The iCloud Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about iCloud in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
iCloud
The Insider’s Guide
Apple's storage and sync service for photos, files and backups
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among file storage and sync services, read from iCloud’s own pages.
Made by Apple · checked Oct 5, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from iCloud’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on iCloud’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 5, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.8
GPA, above 8 of the 17 other file storage and sync services we grade
iCloud is Apple's service for keeping photos, files, device backups and app data in sync across iPhone, iPad and Mac, with access from Windows PCs and iCloud.com. Every Apple Account starts with 5 GB free. The paid iCloud+ plans add storage from 50 GB to 12 TB along with privacy features such as Private Relay and Hide My Email.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about iCloud, taken from its own pages and our grades.
- 1
Best for backups and photos across Apple devices
iCloud is how an iPhone gets backed up and how photos and files stay the same across iPad and Mac, from $0.99 a month for 50 GB.
- 2
Paid plans start at $0.99 a month
As its pricing page puts it: $0.99 per month for 50 GB.
- 3
There is a free plan
5 GB of iCloud storage, given the first time you sign in to an iPhone, iPad or Mac with an Apple Account.
- 4
It runs on 4 platforms
iOS, macOS, Windows and Web.
- 5
iCloud Drive
Files and folders are reachable from the Files app on iOS and iPadOS, the Finder on a Mac, File Explorer on Windows PCs, or iCloud.com.
- 6
iCloud Photos
Keeps high-resolution photos and videos in iCloud with space-saving versions on each device. Shared Albums accept contributions from people on Android or Windows devices.
- 7
iCloud Backup
Data on an iPhone or iPad, including apps, is backed up automatically whenever the device is connected to power and Wi-Fi.
- 8
A 2.8 GPA, above 8 of 17
That is against the other file storage and sync services we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
To replace iCloud you would be making files kept in step across devices without losing one. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
iCloud at a glance
- Pricing
- Free plan, from $0.99 per month for 50 GB
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Web, macOS, Windows, iOS
- Made by
- Apple
- Category
- File Storage & Sync
- Our grade
- 2.8 GPA, good
The report card
Best for backups and photos across Apple devices
iCloud is how an iPhone gets backed up and how photos and files stay the same across iPad and Mac, from $0.99 a month for 50 GB. The free 5 GB has to hold backups, photos and files together, there's no Android app or annual billing, and end-to-end encryption stays off until you turn on a setting.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | $0.99 a month for 50 GB, against a category whose cheapest quarter starts at $3.99 and whose middle is $5. Private Relay and Hide My Email come with it, and any plan splits with up to five other people. 200 GB is $2.99 and 2 TB $9.99, all monthly only, with no annual discount. |
| Free plan and trial | C | 5 GB with every Apple Account, and it has to hold device backups, photos and files all at once. One phone's backup can eat the lot, which is why the 99-cent plan exists. No trial of the paid plans is listed. |
| Features | B | The whole job for an Apple household: iCloud Drive for files, iCloud Photos with light copies on each device, automatic iPhone and iPad backups, and sharing by link with edits appearing live. No top marks, though, because end-to-end encryption for Drive, Photos and Backup waits on an optional setting. |
| Ease of use | B | No store rating on record for iCloud itself, but there's nothing to install: sign in on an iPhone, iPad or Mac and the files are in the Files app or the Finder, with backups running on their own whenever the thing is on power and Wi-Fi. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | One family of devices. iPhone, iPad and Mac, with a Windows app and iCloud.com for everyone else, and no Android app listed at all. What it connects to is mostly Apple's own, HomeKit and Apple One, and no API is listed. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who iCloud is for
- Fits if your devices are mostly iPhone, iPad and Mac
- Works for families, since any iCloud+ plan can be shared with up to five other people
Who it is not for
- Skip it if anyone you share with is on Android, as Apple lists no Android app
- Tight if you're staying free, because 5 GB has to hold backups, photos and files together
- Not for you if you want end-to-end encryption without touching a setting, since Advanced Data Protection is optional
- Watch out: plans are monthly only, with no yearly discount, and no trial of the paid plans is listed
- Skip it if you want to hook your storage up to other apps, as no API is listed
Good to know
Good for
- People whose devices are mostly iPhone, iPad and Mac
- Automatic iPhone and iPad backups and photo libraries
- Families: any iCloud+ plan can be shared with up to five other people
Worth knowing
- The free tier is 5 GB, which has to cover device backups, photos and files together.
