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8 Best Budget-Friendly Cloud Storage Solutions for 2025 (Under $5/month)
7 min read
8 Best Budget-Friendly Cloud Storage Solutions for 2025 (Under $5/month)
7 min read
The need for cloud storage has never been more evident than in 2025. With photos easily reaching dozens of megabytes on our modern smartphones, finding an affordable solution has become essential. Indeed, the online storage market remains highly competitive with diverse options. We've decided to compare the best cloud storage solutions under $5 per month to help you make the right choice. Drime, our French collaborative and secure cloud storage solution, stands out with its 20 GB free storage and AES 256-bit encryption. Designed to streamline teamwork, it allows you to edit documents, use electronic signatures, and collaborate in real-time, while ensuring maximum security for data hosted in Europe. However, other alternatives also deserve your attention. Internxt, for instance, is known for its robust security features and offers a free plan with 10 GB of storage. Meanwhile, pCloud is considered the best cloud storage in 2025 with its lifetime plans that offer substantial savings without the risk of future price increases. In this cloud storage comparison, we'll examine in detail eight affordable solutions that offer the best value for your online storage needs in 2025.
Drime
Developed in France, Drime represents an innovative alternative in the world of cloud storage. This all-in-one platform combines several essential functionalities in a unified environment, particularly suited for content creators and collaborative teams.
Drime Features
Drime distinguishes itself through its integrated approach that goes well beyond simple online storage. At the heart of this French solution lies a complete productivity ecosystem that centralizes multiple tools:
Integrated Editing: Edit your PDFs directly in your browser without external software. Add or remove content, merge documents, and reorganize pages. For images and videos, enjoy tools for cropping, drawing, resizing, or adding annotations.
Advanced Collaboration: Work simultaneously on documents with your team in customizable spaces. Granular access permissions allow you to precisely control who can view, modify, or comment on each file.
Electronic Signature: Send, track, and manage legally valid signatures without leaving the platform.
AI Assistant: Generate content or summarize lengthy documents directly within the interface.
Furthermore, Drime offers automatic synchronization across all your devices, ensuring access to your most recent files wherever you are. The platform also supports uploading large files (100 GB or more) without limitation.
Drime Benefits
The first major advantage of Drime concerns data security. The platform employs AES 256-bit encryption, widely recognized as the industry's highest standard. All data is hosted in European centers certified according to ISO 27001, 27017, 27018, and 27701 standards.
As a French solution, Drime ensures complete GDPR compliance, a compelling argument for European users concerned about their data protection. This approach stands in stark contrast to American tech giants who operate under different legislative frameworks.
In terms of free offerings, Drime demonstrates exceptional generosity by providing 20 GB of unconditional storage space, surpassing competitors like Google Drive (15 GB), OneDrive (5 GB), and Dropbox (2 GB).
For teams, the direct media annotation functionality represents a significant advantage. Feedback and approvals happen directly on files, eliminating lengthy email chains. Additionally, each shared file generates detailed statistics on views and downloads.
Finally, Drime demonstrates a concrete environmental commitment: all its servers operate on 100% renewable energy, an increasingly important criterion for users mindful of digital environmental impact.
Disadvantages of Drime
While Drime offers numerous advantages, certain limitations deserve mention. Being a relatively new market entrant, it hasn't yet achieved the same recognition as established players like Google Drive or Dropbox.
Moreover, unlike some competitors offering "lifetime" deals, Drime operates exclusively on a subscription model. This approach might be disadvantageous for users who prefer one-time payments.
For users with highly specific needs, third-party application integration might appear less developed compared to older solutions with more mature ecosystems.
Drime Pricing
Drime offers a range of plans tailored to different needs. The free tier includes 20 GB of storage, positioning it among the most generous offerings in the market.
For users requiring additional space, several paid plans are available:
Starter: 500 GB for $2.59 per month with annual commitment or $3.29 monthly. This plan includes 30-day version history and 3 electronic signature requests.
Plus/Essentials: 1 to 2 TB depending on sources for $4.79 per month annually or $5.99 monthly. It adds password protection for shared links and custom expiration dates.
Professional: 2 to 3 TB for $9.59 per month annually or $11.99 monthly. This plan is designed for medium-sized teams with advanced team management features.
Advanced: 5 to 6 TB for $17.49 per month annually or $21.99 monthly. Intended for large teams with sophisticated administration options.
All plans include essential features like document editing and real-time collaboration, with more advanced options available in higher-tier plans.
Internxt
Originating from Spain, Internxt has built a strong reputation in the cloud storage industry through its privacy-centric and security-focused approach. This service particularly stands out for its decentralized architecture and advanced encryption, offering a compelling alternative for users concerned about data protection.
Features of Internxt
Internxt offers a comprehensive ecosystem centered on data privacy. At its core, the service utilizes end-to-end encryption technology with AES-256 bit standard, which is considered military-grade protection. Files are fragmented and encrypted before leaving your device, ensuring that no third party can access them.
The platform is distinguished by its "zero-knowledge" architecture, meaning that Internxt itself cannot access your files or data. This approach differs from many other cloud services that maintain some level of access to your information.
Additionally, Internxt offers:
Fully encrypted file sharing
Two-factor authentication for enhanced security
Desktop, web, and mobile applications compatible with all systems
File synchronization across all your devices
Internxt's user interface is designed to be intuitive and accessible, enabling quick adoption even for less tech-savvy users.
Advantages of Internxt
Internxt's primary strength lies in its philosophy of total privacy. Unlike many competitors who use your data for advertising purposes, Internxt gives you complete control over your files. This approach is particularly relevant in a context where personal data protection is becoming an increasing concern.
As an open source service, Internxt publishes its code on GitHub, allowing anyone to examine, audit, and verify the security mechanisms. This transparency strengthens users' trust in the service's integrity.
Another strong point is that Internxt has been independently audited and verified by Securitum, a leading European penetration testing company. This external certification confirms the robustness of the security measures in place.
Finally, Internxt's environmental commitment deserves special mention. Their data centers operate on 92% renewable energy, contributing to their goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
Disadvantages of Internxt
Despite its many strengths, Internxt has certain limitations. The synchronization function isn't automatic and requires manual intervention to initiate the process. Additionally, users must configure the update frequency in settings, unlike other services that offer real-time synchronization.
