--- title: iCloud Drive canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/icloud-drive/ category: Cloud Storage Services points: 59 rank: 4 of 10 facts_checked: 2026-10-08 --- # iCloud Drive Apple's file storage, with 5 GB free, an iCloud for Windows app and plans from $0.99 a month. 59 points out of 100. #4 of 10 cloud storage services. Vendor: Apple. Website: https://www.icloud.com/ - The free plan gives 5 GB; paid iCloud+ plans cost $0.99 (50 GB), $2.99 (200 GB) and $9.99 (2 TB) a month [1]. - Apple shows monthly prices only, with no yearly or lifetime plan [1][2]. - Any iCloud+ plan can be shared with up to five other family members [2][11]. - Files are end-to-end encrypted only after you switch on Advanced Data Protection [3]. - Deleted iCloud Drive files can be recovered for 30 days [10]. Verdict: iCloud Drive suits people with Apple devices who want a Windows PC to open the same files, and families who share one plan [2][8][11]. The 200 GB plan costs $2.99 a month and the 2 TB plan $9.99 [1]. The catch: Apple holds the encryption keys unless you turn on Advanced Data Protection, and the requirements page lists no Android or Linux app [3][7]. Best for: People who mainly use iPhone and Mac and want a Windows PC to reach the same files. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | Security and audits | End-to-end encryption | option | 5/10 | Advanced Data Protection is an opt-in setting that makes iCloud Drive end-to-end encrypted; by default Apple holds the keys [3]. | | Security and audits | Independent security test since 2024 | Not published | 0/6 | Not found on the vendor's pages [3][4]. | | Security and audits | SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001 | Yes | 5/5 | Apple's certifications page says its ISO/IEC 27001 certification covers iCloud [4]. | | Security and audits | Open-source apps | Not published | 0/3 | Not found on the vendor's pages [7]. | | Security and audits | Security key for two-factor sign-in | Yes | 4/4 | Apple Accounts accept FIDO-certified security keys for two-factor sign-in; at least two keys are required [6]. | | Security and audits | Public bug bounty | Yes | 3/3 | Apple Security Bounty is public and publishes reward amounts, up to $2 million [5]. | | Apps and sync | Apps | Windows, macOS, iOS | 6/10 | iCloud runs on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Windows; the requirements page lists no Android or Linux app [7]. | | Apps and sync | Files on demand in Windows | Yes | 6/6 | iCloud Drive files can be opened in File Explorer; files show a cloud icon until downloaded, and pinning keeps them on the PC [2][8][9]. | | Apps and sync | Choose which folders sync | Yes | 4/4 | In File Explorer you can pin single files, single folders or all of iCloud Drive to keep them on the PC [8]. | | Recovery and sharing | File version and deleted-file history | 30 | 2/6 | Deleted iCloud Drive files can be recovered within 30 days; no longer file-version period is given [10]. | | Recovery and sharing | Restore the whole account | Not published | 0/4 | Not found on the vendor's pages [10]. | | Recovery and sharing | Password-protected share links | Not published | 0/4 | Not found on the vendor's sharing page for iCloud for Windows [12]. | | Recovery and sharing | Edit documents in the browser | Yes | 4/4 | Pages for iCloud lets you create, edit and share documents on iCloud.com from a computer [13]. | | Recovery and sharing | Plan for five or more people | Yes | 4/4 | An iCloud+ plan can be shared with up to five other family members, six people in total, each with their own Apple Account [2][11]. | | Price and plans | Free plan with 5 GB or more | Yes | 5/5 | The free plan includes 5 GB of storage [1][2]. | | Price and plans | Cheapest paid plan with 100 GB or more | $2.99/mo | 6/8 | iCloud+ 200 GB at $2.99 a month; the plans page shows no yearly price, so the monthly price is used [1]. | | Price and plans | Cheapest paid plan with 1 TB or more | $9.99/mo | 2/8 | iCloud+ 2 TB at $9.99 a month; the plans page shows no yearly price [1]. | | Price and plans | One-time lifetime plan | No | 0/3 | The plans page lists only monthly subscription prices and no one-time plan [1][2]. | | Price and plans | Refund period of 14 days or more | Yes | 3/3 | The iCloud terms allow cancelling within 14 days of purchase, with a refund within 14 days of Apple receiving the notice [14]. | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | Free | Free [1][2] | $0 | | iCloud+ 50 GB | $0.99/month [1] | $0.99 | | iCloud+ 200 GB | $2.99/month [1] | $2.99 | | iCloud+ 2 TB | $9.99/month [1] | $9.99 | | iCloud+ 6 TB | $29.99/month [1] | $29.99 | | iCloud+ 12 TB | $59.99/month [1] | $59.99 | Apple's plans page lists monthly US prices only and says you are billed monthly, so the scored prices are the monthly prices [1]. ## Strengths - Files appear in File Explorer, show a cloud icon until downloaded, and can be pinned to stay on the PC [2][8][9]. - One iCloud+ plan can be shared with up to five other family members, each on their own Apple Account [11]. - Apple names ISO/IEC 27001 certification for iCloud [4]. - Apple Security Bounty publishes reward amounts [5]. - Apple accounts accept FIDO-certified security keys for two-factor sign-in [6]. ## Limits - By default Apple holds the keys for iCloud Drive; end-to-end encryption needs Advanced Data Protection [3]. - No yearly or lifetime plan is shown; every paid plan is billed monthly [1][2]. - The system requirements list iPhone, Mac and Windows, not Android or Linux [7]. - Apple recovers deleted files for 30 days and describes no whole-account rewind [10]. ## Sources 1. [iCloud+ plans and pricing](https://support.apple.com/en-us/108047), Apple Support, accessed 2026-10-08 2. [iCloud](https://www.apple.com/icloud/), Apple, accessed 2026-10-08 3. [iCloud data security overview](https://support.apple.com/en-us/102651), Apple Support, accessed 2026-10-08 4. [Apple internet services security certifications](https://support.apple.com/guide/certifications/apple-internet-services-security-apc34d2c0468b/web), Apple Support, accessed 2026-10-08 5. [Apple Security Bounty](https://security.apple.com/bounty/), Apple, accessed 2026-10-08 6. [About security keys for Apple Account](https://support.apple.com/en-us/102637), Apple Support, accessed 2026-10-08 7. [iCloud feature and system requirements](https://support.apple.com/en-us/118308), Apple Support, accessed 2026-10-08 8. [Keep files downloaded in iCloud for Windows](https://support.apple.com/guide/icloud-windows/keep-files-downloaded-icw8531ad6b7/icloud), Apple Support, accessed 2026-10-08 9. [View download and sharing status in iCloud for Windows](https://support.apple.com/guide/icloud-windows/view-download-and-sharing-status-icw9b88b74a9/icloud), Apple Support, accessed 2026-10-08 10. [Recover recently deleted files in iCloud for Windows](https://support.apple.com/guide/icloud-windows/recover-recently-deleted-files-icw27848c5a3/icloud), Apple Support, accessed 2026-10-08 11. [Share iCloud storage with Family Sharing](https://support.apple.com/en-us/108783), Apple Support, accessed 2026-10-08 12. [Share files and folders in iCloud for Windows](https://support.apple.com/guide/icloud-windows/share-files-and-folders-icw3796339dd/icloud), Apple Support, accessed 2026-10-08 13. [Pages for iCloud](https://support.apple.com/guide/icloud/pages-mma716007276/icloud), Apple Support, accessed 2026-10-08 14. [iCloud terms and conditions](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/icloud/en/terms.html), Apple, accessed 2026-10-08