Cloud storage is one of the best investments a small business can make. Disasters strike, devices get misplaced and you never know when you'll need access to files on the go. Cloud storage is also the perfect file-sharing tool, especially for documents and multimedia files are too large to send by email.
Whether you need a reliable data backup solution, instant access to files, a simple way to share files with clients and colleagues, or all of the above, there is a cloud storage service for you. Here are 23 of the best cloud storage solutions for small businesses in 2018.
Best Cloud Storage Solutions
The following vendors are our top-ranked solutions for different business use cases. You can read our full reviews of each on our sister site Business.com.
Best for Small Business: IDrive
IDrive offers storage plans for individuals and businesses, which range from free to $74.62 per year. Not only can this service back up your computer, it also boasts extensive file-sharing and syncing capabilities. Specific features include the ability to share files and folders via email, Facebook and Twitter, mobile access, remote management tools and online file syncing. It can also back up multiple devices and back up files in real time. The service is highly secure as it transfers and stores files with 256-bit AES encryption using a user-defined key that is not stored anywhere on the servers. www.idrive.com
Read a full review of IDrive.
Best for Virtual Backup: Acronis
Acronis offers complete data protection, secure file access, and syncing and sharing solutions as well as system management tools suitable for any environment. Designed to work both on premise and in the cloud, Acronis works for any infrastructure, from small local businesses to multisystem enterprises with on-site and off-site endpoints.
Designed with small businesses in mind, the Acronis Backup features single-pass disk imaging that protects everything in one simple step. It can also recover anything and restore systems to different hardware without worrying about compatibilities. Acronis has its own cloud servers, but also works with the public or private hosts of your choosing.
Read a full review of Acronis on our sister site Business.com.
Best for Hybrid Backup: Carbonite
Carbonite keeps small businesses and home offices running smoothly. The company offers a comprehensive suite of affordable services for data protection, recovery and anytime, anywhere accessibility. The services include automatic backup, easy to restore capabilities, anytime, anywhere access and high levels of security. The files it can store include documents, spreadsheets, emails, point-of-sale files, pictures and graphics, videos, financial and accounting files and customer relationship management files.
Carbonite offers plans for individuals, businesses and businesses with server needs. Plans range from $6 to $50/month, billed yearly.
Read a full review of Carbonite.
Best for Long-Term Storage: Zoolz
Need big business cloud storage at small business-friendly prices? Zoolz gives small businesses access to powerful cloud storage without the sticker shock. Unlike its competitors, Zoolz comes with unlimited users and servers, making it easy to scale the service to your business's needs. There are also no caps on your upload/download bandwidth speeds or file sizes, so you don't have to worry about not being able to use the service when you need it most. Zoolz also offers "Tribrid" backup service which combines your local backup, their instant storage and cold storage.
Zoolz has a free plan with 10 GB of storage and a starter plan for $20/month that comes with 500 GB that you can upgrade from there.
Read a full review of Zoolz.
Best for Collaboration: Egnyte
For businesses looking for a hybrid solution, Egnyte offers enterprise-level storage and file sharing platform that lets businesses store their data locally and in the cloud. This system enables all types of data to be stored in the public cloud, while highly sensitive data benefits from the higher security and better reliability of on-premise servers. It accommodates for any device and allows you to collaborate anywhere.
Egnyte cloud storage offers flexible and scalable plans that start at $8 a month per employee. This basic plan includes 5 TB of space and a maximum 10 GB file upload size. www.egnyte.com
Read a full review of Egnyte.
Best for Mac Backup: Backblaze
Backblaze is a simple to use and affordable cloud storage platform for general use. Its B2 Cloud Storage can be used for storage, file sharing, hosting or large-scale backup. This software is optimized for Mac systems and integrates with OS to allow you to seamlessly backup and restore your system in the event of data loss or a complete system loss. You can return your computers to the state they were in 30 days prior, which is useful for deterring ransomware or other malware.
Pricing is based on how much data you have and bandwidth. Backblaze also offers an unlimited cloud backup platform for computers. Backblaze Computer Backup costs $5 per month per computer. B2 Cloud Storage is B2 is $0.005 per GB stored per month and $0.01 per GB downloaded. www.backblaze.com
Read a full review of Backblaze.
Vendors List
This alphabetical list includes other reputable cloud storage service providers we recommend for businesses.