The absence of an integrated media player represents another notable drawback. Users cannot view stored videos directly through the platform, which may prove inconvenient for some individuals who prefer seamless media playback.
Another technical limitation is that Internxt doesn't maintain previous versions of files. This lack of version control functionality could pose challenges when errors occur during the modification of important documents.
Furthermore, device synchronization on the same local network must go through Internxt's servers, potentially slowing down transfers compared to solutions like Dropbox that enable direct LAN transfers.
Pricing of Internxt
Internxt offers a generous free plan including up to 10 GB of storage, positioning it among the most advantageous options in the market for basic needs.
For users requiring additional space, several paid plans are available:
20 GB Plan: €0.99 per month or €2.14 per year
200 GB Plan: €4.49 per month or €8.38 per year
2 TB Plan: €9.99 per month or €21.58 per year
Internxt also stands out with its particularly cost-effective "lifetime" plans for long-term usage. These packages provide permanent access to storage space for a one-time payment: €299 for 2 TB, €499 for 5 TB, and €999 for 10 TB.
All paid subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing users to try the service risk-free.
Icedrive
Founded in the United Kingdom in 2019, Icedrive has quickly distinguished itself in the cloud storage landscape through its privacy-focused approach and unique encryption technology. This relatively new service has garnered attention with its clean interface and affordable lifetime storage options.
Features of Icedrive
Icedrive stands out with its mounting technology that transforms your cloud storage into a virtual drive. This feature enables you to access and manage your cloud files as if they were on a physical hard drive connected to your computer, without consuming local storage space. This virtual drive appears directly in Windows File Explorer, providing a smooth and intuitive user experience.
Additionally, Icedrive offers two-way synchronization between your devices. When a file is modified locally, the changes are automatically reflected in the cloud. The platform also supports preview functionality for documents, photos, and videos directly through the web interface.
A notable feature of Icedrive is its unlimited version history and deleted item retention system, making it easy to restore documents at any time. Furthermore, the service provides simple yet effective sharing options, allowing users to create public links, set passwords, and configure expiration dates.
Advantages of Icedrive
Icedrive's primary strength lies in its enhanced security features. It stands as the only service utilizing the Twofish encryption algorithm with 256-bit keys, which is renowned for its exceptional robustness. For paid subscriptions, Icedrive implements client-side "zero-knowledge" encryption, ensuring that even the provider cannot access your stored data.
Furthermore, Icedrive distinguishes itself with a generous free offering of 10 GB storage space, positioning it among the most competitive services in the market. This free tier also includes a monthly bandwidth allowance of 50 GB.
The user interface represents another significant advantage: modern, minimalist, and responsive, it enables intuitive navigation even through large folders. The platform has recently enhanced its collaboration capabilities by introducing a feature that allows users to request files from contacts through dedicated links.
Disadvantages of Icedrive
Despite its numerous strengths, Icedrive has certain limitations. Unlike solutions such as Drime, it lacks an integrated document editor. While you can preview your files, direct editing within the interface isn't possible.
Another drawback relates to performance issues. Testing reveals that file synchronization is notably slower compared to other providers, with unusually high CPU usage. This can become problematic when transferring large files.
Additionally, the service focuses on core functionalities and doesn't offer real-time collaboration tools or advanced third-party application integrations. The interface is only available in English, which might present a challenge for non-English speaking users.
Icedrive Pricing
Icedrive offers two types of plans: standard subscriptions and lifetime plans. The monthly subscriptions include three options:
Lite: 100 GB at $4.99 per month with annual billing
Pro I: 1 TB at $6.99 per month with annual billing.
Pro III: 3 TB at $10.49 per month with annual billing
What sets Icedrive apart is its unique lifetime plans, available through a one-time payment:
Life 500: 512 GB for $285.31
Life 2K: 2 TB for $457.07
Life 10K: 10 TB for $1,135.59
All paid plans include client-side encryption, password protection for shared files, and enhanced features on mobile applications. Icedrive also offers a 14-day money-back guarantee, allowing users to try the service risk-free.
However, while these prices are competitive, they don't include collaborative editing and electronic signature features that Drime offers with similar plans, while providing less free storage space (10 GB compared to Drime's 20 GB).
kDrive
Developed by Swiss hosting provider Infomaniak, kDrive positions itself as a sovereign cloud storage solution focused on data protection. This service takes pride in ensuring exclusive hosting in Switzerland, offering a European alternative to American industry giants.
kDrive Features
kDrive offers a comprehensive file storage and sharing solution with several notable features. The platform enables data synchronization across various devices (computers, tablets, and smartphones), providing access to all your files regardless of your location.
Furthermore, kDrive incorporates an office suite powered by OnlyOffice, enabling online document editing for text files, spreadsheets, and presentations. Real-time collaboration is also possible on these documents, although it's less comprehensive than Drime's offering, which also includes PDF editing and electronic signature capabilities.
A major advantage of kDrive is its complete compatibility with the WebDAV protocol, making synchronization with Synology NAS or Qnap cloud seamless. Additionally, automatic migration from other services like Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive can be completed in just a few clicks while maintaining your folder organization.
Moreover, kDrive provides the option to create "drop boxes" allowing your contacts to send files directly to your storage space, even without an Infomaniak account.
Advantages of kDrive
kDrive's primary strength lies in its security and privacy policies. All data is stored exclusively in certified TIER III+ Swiss datacenters. Each kDrive space benefits from AES 128-bit encryption with an individual and unique key, though this is less robust than Drime's AES 256-bit encryption.
Additionally, kDrive implements triple backup of each file across three different storage mediums distributed between two separate datacenters, minimizing the risk of data loss. The platform also stands out with its detailed access log, allowing precise tracking of changes made to each document.
The solution fully complies with GDPR and Swiss data protection law (nFADP). Furthermore, unlike American services, kDrive is not subject to the CLOUD Act, NSA, or Hadopi regulations, ensuring true digital sovereignty.
Disadvantages of kDrive
Despite its numerous advantages, kDrive has certain limitations. For instance, creating an Infomaniak email address is mandatory to access the services, which can be an additional step for new users.
