Updated February 2015
Cloud storage services are great for sharing files with friends and families, keeping documents in sync between all of your devices, and so much more. Free cloud storage is even better!
Yes, there really are no-strings-attached, free cloud storage services out there. Many of them, actually. While nearly all have premium offerings that provide more space, the free cloud storage offered is usually more than enough for most people.
Better yet, many of these free cloud storage providers give you even more free space for referring friends or performing other tasks.
Having trouble deciding on which free cloud storage service is right for you? Here's a comparison chart of the top 5 services to help you decide.
Note: Cloud storage is different than automatic cloud backup. For a list of online backup services that offer plans with free space, see Tim's Free Online Backup Plans list.
Cloud storage services are great for sharing files with friends and families, keeping documents in sync between all of your devices, and so much more. Free cloud storage is even better!
Yes, there really are no-strings-attached, free cloud storage services out there. Many of them, actually. While nearly all have premium offerings that provide more space, the free cloud storage offered is usually more than enough for most people.
Better yet, many of these free cloud storage providers give you even more free space for referring friends or performing other tasks.
Having trouble deciding on which free cloud storage service is right for you? Here's a comparison chart of the top 5 services to help you decide.
Note: Cloud storage is different than automatic cloud backup. For a list of online backup services that offer plans with free space, see Tim's Free Online Backup Plans list.
2. Hive
Hive is a very attractive web app that gives everyone unlimited storage space and functions as a torrent client. It's not just about storing, though - it allows files to be shared and streamed without having to be downloaded.The major disadvantage I see with Hive when compared to similar online hosting services is that you can not share files and folders with the public, or even other users, necessarily. You must "friend" someone else, after which you both can comment on files as well as stream, copy, and download the other person's data.
Alternatively, folders can be kept secret by locking them. This lets you restrict access to just you or specific friends. More »
3. Mankayia
Visit Mankayia to create a free account that gives you unlimited storage space, much like Hive, and lots of awesome features.For one, you can share files and folders with unregistered users. This means you can create shares for the public, and even create folders that others can upload files to so they are sent directly to your account.
In addition, Mankayia lets you do things like download multiple files at once, password protect shared links, stream media files from your own account, and set a maximum number of downloads and/or a time limit before shared links expire.
A free app is available for Android and iOS users that supports streaming, sharing, offline access, and mobile uploads. More »
4. MediaFire
Instantly get 10 GB of free online file hosting with MediaFire. Increase it to 50 GB with things like friend referrals and application downloads.There are sharing options for files and folders and easy uploads with a MediaFire folder on your computer that's linked directly to your account.
iOS and Android users can download an app to view and share files on the go or upload photos and videos. More »
5. pCloud
10 GB of free online storage is offered by pCloud, with friend referrals and other bonus steps jumping it to a possible 20 GB.A desktop client can be installed for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. There's also a mobile app for iOS and Android devices that's very intuitive and easy to use.
pCloud supports adding files from a remote URL in addition to single file and whole folder uploads through a browser. The mobile apps can upload photos and videos directly to your pCloud account.
Both files and folders can both be shared with non-users. Shared folders can even be downloaded as a ZIP archive.
Also, pCloud allows upload links to be generated for folders so anyone can send files to your account. A unique email address is also generated which lets you (or anyone) email files directly to a folder on your pCloud account.
In addition to the above, you can backup the photos from your social media accounts like Facebook, Instagram, and Picasa. More »
6. SurDoc
New SurDoc users are each given 100 GB of free space with the option to complete tasks to be rewarded more free space, up to 1 TB.A dedicated SurDoc folder is created when the client is installed for Windows users, allowing you to easily drag and drop folders into your account. There's also an app for mobile devices.
File and folder sharing is allowed with SurDoc, which is great, but the 100 GB capacity unfortunately expires after one year. After the first year, you're then required to complete free tasks to earn free space, such as sharing your files with others and referring friends to join SurDoc. More »
7. Dump Truck
Get 5 GB of free cloud storage with Golden Frog's Dump Truck. You can refer friends to use Dump Truck to get a total of 21 GB of free storage.Applications are available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android so you can view and share your files on nearly any device. Dump Truck can be installed as if it were another folder on your computer, so uploading files is made really simple.
