If you use a Windows PC or a Mac, you already have a cloud storage service. OneDrive’s built into Windows. iCloud comes with macOS. They’re just there.

But convenient isn't the same as best. Which cloud storage you pick matters, especially when you think about who can actually access your files.

We're comparing OneDrive and iCloud here. How does their security work? What are you trading away for convenience? What features do you get, and what's the real cost? If neither one fits what you need, there are alternatives.

Quick Comparison: OneDrive vs iCloud

If you don’t know by now, cloud storage is a way to store and access data over the internet. Instead of saving files to your computer's hard drive, you can save them to a remote server, and you won't have to keep pressing the storage tabs to check how much free space is left.

It allows you to access your files from any device with an internet connection. Cloud storage also makes it easy to share files with others. You already have cloud storage if you use Windows or Mac. OneDrive's built into Windows 10 and 11. iCloud comes with every Mac, iPhone, and iPad. No setup required.

But free and convenient doesn't mean right for you. OneDrive and iCloud handle encryption differently. Pricing is different. Cross-platform support? Completely different. Which one is already installed on your device doesn't really matter if it doesn't fit what you actually need.

OneDrive works best for Microsoft 365 users and anyone who needs files across different platforms. iCloud is the obvious choice if you're all-in on Apple devices. But neither one uses zero-knowledge encryption.

That means Microsoft and Apple can technically access your files. If that matters to you (healthcare records, legal docs, confidential business stuff), Internxt's the privacy-first alternative. It comes down to what you need more: convenience or control over who can see your data.

Which is More Secure: OneDrive or iCloud?

When it comes to security and privacy, both OneDrive and iCloud are very secure. They both use encryption to protect your files and offer two-factor authentication to keep your account secure.

The real security difference isn't encryption strength. It's who can access your files.

How OneDrive Encrypts Your Files

OneDrive uses AES-256 encryption for files stored on Microsoft's servers. Files in transit use TLS encryption. Same standard banks use.

Here's how it works. You upload a file from your device. OneDrive encrypts it on Microsoft's servers using AES-256. Microsoft holds the encryption keys. This is server-side encryption.

This protects your files if hackers breach Microsoft's servers. They'd get encrypted data they can't read. Good protection against external threats.

But Microsoft has the encryption keys. That means Microsoft can technically decrypt and access your files. They don't make a habit of it. The technical capability exists. Their privacy policy outlines when they might access data: legal requests, terms of service enforcement, system protection.

OneDrive Business plans can add more controls. Customer Key lets enterprises manage some encryption keys. Business Associate Agreements (BAA) restrict data access for HIPAA compliance. Even with these, Microsoft retains some technical access capability.

How iCloud Encrypts Your Files

iCloud uses the same encryption standard. AES-256 for files at rest, TLS for files in transit. Same strength as OneDrive.

The architecture is similar too. Files encrypt on Apple's servers after upload. Apple holds the encryption keys. Server-side encryption model.

This protects against hackers accessing Apple's data centers. They'd get encrypted files without the keys to decrypt them.

But Apple can access your files. Like Microsoft, Apple doesn't routinely access user data. They can when legally required or to enforce policies. Their privacy policy is explicit about this.

Apple's Advanced Data Protection: Apple offers an opt-in feature called Advanced Data Protection. Uses end-to-end encryption for some data categories. iCloud Backup, Photos, Notes get this protection. However, it does NOT include iCloud Drive files. Your stored documents and files still use server-side encryption where Apple holds the keys.

Standard Encryption vs Zero-Knowledge Encryption: What's the Difference?

The OneDrive and iCloud model is standard for cloud storage. Works for most people. But there's a fundamentally different approach.

Standard encryption is what OneDrive, iCloud, Google Drive, and Dropbox use:

• Files encrypt on the provider's servers after upload
• Provider holds encryption keys
• Provider can decrypt files (policies restrict when)
• Protects against external hackers
• Enables server-side features like web preview, search, collaboration

Zero-knowledge encryption is what Internxt, Tresorit, and MEGA use:

• Files encrypt on your device before upload
• You hold the encryption keys (derived from your password)
• Provider cannot decrypt files under any circumstances
• Protects against external hackers AND provider access
• Limits server-side features because provider can't see file contents

Here's the technical comparison:

Which approach do you need?

Standard encryption protects against hackers accessing provider servers. For most personal and business use, this is adequate security. You get convenience features. Web preview works. Server-side search works. Real-time collaboration works.

Zero-knowledge encryption additionally protects against the provider itself accessing files. Essential for highly sensitive data. Healthcare records, legal documents, confidential business information requiring HIPAA compliance. You trade convenience features for architectural privacy guarantees.

The difference isn't encryption strength. Both approaches use AES-256. The difference is trust model. Do you trust the provider's policies to restrict access? Or do you need architectural guarantees that make access impossible?

Can Microsoft and Apple Access Your Files?

Yes, technically both can.

OneDrive and iCloud use server-side encryption. Microsoft and Apple hold the encryption keys. This architectural design allows them to:

• Comply with legal data requests from governments
• Scan content for illegal material (when permitted by law)
• Provide customer support like file recovery
• Enforce terms of service

Both companies have privacy policies limiting when employees can access user data. Both require legal processes for government access. These are policy-based protections.

But the technical architecture permits access. The keys exist. The capability exists.

For most users, this is acceptable. Microsoft and Apple are reputable companies with strong privacy policies. They don't routinely browse user files. Policy-based protection works in practice.

For regulated industries or highly sensitive data, it's not enough. If you handle HIPAA-covered healthcare data, attorney-client privileged documents, or confidential business information, policy-based protection has a fundamental limitation. Policies can change. Legal requests can compel access. Internal breaches can occur.

That's where zero-knowledge encryption becomes relevant. Files encrypt on your device before upload. Internxt never receives the encryption keys. They literally cannot access file contents. Even if legally compelled, breached, or if rogue employees attempt access.

This was verified in Internxt's 2024 independent security audit by Securitum. Confirmed the zero-knowledge implementation.

The trade-off: forgot your password? You're locked out. Internxt can't reset it because they don't have your encryption key. Server-side features? Gone. Web preview doesn't work. File search doesn't work. AI features don't work. Zero-knowledge means zero visibility for the provider.

For regular use, OneDrive and iCloud are fine. Secure enough. Microsoft and Apple aren't in the business of reading your files. Their privacy policies are solid.

The question is what you're storing. Family photos and work documents? Standard encryption is plenty. Healthcare records that need HIPAA compliance? Legal documents with attorney-client privilege? Confidential business information worth millions? That's different.

Policy-based protection depends on humans following rules. Rules change. Governments make requests. Breaches happen. Zero-knowledge removes the human variable. Files can't be accessed because the keys don't exist on the server.

Not stronger encryption. Different architecture. One trusts policies. One makes access impossible.

OneDrive vs iCloud Features: What's the Difference?

Beyond security, OneDrive and iCloud differ significantly in how they actually work. Platform support is completely different. Collaboration features aren't even close. Backup approaches vary. File size limits matter if you work with large files. Here's how they compare on practical features.

Which Has Better Cross-Platform Support?

OneDrive: True Cross-Platform Leader

OneDrive works everywhere. Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, web browsers. Full functionality on every platform.

On Windows, it's built in. File Explorer integration is native. Automatic sync happens without thinking about it. Files-on-demand saves local storage—keep files in the cloud, download when needed.

On Mac, OneDrive runs as a full-featured desktop app. Same files-on-demand capability. Integration with macOS Finder. Automatic syncing. Feature parity with Windows.

Mobile apps for iOS and Android include automatic photo backup. Access files offline. Share from mobile. Upload from camera. Real mobile apps, not web wrappers.

Web interface works from any browser. Full functionality. Edit Office files directly in browser. Manage sharing. Access everything.

Linux? Third-party sync clients exist. Not official Microsoft support, but the community has working solutions.

OneDrive is the clear winner for cross-platform. Works consistently across ecosystems. No platform feels like a second-class citizen.

iCloud: Apple Ecosystem Optimized

iCloud is designed for Apple devices. Period.

On Mac, the integration is seamless. Desktop and Documents folders can sync to iCloud automatically. Photos sync across all Apple devices. Settings sync. Passwords sync. Everything Apple does, iCloud handles.

On iOS and iPadOS, iCloud is native. Device backups include everything. App data, settings, home screen layout, even Health data. More comprehensive than just file storage.

Windows support? Web only. No native desktop app. You access iCloud.com through a browser. Reduced functionality compared to Mac. No automatic folder sync. No File Explorer integration. Manual uploads and downloads.

Android? Same story. Web access only through browsers. Limited functionality. Can't access most iCloud features.

Linux isn't supported at all.

For users with all Apple devices—iPhone, iPad, Mac—iCloud is incredibly convenient. For mixed environments, it's frustrating. Web-only access on non-Apple platforms means friction every time you switch devices.

Internxt: Comprehensive Cross-Platform

Internxt offers native apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android. Plus full-featured web interface.

No platform preference. Linux gets the same treatment as Windows. Android works as well as iOS. Every platform gets automatic sync, offline access, and consistent functionality.

Trade-off: no deep OS integration like OneDrive on Windows or iCloud on Mac. Internxt is an app you install, not built into the operating system. But it works the same everywhere.

OneDrive vs iCloud Collaboration Features

OneDrive: Industry-Leading Collaboration

OneDrive's integration with Microsoft 365 is hard to beat for teamwork.

Real-time co-editing in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. Multiple users edit simultaneously. Changes sync in real-time. See who's editing what, where their cursor is, what they're changing.

Inline commenting and version history. Leave comments on specific paragraphs. Track who changed what and when. Restore previous versions if needed.

Microsoft Teams integration for team collaboration. Share files in Teams channels. Co-edit during video calls. Seamless workflow for distributed teams.

Sharing controls are granular. View-only permissions. Edit permissions. Expiration dates for shared links. Password protection. Prevent downloading or printing. Enterprise-grade access controls.

Outlook integration for email attachments. Share OneDrive links instead of attaching files. Recipients always get the latest version. Automatic updates when files change.

For teams already using Microsoft 365, OneDrive's collaboration is difficult to match. Real-time editing with 100+ simultaneous users works smoothly.

iCloud: Apple-Ecosystem Collaboration

iCloud offers collaboration through iWork apps. Pages, Numbers, Keynote.

Real-time collaboration on iWork documents works well. Multiple users can edit simultaneously. See changes as they happen. Comments and suggestions supported.

Integration with Messages and FaceTime for communication. Share documents in Messages. Collaborate while on FaceTime calls. Natural for Apple users.

Shared folders and albums for photos. Family Sharing lets up to 6 people share storage plan, purchases, and subscriptions.

Collaboration works well within the Apple ecosystem. But limited for users on other platforms. Collaborators on Windows or Android face reduced functionality. Web-only access means fewer features.

Internxt: Secure File Sharing

Internxt focuses on secure file sharing rather than real-time collaboration.

Password-protected sharing links. Set expiration dates for shared files. Download limits for security. Activity tracking for shared content. Know who accessed what and when.

Internxt doesn't compete with OneDrive or Google Workspace for real-time document collaboration. Zero-knowledge architecture makes that impossible—Internxt can't enable in-browser editing because they can't see file contents.

Instead, Internxt prioritizes privacy-preserving file distribution. Share files securely with external parties. Control access tightly. Track activity. Revoke access anytime.

Different use case. OneDrive and iCloud excel at team collaboration on documents. Internxt excels at secure file distribution where privacy matters more than real-time editing.

Which Offers Better Automatic Backup?

OneDrive: File-Focused Backup

OneDrive backs up files, not devices.

Automatic camera upload from mobile devices. Photos and videos upload automatically when connected to WiFi.

Desktop folder backup on Windows and Mac. Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders can sync to OneDrive. Files save locally and automatically backup to cloud.

Files-on-demand to save local storage. Keep files in cloud, download when accessed. Appears in File Explorer or Finder, but doesn't consume local space until opened.

Version history. 30 days for personal accounts. Longer retention for business plans. Restore previous versions if files get corrupted or accidentally changed.

What OneDrive doesn't backup: app data, system settings, device configurations. It's file storage, not device backup.

iCloud: Comprehensive Device Backup

iCloud backs up entire iOS devices. More comprehensive than file-only backup.

Automatic device backup includes:

• App data (game progress, app settings)
• Device settings and configurations
• Home screen and app organization
• Messages and iMessage history
• Photos and videos
• Ringtones and Visual Voicemail
• Health and Activity data (when enabled)

iCloud Photos for photo library sync across all Apple devices. Original quality photos available everywhere. Optimized versions on device to save space.

Desktop and Documents folder sync on Mac. Similar to OneDrive's folder backup.

App data backup for iOS apps. Switch to new iPhone, restore from iCloud, apps reinstall with data intact. Seamless device migration.

For comprehensive device backup, iCloud has the advantage for Apple users. Entire device state captured. Not just files—everything.

Internxt: Manual File Storage

Internxt focuses on file storage and sync, not automatic device backup.

Manual file upload and sync. Choose which folders sync automatically. Designate specific folders for automatic backup.

No automatic device backup. No app data sync. No system settings backup. Internxt stores files you explicitly choose to store.

This is intentional. Zero-knowledge architecture means Internxt can't automatically index and backup everything on your device. You control what goes to cloud.

For users who want comprehensive device backup, OneDrive (for files) or iCloud (for entire device) work better. For users who want explicit control over what syncs, Internxt's manual approach provides that control.

OneDrive vs iCloud File Size Limits Compared

File size limits matter if you work with large files. Video editing, design work, large datasets.

OneDrive:

• Maximum file size: 250GB per file
• Total storage: Up to 6TB (family plans)
• File versioning: Yes (30-day retention, longer for business)
• Upload method: Desktop app, web, mobile

250GB file limit is generous. 4K video projects, large Photoshop files, CAD drawings, scientific datasets—OneDrive handles them.

iCloud:

• Maximum file size: 50GB per file
• Total storage: Up to 12TB
• File versioning: Limited (30-day retention for some file types)
• Upload method: Finder integration (Mac), web, mobile

50GB limit is restrictive for video editors or anyone working with large files. 4K video footage easily exceeds this. Large databases won't fit.

Internxt:

• Maximum file size: 20GB per file
• Total storage: Up to 10TB
• File versioning: No (focused on encryption, not versioning)
• Upload method: Desktop app, web, mobile

20GB limit is the smallest of the three. Won't work for large video projects or massive datasets. Fine for documents, photos, most business files.

For large file storage, OneDrive's 250GB limit provides significant advantage over iCloud's 50GB and Internxt's 20GB limits.

However, total storage capacity tells different story. iCloud offers up to 12TB. OneDrive maxes at 6TB. Internxt goes to 10TB. Depends whether you need few large files or many smaller files.

OneDrive vs iCloud Pricing: Which Costs Less?

Pricing structures are completely different between OneDrive and iCloud. OneDrive bundles cloud storage with Microsoft 365, which includes Office, email, and Teams.

iCloud sells storage tiers separately. Internxt offers both subscription and lifetime plans. Which costs less depends on what you need.

Which Cloud Storage Offers the Best Value?

Depends on your situation.

Basic storage (50-200GB):
iCloud is cheapest. $12/year for 50GB or $36/year for 200GB with family sharing.

Families needing Office apps:
OneDrive Microsoft 365 Family wins. $100/year gets 6TB (1TB per person) plus Office for 6 people. Absurd value.

Privacy-focused users:
Internxt's lifetime plans change the math. $300 once for 1TB vs. paying $70-120 every year forever. After 5 years, you're ahead hundreds.

HIPAA compliance:
Only OneDrive Business ($60/year) and Internxt offer it. iCloud doesn't.

Large video files:
OneDrive allows 250GB per file. iCloud caps at 50GB. Internxt at 20GB. If you edit 4K video, OneDrive's limit matters.

Bottom line:

There's no winner. What's cheap for you is expensive for someone else. What works for your setup doesn't work for mine.

Microsoft 365 subscriber already? You have OneDrive. It's included. Use it. Families especially—$100/year gets you 6TB and Office for 6 people. That's absurd value.

Apple everything? iPhone, iPad, Mac, the whole thing? iCloud at $36/year makes sense. 200GB shared across the family. Backups happen automatically. You're already in the ecosystem anyway.

Privacy matters more than convenience? Internxt has lifetime plans. $300 once. Done. No annual billing forever. Year 3, you break even. Year 5, you're saving hundreds. Year 10, it's not even close.

Work backwards. What do you actually use?

Office apps daily? Get OneDrive with Microsoft 365.
Only Apple devices? iCloud integrates better.
Medical or legal files? Need HIPAA. That's OneDrive Business or Internxt only.
Edit 4K video? OneDrive allows 250GB files. iCloud caps at 50GB.

Stop chasing the cheapest option if it doesn't do what you need. Stop buying 10TB if you use 100GB.

Match the service to the use case. Not the other way around.

OneDrive Pros and Cons

What Are OneDrive's Advantages?

Microsoft 365 integration is the big one. Real-time collaboration on Word, Excel, PowerPoint works better than any competitor. Multiple people edit the same document simultaneously. You see their cursor. You see their changes as they type. For teams already using Office apps, this is hard to beat.

Works everywhere. Windows, Mac, iOS, Android—OneDrive has native apps for all of them. Same features on every platform. You're not stuck with a web interface on non-Windows devices like you are with some competitors.

File size limits are generous. 250GB per file. That's industry-leading. iCloud caps at 50GB. Google Drive caps at 5TB but most competitors are 20-50GB. If you edit 4K video or work with large design files, OneDrive handles them. Others don't.

Family plan value is absurd. $100/year gets you 6 people with 1TB each (6TB total) plus Office apps for everyone. Each person has their own allocation, not a shared pool. Hard to find better value if you need Office anyway.

Collaboration features go deep. Version history so you can see who changed what and when. Inline commenting on specific paragraphs. Microsoft Teams integration if you're doing video collaboration. Sharing controls let you set expiration dates and password protection.

HIPAA compliance exists for healthcare. OneDrive Business plans offer Business Associate Agreements. Most consumer cloud storage doesn't touch HIPAA. OneDrive is one of the few that does.

What Are OneDrive's Disadvantages?

Microsoft can access your files. Server-side encryption means Microsoft holds the encryption keys. They can technically decrypt and access file contents. Policies restrict when they do this, but the technical capability exists. If you need architectural privacy guarantees, this won't work.

Requires Microsoft account ecosystem. Everything ties to Microsoft account. Integration with Microsoft services can feel limiting if you don't use Microsoft products. You're buying into the ecosystem.

Privacy concerns for some users. Data collection for Microsoft services may concern privacy-focused users. Telemetry, usage data, integration with Bing and other Microsoft services. If you're privacy-conscious, this matters.

Free tier is limited. 5GB fills quickly. Modern smartphone photos are 3-5MB each. A few hundred photos and you're done. Video files eat through 5GB instantly. Essentially forces you to paid tier.

What Are iCloud's Advantages?

Apple ecosystem integration is unbeatable if you're all-in on Apple. iPhone, iPad, Mac—everything syncs automatically. Zero setup. Photos appear on all devices. Documents too. Even your device settings sync. Third-party services can't match this because Apple controls the whole stack. It just works.

Device backup on iOS is more than just files. iCloud backs up your entire iPhone. App data, settings, home screen layout, Health data, messages, everything. Get a new iPhone? Sign in, restore from backup, and it's like you never switched devices. Everything comes back exactly how it was. Most cloud storage only backs up files. iCloud backs up your whole device state.

Entry pricing is cheap. $12/year for 50GB is the cheapest paid tier you'll find. $36/year for 200GB with family sharing is competitive too. If you don't need terabytes, iCloud pricing makes sense.

iCloud+ bundles privacy features most services charge extra for. Private Relay works like a VPN. Hide My Email generates random addresses to protect your real email. HomeKit Secure Video for security cameras. You get these with your storage subscription, not as separate add-ons.

Family Sharing is convenient if everyone uses Apple. Up to 6 people share one storage plan. Share App Store purchases too. Apple Music. Apple TV+. One subscription, whole family covered across multiple services.

What Are iCloud's Disadvantages?

Windows and Android support is terrible. Web access only. No native apps. You can't sync folders automatically. No File Explorer integration on Windows. Can't access files offline easily. If you use any non-Apple devices regularly, iCloud is frustrating.

Apple can access your files. Server-side encryption, same as OneDrive. Apple holds the keys. They can technically decrypt and read your files. Advanced Data Protection adds end-to-end encryption for Photos, Backup, and Notes—but NOT iCloud Drive. Your actual documents and files still use server-side encryption where Apple has the keys.

File size limit is restrictive. 50GB maximum per file. 4K video files hit this easily. Large Photoshop projects exceed it. Design files, CAD drawings, scientific datasets—lots of professional work needs bigger limits. OneDrive allows 250GB files. iCloud's 50GB cap is limiting.

No HIPAA compliance exists. iCloud doesn't offer Business Associate Agreements. Can't use it for healthcare data. Medical practices can't use it. Anyone handling Protected Health Information is out of luck. Completely disqualifies it for regulated industries.

Switching away from Apple is painful. Everything's in iCloud. Photos in iCloud Photos. Documents in iCloud Drive. Backups in iCloud Backup. Want to move to Android or Windows? You're manually migrating everything. The integration that makes it convenient also makes it hard to leave.

When to Choose OneDrive vs iCloud

When Should You Choose OneDrive?

OneDrive makes sense if you work across multiple platforms. Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android—it works consistently everywhere. You're not stuck with reduced functionality on certain devices.

Already using Microsoft 365 for work or school? OneDrive integration is seamless. Word, Excel, PowerPoint all sync automatically. Real-time collaboration works better here than anywhere else. Multiple people editing the same document, seeing changes instantly—this is what OneDrive does best.

Large files? OneDrive handles up to 250GB per file. Video projects, CAD files, large datasets—they fit. Most competitors cap at 50GB or less.

For families, the value is ridiculous. $100/year gets 6 people with 1TB each (6TB total) plus Office apps. Hard to beat if you were buying Office anyway.

Need HIPAA compliance or business features? OneDrive Business offers Business Associate Agreements. Advanced admin controls. Most consumer cloud storage doesn't touch regulated industries.

Best for: Mixed-platform environments and teams already invested in Microsoft's ecosystem.

When Should You Choose iCloud?

Only use Apple devices? No plans to switch? iCloud makes sense. iPhone, iPad, Mac—everything syncs automatically without thinking about it.

Device backup is comprehensive. iCloud backs up your entire iPhone, not just files. App data, settings, messages, Health data, everything. New phone? Sign in and restore. It all comes back.

Tight ecosystem integration matters if you value convenience over flexibility. Zero configuration. Everything just works. Third-party services can't match this level of integration.

Budget matters? $12/year for 50GB is the cheapest entry point. $36/year for 200GB with family sharing is competitive.

Using iCloud+ features like Private Relay, Hide My Email, or HomeKit Secure Video? Those come with the storage subscription.

Don't handle regulated data? No HIPAA requirements? Then iCloud's lack of compliance certifications doesn't matter.

Best for: Users fully committed to Apple's ecosystem who want convenience and tight integration over platform flexibility.

Internxt and Other Alternatives to OneDrive and iCloud

While OneDrive and iCloud are popular cloud storage services, there are alternative options available that may better suit your specific needs. One such alternative is Internxt, a privacy-focused cloud storage provider. Let's explore Internxt and a few other alternatives to OneDrive and iCloud.

Internxt

Internxt is a cloud storage service that prioritizes privacy and security. It offers end-to-end encryption, meaning your files are encrypted on your device before they are uploaded to the cloud, and only you have the decryption key. This ensures that even Internxt cannot access your data. Internxt also utilizes zero-knowledge encryption, which means that your files are stored in an encrypted form that can only be decrypted by you.

Internxt provides a user-friendly interface and offers seamless integration with multiple devices and platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. It also offers collaboration features, allowing you to share files securely with others.

Internxt's pricing plans are competitive, offering different storage capacities at affordable rates for the following plans:

Monthly
200GB: €4.99 / $5.49
2TB: €9.99 / $10.99
5TB: €19.99 / $22.99
10TB: €29.99 / $34.99

Yearly
200GB: €45.99 / $49.99
2TB: €109.99 / $199.99
5TB: €199.99 / $299.99
10TB: €299.99 / $349.99

Lifetime
2TB: €499 / $599
5TB: €999 / $1099
10TB: €1499 / $1599

Google Drive

Google Drive is another popular alternative to OneDrive and iCloud. It provides a generous 15GB of free storage and offers various storage plans for additional space. Google Drive integrates well with Google's suite of productivity tools, such as Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, allowing for seamless collaboration and editing of documents. It also offers cross-platform compatibility and provides apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices.

Dropbox

Dropbox is a widely recognized cloud storage service known for its simplicity and ease of use. It offers 2GB of free storage and provides various paid plans with larger storage capacities. Dropbox allows you to access your files from any device, and it offers automatic syncing across all your connected devices. It also provides file sharing and collaboration features, making it easy to collaborate with others on shared files.

OneDrive vs iCloud: Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more secure, OneDrive or iCloud?

Can Microsoft or Apple access my files on OneDrive or iCloud?

Yes, both can technically access your files. Server-side encryption means Microsoft and Apple hold the encryption keys and can decrypt files for legal requests, customer support, or terms enforcement. This is policy-based protection—they won't access files unless required, but the capability exists. Internxt uses zero-knowledge encryption where keys never leave your device, making provider access architecturally impossible rather than just against policy.

Which is better for privacy: OneDrive or iCloud?

Neither OneDrive nor iCloud offers true privacy from the provider—both use server-side encryption where Microsoft and Apple hold the keys and can technically access your files. Both companies have strong privacy policies and don't routinely browse user data, but the architectural capability for access exists. For users who need privacy guarantees where provider access is architecturally impossible (not just against policy), Internxt uses zero-knowledge encryption where files encrypt on your device before upload and only you hold the keys—verified by Securitum's 2024 independent security audit.

Is OneDrive or iCloud better for Windows users?

OneDrive is significantly better for Windows—it's built into Windows 10 and 11 with native File Explorer integration and automatic syncing. iCloud on Windows is web-only with no desktop app, no automatic folder sync, and severely limited functionality. For Windows users who need privacy-focused storage, Internxt offers native Windows apps with zero-knowledge encryption, providing better privacy than OneDrive without iCloud's platform limitations.

Is OneDrive or iCloud better for Mac users?

iCloud is more convenient for Mac-only users with zero-configuration syncing built into macOS. OneDrive works very well on Mac too with full-featured desktop app and cross-platform flexibility—better if you collaborate with Windows users. For Mac users prioritizing privacy, Internxt provides native macOS apps with zero-knowledge encryption and works consistently across all platforms without ecosystem lock-in.

Which is better for families: OneDrive or iCloud?

OneDrive Microsoft 365 Family ($100/year) gives 6 people 1TB each (6TB total) plus Office apps—best value for families needing collaboration and Office. iCloud family plans ($36-120/year) offer shared storage pools for all-Apple households with basic needs. Internxt doesn't have family-specific plans but offers lifetime options ($300 for 1TB one-time payment) that can be cost-effective for families thinking long-term, plus zero-knowledge encryption if privacy matters.

Can you use OneDrive and iCloud together?

Yes, many people use both strategically: iCloud for Apple device backups and Photos, OneDrive for cross-platform documents and Office collaboration. This gives you iCloud's seamless Apple integration plus OneDrive's cross-platform flexibility. Some users add Internxt for sensitive files requiring zero-knowledge encryption (healthcare records, legal documents, confidential business data) while using OneDrive or iCloud for general storage—combining convenience with privacy for files that need it.

Is OneDrive or iCloud Right for You?

Both OneDrive and iCloud are solid cloud storage options. The right one for you will depend on your specific needs.

If you primarily use Apple devices, iCloud may be the better choice for you. If you use both PC and Mac devices, OneDrive is the better option. If you care about privacy more than keeping everything in one ecosystem, Internxt a great alternative.

When deciding between OneDrive and iCloud, consider factors such as storage capacity, pricing, compatibility, security, and integration with other devices and services. If you're still not sure which one to choose, try both and see which one works best for you. And if you don’t like either of them, know that there's plenty more clouds available.