Moreover, the user interface and ergonomics of the client applications are sometimes considered suboptimal, less intuitive than those offered by competitors like Drime or Google Drive.
Another notable drawback concerns the absence of end-to-end encryption locally, a feature that is available with other providers such as Internxt. However, Infomaniak indicates that this functionality is currently under development.
Lastly, kDrive's free offering is limited to 15 GB, which remains lower than Drime's 20 GB offering. Additionally, the lack of an intermediate plan between 15 GB (free) and 2 TB (paid) may be a deterrent for users with moderate storage needs.
kDrive Pricing
kDrive offers several plans adapted to different needs. The free plan includes 15 GB of storage and access to basic features[173].
For users requiring more space, three paid plans are available:
Solo: 2 TB for €4.99 per month with annual billing, limited to a single user
Team: 3 TB (expandable up to 18 TB) for €10 per month, for up to 6 users[173]
Pro: 6 TB (expandable up to 106 TB) for €6.66 per month per user, with a minimum of 3 users[173]
All paid plans include online document editing with OnlyOffice, multi-device synchronization, and customer support via email, chat, and phone. The indicated prices can be reduced by up to 20% for two or three-year commitments.
MEGA
Built on the foundations of MegaUpload, MEGA has established itself as a major player in cloud storage with approximately 210 million users worldwide, including 10 million daily active users. This New Zealand-based service primarily distinguishes itself through its privacy-focused approach and advanced encryption system.
MEGA Features
MEGA offers a comprehensive ecosystem of services. Its sharing functionality proves particularly versatile, allowing users to generate links protected by separate encryption keys. For each shared link, you can add an additional password layer for enhanced security.
The service is compatible with all major operating systems (Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android, and iOS) and also offers extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browsers. Additionally, MEGA incorporates end-to-end encrypted chat capabilities, facilitating seamless collaboration between users. Paid accounts also gain access to secure voice calls, video calls, and conferencing tools.
Another advantage is that MEGA automatically preserves previous versions of uploaded files by default, making it easy to recover documents in case of accidental modifications.
MEGA Advantages
MEGA's primary strength lies in its generosity: 20 GB offered free to all new registrants, matching Drime's offering and surpassing most competitors like OneDrive or Dropbox.
In terms of security, MEGA stands out with its "zero-knowledge" encryption. This approach means that you are the sole holder of your data's encryption key, ensuring maximum confidentiality. However, this level of protection remains comparable to that offered by Drime with its AES 256-bit encryption.
Disadvantages of MEGA
Despite its numerous strengths, MEGA has certain limitations. Unlike Drime, which offers comprehensive document editing tools, MEGA lacks essential collaboration features such as real-time editing or integration with office suites.
Limited bandwidth is another notable drawback. Free accounts can only transfer 20 GB of data per day, with a restriction of 5 GB every 6 hours.
Moreover, vulnerabilities were discovered in MEGA's encryption architecture in 2022, revealing that the "zero-knowledge" promise isn't always entirely reliable.
MEGA Pricing
MEGA offers several subscription plans:
Pro Lite: €4.99/month for 400 GB storage
Pro I: €9.99/month for 2 TB
Pro II: €19.99/month for 8 TB
Pro III: €29.99/month for 16 TB
A referral program allows users to earn an additional 10 GB of storage and 20 GB of transfer quota valid for 365 days. For businesses, pricing starts at €5 per user per month with a minimum of 3 users.
Unlike Drime, which includes collaborative editing and electronic signatures in its packages, MEGA primarily focuses on secure storage space and file sharing.
OneDrive
Developed by Microsoft, OneDrive presents itself as a cloud storage solution fully integrated into the Windows ecosystem. This service, widely adopted by businesses due to its seamless integration with Microsoft 365, offers essential features while remaining budget-friendly.
OneDrive Features
OneDrive offers several crucial features for online file management. First, it enables users to save, view, and edit documents directly through the web browser. The service includes ransomware protection to safeguard your important files.
Moreover, OneDrive integrates perfectly with Microsoft 365 applications, facilitating real-time collaboration on documents. The "files on-demand" feature helps save space on your PC by keeping files in the cloud until they're needed.
Another advantage is OneDrive's ability to restore your space to a previous point in time within the last 30 days, providing additional protection against accidental deletions.
OneDrive Benefits
The main advantage of OneDrive lies in its native integration with Windows and the Microsoft Office suite. This synergy significantly streamlines daily work for users within the Microsoft ecosystem.
Additionally, the service respects personal data privacy by not analyzing your files for targeted advertising. OneDrive also allows you to scan and directly save paper documents from your mobile phone.
OneDrive Drawbacks
However, OneDrive has certain limitations. The free space of only 5 GB is significantly less than the 20 GB offered by Drime. The user interface can sometimes appear complex compared to other solutions like Drime.
Furthermore, unlike European services such as Drime that ensure GDPR-compliant hosting, OneDrive is subject to US legislation, particularly the CLOUD Act, which may raise questions about data sovereignty.
OneDrive Pricing
OneDrive offers several pricing plans:
Free plan: 5 GB storage
OneDrive Standalone: 100 GB for $2/month
Microsoft 365 Personal: 1 TB for about $69/year
Microsoft 365 Family: 6 TB total (1 TB per person) for $99/year
However, these plans don't include advanced features like collaborative editing and electronic signatures that Drime offers at similar prices.
Google Drive
As the flagship service from the Mountain View company, Google Drive has established itself as an indispensable reference in the world of cloud storage. Integrated into the Google ecosystem, this service offers an approach centered on collaboration and ease of use.
Google Drive Features
Google Drive provides native integration with all Google Workspace tools. The platform allows users to create, share, and collaborate on Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides directly from the interface.
Moreover, the service offers automatic synchronization across your different devices, ensuring access to your files wherever you are. The advanced search function, powered by Google technology, greatly facilitates locating specific documents, even within a large library.
Additionally, Google Drive automatically preserves previous versions of files created after June 1, 2021, making it easy to revert to an earlier version if needed.
Google Drive Benefits
Google Drive's main strength lies in its free 15 GB offering, although less generous than Drime's 20 GB. However, this space is shared between Gmail, Google Photos, and Drive, which may prove restrictive for some users.