Extremely custom file sharing choices are available so you can share the same file with multiple people using different security options. More »
8. Dropbox
Dropbox users start off with 2 GB of free space with several simple ways of earning more, up to around 18 GB.You can view and upload all your Dropbox files from a desktop or mobile app and share whole folders with anyone, even if they don't have a Dropbox account. More »
9. Box
10 GB of free online storage space is offered by Box (formerly Box.net).There's a mobile application for nearly all devices - iOS, Android, BlackBerry, and Windows Phone - that lets you upload/download/share your content. The desktop sync client for Windows and Mac OS X make is super simple to upload files to Box.
Box users can share whole folders of data or pick single files to share with a public link. More »
10. SeaCloud
Another online hosting service is SeaCloud, which offers 1 GB of free storage for every new user.Files can be added to your account with the desktop sync client, which is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux users. Android and iOS users can upload photos and video from their mobile devices.
You can share folders with other SeaCloud users and create public links to share files/folders with anyone, even non-users. File sharing can also be done through the mobile application.
SeaCloud also supports password protected folders, directory descriptions, groups, and share links that expire after a specific number of days.
11. Inbox.com
Inbox.com is marketed mainly as an online email client, where new users get 5 GB of free space. If you don't use the email portion, however, you can utilize this space as file storage.The interface of Inbox.com'ssite isn't exactly the most friendliest, but you are able to create new folders and upload files. There's also a desktop client that can do the same.
Sharing files isn't as intuitive as the other services in this list because it revolves around the email client, where you can only share files through a new email. However, you can easily grab the public link from the auto-generated email and share it using your own email address. More »
12. Copy
Every new Copy user gets 15 GB of online storage at no cost, and you can even share files without having an account. You can get an extra 5 GB of space for every referred friend that begins using Copy.An application can be downloaded for the Windows, Mac, and Linux operating system. Also, iOS, Android, and Windows Phone users can install an app for uploading photos and videos directly to their Copy account.
The mobile Copy applications can do everything the web and desktop version can do: create new folders, view currently uploaded files, and share files and folders with others (even unregistered users).
Both the mobile and web version of Copy is really slick and very simple to navigate around.
Copy also makes it easy to transfer files from other online storage services such as Box, Google Drive, and Dropbox. More »
13. PromptFile
Though PromptFile is a rather simple website that's not overloaded with too many features, it does offer a large 250 GB of free storage space with zero upload/download limits.Files of any type can be uploaded from your computer, over FTP, and from a remote URL as long as they are not larger than 5 GB. You can also share files (not folders) with anyone, even if they don't have a user account, and they can stream music and videos without having to download them.
PromptFile can be used without registering an account, but greater restrictions will apply to the file size and hosting limits. More »
14. FlipDrive
New FlipDrive users get 5 GB of initial storage with an opportunity for 500 MB more for each friend they can refer to start using FlipDrive.There aren't any mobile or desktop programs that can be installed for uploading files to FlipDrive, so the web version must suffice. Though you can upload whole folders using the website, which is nice.
You can share files with anyone, even if they don't have a FlipDrive account. However, accessing shared folders requires a registered FlipDrive account. Recipients can be given write, edit, delete, and share permissions in addition to read rights for folders.
You can create up to 5 shared links and upload files that are as large as 25 MB.
The FlipDrive website isn't the easiest to use when compared to most other cloud storage services, which is a bummer, but it still manages to function if you can work through it. More »
15. Google Drive
Google Drive is the cloud storage service offered by Google. Each new user gets 15 GB of free space.The total storage is actually shared with other Google services, like Gmail and Google+ Photos. If you don't use the other services, you can utilize almost all the space for Google Drive alone.
A sync client can be installed for Windows and Mac users, which supports folder and file uploads, as well as a mobile app for Android and iOS users that can send photos and videos to Google Drive.
Folders and files can be shared with specific Google users via their email address or anyone with a public link. You can also make a file view-only, which prevents someone from downloading it.
