10 Best Microsoft OneDrive Alternatives

If you have a device running Windows 10 or 11, you’ve probably noticed an app called OneDrive installed on it. This is Microsoft’s own cloud storage service. While it’s decent, it has several drawbacks, most notably Microsoft’s data-gathering policies. In this article, we’ve rounded up the best OneDrive alternatives for those concerned about their privacy or who find OneDrive lacking in other ways.

The services we’ve selected offer a similar or better feature set, and improve on security and privacy. We’ve included both paid and free cloud storage services to fit every budget. Read on for our top choices, including the winner — Sync.com. You can also read our article on the best cloud storage for more detailed reviews and a broader selection of providers.

Cloudwards’ Choice: Sync.com

Cloudwards’ Choice: Sync.com

Aleksandar Kochovski is an experienced technical writer specializing in cloud technology, online security and digital privacy.

Without a doubt, Sync.com is the best alternative to OneDrive, improving on it in pretty much every way. It integrates with Microsoft Office like OneDrive does, it has more detailed sharing settings and the client-side encryption makes it much more secure. It’s my personal top recommendation, and it’s also just an objectively great cloud storage provider overall.

The 5 Best OneDrive Alternatives

Sync.com is a secure cloud storage service that’s great for both personal and professional use. It offers end-to-end encryption for all your files, as well as private collaboration via its seamless integration with Microsoft Office and secure file sharing. Plus, it has secure data centers in Canada, which has better data protection laws than the U.S. — namely, PIPEDA.

Sync.com Hands-On Testing

Sync.com offers desktop apps for all major desktop and mobile operating systems apart from Linux. Its desktop app syncs every file you place in the dedicated sync folder, though you can’t choose to sync other folders. Thankfully, files in that folder are online-only by default until you choose to download them. 

Notes From the Lab: Sync.com Speed Test Results

	Speeds
Average Upload*	0:09:47
Average Download*	0:11:56
Average Upload**	0:09:36
Average Download**	0:10:56

Speed is Sync.com’s only downside, as it’s one of the slowest services we’ve tested. Its results in the 100 Mbps test are the second slowest on this list, and the speeds didn’t improve much over an uncapped 1 Gbps connection.

Notes From the Lab: Sync.com Security Analysis

Encryption Type	Encryption Protocols Used
Encryption at rest	AES-256
Encryption in transit	TLS/SSL
Client-side encryption	Yes, whole storage

Sync.com Pricing & Value

Sync.com offers more storage space than OneDrive on its paid plans, with personal plans going up to 6TB and an unlimited storage plan for businesses. The 2TB plan offers the best value, at $4.80 per month on a yearly basis. Sync.com offers a 5GB free plan — the same capacity as OneDrive’s — that you can use to try the service. Read our Sync.com review for more.

More plans

Pro Teams Standard

• Price includes 3 users
• 1TB

Pro Teams+ Unlimited

• Monthly price for 1 user (3 users minimum)
  Yearly price for 3 users
• Unlimited GB

Enterprise

• Minimum 100 users, custom requirements, account manager, training options

2. pCloud — Best Free OneDrive Alternative

pCloud is a powerful alternative to OneDrive, especially for users with many multimedia files. Its media-focused feature set includes a fully featured music player and Kodi integration, as well as a backup feature for archiving files. 

pCloud is based in Switzerland, so your data is protected by some of the best data privacy laws. Client-side encryption comes at an additional cost, though.

pCloud Hands-On Testing

pCloud’s apps (available on all major operating systems) are some of the most thoughtfully designed we’ve seen. The desktop apps provide multiple ways to sync your files, including a virtual drive that offers easy access to files while taking up no space on your hard drive. Mobile devices get automatic photo and video uploads, with detailed options of what to upload and how.

Notes From the Lab: pCloud Speed Test Results

	Speeds
Average Upload*	0:07:06
Average Download*	0:06:52
Average Upload**	0:02:06
Average Download**	0:02:33

pCloud is the fastest cloud storage service on this list, beating every other provider in both uploads and downloads in our capped 100 Mbps test. In the 1 Gbps test, its speeds were even more impressive, demonstrating that its servers present no limitations to performance.

Notes From the Lab: pCloud Security Analysis

Encryption Type	Encryption Protocols Used
Encryption at rest	AES-256
Encryption in transit	TLS/SSL
Client-side encryption	Yes, single folder (paid add-on)

pCloud Pricing & Value

pCloud offers plans going up to 10TB at relatively affordable prices. Its best-value plan comes with 2TB of cloud storage for $8.33 per month on a yearly basis, though end-to-end encryption is an added cost. It also offers lifetime plans for even more bang for your buck. Read our pCloud review for more, or try it out using the 10GB free plan.

3. Icedrive — Most User-Friendly OneDrive Alternative

Icedrive is a no-frills cloud storage provider that focuses on ease of use rather than offering a wealth of features. It’s secure, with data centers in the EU for GDPR protection, and has an end-to-end encrypted folder for sensitive data. However, while it mirrors and even beats OneDrive’s user-friendliness, it lacks collaboration options and document editing.

