SFStatfield Research
Collaboration · Updated October 2026

Best Cloud Storage for Business

Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox, Box and Sync.com compared on storage per user, sharing controls, security, collaboration and price per user for business teams.

Elena Marsh, Head of ResearchElena MarshHead of ResearchReviewed October 2026
Top pick

Microsoft OneDrive for Business

Generous storage tightly integrated with Microsoft 365.

9.0

From $5 / user / mo · Best for Organisations using Microsoft Office

What the numbers say

  • 01Microsoft OneDrive for Business takes the top spot with a score of 9.0, best suited to organisations using microsoft office.
  • 02Entry pricing runs from $5 / user / mo (Microsoft OneDrive for Business) to $15 / user / mo (Dropbox Business) — a 3.0x spread.
  • 03Microsoft OneDrive for Business offers the most score per unit of price, at $5 / user / mo.
  • 04Average score across the 5 products reviewed is 8.6, with a 1.0 point gap between first and last.
  • 05Most common drawback raised in testing: sharing settings can confuse users.
5

Products ranked

9.0

Top score

8.6

Average score

from 5

Lowest entry price

How we scored

01Storage per user and file size limits
02Sharing permissions and external link controls
03Security: encryption, admin controls, compliance
04Collaboration and office-suite integration
05Price per user on the plan teams actually need
The ranking
01

Microsoft OneDrive for Business

Generous storage tightly integrated with Microsoft 365.

OneDrive offers the most storage per dollar at entry level and real-time co-authoring in Office files. Most companies receive it within a Microsoft 365 business plan.

Pros

  • + 1 TB per user on the entry plan
  • + Seamless with Word, Excel and Teams
  • + Strong admin and retention controls

Cons

  • — Sharing settings can confuse users
  • — Best value requires the Microsoft ecosystem
9.0

Statfield score

Best for
Organisations using Microsoft Office
Price from
$5 / user / mo
Source: OneDrive for Business Plan 1, annual commitment
02

Google Drive (Workspace)

Browser-first storage and real-time collaboration.

Drive shines for collaboration: Docs, Sheets and Slides edit live in the browser. Shared drives keep files owned by the company rather than individuals.

Pros

  • + Best real-time co-editing
  • + Shared drives for team ownership
  • + Excellent search

Cons

  • — Entry plan includes only 30 GB per user
  • — Desktop sync less polished than Dropbox
8.9

Statfield score

Best for
Teams running on Gmail and Google Docs
Price from
$7 / user / mo
Source: Google Workspace Business Starter, annual plan
03

Dropbox Business

The smoothest file sync for large files and creative teams.

Dropbox is suite-neutral and excels at moving large files quickly. Its Standard plan pools storage across the team.

Pros

  • + Fast, reliable block-level sync
  • + Strong file previews and transfer tools
  • + Works across any office suite

Cons

  • — More expensive per user
  • — Minimum of three users on team plans
8.6

Statfield score

Best for
Creative and media teams
Price from
$15 / user / mo
Source: Dropbox Standard plan, billed annually
04

Box

Content management with enterprise governance.

Box is built for organisations that must prove who accessed what and when. Its integration catalogue and retention features are among the strongest available.

Pros

  • + Deep compliance and governance tools
  • + Hundreds of app integrations
  • + Granular permissions

Cons

  • — Entry plans restrict file size
  • — Interface oriented to admins
8.4

Statfield score

Best for
Regulated industries and large enterprises
Price from
$15 / user / mo
Source: Box Business plan, billed annually
05

Sync.com

End-to-end encrypted storage at a low price.

Sync.com encrypts files so the provider cannot read them, making it a good fit for legal, healthcare-adjacent and privacy-conscious businesses on a budget.

