Cloud storage services have exploded in popularity as people look for secure, convenient ways to back up their ever-growing collections of digital files and photos. In fact, the global cloud storage market is expected to surge from $78.6 billion in 2022 to over $200 billion by 2027, according to data from Statista.
While big tech names like Apple iCloud, Google One, and Microsoft OneDrive dominate the space, telecommunications providers like Verizon have also thrown their hat into the cloud storage ring. Verizon Cloud offers online backup and file syncing aimed at Verizon‘s mobile and home internet customers.
But is Verizon Cloud actually free to use with your Verizon plan, or is it an add-on service that costs extra? In this guide, I‘ll break down exactly how Verizon Cloud‘s pricing and plans work, how it compares to other cloud options, and help you decide if it‘s the right storage solution for your needs and budget.
What Is Verizon Cloud and How Does It Work?
Verizon Cloud is a cloud storage and backup service that lets you save your digital content like photos, videos, music, contacts, and documents online. Some of Verizon Cloud‘s key features include:
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Automatic mobile backup: Verizon Cloud can automatically back up photos and videos taken on your iPhone or Android phone. No need to manually upload your camera roll.
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Multi-device file syncing: In addition to backing up files, Verizon Cloud also syncs your content across all your linked devices. That means your latest photos and documents are accessible whether you‘re on your phone, tablet, or computer.
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Integrated app support: Verizon Cloud works seamlessly with productivity apps like Microsoft Office. You can save Office files to the cloud and open them with apps on your devices.
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Digital sharing: Want to privately share photos and videos with friends and family? Verizon Cloud lets you create shared folders and albums that you can invite others to view and add to.
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Anywhere access: You can view, download, and manage your Verizon Cloud content from anywhere via the mobile apps or web access portal. Supported file types include photos, videos, contacts, calendars, call logs, text messages, music, and documents.
Individual file size is limited to 15 GB for the Unlimited plan and 10 GB for the 2 TB and 600 GB plans. Verizon Cloud supports these file formats: .jpg, .tiff, .gif, .bmp, .png, .mpeg4, .mov, .avi, .wmv, .3gp, .3g2, .mp4, .m4v, .vcf, .csv, .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx, .txt, .pdf, .log, .rtf, .pages, .numbers, and .key.
One important thing to note about Verizon Cloud is that it is primarily a backup and syncing service, not a file storage drive like some other cloud services. That means you can‘t use it to expand your phone‘s storage capacity. Content in Verizon Cloud doesn‘t free up space on your device unless you delete the local copies after backing up.
Is Verizon Cloud Free to Use?
The quick answer is no, Verizon Cloud is not free for most Verizon customers. By default, Verizon Cloud charges a monthly or annual subscription fee to store and sync your digital content. There is no free tier with a few gigabytes of storage like you get with iCloud, Google One, and others.
However, there are a couple scenarios where you can get Verizon Cloud for free:
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Free trial period: All Verizon customers can try out Verizon Cloud with a 30-day free trial. After the trial, you‘ll be automatically subscribed to the 600 GB plan at $5.99/month unless you cancel.
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Included with select plans: Verizon includes a free Verizon Cloud subscription with a few of its highest-tier mobile and home internet plans. The 5G Get More and 5G Play More mobile plans come with 600 GB of Verizon Cloud storage per line. The 5G Home Plus home internet plan includes Verizon Cloud with unlimited storage.
So unless you have one of those specific plans or are within the first month of using Verizon Cloud, you will need to pay a monthly or annual fee to use the service. Here‘s a full breakdown of Verizon Cloud‘s pricing.
Verizon Cloud Storage Plans and Pricing
Verizon Cloud offers three main paid storage plans aimed at different backup needs and budgets:
| Storage Amount | Monthly Price | Annual Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 600 GB | $5.99/month | $65.89/year | Mobile backup only. Supports 1 phone, 1 user |
| 2 TB | $14.99/month | $164.89/year | Mobile + computer backup. Unlimited devices, 5 users, family sharing |
| Unlimited | $19.99/month | $219.89/year | Same features as 2 TB plan with unlimited storage |
To put Verizon Cloud‘s pricing in perspective, here‘s how it compares to storage plans from other major cloud providers:
| Service | Free Tier | 100 GB | 200 GB | 2 TB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon Cloud | None | n/a | n/a | $14.99/month or $164.89/year |
| iCloud | 5 GB | n/a | $2.99/month | $9.99/month |
| Google One | 15 GB | $1.99/month | $2.99/month | $9.99/month |
| OneDrive | 5 GB | $1.99/month | n/a | Included with Microsoft 365 Personal ($69.99/year) |
| Dropbox | 2 GB | n/a | n/a | $11.99/month or $119.88/year |
As you can see, Verizon Cloud is one of the only major providers that doesn‘t offer any permanent free storage tier. Its cheapest plan starts at a whopping 600 GB for $5.99/month which is far more than the entry-level 100 GB plans from rivals that cost just $1-$2 per month.
