What are the best Android cloud apps for storage?

When backing up your Android device, it makes sense to use cloud apps from trustworthy external providers. With Android cloud storage solutions, you can create a document in the office, continue working on it on the go and then share it with your colleagues at any time, wherever they are. Here are the best Android cloud apps.

The best storage apps for Android compared

Updated: February 2024

What makes cloud apps for Android special?

Android cloud apps are smartphone programs that allow you to back up data to the cloud instead of local storage. You can then retrieve your data from any device that you have authenticated (e.g., by using a password-protected sharing link). Users can manually back up their system, selected files or data categories at any time. Alternatively, you can create an automatic storage plan. Some Android cloud apps also allow you to back up all applications you have installed including the configuration, personal and access data of the applications – provided your device is “rooted”.

Good cloud storage should generally have the following features:

• As large a memory as possible (at least 1 GB for infrequent backups)
• A free version for private and occasional users
• A wide range of storable data categories (not just calendar entries and photos, but also app data)
• A high synchronization speed so that uploaded files can also be retrieved immediately on other devices
• Optimum user-friendliness and smooth functionality
• Additional features like file sharing, folder structures and software integration
• High level of privacy and cloud security (connection, encryption, server locations and privacy policy)
• Good value for money for Pro versions

What are the best Android cloud storage apps?

Some Android cloud apps in the Play Store are generally more popular than others, but the number of downloads shouldn’t be the only criteria you follow when selecting one. Cloud apps for Android work on the same principle but offer different amounts of storage space, different pricing models and different features. In this article, we’ll provide you with information to help narrow down your choices.

IONOS HiDrive

HiDrive from IONOS has impressive data security. All stored data needs to be secured with a PIN code. If you opt for a IONOS server located in Europe, data protection is secured in accordance with the GDPR.

This makes HiDrive’s online storage a great choice for companies. With 2 TB of storage space, teams can use HiDrive to collaborate. Data is synchronized across all devices. Thanks to different protocols, data exchange and backups are fast and secure.

WebDAV, (S)FTP/FTPS, rsync, SMB/CIFS, SCP and Git are available, however, you need the Pro version to get WebDAV.

IONOS HiDrive has a user-friendly interface, and customers can choose from 100 GB, 250 GB, 1 TB, or 2 TB of storage space. With the Pro edition, users benefit from device backup and end-to-end encryption.

Google Drive

For Android users with a Google account, Google Drive is the most convenient solution because the app comes preinstalled on the system, so no additional setup is required. With 15GB for backups, it offers the most free storage of any Android cloud app on our list. If you need more Android cloud storage, you can upgrade from Google Drive to Google One. Depending on your subscription, you can get up to 2 TB of storage space.

Folder management, data synchronization with Google Cloud, and file sharing (with other Google users or through an external link) can be easily done with the “+” button on the start page. Photos can also be stored in the cloud through Google Photos. This can be done automatically right when they’re taken. Another advantage of the app is the ability to integrate popular Google Workspace applications such as Google Docs, Google Spreadsheets, and Google Presentations. However, you need to first convert documents into an Office format before you can download them and use them offline. Furthermore, Google Drive impresses with its resource-saving functionality and high synchronization speed. Two-factor authentication and encrypted connections offer sufficient security. However, many Android users will not want their sensitive data placed in the IT company’s hands.

Dropbox

Dropbox belongs to the pioneers of the industry and was even considered synonymous with the cloud for a while. Both the desktop application and the Android cloud app have remained virtually unchanged since then. The easy-to-use interface ensures a consistent experience across all platforms, which is probably why no major changes have been made to the design.

The app owes its high synchronization speeds that have become characteristic of Dropbox to its special technology. Instead of constantly synchronizing entire files, only changes to the files are transferred. This enables record time synchronization between devices.

With the majority of Dropbox servers located in the U.S., some users may be concerned about data privacy. The free storage space is also nothing special: 2 GB (expandable) is far behind the 15 GB offered by Google Drive. With paid subscriptions, you can expand the storage space to up to 3 TB. Dropbox even offers unlimited cloud storage for companies.

Similar to its competitor Google, Dropbox also offers its own word processing tool called Dropbox Paper, which you have to download and link to the app. Although it isn’t as extensive as a Microsoft Office program, it can be linked directly to Dropbox and Adobe Acrobat products.

Microsoft OneDrive

The biggest advantage of OneDrive is obvious. As an Android cloud app from Microsoft, it is integrated into a wealth of Windows applications. For example, it’s possible to load Word docs, Excel sheets and PowerPoint presentations directly from the respective application into the cloud.