Pros

  • + Zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption
  • + Low per-user price
  • + Simple admin console

Cons

  • — Fewer integrations
  • — No built-in office editing
8.0

Statfield score

Best for
Privacy-focused small teams
Price from
$6 / user / mo
Source: Sync.com Teams Standard, billed annually
Side by side
#ProductScoreBest forPrice fromValue
01Microsoft OneDrive for Business9.0Organisations using Microsoft Office$5 / user / mo1.80 pts per unit
02Google Drive (Workspace)8.9Teams running on Gmail and Google Docs$7 / user / mo1.27 pts per unit
03Dropbox Business8.6Creative and media teams$15 / user / mo0.57 pts per unit
04Box8.4Regulated industries and large enterprises$15 / user / mo0.56 pts per unit
05Sync.com8.0Privacy-focused small teams$6 / user / mo1.33 pts per unit
The full guide
01

Start with your office suite

The single biggest factor in choosing business cloud storage is the productivity suite your team already uses. Storage bundled with Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace is effectively prepaid, integrates with email and calendars, and simplifies administration.

A standalone service makes sense when you need features the bundled option lacks: faster large-file sync, stronger governance, or zero-knowledge encryption.

02

Sharing controls prevent the most common leaks

Most cloud data exposure comes from links shared too widely, not from breaches of the provider. Check whether admins can restrict public links, set expiry dates, require passwords and review who has access to sensitive folders.

03

Sync is not backup

Cloud storage keeps files identical across devices—including accidental deletions and ransomware encryption. Confirm how long version history is kept on your plan, and keep an independent backup for business-critical data.

Before you buy

  1. 01Check what storage is already included in your office suite.
  2. 02Measure current storage use and largest file sizes.
  3. 03Confirm admin controls for external and public sharing.
  4. 04Enforce multi-factor authentication for all users.
  5. 05Check version history length and recovery options.
  6. 06Plan a separate backup for critical files.
Terms used above
Zero-knowledge encryption
Encryption where only the user holds the keys, so the provider cannot read stored files.
Shared drive
A folder owned by the organisation rather than an individual user.
Block-level sync
Uploading only the changed parts of a file instead of the whole file.
Version history
Saved earlier copies of a file that can be restored after mistakes.
FAQ

What is the best cloud storage for a small business?

OneDrive if you use Microsoft 365, Google Drive if you use Google Workspace. Dropbox suits teams working with large files; Sync.com suits privacy-focused teams.

Is cloud storage secure for business files?

Major providers encrypt data in transit and at rest and offer admin controls. For the highest privacy, choose a zero-knowledge provider and enforce multi-factor authentication.

How much cloud storage does a business need?

Most office teams use far less than 1 TB per user. Creative and video teams can need much more, so measure current usage before choosing a plan.

Is cloud storage the same as backup?

No. Sync services replicate deletions and ransomware changes. Use version history and a separate backup for critical data.

Sources

Prices are the vendors' published entry-level list prices in USD, shown where vendors publish them; quote-only products are marked as such. Annual billing is usually cheaper than monthly. Always confirm on the vendor's pricing page before buying.

Keep reading

Related statistics briefs

Related product rankings

Industry reportsAll rankingsOur researchers
Other rankings

Best Plant Growth Simulation Software

Agritech · September 2026

Best AI Writing Assistants

Artificial Intelligence · September 2026

Best Hybrid Work Scheduling Tools

Remote Work · September 2026

Best Checkout Optimisation Platforms

E-commerce · September 2026

Best Security Awareness Training Platforms

Cybersecurity · September 2026

Best Project Management Software

Operations · September 2026

Best Password Managers for Teams

Cybersecurity · September 2026

Best Helpdesk and Customer Support Software

Customer Support · September 2026

Best CRM Software for Small Business

Sales · September 2026

Best Email Marketing Software

Marketing · September 2026

Best Accounting Software for Small Business

Finance · September 2026

Best Website Builders

Web · September 2026

Best Video Conferencing Software

Collaboration · September 2026

Best Payroll Software for Small Business

Finance · September 2026

Best Note-Taking Apps

Productivity · September 2026

Best Ecommerce Platforms

E-commerce · October 2026

Best HR Software for Small Business

Operations · October 2026

Best Time Tracking Software

Collaboration · 2026-11-04

Best Appointment Scheduling Software

Collaboration · 2026-11-04

Best Inventory Management Software

Commerce · 2026-11-04

Scores are relative to the products in this ranking and to the tests described above. Prices are list prices captured from vendor pages on the dates noted and are not quotes.