Google Drive isn’t always the optimal file storage option for the task. Fortunately, there are other Google Drive alternatives to choose from.
Why is Google Drive not always ideal? Despite its popularity, many users fail to completely comprehend the platform’s capabilities and operation. Others are concerned about the expense, security, or capabilities of the device.
Fortunately, there are alternative possibilities.
In this piece, we’ll look at 10 Google Drive competitors worth considering. Before we get started, let’s take a closer look at Google Drive and some of its possible flaws.
What Exactly Is Google Drive?
Google Drive is a cloud-based file storage platform that enables users to save, share, and collaborate on files across many devices.
It is a component of Google’s G Suite, which has over 2 billion monthly active users.
So there’s no denying that Google Drive is well-liked. That’s hardly unexpected given the advantages of utilizing Google Drive, which include:
- 15 GB of free storage
- File syncing with desktop
- Frees up space on your computer
- Accessible on desktop and mobile
- Offers tools for sharing and collaboration
- Seamless integration with Google Docs, Google Sheets, and other Google apps
- Ability to open 30+ types of files within Drive — no software installation needed
Google Drive is useful and easy, especially if you already utilize other Google products. So why would you select anything else?
Why Should You Consider a Google Drive Alternative?
There are several reasons why individuals look for alternatives to Google Drive. Here are a few examples.
Price
Google Drive provides 15 GB of free storage space. That’s more than plenty if you only need to keep a few documents and the odd photo (although it should be noted that this storage limit is spread across your entire Google account, including Gmail, Google Photos, and more).
Even if you reach 15 GB, Google Drive is unquestionably inexpensive. Among the plans on offer are:
- 100 GB for $1.99/month or $19.99/year
- 200 GB for $2.99/month or $29.99/year.
- 2 TB for $9.99/month or $99.99/year
Those are all terrific discounts, but if your primary goal is to save money, you could search elsewhere. For example, if you require more than 15 GB but less than 50, you might pay $0.99 per month for iCloud.
Compatibility
Google Drive’s interaction with other Google technologies is a key benefit. It is also compatible with a wide range of file formats.
However, if you’re not utilizing G Suite, you might be able to discover a competition that works better for you.
Security
One of the most serious worries that Google Drive customers have is security.
It’s not all terrible news, either. Google encrypts your data while they are in transit and at rest. The issue is that the encryption keys are also stored on Google’s servers, which means that they might be accessed by hackers, the government, law enforcement, or Google themselves.
This is common with many cloud storage providers, however a few offer more stringent security safeguards.
Then there’s the issue of passwords.
You must be signed into your Google account to access your Google Drive, which provides some protection. Then you may choose to share a file with only specific other Google accounts.
Individual files on Drive, however, cannot be password secured. If you generate a shareable link with the intention of sending it to a small group of individuals, it may wind up being shared more broadly than you anticipate.
Many individuals begin using Google Drive without first investigating the alternatives.
It’s simple: you go into your Gmail account, open a shared document, and it appears in your Drive.
Other choices may not have even occurred to you.
But, before you go all-in on Google Drive, consider these 15 alternatives. Choosing a cloud storage solution to host your most important information should not be taken carelessly.
10 Top Google Drive Alternatives
Let’s take a look at the top 10 Google Drive alternatives.
1. Microsoft OneDrive
We have Google Drive for Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
Microsoft OneDrive is available for Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Many of the same capabilities are available in OneDrive as they are in Google Drive. Documents may be stored, shared and collaborated on in real time, and synced between the cloud and the desktop. If you’ve used Microsoft Office for a long time, the UI may be more familiar than Google’s.
The desktop OneDrive client is incorporated into Windows, but Google’s app must be downloaded.
With one difference, OneDrive’s security and privacy features are comparable to those of Google Drive. The OneDrive Personal Vault adds an extra degree of protection to your data by requiring authentication like as a fingerprint, face, PIN, or code given through email or SMS.
OneDrive’s free plan only provides 5 GB of storage, but the more extensive plans are reasonably priced. In addition, OneDrive is included with a Microsoft 365 subscription.
Pricing
Home:
- Free: 5 GB
- OneDrive Standalone: 100 GB for $1.99/month
- Microsoft 365 Personal: 1 TB for $69.99/year
- Microsoft 365 Family: 6 TB total (1000 GB per person) for $99.99/year
Business:
- OneDrive for Business (Plan 1): 1 TB for $5/month/user
- OneDrive for Business (Plan 2): Unlimited (if you have 5+ users) for $10/month/user
- Microsoft 365 Business Basic: 1 TB for $5/month/user
- Microsoft 365 Business Standard: 1 TB for $12.50/month/user
2. Dropbox
Another well-known cloud storage platform is Dropbox. It’s been operating since 2007 and was many people’ first introduction to cloud storage, though Google Drive is now more popular.
Dropbox employs a more robust sort of encryption for files at rest than Google Drive, making it a somewhat more secure alternative. It also allows you to specify passwords on particular shared files and provides remote device wipe and two-factor authentication.
Because of block-level file copying, Dropbox syncs across devices quicker than Google Drive. That is, rather than re-uploading or downloading the full file, it merely syncs the file’s modifications.
However, the difference in performance is likely to be noticeable primarily when working with huge files.
Dropbox offers just 2 GB of free storage, however, you may increase this to a maximum of 19 GB by recommending friends.
Pricing
Individual
- Free: 2 GB
- Plus: 2 TB for $9.99/month
- Family: 2 TB (2,000 GB per user) for $16.99/month
Professional
- Professional: 3 TB for $16.58/month
- Professional + eSign: 3 TB for $24.99/month
- Standard Teams: 5 TB for $12.50/user/month
- Advanced Teams: Unlimited for $20/user/month
3. pCloud
pCloud bills itself as the most secure cloud storage provider.
