its own against other cloud storage services we've reviewed that don't offer encryption. 

Security: Perhaps the main reason you'll want to choose Internxt as your cloud storage platform. All of your data is instantly encrypted upon being transferred from your device, only being decrypted when it is downloaded back to the device in question. Also, your data isn’t stored in a single location - it’s broken up and spread across multiple servers. This means even if a server was to suffer a data breach, your entire file won’t be compromised - making it of limited use to cyberattackers.  Internxt has also passed an independent security audit by Securitum.

Customer support: Internxt users will find that the first port of call for customer support is live chat, which appears whenever you navigate to the Internxt site. For users that prefer to solve their challenges independently, the Internxt Help Center is on hand with numerous support articles. On the other hand, if you’ve exhausted all your other options, the Internxt support team can be contacted by email 24 hours a day, offering support in English, Spanish, and Russian and the website is available in seven languages. 

Features: Available on desktop, mobile, or tablet, Internxt comes with many of the basic features that users have come to expect from a cloud storage service. You can enjoy media streaming of your video and audio files without downloading the files to your computer. There’s automatic syncing functionality and offline access, both of which will be much appreciated by business users who can’t afford to be without access to their files. Of course, security should also be mentioned here too as it’s one of Internxt’s features that received the most praise.

Usability: Set up is clear and among the fastest we’ve experienced while reviewing cloud storage providers. There’s even an introductory guide to ensure you don’t experience a steep learning curve when getting to grips with the platform. The dashboard is clean and well-designed and the drag-and-drop process for uploads means there’s little opportunity for any issues to arise.

Price: The free plan on offer initially sounds too good to be true, giving users 10GB of storage for no cost, and I suppose, it is. Reading the fine print reveals that the free plan offers “up to” 10GB of storage. You’ll actually start with 2GB of storage and can unlock the rest by completing certain actions. Many of these aren’t particularly taxing, however, such as downloading the mobile or desktop app. Then there are seven other subscription plans available, with businesses able to choose from price levels of $5, $10, and $95 a month for 200GB, 2TB and 20TB respectively. 

The best value cloud storage service - amazing value for a one-off fee

Free tier: 10GB

Storage size: 500GB-2TB

Number of devices: 5

Great value lifetime plans 

Desktop, mobile and web apps 

Play media files without downloading 

Business plan restores versions up to 180 days old 

5 device limit 

Unintuitive interface

Storage allowances may not be enough for some use cases 

Subscribe if:

✔️ You want a free plan without restrictions: pCloud implements zero limitations on file size or speeds for their plans.

✔️ You need social media integration: You can back up images and videos on your accounts, like Facebook and Instagram,  directly within pCloud.

✔️ You want block-level syncing: This means upload speeds will be much quicker as only the parts of your files that have changed will be synced.

Don't subscribe if:

❌ You need a built-in document editor: This isn't included in pCloud, so if you need one you might be better off going with a rival like Google Drive. 

❌ You use a lot of devices: With pCloud, it's recommended that no more than five devices are connected to a single account - this may not be enough for individuals with a lot of devices on the go at once.

❌ The user interface is important to you: This can feel a little old-fashioned but there's a six-step wizard to help you get started.

Bottom line ⭐⭐⭐⭐

pCloud is a great value cloud storage service with a fantastic free plan and the kind of social media integration that few of its rivals can match. 

Want to know more?

Check out our in-depth pCloud review to see why this cloud storage service is worth your consideration.

Swiss-based pCloud stands out from the cloud storage crowd for its hugely advanced file sharing features. If regular download links aren't enough, you can create special download pages with custom messages, build slideshows of shared images, even stream audio or video files directly from your storage space.

There's no monthly pricing, but annual plans are fair value at $49.99 for 500GB, $99.99 for 2TB. Even better, pCloud's lifetime plans give you 500GB forever for a one-off $199, 2TB for $399, or 10TB for $1190. There's a 10GB free plan, too, though beware: like Internxt, you must sign up friends, install the app and more to get the full amount.

We found the service very easy to set up and use. Sample folders and files helped us immediately try out its powerful file management and sharing features. We had no issues connecting our account to Facebook, Instagram and other social media accounts, and backing up their content. The desktop app adds a Dropbox-like virtual drive to your file manager, simplifying operations, but Internxt's mobile app can make life even easier by (optionally) automatically uploading pictures and videos direct from your phone.

