Top 10 Free Cloud Storage Services Which Can Be Used For Online Backup
Using a cloud service to perform backups is useful but most plans that support backups are not free. Premium accounts also heavily restrict how much data you can backup and how regularly they provide the backup service in the first place.
Free online backup plans often have many of the same features as their premium cousins, albeit with smaller storage limits offered. But as long as there is enough room for your most important files though then you're well covered.
Shown below is our run-down of the best free online backup plans. They've been organized by how much space they currently offer. At the time of publication, these free plans are not limited time offers.
1. Symform
Symform tops the chart with 10 GB of online backup space. This seems to be a permanent offer.
One additional option is to let other Symform users access segmented space on your own hard drive using their “paying with bytes” program which increases the cloud storage available on your account.
2. Cyphertite
Cyphertite Basic provides 8 GB of backup space for zero cost.
They use open source software, there is a neat web interface and it is easy to set up.
3. Bitcasa Free
Bitcasa Free has a lot to recommend it. It is a well known brand for online storage. They offer 5 GB of backup space. This can be boosted up to 20 GB maximum storage space if you get busy referring your friends to Bitcasa as well.
Runs like a separate hard drive installed in Windows and Mac OS. Good mobile support too. Folder syncing support is solid.
4. IDrive Basic
iDrive Basic comes with 5 GB of free online storage. The feature are pretty similar to those provided with their iDrive Pro premium account.
There is also unlimited device backup so the software can be used to backup your mobile, laptop and desktop PC from just one account.
5. Jottacloud Free
Jottacloud Free starts with 5 GB of storage. This can be increased up to an impression 100 GB if you stack up enough friend referrals. Backup via multiple devices so you can get your PC, Mac, phone and tablet covered in one plan here too. The servers are located in Norway.
6. Memopal
With Memopal, the online backup space drops to 3 GB but they support an unlimited number of computers sharing the account.
Memopal supports many different operating systems and various mobile OS. Linux users and Blackberry users look no further. You're not left out in the cold with Memopal.
7. SpiderOak
SpiderOak has been around for a long time. They offer 2 GB of free online backup space. Their refer-a-friend program will generously add an extra gigabyte to your plan when you recruit a friend to SpiderOak. This maxes out at 10 GB, providing the user with 12 GB of storage.
Charges incur if you go over the maximum storage amount on your SpiderOak plan.
8. MozyHome Free
MozyHome delivers 2 GB of online storage for backup purposes with their MozyHome Free plan. Up to 5 GB of additional storage is up for grabs if you refer your friends.
9. ElephantDrive Lite Edition
ElephantDrive is less well known that some of the others on the list. Their ElephantDrive Lite Edition plan is not gigantic at just 2 GB of online backup storage. It does offer military grade encryption, supports 3 PCs or mobile devices and provides automatic backup. These features match what is offered with the premium plan which gets it on the list.
10. MyOtherDrive
MyOtherDrive provides 2 GB of backup storage. The free account doesn't include the file linking feature which the premium account does. There are also the occasional advert that will appear on the free package.
Notable Mentions
SugarSync did have a free plan which could be used for backups but it has since been withdrawn. ADrive is also a good backup service but they don't make the desktop application available on the free account so backing up files easily with the service is made more difficult.
