Best Cloud Storage for Business in 2022

Sync.com is a versatile storage solution for businesses. Based in Canada, it’s close to the US but benefits from better privacy laws. This, combined with its secure access and encryption, makes it airtight.

Sync.com offers something for teams and individual users. It has full integration with Microsoft 365, native desktop and web-based apps, plus mobile apps.

Let’s dive in and see if it’s the best cloud storage for business in 2021!

Features

Sync.com has a lot of neat features for businesses—from strong privacy to automatic syncing, secure sharing, and even some integrations.

We take a look at all of this and more as we get into the full details below.

Privacy

Let’s kick things off with privacy. The service offers no-knowledge encrypted cloud storage. This means you get your own private key—even Sync.com won’t be able to access your data. The system uses 2048-bit asymmetric encryption, making it virtually impossible to crack.

That said, you’ll have to keep your private key safe. If you lose it, you’ll lose all the data encrypted in your business file storage.

Of course, you can disable the feature, but then you’ll be doing away with one of the service’s main benefits.

Automatic Syncing

It’s in the name. Sync.com will automatically sync your files across all devices while also backing them up in the cloud.

If you want to go the manual route, you can upload the files directly into the “Vault,” putting them straight into the cloud.

Whichever you opt for, Sync.com saves unlimited versions of your files. You can restore versions up to a year old on the highest-paid business cloud storage plan.

File Sharing

Now, let’s take a look at the feature central to any business. You and our team can easily share files. On top of that, you can set granular permissions for access. Set a file to be read-only or read-write.

Two-factor authentication and SSO are available as well, securing access to your company’s files and accounts.

Integrations

The small number of integrations is possibly Sync.com’s only limitation—it offers fewer options than many other commercial cloud storage solutions.

It does, however, allow for direct integration with Windows and macOS. It also connects with Microsoft Office 365, allowing for full control there. What’s more, you can sync it with Google folders and Slack, a must for businesses today.

Sync.com has previously received criticism for having no third-party integrations. It has really stepped up its game. Hopefully, the upward trend will continue.

Admin Tools

As the main account holder, you’ll get an admin account.

Through it, you can adjust file access and business cloud sharing permissions, access activity logs, manage the subaccounts of your team, and even perform remote wipes.

Billing is also central. You can make sure every team member is up to date for uninterrupted work and collaboration.

Ease of Use

A few years ago, Sync.com’s interface was a little clunky. Plus, you had to enable drag-and-drop manually, which felt like an unnecessary extra step. We’re glad to report that this is another area in which Sync.com has improved.

The interface, whether you’re using the web or desktop app, is smooth. You can easily drag and drop files into target folders. Anyone on your team can learn to use it in no time.

It has a simple UI, making it one of the best cloud sharing solutions for business organizations that need fast onboarding.

Sync.com also improved its mobile app. Still, it struggles a bit on older hardware, resulting in slow and “sticky” responses. Of course, the older hardware is to blame at least as much here.

All in all, Sync has been vastly improved and requires just a few minor tweaks to be perfect.

Plans

Sync.com offers six price plans. Although we’re focusing on business solutions, we’ll take a look at the personal plans too.

Personal Plans

• Free—5GB storage and business file storage and sharing; free forever
• Solo Basic $8 per month, billed annually at $60—2TB storage and advanced sharing
• Solo Professional $20 per month, billed annually at $240—6TB storage, advanced sharing, and custom branding

Business Plans

• Teams Standard $5 per month, billed annually—1TB storage and an admin account
• Teams Unlimited $15 per month, billed annually at $180—Unlimited storage, custom branding, phone support, and an admin account
• Enterprise at a custom price—A minimum of 100 users, along with specs to your needs

Sync.com formerly only offered annual pricing plans. However, it added monthly plans due to customer demand. It’s one of the few cloud storage providers for business organizations that actually pay attention to user requests.

Bottom Line

Sync.com offers great utility for businesses at reasonable prices. It has excellent collaboration tools, and while integrations are limited, all essentials are covered.

Privacy is arguably its strongest feature. It is an absolute necessity, as ransomware and other cyber attacks continue to escalate.

Lastly, the fact that Sync.com has expanded its offerings, taking into account the needs of its customers, bodes well for the future of the service.

If you want the best cloud storage for business users all around, check it out.

If you’re already using Microsoft solutions, OneDrive is a no-brainer. It boasts robust features, it’s easy to use, and it integrates seamlessly with MS Office, Teams, and Exchange.

