Microsoft begins warning users it will cut free OneDrive storage to 5GB, matching Apple's iCloud

Microsoft is sending out email alerts to OneDrive customers, warning people with free 15-gigabyte accounts that their storage will shrink to 5 gigabytes on August 10, assuming they didn't previously opt into keeping the higher amount.

Although the change has already been in effect for new OneDrive subscribers for some time — also eliminating an extra 15-gigabyte camera roll bonus — a number of people were grandfathered into the 15-gigabyte tier. Earlier notifications gave this group a chance to say they wanted to keep their storage, following a backlash against original plans to implement the change universally.

Users with uploads over 5 gigabytes should be getting a year's subscription to Office 365 Personal, which includes 1 terabyte of cloud storage.

The new 5-gigabyte scheme brings OneDrive's free tier down to the same level as the one for Apple's iCloud. Apple, however, offers 50 gigabytes for 99 cents per month, whereas that same storage costs $1.99 from Microsoft. Another difference is a 200-gigabyte tier that Microsoft lacks entirely.

The company does have an edge when it comes to terabyte plans. Its options include Office 365 access, and start at $6.99 per month — Apple is charging a flat $9.99 with no special bonuses.

48 Comments

apple ][ 9225 comments · 13 Years

About 8 years ago

I have so many iOS devices that 5 Gb just doesn't cut it, so I just pay 99 cents a month to Apple.

cpsro 3236 comments · 14 Years

5 GB should still be able to handle my 0 GB.

paxman 4729 comments · 17 Years

Apple should go the other way and increase the free storage to 50gb and cancel that 99 cents deal. For Apple its nickel and dining the customers imo. I don't know but I'd imagine the cost would be offset by increased sales.

SEngineer 16 comments · 9 Years

Its stupid to take something back. I can give back all my microsoft products thanks to iOS, OSX, Open Office, Numbers and so on. Good bye gooooood byyyyye micro...Im am unistalling you all

bkkcanuck 864 comments · 9 Years

SEngineer said:

Its stupid to take something back. I can give back all my microsoft products thanks to iOS, OSX, Open Office, Numbers and so on. Good bye gooooood byyyyye micro...Im am unistalling you all

So lets see, it irritates you that Microsoft does not give you as much free stuff -- that you are going to throw out stuff you have already acquired (I am assuming you are not a subscriber otherwise you would have 1TB)? That is silly....

I don't personally use any Microsoft productivity applications, it was not worth it to me.... I am fine with Pages, Numbers etc. Only the desperate or those working for a very cheap company have to use Open Office (yes, my office used it). I am not a big user that it made sense upgrading (aka buying a new copy) of Office.... I could have continued to use 2008 (which still worked when I uninstalled it), but I figured I was fine with Pages and Numbers.... not a big user anyways. Still think MS Office is a good product, it just is not worth it to me. (I have used Wordstar -> Wordperfect -> MS Office -> Pages/Numbers).