ADrive
ADrive delivers businesses and enterprise-level online cloud storage services. It gives users the ability to edit documents online, maintain multiuser accounts and engage in multiple concurrent sessions. The business plan starts with 200 GB of storage capacity, Additional services include online collaboration, remote file transfer and 24/7 technical support. Features also include increased security and file history recovery. ADrive offers both personal and business plans. www.adrive.com
Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3)
For people who need big-business cloud storage on a small-business budget, Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3) offers advanced features with web-scale computing capabilities at an affordable price. Small businesses get access to the same cloud used by Amazon and its big-name customers, such as Netflix, Pinterest and NASDAQ – a highly scalable infrastructure that comes with the same security, reliability and speed that the company offers to its big customers. Businesses can store and distribute documents, media, applications and other types of files; implement backup, archiving and disaster-recovery systems; and host their website on Amazon's servers.
Amazon S3 is free and comes with 5 GB of storage and 15 GB of data transfer a year. Tiered pricing is available for additional storage and bandwidth needs. www.aws.amazon.com/s3/
Barracuda
Barracuda is an online backup solution that allows you to customize your backup system how want, with either cloud storage, local premise or a combination of each. It also features cloud-to-cloud backup with Office 365 cloud storage for extra security. Barracuda offers you multiple layers of protection with multiple points of backup and emergency recovery options.
Barracuda offers its backup system with their own physical external drivers, starting at $1,049, and one year of unlimited cloud storage for $524. https://www.barracuda.com
Read a full review of Barracuda.
Box
Need a simple way to securely share large files or folders? Box offers cloud storage that makes sharing your content a breeze. After uploading your files, share them by sending a link to recipients or embedding them on your website. Box is also accessible via mobile devices using the Box app for Android, iOS and Windows Phone.
Users get 10 GB of storage for free with a maximum 250 MB file upload size. Free accounts are limited to a single user. To share an account, the Starter plan costs $5 a month per user and includes 100 GB of storage and a 2 GB file upload size limit. Business and enterprise plans for additional storage and users are also available. www.box.com
CrashPlan
CrashPlan combines online storage with complete backup services. The service backs up changed information as often as every minute and continues to watch for changes to data in real time. After the first backup completes, CrashPlan checks for data that is already backed up and ignores it, making subsequent backups much smaller because they contain only new or changed information.
This service also offers on-the-go secure file access from any mobile device, including iOS, Android and Windows Phone. Downloaded files are instantly available on a user's mobile device, even when they're offline. CrashPlan also features customer versioning, an online management console, a desktop application and high-level security protection. The system offers plans for businesses and large enterprises. www.crashplan.com
Read a full review of CrashPlan.
Dropbox
Dropbox is one of the most popular cloud storage solutions available. You can store, share and sync data across all devices via the Dropbox app or the Dropbox website. Access your files anywhere, from desktop computers to laptops, tablets and smartphones. Those who sign up can download the Dropbox app to get started.
Users get 2 GB of free storage, file sharing and syncing and security features like SSL encryption, two-step authentication and mobile pass codes. For more storage, Dropbox offers paid subscriptions starting at $12.50 a month per user and comes with 2 TB of space. A business account with unlimited storage is also available for $20 a month per user, which includes enhanced security, team management tools, and priority email and phone support. www.dropbox.com
G Suite/Google Drive
Cloud storage isn't just for storing files; it's also a great platform for real-time collaboration. Google Drive offers 15 GB of free cloud storage as well as access to Google's Web-based productivity suite. The business version of G Suite comes with unlimited storage as well as additional business features for Gmail, Google Hangouts and Calendars. Users can save, edit and invite others to work on Docs, Sheets and Slides right on Google Drive itself. The business version starts at $10 per month per user. drive.google.com
Hightail
Hightail helps professionals around the world securely share and control files from anywhere for more effective and efficient collaboration. Users can send files of any size from their computer or mobile device and control exactly who sees them. Users can also share "spaces" – project folders that are each assigned a unique link for sharing with clients and team members – and assign editing and updating permissions. Hightail offers unlimited storage space and both mobile and desktop apps so files can be accessed from anywhere.
Hightail's free plan comes with 2 GB but is limited to 250 MB total file size per space and expire after seven days. Paid plans start at $8.25 per user per month and comes with unlimited storage space and 25 GB file size, sharing controls and password protection. www.hightail.com
JustCloud
JustCloud is a simple, fast and secure online storage provider. It automatically backs up documents, photos, music and videos stored on a user's computer to the cloud so they are never without their files. JustCloud files are accessible from anywhere at any time and offers unlimited storage, automated backups and the ability to sync multiple computers and mobile device apps.
Plans start at $10.69 per month for 75 GB, which includes complete data security and 24/7 technical support. Discounts are given for longer subscription terms. www.justcloud.com
Livedrive
Livedrive is an online backup and sync storage company. For businesses, Livedrive offers cloud storage along with web sharing, collaboration and online backup services. The platform allows you access and edit your files from your computer or mobile device, as well as collaborate on them with select team members. You can share files with co-workers, regardless of size.