Plus, this is one of the most versatile providers on our list—it supports over 320 file types (including AutoCAD files), and the pricing is very affordable.

With plans starting at $5 per user per month, OneDrive packs a lot of value for small businesses, but it’s also scalable to fit enterprise-level needs.

Features

OneDrive has two major superpowers which make it one of the best cloud storage for business solutions:

• Integrations—For any Microsoft-based business, the deep integrations with the ecosystem are a godsend.
• Desktop synchronization—AI-powered file discovery makes finding essential files and projects a breeze.

You can preview and open files within OneDrive—any file type, not just Microsoft formats like .docx and .xlsx. From visualizing multi-layer AutoCAD documents to watching various video formats, this is a substantial perk for businesses in all industries.

You can also securely share files inside and outside your business, edit on the go, and collaborate with tools like mentions, comments, and tasks.

While OneDrive also has useful cloud file sharing features for business, Microsoft actually recommends other platforms (for example, Microsoft SharePoint Online) for collaborating with your team.

On the plus side, OneDrive’s security protocols are top-notch. It sends data to and from you via SSL and uses AES 256-bit encryption keys to protect you from interceptions.

This is not end-to-end encryption since the key is stored in the associated SharePoint Content Database. However, its lockbox system ensures administrators only have troubleshooting access for small slots of time.

Ease of Use

If you’re already using Microsoft software, OneDrive is the most obvious choice for a cloud solution for small business and large enterprises alike. It comes ready-to-use with Office 365 and the simple interface makes it easy to set up and start using.

You won’t have to train your team to use completely different software—it’s one of the easiest ways to adopt cloud storage and file sharing.

Plans

All OneDrive plans are based on a monthly fee per user, but they are billed annually.

OneDrive for Business Plan 1

The cheaper $5 per user plan includes full essential file storage and sharing functionality but lacks the advanced features of the second plan.

You get 1TB per user with a maximum file size of 100GB. Users can share files securely within the company and to outsiders, protect data with passwords, and set expiry dates on sharing links.

In addition to cloud storage and file sharing, Business Plan 1 includes full-stack accessibility and productivity tools. You can view, edit, and download your files from any device, including mobile. With differential sync, only the edited parts get synchronized, saving time and computing energy.

Finally, all of the data is encrypted in transit and at rest. If you run into problems, the 24/7 phone support agents are there to help.

OneDrive for Business Plan 2

The upper-tier business cloud services give you unlimited file storage for every user, as well as advanced security and support features like:

• Advanced data loss protection for sensitive data
• Desktop, Pictures, and Documents backup
• File audits and reporting
• Sensitivity labeling
• Compliance offerings

This plan will set you back $10 per user per month with an annual commitment.

You can also buy a Microsoft 365 Business Basic or Business Standard for $5/user/month and $12.50/user/month, respectively. These plans include Microsoft Teams, Exchange, and SharePoint, along with OneDrive.

Bottom Line

OneDrive is the best business cloud sharing option for a Microsoft-centered company. It’s easy to use, integrates perfectly, and you won’t have to train your team for entirely different software. Although it does have some compliance offerings and relatively decent security policies, OneDrive is not the best choice for enterprises that deal with sensitive data.

Google Drive is the go-to cloud storage, even for people who don’t know what cloud storage is. It’s feature-rich and amazingly straightforward, plus it integrates perfectly with other Google apps.

But is it really the best cloud storage for your business? Read on to find out:

Features

Google Drive stores files securely, gives you access across devices, and it makes collaboration a breeze.

Like OneDrive, it uses AI to predict which documents are important and help you find them without even searching. And with shared team drives, all users can have ownership of and access to their files.

Once you upload files, you can view them (and stream video) directly from the cloud. Edits are possible with Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and the rest of the Google Workspace apps.

The power of Google Drive extends to third-party apps, including MS Office and Outlook. Plus, if you decide to switch from another business file storage provider, the migration tools make the process quick and smooth. You do have to pay for some integrations, though—for example, the Google Chrome one.

Finally, Google Drive also boasts stellar security features. Its data loss prevention tools, as well as Google Vault for setting and enforcing retention rules, ensure your data is well-protected while still accessible.

Ease of Use

Setting up Google Drive for Work only takes a few steps.

You have to fill in your contact details, some information about your business, and your domain name. You can’t use the service without a business domain.

Other than that, the user interface is just like the regular Google Drive.

