In 2024, Australia’s cloud storage landscape is diverse and competitive. This post gives you a clear rundown of the best Australia cloud storage options based on security, pricing, and overall efficiency.
Despite being a huge country, Australia often gets left out, and it’s not the cute but surprisingly vicious wildlife that’s at fault. Sure, the country is large, but it’s also remote and has only 25.69 million people (small fry compared with the USA’s population of 332 million).
As such, many businesses choose not to base themselves there and instead prefer more populated locations that are easier to access.
This can pose a problem when trying to access services down under because they’re either unavailable or based so far away they’re inefficient. Ask any Aussie who’s tried to use Amazon Prime lately. Unless you live in certain postcodes in Sydney or Melbourne – you’re in a tough spot.
The same goes for cloud storage providers in Australia. They’re either situated on the other side of the planet (literally) or are subject to the lax privacy laws that US citizens have to put up with.
Fortunately, there are a few shining examples that provide top-quality cloud storage for Aussies. In this article, I uncover them all.
Important: Please note that this article states prices in USD, not AUD.
TL;DR: At a glance, here are my favorite Australian cloud storage services:
| Provider | Plans cost from | Lifetime plans? | End-to-end encryption | Free plan? | Best for… |
| 1. Mega.io | $10.93/month | No | Yes | Yes: 20 GB | Best overall, it has NZ data centers |
| 2. Sync.com | $8/month | No | Yes | Yes: 5 GB | Best for unlimited storage |
| 3. pCloud | $49.99/year | Yes | Yes | Yes: 10 GB | Best lifetime deals |
| 4. Icedrive | $2.99/month | Yes | Yes | Yes: 10 GB | Most secure storage |
| 5. Internx | $5.49/month | Yes | Yes | Yes: 10 GB | Cheapest cloud storage |
Why Choose Australia-Based Cloud Storage?
Most countries take privacy really seriously and, as such, have robust legislation in place to protect people’s data, how it’s stored, and what is done with it.
In the USA, however, there is no such thing. Well, there is a bit of legislation, but it’s lax, to say the least. That means you don’t know what they are doing with your data – or who they’re selling it to.
Australians, on the other hand, are subject to the strict Privacy Act of 1988, which protects individuals’ personal data from being mishandled. Cloud storage providers that operate in Australia are bound by this law; those that aren’t can ignore it.
So if you’re using a popular US-based cloud storage system, such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or Microsoft OneDrive, you’ll be disappointed to learn that your data is not safe.
Furthermore, I already mentioned how remote Australia is. Well, this affects the speed of your chosen cloud storage provider, particularly if they don’t have any servers located in the immediate vicinity. The end result for you? A slow, clunky, and unreliable service that no one wants.
Finally, despite having three time zones, they’re all vastly different from the US. When Australia is brewing the first coffee of the day, the USA yawns and puts its pajamas on.
Why does this matter? Well, US-based cloud storage has US-based support. And while you’re at work getting frustrated because you need help, the support team is snugly tucked up in bed, dreaming of tropical islands. Not very helpful, is it?
What Are the Best Cloud Storage Providers in Australia?
Fortunately, it’s not necessary to put up with the aforementioned problems. There are a number of cloud storage providers that operate in Australia and can offer you full privacy, a speedy and reliable service, and ensure you can contact someone during daylight hours.
Here they are:
1. Mega.io: Best Australian Cloud Storage Provider
Mega.io is a New Zealand-based cloud storage provider that takes its user privacy and security extremely seriously. And since New Zealand is Australia’s closest neighbor, the servers aren’t located too far away, either.
The platform has chosen to comply with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). These are the strongest, most robust data protection laws on the planet – even stronger than Australia’s.
Furthermore, the company has implemented end-to-end data encryption and zero-knowledge encryption. This means that it’s extremely difficult for hackers and other nasties to infiltrate and steal your data. It also means that Mega.io also has no knowledge or visibility of your activity.
One feature I really like is the ability to make calls and conduct video meetings from within the platform. Like the files you store, these are kept private too, so if you are discussing sensitive information, this is a must.
