The best cloud storage for business gives companies secure and safe storage of key data and files. In addition, top platforms offer collaborative, administrative, and file-sharing tools, helping your business more ably cope with a hybrid workforce and an increasingly-digital business world.
Factors integral to modern-day success include speed, compatibility, security, centralised data requirements, and ease of collaboration. As such finding and choosing the best cloud storage for your business is more important than ever before.
For many, comparing and contrasting cloud storage vs local storage is still the first port of call. However, cloud storage holds all the cards when it comes to performance and security at a reasonable price, while a wide range of extra advantages relating to blending remote and in-office workforces gives it the edge.
The best cloud storage for business offers cloud sync and military-grade security, with vendors featured below numbering among the best encrypted cloud storage services and the most secure cloud storage systems. With so many options, it's wise to choose a service offering adequate storage, advanced security, high performance, and top-level customer service.
We've ranked the best cloud storage for business on all the above factors, plus size limits, maximum storage, pricing, additional tools, and ease of use.
The top 3 best cloud storage providers for businesses
Egnyte: the best cloud storage for business
Egnyte’s enterprise-class cloud storage for medium to large organizations allows files to be stored and backed up efficiently. Highly rated management tools, third-party app integrations, and API support supplement the system’s robust security features, intuitive user interface, and competitive pricing.
Box for Business: top for security and integrations
Box for Business boasts impressive third-party integrations and powerful security and encryption features, facilitating painless collaboration and file-sharing. The platform is extremely easy to use with a tidy user interface and high-quality Android and iOS apps, while top-value pricing on its Business Plus subscription tier offers great value for businesses.
Dropbox Business: the leader in file-sharing
A household name in cloud storage services, Dropbox remains a great option for businesses looking for best-in-class file-sharing functionality. Compared to its business cloud storage competitors, Dropbox offers customers added flexibility with third-party applications as well as an easy-to-use dashboard.
Which is the best cloud storage for business?
Our top pick for the best cloud storage for business is Egnyte, due to its brilliant software and synchronization, accessible collaboration systems, sharing for any file type, third party integrations, and providing users with the option to store sensitive data on on-premises servers for added security, all of which separate it from the rest of the pack.
Cloud storage stalwarts Box for Business and Dropbox Business also feature highly in our rankings demonstrating extensive experience in the personal cloud storage solutions can translate to the enterprise sector.
SpiderOak is the solution for businesses looking for zero-knowledge encryption for their cloud storage, while Microsoft’s OneDrive for Business tries to compete for customers looking for security-focused cloud storage.
The best cloud storage for businesses available now
Egnyte
Plenty of storage accompanied by flexible sync tools
SPECIFICATIONS
- Storage capacity: 50GB per employee
- Number of devices: Potentially unlimited
- Encryption: End-to-end
REASONS TO BUY
- 15-day free trial
- Superb integration
- End-to-end encryption
REASONS TO AVOID
- No native Linux client
- Average speeds
Since its launch in 2007, Egnyte continues to provide premium software to meet the file sharing and synchronization needs of businesses, regardless of size. Customers are able to store multiple types of data in the cloud, locally and online, and more sensitive data can be kept on-premises for extra security.
Egnyte provides content services such as a user-friendly collaboration system that allows employees to work together whenever, wherever they are. Both internal and remote employees are able to access important files via the service’s seamless integration with Microsoft 365.
In terms of pricing, Egnyte’s Business plan starts at $20 per user per month and offers customers 1TB storage (plus 10GB per employee) for files up to 100GB in size, spanning 10 to 100 employees. You will need to contact Egnyte directly to get a custom quote for their ‘Enterprise’ and ‘Enterprise Lite’ plans, which provide additional benefits such as AI-based content classification, behavior-based ransomware detection, security issue alerts, unusual behavior detection, and more.
The only drawback noted by critics online is the platform's long load times for certain files, namely images.
Read our comprehensive Egnyte review
Box for Business
Low-cost and solid storage from a reliable provider
SPECIFICATIONS
- Storage capacity: Unlimited
- Number of devices: Unlimited
- Encryption: AES 256-bit
REASONS TO BUY
- Intuitive interface
- Inexpensive
- Excellent business feature set
REASONS TO AVOID
- Read-only sharing
- Can’t restrict which networks to sync from
Box has been a household name in the cloud content management and file sharing space for over 15 years. Its strengths lie in a wide range of management abilities and a clear focus on robust security protections.
A simple user interface means there is no learning curve for new users trying to navigate around the platform. A handy user dashboard enables admins to control access to settings, files and folders, as well as monitor users and manage sharing options.
