Best iCloud Alternatives: Five Options to Consider

While iCloud is essential on iOS and for many Apple users, many of them still seek the best iCloud alternatives. We agree that iCloud works well with iOS and macOS. It’s natively built in to work in tandem with your fast and intuitive system. However, as a whole, people look for iCloud alternatives because it’s not very good.

While it treats Apple users like kings and queens, other users are severely neglected in terms of compatibility. But even apart from that, iCloud’s security is flimsy, it’s expensive, and lacks some of the most essential cloud storage features. Luckily, these 5 alternatives are better in all aspects and can fully replace it.

Best iCloud Storage Alternatives Tested & Reviewed

We tested over 20 so-called best iCloud alternatives in 2026. While most were better, they simply didn’t hold up to our highest standards. Luckily, we still found the five best iCloud alternative options that did, and that, in more than a few ways, surpass iCloud’s qualities. Let’s see what they bring to the table.

1. pCloud: Best iCloud Alternative Overall

pCloud is better than iCloud, even for Apple users. It takes everything great about iCloud and boosts it to another level. Unlike iCloud, pCloud works on all systems, even Linux, making it a lot more versatile and robust. Another plus is transfer speed. pCloud is the fastest storage we tested; way faster than iCloud.

That said, you can transfer large files seamlessly because the transfer file size is unlimited. pCloud’s file sharing is majestic, with password-protected links and custom branding. Plus, you get 30 days of file versioning with unlimited file versions. iCloud is known for handy backups of your entire iPhone.

Well, pCloud does the same, and even offers selective syncing to back up only the most vital folders and files. Most importantly, this iCloud alternative is more secure, using zero-knowledge encryption, secure data centers, and in-transit file encryption. iCloud, if you know, has had data-leaking incidents.

Price-wise, pCloud beats iCloud big time with its Lifetime plans. At $399, you can get 2 TB of storage for life; iCloud charges you hundreds per year. At $1,190, you can get 10 TB, while 500 GB costs only $199 for a lifetime (99 years). pCloud’s free plan offers 10 GB of storage, too, as stated in our pCloud review.

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2. Internxt: Best for Speed & Ease of Use

Internxt is the best cloud storage for iPhone in 2026 on a budget, so it’s an adequate iCloud alternative. For one, it’s much faster, and two, it has apps for all systems, including Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows. Internxt relies on zero-knowledge encryption that protects you against quantum computer attacks.

Since it’s zero-knowledge, Internxt doesn’t have your decryption key, meaning only you can access your files. iCloud, however, can access them at any time. Internxt is very easy to use and navigate. With a click, you can share files securely or sync them across devices for effortless availability down the line.

Recently, Internxt introduced extra features, such as antivirus and a VPN, for more privacy. It also offers cloud backups, working as reliably as iCloud’s equivalent. The highest plan also has Mail and Meet, features for collaboration and video calling. Internxt’s VPN isn’t the best you can find, but it’s good enough.

Internxt is the cheapest iCloud alternative in 2026. We especially recommend Lifetime plans ranging from 1 TB to 5 TB of cloud storage. For reference, 5 TB costs $585, while the 1-year variant is only $72 per year. Our Internxt Drive review praised its affordability and a 30-day refund policy that makes it a quintessential choice.

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3. NordLocker: Best Encrypted Cloud Storage

NordLocker is one of the best-rated iCloud alternatives for file safety and privacy. It works on all systems and replaces iCloud comfortably if you set your expectations straight. For one, it’s a bit faster than iCloud, but it’s not a speed champ. Yes, it lacks file versioning, but so does iCloud. So, why is it better than?

Because of encryption. It uses end-to-end zero-knowledge encryption that protects all your files without compromise. Only you have the encryption key, and only you can access the files on your cloud storage. NordLocker even supports local file encryption, which you can also use on your Mac computer.

NordLocker has cross-platform synchronization, rendering files accessible on all devices. If you want to share files, it allows password-protected links and permission management. Like iCloud, it supports full-device backups for more convenience. During our full NordLocker review, we praised its emphasis on privacy.

