Microsoft online storage

Microsoft’s online storage range

Microsoft 365 Basic is the entry paid OneDrive plan: it provides 100 GB for one person and focuses on storage. It is a fit if you mainly need more space for personal files and photos. Microsoft also offers a free OneDrive tier with 5 GB.

Microsoft 365 Personal raises the listed allowance to 1 TB for one person and adds Microsoft 365 apps. Choose it if you want more room and a personal subscription for working with documents. Microsoft 365 Family lists 2 TB for use across a household of up to six people, making it the option for sharing subscription benefits with family members. Storage arrangements can depend on subscription terms.

Azure Blob Storage Hot LRS is not a larger version of a personal OneDrive plan. Hot is intended for frequently accessed objects, while LRS describes local redundancy. Azure charges according to usage and configuration, so it suits business workloads better than everyday file syncing.

What stands out

OneDrive combines desktop sync with web and mobile access on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. You can share files or folders by link, and supported Office documents can be edited online and co-authored. Microsoft says eligible Microsoft 365 subscriptions add password-protected and expiring links. Personal Vault adds identity verification, but files kept there cannot be shared.

Microsoft documents encryption at rest and TLS protection in transit for OneDrive. It is not described as zero-knowledge storage. Personal OneDrive users cannot select a storage region, and the reviewed information does not confirm an account’s exact data-centre location. Microsoft’s general privacy statement allows personal data to be processed in the user’s region, the United States or other jurisdictions where it operates.

OneDrive recovery includes the recycle bin and file version history; Microsoft 365 subscribers also have whole-OneDrive restoration within the stated recovery window. These features help recover changes or deletions, but are not a separately configured backup schedule. Azure provides more control over region selection, access and recovery options, but customers must configure features such as versioning or soft delete. LRS alone does not replicate data across regions and is not a backup. Microsoft documents encryption at rest for Azure too; neither service is confirmed as zero-knowledge.

Prices and renewals

OneDrive subscriptions may be billed monthly or yearly in supported markets. Introductory offers, when available, vary by plan, region and purchase channel; the renewal price is the applicable recurring price, not necessarily the offer shown at sign-up. A longer billing term changes when you pay and may have a different pricing basis, but offers are not universal. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled. Trials and refund eligibility depend on the offer, subscription, country and purchase channel, so neither a trial nor a refund is guaranteed for every plan.

Azure Blob Storage is usage-based rather than a fixed monthly subscription: charges depend on factors including storage tier, redundancy, operations and data movement. Reserved capacity is a separate longer commitment with a different pricing basis.

When another provider may fit better

Infomaniak is worth considering if you want a provider that confirms kDrive data is stored and processed in Switzerland. STRATO states that its HiDrive storage is held in EU data centres and operates the hosted service. For server backups with setup and policy assistance, Webhosting UK stores backup data in the Acronis cloud at a UK data centre. Compare all providers on our online storage comparison.

Read our Microsoft review for an overall assessment.

See the Microsoft provider page for its other products.