Looking for the best cloud storage in Canada? Look no further. This blog post looks at Canada’s top-rated cloud storage providers, comparing their features, security, pricing, and more. Ideal for businesses and individuals alike, we cut through the jargon to help you find the right solution for your data needs. Get informed and make the best choice for your cloud storage needs today.
Canada is a big country stacked right on top of the USA. The two countries share a border that’s over 5,500 miles long, but the way each of them operates is actually very different.
It’s common knowledge that the USA is world central for all things tech. It’s where the infamous Silicon Valley is based, and as such, the country is where most of the major software companies are based.
Reddit is a great place to learn more about cloud storage. Here are a few Reddit posts that I think you’ll find interesting. Check them out and join the discussion!
This means that a tonne of hosting providers also base themselves in the USA. Convenient for Canada, considering it’s just next door, but – and it’s a big but – even though the USA may be mighty for tech, it does diddly squat for data privacy.
Why is this important, you might wonder?
Well, I don’t know about you, but when I entrust my data to a third party, I want to know exactly what they’re doing with it.
Unfortunately, where the USA data privacy laws (or lack thereof) are concerned, you don’t know what they’re doing with your precious data. But, in Canada, you do. And this, my friends, is why you need a Canadian cloud storage provider.
Let’s take a look at my top five choices.
TL;DR: Here are my top picks for cloud storage in Canada:
| Provider | Plans cost from | Lifetime plans? | End-to-end encryption | Free plan? | Best for… |
| 1. Sync.com | $8/month | No | Yes | Yes: 5 GB | Overall best choice, data centers in Canada |
| 2. Icedrive | $6/month | Yes | Yes | Yes: 10 GB | Most secure storage |
| 3. Internx | $5.49/month | Yes | Yes | Yes: 10 GB | Cheapest cloud storage |
| 4. Mega.io | $10.93/month | No | Yes | Yes: 20 GB | Best free plans |
| 5. pCloud | $49.99/year | Yes | Yes | Yes: 10 GB | Best lifetime deals |
Important: Please note that this article states prices in USD, not AUD.
Why Choose Canada-Based Cloud Storage?
As I previously mentioned, Canada may be cozied up to the USA, but its laws and legislation are WAY stricter.
The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) is a federal piece of legislation that dictates how organizations must handle their customer’s personal data. In other words, businesses must get express consent or implied consent before doing anything with an individual’s data.
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is another data protection law operating within the EU. This is stricter than PIPEDA because it requires express consent before using data (not implied consent). Therefore, if you find a storage provider that abides by GDPR, you can be assured your data is kept truly private.
The USA, on the other hand, has no such laws and is free to do pretty much what it wants with your data. Dig a little deeper into Google Cloud or Dropbox’s policies, and you will find that your stuff is not as private as it would first appear.
Furthermore, Canadian cloud storage providers will have locally based servers, meaning less lag and better performance. And you’ll find that their customer service is available during Canadian office hours rather than some random time zone that has you frantically emailing a help desk at 3 am.
All-in-all, there are plenty of reasons to choose Canada-based cloud storage!
What Are the Best Cloud Storage Providers in Canada?
On this list, we have one provider actually based in Canada, and while the rest may not be based there, they provide an excellent service with top-class data protection. So they’re definitely worth checking out.
1. Sync.com: Best Canadian Cloud Storage
Since Sync.com is based exclusively in Canada, it ticks all the boxes for Canadians. All its servers are situated on Canadian soil, and that’s good news on all accounts.
First, the company abides by the strictest data privacy laws – both PIPEDA and GDPR – meaning your data is as private as data can be. It’s also HIPAA compliant – crucial for anyone working in the health or medical industries.
The company guarantees zero tracking. In other words, they’re not going to be spying on any of your activities. They also ensure no third-party tracking, so all your data dealings will be super-private.
End-to-end encryption also comes as standard, so when you send your files over to another device, no one is going to be able to intercept and steal them. In fact, the entire platform is SOC 2 Type 1 compliant, which means its safeguards and security for customer data are sufficient and have been well-designed.
What I especially like about Sync.com is its great value unlimited plan. Although you do have to pay for a minimum of two users for this plan, it does provide you with uncapped storage.
Perfect if you have large amounts of data to stash away. And on the other end of the scale, if you only have a few files to upload, take advantage of Sync.com’s free plan with a 5 GB limit.