There's also offline functionality on offer here, so you can access your shared files via your computer or mobile even if you don't have a working connection. Then, as soon as the connection is restored, there'll be an automatic sync. Browser extensions are also available for Firefox, Chrome, and Opera, allowing you to save audio, video and pictures directly from a web page to your pCloud account.

There's a lot to like here, but we also noticed one or two issues. The desktop interface is a little dated - not quite as slick as some of the competition. 2TB isn't a lot of storage by today's standards, either, and iDrive's Personal plans can give you up to 20TB for only a little more.

Read our full pCloud Cloud Storage review.

Expand to read our expert technical analysis of pCloud ↓

Performance: Our tests found that pCloud’s upload speeds compared well against some of its competitors, including iDrive, Internxt, and  Apple iCloud. File recovery also performed well but it’s worth keeping in mind that the free version of pCloud only stores file revisions for up to 15 days. If you need longer than this, you’ll have to select a paid plan.

Security: All file transfers involving pCloud use a TLS/SSL encrypted channel for added protection and files are stored across five different server locations as a safeguard against data loss. In fact, pCloud is so confident regarding the security credentials that it offered a $100,000 reward for anyone that could crack their defenses as part of the 'pCloud Encryption Challenge'. No one was successful.

Customer support: This is an area where pCloud can find itself lacking. Response times can vary a lot and if you want to contact pCloud directly, you have to pick up the phone. Unfortunately, the head office is in Switzerland, so US customers have a sizeable time difference to battle against. You can also send an email, but the addition of a live chat option would help speed up their customer service.

Features: Sharing files is straightforward with pCloud and there are a couple of additional features worth talking about too. One of these is Extended History, which extends the time that pCloud retains deleted files to 360 days. Another is pCloud Crypto, which adds client-side encryption to your account. These features do have to be paid for, however, costing $80 a year and $50 respectively.

Usability: Some users have complained pCloud’s software is not short of a bug or two, which diminishes its usability significantly. When things are working well, however, the desktop client is pretty intuitive so as long as you aren’t scuppered by a technical mishap, this is a cloud storage platform that is pretty easy to get to grips with. 

Price: A strong point for pCloud is its competitive price points. There’s a generous free plan offering 10GB of storage (although you will have to complete a few simple tasks to unlock the full amount, such as recommending friends). In terms of paid plans, the Premium subscription comes with 500GB for $50 a year while the 2TB Premium Plus is priced at $100 a year. Interestingly, pCloud also offers one-time payment plans valid for 99 years. These cost $200 and $400 respectively for Premium and Premium Plus plans.

The best cloud storage for out-of-the-box security

Free tier: 5GB

Storage size: 1TB-6TB

Number of devices: Unlimited

Easy to use 

Excellent speeds 

Comprehensive file sharing tools

Good multi-user deals 

Single folder sync 

Above average prices for individuals

Subscribe if:

✔️ You need a team-friendly platform: Microsoft 365 integration allows for live editing and there's strong control regarding who can see your files.

✔️ You need strong security protections: End-to-end encryption and two-factor authentication are both on offer with Sync.

✔️ You want a cloud platform that's easy to set up: Recently revamped desktop clients and mobile apps make it straightforward to get going with Sync.

Don't subscribe if:

❌ You want more advanced interface options: Aside from progress indicators and a recent changes list, there's not much going on with Sync's desktop dashboard. 

❌ Single folder syncing is an issue: Some competitors provide block-level syncing but not Sync.

❌ You need reliable customer support: While there is user forum and knowledgebase to help with troubleshooting, the only way to directly contact Sync is via email. 

Bottom line ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Sync is a competitively priced cloud storage platform that has some solid features. It's only let down by limited customer support and the absence of block-level syncing.

Want to know more?

Check out our in-depth Sync cloud storage review for insights on why this cloud storage platform offers such reliable out-of-the-box security.

Sync.com may not have the range of features you'll see elsewhere, but (as the name suggests) it excels at simple file syncing, delivering an easy-to-use, speedy and secure service that works for personal and business users.

There's still plenty of power here. Sophisticated file sharing allows creating read-only, password-protected or expiring links, set download limits and more. Sync.com's versioning supports restoring files from at least the last 180 days (most providers stop at 30.) The mobile apps can automatically sync photos and videos as you take them, while two-factor authentication and end-to-end encryption keep your account and data safe.