The Box Drive client is available on both MacOS and Windows, as well as offering an Android app through which users can access their files. Box’s storage services are supported by a number of popular productivity suites such as Google Workspace and Microsoft 365.
Box for Business starts at $15 per user a month, allowing users to upload files up to 5GB with unlimited storage, technical support during local business hours. The standard Business plan offers organization-wide collaboration, advanced security features, and no limit on the maximum number of users.
The Business Plus plan package costs $25 per user a month and ups the maximum file size to 15GB. This tier also allows for unlimited external collaborators and has an expanded feature set including advanced search filters and custom metadata templates.
With the Enterprise tier, priced at $35 per user a month, the maximum file size upload is expanded to 50GB and offers extra features including password policy enforcement, document watermarking, 2FA for external users, and more.
Box also offers an Enterprise Pus package that offers everything included in the Enterprise tier but allows users to upload files up to 150GB. Other bonus features include enhanced threat detection and smart access controls, improved 24/7/365 customer support, data residency controls, and more.
Read our full Box for Business review.
Dropbox Business
Affordable and dependable storage from the industry heavyweight
SPECIFICATIONS
- Storage capacity: Unlimited
- Number of devices: Unlimited
- Encryption: In transit and at rest
REASONS TO BUY
- Simple to use
- 30-day free trial
REASONS TO AVOID
- No online editing tools
Dropbox Business’ greatest strength is its simplicity, making it a popular choice among business customers. Cross-platform functionality across most devices and apps, no compatibility issues with different file types, and intuitive drag-and-drop functionality on the desktop app make Dropbox Business one of the easiest cloud storage services to use.
Content can be shared quickly via links, even if the recipient is not a Dropbox user. Dropbox’s business plan lets users connect to their personal account and manage all of their files from one dashboard.
Administrators can gain insights into the status of each team member from the dashboard, as well as modify how they share and manage files, set access permissions, and monitor usage. Third-party support is high level, with apps such as Microsoft Office and Slack part of the package.
Speaking of packages, Dropbox Business offers three different tiers. The Standard plan will cost you $12 per user a month, starting at three users, and includes 5TB of space for secure storage, 120 days of file recovery, 2FA, and more.
The Advanced package builds on this, starting at $26 per user a month with unlimited storage, advanced admin controls, and user management tools. To subscribe to the Enterprise tier, it’s necessary to contact Dropbox directly and work out a deal.
There is a 30-day free trial available, for which you will have to provide your payment credentials: after this, you’ll be automatically bumped up to a paid plan and charged. One consistent complaint from users however was the absence of online editing tools.
Read our comprehensive Dropbox Business review and our Dropbox review.
SpiderOak
High security combined with a simple interface
SPECIFICATIONS
- Storage capacity: Unlimited
- Number of devices: Unlimited
- Encryption: End-to-end
REASONS TO BUY
- Top-notch security
- Central device management
- Unlimited devices
REASONS TO AVOID
- Not as collaborative-friendly as other services
- Relatively expensive
SpiderOak serves as a collaboration tool, online backup and file hosting service, leveraging a cloud-based server to allow its users to access, synchronize, and share data.
Not only does it boast high-level data security and privacy, but it also provides cloud storage, online backup and sharing services using a ‘zero knowledge’ privacy environment (at least the company claims so). There's also a 21-day free trial available, so you can see how the service works and test it before making a final decision.
Considering the focus is on security and privacy, SpiderOak didn’t waste much energy on intricate design. Its interface is pretty simple and straightforward, with a convenient drag-and-drop feature that helps you organize files quickly and efficiently.
The centralized device management dashboard grants users easy access to settings for all applications, such as sharing and backup selection, allowing them to manage their accounts, set group permissions and monitor usage.
In terms of pricing for businesses, a minimum of 500 users is required to qualify for the enterprise package, and you will need to contact SpiderOak’s sales team for a quote. As per the online community, SpiderOak is said to lack many of the collaboration tools that can be found with other cloud storage providers.
Read our full SpiderOak review.
Microsoft OneDrive for Business
Best business cloud storage for Microsoft users
SPECIFICATIONS
- Storage capacity: 1TB per employee
- Number of devices: Unlimited
- Encryption: In transit and at rest
REASONS TO BUY
- Fast file uploads and downloads
- Backed by the power of the Microsoft ecosystem
- Very user-friendly web interface
REASONS TO AVOID
- Average security tools
- Customer support is average at best
Post-Windows 10, OneDrive has been the main Microsoft cloud storage solution, as it's integrated into the file explorer for immediate access. Via Android and iOS apps, as well as a macOS app, OneDrive for Business is interlinked with Microsoft 365, to boost productivity with its many collaborative features.
