Best cloud storage for photos: expert picks for 2025
Whether you want to free up space, protect memories, or share files easily, backing up and managing digital photos in the cloud is a must. Imagine waking up one day and all of your photos have been compromised, or you can’t find some incredible moments. Personally, I find the thought of losing those irreplaceable moments incredibly frustrating. So, if you’re like me, you need to start thinking about the best cloud storage for photos.
But with numerous cloud storage providers, finding the most reliable one can be challenging. That’s why I compiled a guide of an in-depth review of the best solutions by working with the Cybernews research team. I compared top cloud storage services specifically for photographers and photo enthusiasts. So, stay with me to learn everything about them.
Best cloud storage for photos – shortlist
- TotalDrive – overall best cloud storage for photos
- Proton Cloud Storage – best free cloud storage for up to 1TB
- Internxt – best solution with lifetime cloud storage plans
- pCloud – best secure cloud storage
- Sync – best user-friendly online storage
The best cloud storage for photos compared
Aside from just knowing what are the best cloud storage solutions, you should also know what they offer. So, before I delve into my individual reviews, let’s compare them side by side:
| Model name | Amount of storage | Key features | Best for |
| TotalDrive | 10TB | Automatic backups, folder management, intelligent search | Access your photos easily |
| Proton Cloud Storage | 3TB | Recovering previous file versions, encrypted password manager, private VPN | End-to-end photo encryption |
| Internxt | 5TB | Password-protected file sharing, antivirus, post-quantum encryption | Full control over your files |
| pCloud | 10TB | Lifetime plans, collaboration, file management | Storing files of any size |
| Sync | Unlimited | Real-time backups, file history and recovery, offline access | Large capacity photos |
5 best cloud storage for photos – our detailed list
Did any of the cloud storage companies above get your attention? Well, if that’s the case, let’s go into more detail and check out my detailed review of the five best cloud storage for photos:
1. TotalDrive – best cloud storage for photos in 2025
| Model name: | TotalDrive |
| Price: | Mid-range |
| Amount of storage: | 10TB |
| Best For: | Simple access to your photos |
When I heard about the fast, secure, and easy-to-use cloud storage from TotalDrive, I knew that I had to check it out. Plus, it even has a file manager, which makes it more than worthy to be the first one on my list.
The feature I found the most unique was the ability to not just share photos securely, but also to retract access whenever you want. All you have to do is click one button, and that’s it. You’re in complete control over your images.
2. Proton Cloud Storage – best cloud storage for secure photo storage
| Model name: | Proton Cloud Storage |
| Price: | Affordable |
| Amount of storage: | Up to 3TB |
| Best For: | Robust photo file security |
If you’re like me and prioritize your photos’ security over anything else, you shouldn’t miss out on Proton Cloud Storage. With end-to-end encryption, along with a private VPN, you can be sure your pictures are safe at all times.
Aside from security, I really liked that Proton Cloud Storage provides effortless photo organization. Instead of just scrolling through all the photos, you can create different collections, from family events to summer vacations.
3. Internxt – best and cheapest cloud storage for photos
| Model name: | Internxt |
| Price: | Entry-level |
| Amount of storage: | Up to 5TB |
| Best For: | Total control over your photos |
Internxt is the next photo cloud storage service on my list because of its budget-friendly plans. Still, this doesn’t affect its effectiveness and security. You can enjoy post-quantum encryption on your photos and access them from any device.
Plus, the photo access is a breeze. Internxt lets you organize your photos in albums, rename them, and filter them to find exactly what you’re looking for. So, no more wasting time finding what you need.
4. pCloud – best photo cloud storage with encrypted payments
| Model name: | pCloud |
| Price: | Affordable |
| Amount of storage: | Up to 10TB |
| Best For: | Storing photos of any size |
If you’re looking for a cloud solution for individual and business photos, then I recommend you check out pCloud. With ultimate security, this provider is perfect for various uses, even if you work in a team.
Thanks to the sharing and collaborating functionalities, pCloud lets you send, receive, and work together with your friends on every photo file. Not only will you get the job done faster, but you can also pick who has access to the photos.
5. Sync – best cloud storage for businesses
| Model name: | Sync |
| Price: | Affordable |
| Amount of storage: | Unlimited |
| Best For: | Large capacity photos |
Last but not least, Sync is another reliable cloud storage for businesses. The main reason I picked it is that you can use it to store large-capacity photos, as there’s a plan with unlimited storage.
Another great feature I liked is that you’re in full control of the photo sharing. This means that you can control access with passwords, expiry dates, upload capability, and even email notifications.
How did we select the best cloud storage for photos?
To provide you with the best cloud storage for photos, I followed the Cybernews methodology. Therefore, I was able to provide an unbiased selection of the five top cloud storage options. So, let’s have a look at what I considered:
- Photo-specific features (30%). First of all, I checked for features that will come in handy for photographs. That said, I ensured my tools have different editing tools, metadata management, and photo organization.