Icedrive Hands-On Testing

Icedrive offers a beautifully designed, user-friendly interface with multiple file-syncing options. It offers a sync folder, a virtual drive and even a portable app that requires no installation and lets you sync any folder on your computer.

Notes From the Lab: Icedrive Speed Test Results

	Speeds
Average Upload*	0:12:12
Average Download*	0:13:00
Average Upload**	0:11:50
Average Download**	0:12:37

Although Icedrive used to be one of the fastest cloud storage services, our latest round of testing showed much worse performance than previous years. Speeds were poor in our 100 Mbps test, and they didn’t improve much on the faster 1 Gbps connection, possibly indicating a server limitation that may have resulted from an influx of new users.

Notes From the Lab: Icedrive Security Analysis

Encryption Type	Encryption Protocols Used
Encryption at rest	Twofish
Encryption in transit	TLS/SSL
Client-side encryption	Yes, single folder

Icedrive Pricing & Value

Icedrive offers up to 3TB of storage on regular plans. The 1TB plan costs just $4.99 per month on a two-year subscription. You can also save money by making a one-time payment for a lifetime plan, which goes up to 10TB. Try Icedrive with its 10GB free plan, or read our full Icedrive review for more details.

Free

• Bandwidth limit: 50GB
• 10GB

Lite

• Bandwidth limit: 250GB
• 100GB

More plans

Lifetime Add On – Stack 100

• Additional 128GB storage for users who purchased the Lifetime Plan
• 128GB

Lifetime Add On – Stack 500

• Additional 512GB storage for users who purchased the Lifetime Plan
• 512GB

Lifetime Add On – Stack 2K

• Additional 2TB storage for users who purchased the Lifetime Plan
• 2TB

4. Internxt — Secure OneDrive Alternative With Open-Source Apps

Internxt is among the best OneDrive alternatives that prioritize security. It comes with advanced security features that no other provider offers, such as client-side encryption for all files, open-source apps whose code anyone can inspect and even post-quantum encryption for future-proof protection. It also offers automated backups and bundles a VPN and antivirus with all pricing plans.

Internxt Hands-On Testing

Internxt’s apps are as simple as they come, with only a few options to manage your backups and syncing. You get a regular sync folder where files are online-only by default, though you can’t sync other folders. Sadly, its mobile apps lack the ability to automatically upload photos and videos — a standard feature for cloud storage.

Notes From the Lab: Internxt Speed Test Results

	Speeds
Average Upload*	0:08:01
Average Download*	0:09:28
Average Upload**	0:07:48
Average Download**	0:09:27

We’ve maligned Internxt’s speeds in the past, but it has greatly improved its performance (though it still won’t knock your socks off). Its speeds are pretty much in the middle of our lineup over a 100 Mbps connection, though unfortunately there’s almost no improvement over a 1 Gbps connection.

Notes From the Lab: Internxt Security Analysis

Encryption Type	Encryption Protocols Used
Encryption at rest	AES-256
Encryption in transit	TLS/SSL
Client-side encryption	Yes, whole storage

Internxt Pricing & Value

Internxt’s paid plans are some of the cheapest out there, with a 3TB plan going for $7.22 per month on an annual basis, as well as lifetime plans for even greater savings. Unfortunately, Internxt offers limited free storage space — only 1GB, which might not be enough if you need to store large files. Read our full Internxt review for more.

Essential

• Storage + VPN (FR), Antivirus, Backup & More
• 1TB

Premium

• Storage + VPN (FR, DE, PL), Antivirus, Backup & More
• 3TB

More plans

Ultimate

• Storage + VPN (FR, DE, PL, CA, UK), Antivirus, Backup & More
• 5TB

Business Standard

• Storage + VPN (FR, DE, PL), Antivirus, Backup & More
• 1TB

Business Pro

• Storage + VPN (FR, DE, PL, CA, UK), Antivirus, Backup & More
• 2TB

5. Koofr — Best OneDrive Alternative for an Easy Transition

Koofr is a unique service that lets you manage multiple cloud storage accounts, including OneDrive, which can make transitioning to a new service a lot easier. Plus, it integrates with Microsoft Office, implements strong security and privacy via its European data centers, and offers a client-side encrypted folder with added password protection.

Koofr Hands-On Testing

Koofr offers one of the most flexible syncing features out there, with a sync folder, a virtual drive and custom one-way and two-way syncing. Although all the features in the desktop app are well explained, setting up custom syncs can be confusing. Its mobile app is reliable and syncs photos and videos almost instantly.

Notes From the Lab: Koofr Speed Test Results

	Speeds
Average Upload*	0:07:30
Average Download*	0:07:13
Average Upload**	0:04:05
Average Download**	0:02:47

Koofr is a relatively fast service, posting the second-fastest speeds on this list in the 100 Mbps tests. Speeds improved significantly over the faster 1 Gbps connection (especially for downloads), implying no server-side issues with capacity.

Notes From the Lab: Koofr Security Analysis

Encryption Type	Encryption Protocols Used
Encryption at rest	AES-256
Encryption in transit	TLS/SSL
Client-side encryption	Yes, whole storage

Koofr Pricing & Value

Unfortunately, Koofr is pricier than OneDrive. Although it offers cheap small-capacity plans, its higher-capacity plans are expensive compared to other OneDrive alternatives, especially when you consider that Sync.com offers a similar feature set and better security. Its 1TB plan costs $10 per month, with no yearly subscription available.

