15 Best Free Online Data Storage & Backup Services

It is a handy list, a one stop shop if you like, of the best Freemium Online data Storage, File Sharing, File synchronization and Backup services. Ok! I admit, there are NO totally free services available.

Everyone needs to backup important data in one way or another. The safest method of backing up important data is to create multiple backups: to an external drive and also to an online storage service.

Nowadays, external drives are reasonably priced. About 10 months ago, I bought a 1TB external storage device for about $100. The nice thing about it, is that you can use Windows tools such as: “Back Up Files Wizard” and “Windows Complete PC Backup”. I am not sure if this would be possible using an online storage service to do a “Windows Complete PC Backup”.

Things To Consider

There are several things to consider when storing data online:

1. Security of stored data and of data during transmission.
2. Storage size limitations.
3. Reliability and credibility of the service provider that you choose.
4. The ability to automate backups.
5. Customer support.
6. Restrictions on file size and/or file extension.
7. Restrictions on download/upload speed.
8. Restrictions on bandwidth per day.
9. Expiration of stored files.

Criteria

I would like to emphasize that all the services listed below:

1. Offer a Freemium service.
2. Offer a minimum of 2GB of online storage for Free.
3. Are in my opinion, the best.

There are too many online storage services available and it can get confusing. After an extensive research and reviews, here are some of the best freemium online storage services that I found.

Hover over each image or link for a short description. All links are External. Good Luck!

Top Freemium Services

SugarSync – File Sync, File Sharing & Online Backup – 5GB Free Storage.

SpiderOak – Online Backup, Online Sync, Share & Storage – 2GB Free Storage.

Windows Live SkyDrive – Online Storage & File Sharing – 25GB of Free Storage.

MyOtherDrive – File Sharing, Online Storage & Backup – 2GB Free Storage.

Mozy – Online Backup – 2GB Free Storage.

IDrive – Online Backup – 5GB of Free storage

ElephantDrive – File Sharing, Online Storage & Backup – 2GB Free Storage

Dropbox – Online Backup, Online File Sharing & File Sync – 2GB Free Storage

CX – Online File Storage & File Sync – 10GB Free Storage. Still in Beta

FlipDrive – File Sharing, Online Storage & Backup – ONLY 1GB Free Storage

Box.net – Online Storage, Online File Sharing & File Sync – 5GB Free Storage – Downside: No Data Encryption for Free Accounts

ADrive – Online Storage, Online Backup & File Sharing – 50GB Free Storage – Downside: No Data Encryption for Free Accounts

MegaUpload – Online Storage & File Sharing – 200GB Free Storage – Downside: File expires after 90 days for Free Accounts

4Shared – Online Storage & File Sharing – 10GB Free Storage – Downside: Your Free account and Your files will be deleted if you do not login for 30 days.

OpenDrive – Online Storage & Backup, Online Sync & File Sharing – 5GB of Free storage – Downside: Watermark on Images, No Data Encryption for Free Accounts

Paid Service Worth Mentioning

Livedrive – Paid Service – Online File Storage & File Sync – Unlimited Storage