Creating and managing accounts for your team is simple, and so are cloud-based file sharing and collaboration. As an account admin, you can contact Google’s support agents for live-person help if you run into problems.

Plans

Google’s cloud-based storage for business comes as a part of the Google Workspace plans.

The subscription costs start as low as $6/user/month for Business Starter and go up to $12/user/month for Business Standard and $18/user/month for Business Plus.

Business Starter

With the lowest tier plan, each user gets 30GB of storage. This plan does not allow you to create shared drives, but other than that, it’s rich enough in features. You can run 100-participant meetings and get a custom Gmail account (protected from 99.99% of phishing and scam). You also get all the Google Workspace productivity tools (shared calendar, collaboration on documents, etc.).

Business Standard

With the Business Standard plan, your per-user allowance grows to 2TB and you get additional Google Meet and chat features. This isn’t the cheapest option, but it’s feature-rich and has stellar integrations—that’s why we think the Business Standard plan is the best cloud storage for small business.

Business Plus

The final tier gives you 5TB of storage per user, as well as advanced file protection. Google Vault’s data retention functionality and advanced endpoint management come only with this plan.

If you need even more space, you can contact Google’s sales team for the Enterprise solution. It gives you unlimited storage for every user, as well as full-stack collaboration and security tools.

Bottom Line

Straightforward, safe, and generous with the space it offers—Google Drive is an excellent option for business data storage, whether you own a small business or a large enterprise. Its intuitive interface makes the setup a breeze, while the wealth of productivity tools saves time and supercharges your team’s success.

With robust features and affordable pricing, IDrive is one of the best small business data storage solutions of 2021. The platform helps you backup any devices—from computers and mobile phones to external drives and NAS devices. And it’s compliant across several regulations—HIPAA, SOX, and beyond.

Features

iDrive is a backup-centered service that helps you protect more than just your computer data. You can use it to back up anything from PCs to databases and servers—and you can rest assured the process will be smooth and fast.

The disk image backup is especially handy since it helps you restore your system into a starting state and protects your valuable information from intruders.

From a security standpoint, iDrive is one of the best cloud storage providers for business. Data transfer only happens through SSL and the information is stored using an AES 256-bit key. Users can manage their own keys, ensuring not even iDrive employees have access.

Thanks to the robust security features, iDrive is compliant with virtually all professional regulations you can think of—HIPAA, SOX, GLBA, SEC/FINRA, and beyond.

Ease of Use

iDrive is a light and straightforward software that guides you through setup and usage. Even the initial full backup runs quickly and there is a seeding service to speed it up. It’s one of the quickest and most efficient cloud solutions for business.

Plans

iDrive’s business pricing starts at just $99.50 per year for 250GB and an unlimited number of users. This price is currently down to $74.62 and the company runs frequent discounts, so keep an eye out for offers.

With iDrive, you’re not paying for extra features. There is only one iDrive Business plan and it includes the full data backup functionality, as well as an unlimited number of users and access points.

Your subscription cost varies only based on the business data storage space you purchase. Here’s how the pricing works:

• 500GB of storage for $199.50/year (discounted to $149.62) or $399 for two years (down to $299.25)

• 1.25TB of storage for $499.50/year (discounted to $374.62) or $999 for two years (down to $749.25)
• 2.5TB of storage for $799.50/year (discounted to $599.62) or $1599 for two years (down to $1,199.25)
• 5TB  of storage for $1,499.50/year (discounted to $1,124.62) or $2,999 for two years (down to $2,249.25)
• 12.5TB of storage for $2,999.50/year (discounted to $2,249.62) or $5,999 for two years (down to $4,499.25)

You can also get a monthly business cloud storage plan:

• 1.25 TB for $49.95 per month
• 2.5 TB for $79.95 per month
• 5 TB for $149.95 per month
• 12.5 TB for $299.95 per month

Users are unlimited, but they share the storage space, so consider upgrading to a larger allowance for bigger teams.

Bottom Line

iDrive is a dependable and trustworthy partner that keeps your data safe across devices. With reliable security features, cost-effective pricing, and business compliance, it’s one of the more versatile cloud service providers. Small businesses and companies that deal with sensitive information will benefit equally well from iDrive’s top-notch services.

Box is a secure, feature-rich cloud file sharing for business that facilitates collaboration and boosts productivity. It’s an amazingly versatile service expanding from simple cloud storage and file sharing to compliance features, workflow automation, and advanced file protection. It’s a great all-around choice for all company sizes!

