Microsoft Matches Google With 15GB of Free OneDrive Storage

With no shortage of competition in the cloud storage market, Microsoft is making it more attractive to use its OneDrive service.

The company on Monday announced it has more than doubled the amount of cloud storage space it offers to users for free. Now, OneDrive comes with 15GB of storage for free, up from 7GB.

"Our data tells us that 3 out of 4 people have less than 15GB of files stored on their PC," OneDrive Group Program Manager Omar Shahine, wrote in a blog post. "Factoring in what they may also have stored on other devices, we believe providing 15GB for free right out of the gate — with no hoops to jump through — will make it much easier for people to have their documents, videos, and photos available in one place."

Meanwhile, Microsoft is also hoping to get users to sign up for Office 365 with the promise of more OneDrive storage. From now on, all versions of Office 365 will come with 1TB of OneDrive storage, up from 20GB, Microsoft said.

With Office 365 Home, priced at $9.99 a month, you'll get 1TB per person, for up to five people. With Office 365 Personal ($6.99 per month) and University ($79.99 for four years), you'll get 1TB per subscription. The move comes after Microsoft in April first started offering 1TB of free cloud storage to OneDrive for Business customers.

Microsoft has also dropped the prices for those who need extra storage but don't want an Office 365 subscription. You can now get 100GB for $1.99, down from $7.49, or 200GB for $3.99, previously $11.49.

:story: PC Magazine