Best Cloud Storage & Backup

Compare file access, cloud synchronisation and recoverable backups.

Two panels compare Drive for desktop modes: streaming downloads only some files and uses little disk space, mirroring keeps every My Drive file on the computer.

Cloud storage · Nov 7

Google Drive stream vs mirror files: which desktop mode to use

Streaming saves disk space; mirroring keeps every file offline. How to choose, switch safely and keep files offline.

A bin listing two files marked restore and one marked gone, beside a bar showing a 30-day restore window ending in gone, with OneDrive, Google Drive and iCloud Drive labels.

Cloud storage · Nov 2

Recover deleted files from cloud storage: OneDrive, Drive, iCloud

Check the Recycle bin, Trash or Recently Deleted first. How long each service keeps files and what can't come back.

A four-bay NAS with stacked file versions, arrows leading to an external USB drive and then to a cloud, each holding its own set of file copies.

NAS · Oct 26

How to back up a NAS: local, offsite and restore checks

Build a 3-2-1 NAS backup with versioned local and offsite copies, then prove it works with restore tests.

A table compares online-only, locally available and always-kept OneDrive files using cloud and tick icons.

OneDrive · Oct 24

OneDrive Files On-Demand: keep the right files offline

Choose which Windows files stay offline and understand why Free up space is different from Delete.

A Mac laptop labelled Time Machine and a Windows PC labelled File History both connected to one backup drive, above the versions Time Machine keeps: hourly for the past 24 hours, daily for the past month, weekly for older months.

Backup · Oct 21

Windows File History vs Time Machine: set up a local backup

File History and Time Machine both keep earlier versions of your files on an external drive. How to set each one up.

A laptop sends the same backup files to a compact external SSD and a larger portable hard drive, with a disconnected archive copy shown separately.

Backup · Oct 16

SSD vs HDD for backup: which external drive to buy

Choose an external SSD or hard drive by capacity, speed, portability and how you will keep a second copy.

A cloud marked 5 GB beside a full storage bar split into photos, backups, messages, and mail and Drive, each with a way to clear space.

iCloud · Oct 15

How to free up iCloud storage before paying for more

Clear old backups, photos, Messages attachments and Mail before you pay for a bigger iCloud+ plan.

Archive box and download arrow for a Google data export

Google Takeout · Oct 10

Google Takeout: download your data without missing a product

Google Takeout builds a portable archive of selected Google products. It is an export, not a complete backup service.

Sync uses two-way arrows between devices, while backup keeps earlier copies with a restore path.

Cloud storage · Sep 25

Best cloud storage and backup for everyday files

Choose between everyday file access and a recovery plan with four cloud storage and backup options.

Samsung Portable SSD T9 drive, packaging and supplied cables.

Backups · Sep 20

Backups that restore: build and test a recovery plan

Go beyond the completion message: organise copies, measure the recovery gap and restore real files.

Best Cloud Storage & Backup · Apr 15

Proton Drive improves file transfers and mobile scanning

Proton's April recap covers faster transfers, mobile scanning and spreadsheet improvements.

Cloud storage, synchronisation and backup solve related but different problems. ULKA explains those differences and compares services according to whether you need sharing, access from several devices or a way to recover lost files. Storage capacity is only part of the decision: version history, restoration and account access deserve attention too. Use these guides to plan what you would do if a device failed or a file was accidentally removed.

Read about ULKA’s editorial approach or contact the editors.