Features

Box for Business offers unlimited storage, unlimited users, and a robust toolset that helps you backup and share files with ease.

All plans include mobile and desktop sync and share capabilities, along with user permissions and password protection to avoid accidental edits to critical documents. File versioning and user tracking capabilities (with the Business Plus plan) help you manage your team and avoid mishaps even more efficiently.

Box for Business also boasts fuss-free integration with Office 365 and Google Workspace, plus additional enterprise app integrations.

Apart from cloud storage for business, the provider offers collaboration and sharing features. You can view and comment on documents in the cloud and edit them on your desktop. If it’s an MS Office file, you can also edit it in Microsoft Word Online (or the respective program).

To share folders, just create a URL and send it. You can share it via email or get an embedding code for your website (super useful for sending documents to clients). Box supports some neat features like custom URL, link expiration, and password protection on shared items.

Ease of Use

The signup and initial setup process for this commercial cloud storage couldn’t be more straightforward. Plus, its new, uncluttered user interface is even easier to navigate than the old one. As an administrator, you can manage all active users from the admin console and view useful insights like charts on hourly activity.

Plans

The cheapest Starter plan will set you back $5 per user per month for up to 100GB of storage and collaboration with up to 10 users.

The Business plan costs $15 per user per month, but it upgrades you to unlimited enterprise cloud storage and collaboration. You can manage users through the admin console, get advanced data loss protection, and enjoy one additional enterprise app integration.

The Business Plus plan is $25 per user per month and throws in two more enterprise app integrations. While the Starter and Business plans both require external collaborators to have paid accounts, the Business Plus does not—you can have as many people as you want working on your files at no extra cost.

Finally, the Enterprise plan costs $35 per user per month, and it’s the only one to promise business compliance (with HIPAA and similar regulations). In addition to its cloud-based file sharing and storage capabilities, you can enjoy unlimited app integrations and external collaborators. With this plan, you also get 100,000 API calls per month (the limit is 50,000 for Business and Business Plus users and just 25,000 for Starter subscriptions).

Bottom Line

Box for Business is solid cloud storage for growing businesses. It has affordable plans that cover all your basic needs. And the upper tiers offer advanced features and even more robust functionality. The business compliance offer makes Box one of the best choices for businesses that operate with sensitive data.

Dropbox is great cloud-based storage for small business because of its affordable pricing and clean, user-friendly layout. Its tagline “Everything you need for work, all in one place.” describes it perfectly—you get all storage, sharing, and collaboration tools in one easy-to-access place.

Features

With straightforward collaboration and easy user management, Dropbox Business is a simple solution for teams that need safe data storage solutions for their business. 

The plans come with a single admin console for managing several teams and keeping track of user activity with advanced audit logs. You can set granular sharing permissions to control edits and (with the Advanced plan) set tiered administrator roles.

Dropbox boasts several handy integrations with tools like Slack and Zoom to tie in communication with its file storage solutions (and never have to look through old conversations again).

Plus, if you run into problems, all team plans come with priority support over email, chat, or a phone line.

Ease of Use

Dropbox started as a platform for personal use, but it has expanded its features to integrate business functionality. One thing remains from its private use days, though—the sleek and straightforward design. Uploading, storing, and sharing files is quick and simple with Dropbox, even if your team has never used the software before.

Plans

Dropbox’s business data storage offers come in three pricing tiers.

The Standard plan costs $12.50 per user per month and includes 5TB of storage space. You can create and manage multiple teams through your admin console and protect your files with user permissions and activity monitoring.

The Advanced plan is $20 per user per month and upgrades you to advanced controls, including creating different admin tiers. This plan also comes with single sign-on integrations with your favorite productivity and team collaboration tools.

Finally, the Enterprise plan can upgrade you to even more functions and customized solutions, but the details are only available by contacting sales.

Bottom Line

Dropbox for Business has come a long way from a simple file storage solution to a full-featured cloud server for small business. With affordable pricing and integrations with productivity apps, it’s also a reliable option for larger firms and it’s scalable to fit your needs as you grow.

Egnyte is an outstanding storage provider for value and business-focused solutions.

This is one of the few companies on our list that aren’t individual-use-friendly. Instead, Egnyte focuses on packing its product with advanced features and integrations to boost your business operations.

Here’s why it might be the best choice for you:

Features

Egnyte offers enterprise cloud sharing focused on efficient data management and access control.

There are two parts of the platform—Egnyte Connect and Egnyte Protect.