- Apple lists access through iPhone, iPad, Mac, the iCloud for Windows app and iCloud.com; no Android app is listed.
- End-to-end encryption for iCloud Drive, Photos and Backup applies only after turning on Advanced Data Protection, which is optional.
- Plans are priced per month only; the page lists no annual billing option.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$0.99
A month to start. There is a free plan too
iCloud has a free plan. Paid plans start at $0.99 per month for 50 GB.
Private Relay and Hide My Email come with it, and any plan splits with up to five other people.
iCloud 5GB
$0
5 GB to back up data and keep it in sync across devices and iCloud.com.
iCloud+ 50GB
$0.99
per month
50 GB plus Private Relay, Hide My Email, Custom Email Domain and HomeKit Secure Video recordings for one camera.
iCloud+ 200GB
$2.99
per month
Everything in the 50GB plan, with 200 GB and HomeKit Secure Video recordings for five cameras.
iCloud+ 2TB
$9.99
per month
Everything in the 200GB plan, with 2 TB and HomeKit Secure Video recordings for unlimited cameras.
iCloud+ 6TB
$29.99
per month
Everything in the 2TB plan, with 6 TB of storage.
iCloud+ 12TB
$59.99
per month
Everything in the 6TB plan, with 12 TB of storage.
The free plan
5 GB of iCloud storage, given the first time you sign in to an iPhone, iPad or Mac with an Apple Account.
Read from apple.com on Oct 5, 2026.
Ways to pay less
Other savings
Included in every Apple One bundle
iCloud+ is part of all Apple One plans, which bundle it with up to five other Apple services. Apple lists Apple One at $21.95, $27.95 or $39.95 per month depending on the plan.
Stated on apple.com
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
4
Places it runs: Web, macOS, Windows and iOS
Apple's storage and sync service for photos, files and backups. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: real-time collaboration, file sync, file sharing.
No top marks, though, because end-to-end encryption for Drive, Photos and Backup waits on an optional setting.
- iCloud Drive
- Files and folders are reachable from the Files app on iOS and iPadOS, the Finder on a Mac, File Explorer on Windows PCs, or iCloud.com.
- iCloud Photos
- Keeps high-resolution photos and videos in iCloud with space-saving versions on each device. Shared Albums accept contributions from people on Android or Windows devices.
- iCloud Backup
- Data on an iPhone or iPad, including apps, is backed up automatically whenever the device is connected to power and Wi-Fi.
- Sharing and collaboration
- Share files, folders and documents by sending a link, control who can view, edit or share the work, and see edits appear as they are made.
- iCloud+ privacy features
- Paid plans add Private Relay for browsing in Safari, Hide My Email for random forwarding addresses, and a custom domain for iCloud Mail.
- Advanced Data Protection
- An optional setting that raises the number of end-to-end encrypted data categories to 25, including iCloud Backup, Photos, Notes and iCloud Drive.
Where it runs
- Web
- macOS
- Windows
- iOS
What it works with
- Apple One
- Apple Invites
- HomeKit
- Windows File Explorer
iCloud is made by Apple.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
8/17
Other file storage and sync services it is graded above
iCloud's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 8 of the 17 other file storage and sync services we grade, and level with 3.
It stands best on value for money (A, above 11 of 17) and worst on free plan and trial (C, above 0).
Its paid plans start at $0.99 a month, against a middle price of $4.17 for the category: 2 of the 16 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.7 out of 4. 2 tools score higher and cost less.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 18 file storage and sync services we grade, cut by the letter each got. iCloud’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 11 of 17
- CFree plan and trialAbove 0 of 17
- BFeaturesAbove 7 of 17
- BEase of useAbove 4 of 17
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 17
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 18 file storage and sync services. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. iCloud is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
To replace iCloud you would be making files kept in step across devices without losing one. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
It costs $11.88 a year.