Try Koofr using its 10GB free plan, or read our full Koofr review for more information.

Honorable Mentions

The following services could all serve as viable alternatives to OneDrive thanks to their similar feature sets. However, privacy issues or high costs keep them from making the main list.

1. Google Drive — OneDrive Alternative With a Generous Free Storage Plan

Google Drive is one of the most popular cloud storage services, offering seamless collaboration across the Google ecosystem. Although it seems like the perfect OneDrive alternative in terms of productivity, it suffers from the same privacy issues as OneDrive. Try it out using its 15GB free plan, or read our full Google Drive review for more details.

Standard 200GB

• *The plan is “hidden.” To find the 200GB plan, you need to be subscribed to one of the other plans, upgrade or downgrade to the 200GB through your account’s settings.
• 200GB

More plans

2. Dropbox — OneDrive Alternative for Team Collaboration

Dropbox is a pioneer in the personal cloud storage space, and it’s a true powerhouse, integrating with both Google Workspace and Microsoft Office, as well as a score of third-party apps. However, its reputation has suffered over the years due to privacy concerns. Try it out with the 2GB free plan, or read our Dropbox review for the full scoop.

More plans

Dropbox Essentials (aka Professional for professionals)

• (Formerly Dropbox One)
  1 user
  Signature requests and eSignature templates
• 3TB

Dropbox Business (aka Standard for teams)

Dropbox Business Plus (aka Advanced for companies)

3. Box — Alternative to Microsoft OneDrive for Business

Box is a service that focuses on business clients, with pricing that unfortunately reflects this. However, despite the high cost, it’s an incredibly capable service, offering its own productivity suite, plus Microsoft Office and Google Workspace integrations, as well as a paid client-side encryption add-on. Try the 10GB free plan, or read our Box review for more.

Business Starter

• Price per user, minimum of three users
• 100GB

More plans

Business

• Users: No limit
• Unlimited GB

Business Plus

• Users: No limit
• Unlimited GB

Enterprise

• Users: No limit
• Unlimited GB

Enterprise Plus

• Price shown is for one user; minimum 3 users
• Unlimited GB

Benefits & Disadvantages: Why You Might Want a OneDrive Alternative

OneDrive offers great convenience for Windows users, but it has numerous downsides as well, which we outline below.

OneDrive offers several benefits to its users, mostly by bundling its other products with its various subscriptions. Microsoft Office is the most widely used suite of document editors, and certain OneDrive plans include the full versions of the suite. Plus, it integrates fully with Microsoft Teams and other first-party apps.

As mentioned, OneDrive’s major flaw is in its privacy, as well as being incorporated in the United States, where legislation like the CLOUD act allows the government to access your data.

Our Methodology: How We Tested the Best Alternatives to OneDrive 

Before writing our reviews, our expert testers put each cloud storage service to the test, examining its features, performance, ease of use, privacy and security.

• Security and privacy: We look into the security features each service offers, especially client-side encryption, which lets you manage your encryption keys, ensuring that only you can access your files. We also examine the services’ privacy policies and the jurisdiction under which they operate.
• Speed and performance: We run periodic speed tests on a Windows virtual machine based in Ireland. We upload and download a 5GB test folder twice, averaging out the results. We repeat this over a slower 100 Mbps connection and an uncapped 1 Gbps connection for a more accurate representation of a service’s performance.
• Ease of use: We use each service for a week on desktop and mobile, noting any specifics about how the service works, including all of its features and any issues we run into.
• Value for money: We weigh all of the above factors against the cost of the service to determine how much value you get for your money.

Final Thoughts

That’s a wrap on our overview of the best OneDrive alternatives. Sync.com earns the top spot thanks to its Microsoft Office integration, high security and privacy, and affordable pricing plans, including unlimited storage. pCloud is a great alternative as well, mostly due to its ease of use, multimedia features and excellent app design.

Are you a current OneDrive user looking to make a switch? What’s your favorite alternative to OneDrive? Did we miss any services you wanted to see on the list? Please let us know in the comments below and, as always, thank you for reading.

FAQ: OneDrive Cloud Storage Provider Alternatives 

• Are There Better Alternatives to OneDrive?

  Yes, there are plenty of services that are better than OneDrive, most notably Sync.com, which, like OneDrive, integrates with Microsoft Office, and offers better security at a low price.

• How Do I Get 1TB OneDrive for Free?

  Unfortunately, you can’t get 1TB of cloud storage with OneDrive for free; its free plan is just 5GB, which is nowhere near 1TB.

• What Is the Google Equivalent of Microsoft OneDrive?

  The Google equivalent to OneDrive is Google Drive — a service that integrates into the Google ecosystem, similar to how OneDrive integrates into the Microsoft ecosystem.

• Is It OK to Not Use OneDrive?

  Yes, it is perfectly fine to avoid using OneDrive, even if it’s already installed on your Windows device.