We found Sync.com's apps and web interface slick and easy to use, and performance was a real highlight, with both upload and download speeds amongst the best we've seen.

Sync.com particularly impressed us with its team-friendly features, including the ability to add comments to file-sharing links, share folders with groups of people, open and edit Office documents direct from your Sync space (if you've Office 365) and manage all your users from a central console.

There are the rudimentary file and folder sharing features you'd expect here but there's also support for more advanced sharing controls, including the option of adding password protection and expiry dates on any links you do share. In addition, if you subscribe to a team account, you'll find that your files gain added security from protocols like HIPAA, GDPR, and PIPEDA. PIN code locks are also provided for the Sync mobile apps. 

Prices start higher than most, with a 2TB personal plan costing $96 a year.  But demanding team users can get unlimited storage for only $360 per user per year (minimum two users). This works out at $15 per user per month. You can also choose to pay a monthly fee of $18 per user instead. There's a 5GB free plan to try it out, and you can expand this to 27GB by carrying out various tasks (some as simple as creating a folder.)

Read our full Sync cloud storage review.

Expand to read our expert technical analysis of Sync.com ↓

Performance: Sync offers some impressive upload and download speeds - although this is, of course, just for a single folder. A nice feature is the way it lets users control these speeds, throttling them where necessary. This means you can ensure that Sync doesn’t affect your other commuting tasks if you haven’t got the best connection. This added control you have over Sync’s performance is a handy addition.  

Security: Sync takes cloud security very seriously. It doesn’t work with third-party apps and doesn’t make its API available for others to use externally. While this may limit the number of integrations, it also reduces the possible attack vectors for outside actors to exploit. Sync has even published a white paper explaining how it uses 2048 Bit RSA encryption keys to keep your data safe. Two-factor authentication is also easily enabled for your account.

Customer support: Starting with the positives, Sync does come with an extensive Help Center that provides support regarding setting up your account, creating shared folders and more. Unfortunately, finding help any other way is more of a challenge. There’s no community forum and you can only get directly in touch with Sync via an online form. When we did go down this route, however, we did receive a helpful response pretty quickly. 

Features: On a fundamental level, Sync’s primary feature is the way it lets users maintain a single folder on their device, or devices, of their choosing that is automatically synced with the cloud. In terms of other features, versioning is offered but the length of time that files are kept for will vary depending on your subscription. The lack of more advanced features may disappoint some but Sync has chosen to focus on its core functionality instead.

Usability: Sync is an easy-to-use cloud storage platform with an intuitive interface. This is true of both the web and mobile versions, which although not the prettiest and clear and straightforward. There’s also an option to store files online only, without taking up space on any of your devices. This is also simple to employ and provides a handy way of saving more space. 

Price: Sync’s free plan comes with 5GB, but does include the option of raising this to 27GB by inviting friends and completing other tasks. In terms of paid plans, personal users can access 2TB of storage for $8 a month or 6TB for $20 per month (when paid annually). For businesses, on the other hand, there’s a Teams Standard plan that offers 1TB at a cost of $5 per user per month. Enterprises may need the Teams Unlimited plan, however, which delivers unlimited cloud storage for $15 per user per month.  

The best cloud storage for backups

Free tier: None

Storage size: Unlimited

Number of devices: 1 (Personal Plan)

No storage or file size limits 

Free for a year when purchased with ExpressVPN 

Easy to use 

Backblaze will send you up to 8TB of your data on a physical hard drive 

Few features beyond backups 

Each account covers a single PC or Mac device only

No network drive syncing

Subscribe if:

✔️ You want unlimited cloud backup: For just $7 a month or $70 a year, you get unlimited cloud backup so you can keep all the files you need.

✔️ You need straightforward operation: Everything is simple and clear - even if you need to recover your entire computer. 

✔️ Affordable pricing is important to you: Even before you commit, you can try Backblaze for free for 15 days without giving up any payment card information.

Don't subscribe if:

❌ You need fast backups: Backblaze isn’t particularly fast - although it does intentionally throttle its speeds to avoid user disruption - but this could be a problem for some.

❌ You need more than one device backed up: Backblaze works on a one-device-per-license approach. You can purchase multiple licenses, of course, but you won't receive a discount for doing so.

❌ You want support for network drives: These aren't included, although you can back up external hard drives and portable SSDs.