What you could not
- Files kept in step across devices without losing one.
- Storing and serving files for other people.
- Apps for macOS, Windows and iOS that stay in step with each other.
- Several people working in it at the same moment.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. iCloud’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox, Proton Drive and pCloud
The 5 tools iCloud is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 3.6GPA
Google Drive
Free plan · from $1.99/mo
Cloud storage tied to Google Docs, Gmail and Photos.
- Only Google Drive lists an Android app.
- Google Drive also covers AI search.
- 3.4GPA
Microsoft OneDrive
Free plan · from $1.99/mo
Microsoft's cloud storage, bundled with Microsoft 365 plans.
- Only Microsoft OneDrive lists an Android app.
- 2.8GPA
Dropbox
Free plan · from $9.99/mo
Cloud storage and file sync with transfer and signing tools.
- Only Dropbox lists Linux and Android apps.
- Dropbox also covers documents.
- 2.6GPA
Proton Drive
Free plan · from $3.99/mo
End-to-end encrypted cloud storage from the maker of Proton Mail.
- Only Proton Drive lists an Android app.
- Proton Drive is open source and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Proton Drive also covers documents and spreadsheets.
- 2.6GPA
pCloud
Free plan · from $4.99/mo
Swiss cloud storage sold by subscription or one-time payment.
- Only pCloud lists Linux and Android apps.
- Only pCloud lists a browser extension.
- pCloud can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
13
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is iCloud free?
iCloud has a free plan. 5 GB of iCloud storage, given the first time you sign in to an iPhone, iPad or Mac with an Apple Account.
How much does iCloud cost?
iCloud lists 6 plans. iCloud 5GB: $0. iCloud+ 50GB: $0.99 per month. iCloud+ 200GB: $2.99 per month. iCloud+ 2TB: $9.99 per month. iCloud+ 6TB: $29.99 per month. iCloud+ 12TB: $59.99 per month.
What platforms does iCloud work on?
iCloud is available on iOS, macOS, Windows and Web.
Does iCloud offer any discounts?
iCloud publicly lists the following: Included in every Apple One bundle.
Does iCloud have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 5, 2026. iCloud is listed for iOS, macOS, Windows and Web.
Does iCloud have a Linux app?
No Linux app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 5, 2026. iCloud is listed for iOS, macOS, Windows and Web.
Is iCloud open source?
iCloud is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 5, 2026.
What does iCloud integrate with?
iCloud's listing names Apple One, Apple Invites, HomeKit and Windows File Explorer.
Who makes iCloud?
iCloud is made by Apple.
What are the alternatives to iCloud?
The closest alternatives to iCloud in our directory are Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox, Proton Drive and pCloud.
How does iCloud compare with other file storage and sync services?
iCloud's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 8 of the 17 other file storage and sync services we grade, and level with 3.
Is iCloud good value for money?
ToolGPA grades iCloud A for value for money. Its paid plans start at $0.99 a month, against a middle price of $4.17 for the category: 2 of the 16 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of iCloud?
To replace iCloud you would be making files kept in step across devices without losing one.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from iCloud’s own pages on Oct 5, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Apple's own pages on 5 October 2026. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-08-23.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Apple. Prices change, so check apple.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- iCloud, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/icloud
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "iCloud: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 5, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/icloud
Know someone choosing between file storage and sync services?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/icloud/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded file storage and sync services after iCloud, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- File Storage & Sync Insider's GuideEvery one of the 18 file storage and sync services we grade, compared
- Google Drive Insider's GuideCloud storage tied to Google Docs, Gmail and Photos3.6 GPA
- Filen Insider's GuideEnd-to-end encrypted cloud storage from Germany with open source apps3.4 GPA
- Microsoft OneDrive Insider's GuideMicrosoft's cloud storage, bundled with Microsoft 365 plans3.4 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what iCloud’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. iCloud is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Apple. Prices and plans change: check apple.com before you buy.