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iCloud Drive alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave iCloud Drive: only 5 GB free, shared with backups and photos, and no Android or Linux app. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces iCloud Drive, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Google Drive currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Google Drive logoGoogle DriveFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +24 of 466.5
2Dropbox logoDropboxFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +34 of 462.6
3Microsoft OneDrive logoMicrosoft OneDriveFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +24 of 459.6
4Proton Drive logoProton DriveFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +25 of 557.2
5Sync.com logoSync.comFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +24 of 455.3
6iCloud Photos logoiCloud PhotosFree plan + paidNoWeb, macOS, iOS +14 of 438.6
  1. Google Drive logo

    1. Google DriveTop pick

    Best for: People and teams already living in Gmail and Google Docs

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from iCloud Drive

    Works equally well on Android and iPhone, with more free space.

    Pros

    • Generous free tier shared with Gmail and Photos
    • Docs, Sheets and Slides edit files in place
    • Excellent search, including text in scans and images

    Cons

    • No end-to-end encryption
    • No official Linux client
    • Storage is shared with Gmail, so mail eats into it
    Visit Google Drive Compare with iCloud DriveDetails and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Google Drive a good iCloud Drive alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free storage
    15 GB, shared with Gmail and Photos
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Workspace storage
    15 GB to 5 TB per user
    Checked Oct 25, 2026workspace.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Family sharing
    Share storage with up to 5 others
    Checked Oct 25, 2026one.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop app
    Windows and macOS
    Checked Oct 25, 2026google.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Dropbox logo

    2. Dropbox

    Best for: Freelancers and teams who need sync that just works across every OS

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from iCloud Drive

    Cross-platform sync for mixed Apple, Windows and Linux setups.

    Pros

    • Very reliable desktop sync, including Linux
    • Easy sharing and file requests with non-users
    • Version history and deleted-file recovery on every plan

    Cons

    • Free plan is only 2 GB
    • Paid plans cost more per TB than most rivals
    • Not end-to-end encrypted by default
    Visit Dropbox Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Dropbox a good iCloud Drive alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    2 GB
    Checked Oct 25, 2026dropbox.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    30 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026dropbox.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Plus storage
    2 TB for one person
    Checked Oct 25, 2026dropbox.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Founded
    2007
    Checked Oct 25, 2026dropbox.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Microsoft OneDrive logo

    3. Microsoft OneDrive

    Best for: Windows users and anyone already paying for Microsoft 365

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from iCloud Drive

    Better value if you also want the Microsoft Office apps.

    Pros

    • Built into Windows with on-demand files
    • 1 TB comes with Microsoft 365 Personal
    • Real-time co-authoring in Word, Excel and PowerPoint

    Cons

    • Only 5 GB free
    • No Linux client
    • Mac and mobile apps lag behind the Windows experience
    Visit Microsoft OneDrive Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Microsoft OneDrive a good iCloud Drive alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free storage
    5 GB
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Microsoft 365 Basic
    100 GB
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Microsoft 365 Personal
    1 TB
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Max file size
    250 GB
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Proton Drive logo

    4. Proton Drive

    Best for: People who want encrypted storage alongside an encrypted email account

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from iCloud Drive

    End-to-end encrypted by default, with apps for every platform.

    Pros

    • End-to-end encryption including filenames
    • Open-source, audited apps
    • Bundles well with Proton Mail, VPN and Pass

    Cons

    • Linux support lags behind other platforms
    • Fewer third-party integrations
    • Sync is slower than mainstream services on big libraries
    Visit Proton Drive Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Proton Drive a good iCloud Drive alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free plan
    5 GB
    Checked Oct 25, 2026proton.me(opens source in a new tab)
    Drive Plus
    $4.99/month for 200 GB
    Checked Oct 25, 2026proton.me(opens source in a new tab)
    Version history
    Up to 10 years on Drive Plus
    Checked Oct 25, 2026proton.me(opens source in a new tab)
    Based in
    Switzerland
    Checked Oct 25, 2026proton.me(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, web
    Checked Oct 25, 2026proton.me(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Sync.com logo

    5. Sync.com

    Best for: Privacy-minded people and small teams who still need easy sharing links

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from iCloud Drive

    Encrypted storage with simple sharing links and no Apple lock-in.

    Pros

    • End-to-end encryption on by default
    • Full sharing toolkit: expiring links, file requests, passwords
    • Long version history on paid plans

    Cons

    • No Linux desktop client
    • Limited online editing and search
    • Free plan is small
    Visit Sync.com Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Sync.com a good iCloud Drive alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    5 GB
    Checked Oct 25, 2026sync.com(opens source in a new tab)
    End-to-end encryption
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026sync.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Founded
    2011
    Checked Oct 25, 2026sync.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Users
    Over 2 million
    Checked Oct 25, 2026sync.com(opens source in a new tab)
  6. iCloud Photos logo

    6. iCloud Photos

    Best for: iPhone and Mac owners who want the Photos app synced everywhere

    Free plan + paidWeb, macOS, iOS, Windows

    38.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from iCloud Drive

    Use the Photos side of iCloud when the main goal is keeping your camera roll in sync.

    Pros

    • Seamless sync of edits and albums across Apple devices
    • Keeps full-resolution originals, including RAW
    • Optional end-to-end encryption

    Cons

    • Only 5 GB free
    • No Android app
    • Bulk export out of iCloud is slow
    Visit iCloud Photos Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.37
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is iCloud Photos a good iCloud Drive alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Original quality
    Full resolution, original formats
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Shared Photo Library
    Up to five other people
    Checked Oct 25, 2026apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free storage
    5 GB
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Device storage
    Optimize Storage option
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best iCloud Drive alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Google Drive logo

Best iCloud Drive alternative for most people

Google Drive

Works equally well on Android and iPhone, with more free space.

Dropbox logo

Best iCloud Drive alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Dropbox

Cross-platform sync for mixed Apple, Windows and Linux setups.

Microsoft OneDrive logo

Best iCloud Drive alternative for Mac

Microsoft OneDrive

Better value if you also want the Microsoft Office apps.

Proton Drive logo

Best iCloud Drive alternative for Windows

Proton Drive

End-to-end encrypted by default, with apps for every platform.

Dropbox logo

Best iCloud Drive alternative for Linux

Dropbox

Cross-platform sync for mixed Apple, Windows and Linux setups.

Sync.com logo

Best iCloud Drive alternative for iPhone and Android

Sync.com

Encrypted storage with simple sharing links and no Apple lock-in.

iCloud Photos logo

Best iCloud Drive alternative for working in the browser

iCloud Photos

Use the Photos side of iCloud when the main goal is keeping your camera roll in sync.

iCloud Drive alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to iCloud Drive?

Google Drive ranks first right now. Works equally well on Android and iPhone, with more free space. Dropbox and Microsoft OneDrive follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to iCloud Drive?

Yes. Google Drive (free plan + paid), Dropbox (free plan + paid), Microsoft OneDrive (free plan + paid) and Proton Drive (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to iCloud Drive?

None of the 6 alternatives in this list is open source.

Which iCloud Drive alternatives work on Linux?

Dropbox runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from iCloud Drive?

The complaints we hear most: only 5 GB free, shared with backups and photos; no Android or Linux app; limited sharing and admin controls for teams.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces iCloud Drive, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.