Bottom line ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Backblaze is a great backup tool that is comprehensive and secure, working just as well for personal or business devices.

Want to know more?

Check out our in-depth Backblaze review to find out more about this popular platform.

Backblaze is a high-powered cloud backup service that provides unlimited storage with no file size limits for a very fair price.

Install the Backblaze desktop app and it immediately scans for important files, and begins uploading them. You're able to take manual control, if you like, but we found it simpler to let Backblaze handle everything automatically.

The initial transfer of data to the web can take a long time, but our tests found impressive upload speeds kept delays to a minimum. And on the download front, if you need your data in a hurry, Backblaze will ship up to 8TB to your door on a USB drive.

The focus on backups means there's no file syncing, no clever collaboration tools, and only the simplest of file-sharing options. You can only protect one computer per account, too, and network drives aren't supported.

If you're just looking for an ultra-simple high-capacity backup service, though, Backblaze is a must-see. Prices start at a good value $7 billed monthly, $5.83 on the annual plan. There's also a free 15-day trial, which you can access without having to hand over your financial details. After that, though, there's no free plan, however. 

The Backblaze interface is another strength of the platform. While the options are somewhat limited, there’s a real clear focus apparent when engaging with the user experience. This includes a useful file manager feature, which makes it easy to search and sort through the files you have stored in the platform. The interface is minimal, which is both a strength and a weakness - especially if you are used to some of Backblaze’s competitors that offer more advanced functionality. 

If you also need a VPN to protect yourself online, you can alternatively get Backblaze completely free for a year when you sign up to our #1 favorite, ExpressVPN (and you get three extra months of ExpressVPN protection, too).

Read our full Backblaze review.

The best cloud storage for Windows file management

Free tier: 10GB

Storage capacity: 150GB-5TB

Number of devices: Unlimited

Highly secure 

Easy-to-use interface

No file size limits 

Low starting prices with great-value lifetime options 

 Virtual drive mounting on Windows 

Short on collaboration features 

3GB/ day bandwidth limit on the free plan

Some inconsistencies between desktop and mobile apps 

Subscribe if:

✔️ You want reasonable pricing plans: IceDrive's pricing is attractive, with a 10GB free plan, in addition to three subscription tiers: Lite, Pro, and Pro+.

✔️ You need a virtual drive: Assigning itself the letter 'I:' in Windows, IceDrive can be used as a virtual drive, with all operations feeling as fast as they would for files on your own hard drive.

Don't subscribe if:

❌ You're a Mac or Linux user: IceDrive's virtual drive offering, one of its standout features, is only available with the Windows version.

❌ You need more collaboration features: IceDrive has little to offer in the way of collaboration, outside of setting passwords and expiry dates for shared content.

Bottom line ⭐⭐⭐⭐

IceDrive is a decent cloud storage platform, boasting a virtual drive for Windows users to employ.

Want to know more?

Check out our in-depth IceDrive review and see why this cloud storage platform is so highly rated.

UK-based IceDrive has only been in the cloud storage business for a very few years, but its groundbreaking file management features more than justify its place in our 'Best...' list.

Windows users can browse their storage space from Explorer, for example, moving, renaming, opening, and even editing files, just like working on a local drive. Install the Windows, Mac or Linux app and you can also preview documents and stream media files without having to download them first.

The clean and easy-to-navigate browser interface is so simple that even newbies will figure it out in moments. The desktop and mobile apps have similar functionality, but we found inconsistencies in design and layout made them a little more awkward to use.

Security is a highlight, with IceDrive encrypting data on your device before it's transferred, and its zero-knowledge approach ensuring only you can decrypt and view your data.  We like the addition of two-factor authentication, which works with an authenticator or a physical key. SMS authentication is available to premium customers but we don't recommend using this, as text messages are far easier to intercept than one-time passwords generated by reliable authenticator apps.  

A 10GB free plan gives you an easy way to get started, although with some restrictions (no client-side encryption, a 3GB/ day bandwidth limit.) If you need more, annual plans range from $1.67 a month for 150GB, $4.17 for 1TB and $15 for 5TB. IceDrive even offers lifetime plans, including 150GB for a one-off $99, and 10TB for $999.

Read our full IceDrive review.

