Best cloud storage for video editors
Store terabytes of 4K rushes in the cloud and keep editing, without filling your SSD. Here is how the main options compare, and which one fits which workflow.
Video editors do not just need to archive footage, they need to edit from it. The right cloud storage keeps your originals safe and lets you cut without downloading everything or filling your SSD. The tools below solve different parts of that problem, so the best choice depends on your workflow rather than a single winner.
The main options compared
| Solution | Main use | Egress fees | Proxy workflow | Cloud streaming | NLE plugin | Entry price | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sanbila | Cloud storage + editing | None (Cloudflare R2) | Yes, per file | Yes, per file | Premiere (official) + Resolve, FCP, Avid | $49/mo | Yes, 5 GB |
| LucidLink | Live mounted team filespace | Billed by bandwidth | No (streams every byte) | Yes, live drive | None (mounts as a drive) | ~$30/user/mo | Trial only |
| Frame.io | Review & approval | Included in plan | No | Playback only, not an edit drive | Adobe / Premiere transfer | Free tier + per user | Yes, limited |
| Suite Studios | Managed post-production cloud | Varies by plan | Workflow-based | Yes | Works with the NLEs | Custom / sales | No |
| Iconik | Media asset management (MAM) | Storage billed separately | Yes, for browsing | Via the MAM | Panels for some NLEs | ~$38/user/mo | Trial / limited |
| Dropbox Replay | Video review & feedback | Included | No | Playback only | Premiere / Resolve review ext. | Per license | Yes, limited |
| MASV | Large file transfer | Pay per GB delivered | No | No | None (transfer only) | Pay as you go | Trial credit |
How to choose, by profile
Freelance editor
Working solo, you mostly need your rushes safe and editable from any machine. Prioritise a real free plan and no egress bill. Sanbila’s free plan and per-file proxy or stream let you start without a subscription; LucidLink and Iconik are billed per user from day one.
Wedding videographer
You accumulate terabytes each season and rarely need live multi-user access. Prioritise cheap storage, offline proxy editing and no egress. Sanbila’s proxy mode keeps your SSD free; MASV only moves files, it does not store or let you edit.
Small studio (3 to 10)
You need shared projects and roles. LucidLink shines if everyone is on fast fibre and needs the same bytes live; Sanbila fits teams with remote editors or flaky connections thanks to offline proxies and flat, per-project pricing. Frame.io and Dropbox Replay cover review, not the edit filesystem.
Post house / color
You grade on full-resolution originals. LucidLink and Suite Studios give a live full-res volume; Sanbila streams originals from R2 with zero egress and falls back to local proxies when the network drops. Iconik is the pick if metadata and asset management matter more than the edit itself.
How much does cloud storage for video editing cost?
Cloud storage for video editing is priced three ways, and the model matters more than the sticker price. Per-user plans (LucidLink, Iconik) multiply with your team. Pay-per-GB delivery (MASV) is cheap to park files but adds up every time you pull them back. Flat storage plans (Sanbila) keep the bill predictable no matter how often you edit. The hidden cost is egress: many clouds charge for every gigabyte you read back, so a heavy edit month can double your invoice. Sanbila stores originals on Cloudflare R2 with zero egress fees, so streaming or downloading your footage never costs extra.
How much storage do you need?
It depends on your codec and how much you shoot. One hour of 4K footage runs from about 45 GB (H.264) to about 400 GB (ProRes 422 HQ), and 8K raw goes far higher. A single wedding or a week of interviews can pass a terabyte before proxies and backups. Size your plan against real numbers instead of guessing with our free video storage calculator, then keep only light proxies on your SSD while the originals stay in the cloud.
Proxy vs streaming: edit without filling your SSD
The point of cloud storage for editors is not just to archive, it is to keep cutting. Sanbila lets you choose per file: generate a light local proxy for smooth offline editing, or stream the original straight from the cloud at full resolution. Mix both in the same project, switch any clip in one click, and let the final export pull the full-quality originals. Your SSD stays free and nothing is duplicated.
Sanbila by the numbers
Real specs from the live Sanbila product, not marketing claims.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best cloud storage for video editors?
There is no single winner, it depends on your workflow. For solo editors and small teams who want to edit without filling their SSD and without egress fees, Sanbila’s per-file proxy or stream and free plan are a strong fit. For always-connected teams that need the same live filesystem, LucidLink is hard to beat. For client review rather than editing, Frame.io or Dropbox Replay.
How much does cloud storage for video editing cost?
It ranges from a few dollars a month for pure archival to hundreds per user for live team filespaces. Watch the model, not just the headline price: per-user and pay-per-GB plans scale with your team and your usage, while a flat plan stays predictable. Sanbila starts free with 5 GB, then 49 USD per month for 2 TB, with zero egress fees so reading your footage back never adds to the bill.
How much storage do I need for 4K or 8K editing?
Roughly 45 GB per hour for compressed 4K (H.264) up to about 400 GB per hour for ProRes 422 HQ, and more for 8K raw. Multiply by your shoot hours and add proxies and backups. Our free video storage calculator gives you a figure in seconds so you can size your plan and your disk.
Is cloud storage safe for my footage?
With Sanbila your originals are stored on Cloudflare R2 with an automatic Backblaze B2 backup for redundancy, and every file is verified with a SHA-256 checksum on upload and download. That is safer than a single external drive, which is one failure away from total loss.
Does LucidLink charge egress fees?
LucidLink bills the bandwidth between its filespace and the cloud object store on top of the subscription, which is unpredictable on hot projects. Sanbila uses Cloudflare R2 with zero egress fees, so streaming the originals costs nothing extra.
Can I edit directly from the cloud without downloading everything?
Yes. With Sanbila you choose, per file, a lightweight local proxy for offline cutting or streaming of the original from the cloud, and you can mix both in the same project. Only the final export needs the full-resolution originals.
Do I need a plugin?
Not for DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro or Avid, which read Sanbila’s virtual folder as local files. For Adobe Premiere Pro, the official Sanbila plugin (published on Adobe Exchange) attaches proxies natively so you export in 4K with no relink.
Is there a free option?
Yes. Sanbila has a free plan with 5 GB and one project, no card required, so you can test the proxy and streaming workflow before paying.