Mega.io has the best free plan on this list (20 GB storage), so you can get started risk-free, and its paid plans are pretty darn reasonable too.
All in all, Mega.io is a solid – and, in my opinion, the best – choice for Australian cloud storage.
Mega.io Features
Here are the top features that Mega.io offers its customers:
- Forever-free plan with 20 GB storage
- 90-day money-back guarantee
- Compliant with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
- Super-easy user-interface
- Client-side AES-256 end-to-end encryption: keeps your data safe and private
- Zero-knowledge encryption: Mega.io does not record or spy on your activity
- Master encryption key provided
- Two-factor authentication for extra account security
- Mobile app for on-the-go file management
- Unlimited file size download and upload
- Bulk data download
- Automatic desktop-to-cloud data backup
- File syncing across devices
- Collaboration and sharing tools
- Private one-to-one online meetings and calls
- 24/7 email ticketing support
Mega.io Ease of Use
Mega.io has a really nice user interface that’s clean, simple, and easy to navigate. Your account will come preloaded with a help document to get you started, and as you move around the platform, you get prompts and tips to assist you.
Uploading and downloading files was fast and efficient, and, being a neat freak, I like the organization system and its layout.
The platform certainly has many features, but using them is straightforward, and if you’re stuck, the resource center can quickly guide you.
Mega.io Pricing
Mega.io has a forever-free plan allowing you to get started without any financial outlay. When you’re ready to pay, it offers plans for both individuals and businesses:
- Pro I plan: From $10.93/month
- Pro II plan: From $21.87/month
- Pro III plan: From $32.81/month
- Team Business plan: From $16.41/month
Choosing yearly billing over monthly nets you a 16% discount. If you pay for a plan and decide it’s not for you, Mega.io offer a 90-day money-back guarantee.
| Plan | Monthly cost | Annual cost | Storage capacity | Transfer quota |
| Free plan | N/A | N/A | 20 GB | Limited |
| Pro I | $10.93/month | $107.40 | 2 TB | 24 TB |
| Pro II | $21.87/month | $214.81 | 8 TB | 96 TB |
| Pro III plan | $32.81/month | $322.22 | 16 TB | 192 TB |
| Team business | $16.41/month (3 users) | Price, storage, and transfer capacity are adjustable depending on what you need | ||
Find out what’s mega about Mega.io, and sign up today. While you’re at it, check out my full review of Mega.io.
2. Sync.com: Best for Unlimited Storage
Sync.com is a Canada-based platform with a massive number of security features under its belt.
Like Mega.io, the platform boasts end-to-end encryption as well as a zero-knowledge encryption feature so your data is kept safe as it travels through cyberspace. Additionally, users can also enjoy the promise of zero third-party tracking, so literally no one is going to know what you are up to – unless you tell them.
Sync’s servers are exclusively based in Canada, and since this is a fair distance from Australia, this is the reason why the platform did not make it to the top spot of this list.
However, the advantage is that Canada’s privacy laws are strict, but not only that, Sync.com also abides by GDPR, HIPAA, and PIPEDA (Personal Information Protection Electronic Documents Act), giving you one of the most robust privacy protections going.
Sync.com has a free plan available, although, with a 5 GB storage limit, it’s not as generous as Mega.io’s. But the biggest advantage of Sync.com is that it has an unlimited cloud storage plan, so you can upload files to your heart’s content without worrying about breaching any limits.
Sync.com Features
Sync.com has plenty to offer in the feature department:
- Free-for-life plan with 5 GB storage
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 99.9% uptime SLA
- Canada-based servers
- Unlimited data transfer
- GDPR and HIPAA compliant
- PIPEDA compliant
- SOC 2 Type 1 compliant
- E2EE end-to-end encryption
- Zero-knowledge encryption
- Two-factor authentication
- Zero third-party tracking
- Real-time file backup and syncing
- Mobile app for use on-the-go
- File history and recovery
- Collaboration tools
- User management tools
- 24/7 email ticketing support
Sync.com Ease of Use
The Sync.com interface is pretty plain and simple. There are no complicated features to deal with, and everything is laid out in an intuitive manner.