Best combination of security and ease of use

Free tier: 3GB

Storage capacity: 150GB-5TB

Number of devices: Unlimited

Good on the security front 

Slick and user-friendly app 

Trusted big-name provider 

Only 3GB storage with the free plan 

Few features

Price hikes on plan renewal

Subscribe if:

✔️ You want a slick interface: One of the simplest cloud storage platforms to use, Nordlocker's drag-and-drop functionality makes this software extremely straightforward for novice or experienced users.

✔️ You like free storage: 3GB of storage is offered completely free of charge. And subscription plans are reasonable too.

Don't subscribe if:

❌ File recovery is important to you: There's no trash folder with NordLocker, so when files are deleted, they are gone for good. 

❌ You need mobile access: Although there are now Android and iOS apps, these are somewhat misleading. In fact, these apps simply redirect users to a Safari-based browser portal. Users may find the lack of a dedicated mobile app disappointing. 

Bottom line ⭐⭐⭐½

NordLocker is a reliable feature-rich cloud storage platform that business owners will particularly enjoy. 

Wondering which cloud storage providers you can trust? Choosing a company with a strong track in privacy is a good place to start, and NordLocker is hard to beat: it comes from the people behind NordVPN,  one of the best and most successful VPNs around.

We've reviewed more than 20 cloud storage platforms recently, and NordLocker is one of the easiest to use. The desktop apps enable uploading, downloading, and managing your files with little more than a drag and drop. The mobile apps are a little more basic, just a browser that redirects to NordLocker's browser portal, but they're also easy to use.

The service scores well on the fundamentals. We found NordLocker's leading-edge encryption extremely quick, upload times were reasonable, and the addition of multi-factor authentication protects your account from attackers.

With its zero-knowledge encryption system, not even a NordLocker security worker can decrypt your stored files. But that shouldn't be a problem - such is NordLocker's confidence in its security protocols. In  fact, the vendor even offered a $10,000 reward to any individual that could break into its encrypted locker.

Prices for the personal plans seem low at $2.99 a month (billed annually) for 500GB, $6.99 for 2TB, but beware: they leap to $4.99 and $14.99 on renewal. Fortunately, a free plan gives you 3GB of storage to play with. That’s a little disappointing when you often get 5-10GB elsewhere, sometimes more, but it's still enough to see how NordLocker works for you.

Read our full NordLocker review.

The best cloud storage for Windows and Office users

Free tier: 5GB

Storage capacity: 100GB-6TB

Number of devices: Up to 30

Especially easy to use from Windows

At least 1TB included with Microsoft 365

Edit Office documents without downloading them

No zero-knowledge encryption 

Only 5GB free storage

Not the simplest interface at times

Subscribe if:

✔️ You're a big Windows user: Microsoft OneDrive offers close integration with Windows and Microsoft 365

✔️ Design is important to you: An excellent interface from the people that know a thing or two about what tech users like and what they don't.

Don't subscribe if:

❌ You're a macOS user: Although OneDrive does work with Apple's operating system, it's simply not as seamless.

❌ Free storage is important to you: Although the 5GB offered here for free isn't meagre by any means, it's beaten out by many other cloud storage platforms. 

Bottom line ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Microsoft OneDrive is well-designed and is certainly worth a look if you're a big Windows user.

Want to know more?

Check out our in-depth Microsoft OneDrive review to find out more about this popular cloud storage platform.

Microsoft OneDrive doesn't have the features of some of the cloud storage competition, but its Windows and Microsoft 365 integration, XBox support, and extreme ease of use, make this a great solution for anyone committed to the Microsoft world.

OneDrive comes built into Windows 10/ 11, for instance, so there's nothing to install. It shows up in Explorer, and you can drag and drop files to sync them to the cloud and your other devices. Microsoft 365 support includes auto-saving to the cloud, and collaboration options include the ability to work on documents simultaneously with others, or share them via OneDrive-generated links.

Microsoft hasn't forgotten other platforms, but we found they delivered mixed results on the usability front. The web interface covers the basics, for instance, but doesn't have the simplicity or style of Google Drive or Dropbox. The Mac client is more straightforward, though we found some conflicts with iCloud. The elegant and intuitive mobile apps are the real highlight, though, with strong photo and video syncing tools and solid security.

OneDrive's free plan offers only 5GB, half the allowance you'll get with some providers. You can pay $19.99 a year to upgrade, but that still only gets you 100GB. Microsoft 365 users get the best value, with Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and 1TB of OneDrive storage from as little as $70 a year.

