Tried and tested cloud storage and backup options for Mac and iPhone

Cloud storage is all the rage these days, allowing you to easily access files without taking up local storage space on your device. It simplifies the process of sharing files with others, ensuring you can get what you need on any device, especially for today's large number of remote users, allowing them to access data at any time even if they are not in the office. As long as you can connect to the network, everything will go smoothly.

Another reason to use cloud services (or any service that provides off-site backup for your Mac) is that your data remains secure once an accident occurs on your Mac and local backup device.

This article will select the best cloud backup and storage services for Mac, iPhone and iPad users. These online backup services perform well in price, functionality, security and reliability. If you use Apple devices, we think these are the cloud storage solutions you deserve to subscribe to.

Best cloud storage for Mac

Let’s first introduce iCloud, because Apple’s own services are simple to operate and intuitive to use. However, there are many more powerful alternatives available on the market. For example, if you want to fully back up your Mac to the cloud, you need to consider the Backblaze, Carbonite, and Acronis mentioned below, which are also included in our Best Mac Backup Software Guide. And if you just want to store some files in the cloud for access or sharing with others at any time, Apple's iCloud or its alternatives like Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive may meet your needs.

Apple iCloud Drive – Apple users’ first choice

View Internxt

Internxt is a fast and easy-to-use cloud backup service that provides flexible paid methods and a simple user interface. It has privacy and security features, including anti-quantum encryption and password protection, making it ideal for Mac users. While it lacks some advanced features (such as dark web monitoring), it is still a solid cloud storage and backup solution as a whole.

Internxt focuses on privacy and security, but that doesn't affect its speed performance - it ranks among the services we've tested, with its transmission speeds at the top. It is ideal if you need to easily transfer files between multiple devices or users. Coupled with backup function and file antivirus scanning, the minimum monthly fee is only €2 (currently regular price is €9.99/month), which is very cost-effective. Additionally, a one-time lifetime subscription is available, starting at €180.

Internxt perfectly implements the core functions of cloud storage. Its drive appears in the Finder sidebar for quick access to files. Whether it is dragging and dropping files to the sidebar or uploading them through the webpage, the operation is very smooth. The menu bar displays the list of recently uploaded files and storage capacity usage. The backup function allows you to specify local folders, and the system will automatically upload to the cloud regularly, and all data is encrypted.

In terms of security, it uses anti-quantum encryption technology and supports password protection. One of the most practical features is virus scanning: After uploading the file to Internxt, the system will automatically detect whether there is malware and clear it, supporting files up to 1GB. Although some competitors have provided tools such as dark web monitoring, the feature is still marked as "coming soon" when we review it.

We hope to add more control options for upload/download bandwidth in the future, and file version history is not currently supported.

Overall, Internxt is one of our favorite cloud storage services. Although there is still room for improvement, its intuitive and simple design is irresistible.

Read our full Internxt review

Carbonite Safe – the first choice for off-site backup

View Sync.com

Sync.com can be used as a backup tool, but is closer to Dropbox's positioning - mainly used to synchronize editable files between multiple devices rather than large-scale backups. It provides a centralized cloud storage solution that supports cross-device file synchronization.

Its Mac application interface is simple, but its high emphasis on security makes it more suitable for enterprise users. End-to-end encryption is its highlight, which many competitors don’t offer. In addition, its "Vault" feature allows you to save files that are not automatically synchronized in the cloud.

Sync's web interface is responsive, but it prefers document synchronization services rather than a complete backup solution.

The application is easy to use and can be naturally integrated into the Finder sidebar of Mac, making it easier for you to drag and drop files at any time.

It doesn't have the powerful document creation tool as powerful as Google Drive, nor does it focus on off-site backups like Backblaze, but its existing capabilities are excellent. For example, provide a list of Recent Documents to facilitate quick access to newly added files and support integration with Microsoft Office 365, Slack, and Adobe.

Unfortunately, it does not support multiple folder synchronization, only the default Sync folder will be automatically updated, and files in other locations will not be synchronized.

The free plan offers 5GB of storage, which is not the worst, but is far below Google's 15GB. Personal paid plans start at 200GB and $5 per month.

Read our full Sync.com review

Dropbox – The Original Cloud Synchronization Service

View Dropbox

Discussing cloud storage solutions is incomplete without mentioning Dropbox. It is Dropbox that has promoted the popularization of consumer-grade cloud synchronization and led the "arms race" for cloud storage. Despite its weakening leadership in recent years, Dropbox is an evergreen in modern workflows.

However, if you want to use it to share files, as a backup solution, or to access content anytime, anywhere, its recommendations are reduced. It lacks the "must-have" function and its free quota is far inferior to that of its competitors. It only offers 2GB, far inferior to Google's 15GB. The next gear is 2TB, with a monthly fee of $11.99/£9.99 (monthly billed), and an annual payment of $9.99/£7.99. There is no transition option in the middle, and the jump is larger.

Of course, it also has its highlights: Dropbox provides a larger drop-down menu that can view recent uploads and updated file details, which is better than most competitors' simple menu bar design. Functions such as PDF signatures are also quite practical.

But overall, Dropbox's experience is not as intuitive and smooth as many other cloud storage services.

Read our full Dropbox review

Acronis True Image for Mac

View Acronis

Acronis True Image for Mac is not only a customizable backup tool, but also integrates antivirus/anti-malware features. We include it as the recommendation for this cloud backup because in addition to supporting local backups, it can also back up data to Acronis cloud for access anytime, anywhere. However, there is an additional fee to use the cloud backup feature.

The Essentials package starts at $49.99/£42.99/year and is available for a computer, including local backup and anti-ransomware features, but cloud backups are available for an additional fee. The Advanced package includes 250GB of cloud storage, priced at £69.99, and there are cheaper or more expensive options to choose from.

The software is easy to install and there is no difficulty in configuring full disk access. Supports incremental backup, timed backup and cloud backup.

Its core functions are divided into four major modules: backup, protection, disk cloning and archive. The backup module allows you to set the source and target volumes and select the files and locations to be backed up. Exclusion lists can be easily created and the scheduling function works well.

The backup module also leads to the Acronis Survival Kit, which creates a bootable backup drive for booting and installing a new operating system on your Mac.

The disk cloning module performs excellently and can quickly copy the entire volume. The archive module can migrate local data to the Acronis cloud, helping to free up local space.

The protection module has strong virus protection capabilities and detects 23 potential threats at one time during the test.

Unfortunately, during the testing process, we encountered unavoidable program errors, and some user interface designs also seemed unreasonable enough and urgently needed optimization.

Read our full Acronis True Image review

How we test the best cloud storage

Our tests are based on a variety of usage scenarios and simulate users' different needs for cloud storage. We use the same data to back up each service to evaluate upload and download speeds and to check for compatibility and potential issues. We focus on security, encryption, ease of use, and the ease of recovery of data from backups.

Why trust Macworld

Our review team has been testing Mac hardware, software and services for decades. The evaluation process is rigorous and meticulous, covering the performance, ease of use and limitations of each service. Only the best online backup service can enter this list.

Factors to consider when choosing the best cloud storage

The best cloud storage for you depends on your specific needs. Maybe you just want to share documents with colleagues or clients; maybe you need to back up your Mac remotely for off-site data protection; or maybe you need to work together on different devices at multiple locations. No matter what reason you are looking for an online backup or cloud storage solution for your Mac, iPad or iPhone, the above should find the ideal choice for your needs.

Excellent cloud storage not only backs up important documents, photos and videos, but also keeps all devices in sync. Your desktop, laptop,

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