Free cloud storage services are a great starting point for your data backups. However, like me, you’ll quickly run into the limitations of free cloud storage options, and rather than create multiple accounts or clear out my files, I’ve switched to a better alternative.
Why I Stopped Using Free Cloud Storage
Free cloud storage is really useful for backing up your data, but you’ll encounter some fairly major limitations.
1. Storage Limitations
Thoughfreeing up space in OneDriveand other services is straightforward, removing files and folders I’d rather keep quickly became frustrating. I understand these tools are businesses and need to make money, so I’m not angry at them for limiting their free storage. However, most folks will quickly outgrow the free data allowance.
2. Fewer Security Features
Many major cloud services have “standard security features” like high-level encryption and viewing/editing permissions. While these are super useful and protect your data, the paid versions typically give you even more control.
For example, some of Dropbox’s advanced plans have file-lock features. Moreover, the Standard subscription allows users to set up account admins. Meanwhile, paid versions of OneDrive have ransomware protection; Personal and Family plans also use Microsoft Defender.
Not every advanced security feature is necessary, but having greater flexibility and control is nice.
3. Limited Recovery Timescales
I sometimes regret deleting a document. If I want to recover it, I’m limited with how long I can do so with free cloud backup services. For example, Dropbox only offers 30-day data recovery with a free plan.
For Standard and Professional, however, you get 180 days to recover lost files. Moreover, I can get extended recovery and recover my files within a year if I wish to.
4. File-Sharing Limits
Eventhe best cloud storage serviceshave file-sharing limits for free users. WeTransfer, for example, only allows a maximum of 3GB to be shared and received with a free subscription. Since I use services like this to share photo albums, I can quickly eat through that limit.
Besides file size limitations, I feel restricted by the number of transfers I can make. WeTransfer only allows ten transfers per month. In contrast, upgrading to a paid plan would give me unlimited file-sharing sizes and transfers.
pCloud is another example of a paid service offering better file-sharing. Depending on my plan, I can transfer between 500GB and 2TB.
5. Worse Customer Support
Though I’ve only needed to use customer support a few times with cloud storage services, knowing I have the option available provides peace of mind. Free customers are often a lower priority, so I have to wait longer for responses.
I can easily solve this issue by upgrading to a paid plan. Microsoft offers ongoing customer support for paying OneDrive users, and pCloud similarly has priority support on some plans. Speaking to someone more quickly is much nicer than trawling through a knowledge base or using an AI chatbot.
What I Do Instead
I use both online and offline alternatives to tackle the limits of free cloud backup services. Diversifying my cloud storage simultaneously avoids many ofthe most common data backup mistakes.
1. Buying Premium Cloud Storage
I’ve bought a couple of premium cloud storage services, and my two main tools are Dropbox and iCloud. I use the former to store professional photos and important files, while iCloud is mainly for storing my photos, notes, etc., from my iPhone.
Premium cloud storage is typically quite affordable; I pay $2.99 per month for 200GB of storage. I’ve found this is the perfect amount, though I could get up to 12TB if I needed a moresuitable iCloud storage plan.
While I pay monthly, some cloud backup services—such as pCloud—offer lifetime plans. If I were certain I would stick with a service, I think this would present fantastic value for money.
2. Purchasing External Hard Drives for Backup
To fully protect myself against data loss and increase my allowances, I bought aLaCie Rugged USB-C 2TB External Hard Drive. Despite storing thousands of RAW files (many of which consume significant data), along with all of my important documents, I’m nowhere near hitting the storage limit.
In addition to having a reliable backup option, I bought an external hard drive to access my files without needing an internet connection. Nonetheless, I still also back up my most important files and folders to cloud services for double the protection.
The only issue you need to watch out for when using a hard drive as your backup is making sure it doesn’t wear out too soon. There are severalways to make your external drive last longer, mainly revolving around keeping your drive secure and avoiding overuse. If you’re using your external drive as a true backup, you’re unlikely to carry it around with you (as I do with this rugged drive), but keeping it out of harm’s way is important for protecting your data.