You give and receive approvals using links with expiration dates that guarantee extra security. There has been some backlash internationally since their servers are based in the USA, however, there have been no major complications with hacking and breaches so far, thanks, in part, to modern TLS data connection encryption.

New OneDrive customers get 5 GB of free storage and the same level of functionality that the more expensive OneDrive plans have. Previously when Microsoft offered more storage space at a lower price, it had to make a few cutbacks because of high data peaks.

You can also purchase OneDrive as part of a Microsoft 365 plan. The single version offers 1 TB of storage for one user, while the family version offers 6 TB of storage for up to six people and includes special premium features. There are also attractive business plans.

Super Backup

Don’t be put off by the advertising banners in the free version, the external Android cloud app Super Backup: SMS & Contact can certainly hold its own among the big providers. Its strength lies in its storage of SMS and contacts. Call lists, calendar entries and pictures can also be stored locally in the internal memory or on an SD card. Super Backup does not operate their own cloud but instead supports Google Cloud and Dropbox. You can also send copies of files to your Gmail account.

Unfortunately, videos and music are not storable file categories. Backing up apps and data is only possible on a rooted device. Another small bonus is that users have the option to use the minimalist but functional design of the app in dark mode.

Despite all its possibilities, Super Backup offers rather little in terms of ease of use. Each category needs to be saved and restored manually. In addition, the time settings for the automatic backup can only be personalized to a limited extent. Premium users only need to pay a small, one-time fee to get rid of advertisements permanently.

Box

The simply named Android cloud app is similar to Dropbox in many ways. The user interface looks very familiar and there is an integrated document feature called Box Note.

Box offers significantly more free storage space, with the standard 10 GB being close to what Google Drive offers. The Personal Pro plan comes with 100 GB, while the various Business plans offer unlimited storage space. The program also offers advanced controls and administrator features as well as a detailed history of all file changes. Changes can be made by an unlimited number of external employees, making it particularly suitable for companies and teams.

This cloud app for Android easily keeps up with its more well-known competition in terms of functionality. Box is also already integrated into many file management programs. Only when uploading larger files does Box sometimes falter. This is due to the comparatively low maximum file capacity, which is only 250 MB in the free version. This is why it’s best to upload your data in a well-organized manner and in several small blocks.

How to ensure cloud storage security with online backup

If you want to always have important files at hand, cloud storage is the right choice. You can access your data from a variety of devices and collaborate with others on documents, spreadsheets and presentations. But online storage isn’t meant to protect your data. If you want to secure sensitive data in the long run, you should look into an online backup solution.

Cloud backup services store professional backup copies for you automatically and at short, regular intervals. Should your PC, laptop or smartphone be infected by malware, get lost or stop functioning, you can still access your data, which is safely stored online. You can decide how extensive backups should be and how often they should be created. Below are two options that may be suitable for your backup strategy.

IONOS MyDefender

HiDrive is primarily aimed at saving individual files in the cloud. Photos, videos or important documents can be stored there and easily shared with others. But if you want to back up larger amounts of data regularly, MyDefender from IONOS is a good solution. This cloud service is designed to automatically create a backup. With your Android device, you can use the software to back up your contacts, photos, videos, calendar and text messages. If you lose or break your smartphone, your data will still be accessible. This is also useful when you purchase a new device and need to transfer your old data.

MyDefender is available in four plans: 100 GB, 250 GB, 500 GB and 1 TB. While you can only connect one, three or five end devices per device type with the first three options, the largest plan allows you to back up an unlimited number of devices. MyDefender is available for iOS, Windows, and macOS. All data is 256-bit AES encrypted and stored in ISO-certified data centers.

Special features of the cloud app include automatic detection of new devices. To set up the app, all you need to do is download and install the software on your smartphone and log in. The connection will be established automatically.

IONOS Cloud Backup

Professional users and businesses can benefit from using the Cloud Backup from IONOS. This solution also stores backups in the cloud automatically and regularly, but at a higher level than MyDefender. In addition to devices like PCs and smartphones, servers, virtual machines, databases and cloud environments can also be backed up.

With MyDefender you get a comparatively large amount of storage space, which can be used for different needs. Cloud Backup offers a total of eight different capacity categories between 100 GB and 2 TB. This means that the solution is scalable. The Cloud Backup Flex plan is fully adaptable. This lets you pay per gigabyte used. The backup system provides different options for versioning, incremental backups and log files. All data is encrypted with 256-bit AES.