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.
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.
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.