Cloud Storage Picker
Don\'t lose your photos. Pick the right cloud.
What "the cloud" really is
A copy of your files on a company\'s servers. If your phone breaks, gets lost, or stops working, your photos and documents survive. Most cloud services back up automatically — set it once, never worry again.
iCloud (Apple)
Free 5GB; $1/mo 50GB; $3/mo 200GB; $10/mo 2TBiPhone, iPad, Mac users. Backs up your phone, photos, Notes, contacts. Family Sharing splits the cost.
iCloud+ adds private email and HideMyEmail.
Google Drive / One
Free 15GB; $2/mo 100GB; $3/mo 200GB; $10/mo 2TBAndroid, Chrome users. Includes Gmail, Google Photos, Docs.
Same plan covers all Google services.
Microsoft OneDrive
Free 5GB; included with Microsoft 365 ($7-10/mo)PC and Office users. Comes free with Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel) at 1TB. Best deal if you already pay for Office.
Family plan covers 6 people, $10/month total.
Dropbox
Free 2GB; $12/mo 2TBCross-platform — works the same on Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android. Best for sharing files with non-tech-savvy people.
Cleanest interface for file-sharing.
Amazon Photos
Free unlimited photos with PrimeIf you already pay for Amazon Prime, photo backup is FREE and unlimited. Best deal in cloud storage.
Most people miss this benefit.
Backblaze
$9/month for unlimited computer backupWhole-computer backup, not just files you sync. Set and forget.
Best disaster-prevention insurance.
How much do you need?
- 50GB ($1/mo) — fine if you don\'t shoot many videos.
- 200GB ($3/mo) — sweet spot for most. Years of photos, videos, files.
- 2TB ($10/mo) — overkill unless you\'re a photographer or have decades of digitized media.
Tip: Apple\'s iCloud+ Family Plan splits 200GB across 6 family members for $3/mo total.
Don\'t put all eggs in one basket
Pick TWO clouds for important things. Most photographers use Apple Photos OR Google Photos as primary, plus Amazon Photos (free with Prime) as a free second backup. If one company has a crash or you lose access, the other has it all.
Already paying for something?
Microsoft 365 Family is the best value if you have multiple devices: $100/year for 6 people, includes 1TB OneDrive each, plus Word/Excel/PowerPoint. Amazon Prime already includes unlimited Photos. Apple One bundles iCloud+ with Music, TV, Arcade.