Difference Between OneDrive and iCloud (2024)

Cloud storage brings a new level of convenience to your everyday lives. There’s nothing quite like the ability to sync your data across multiple devices and access them on the go. Everyone can use cloud storage since all major providers now have their own storage services and offer free accounts. OneDrive and iCloud are among the major cloud storage solutions out there.

What is an OneDrive?

OneDrive is the Microsoft’s cloud service that stores and protects all your files, and allows you to share them with others. It is a cloud storage platform for storing, exchanging, and transferring data or files online. Once you have stored something in your OneDrive storage, you can access them from anywhere you want. OneDrive does exactly what other cloud storage services do – it provides a place to put all your files and documents on the internet. You need to login to your Microsoft account to access your data. Anyone with a Microsoft account gets 5GB of free storage. If you need extra space, you can get 50GB storage space for $1.99 a month or pay for an Office 365 subscription for more storage.

What is an iCloud?

iCloud is the Apple’s own cloud-based ecosystem of tools and applications that you can use on iPhones, iPads, Macs, or any Apple device you want. iCloud is more than just photos; it helps your devices integrate with each other. iCloud is the Apple’s cloud storage and computing service that is built into every Apple device. It stores all your content securely and keeps your apps updated anytime across all your devices. From photos and documents to videos, music and text messages, iCloud store everything on remote servers for easy access. iCloud is basically all the services Apple delivers through the internet. It provides a place to organize your contacts, calendars, notes, and your reminders – all in a single service. It simply organizes and allows access to all your data across all of your Apple devices.

Difference between OneDrive and iCloud

Storage

– Anyone with a Microsoft account gets 5GB of free storage. If you need extra space, you can get 50GB storage space for $1.99 a month or pay for an Office 365 subscription for more storage. The Office 365 (Microsoft 365) subscription costs $6.99 a month for personal use and $9.99 for up to 6 people. Apple’s iCloud also offers 5GB of free storage. Apart from that, you get 50GB of storage for $0.99 a month, 200GB for $2.99 a month, and 2TB for $9.99 a month.

Security

– When it comes to security, both OneDrive and iCloud offer two-factor verification or two-factor authentication for added security. It is basically like a second layer of protection to your account, applications and services. However, only the Business plan of OneDrive provides encryption at-rest. Also, OneDrive offers an additional tool called Personal Vault, which creates a space within your drive with additional security measures. On iCloud, the data is encrypted using 128-bit AES/TLS in transit, which offers a greater level of security to your files.

Features

– If you use Apple devices, iCloud is the best online storage service. Microsoft’s Office apps can also store data on iCloud as well as on OneDrive. However, iCloud has a maximum file size of 50GB, while OneDrive offers an impressive 250GB limit. The ones who are used to the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, OneDrive is definitely the best option that allows you to easily manage files across devices. The only way to use the iCloud services on Android devices is to use the iCloud website.

OneDrive vs. iCloud: Comparison Chart

Summary

If you use Apple devices and Apple productivity applications, iCloud is the best online storage service for you because it connects seamless with all your devices. From photos and documents to videos, music and text messages, iCloud store everything on remote servers for easy access. OneDrive does exactly what other cloud storage services do – it provides a place to put all your files and documents on the internet. You need to login to your Microsoft account and you’re good to go. OneDrive is available on all major platforms including iOS and Android. However, iCloud’s generous pricing plans make it stand out.

What is better iCloud or OneDrive?

Apple’s iCloud is a better cloud storage service, if you are all things Apple and you use Apple productivity apps because it seamlessly integrates with all your devices, so you can access your data from anywhere you want. OneDrive is better if you’re accustomed to the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.

Can I use OneDrive instead of iCloud on iPhone?

Yes, you can use the OneDrive app available on the App Store on your iPhone. But, you cannot sync your Calendars, Reminders, Contacts, Keychain, etc. with OneDrive as you do with iCloud.

Can I move files from iCloud to OneDrive?

You cannot directly move your files from iCloud to OneDrive. However, you may transfer your photos from iCloud to OneDrive. You can log in to your iCloud account and download all the iCloud photos to a local folder on your computer or phone. You can upload these pictures to OneDrive from the local folder.