Security and audits17 of 31
Apps and sync16 of 20
Recovery and sharing10 of 22
Price and plans16 of 27
cloud storage service · Apple
iCloud Drive
Apple's file storage, with 5 GB free, an iCloud for Windows app and plans from $0.99 a month.
In short
- The free plan gives 5 GB; paid iCloud+ plans cost $0.99 (50 GB), $2.99 (200 GB) and $9.99 (2 TB) a month1.
- Apple shows monthly prices only, with no yearly or lifetime plan1,2.
- Any iCloud+ plan can be shared with up to five other family members2,11.
- Files are end-to-end encrypted only after you switch on Advanced Data Protection3.
- Deleted iCloud Drive files can be recovered for 30 days10.
iCloud Drive suits people with Apple devices who want a Windows PC to open the same files, and families who share one plan2,8,11. The 200 GB plan costs $2.99 a month and the 2 TB plan $9.991. The catch: Apple holds the encryption keys unless you turn on Advanced Data Protection, and the requirements page lists no Android or Linux app3,7.
Best for: People who mainly use iPhone and Mac and want a Windows PC to reach the same files.
Where the points come from
Security and audits 17 of 31 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| End-to-end encryption | optionAdvanced Data Protection is an opt-in setting that makes iCloud Drive end-to-end encrypted; by default Apple holds the keys3. | 5 / 10 |
| Independent security test since 2024 | Not publishedNot found on the vendor's pages3,4. | 0 / 6 |
| SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001 | YesApple's certifications page says its ISO/IEC 27001 certification covers iCloud4. | 5 / 5 |
| Open-source apps | Not publishedNot found on the vendor's pages7. | 0 / 3 |
| Security key for two-factor sign-in | YesApple Accounts accept FIDO-certified security keys for two-factor sign-in; at least two keys are required6. | 4 / 4 |
| Public bug bounty | YesApple Security Bounty is public and publishes reward amounts, up to $2 million5. | 3 / 3 |
Apps and sync 16 of 20 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Apps | Windows, macOS, iOSiCloud runs on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Windows; the requirements page lists no Android or Linux app7. | 6 / 10 |
| Files on demand in Windows | YesiCloud Drive files can be opened in File Explorer; files show a cloud icon until downloaded, and pinning keeps them on the PC2,8,9. | 6 / 6 |
| Choose which folders sync | YesIn File Explorer you can pin single files, single folders or all of iCloud Drive to keep them on the PC8. | 4 / 4 |
Recovery and sharing 10 of 22 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| File version and deleted-file history | 30Deleted iCloud Drive files can be recovered within 30 days; no longer file-version period is given10. | 2 / 6 |
| Restore the whole account | Not publishedNot found on the vendor's pages10. | 0 / 4 |
| Password-protected share links | Not publishedNot found on the vendor's sharing page for iCloud for Windows12. | 0 / 4 |
| Edit documents in the browser | YesPages for iCloud lets you create, edit and share documents on iCloud.com from a computer13. | 4 / 4 |
| Plan for five or more people | YesAn iCloud+ plan can be shared with up to five other family members, six people in total, each with their own Apple Account2,11. | 4 / 4 |
Price and plans 16 of 27 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan with 5 GB or more | YesThe free plan includes 5 GB of storage1,2. | 5 / 5 |
| Cheapest paid plan with 100 GB or more | $2.99/moiCloud+ 200 GB at $2.99 a month; the plans page shows no yearly price, so the monthly price is used1. | 6 / 8 |
| Cheapest paid plan with 1 TB or more | $9.99/moiCloud+ 2 TB at $9.99 a month; the plans page shows no yearly price1. | 2 / 8 |
| One-time lifetime plan | NoThe plans page lists only monthly subscription prices and no one-time plan1,2. | 0 / 3 |
| Refund period of 14 days or more | YesThe iCloud terms allow cancelling within 14 days of purchase, with a refund within 14 days of Apple receiving the notice14. | 3 / 3 |
The rule behind each line: how we score cloud storage services.
Plans and prices
As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.
| Plan | Price as listed | Per month | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free1 person | Free1,2 | $0 | 5 GB of storage |
| iCloud+ 50 GB1 person, shareable with family | $0.99/month1 | $0.99 | |
| iCloud+ 200 GB1 person, shareable with family | $2.99/month1 | $2.99 | |
| iCloud+ 2 TB1 person, shareable with family | $9.99/month1 | $9.99 | |
| iCloud+ 6 TB1 person, shareable with family | $29.99/month1 | $29.99 | |
| iCloud+ 12 TB1 person, shareable with family | $59.99/month1 | $59.99 |
Apple's plans page lists monthly US prices only and says you are billed monthly, so the scored prices are the monthly prices1.
Strengths
- Files appear in File Explorer, show a cloud icon until downloaded, and can be pinned to stay on the PC2,8,9.
- One iCloud+ plan can be shared with up to five other family members, each on their own Apple Account11.
- Apple names ISO/IEC 27001 certification for iCloud4.
- Apple Security Bounty publishes reward amounts5.
- Apple accounts accept FIDO-certified security keys for two-factor sign-in6.
Limits
- By default Apple holds the keys for iCloud Drive; end-to-end encryption needs Advanced Data Protection3.
- No yearly or lifetime plan is shown; every paid plan is billed monthly1,2.
- The system requirements list iPhone, Mac and Windows, not Android or Linux7.
- Apple recovers deleted files for 30 days and describes no whole-account rewind10.
Other cloud storage services
- 1
Proton DrivePeople who want every file encrypted by default and open-source apps73/100$3.99/mocheapest paid plan with 100 GB or more - 2
pCloudPeople who want a one-time lifetime plan or a virtual drive instead of a monthly subscription69/100$4.66/mocheapest paid plan with 100 GB or more - 3
FilenPeople who want every file end-to-end encrypted, open-source apps and a low entry price59/100$1.12/mocheapest paid plan with 100 GB or more - 5
KoofrPeople who want a 10 GB free plan and small paid plans, and will use Vault for private files58/100$1.83/mocheapest paid plan with 100 GB or more
Sources
- iCloud+ plans and pricing, Apple Support. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- iCloud, Apple. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- iCloud data security overview, Apple Support. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Apple internet services security certifications, Apple Support. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Apple Security Bounty, Apple. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- About security keys for Apple Account, Apple Support. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- iCloud feature and system requirements, Apple Support. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Keep files downloaded in iCloud for Windows, Apple Support. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- View download and sharing status in iCloud for Windows, Apple Support. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Recover recently deleted files in iCloud for Windows, Apple Support. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Share iCloud storage with Family Sharing, Apple Support. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Share files and folders in iCloud for Windows, Apple Support. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Pages for iCloud, Apple Support. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- iCloud terms and conditions, Apple. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Website: www.icloud.com · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with Apple.