In terms of accessibility, Google Drive stands out with its availability across virtually all platforms (Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS). The synchronization between devices occurs seamlessly, requiring no specific action from the user.
However, unlike Drime which prioritizes secure European hosting, Google Drive automatically analyzes all uploaded files, which may raise privacy concerns.
Disadvantages of Google Drive
Despite its numerous advantages, Google Drive has several limitations. Unlike Drime with its AES 256-bit encryption, Google Drive doesn't offer "zero-knowledge" encryption, meaning the company can technically access your data.
Furthermore, shared files cannot be password-protected, an essential feature that Drime offers to secure sensitive documents.
Moreover, the free storage fills up quickly, especially when shared with Gmail and Google Photos. Users also report that file organization can become confusing without a rigorous naming convention.
Google Drive Pricing
Google Drive offers several subscription plans through Google One:
Basic Plan: 100 GB for $1.99 per month or $19.99 per year
Premium Plan: 2 TB for $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year
10 TB Plan: $99.99 per month
30 TB Plan: $299.99 per month
All subscriptions allow you to share storage space with your family members, but don't include advanced features like collaborative PDF editing and electronic signatures available with Drime.
Box
Recognized as a leader in intelligent content management, Box distinguishes itself as a cloud storage solution particularly suited for large enterprises. This American platform emphasizes security and comprehensive document lifecycle management.
Box Features
Box functions as a centralized hub for storing, sharing, and collaborating on files. The platform offers real-time co-editing capabilities allowing multiple users to work simultaneously on documents. Additionally, Box incorporates electronic signature capabilities, significantly streamlining approval processes.
Moreover, Box stands out with its workflow automation capabilities that classify and retain documents according to your company policies. With over 1,500 third-party application integrations, Box connects seamlessly with Microsoft Office 365, Google Workspace, and Slack. It's worth noting that, unlike Drime which offers a single comprehensive desktop application, Box requires several separate applications to utilize all its functionalities.
Box Advantages
Box's primary strength lies in its advanced security features, including data encryption and granular access controls. However, Drime offers comparable security with its AES 256-bit encryption and GDPR-compliant European hosting.
Furthermore, Box offers robust document management capabilities, particularly suited for large organizations with complex workflows. The interface remains intuitive despite the extensive range of available features.
Box Disadvantages
Despite its strengths, Box has several limitations. Notably, the service can be excessive for small teams or individual users. The higher pricing, justified by advanced features, also represents a significant barrier.
Additionally, Box imposes very restrictive transfer limitations: only 250 MB for free accounts, compared to 250 GB offered by Drime. This constraint makes Box poorly suited for backing up large content.
Box Pricing
Box's free plan includes 10 GB of storage space, which is half of Drime's 20 GB offering. For individual users, the Personal Pro plan costs $9/month for 100 GB, significantly higher than Drime's pricing of $2.99/month for 500 GB.
Professional plans start at $4.50/month per user with a minimum requirement of three users. The higher-tier plans (Business, Business Plus, and Enterprise) provide unlimited storage capacity, however, they maintain relatively low transfer limits ranging from 2 GB to 15 GB depending on the selected plan.
Conclusion
After our comprehensive analysis of various budget-friendly cloud storage solutions, one thing is clear: the market now offers affordable and efficient alternatives suited to all needs.
Among all these options, Drime particularly stands out with its balanced approach combining generous storage, security, and advanced collaborative features. With its free 20 GB offering, this French solution surpasses most competitors in terms of unconditional storage space. Moreover, unlike MEGA, which also offers 20 GB but with bandwidth limitations, Drime doesn't impose comparable restrictions.
Security is undoubtedly a decisive criterion when choosing a cloud storage service. In this regard, Drime's AES 256-bit encryption, coupled with its European hosting, ensures optimal protection of your data while maintaining GDPR compliance. Although Internxt and Icedrive also offer robust encryption solutions, they don't combine this advantage with the complete range of collaborative features provided by Drime.
Without question, the collaborative aspect represents Drime's strongest point compared to other solutions examined. Integrated document editing, particularly for PDFs, along with legally valid electronic signatures, places this French solution at the forefront for users seeking more than just storage space. While Google Drive offers good integration with its office suite, it lacks the PDF editing capabilities and electronic signature features included in Drime's basic package.
Beyond price, the question of digital sovereignty also weighs in the balance. In this respect, European solutions like Drime, kDrive, or Internxt offer a considerable advantage over American giants (OneDrive, Google Drive, Box) subject to the CLOUD Act.
Ultimately, the ideal choice will depend primarily on your personal priorities. However, for those seeking a balance between generous storage space, advanced collaborative features, and optimal security, Drime emerges as the most comprehensive solution under €5 per month. Its Starter plan at €2.99 monthly for 500 GB significantly outperforms Box (€9 for just 100 GB) or even Icedrive (€3.81 for 100 GB).
In an era where collaborative work and data protection have become major concerns, Drime perfectly addresses the needs of budget-conscious modern users. Regardless of your cloud storage requirements, you'll undoubtedly find in this comparison guide the solution that matches your specific needs and limited budget.
FAQs
Q1. What is the best budget-friendly cloud storage service in 2025? Among affordable options, Drime stands out with 20 GB free storage, AES 256-bit encryption, European hosting compliant with GDPR, and advanced collaborative features for less than €5 per month.
Q2. What are the European alternatives to American cloud storage giants? European solutions like Drime, kDrive, and Internxt offer alternatives to American services, ensuring data sovereignty and GDPR compliance while providing comparable features at competitive prices.
Q3. Which cloud storage service offers the most generous free storage in 2025? Both MEGA and Drime offer 20 GB of free storage, but Drime distinguishes itself by not imposing bandwidth limitations, unlike MEGA.
Q4. Which cloud storage services offer the best collaboration features? Drime excels with its integrated document editing, including PDFs, and legally valid electronic signatures. Google Drive also offers good integration with its office suite but lacks PDF editing capabilities and electronic signatures in its basic package.
Q5. How do cloud storage services ensure data security? Top services like Drime, Internxt, and Icedrive use advanced encryption (AES 256-bit for Drime) and offer client-side encryption options. Some, like Drime, also guarantee data hosting that complies with European data protection regulations.