- Storage and pricing (25%). Then, I focused on the value for storage space that the cloud storage solutions offer. I explored whether they offer free tiers, along with their cost per GB.
- Ease of use (15%). Having a user-friendly file storage app is a must. Therefore, I investigated the app interface, upload process, and device compatibility of each solution.
- Security and privacy (15%). Of course, the best cloud storage for photos must have robust security. So, some of the aspects I was interested in were the encryption, privacy policies, and user controls.
- User feedback (15%). Last but not least, I based my expert picks on user feedback. To do this, I read through numerous verified reviews, looked for long-term reliability, and made sure the customer support is responsive and knowledgeable.
What is a cloud photo storage?
Cloud photo storage is an online service where you can upload, store, and access your pictures from any device. You only need to have internet access. Even though cloud storage apps can have many different usages, if you’re like me, you’ll only want easy access to your photos.
The key purpose of cloud storage for photos is protecting and organizing digital photo collections without relying on local storage. Simply put, you can understand it as an external hard drive that you don’t possess physically.
However, as all of your images are on the cloud, even if your device is compromised, you’ll still be able to save your moment. That said, it serves as a secure backup option. Plus, cloud-based storage solutions sync with the devices you’re using, which is how you can upload and share photos online from anywhere.
Benefits of cloud storage for photos
Cloud storage for photos has a lot of benefits. You probably know that you can easily access your photos. But believe me when I say that as soon as I heard about all of its perks, I needed to explore them further. So, let’s check out the key benefits of online storage solutions:
- Access photos from anywhere, on any device. Regardless of whether you’re at home, at work, or traveling, cloud storage for photos syncs with your devices and lets you access your digital photos at any time.
- Protect against data loss from hardware failure. As your photos are stored on the cloud, you can prevent data loss in case of hardware failure or other disasters.
- Organize and search photos efficiently. The best online storage tools help you create separate files and search for any photo in a straightforward way.
- Share photos easily with family and friends. The effortless sharing of photos is also another great benefit, so you can send them to your friends and family without any issue.
- Free up device storage space. Last but not least, the cloud doesn’t store photos on your device, leaving you with more storage space for other files.
Things to do before uploading photos to the cloud storage
Uploading photos to the cloud storage is the last thing you should do. Before you do this, you need to take care of a few things, such as:
- Organize your files. First, you should sort and rename all photos before you upload them. This will ensure easy access to them.
- Backup locally. Always keep a copy of the important files on a hard drive in case malicious actors compromise your cloud.
- Check file formats. Make sure that the chosen cloud storage supports your photo formats.
- Review privacy settings. Ultimately, you should tweak the privacy settings so you can control who can see or access your photos.
How to choose the best cloud storage for photos?
Choosing the best cloud storage for photos can be tough because of all the available services. But don’t worry. I’ve got your back. Here are a few tips that helped me select the best solution, so let’s briefly go through them:
- Storage space needed. First and foremost, you need to consider how much storage space you’ll need. This is crucial for storing all of your photos.
- Budget and pricing plans. Then, it’s good to check out the pricing plans of the cloud storage you plan to purchase, so you can see if it’s within your budget.
- Device compatibility. Make sure that the cloud storage solution is compatible with all of your devices, including Apple, Android, or Windows.
- Photo management features. You should also look for different photo management features, such as tagging and editing.
- Security and privacy policies. Don’t forget to review the security and privacy policies. If you’re okay with them, proceed with your selection.
- Long-term reliability of the provider. Ultimately, make sure that you can use the cloud storage for photos for a long time, not just a few months.
Other reviews you might be interested in:
Final word on the best cloud storage for photos
After conducting a detailed expert research, along with the Cybernews research team, I managed to pick the five best cloud storage services for photos. My top pick is TotalDrive, but you can also go for Proton Cloud Storage, Internxt, pCloud, and Sync.
While they all have the necessary features, make sure to always choose a solution that fits your needs for photo storage, sharing, and organization.
FAQ
Is cloud storage safe for storing personal photos?
Yes, cloud storage is safe for storing personal photos. Due to the robust encryption options, your photos will be protected from unauthorized access.
Can I store RAW files in cloud storage?
Yes, you can store RAW files in cloud storage. This is perfect for photographers who want to upload RAW files from DSLR, mirrorless cameras, smartphones, or any other device.
Does cloud storage reduce photo quality?
No, cloud storage shouldn’t reduce photo quality. More precisely, you can upload them and have them saved in the same resolution as when you took them. This is perfect, especially if you need the photos for professional purposes.
Can I switch from one cloud storage to another easily?
Yes, you can switch from one cloud storage to another pretty easily. You just need to select the one you’re using as a source directory and the one that you’d like to switch to as a target directory. Then, select the photos you’d like to transfer, and that’s it.
