I don’t know about you, but I hate running out of storage space on my devices. Whether it’s photos, videos, or important files, I always find myself needing extra storage. While premium cloud storage plans are great, I’ve discovered that you don’t actually need to pay to store your files online. Many cloud providers offer free storage, and with a few tricks, you can maximize that space without spending a single rupee.
Over the years, I’ve tested multiple services and strategies to get the most free cloud storage legally. If you’re looking for a way to store your files without paying, here’s everything you need to know.
1. Best Cloud Storage Providers Offering Free Space
Many companies provide free cloud storage as an incentive to get you into their ecosystem. Here are my top picks:
🔹 Google Drive (15GB Free)
- One of the best free cloud storage options.
- Google Drive’s 15GB storage is shared across Google Photos, Gmail, and other services, so you need to manage it carefully.
- Best for storing documents, photos, and small files.
🔹 Dropbox (2GB Free)
- While 2GB seems small, Dropbox is great for file syncing.
- You can earn more space (up to 16GB!) by referring friends (500MB per referral).
- Ideal for work documents and collaboration.
🔹 Microsoft OneDrive (5GB Free)
- Comes with Windows devices and integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Office.
- If you use Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, this is a great option.
🔹 pCloud (10GB Free)
- Offers strong security and allows file-sharing without an account.
- You can earn up to 10GB with referrals and other bonus tasks.
🔹 MEGA (20GB Free)
- The largest free storage option on this list.
- End-to-end encryption for extra privacy.
- Best for people who need large file storage.
2. Tips to Maximize Free Storage Using Multiple Accounts
If 5GB or 15GB isn’t enough, don’t worry—you can combine multiple free accounts and increase your storage without paying. Here’s how I do it:
🔹 Use Multiple Email Accounts
Most cloud storage services let you sign up with different email addresses. I’ve created separate accounts for work, personal, and backups, and I use each for different file types.
For example:
- Account 1 (Google Drive) – Personal documents & emails
- Account 2 (OneDrive) – Work files & projects
- Account 3 (MEGA) – Large video and media files
🔹 Link Accounts with a Cloud Manager
Managing multiple cloud accounts can be annoying, but I use cloud management tools like MultCloud or CloudHQ to link everything in one place. This way, I can transfer files between cloud accounts and keep everything organized.
🔹 Take Advantage of Referral Bonuses
Some providers, like Dropbox, pCloud, and MEGA, offer extra storage when you refer friends. Even if you don’t want to bother your friends, you can create a second email and refer yourself!
🔹 Use Google Photos for Unlimited Storage (Trick!)
Even though Google removed unlimited free storage in Google Photos, you can still upload compressed photos and videos using the “Storage Saver” setting. This way, you don’t waste your 15GB Google Drive space on media files.
3. How to Back Up Data Without Paying for Premium Storage
I always recommend backing up important files, even if you don’t have premium cloud storage. Here’s how I do it for free:
🔹 Use External Hard Drives Along with Cloud Storage
Instead of upgrading to a premium plan, I back up large files (like movies or raw videos) on an external hard drive and only keep essential files in the cloud.
🔹 Compress Large Files Before Uploading
I save storage space by compressing files before uploading them. Tools like WinRAR or 7-Zip reduce file sizes significantly. On Mac, I use the built-in Archive Utility.
🔹 Use Temporary Storage Services
If I need to store files for a short period, I use free services like:
- WeTransfer (2GB free transfers) – Great for sharing large files.
- Send Anywhere – No sign-up required, just upload and send.
These are not permanent cloud storage solutions, but they help when I need temporary backup space.
🔹 Sync Files Across Free Cloud Accounts
By spreading my files across Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, and MEGA, I can store over 50GB+ for free! I use MultCloud to sync files between them easily.
Final Thoughts
Getting free cloud storage legally isn’t as hard as it seems. With the right combination of free accounts, referral bonuses, file compression, and smart backups, you can easily store 50GB+ of data without paying a single rupee.
I’ve been using these tricks for years, and they’ve saved me from spending on cloud subscriptions. If you have your own tips for maximizing free storage, drop a comment—I’d love to hear them!