You have the ability to integrate the platform with Microsoft Office and, as such, can create documents within the user interface. A nice touch, I thought.
Overall, very beginner-friendly and fast to get to grips with.
Sync.com Pricing
Sync.com has six plans available – three for individuals and three for businesses:
Individual plans:
- Free plan: Free
- Solo Basic plan: $8/month billed annually
- Solo Professional plan: $20/month billed annually
Business plans:
- Teams Standard plan: $72/year per user (minimum two users)
- Teams Unlimited plan: $18/month or $15/month billed annually per user (minimum two users)
- Enterprise plan: Bespoke pricing
| Plan | Monthly cost | Annual cost | Storage capacity | Transfer quota |
| Free plan | N/A | N/A | 5 GB | Limited |
| Solo Basic | N/A | $96 | 2 TB | Unlimited |
| Solo Professional | $24 | $240 | 6 TB | Unlimited |
| Teams Standard | N/A | $72 | 1 TB | Unlimited |
| Teams Unlimited | $18 (per user) | $180 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Enterprise | Bespoke pricing and features | |||
Only the Solo Professional and Teams Unlimited plans allow you to pay monthly. All other plans must be paid annually.
Sync.com provides a full 30-day money-back guarantee. Click here to sign up for Sync’s free plan, and take in more info by reading my full Sync.com review.
3. pCloud: Best Cloud Storage with Lifetime Plans
pCloud hangs out in Switzerland. This tiny country is located in Europe but is not part of the EU and, as such, does not have to comply with GDPR. Instead, Switzerland has its own set of super strict data privacy laws. That said, pCloud complies with Swiss laws and GDPR.
Its server locations are in Luxembourg – an even tinier European country, and the US, so while your experience will be about as secure as it could ever be, it may not be the fastest overall.
pCloud offers end-to-end encryption and a zero-knowledge privacy guarantee, but you can also add on an extra layer of encryption for a one-off fee of $150.
What makes pCloud really attractive, though, is its lifetime payment options. Rather than faff about with monthly or annual premiums, you simply pay one price once. This makes this provider excellent value and will save you a ton of cash in the long run.
pCloud Features
Here’s what the pCloud platform bestows upon its users:
- Lifetime one-off payment plans
- Ten-day money-back guarantee
- 30-day free trial (business plans only)
- GDPR Compliance
- USA or Luxumbourg data center locations
- TLS/SSL end-to-end encryption
- Zero-knowledge privacy guarantee
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Five copy file backups on different servers
- File rewind and restoration for up to 30 days
- Two-factor authentication
- Mobile app for on-the-go file management
- Built-in video player and streaming
- Collaboration tools
- Automatic file and photo syncing
- Access and user permissions
pCloud Ease of Use
pCloud’s interface isn’t quite as pretty or clean as others, but it’s still pretty easy to work your way around. All your options are down the left-hand side of the screen, making it quick to find what you need.
I also like the use of icons that tell you at a glance what type of files you have in your storage container. It makes organizing and managing them all the more easier.
I wish that pCloud had a free plan or free trial for individual plans. Most people want to try before they buy to see if the interface suits them, and this, unfortunately, is not possible for pCloud’s non-business customers.
pCloud Pricing
pCloud offers pricing solutions for individuals, families, and businesses:
Individuals:
- Premium plan: $49.99/year or $199/lifetime
- Premium Plus plan: $199/year or $399/lifetime
- Custom plan: $1,190/lifetime
Families:
- 2 TB plan: $595/lifetime
- 10 TB plan: $1,499/lifetime
Business:
- Business plan: $9.99/month or $7.99/month billed annually (per user)
- Business pro plan: $19.98/month or $15.98/month billed annually (per user)
| Plan | Lifetime cost | Monthly cost | Annual cost | Storage capacity |
| Premium | $199 | N/A | $49.99 | 500 GB |
| Premium Plus | $399 | N/A | $199.99 | 2 TB |
| Family 2 TB | $595 | N/A | N/A | 2 TB |
| Family 10 TB | $1,499 | N/A | N/A | 10 TB |
| Business | N/A | $9.99 (per user) | $95.88 | 1 TB |
| Business Pro | N/A | $19.98 | $191.76 | Unlimited |
If you want to add on client-side encryption (“pCloud Crypto“), be prepared to pay another $150 (one-time fee). There is no free plan available, but you can take advantage of a 30-day free trial with any of the business plans.