The need for cloud storage has never been more evident than in 2025. With photos easily reaching dozens of megabytes on our modern smartphones, finding an affordable solution has become essential. Indeed, the online storage market remains highly competitive with diverse options. We've decided to compare the best cloud storage solutions under $5 per month to help you make the right choice. Drime, our French collaborative and secure cloud storage solution, stands out with its 20 GB free storage and AES 256-bit encryption. Designed to streamline teamwork, it allows you to edit documents, use electronic signatures, and collaborate in real-time, while ensuring maximum security for data hosted in Europe. However, other alternatives also deserve your attention. Internxt, for instance, is known for its robust security features and offers a free plan with 10 GB of storage. Meanwhile, pCloud is considered the best cloud storage in 2025 with its lifetime plans that offer substantial savings without the risk of future price increases. In this cloud storage comparison, we'll examine in detail eight affordable solutions that offer the best value for your online storage needs in 2025.
Drime
Developed in France, Drime represents an innovative alternative in the world of cloud storage. This all-in-one platform combines several essential functionalities in a unified environment, particularly suited for content creators and collaborative teams.
Drime Features
Drime distinguishes itself through its integrated approach that goes well beyond simple online storage. At the heart of this French solution lies a complete productivity ecosystem that centralizes multiple tools:
Integrated Editing: Edit your PDFs directly in your browser without external software. Add or remove content, merge documents, and reorganize pages. For images and videos, enjoy tools for cropping, drawing, resizing, or adding annotations.
Advanced Collaboration: Work simultaneously on documents with your team in customizable spaces. Granular access permissions allow you to precisely control who can view, modify, or comment on each file.
Electronic Signature: Send, track, and manage legally valid signatures without leaving the platform.
AI Assistant: Generate content or summarize lengthy documents directly within the interface.
Furthermore, Drime offers automatic synchronization across all your devices, ensuring access to your most recent files wherever you are. The platform also supports uploading large files (100 GB or more) without limitation.
Drime Benefits
The first major advantage of Drime concerns data security. The platform employs AES 256-bit encryption, widely recognized as the industry's highest standard. All data is hosted in European centers certified according to ISO 27001, 27017, 27018, and 27701 standards.
As a French solution, Drime ensures complete GDPR compliance, a compelling argument for European users concerned about their data protection. This approach stands in stark contrast to American tech giants who operate under different legislative frameworks.
In terms of free offerings, Drime demonstrates exceptional generosity by providing 20 GB of unconditional storage space, surpassing competitors like Google Drive (15 GB), OneDrive (5 GB), and Dropbox (2 GB).
For teams, the direct media annotation functionality represents a significant advantage. Feedback and approvals happen directly on files, eliminating lengthy email chains. Additionally, each shared file generates detailed statistics on views and downloads.
Finally, Drime demonstrates a concrete environmental commitment: all its servers operate on 100% renewable energy, an increasingly important criterion for users mindful of digital environmental impact.
Disadvantages of Drime
While Drime offers numerous advantages, certain limitations deserve mention. Being a relatively new market entrant, it hasn't yet achieved the same recognition as established players like Google Drive or Dropbox.
Moreover, unlike some competitors offering "lifetime" deals, Drime operates exclusively on a subscription model. This approach might be disadvantageous for users who prefer one-time payments.
For users with highly specific needs, third-party application integration might appear less developed compared to older solutions with more mature ecosystems.
Drime Pricing
Drime offers a range of plans tailored to different needs. The free tier includes 20 GB of storage, positioning it among the most generous offerings in the market.
For users requiring additional space, several paid plans are available:
Starter: 500 GB for $2.59 per month with annual commitment or $3.29 monthly. This plan includes 30-day version history and 3 electronic signature requests.
Plus/Essentials: 1 to 2 TB depending on sources for $4.79 per month annually or $5.99 monthly. It adds password protection for shared links and custom expiration dates.
Professional: 2 to 3 TB for $9.59 per month annually or $11.99 monthly. This plan is designed for medium-sized teams with advanced team management features.
Advanced: 5 to 6 TB for $17.49 per month annually or $21.99 monthly. Intended for large teams with sophisticated administration options.
All plans include essential features like document editing and real-time collaboration, with more advanced options available in higher-tier plans.
Internxt
Originating from Spain, Internxt has built a strong reputation in the cloud storage industry through its privacy-centric and security-focused approach. This service particularly stands out for its decentralized architecture and advanced encryption, offering a compelling alternative for users concerned about data protection.
Features of Internxt
Internxt offers a comprehensive ecosystem centered on data privacy. At its core, the service utilizes end-to-end encryption technology with AES-256 bit standard, which is considered military-grade protection. Files are fragmented and encrypted before leaving your device, ensuring that no third party can access them.
The platform is distinguished by its "zero-knowledge" architecture, meaning that Internxt itself cannot access your files or data. This approach differs from many other cloud services that maintain some level of access to your information.
Additionally, Internxt offers:
Fully encrypted file sharing
Two-factor authentication for enhanced security
Desktop, web, and mobile applications compatible with all systems
File synchronization across all your devices
Internxt's user interface is designed to be intuitive and accessible, enabling quick adoption even for less tech-savvy users.
Advantages of Internxt
Internxt's primary strength lies in its philosophy of total privacy. Unlike many competitors who use your data for advertising purposes, Internxt gives you complete control over your files. This approach is particularly relevant in a context where personal data protection is becoming an increasing concern.
As an open source service, Internxt publishes its code on GitHub, allowing anyone to examine, audit, and verify the security mechanisms. This transparency strengthens users' trust in the service's integrity.
Another strong point is that Internxt has been independently audited and verified by Securitum, a leading European penetration testing company. This external certification confirms the robustness of the security measures in place.
Finally, Internxt's environmental commitment deserves special mention. Their data centers operate on 92% renewable energy, contributing to their goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
Disadvantages of Internxt
Despite its many strengths, Internxt has certain limitations. The synchronization function isn't automatic and requires manual intervention to initiate the process. Additionally, users must configure the update frequency in settings, unlike other services that offer real-time synchronization.