Read our full Microsoft OneDrive review.

Best for Google Workspace and Android users

Free tier: 15GB

Storage capacity: 200GB-2TB

Number of devices: Unlimited

Included with Android and free Google accounts 

Generous free storage allowance 

Integrated online office suite 

Speedy and simple to use 

Ties you into Google's ecosystem 

No end-to-end encryption

Maximum of 2TB storage via Google One

Subscribe if:

✔️ You want a free online office suite: The likes of Google Docs and Sheets have become commonplace, for firms that don't want to pay for Microsoft's proprietary software. 

✔️ You want a large amount of free storage: Google Drive allows for 15GB of free storage - for some businesses, that may be enough. 

✔️ You're looking for value per gigabyte - these, for our money, are some of the best price plans available for cloud storage right now. Given that Google is an absolute behemoth, this is unlikely to change.

Don't subscribe if:

❌ You don't want to be tied into Google's ecosystem: If you're more of a Windows or macOS user, this may not be the right cloud storage platform for you.

❌ You need top-level security: There's no end-to-end encryption offered with Google Drive, which may be a deal-breaker for some organizations.

Bottom line ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Google Drive comes with a great pedigree and a name you can trust. Its generous free plan is another huge draw.

Want to know more?

Check out our in-depth Google Drive review to find out more about the cloud storage offering from this tech giant.

Google Drive's Android and Google Workspace integration make it an ideal cloud storage platform for Google fans, but a generous 15GB free tier, and a host of desktop, mobile and Drive-supporting third-party apps, ensure it also has plenty of all-round appeal.

If you are thinking about subscribing to Google Workspace, you'll essentially gain access to all of Google's apps, including Drive and Gmail. In terms of pricing, you can choose between 30GB, 2TB, or 5TB storage plans, which are priced at $6, $12, or $18 per user per month respectively.

The service more than delivers on the cloud storage essentials, with versioning support, offline access, syncing, file sharing and more. But there's much more here. Business users will love the Google Sheets, Docs and Slides integration, for instance, where you can create, edit and share cloud files with others, without ever downloading anything.

Whatever platform you choose, we found Google Drive to be intuitive and easy to use. The Android and iOS apps are a close match for the browser view, ensuring smooth operations even when you're regularly switching devices. We've been a little disappointed by previous versions of the desktop apps, but the latest edition is just as easy to operate as the rest of the Drive family.

Drive doesn't have end-to-end encryption, which means that, in theory, Google could see your files. And if you're not a Google fan, tying yourself so tightly into the company's ecosystem may not appeal. But for everyone else, it offers a slick and powerful free service, and plenty of benefits if you upgrade. The $99.99 upgrade to Google One doesn't just get you 2TB of storage but also includes 10% off Google Store purchases, access to Google experts, and even an Android and iOS VPN.

Read our full Google Drive review.

There are hundreds of cloud storage platforms out there, and you've likely heard the names of many of the big hitters. Check out our rankings below of popular services and see some honorable mentions that can't currently compete with what's on offer with our top services.

Finding your perfect cloud storage solution starts by thinking about your needs. What are you hoping the service will do?

If your goal is to protect all your data from harm, then look for a service with solid backup tools and the ability to access your files from anywhere. 

If you'd like to share a group of files - photos, say - across multiple devices, then you'll need quick and easy syncing abilities.

If you're more interested in sharing individual files or folders with others, look for a platform that supports password-protected or time-limited links, anything that helps you stay more secure. Businesses will benefit from collaboration tools, too, allowing users to work on files together, add comments and more.

Pay attention to the figures. Most cloud storage keeps previous versions of your files for up to 30 days, for instance, but that's not always the case. If your provider says it supports 'versioning', that's good, but check the details, see how it really compares to the competition.

You'll want to consider a provider's cost and capacity, too, but be careful. Don't simply opt for a high-capacity plan just because it seeks better value: think about whether you really need that much space. And when it comes to price, browse the small print, look out for hidden charges or fees which jump on renewal, make sure you know exactly what you're getting.

Get what suits you best

Our experts have reviewed hundreds of cloud storage platforms and curated this list of the top services, but it's up to you to choose which one fits with your own needs and budget.