The security program on pCloud encrypts files while they are still on your computer, making them less susceptible after they are posted to the cloud.
Because the encryption key is not stored on pCloud’s servers, it cannot access your data.
pCloud, like Google Drive, allows you to share files with others. You may either invite someone to access a file or folder or generate an upload or download link to share a file. A download link allows users to see and download your files, whereas an upload link allows them to upload files to your folder.
pCloud provides 10 GB of free storage by default, with options to increase this to 20 GB. If you know you’ll be using pCloud for a long time, you may save money by purchasing a lifetime account.
Pricing
- Premium: 1 TB for $49.99/year or $175 for life
- Premium Plus: 2 TB for $99.99/year or $350 for life
- Business: 1 TB for $7.99/user/month
- Family: 2 TB for $500 for life
4. Box
Box isn’t as well-known as the other options we’ve discussed so far, but it’s a great alternative for organizations because to its unlimited storage plans and collaboration tools.
Box interfaces with Google and Microsoft, allowing you to generate Microsoft Office or Google Workspace documents directly from Box.
Sharing files is similar on Box and Google Drive, although Box has superior user management, which is essential if you’re working with teams.
Box has the drawback of imposing tougher upload size limitations. You can only upload files less than 250 MB with the free plan, and even the more costly plans have a 5 GB restriction.
Pricing
Individuals and teams
- Individual (Free): 10 GB
- Personal Pro: 100 GB for $10/month
- Business Starter: 100 GB for $5/user/month
Business
- Business: Unlimited for $15/user/month
- Business Plus: Unlimited for $25/user/month
- Enterprise: Unlimited for $35/user/month
- Enterprise Plus: Custom
5. Canto
Canto is a digital asset management solution for brands. It lets companies share their images, videos, documents, and other brand assets.
Canto’s user interface is very visual, with things shown as huge thumbnails.
Canto offers connections to let you move material from Dropbox, Box, or Google Drive.
Canto, as a business-oriented software, features powerful user management tools. Employees, vendors, and partners can all be given different levels of access.
Pricing
Canto’s price is unique. More information can be obtained by completing a contact form on the website.
6. Sync
Sync is an end-to-end encrypted file storing and sharing system. Sync, like pCloud and other safe solutions, produces encryption keys locally rather than on its servers, ensuring that even Sync cannot access your information.
Because Sync lacks integrated apps like Google Drive, it’s not as excellent for collaboration, but it’s a terrific method to keep your information secure in the long run.
The Sync Vault is a feature of your Sync account. Files saved in your Sync Vault are not synced with your other devices.
Pricing
Individuals
- Free: 10 GB
- Solo Basic: 2 TB for $8/month
- Solo Professional: 6 TB for $20/user/month
Teams
- Teams Standard: 1 TB for $5/user/month
- Teams Unlimited: Unlimited for $15/user/month
- Enterprise: Custom
7. iCloud
Apple’s form of cloud storage is known as iCloud. Its features are pretty similar to those of Google Drive.
You most certainly already have an iCloud account if you own an iPhone or another Apple device. Apple encourages customers to backup their phone files and data to iCloud. This is iCloud’s most important benefit over Google Drive; if you’re already using it to backup your iPad, it could be worth making it your Google Drive alternative.
While Google Drive works as well on iOS and macOS as it does on Android, iCloud is ideally suited to Apple devices.
Pricing
- Free: 5 GB
- 50 GB for $0.99/month
- 200 GB for $2.99/month
- 2 TB for $9.99/month
8. Kdan Cloud
Kdan is a collection of productivity and creativity tools designed for mobile devices. Kdan Cloud is the name of Kdan’s cloud storage service.
Kdan Cloud is compatible with native Kdan applications such as Animation Desk, NoteLedge, and Write-on Video. Kdan also allows you to view PDFs and Microsoft Office documents.
You may work with others by using file-sharing tools. User permissions and passwords safeguard the confidentiality of your files.
The free plan of Kdan Cloud only contains 2 GB of storage, while the subscription plan includes 500 GB for only $9.99 per year. Kdan Cloud may be purchased separately or as part of a subscription to one of Kdan’s software suites, Document 365 or Creativity 365.
Pricing
- Kdan Cloud Basic (free): 2 GB
- Kdan Cloud: 500 GB for $9.99/year
- Document 365: 1 TB for $59.99/year
- Creativity 365: 1 TB for $59.99/year
9. V2 Cloud
V2 Cloud is not a cloud storage solution; instead, it is Desktop-as-a-Service software that allows you to install cloud-based Windows desktops.
It is a solution that is commonly used by enterprises to simplify IT management or to allow workers to work from home.
The files on the virtual desktops are stored in the cloud since they are virtual.
Pricing
V2 Cloud offers a variety of pricing options for individuals and organizations, but all of them have the same storage capacity: 50 GB. You may pay for more storage by the GB.
10. MEGA
MEGA is a free cloud storage service that offers 20 GB of storage.
With file sharing, private and group discussions, and file versioning, MEGA facilitates cooperation. End-to-end encryption safeguards your data.
Desktop and mobile apps can be configured to automatically sync with the cloud. While MEGA lacks Google Drive’s productivity and document editing tools, it does allow you to stream any file from your MEGA cloud.
Pricing
- Pro Lite: 400 GB for $58.59/year
- Pro I: 2 Tb for $117.19/year
- Pro II: 8 TB for $234.39/year
- Pro III: 6 TB for $351.59/year
- Business: Plans start at $5.86/user/month
Summary
If Google Drive isn’t living up to your expectations, it’s time to make a change. Fortunately, there are other Google Drive alternatives to choose from.
After you’ve considered what’s most essential to you, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about the cloud technology solution that’s best for you.