The absence of an integrated media player represents another notable drawback. Users cannot view stored videos directly through the platform, which may prove inconvenient for some individuals who prefer seamless media playback.
Another technical limitation is that Internxt doesn't maintain previous versions of files. This lack of version control functionality could pose challenges when errors occur during the modification of important documents.
Furthermore, device synchronization on the same local network must go through Internxt's servers, potentially slowing down transfers compared to solutions like Dropbox that enable direct LAN transfers.
Pricing of Internxt
Internxt offers a generous free plan including up to 10 GB of storage, positioning it among the most advantageous options in the market for basic needs.
For users requiring additional space, several paid plans are available:
20 GB Plan: €0.99 per month or €2.14 per year
200 GB Plan: €4.49 per month or €8.38 per year
2 TB Plan: €9.99 per month or €21.58 per year
Internxt also stands out with its particularly cost-effective "lifetime" plans for long-term usage. These packages provide permanent access to storage space for a one-time payment: €299 for 2 TB, €499 for 5 TB, and €999 for 10 TB.
All paid subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing users to try the service risk-free.
Icedrive
Founded in the United Kingdom in 2019, Icedrive has quickly distinguished itself in the cloud storage landscape through its privacy-focused approach and unique encryption technology. This relatively new service has garnered attention with its clean interface and affordable lifetime storage options.
Features of Icedrive
Icedrive stands out with its mounting technology that transforms your cloud storage into a virtual drive. This feature enables you to access and manage your cloud files as if they were on a physical hard drive connected to your computer, without consuming local storage space. This virtual drive appears directly in Windows File Explorer, providing a smooth and intuitive user experience.
Additionally, Icedrive offers two-way synchronization between your devices. When a file is modified locally, the changes are automatically reflected in the cloud. The platform also supports preview functionality for documents, photos, and videos directly through the web interface.
A notable feature of Icedrive is its unlimited version history and deleted item retention system, making it easy to restore documents at any time. Furthermore, the service provides simple yet effective sharing options, allowing users to create public links, set passwords, and configure expiration dates.
Advantages of Icedrive
Icedrive's primary strength lies in its enhanced security features. It stands as the only service utilizing the Twofish encryption algorithm with 256-bit keys, which is renowned for its exceptional robustness. For paid subscriptions, Icedrive implements client-side "zero-knowledge" encryption, ensuring that even the provider cannot access your stored data.
Furthermore, Icedrive distinguishes itself with a generous free offering of 10 GB storage space, positioning it among the most competitive services in the market. This free tier also includes a monthly bandwidth allowance of 50 GB.
The user interface represents another significant advantage: modern, minimalist, and responsive, it enables intuitive navigation even through large folders. The platform has recently enhanced its collaboration capabilities by introducing a feature that allows users to request files from contacts through dedicated links.
Disadvantages of Icedrive
Despite its numerous strengths, Icedrive has certain limitations. Unlike solutions such as Drime, it lacks an integrated document editor. While you can preview your files, direct editing within the interface isn't possible.
Another drawback relates to performance issues. Testing reveals that file synchronization is notably slower compared to other providers, with unusually high CPU usage. This can become problematic when transferring large files.
Additionally, the service focuses on core functionalities and doesn't offer real-time collaboration tools or advanced third-party application integrations. The interface is only available in English, which might present a challenge for non-English speaking users.
Icedrive Pricing
Icedrive offers two types of plans: standard subscriptions and lifetime plans. The monthly subscriptions include three options:
Lite: 100 GB at $4.99 per month with annual billing
Pro I: 1 TB at $6.99 per month with annual billing.
Pro III: 3 TB at $10.49 per month with annual billing
What sets Icedrive apart is its unique lifetime plans, available through a one-time payment:
Life 500: 512 GB for $285.31
Life 2K: 2 TB for $457.07
Life 10K: 10 TB for $1,135.59
All paid plans include client-side encryption, password protection for shared files, and enhanced features on mobile applications. Icedrive also offers a 14-day money-back guarantee, allowing users to try the service risk-free.
However, while these prices are competitive, they don't include collaborative editing and electronic signature features that Drime offers with similar plans, while providing less free storage space (10 GB compared to Drime's 20 GB).
kDrive
Developed by Swiss hosting provider Infomaniak, kDrive positions itself as a sovereign cloud storage solution focused on data protection. This service takes pride in ensuring exclusive hosting in Switzerland, offering a European alternative to American industry giants.
kDrive Features
kDrive offers a comprehensive file storage and sharing solution with several notable features. The platform enables data synchronization across various devices (computers, tablets, and smartphones), providing access to all your files regardless of your location.
Furthermore, kDrive incorporates an office suite powered by OnlyOffice, enabling online document editing for text files, spreadsheets, and presentations. Real-time collaboration is also possible on these documents, although it's less comprehensive than Drime's offering, which also includes PDF editing and electronic signature capabilities.
A major advantage of kDrive is its complete compatibility with the WebDAV protocol, making synchronization with Synology NAS or Qnap cloud seamless. Additionally, automatic migration from other services like Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive can be completed in just a few clicks while maintaining your folder organization.
Moreover, kDrive provides the option to create "drop boxes" allowing your contacts to send files directly to your storage space, even without an Infomaniak account.
Advantages of kDrive
kDrive's primary strength lies in its security and privacy policies. All data is stored exclusively in certified TIER III+ Swiss datacenters. Each kDrive space benefits from AES 128-bit encryption with an individual and unique key, though this is less robust than Drime's AES 256-bit encryption.
Additionally, kDrive implements triple backup of each file across three different storage mediums distributed between two separate datacenters, minimizing the risk of data loss. The platform also stands out with its detailed access log, allowing precise tracking of changes made to each document.
The solution fully complies with GDPR and Swiss data protection law (nFADP). Furthermore, unlike American services, kDrive is not subject to the CLOUD Act, NSA, or Hadopi regulations, ensuring true digital sovereignty.
Disadvantages of kDrive
Despite its numerous advantages, kDrive has certain limitations. For instance, creating an Infomaniak email address is mandatory to access the services, which can be an additional step for new users.
Moreover, the user interface and ergonomics of the client applications are sometimes considered suboptimal, less intuitive than those offered by competitors like Drime or Google Drive.