Egnyte Connect is for the actual enterprise cloud file sharing and storage part. You can sync and access files through the lightweight web application or the desktop sync application. There is also a mobile app for Android and iOS and sleek integrations with Office 365 and Google Workspace solutions.

Egnyte also works with other handy software tools like Salesforce, Slack, Trello, and even AutoCAD.

Egnyte Protect is the data protection and compliance aspect of the software. Its facilities are Tier II SSAE-16 compliant and data is encrypted with a user-managed key. You can add extra layers of protection by setting up multi-factor authentication (especially useful if you have multiple users with access to the same files).

For larger companies, it even offers on-premises and hybrid deployment options.

Ease of Use

This secure cloud storage for business excels at accessibility. For a business-focused application, its user interface is surprisingly sleek and beginner-friendly. The system guides you through the setup and it’s easy to get going from there. Overall, Egnyte is a very elegant and easy-to-use solution.

Plans

Egnyte’s pricing plans vary by the size of your team. It starts at just $10 per user per month.

The Team plan comes with 1TB of online storage for up to 10 employees. You can take advantage of all the handy features we mention below—like robust integrations and top-notch security policies. You can use this commercial cloud storage through the web, desktop, or mobile app.

The Business plan is for teams of 10-100 employees and offers 1TB of online storage plus 10GB of shared cloud storage for every employee. It will set you back $20 per user per month.

If you have over 50 employees, contact sales for the Enterprise plans. Your data will get advanced protection, including certifiable regulation compliance. You also get 50GB of shared cloud storage per employee, along with Platinum-level support (meaning a priority phone line if you run into problems).

Bottom Line

Egnyte is our strongest contender for the best enterprise cloud storage. 

With a clean and speedy interface, robust integrations, and granular user controls, it increases your productivity and helps you manage your team more efficiently.

The advanced security and compliance make it an excellent option for companies that deal with personal and highly sensitive information (e.g., health information).

Last (in our list) but definitely not least, we have Open Drive. Its online storage and file backup service feature all the tools you need to keep files safe and accessible for your team. Open Drive is the best cloud storage for business price-wise—it even promises it’ll match the price of any competitor.

Features

Though Open Drive is mostly a file storage platform, it has expanded the backup and collaboration tools to make it a full-featured option for businesses and individuals alike.

It doesn’t set limits on file uploads or computer access. You can create and edit files right into the platform without having to download them. Information is kept secure with encryption, versioning, and automatic backup whenever you change them.

You can store anything from simple Word files to entire media libraries or NAS device backups. Open Drive creates a virtual private network between your devices, allowing you to sync and backup across computers.

Its advanced user management controls make it one of the best business cloud services for companies of all sizes. The user admin console, activity notifications, stats, and reporting features are easy to set up and use.

You can also control member access and remote wipe former employees. As an administrator, you can create and manage separate users or assign them to groups.

Open Drive throws in some modest productivity tools like project lists, tasks, and note-taking, but they don’t go beyond anything you can find in a free app.

Ease of Use

OpenDrive has a clean, clutter-free user interface across applications and platforms. It’s not the most modern-looking app, but you can count on it to do its job fast.

If you come across an issue, you can get in touch with support 24/7. You can call them (whenever) at (888) 418-1108—the number is plastered all over the website. 

Plans 

Open Drive has one of the most complicated pricing plans in the online file storage business.

The Custom plan costs $7 per user per month for one profile plus one extra user. To have two users, you’ll pay $8/month. For three—it’s $9/month, etc. You can add up to seven users. But that’s not all. The plan comes with 500GB of online storage and 25GB of daily bandwidth to download files from the cloud.

With Business pricing, one user pays $29.95/month. Adding a second employee costs an extra $4.95 per month. Adding two will set you back $9.90 per month and so on. You can go up to seven users. The price per year is equal to the price of ten months (you get two months for free).

The Business plan gives you unlimited online cloud storage and file sharing, plus advanced backup features (like a redundant backup). You don’t get any bandwidth limits either.

Finally, for $59.95 for one user, you can white-label Open Drive’s product and resell it to your clients. For this, you get a partner account that helps you meet and manage new users through its API.

To get the pricing for your business, play around with different options for your plan—there are hundreds of combinations you can do.

Bottom Line

Open Drive is a stellar business cloud sharing and file storage option if you’re highly averse to file size limitations (some files are just huge, ok?). Its robust backup features take the guesswork away from keeping your files safe. You no longer have to think about it—Open Drive has your back!