Sync.com Features
Sync.com has plenty to offer in the feature department:
- Canada-based servers
- Free-for-life plan with 5 GB storage
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 99.9% uptime SLA
- Unlimited data transfer
- PIPEDA, GDPR, and HIPAA compliant
- Compliant with SOC 2 Type 1
- E2EE end-to-end encryption
- Zero-knowledge encryption
- File history and recovery
- Collaboration tools
- User management tools
- 24/7 email ticketing support
- Two-factor authentication
- Zero third-party tracking
- Real-time file backup and syncing
- Mobile app for file management wherever you are
Sync.com Ease of Use
Sync.com’s user interface is nice, clean, and simple. There are no complicated features cluttering up the workspace, so newcomers will like this platform too.
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 | |||
Unfortunately, monthly payments are not available on the lower-tier plans so you do have to cough up a year’s worth of premiums in one go if you want the basic plans.
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.
2. Icedrive: Most Secure Cloud Storage
Icedrive is based all the way over in the UK. The good news is that the UK and Canada share very similar data protection laws, so you can rest your mind at ease. Icedrive is compliant with DPA (The UK Data Protection Act) and GDPR.
The company has data centers in the UK, Germany, and the USA, so if the distance from a server was a concern to you, it need not be with Icedrive.
You won’t find an overload of features here. Icedrive just does storage, but it does it at an incredibly reasonable price. In fact, you can get a lifetime plan for as little as $99 (for 150 GB). This means you pay once and once only, but you get the storage forever. Nice, huh?
For those who prefer to keep their wallets closed, you can get yourself a free plan with Icedrive with a pretty decent limit of 10 GB.
The only thing here is that larger businesses will struggle using this provider. Since their largest plan limit is only 10 TB of storage, organizations with big data storage needs will do better to look elsewhere.
Icedrive Features
Here’s what you get when you sign up for Icedrive:
- Free plan with 10 GB limit
- 14-day money-back guarantee
- Lifetime plans from $99
- Servers located in Germany, the UK, and the USA
- GDPR and DPA compliant
- Two-fish client-side encryption
- Zero-knowledge policy (Icedrive doesn’t track or record your activity)
- App for on-the-go data management
- Team collaboration tools
- File password protection
- One-click drive mounting
- Phone and email ticketing support
Icedrive Ease of Use
Icedrive lets you get started in moments without having to drop your credit card details. The platform works like a dream and is, on the whole, fine to use.
My only gripe is that it’s not my favorite-looking interface because it uses color codes for file types. If you’re forgetful like me, you’re going to be wondering what type of file “orange” is more than once.
Really though, for the price, I can’t complain too much. Icedrive meets and exceeds most of my expectations.
Icedrive Pricing
Icedrive keeps it simple with four plans to pick from:
- Free plan: Free
- Lite plan: $6/month paid annually, or $189/lifetime
- Pro plan: $59/year, $4.17/month paid annually, or $399/lifetime
- Pro Plus plan: $17.99/month, $15/month paid annually, or $999/lifetime
| Plan | Lifetime cost | Monthly cost | Annual cost | Storage capacity |
| Free | N/A | N/A | N/A | 10 GB |
| Lite | $189 | N/A | $199.99 | 150 GB |
| Pro | $399 | $4.99 | $50.04 | 1 TB |
| Pro Plus | $999 | $17.99 | $180 | 5 TB |
A 14-day money-back guarantee gives you a safety net if you decide you don’t like its paid plans. Sign up for the Icedrive generous free plan here, and make sure you check out my full Icedrive review.
3. Internxt: Cheapest Cloud Storage in 2024
Fully GDPR compliant, Internxt certainly delivers the privacy goods. Even more so because the platform has been checked and verified by Securitum. This is an external security auditing organization that has very stringent criteria.
With excellent encryption infrastructure and a solid zero-tracking promise, if security is your prime concern, then this is probably the right choice for you.
The only thing that might throw you off a little is the fact that its servers are only based in the EU (the company itself is in Spain). So, if the speediest data speeds are important, go for Sync.com instead.
And this is the provider with the cheapest paid plans. Starting at only $0.99/month, Internxt is perfect for those with light wallets. And you get a 10 GB free plan to boot.
As with Icedrive, businesses are going to feel let down as Internxt currently has no business-specific plans available. The website says they’re “coming soon,” but how soon exactly is anyone’s guess.