Another notable drawback concerns the absence of end-to-end encryption locally, a feature that is available with other providers such as Internxt. However, Infomaniak indicates that this functionality is currently under development.
Lastly, kDrive's free offering is limited to 15 GB, which remains lower than Drime's 20 GB offering. Additionally, the lack of an intermediate plan between 15 GB (free) and 2 TB (paid) may be a deterrent for users with moderate storage needs.
kDrive Pricing
kDrive offers several plans adapted to different needs. The free plan includes 15 GB of storage and access to basic features[173].
For users requiring more space, three paid plans are available:
Solo: 2 TB for €4.99 per month with annual billing, limited to a single user
Team: 3 TB (expandable up to 18 TB) for €10 per month, for up to 6 users[173]
Pro: 6 TB (expandable up to 106 TB) for €6.66 per month per user, with a minimum of 3 users[173]
All paid plans include online document editing with OnlyOffice, multi-device synchronization, and customer support via email, chat, and phone. The indicated prices can be reduced by up to 20% for two or three-year commitments.
MEGA
Built on the foundations of MegaUpload, MEGA has established itself as a major player in cloud storage with approximately 210 million users worldwide, including 10 million daily active users. This New Zealand-based service primarily distinguishes itself through its privacy-focused approach and advanced encryption system.
MEGA Features
MEGA offers a comprehensive ecosystem of services. Its sharing functionality proves particularly versatile, allowing users to generate links protected by separate encryption keys. For each shared link, you can add an additional password layer for enhanced security.
The service is compatible with all major operating systems (Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android, and iOS) and also offers extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browsers. Additionally, MEGA incorporates end-to-end encrypted chat capabilities, facilitating seamless collaboration between users. Paid accounts also gain access to secure voice calls, video calls, and conferencing tools.
Another advantage is that MEGA automatically preserves previous versions of uploaded files by default, making it easy to recover documents in case of accidental modifications.
MEGA Advantages
MEGA's primary strength lies in its generosity: 20 GB offered free to all new registrants, matching Drime's offering and surpassing most competitors like OneDrive or Dropbox.
In terms of security, MEGA stands out with its "zero-knowledge" encryption. This approach means that you are the sole holder of your data's encryption key, ensuring maximum confidentiality. However, this level of protection remains comparable to that offered by Drime with its AES 256-bit encryption.
Disadvantages of MEGA
Despite its numerous strengths, MEGA has certain limitations. Unlike Drime, which offers comprehensive document editing tools, MEGA lacks essential collaboration features such as real-time editing or integration with office suites.
Limited bandwidth is another notable drawback. Free accounts can only transfer 20 GB of data per day, with a restriction of 5 GB every 6 hours.
Moreover, vulnerabilities were discovered in MEGA's encryption architecture in 2022, revealing that the "zero-knowledge" promise isn't always entirely reliable.
MEGA Pricing
MEGA offers several subscription plans:
Pro Lite: €4.99/month for 400 GB storage
Pro I: €9.99/month for 2 TB
Pro II: €19.99/month for 8 TB
Pro III: €29.99/month for 16 TB
A referral program allows users to earn an additional 10 GB of storage and 20 GB of transfer quota valid for 365 days. For businesses, pricing starts at €5 per user per month with a minimum of 3 users.
Unlike Drime, which includes collaborative editing and electronic signatures in its packages, MEGA primarily focuses on secure storage space and file sharing.
OneDrive
Developed by Microsoft, OneDrive presents itself as a cloud storage solution fully integrated into the Windows ecosystem. This service, widely adopted by businesses due to its seamless integration with Microsoft 365, offers essential features while remaining budget-friendly.
OneDrive Features
OneDrive offers several crucial features for online file management. First, it enables users to save, view, and edit documents directly through the web browser. The service includes ransomware protection to safeguard your important files.
Moreover, OneDrive integrates perfectly with Microsoft 365 applications, facilitating real-time collaboration on documents. The "files on-demand" feature helps save space on your PC by keeping files in the cloud until they're needed.
Another advantage is OneDrive's ability to restore your space to a previous point in time within the last 30 days, providing additional protection against accidental deletions.
OneDrive Benefits
The main advantage of OneDrive lies in its native integration with Windows and the Microsoft Office suite. This synergy significantly streamlines daily work for users within the Microsoft ecosystem.
Additionally, the service respects personal data privacy by not analyzing your files for targeted advertising. OneDrive also allows you to scan and directly save paper documents from your mobile phone.
OneDrive Drawbacks
However, OneDrive has certain limitations. The free space of only 5 GB is significantly less than the 20 GB offered by Drime. The user interface can sometimes appear complex compared to other solutions like Drime.
Furthermore, unlike European services such as Drime that ensure GDPR-compliant hosting, OneDrive is subject to US legislation, particularly the CLOUD Act, which may raise questions about data sovereignty.
OneDrive Pricing
OneDrive offers several pricing plans:
Free plan: 5 GB storage
OneDrive Standalone: 100 GB for $2/month
Microsoft 365 Personal: 1 TB for about $69/year
Microsoft 365 Family: 6 TB total (1 TB per person) for $99/year
However, these plans don't include advanced features like collaborative editing and electronic signatures that Drime offers at similar prices.
Google Drive
As the flagship service from the Mountain View company, Google Drive has established itself as an indispensable reference in the world of cloud storage. Integrated into the Google ecosystem, this service offers an approach centered on collaboration and ease of use.
Google Drive Features
Google Drive provides native integration with all Google Workspace tools. The platform allows users to create, share, and collaborate on Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides directly from the interface.
Moreover, the service offers automatic synchronization across your different devices, ensuring access to your files wherever you are. The advanced search function, powered by Google technology, greatly facilitates locating specific documents, even within a large library.
Additionally, Google Drive automatically preserves previous versions of files created after June 1, 2021, making it easy to revert to an earlier version if needed.
Google Drive Benefits
Google Drive's main strength lies in its free 15 GB offering, although less generous than Drime's 20 GB. However, this space is shared between Gmail, Google Photos, and Drive, which may prove restrictive for some users.