The provider doesn’t store any logs and hasn’t had any privacy-related incidents like iCloud. At the same time, it’s inexpensive, starting at $2.99 per month for 500 GB of storage, with a solid 2 TB plan at $6.99 for a year. Rest assured, you can be refunded in 30 days if you don’t like it, so it’s completely risk-free.

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4. Sync.com: Safe Alternative to iCloud Storage

Sync is an all-in-one cloud storage service and the top iCloud alternative. It supports third-party integrations with Office tools and many collaboration apps. That means you can save all your work on Sync effortlessly. Like iCloud, Sync supports cloud backups and even has selective syncing for convenience.

We especially like its security, as Sync uses zero-knowledge encryption out-of-the-box, so you can keep your files intact. File sharing is superior to iCloud, with link expiry dates and password protection. Sync is a popular encrypted cloud storage due to its extensive file history that goes up to 365 days.

Best of all, it’s extremely generous storage-wise, offering 1 TB, 5 TB, and unlimited plans for a fairly low price. The 5 TB plan costs $18.76 per month, while unlimited storage is priced at $60.30 per month. However, if you’re on a budget, there’s a convenient Basic plan with 25 GB of storage at $1 per month.

Sync is ultimately the best iCloud alternative for privacy, features, and security. The only small letdown is transfer speed, which, while superior to iCloud, could see improvements. But if you’re unsatisfied, you have 30 days to get a refund.

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5. MEGA: Secure and Large iCloud Alternative

We’ve used MEGA for quite a while with excellent results. It’s an amazing iCloud alternative with 20 GB of free storage space. That’s four times more. However, to get the most out of it, we advise the paid plan, with at least 200 GB of storage, which includes a VPN, a password manager, and chatting/calling.

MEGA is famous for its zero-knowledge encryption, so all your files are well-protected, even if you pick the free plan. In our experience, MEGA has one of the best-looking apps, crucial for beginners. On the cloud, MEGA lets you preview photos and videos, and even open your documents, which is super convenient.

Standard features include syncing, cloud backups, and file sharing with password protection and other necessities. MEGA has file versioning that isn’t time-restricted; instead, you can store up to 100 file versions. We compared MEGA to pCloud, two recommended iCloud alternatives, and MEGA was nearly as good.

However, it has some bandwidth restrictions, though they’re pretty high, so you’re very unlikely to hit them. MEGA also isn’t the most affordable, and higher storage options cost a lot, plus, the provider doesn’t have lifetime plans. You can get object storage in higher plans and even opt for a full-on business solution.

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Ranking the Best iCloud Alternatives: Methodology

The ranking system is based on filling in the gaps from iCloud, such as:

• Security and privacy
• Pricey premium plans
• Slow transfer speeds
• Poor experience for non-Apple users
• Lack of file versioning

iCloud is far from a bad option and is convenient if you’re an iPhone or iPad user. However, the said downsides can annoy people, and over time, make them look for iCloud alternatives. For example, privacy and security—iCloud excels in neither.

That’s why all of our recommended picks use, or at least offer, zero-knowledge encryption as an option, which you won’t find in Apple’s cloud storage. As you’ve noticed, our options are also cheaper than Apple’s offer. Apple charges you $9.99 for 2 TB per month, and pCloud costs about $8.33 per month.

While iCloud’s slow transfer speeds are inevitable, providers like pCloud and Internxt are some of the speediest. The same goes for user experience, which is better in our five options, as none is limited to a single OS. Finally, iCloud lacks file versioning, and that can be an issue if you need access to older file versions.

With pCloud, Sync.com, and MEGA, you can save countless file versions and revert to the old ones with a single click. Such tiny improvements over iCloud’s formula make switching from it painless and satisfying.

Conclusion

Our go-to iCloud alternative in 2026 is pCloud, and we stand firmly by our choice. It’s a no-brainer, as it’s way more affordable, secure, and easier to use on all platforms. Internxt and NordLocker are fantastic zero-knowledge picks with neat apps and Godlike security and privacy that iCloud lacks.

We left Sync.com and MEGA as slightly inferior options, but in every way better than iCloud. While Sync.com offers collaboration, productivity, and unlimited storage, MEGA has a generous free cloud storage, chatting functionality, and flexible storage sizes to suit everyone, including businesses

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