Given the number of cloud storage providers on the market today - from tech giants like Google to smaller, more niche players - choosing the solution that’s right for you isn’t easy. One of the first things you’ll probably want to consider is cost. While the capital expenditure for cloud storage is usually very low (or nonexistent), the operational expenditure can add up when you factor in additional storage requirements and premium features. Be sure to check your cloud contract carefully to ensure you don’t receive an unexpectedly large bill. 

Credentials around service and security standards are also key. Look for a cloud storage provider that can boast the certifications that promise an SLA you can rely on - and safeguards that protect your data. In addition, make sure your storage provider offers the scalability you need should you grow - and a flexible pricing model to accompany it. Perhaps the best thing to do when choosing a cloud storage provider is simply to shop around. There’s bound to be a solution that suits your needs - but don’t simply go with the first cloud provider you find. 

 When we test a cloud storage provider, we look at the upload and download speeds of file transfers but this is a minor component of the overall rating as there are scores of other factors that affect your download or upload speeds that cannot be easily mitigated (contention rate, time of day, server load etc). We also check to see if the storage provider can recover deleted files, as well as if they keep multiple versions of files in case users need to undo changes 

The other thing you’ll probably want to consider is cost. While the capital expenditure for cloud storage is usually very low (or non-existent), the operational expenditure can add up when you factor in additional storage requirements and premium features. Be sure to check your cloud contract carefully to ensure you don’t receive an unexpectedly large bill. 

Credentials around services and security standards are also key. Look for a cloud storage provider that can boast the certifications that promise an SLA you can rely on - and safeguards that protect your data. In addition, make sure your storage provider offers the scalability you need should you grow - and a flexible pricing model to accompany it.

Last but certainly not least is the level of support that a cloud storage service will provide to its customers, whether it's 24x7 over the phone or web-based only. Our reviews include all this and more details including usability, and platform compatibility, and compare each cloud storage service to similar rivals, across key features and pricing, so you can make an informed decision based on as much data as possible when it comes to the time when you will choose the best cloud storage provider for you.

For more detailed coverage, read: Cloud storage reviews: how we tested them 

Cloud storage is a remote virtual space, usually in a data center, which you can access to save or retrieve files.

It’s important to know a cloud storage service can be trusted with your files, so most providers go to a lot of trouble to make sure they’re safe. They’ll upload and download files via a secure encrypted connection, for instance. Maximum security data centers ensure no unauthorized person gets access to their servers, and even if someone did break in, leading-edge encryption prevents an attacker viewing your data.

There are dozens of services which are powered by some form of cloud storage. You might see them described as online backup, cloud backup, online drives, file hosting and more, but essentially they’re still cloud storage with custom apps or web consoles to add some extra features.

You won’t have to look far to find your nearest cloud storage service, though, because there’s a very good chance you have access to one already. Facebook and Twitter provide free cloud storage when they allow users to store photos and videos on their servers, for instance, while even the most basic free Google account gets you 15GB of cloud storage space via the Google Drive app.

If your backup budget is low (or non-existent) then opting for free cloud storage might appeal, but is it the right choice for you?

Capacities are often very low (NordLocker's free plan has just 3GB), which is likely to rule out free plans for any heavy-duty tasks. Some free options may have other limits, or leave out important features from the paid plans. IceDrive's 10GB plan looks generous, for instance, but you can only use 3GB bandwidth a day, and there's no client-side encryption.

These may not be deal-breaking issues, at least if your needs are simple, and you can do better with a little work. Signing up with one provider doesn't mean you can't use another, for instance: set up IDrive for one task, Google and OneDrive for a couple of others, and suddenly you've 30GB to play with.

Free plans aren't only useful for bargain hunters, though. However much you've got to spend, the real advantage of a free plan is it gives you time to try out different platforms before you commit.

Baffled by cloud storage babble? We've got all the key terms you need to know.

AES-256: one of the strongest encryption algorithms around, AES-256 is often used to protect cloud storage and ensure no-one else can access your data.

At-rest encryption: encrypts your data while stored on a device, protecting it from snoopers. See In-transit encryption.

Cloud: servers that are accessed over the internet, along with the software, databases, computing resources and services they offer. 

Continuous data backup: a clever technology which automates backups by looking out for new and changed files, and uploading them as soon as they appear.

Data center: one or more physical facilities which house networked computers and the resources necessary to run, access and manage them: storage systems, routers, firewalls and more.

