There is no single 'best' provider — the right choice depends on the platforms you live on and your privacy stance. The picks below pair categories with examples.
Microsoft OneDrive
Best with Microsoft 365
1 TB included with M365 Personal/Family. Strong if you already pay for Microsoft.
Pros
- Bundled with M365
- Personal Vault for sensitive files
- Solid cross-platform
Cons
- Not E2EE by default
- Best inside Microsoft world
Apple iCloud Drive
Best with Apple devices
Native on every Apple device; Advanced Data Protection extends E2EE to most data.
Pros
- Built-in
- Optional E2EE
- Affordable family pricing
Cons
- Apple-only practically
- Web UI weaker than competitors
Google Drive
Best with Google Workspace
Largest free tier (15 GB) and excellent collaboration on Docs/Sheets.
Pros
- Generous free tier
- Strong collaboration
- Workspace integration
Cons
- Not E2EE by default
- Tied to Google account
Proton Drive / Sync.com / Tresorit
Best for privacy
Zero-knowledge encryption by default — the provider can't read your files.
Pros
- E2EE by default
- Strong jurisdiction options
- Privacy-first ethos
Cons
- Smaller integration ecosystems
- Higher per-GB price
Backblaze B2 / Storj
Best for backup at scale
Cheap object storage for backup workflows. Pair with a client like Restic or Duplicacy.
Pros
- Lowest per-TB pricing
- Pay for what you use
- Strong API
Cons
- Not a sync product — needs a client
- More technical to set up
Decide on E2EE first. Once you choose, the rest (price, collaboration, ecosystem) follows naturally.