Verizon Cloud‘s 2 TB plan is also on the pricier side at $14.99/month or $164.89/year. That‘s $60-$70 more per year compared to 2 TB from iCloud or Google One. And Dropbox‘s standalone 2 TB plan is a bit cheaper than Verizon‘s as well.
Is Verizon Cloud Worth Paying For?
Whether Verizon Cloud is worth its premium price tag ultimately depends on your specific needs, budget, and how much you value the convenience of an integrated carrier storage solution. Here are some of the main pros and cons to consider:
Verizon Cloud Pros
- Easy setup and automatic backup if you‘re already a Verizon customer
- Generous 600 GB and 2 TB storage amounts
- Intuitive mobile and web apps with all the essential backup and syncing features
- Family sharing on 2 TB and Unlimited plans supports up to 5 users
- Can be bundled with select Verizon mobile and Fios plans at no extra cost
Verizon Cloud Cons
- Pricey plans compared to many competitors, especially considering the lack of a free tier or affordable entry-level option
- Some users report glitches, syncing issues, and slow upload/download speeds
- Lacks niche features and customization options that power users may appreciate
- No end-to-end encryption or enhanced privacy measures
- Cheapest 600 GB plan lacks computer backup and family sharing
Based on my analysis and experience, I think Verizon Cloud is best-suited for Verizon customers who want a simple, hands-off backup solution and are willing to pay a bit more for the convenience of carrier integration. It could also make sense if you‘re able to bundle it with a Verizon mobile or Fios plan that you‘re already paying top dollar for.
However, if you‘re a picky shopper like me who prioritizes value and features, Verizon Cloud is harder to recommend over the wealth of cheaper cloud storage alternatives out there. Tech-savvy users will likely be better off with Google One, iCloud, or OneDrive which offer a lot more bang for your buck in my opinion.
Interesting Verizon Cloud Facts & Stats
Here are some fascinating facts and figures I uncovered while researching Verizon Cloud and the cloud storage industry:
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The average person has over 600 photos and 50 videos stored on their phone, according to a survey by Promo. That takes up roughly 10 GB of space which Verizon Cloud‘s 600 GB plan could back up 60 times over.
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Globally, we‘re generating 2.5 quintillion bytes of data every single day and that number is growing rapidly. To put that in perspective, 90% of the world‘s data was created in just the last two years. (Source)
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Verizon Cloud use more than doubled from March to June 2020 as the pandemic spurred demand for digital storage and sharing solutions. (Source)
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Though rarely publicized, Verizon actually suffered a major cloud outage back in 2016 that caused some users to lose their data permanently. The incident highlighted the importance of having multiple backups. (Source)
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Nearly 70% of consumers keep their photos solely on their smartphones, not backed up to the cloud or a computer. Around 30% of people have lost a mobile device at some point. That‘s a lot of memories at risk! (Source)
The Bottom Line on Verizon Cloud
As you can see, cloud storage is more essential than ever in our digital world. And while Verizon Cloud offers a user-friendly way to back up your photos and files, it‘s far from the only option. Nor is it the most economical, especially considering the lack of a free tier or cheaper plans under 500 GB.
Ultimately, whether Verizon Cloud makes sense for you depends on your budget, the type of files you need to store, and if you‘re already committed to the Verizon ecosystem. If you do decide to try it out, be sure to take advantage of the 30-day free trial before you get locked into a subscription.
Personally, Verizon Cloud wouldn‘t be my first choice since I‘m all about maximizing value. I‘d rather spend my money on a cloud storage service with more flexible plans, features, and reliable performance. But that‘s just my two cents! Let me know your experience with Verizon Cloud in the comments.