Google Drive makes it really simple to collaborate with others by allowing comments and letting files be opened and accessed my more than one person at a time. More »
16. OneDrive
Formerly called SkyDrive, OneDrive is an online storage service from Microsoft. Everyone gets 15 GB of free space when they sign up.Extra hosting can be awarded if you follow certain instructions, like friend referrals and mobile photo syncing.
A Windows and Mac desktop program can be installed to easily transfer folders and files of any type to OneDrive, making them accessible from an iOS or Android mobile device. The mobile app can also upload files - both images and videos.
OneDrive supports sharing both folders and files with non-registered users. A permission can be set to only allow viewing or to allow full editing. More »
17. Mightyupload
You can upload as many files as you want, no larger than 4 GB in size, to Mightyupload, and every file and folder you create are publicly available through your profile.URL and FTP uploads are supported as well as regular browser uploads from your computer.
You don't have to create an account to use Mightyupload, but it makes it easier to manage your files if you do. Also, non-users can only upload 10 files at once, whereas registered users can upload 25.
Note: Files will expire from Mightyupload if they aren't viewed/downloaded for 30 days. More »
18. Amazon Cloud Drive
Amazon.com has an online storage service called Amazon Cloud Drive, which offers 5 GB of free space for every Amazon user.Users can share files to create a public link accessible by anyone who uses it, even if they don't have an Amazon account. Folder sharing isn't supported.
Files can be uploaded using the desktop client software or the web version, though only the former allows folder uploads. A mobile app is also available for uploading videos and photos from Android and iOS devices.
If you have an Amazon Prime membership, you also get unlimited photo storage from your computer and mobile devices.
21. OziBox
OziBox offers 100 GB of free online storage space.A desktop program is available for Windows users, which includes a nice status window that shows a progress bar, the size, and upload speed of everything that's currently being uploaded. You even set the upload priority for individual files so more important ones are queued for upload before the rest.
Files and folders can be dropped directly into your OziBox folder from your PC or files can be sent through a web browser for other operating systems.
Also available is a mobile app for Android devices.
Data can only be shared through OziBox if the recipient is also a registered user. More »
22. StreamNation
StreamNation gives its users 20 GB of free file storage the moment they sign up.The service is built around the idea of streaming media, as the name suggests. This means you can use the mobile application to send videos to Google's Chromecast, for example.
You can add multiple files to your account at once through the website or even add files via its URL. You can upload 50 files at once as long as they don't total more than 800 MB. There's also a desktop program for Windows and Mac operating systems to send folders to your account. A mobile app is available for iOS and Android users to upload photos and videos and manage their account on the go.
StreamNation also allows you to import photos, videos, and entire albums of media from the following websites: Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Google+, Instagram, Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive.
Files and folders can only be shared with other SreamNation users. More »
23. ADrive
50 GB of free online storage is given to any new ADrive user.Files and folders can be uploaded through the ADrive web interface, and even remote files from the Internet can be loaded if you enter the direct URL to the file.
A mobile app for Android and iOS users can be used to view and share your ADrive files as well as upload local content to your account.
Files (not folders) from ADrive can be shared with anyone but they automatically expire two weeks after initiating the share. More »
24. Yandex.Disk
Yandex is a Russian Internet company known mainly for its popular search engine, Yandex Search, but they also have other services, like 10 GB of free cloud storage for anyone who creates an account.There are plenty of useful features with Yandex.Disk, such as public and private folder and file sharing, the ability to import photos via social networks, bulk downloads, automatic mobile uploads, and support for drag and drop.
Windows, Mac, and Linux users can install a desktop program to upload files to Yandex.Disk, and a mobile app is available for Android, iOS, and Windows Phone. More »
25. 360 Cloud Drive
360 Cloud Drive is a Chinese service that offers a huge 360 GB of storage when you first sign up. If you download the desktop client, you instantly get upgraded to over 10 TB of storage!Files and folders can be added to your account through either the website or the desktop program that's available for Windows and Mac.
You can share both files and folders with anyone through a public link, which doesn't require them to have a 360 Cloud Drive account.
Android and iOS mobile apps can be installed to access 360 Cloud Drive, share files and folders, and upload photos and videos.
There's a "daily draw" link available from the website that, when clicked, gives you extra storage space. The amount changes every day and you can only enter once per day.