Those who have paid have a ten-day money-back guarantee.
If you like the sound of a lifetime deal, sign up to pCloud here. As always, you can read my unbiased pCloud review here too.
4. Icedrive: Most Secure Cloud Storage
Icedrive is comparatively light on the features, but it is also light on the price as it’s one of the most affordable options on this list. The free plan is the most generous overall, offering a tidy 10 GB worth of storage.
And this is another platform that is kind enough to offer lifetime deals starting from just $99, although the storage capacity is more limited than pCloud’s lifetime offerings.
Tucked away in a small corner of Wales, UK, this provider has servers located in Europe and the US. As such, it is bound by GDPR, ensuring the greatest level of privacy.
This is a great option for those on limited budgets; however, even though Icedrive claims to be suitable for business use, my personal opinion is that this provider is a little too limited for larger organizations.
Icedrive Features
Here’s what you get when you sign up for Icedrive:
- Free plan with 10 GB limit
- 14-day money-back guarantee
- Affordable lifetime plans
- Servers located in Germany, the UK, and the USA
- GDPR compliant
- Two-fish client-side encryption
- Zero-knowledge policy
- One-click drive mounting
- App for on-the-go file management
- Collaboration tools
- File password protection
Icedrive Ease of Use
Logging into Icedrive takes moments since you don’t need a credit card to get started. The user interface isn’t my most favorite – it looks a bit too much like Windows for my liking. That’s just my personal opinion, though. It’s perfectly fine to use.
Organizing your files is done by color coding them, which looks pretty but requires you to know what each color means!
Really, for a freebie, you can’t argue with this interface. It works well and does what it says on the tin.
Icedrive Pricing
Icedrive keeps it simple with four plans to pick from:
- Free plan: Free
- Lite plan: $2.99/month paid annually, or $299/lifetime
- Pro plan: $35.9/year, $4.17/month paid annually, or $479/lifetime
- Pro Plus plan: $17.99/month, $15/month paid annually, or $1,199/lifetime
| Plan | Lifetime cost | Monthly cost | Annual cost | Storage capacity |
| Free | N/A | N/A | N/A | 10 GB |
| Lite | $299 | N/A | $199.99 | 150 GB |
| Pro | $479 | $4.99 | $50.04 | 1 TB |
| Pro Plus | $1,199 | $17.99 | $180 | 5 TB |
All paid plans have a 14-day money-back guarantee. Sign up for the Icedrive generous free plan here, and make sure you check out my full Icedrive review.
5. Internxt: Cheapest Cloud Storage in 2024
Internxt may be impossible to pronounce but it’s still a big contender as a great Australian cloud storage provider. Operating in Europe, the platform has servers based across the EU, so GDPR compliance is guaranteed.
Furthermore, Internxt makes online privacy and security their company ethos and has gone to great lengths to ensure it’s providing the best encryption and data protection money has to offer.
It has even been checked and verified by Securitum – a very stringent and strict auditing body.
With a generous free plan and affordable lifetime plans, this provider is better for those with small storage needs. I wouldn’t say it’s suitable for business at this stage.
One excellent feature that needs pointing out; Internxt has 24/7 live chat and emailing. Everyone else on this list only provides email ticketing. So, if live support is key for your needs, this is the one to have.
Internxt Features
What does Internxt have to offer? Here’s a rundown of its features:
- Free plan with 10 GB limit
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Lifetime plans available
- EU-based server locations
- GDPR compliant and Securitum verified
- AES-256 End-to-end encryption
- Zero knowledge technology
- Free online browsing privacy tools
- Photo gallery syncing
- Unlimited file size sending
- Anonymous account creation
- Built-in redundancy
- 24/7 live chat and email support
Internxt Ease of Use
Internxt has a sleek, modern user interface that looks great on any device. It’s a breeze to navigate and organize your stuff, thanks to the use of file icons that enable you to see what you’ve got.
