Cloud storage for photographers
VirtualDrive is encrypted cloud storage that photographers use to back up shoots and deliver them to clients. The Pro plan gives you 2 TB for $9.99 a month and accepts RAW, JPEG and video files up to 5 GB each; clients open share links in a browser without an account. Camera Backup in the iPhone and Android apps uploads new photos and videos automatically.
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VirtualDrive at a glance
| Free plan | 20 GB, no credit card |
|---|---|
| Pro plan | 2 TB · $9.99/month or $79.99/year |
| Ultra plan | 5 TB · $19.99/month or $159.99/year |
| Free trial | 7 days on Pro yearly, for first-time subscribers |
| Largest file | 5 GB per file on Pro and Ultra |
| Apps | Web, iPhone and iPad, Android |
| Encryption | AES-256 at rest, TLS in transit (not end-to-end) |
| Share links | No account needed to open; password and expiry on file links; view-only or download |
| Languages | 21 languages on the web and in the apps |
Prices are in US dollars for checkout on the web. In the iOS and Android apps, Apple and Google charge their own store prices.
What photographers need from cloud storage
Room for RAW archives
2 TB on Pro or 5 TB on Ultra. RAW formats such as .CR2, .NEF, .ARW and .DNG upload like any other file, up to 5 GB each, and are stored unchanged.
Client delivery by link
Share a file with a password and an expiry date, or a whole shoot folder as view-only or downloadable. Clients open the link in a browser without signing up.
Phone backup that runs itself
Camera Backup on iPhone and Android uploads new photos and videos in the background. It uses Wi-Fi only unless you allow mobile data.
How to deliver a photo shoot to a client
Create a folder for the shoot
In the web app, create one folder per client or per shoot, then drag in your export folder. Subfolders keep their structure.
Upload finals and RAW files
Upload the JPEG finals and, if the client paid for them, the RAW files. Large files upload from the web in parts, so a dropped connection retries one part, not the whole file.
Create a share link
For a single file, add a password and an expiry date. For the shoot folder, choose view-only for proofing or download for delivery.
Send the link and the password separately
Email the link and send the password another way. The link shows how many times it has been viewed, and you can revoke it at any time.
Questions photographers ask
- What is the best cloud storage for photographers?
- Look for enough space for your RAW archive, a per-file limit above your largest video, share links with passwords and expiry dates, and automatic phone backup. VirtualDrive Pro covers these with 2 TB for $9.99 a month and files up to 5 GB. Our comparison pages set it side by side with Dropbox, Google Drive and iCloud.
- Can I upload RAW files?
- Yes. RAW files such as .CR2, .CR3, .NEF, .ARW, .RAF and .DNG upload like any other file, up to 5 GB each on paid plans, and are stored unchanged. The web app does not preview RAW files in the browser, so share JPEG exports for proofing and RAWs for download.
- Do my clients need an account to see the photos?
- No. Anyone with the link can open it in a browser. File links can have a password and an expiry date; folder links can be view-only or allow downloads.
- How much storage does a photographer need?
- A RAW file is typically 25–50 MB depending on the camera, so 1,000 RAWs take roughly 25–50 GB. The Free plan's 20 GB suits a portfolio, Pro's 2 TB holds tens of thousands of RAW files, and Ultra's 5 TB suits video-heavy work.
- Does VirtualDrive back up my phone's camera roll?
- Yes. Camera Backup in the iPhone and Android apps uploads new photos and videos in the background. It is off until you turn it on and uses Wi-Fi only unless you allow mobile data.
- Can I try it before paying?
- Yes. The Free plan includes 20 GB with no credit card. The Pro yearly plan ($79.99) comes with a 7-day free trial for accounts that have not subscribed before.
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