Note: The 360 Cloud Drive mobile app, website, and desktop program is only available in Chinese. Though it can be nearly impossible to understand what you're doing through the applications (given you don't read Chinese), if you translate the web page to English, uploading and sharing your files is a bit easier. See Google's English translation of the 360 Cloud Drive website. More »
26. Shared
Get 100 GB of free storage space with Shared.Files can be uploaded through a web browser only because Shared doesn't provide desktop or mobile apps for uploading data. Data can also be added to your Shared account by entering its online URL.
Folders (called Collections) and files can be shared with anyone, even if they aren't Shared users.
Other Shared users can leave comments on your files and you can easily see how many people have visited your shared links through your account. More »
27. hubiC
Get 25 GB of file storage at no cost with hubiC.Windows, Mac, and Linux users can install desktop software to upload files or use the web version. A mobile application can be used with Android, iOS, Windows Phone, and BlackBerry devices.
Files and folders can be shared with anyone, even if they aren't hubiC users. However, they must be set to work for just 5, 10, or 30 days before the link expires.
If sharing a folder, visitors can download multiple files at once through a ZIP download. More »
28. SFShare
Sign up with SFShare to receive 50 GB of free cloud storage.Only one file can be uploaded at a time with SFShare, but you do have the option to password protect them before they're added to your account. Files can also be uploaded by their URL.
Shared folders aren't allowed with SFShare and shared files require a waiting period before the download link becomes active. More »
29. CloudMe
CloudMe users get 3 GB of free storage with WebDAV access. You can get up to 19 GB for free by referring friends to use CloudMe.Mobile devices are also supported, like iPhone, iPad, Android, and Blackberry.
You can upload multiple files at once using a web browser (up to 150 MB each) or the desktop application that's available for Windows, Mac, and Ubuntu.
CloudMe lets you share individual files with anyone. You can also share password protected folders so friends can follow it to monitor any changes you make. Others can also upload files to your account if you create a WebShare+ folder. More »
30. Jumpshare
Over 200 file types can be uploaded to Jumpshare, with a total of 2 GB of free storage for every user. If you refer friends to join Jumpshare, you can get up to 18 GB for free!A downloadable program is available for Windows and Mac users that allows really simple drag and drop and hotkey file sharing capabilities.
31. Slash//Drive
Slash//Drive offers 10 GB of free online file hosting, but not all file types are allowed.Over 20 different files types are able to be uploaded to Slash//Drive, some of which are DOC, PNG, BMP, MP3, and WAV. Common files types like EXE and ZIP are not allowed.
Files are uploaded through the website (not a downloadable program) and can be viewed by anyone who has the direct link. More »
32. myVdrive
myVdrive lets you upload files as large as 1 GB, but they're only stored for 60 days for free users.Whole folders as well as single files can be shared with others, even if they aren't myVdrive users. The website lets you copy the shared link, share them over social media, and send them to others over email. You can also make files private and password protect them.
myVdrive allows regular browser uploads as well as FTP and URL uploads. Mobile apps are also supported. More »
33. myDrive
myDrive is another online storage service but it offers much less space than the majority of the others in this list. There is no limit to how large uploads can be, but you can only store up to 100 MB on myDrive, which makes the maximum file size 100 MB as well.Mobile apps are available and you can connect to your account through WebDAV.
myDrive is very limited compared to similar websites, such as the fact that file sharing is allowed only if you give out a "guest" username and password, and you only get one.
Though I do like that you can download multiple files in an archive and restore deleted files up to a month after removing them from your account.
mydrive é outro serviço de armazenamento online mas oferece muito menos espaço do que a maioria dos outros nesta lista. Não há limite para o quão grandes uploads pode ser, mas você só pode armazenar até 100 MB em mydrive, o que faz com que o tamanho máximo de arquivo de 100 MB também.
Aplicativos móveis estão disponíveis e você pode conectar ao seu conta através de WebDAV.
mydrive é muito limitado em comparação com sites semelhantes, como o fato de que o compartilhamento de arquivos é permitido somente se você dar um nome de usuário "guest" e senha, e você só tem uma.
Embora eu gosto que você pode baixar vários arquivos em um arquivo e restaurar arquivos apagados até um mês depois de as retirar sua conta.