Setting everything up takes only a few seconds and I was uploading files within about five minutes.
Overall, this is one of the better user interfaces I’ve had the pleasure of trying out.
Internxt Pricing
Currently, Internxt only has plans available for individual use, although it mentions on its website that it plans to introduce business solutions soon. Meanwhile, six plans await you:
- Free plan: Free
- 20 GB plan: $5.49/month or $10.68/year
- 200 GB plan: $10.99/month or $41.88/year
- 2 TB plan: $9.99/month, $107.88/year, or $599/lifetime
- 5 TB plan: $1,099/lifetime
- 10 TB plan: $1,599/lifetime
| Plan | Lifetime cost | Monthly cost | Annual cost | Storage capacity |
| Free | N/A | Free | Free | 10 GB |
| 20 GB | N/A | $5.49/month | $10.68 | 20 GB |
| 200 GB | N/A | $10.99/month | $41.88 | 200 GB |
| 2 TB | $599 | N/A | N/A | 2 TB |
| 5 TB | $1,099 | N/A | N/A | 5 TB |
| 10 TB | $1,599 | N/A | N/A | 10 TB |
All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Get started with Internxt here today, and don’t forget to cast your eyes on my Internxt review.
Questions & Answers
Our Verdict
Just because Australia is a little further out of the way, it doesn’t mean you have to miss out on decent cloud storage.
Luckily, the providers on this list can offer top-quality infrastructure, privacy, and service without breaking the bank.
If you’re unsure which one to pick, I say start with my favorite, Mega.io; sign up for its free plan and go from there.
Enjoy 20 GB of free storage with Mega.io, backed by user-controlled end-to-end encryption and two-factor authentication. Benefit from features like MEGAdrop and MegaCMD command-line options.
You should also check out the best UK cloud storage providers, and the best cloud storage services in Canada.
How We Test & Review Cloud Storage: Our Methodology
Choosing the right cloud storage isn’t just about following trends; it’s about finding what genuinely works for you. Here’s our hands-on, no-nonsense methodology for reviewing cloud storage services:
Signing Up Ourselves
- First-Hand Experience: We create our own accounts, going through the same process you would to understand each service’s setup and beginner friendliness.
Performance Testing: The Nitty-Gritty
- Upload/Download Speeds: We test these in various conditions to evaluate real-world performance.
- File Sharing Speeds: We assess how quickly and efficiently each service shares files between users, an often overlooked but crucial aspect.
- Handling Different File Types: We upload and download diverse file types and sizes to gauge service versatility.
Customer Support: Real-World Interaction
- Testing Response and Effectiveness: We engage with customer support, posing real issues to evaluate their problem-solving capabilities, and the time it takes to get a reply.
Security: Delving Deeper
- Encryption and Data Protection: We examine their use of encryption, focusing on client-side options for enhanced security.
- Privacy Policies: Our analysis includes reviewing their privacy practices, especially regarding data logging.
- Data Recovery Options: We test how effective their recovery features are in the event of data loss.
Cost Analysis: Value for Money
- Pricing Structure: We compare the cost against the features offered, evaluating both monthly and annual plans.
- Lifetime Cloud Storage Deals: We specifically look for and assess the value of lifetime storage options, a significant factor for long-term planning.
- Evaluating Free Storage: We explore the viability and limitations of free storage offerings, understanding their role in the overall value proposition.
Feature Deep-Dive: Uncovering Extras
- Unique Features: We look for features that set each service apart, focusing on functionality and user benefits.
- Compatibility and Integration: How well does the service integrate with different platforms and ecosystems?
- Exploring Free Storage Options: We evaluate the quality and limitations of their free storage offerings.
User Experience: Practical Usability
- Interface and Navigation: We delve into how intuitive and user-friendly their interfaces are.
- Device Accessibility: We test on various devices to assess accessibility and functionality.
Learn more about our review methodology here.
