Businesses and individuals are increasingly turning to cloud file hosting services to store their files. File-sharing websites enable users to access data, theirs or other people’s, through their products or services globally. Many such companies employ password protection and features such as file expiration and permissions to view, modify, and download. However, no file-sharing services or products are made equal. Some have a secure infrastructure, and others offer client-side encryption, making them more or less suitable, depending on the requirements.
The best file hosting services on our list are designed to meet your needs, whatever they are. You can evaluate them based on capabilities, pricing, security, support, and other factors.
1. SpiderOak
SpiderOak is the best file hosting service out there. It is a collaboration tool, online backup, and file storage service that employs cloud-based servers provided by the eponymous company. This US-based firm claims to safeguard your data through military-grade encryption.
Currently, the company offers four plans, 150 GB, 400 GB, 2 TB, and 5 TB, which cost $6, $11, $14, and $29 per month, respectively. You’ll be charged annually for each plan with the freedom to use unlimited devices. The free trial on SpiderOak One gives you a 21-day-long usage period, which is plenty enough to try the service out. It does not, however, include any storage space.
- Encryption: Military-grade encryption
- Plans: 150 GB, 400 GB, 2 TB, 5 TB
- Free Trial: 21 days, no included storage
2. 4shared
Note and ensure to share with your friends that 4shared offers 15 GB of storage for free with a maximum file size of 2 GB.
They also have several features available on the free version of their platform, including multiple file uploading, video streaming, antivirus protection, and folder password protection. Premium users have access to more resources, including 100 GB of storage and a maximum upload file size of 100 GB.
In addition, premium users receive bonus features such as no advertisements, secure data encryption, direct download links, file recovery, and text file editing within the app. The service is cross-platform and also works with mobile devices running iOS, Android, and BlackBerry operating systems, as well as Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Safari web browsers.
- Free Storage: 15 GB
- Premium Features: 100 GB, advanced options
- Cross-Platform: iOS, Android, browsers
3. SugarSync
SugarSync originally served as a platform for synchronizing images across many devices; it’s now back as an easy-to-use online backup and cloud storage solution. The company offers a subscription for a cloud storage service for individuals and businesses.
Both types of plans scale beyond 2 TB of storage capacity with the ability to manage bandwidth and permissions. You can even test each plan for free for 30 days. Its features include automatic syncing across devices, remote file deletion, secure file sharing, the ability to restore protected folders, automated continuous backups, and mobile apps for iOS and Android. SugarSync’s plans start at $7.49 per month for 100 GB.
- Backup and Sync: Originally image synchronization
- Plans: Individual, business, beyond 2 TB
- Features: Automatic syncing, secure sharing
4. Box
Box is an online file hosting service that allows users to store and share documents. This company provides 10 GB of free data storage service you might use to store all sorts of files, including photos, videos, documents or plain text, spreadsheets, or presentations. Further, you can download files from the Box site to collaborate with your team without storing them directly on your computer.
You can upload up to 250 MB at once. However, you can get up to 5 GB more space on Box by inviting your friends. Most secure storage options will cost you $10 monthly for 100 GB per user, and you’ll get SSL data encryption or 256-bit AES encryption, as well as the best auditing capabilities.
- Free Storage: 10 GB
- File Upload Limit: 250 MB
- Security: SSL, 256-bit AES encryption
5. Dropbox
Dropbox offers users 2 GB of free but premium services for file hosting. This includes no restrictions on how frequently the files are updated for those who join their file hosting referral program. The finest part about this service for hosting files is that you may acquire up to 18 GB more storage by filling out some surveys on the website.
You can, unsurprisingly, use the official app. However, Dropbox file syncing is also integrated into third-party applications like FolderSync Pro (for rooted Android devices) and Icalander + Subscribe (for iOS). Furthermore, you can refer other people to grab extra storage gratis. All features offered by the company are also adequate for small businesses and enterprises.
- Free Storage: 2 GB, up to 18 GB through referrals
- File Syncing: Integrated into third-party apps
- Business Use: Suitable for small businesses
6. Amazon Cloud Services
Amazon’s file hosting services provide 5 GB of free data storage that can be further extended by contacts who do Amazon reviews. It gives you the expected features like uploading files directly from apps and viewing and deleting files on Amazon servers. You can also access all your music in the Amazon cloud player or Amazon MP3 store via this cloud drive platform.
Amazon’s unlimited sharing for a limited time regularly costs $24.99 per year, but at the time of writing dropped to $20. This example demonstrates you can easily get discounts. Moreover, as of 2020, the number of active users for AWS (Amazon Web Services) was over 1 million users.
This service follows the highest security standards and employs state-of-the-art features. The provider also operates many data centers to increase the file transfer speed worldwide.
- Free Storage: 5 GB, expandable
- Features: Uploading, viewing, deleting files
- Security: High standards, state-of-the-art features
7. Google Drive
Google Drive is a no-brainer if you already use Google’s applications such as Google Docs. Even if you don’t employ any of their services, Google Drive is worth considering since it provides users with 15 GB of free storage. Its pricing is also reasonable—200 GB costs individuals just $30 yearly.
You can also use it to sync specific folders on your Windows or macOS machine. You’ll use the Backup and Sync desktop client instead of keeping files in a particular folder like with some services.
Google Drive is also excellent in terms of third-party integrations. For example, you can share files with Slack through its Google app directory. Several other apps are available through the directory, so it’s easy to add functionality.
- Free Storage: 15 GB
- Integration: Third-party apps, e.g., Slack
- Pricing: Reasonable, starting at $30 yearly for 200 GB
8. Microsoft OneDrive
There are two options regarding OneDrive for personal use: Basic and Standalone. The 5 GB Basic plan has features such as complex sync technology, version history, real-time collaboration, and a storage capacity of 5 GB. The 100 GB Standalone plan offers the same functionality as the Basic one, but twice the storage space.
Consider whether you should buy the whole Microsoft 365 package, too. That option is undoubtedly costlier, but it comes with industry-leading applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Exchange.
- Storage Plans: Basic (5 GB), Standalone (100 GB)
- Microsoft 365: Option with additional apps
- Features: Sync technology, version history, collaboration
9. iCloud
iCloud is built into every Apple device and provides each user with 5 GB of free storage. Additionally, extra storage may be purchased for a fee. This file hosting solution will be particularly attractive to Apple lovers. On iOS, you can use the Files app to access your files, as well as the Finder on a Mac.
Apple’s iCloud storage offers the popular three-tiered approach, starting from 5 GB which comes as standard, to 50 TB you have to pay for. The information is updated automatically whenever you change any file on your drive. Furthermore, because your Apple apps store phone numbers in contacts and bookmarks in Safari, that data will remain up to date on all your devices.
- Free Storage: 5 GB
- Integration: Built into Apple devices
10. Hubic (Discontinued)
Hubic is a French startup that offers huge cloud storage space for free. They offer 25 GB of free cloud storage space. Referring friends using a code or inviting them using email addresses will get you 500 MB extra per person, too. It also doesn’t require any registration, and all files stored on their servers automatically undergo AES 256-bit encryption.
Also, it’s worth mentioning that data transfers between your devices take place peer-to-peer using TLS protocol without any intermediaries, so once again, no one can read your data. The only downside here is a 3 GB monthly bandwidth limit.
However, it’s still a great service, especially for free users who have limited storage space on their mobile devices. If you decide to pay a bit, browse the Hubic pricing structure, and you’ll undoubtedly find a plan you like.
- Free Storage: 25 GB
- Referral Bonus: 500 MB per referral
- Encryption: AES 256-bit
- Bandwidth Limit: 3 GB monthly limit