In terms of accessibility, Google Drive stands out with its availability across virtually all platforms (Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS). The synchronization between devices occurs seamlessly, requiring no specific action from the user.
However, unlike Drime which prioritizes secure European hosting, Google Drive automatically analyzes all uploaded files, which may raise privacy concerns.
Disadvantages of Google Drive
Despite its numerous advantages, Google Drive has several limitations. Unlike Drime with its AES 256-bit encryption, Google Drive doesn't offer "zero-knowledge" encryption, meaning the company can technically access your data.
Furthermore, shared files cannot be password-protected, an essential feature that Drime offers to secure sensitive documents.
Moreover, the free storage fills up quickly, especially when shared with Gmail and Google Photos. Users also report that file organization can become confusing without a rigorous naming convention.
Google Drive Pricing
Google Drive offers several subscription plans through Google One:
Basic Plan: 100 GB for $1.99 per month or $19.99 per year
Premium Plan: 2 TB for $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year
10 TB Plan: $99.99 per month
30 TB Plan: $299.99 per month
All subscriptions allow you to share storage space with your family members, but don't include advanced features like collaborative PDF editing and electronic signatures available with Drime.
Box
Recognized as a leader in intelligent content management, Box distinguishes itself as a cloud storage solution particularly suited for large enterprises. This American platform emphasizes security and comprehensive document lifecycle management.
Box Features
Box functions as a centralized hub for storing, sharing, and collaborating on files. The platform offers real-time co-editing capabilities allowing multiple users to work simultaneously on documents. Additionally, Box incorporates electronic signature capabilities, significantly streamlining approval processes.
Moreover, Box stands out with its workflow automation capabilities that classify and retain documents according to your company policies. With over 1,500 third-party application integrations, Box connects seamlessly with Microsoft Office 365, Google Workspace, and Slack. It's worth noting that, unlike Drime which offers a single comprehensive desktop application, Box requires several separate applications to utilize all its functionalities.
Box Advantages
Box's primary strength lies in its advanced security features, including data encryption and granular access controls. However, Drime offers comparable security with its AES 256-bit encryption and GDPR-compliant European hosting.
Furthermore, Box offers robust document management capabilities, particularly suited for large organizations with complex workflows. The interface remains intuitive despite the extensive range of available features.
Box Disadvantages
Despite its strengths, Box has several limitations. Notably, the service can be excessive for small teams or individual users. The higher pricing, justified by advanced features, also represents a significant barrier.
Additionally, Box imposes very restrictive transfer limitations: only 250 MB for free accounts, compared to 250 GB offered by Drime. This constraint makes Box poorly suited for backing up large content.
Box Pricing
Box's free plan includes 10 GB of storage space, which is half of Drime's 20 GB offering. For individual users, the Personal Pro plan costs $9/month for 100 GB, significantly higher than Drime's pricing of $2.99/month for 500 GB.
Professional plans start at $4.50/month per user with a minimum requirement of three users. The higher-tier plans (Business, Business Plus, and Enterprise) provide unlimited storage capacity, however, they maintain relatively low transfer limits ranging from 2 GB to 15 GB depending on the selected plan.
Conclusion
After our comprehensive analysis of various budget-friendly cloud storage solutions, one thing is clear: the market now offers affordable and efficient alternatives suited to all needs.
Among all these options, Drime particularly stands out with its balanced approach combining generous storage, security, and advanced collaborative features. With its free 20 GB offering, this French solution surpasses most competitors in terms of unconditional storage space. Moreover, unlike MEGA, which also offers 20 GB but with bandwidth limitations, Drime doesn't impose comparable restrictions.
Security is undoubtedly a decisive criterion when choosing a cloud storage service. In this regard, Drime's AES 256-bit encryption, coupled with its European hosting, ensures optimal protection of your data while maintaining GDPR compliance. Although Internxt and Icedrive also offer robust encryption solutions, they don't combine this advantage with the complete range of collaborative features provided by Drime.
Without question, the collaborative aspect represents Drime's strongest point compared to other solutions examined. Integrated document editing, particularly for PDFs, along with legally valid electronic signatures, places this French solution at the forefront for users seeking more than just storage space. While Google Drive offers good integration with its office suite, it lacks the PDF editing capabilities and electronic signature features included in Drime's basic package.
Beyond price, the question of digital sovereignty also weighs in the balance. In this respect, European solutions like Drime, kDrive, or Internxt offer a considerable advantage over American giants (OneDrive, Google Drive, Box) subject to the CLOUD Act.
Ultimately, the ideal choice will depend primarily on your personal priorities. However, for those seeking a balance between generous storage space, advanced collaborative features, and optimal security, Drime emerges as the most comprehensive solution under €5 per month. Its Starter plan at €2.99 monthly for 500 GB significantly outperforms Box (€9 for just 100 GB) or even Icedrive (€3.81 for 100 GB).
In an era where collaborative work and data protection have become major concerns, Drime perfectly addresses the needs of budget-conscious modern users. Regardless of your cloud storage requirements, you'll undoubtedly find in this comparison guide the solution that matches your specific needs and limited budget.
FAQs
Q1. What is the best budget-friendly cloud storage service in 2025? Among affordable options, Drime stands out with 20 GB free storage, AES 256-bit encryption, European hosting compliant with GDPR, and advanced collaborative features for less than €5 per month.
Q2. What are the European alternatives to American cloud storage giants? European solutions like Drime, kDrive, and Internxt offer alternatives to American services, ensuring data sovereignty and GDPR compliance while providing comparable features at competitive prices.
Q3. Which cloud storage service offers the most generous free storage in 2025? Both MEGA and Drime offer 20 GB of free storage, but Drime distinguishes itself by not imposing bandwidth limitations, unlike MEGA.
Q4. Which cloud storage services offer the best collaboration features? Drime excels with its integrated document editing, including PDFs, and legally valid electronic signatures. Google Drive also offers good integration with its office suite but lacks PDF editing capabilities and electronic signatures in its basic package.
Q5. How do cloud storage services ensure data security? Top services like Drime, Internxt, and Icedrive use advanced encryption (AES 256-bit for Drime) and offer client-side encryption options. Some, like Drime, also guarantee data hosting that complies with European data protection regulations.
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