Egress: the transfer of data from a network to an external location, such as downloading a file from a cloud storage account. (See Ingress.)

End-to-end encryption: a method of communicating data which ensures no-one but the sender and receiver can read or modify it. In cloud storage terms, it means your files can't be intercepted and accessed by anyone, even your provider.

Ingress: the transfer of data into a network, such as uploading a file to a cloud storage account. (See Egress.)

In-transit encryption: encrypts your data before transmission to another computer, and decrypts it at the destination. Even if an attacker can intercept your communications, they won't be able to read your files. (See At-rest encryption.)

Private cloud: a cloud computing environment which offers services to a single business only. A business might use its own private cloud storage to ensure no other company gets to handle its data, for instance, improving security. (See Public cloud.)

Private encryption key: a method of encryption which means only you can access your encrypted files. This guarantees your security, but is also a little risky, because if you forget your password, the provider can't help you recover it, and your data is effectively lost.

Public cloud: a network of computers which offers cloud services to the public via the internet. Google and Microsoft are examples of public cloud providers. (See Private cloud.)

S3: A fast flexible cloud storage type invented by Amazon and used by major companies like Netflix, reddit, Ancestry and more.

Sync: the process of keeping a set of files up-to-date across two or more devices. Edit a file on one of your devices, for instance, and a cloud storage service which supports syncing will quickly upload the new version to all the others.

Two-factor authentication: a technology which requires you to enter an extra piece of information (beyond just a username and password) when logging into a web account: a pin sent by email or SMS, a fingerprint, a response to an authenticator app. It's an extra login hassle, but also makes it much more difficult for anyone to hack your account. Sometimes called 2FA or two-step authentication.

Versioning: the ability to keep multiple versions of a file in your cloud storage area. Accidentally delete something important in a document last Tuesday, and even if you've updated the file several times, you may still be able to recover the previous version.

Zero-knowledge encryption: a guarantee that no-one else, not even your cloud provider, has the password necessary to protect your data. That's great for security, but beware: if you forget your password, the provider can't remind you, and your files will be locked away forever.

To learn more about cloud storage, we have plenty of resources covering what it is and how we test it. We also have resources for free or lifetime deal offerings, unlimited cloud storage deals, and the best cloud document storage. 

Round up of today's best deals

The Three Pillars of Successful Azure Cloud Operations

Developing a successful cloud operations practice is the key to unlocking the full benefits of Microsoft's Azure cloud platform in your organization. Among other advantages, an effective CloudOps practice increases engineering agility and speed to market, which maximizes the value of your cloud investment.

But getting CloudOps right is no easy task. As Azure cloud operations teams move beyond migration and begin to scale in the cloud, they face numerous challenges, from reining in the cloud spend to bridging the skills gap and maximizing team efficiency.

Meeting those challenges requires time, patience, and a solid foundation on which to build an effective practice. In this Tech Talk, CloudOps experts Shon Harris, of Spot by NetApp, and Microsoft's Ben Brauer talk with veteran technology journalist John K. Waters about the three core pillars of Azure CloudOps—foundational considerations critical to supporting your organization’s growth in the cloud.

The conversation will cover:

Learn how to get started adopting the CloudOps practices, processes, and tooling that will enhance engineering agility in your organization, reduce team burnout. and maximize your ROI from Azure cloud.

Register now!

About the presenter:

Shon W. Harris is a dedicated technologist and ultra-geek. He came to NetApp after almost a decade working in cloud-native roles such as Principal Cloud Architect and DevOps Engineering Lead, where he took complex software packages and processes, shifting them into a cloud-first mindset, building secure, highly available systems to enhance the way customers run their business. He also has a background in digital forensics and incident response. Shon advocates for customers to assist the developers and technologists who use Spot solutions to release faster running their workloads on optimized infrastructure and see value in maximizing cloud spend.

Ben Brauer, Microsoft

Ben Brauer has been involved in developing and evangelizing service oriented architectural principles since his days at HP Labs in 1998 with the advent of eSpeak. Ben’s 25-year career has been focused on empowering developers and architects to leverage the entire stack to deliver componentized services that support business outcomes while balancing agility with responsibility. Ben currently acts as an evangelist at Microsoft to espouse the virtues of designing and optimizing workloads that are well-architected and managed using Microsoft’s Patterns and Practices frameworks for Azure.