Best Cloud Storage for Video: 7 Options for Production Teams

What Makes Cloud Storage Good for Video?

Video files are different from other content. A single 4K video file runs about 375MB per minute, which means a 10-minute clip takes 3.75GB. That changes what you need from storage.

The best cloud storage for video offers:

• Large file support - Many services cap uploads at 2-5GB, which won't work for most raw footage
• Fast upload and download speeds - Moving terabytes of footage can't take days
• Video preview and playback - Streaming video in-browser without downloading first
• Collaboration features - Comments, version tracking, and shared access for editors

Most general-purpose cloud storage falls short on at least one of these. Consumer services like basic Google Drive work fine for vacation clips but struggle with professional workflows.

How We Evaluated These Options

We focused on what actually matters for video production teams:

Streaming quality: Does the service offer true adaptive bitrate streaming (HLS), or just progressive download that buffers constantly?

File size limits: Can you upload a 50GB ProRes file, or does the service cap out at a few gigabytes?

Collaboration tools: Can editors leave timestamped comments? Can clients review without downloading?

Pricing model: Per-seat pricing gets expensive fast when you have editors, clients, and stakeholders accessing footage.

Transfer speed: How long does it take to upload and download large files?

7 Best Cloud Storage Options for Video

1. Fast.io

Fast.io uses HLS adaptive bitrate streaming, the same technology Netflix and YouTube use. Videos start playing instantly and adjust quality based on your connection. No buffering, no waiting for downloads.

Best for: Teams that share video with clients and stakeholders who need to view without downloading

Pros:

• True HLS streaming with instant playback
• Frame-accurate commenting for precise feedback
• Usage-based pricing instead of per-seat fees
• Unlimited guest access for clients
• Organization-owned files (stay when employees leave)

Cons:

• Newer platform, smaller market presence
• No local sync (cloud-native only)

Pricing: Usage-based credits. Pro plan includes 25 seats, Business includes 100 seats. Extra seats are $1/month each.

2. Backblaze B2

Backblaze B2 offers raw storage at about 1/5 the cost of AWS S3. It's S3-compatible, so it integrates with most video tools. Good for archiving footage you don't need to stream.

Best for: Archival storage and backup

Pros:

• Very low storage costs ($6/TB/month)
• S3-compatible API
• Integrates with video production tools
• Scales to petabytes

Cons:

• No built-in video streaming or preview
• Technical setup required
• Egress fees for downloads

Pricing: $6/TB/month storage, $0.01/GB download

3. Google Drive

Google Drive works well for teams already in Google Workspace. The 5TB storage on Business plans handles most projects. Preview quality is decent but not production-grade.

Best for: Teams using Google Workspace who need basic video sharing

Pros:

• Familiar interface everyone knows
• Works well with Google Workspace
• Solid mobile apps
• Real-time collaboration on docs

Cons:

• Progressive download, not true streaming
• 5GB upload limit via web interface
• Per-user pricing adds up
• Personal folder structure creates chaos

Pricing: $12/user/month for Business Starter (30GB), $18/user/month for Business Standard (2TB)

4. Dropbox

Dropbox has widespread adoption, making it easy to share with anyone. The Replay add-on offers video review features, though it costs extra.

Best for: Teams who prioritize broad compatibility and sync

Pros:

• Almost universal adoption
• Dropbox Replay for video review (add-on)
• Good desktop sync
• Smart Sync reduces local storage

Cons:

• Progressive download, buffers on large files
• Expensive per-seat pricing
• Replay costs extra
• Files tied to user accounts

Pricing: $18/user/month for Business, $30/user/month for Business Plus

5. Frame.io

Frame.io is purpose-built for video review. Adobe owns it now, so it integrates with Premiere Pro and After Effects. The review tools are excellent.

Best for: Video review workflows integrated with Adobe Creative Cloud

Pros:

• Frame-accurate comments
• Native Adobe integration
• Purpose-built for video
• Version comparison tools

Cons:

• Not a general storage solution
• Limited to video workflows
• Storage caps on plans
• Expensive for large teams

Pricing: $15/user/month for Pro, $25/user/month for Team

6. pCloud

pCloud offers lifetime storage plans, which makes it attractive for long-term archival. The built-in video player handles most formats without transcoding.

Best for: Solo creators and small teams looking for lifetime pricing

Pros:

• Lifetime plan option (one-time payment)
• Built-in media player
• Client-side encryption option
• 10GB free tier

Cons:

• No collaboration features
• Basic sharing controls
• Not built for teams
• Upload limits on some plans

Pricing: $99/year for 500GB, or $399 lifetime for 2TB

7. Sync.com

Sync.com prioritizes privacy with zero-knowledge encryption. Good for sensitive footage, but the encryption means no server-side preview or processing.

Best for: Teams handling confidential video content

Pros:

• Zero-knowledge encryption
• GDPR and privacy-focused
• Canadian data centers
• Strong security track record

Cons:

• No video preview (encryption prevents it)
• Slower transfers due to encryption
• Limited collaboration tools
• Per-user pricing

Pricing: $8/user/month for Teams Standard (1TB)

Comparison Table: Cloud Storage for Video

Which Cloud Storage Is Best for Your Video Workflow?

Your choice depends on how you work with video:

If clients need to review footage: Choose a service with true streaming and commenting. Progressive download forces clients to wait for buffering or download entire files. Fast.io and Frame.io both offer frame-accurate comments on streaming video.

If you're archiving raw footage: Backblaze B2 gives you the most storage for the least money. No preview or streaming, but you can pull files when needed.

If your team runs on Google Workspace: Google Drive keeps everything in one place. It's not built for video, but the convenience might outweigh the limitations.

If you need sync and widespread compatibility: Dropbox works with almost everyone. Add Replay if you need video-specific review features.

If privacy is the priority: Sync.com's zero-knowledge encryption means even they can't see your files. The tradeoff is no server-side processing.

How Videographers Actually Store Footage

Most video professionals use a tiered approach:

Working storage: Fast, accessible storage for active projects. This is where you edit from. Speed matters more than cost.

Archive storage: Long-term storage for completed projects. Lower cost is the priority since you rarely access these files.

Delivery storage: Where you share with clients. Streaming quality and ease of access matter most here.

Some teams use different services for each tier. Others prefer one platform that handles everything. Pick based on which tier frustrates you the most right now.

Common Questions About Video Cloud Storage

How much cloud storage do I need for video?

A rough guide: 1TB holds about 44 hours of 4K footage at 375MB/minute. Most production teams working on multiple projects need 5-10TB minimum. If you're archiving everything, plan for growth.

Can I edit video directly from cloud storage?

Some services support this, but most workflows still use local or NAS storage for editing. Cloud storage works better for review, delivery, and archival. The exception is proxy-based workflows where you edit low-res versions and swap in full-res for final render.

What about upload speeds?

Upload speed depends on your internet connection, not just the service. A 100Mbps upload connection moves about 45GB per hour. Most cloud services can accept data as fast as you can send it. The bottleneck is usually your internet provider.