Internxt Features
Here’s an at-a-glance look at everything Internxt provides:
- Free plan with 10 GB limit
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Lifetime cloud storage plans available
- EU-based server locations
- GDPR compliant
- 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 wonderful, sleek, and modern interface that I really enjoy using. The use of little file icons allows you to instantly identify the file type (no pesky color coding here), and you’re not bogged down with an overload of features either.
In conclusion, it’s one of my favorite interfaces on this list.
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.
4. Mega.io: Best Free Plan
Mega.io has its roots firmly planted in New Zealand, but oddly enough, its servers are based within the EU. As such, the provider is fully compliant with GDPR.
So while Mega.io satisfies our privacy criteria, users may face a little lag when using the service. However, in most cases, this will be barely noticeable – if at all.
Freebie fans will love Mega.io. It has by far the best free plan on the list. With a generous 20 GB limit, this is at least twice as much as any other platform is offering. It also has an extra long 90-day money-back guarantee.
Sadly, there are no lifetime plans to be had here, but you do get pretty high limits on its top-tier offerings.
One great feature supplied on this platform is the ability to hold private video calls and meetings. These will be kept safe and secure thanks to Mega’s zero-tracking policy. This is a sound choice if you hold frequent get-togethers online.
Mega.io Features
Here are the top features that Mega.io has to offer its customers:
- Forever-free plan with 20 GB storage
- 90-day money-back guarantee
- GDPR compliant
- EU-based servers
- Client-side AES-256 end-to-end encryption
- Zero-knowledge encryption
- Master encryption key provided
- Two-factor authentication
- Mobile app
- File syncing across devices
- Collaboration and sharing tools
- Private one-to-one online meetings and calls
- Unlimited file size download and upload
- Bulk data download
- Automatic desktop-to-cloud data backup
- 24/7 email ticketing support
Mega.io Ease of Use
Mega’s dashboard is neat. It shows you at a glance how much storage you have used and how much you have left. Using the platform is a breeze and very straightforward to navigate.
Mega.io is also one of the only platforms to offer loads of help when you first get started. Your account comes preloaded with a document containing setup and usage guides.
Plus, when you move around the platform for the first time, you get useful prompts to point you in the right direction. Definitely a must-have for the non-techy folks among us!
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.
5. pCloud: Best Cloud Storage with Lifetime Plans
pCloud is another European provider and is located in Switzerland. Like the UK, Switzerland is not part of the EU; however, it has its own data privacy laws that are on par with GDPR.
The company’s servers are over in Luxembourg and the USA, so if laggy service is a concern, you don’t have to worry about it here.
pCloud features standard end-to-end encryption. However, if you want to level this up to the highest standard, you can purchase additional encryption for a one-off fee of $150. This ensures your file transfers are as safe from prying eyes as they possibly can be.
Like Sync.com, pCloud also provides its subscribers with an unlimited plan though it’s not quite as cheap as Sync.com’s. On the other hand, no free plan is offered.
pCloud Features
Here’s what you get with pCloud:
- Lifetime and unlimited plans
- Ten-day money-back guarantee
- 30-day free trial (business plans only)
- GDPR Compliance
- USA or Luxembourg data center locations
- TLS/SSL end-to-end encryption
- Guaranteed zero-knowledge privacy
- 256-bit AES encryption
- File backups x 5 on multiple 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
- Collaboration tools
- Automatic file and photo syncing
- Access and user permissions
pCloud Ease of Use
pCloud is another platform that uses file icons for easy file identification. However, I find the interface a bit less appealing than others. That said, it’s pretty quick to grasp, and most people will be comfortable with it fairly quickly.
As I already mentioned, there’s no free plan available from pCloud, and with a pitiful 10-day money-back guarantee, you’ve only got a few days to decide whether you want the platform or not. I really think pCloud could do better here.
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 plan |
| 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.
Questions & Answers
Our Verdict
Really, there’s no need to put up with lax data privacy when there are so many good alternatives out there. Sure, you can go for one of the big names, like Google or Dropbox, but bear in mind these companies abide by US data laws – not the strict PIPEDA legislation.
But why do that when you can have the best of everything? Sync.com is made in Canada, based in Canada, and has some of the strongest data privacy promises going. What’s not to like?
Sync.com is a premium cloud storage service that is easy to use, and affordable, comes with excellent military-grade security, client-side encryption, zero-knowledge privacy - excellent and sharing, and collaboration features, and its plans are very affordable.
You should also check out the best UK cloud storage providers, and Australian cloud storage services.
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.