The best of these include selective syncing, multi-page scanning, access anywhere from any device, 1TB per person on the cheapest plan, and the aforementioned interaction with Microsoft Office apps via 365. This is OneDrive’s biggest draw, with Microsoft 365 plans packaging OneDrive with Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Skype.
While security isn't as high-level as competitors, in transit and at rest encryption ensures file safety, and the potential for unlimited storage is a real advantage for larger businesses. The most expensive plans also come with a one-month free trial, but business plans start at $6 per user a month, with 1TB, potentially unlimited users (via upgrades), file versioning for up to 500 versions, and much more.
Read our full OneDrive and OneDrive for Business review.
Tresorit
Superior file encryption through stylish apps
SPECIFICATIONS
- Storage capacity: 1TB
- Number of devices: Potentially unlimited
- Encryption: End-to-end
REASONS TO BUY
- 14-day free trial
- Strong end-to-end encryption
- Multiple packages available
REASONS TO AVOID
- Pricey
- Few in-app collaboration features
Hailing from Hungary and Switzerland, Tresorit is a cloud storage provider with a focus on increased security and strong data encryption for businesses, as well as personal users.
It will primarily entice businesses whose main priority is keeping online data safely stored, as Tresorit offers ‘zero-knowledge’ encryption. This means that only the people you choose can have access to your data. Moreover, its 2FA login provides an additional layer of security for your account.
Let’s talk pricing: the Business Standard plan costs $10 per user a month, billed annually. You get 1TB of encrypted storage per user, syncing of existing folder structure, secure access for up to 10 devices per user, and a few other features.
The Business Plus plan starts at $20 monthly per user, on the annual billing basis, and includes data residency options, enhanced collaboration and tracking, and support via phone. It also increases the storage per user to 2TB.
The ‘Enterprise’ option will require a custom quote from Tresorit, and is perfect for businesses with more than 50 users. Additional features include admin API, personalized staff training and custom deployment. If you decide on this option, you will need to contact the Tresorit team directly in order to sign up.
All Tresorit’s packages are accompanied by a 14-day free trial. While it might be considered a bit pricey, keep in mind that it offers a higher scale of security compared to other similar services, as well as additional features, so it's probably worth it.
Read our Tresorit Business review.
What is cloud storage for business?
Cloud storage works by storing data on a physical drive, before making the data accessible via an online software platform to users whenever and wherever they want to view it.
Many business cloud storage providers rank among the best apps to share files as a result, and fall into one of two camps: self-hosted, utilizing on-premises (on-prem) infrastructure; or storage as a service (StaaS), using externally managed, third-party infrastructure. A combination is known as hybrid cloud storage.
StaaS providers achieve economies of scale by managing advanced, expansive data centers, and thus can provide large, affordable levels of storage. In comparison to self-hosted services, StaaS providers are always more affordable per TB, and are known as storage and syncing platforms because they're designed for collaboration.
They provide the ability to seamlessly upload and access data, as well as edit or share it, from any connected device. Cloud sync technology meanwhile encompasses link sharing and file versioning, allowing for simple sharing of documents within and across businesses.
Users can track document changes and incorporate colleague edits, allowing StaaS products to provide a cohesive and integrated digital environment.
How to choose the best cloud storage for business
When looking for the best cloud storage for business, you must ensure that the provider you choose offers stable, highly secure storage, and is able to protect company data - often both sensitive and important - at all times.
Look for services offering end-to-end encryption and zero-knowledge architecture. Both security elements are integral, with the former meaning providers are almost hack-proof, but the latter is particularly significant, because your cloud storage service is unable to access your data, even if law enforcement authorities compel them to.
Many services offer in-transit and at-rest encryption, so data is totally indecipherable even if a cybercriminal intercepted it. Both your data and the infrastructure housing it are protected, with StaaS organizations housing servers in highly secure data centers with 24/7 security, biometric authorization for entry, and frequent security auditing.
These safeguards are particularly crucial for enterprise and business cloud storage, especially if you're operating in privacy or data-sensitive industries. It's non-negotiable at this level to invest in cloud storage providing the very best security, especially if you're planning on going cloud-native.
Data center locations are key too, as different countries have different privacy laws, so you'll need to ensure data is stored in a country that complies with the data privacy obligations of your business. This is where the best web hosting services cross over with cloud, specifically the best cloud hosting providers, because regional cloud hosting is affected in the same way.
As well as security, administrator controls for businesses using StaaS providers (which covers most business cloud storage services) enable managers and IT staff to oversee access and system usage. Elements such as 2FA, roles-based permissions, access management, and auditing are just some of the controls available, and StaaS providers also utilize cloud sync technology to offer collaborative functionality as well as seamless digital workflows.