The service offers two different business plans: Express and Standard, which range from $50 to $160 a month. Livedrive also has three different plans for individuals, which cost between $8 and $25 a month which features unlimited backup storage. www.livedrive.com
Mozy
Mozy offers cloud backup, sync and mobile access for computers and servers for individuals, businesses and enterprise IT services. Mozy's sync services are simple because they keep every file updated throughout the day. Mozy features include automatic cloud backup, mobile access, military-grade security, data restore capabilities, server backups and data management.
Pricing for unlimited servers, computers and laptops starts at $13.98 per month for 10 GB. Without servers, it's $9.99. www.mozy.com
Read a full review of Mozy.
OneDrive
Microsoft's OneDrive provides Windows users with remote file access and seamless Microsoft Office and Windows Phone integration. It also gives users several easy ways to upload and access files: over the web, directly from Microsoft Office programs (such as when you save a file) and straight from your iPhone, iPad, Android or Windows device.
OneDrive is free for up to 5 GB of free storage. Business accounts feature unlimited storage with 15 GB file uploads. Plans for Microsoft's full Office 365 suite comes with 1TB of OneDrive storage per user. onedrive.live.com
Read a full review of OneDrive.
OpenDrive
OpenDrive is a cloud-based cloud storage and office suite that you can access from anywhere. It comes with three services to help you run your business: OpenDrive Drive for storing, syncing and sharing files; OpenDrive Notes for notetaking, to-do lists and other word processing; and OpenDrive Tasks for project management.
OpenDrive is free for up to 5GB. For unlimited storage, check out paid plans starting at $9.95 per month. Business plans start at $29.95 with unlimited storage and increase with the number of users you add. www.opendrive.com
R1Soft
R1Soft offers a comprehensive, full-system backup platform, offering enterprise-level protection designed to perform with minimal impact on both the client-side and server-side resources. This stand-alone backup manager requires you to have a stand-alone cloud host, which gives you the freedom to select your own private hosting service.
Subscriptions for R1Soft Server Backup Manager start at $140 per month. Additional pricing depends on your business's needs and how many devices you need to back up. www.r1soft.com
Read a full review of R1Soft.
SOS Online Backup
SOS offers online storage and backup services for homes, businesses and enterprises. SOS provides infinite storage, no file size or type limits, incremental backup, version history and archiving, end-to-end encryption and mobile access.
For small businesses, SOS for Business protects an unlimited number of PCs and Apple computers, provides unlimited versioning with Timeline Recovery and has built-in local backup. It starts at $4.99 per month for home use, and $29.99 for business use, which includes unlimited devices. www.sosonlinebackup.com
SpiderOak
With high-profile data security and privacy breaches escalating over the past couple of years, SpiderOak aims to give businesses some peace of mind. The company offers a 100 percent private cloud storage, online backup, sync and sharing service that utilizes a "zero-knowledge" privacy environment, which means only the user can see the stored data – not even the SpiderOak staff or the government.
The SpiderOak client supports Mac OS X, Windows, Linux, Android and iOS devices. SpiderOak offers a 2TB plan for $12 per month. Storage plans range from 100 GB to 5 TB, starting at $5 per month. www.spideroak.com
Storage Guardian
This cloud data protection service features enterprise-level backup features, including large storage capacities, advanced retention policies and bare metal recovery. Storage Guardian supports hybrid systems for faster recovery in the event of an internet outage. It can also backup virtual machines and several other cloud storage and file sharing platforms, including Microsoft Office 365 and Google Drive.
Storage Guardian's pay-as-you-go plan starts at $50 per TB stored per month. This price also includes software support and professional services. https://www.storageguardian.com
Read a full review of Storage Guardian.
SugarSync
SugarSync is a file-sharing, online backup and cloud storage solution that works in the background and syncs data across desktop and mobile devices. You can get started by downloading the SugarSync app, which lets you drag and drop your files and folders.
Individual plans start at $7.49 a month for 100 GB of cloud storage. Business plans start at $55 a month for 1 TB of storage and access for up to three users. Custom plans are also available for teams of 10 or more users. www.sugarsync.com
If you'd like your company to be added to this list and possibly considered as a best pick for our next round of reviews, please email your request to: b2bconsiderrequest@purch.com.
Editor’s Note: Looking for a cloud storage solution for your business? If you’re looking for information to help you choose the one that’s right for you, use the questionnaire below to have our sister site, BuyerZone, provide you with information from vendors for free:
