Best Cloud Storage Apps for iOS - September 2025
These top cloud storage apps for iOS excel in providing secure, accessible, and feature-rich solutions for backing up and syncing files across devices. They stand out for their high user ratings, robust integration capabilities, and innovative features that cater to diverse needs.
Our Top Pick
The best cloud storage app for iOS
Why It's #1
- Smart Sync for offline access
- Paper for collaborative documents
- Extended version history up to 180 days
Screenshots
About Dropbox
Dropbox lets you upload, save, and transfer photos and files to the cloud. Backup and sync your pictures, videos, documents, and other files to cloud storage and access them from any device, anywhere. With advanced sharing features, it’s easy to share and send photos or files to family, friends, and co-workers. Features: • Automatically upload videos and photos from your camera roll to cloud photo storage - all in the background - for easy video sharing and photo sharing. • Access any file in your account - even offline - and preview over 175 different file types with no special software required. • Easily send large files by copying and pasting a link you can give to anyone, even if they don’t have a Dropbox account. • Scan documents, receipts, IDs, photos, and more using your mobile device and transform them into high-quality PDFs, so you can view and send anywhere. • Sync folders on your PC or Mac to Dropbox with computer backup, and recover older versions or restore deleted files with version history and file recovery. Sign up now for your free Dropbox Plus trial. You’ll get 2 TB (2,000 GB) of storage space - that’s enough room to save files from all your linked devices. And with Dropbox Rewind, you can roll back any file, folder, or your entire account, up to 30 days. Before starting a trial or completing payment, you’ll see the plan price. This amount will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase and on renewal and will vary by plan and country. Dropbox subscriptions renew monthly or yearly, depending on your plan. Your account will be charged for renewal 24 hours before the end of your current billing period. To avoid auto-renewal, turn it off within at least 24 hours before your subscription renews. You can turn off auto-renewal anytime from your Apple ID account settings. You can manage and cancel your subscriptions by going to your account settings on the App Store after purchase. Dropbox is a secure cloud solutions leader trusted by Fortune 500 companies for their most sensitive data. Over 14 million paid users choose Dropbox because they know they can count on a company that’s also dedicated to their security and privacy—no matter what they do or where they are. Let Dropbox be your all-in-one file storage, file organizer, file transfer, and file sharing solution for all your devices. We’d love to hear from you! Join the Dropbox community: https://www.dropboxforum.com Terms of Service: https://www.dropbox.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.dropbox.com/privacy
Overview
These top cloud storage apps for iOS excel in providing secure, accessible, and feature-rich solutions for backing up and syncing files across devices. They stand out for their high user ratings, robust integration capabilities, and innovative features that cater to diverse needs.
Ideal for professionals, students, and everyday users who need reliable storage for photos, videos, documents, and collaborative work, ensuring data is protected and easily retrievable from anywhere.
We evaluated based on storage capacity, ease of use, cross-platform compatibility, security features, user ratings, and unique value propositions like AI integration or specialized focuses.
Why Dropbox is Our #1 Pick
Key Reasons:
Highest user rating indicating reliability and satisfaction
Strong cross-platform compatibility and seamless sync
Comprehensive file sharing and collaboration tools
Standout Features:
Automatic photo backup with smart organization
File version history for easy recovery
Integration with productivity apps like Slack and Zoom
"Users consistently praise Dropbox for its intuitive interface, reliable performance, and excellent customer support, making it a go-to for both personal and professional use."
- What users love most
Our Recommendations
Best Overall
Dropbox
It offers the best balance of high reliability, extensive features, and cross-platform compatibility, making it suitable for most users.
💚 Best Free
TeraBox
With 1TB of free storage, it provides the largest amount of space at no cost, ideal for users with high storage needs on a budget.
💎 Best Premium
pCloud
Its lifetime plans and strong security features offer long-term value and privacy, making it worth the investment for serious users.
Easiest to Use
Google Drive
The intuitive interface and seamless integration with Google apps make it very user-friendly, especially for beginners.
Most Innovative
Faves
Its focused approach on video storage with AI categorization sets it apart as a cutting-edge solution for media management.
The 11 Best cloud storage Apps
Dropbox
Pros:
- High reliability with minimal downtime
- Easy file sharing and link generation
- Strong integration with third-party apps
Cons:
- Free plan limited to 2GB storage
- Premium plans can be costly for heavy users
A top-tier cloud storage app offering unmatched reliability and collaboration features for all user types.
Google Drive
Pros:
- Generous 15GB free storage with Google account
- Excellent collaboration tools via Google Workspace
- AI-powered search and organization
Cons:
- Privacy concerns due to data scanning for ads
- Can feel bloated with too many features for some users
An intuitive and powerful cloud storage solution deeply integrated with Google's ecosystem for seamless productivity.
Google One
Pros:
- Easy management of Google account storage
- Additional benefits like VPN and experts support
- Automatic phone backup for photos and contacts
Cons:
- Redundant if already using Google Drive extensively
- Limited to Google ecosystem only
A management app for Google storage that enhances backup and support for Google Drive users.
Microsoft OneDrive
Pros:
- Seamless integration with Office apps
- Good free storage of 5GB
- Strong security features with ransomware detection
Cons:
- Free storage is less generous compared to others
- Can be slow with large files on some networks
A robust cloud storage app perfect for Microsoft Office users, offering deep integration and reliability.
pCloud
Pros:
- Lifetime payment options for cost savings
- High security with client-side encryption
- Generous 10GB free storage with easy upgrades
Cons:
- Free plan has slower speeds and ads
- Lifetime plans require upfront payment which might not suit everyone
A secure and flexible cloud storage option with lifetime plans and strong privacy features.
Verizon Cloud
Pros:
- Easy integration with Verizon services
- Automatic backup for photos and contacts
- No storage limits for Verizon subscribers on certain plans
Cons:
- Limited usefulness for non-Verizon users
- Can be less feature-rich compared to standalone apps
A convenient cloud storage app tailored for Verizon customers, offering seamless backup and access.
Faves
Pros:
- Dedicated to video storage with automatic cloud backup
- User-friendly interface for managing videos
- No loss of videos with permanent storage
Cons:
- Limited to video files, not general storage
- May have fewer features for other file types
A specialized cloud storage app focused on video organization and preservation, ideal for media enthusiasts.
Cloud Storage: Cloud Drive App
Pros:
- Offers 500GB free storage, which is above average
- Easy to use for basic backups
- Upgradable to 2TB for heavy users
Cons:
- Lower user rating suggests potential bugs or issues
- Less integration with other services
A solid free cloud storage option with decent space, though it lacks the polish of bigger names.
TeraBox
Pros:
- Huge 1TB free storage capacity
- Good for large file transfers and backups
- Simple sign-up and use
Cons:
- Lower rating indicates potential reliability issues or ads
- Limited advanced features compared to competitors
A cloud storage app that stands out for offering a massive 1TB of free storage, though with some trade-offs.
iCloud Drive
Pros:
- Seamless integration with iOS and macOS devices
- Automatic sync across Apple products
- Good for Apple-specific file types like Pages and Numbers
Cons:
- Only 5GB free storage, which is minimal
- Less flexible for non-Apple users
- Lower user rating reflects frustration with storage limits
An integrated cloud storage solution best for Apple ecosystem users, despite a lower rating due to limitations.
Files by Apple
Pros:
- Free and built into iOS for easy access
- Can manage files from multiple cloud services
- Simple interface for organizing local and cloud files
Cons:
- Not a standalone cloud storage service
- Limited functionality compared to full cloud apps
- Low user rating due to bugs and lack of features
A basic file management app for iOS that accesses cloud storage but lacks dedicated cloud features, resulting in a low rating.
Comparison Insights
Key Differences
Dropbox and Google Drive excel in general-purpose use with high integration, while iCloud Drive is best for Apple users, and TeraBox offers unmatched free storage. Faves focuses solely on videos, and Verizon Cloud is carrier-specific.
How to Choose
Consider your primary device ecosystem, storage needs, desire for additional features like collaboration or AI, and budget for paid plans. Security and privacy should also be top priorities.
Common Limitations
Most apps cannot handle extremely large files without premium plans, lack end-to-end encryption by default, and may have reduced speeds or ads in free tiers. They generally don't support real-time editing for all file types outside their native apps.
Emerging Trends
Increased use of AI for automatic file organization and search, enhanced security with biometric locks, better integration with IoT devices, and more flexible pricing models including lifetime subscriptions.
Key Insights
- •
Free plans vary widely from 2GB to 1TB, with TeraBox offering the most free storage
- •
Integration with ecosystems like Google, Microsoft, and Apple is a major differentiator
- •
Security features range from basic encryption to advanced options like pCloud's client-side encryption
- •
User ratings generally correlate with reliability and feature richness, with Dropbox and Google Drive leading
- •
Specialized apps like Faves cater to niche needs, such as video storage
Buying Guide
Essential Features
- •Automatic backup for photos and files
- •Cross-device synchronization
- •File sharing and collaboration tools
Nice to Have
- •AI-powered organization and search
- •End-to-end encryption for security
- •Integration with other apps and services
⚠️ Red Flags
- •Poor user ratings indicating reliability issues
- •Hidden costs or aggressive upsells
- •Lack of transparent privacy policies
Pricing Expectations
Expect free plans with 5-15GB storage; paid plans typically range from $2-10 per month for 100GB to 2TB, with occasional lifetime options around $100-200 for permanent access.
Frequently Asked Questions
How secure are cloud storage apps?
Most apps use encryption for data in transit and at rest, but check for features like end-to-end encryption (e.g., pCloud Crypto) and read privacy policies to ensure your data is protected from unauthorized access.
How to choose between free and paid cloud storage?
If you need more than 15GB of storage, advanced features like collaboration or security, or ad-free experience, paid plans are worth it. Otherwise, free tiers are sufficient for basic backups and light usage.
What's the learning curve like for these apps?
Most cloud storage apps are designed to be user-friendly with intuitive interfaces; you can start using basic features within minutes, though advanced tools might require a bit more exploration.
Conclusion
The best cloud storage apps for iOS in 2025 offer a range of options from general-purpose solutions like Dropbox and Google Drive to specialized apps like Faves, ensuring there's something for every need based on storage, integration, and security.
Our Final Recommendation
For most users, start with Dropbox or Google Drive for reliability and features; choose TeraBox for maximum free storage, or iCloud Drive if you're deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem.
What We're Hoping to See in the Future
Expect continued innovation with AI enhancements, improved security measures, and deeper integrations with smart home and wearable devices, making cloud storage even more seamless and intelligent.
Current Trends: Increased use of AI for automatic file organization and search, enhanced security with biometric locks, better integration with IoT devices, and more flexible pricing models including lifetime subscriptions.