Tech
Apple, Dropbox, Google and Microsoft: Overview of cloud storage offers
Saving photos, synchronizing and sharing files – these are probably the most important reasons for purchasing cloud storage. But many providers offer much more – up to the complete Office package. All important information can be found in our overview. We compare prices, range of functions and more from Apple iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive.
Dropbox
free storage
Dropbox offers two gigabytes of storage space for free. You can expand it through the referral program. Depending on the use case, the upper limit of devices that you can link to the free account is a more or less clear restriction. File synchronization is only available on linked devices. On each additional device, you can only access your data stored on Dropbox via the web browser.
Costs
Dropbox calculates additional storage as follows:
- 2 TB for one user costs €9.99/month
- 2 TB for a family group with up to six users costs €16.99/month
- 3 TB for one user costs €16.58/month (includes additional functions for business users)
- 5 TB for 3 and more users costs €12/user/month
- Then there is the Advanced plan for €18/user/month, which offers unlimited storage space for large teams.
app
You can reach Dropbox via the web browser. Windows and macOS are supplied with reliably working applications. This also applies to Android and iOS, for which Dropbox offers the app of the same name for free. In addition, Dropbox is used by countless third-party apps to synchronize data and settings.
assessment
Dropbox is one of the oldest providers of cloud storage, but it is anything but old. In our experience, the service is stable and reliable. In addition, the range of functions is very extensive. You can share files and folders with other users, send data stored in Dropbox (replaces oversized email attachments) and recover deleted files for at least 30 days (plan dependent). File preview in the browser shows many files quickly and without time-consuming recourse to the associated application. The integration into Explorer or Finder (macOS) has also been successful.
Google Drive
free storage
Google Drive comes with 15 gigabytes of free storage.
Costs
Private users can get additional storage by subscribing to Google One. From 200 GB you will receive a credit that you can use in the Google Store if you order a mobile phone or other hardware from Google there, for example:
- 100 GB costs €1.99/month
- 200 GB costs €2.99/month (3% credit)
- 2 TB costs €9.99/month (10% credit)
You can share the subscription with up to five family members. If you pay annually, Google grants a discount of 16%. For example, 100 GB costs €20 each when paid annually.
app
Google Drive can be integrated into macOS and Windows via the software of the same name. Google also offers the service as an app for Android and iOS. You can also access your files stored on Google via a web browser.
assessment
If you have an Android phone and/or Chromebook, chances are you associate it with a Google user account anyway. Then you can use Google Drive, for example, to back up your photos and save other data. We also find the Office applications, which are included free of charge in Google Drive in the form of Google Docs, Google Sheets and Google Slides, to be great. Office files stored in Google Drive (including those from Microsoft) can be viewed and edited in the web browser – alone and at the same time with other users. The integration of Google’s proven search technology, the sharing of files, the saving of file attachments from Gmail and the scan function are also part of the wide range of functions.
iCloud Drive
free storage
As part of iCloud Drive, Apple provides 5 GB of free storage. This also applies to users who do not have an Apple device.
Costs
Apple calculates additional storage as follows:
- 50 GB costs €0.99/month
- 200 GB costs €2.99/month
- 2 TB costs €9.99/month
It gets interesting from 200 GB: From this lower limit, you can share the storage space with up to five other family members and upload recordings from a surveillance camera that do not use up the storage volume. The camera must be compatible with Apple’s HomeKit smart home standard.
Tip: To our knowledge, Apple does not offer discounts for annual payments. Online, in supermarkets and consumer electronics stores, you will always find credit cards that are 10, 15 or even 20 percent cheaper with which you can top up your Apple account.
app
The software for iCloud access is an integral part of Apple’s macOS and iOS operating systems. Apple provides a corresponding extension for Windows. Android users are starving.
assessment
If you have an iPhone and/or iPad, there is hardly a way around iCloud. This applies regardless of whether you prefer Windows or macOS on the PC – because of the convenient synchronization of photos and videos and because of the backup function for other smartphone data. Many apps also access the online storage to synchronize data and settings. You can edit data stored on the iCloud Drive using Apple’s Office applications Pages (word processing), Numbers (spreadsheets) and Keynote (presentations). Also, a calendar and address manager are part of the applications that you access through the iCloud website. The programs are also available as apps on Mac and iOS.
Microsoft OneDrive
free storage
Microsoft OneDrive offers 5 gigabytes of storage space for free. You can increase storage space by participating in the OneDrive referral program (you can find this in the settings).
Costs
Microsoft’s tariff model is somewhat confusing. That’s because OneDrive is only available on its own in the Standalone plan. Here you pay 2 €/month for 100 GB storage space. Mainly, however, OneDrive is an extra for users who subscribe to Microsoft Office instead of buying the Office package traditionally. Microsoft offers a variety of tariffs, of which the following are interesting for private users:
- Microsoft 365 Single: 1 TB costs €69/year
- Microsoft 365 Family: 1 TB each for 6 users costs a total of €99/year
If the terabyte of storage space included in the tariffs is not enough, you can expand it by 200, 400, 600 or 800 GB or 1 TB. Microsoft charges 1 euro per 100 GB and month.
app
OneDrive is an integral part of Microsoft’s Windows 10 operating system. The client software is available as an app or desktop application for Android, iOS and macOS.
assessment
Over the years, Microsoft has evolved the once puny OneDrive into full-fledged cloud storage. Functions such as offline folders and selective synchronization have now been added to pure file synchronization. The personal safe is probably unique. Files located in this special storage area are protected by a two-stage verification process. After twenty minutes of inactivity, the safe locks itself again automatically.
Because OneDrive is part of Windows 10, getting started is easy. This is all the more true if you are already logging into Windows with your Microsoft account. When switching to one of the paid tariffs, the included subscription for Microsoft Office 365 plays a major role. We always find current versions of Outlook, Word, Excel and Powerpoint as well as 1 terabyte of storage space for 69 euros per year. The price is unbeatable when booking for up to six family members. In addition, Microsoft 365 is regularly reduced.
