One cloud to rule all of them? I put Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive to the check

Microsoft OneDrive and Google Drive are two of the most well-liked cloud storage platforms that make it straightforward to entry your paperwork, spreadsheets, and different essential work anyplace. They work on most phones and laptops and are additionally nice for backing up your settings, pictures and different valuable information you possibly can’t afford to lose.

We will by no means have sufficient area for our ever-growing libraries, and cloud storage offers peace of thoughts that our information is safe, even when our units get misplaced, broken, or stolen. However which one works finest and provides essentially the most options? I’ve examined each for work and play and can break down the attracts and disadvantages of every.

Worth, availability, and specs

Varied choices can be found relying in your necessities

Microsoft OneDrive and Google Drive can be found on a number of platforms, together with Internet, Mac, iOS, Android, and Home windows. Google Drive is built-in into Chrome OS on Chromebooks, and OneDrive is baked into Home windows 11.

Microsoft OneDrive is built-in into Home windows and provides 5GB of free space for storing. It additionally offers quite a few paid choices linked to its Workplace 365 suite. The Workplace 365 Primary package deal consists of Phrase, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and OneDrive. The Private and Household Packages add Defender, Clipchamp, Groups, and Editor.

Whereas free storage sits at 5GB for Microsoft OneDrive, paid storage plans embody:

• 100GB for $2 per thirty days
• 1TB for $7 per thirty days
• 6TB for $10 per thirty days

In the meantime, Google Drive is designed for people and small companies requiring cloud space for storing and entry to Google productiveness instruments. It consists of Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets and provides straightforward sharing and collaboration for customers.

Google Drive’s free storage plan is 10GB greater than Microsoft’s at 15GB, and paid storage plans embody:

• 100GB for $2 per thirty days
• 200GB for $3 per thirty days
• 2TB for $10 per thirty days
• 10TB for $100 per thirty days

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I examined Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive on my laptop computer to see how they carry out

Every offers viable storage options

The benefit of Microsoft OneDrive’s Home windows integration is that my desktop, paperwork, downloads, and different info sync with the cloud, so I do know they’re protected. I’ve a Microsoft 365 Private package deal with 1TB of storage, which is greater than sufficient area for my work, pictures, and media library. I like that I needn’t manually again up my info as a result of it mechanically syncs with the cloud. OneDrive seems as an area location in Home windows Explorer, and I can at all times copy and paste different information from exterior drives or reminiscence sticks into my OneDrive folder when wanted.

Having Microsoft Workplace Merchandise included within the package deal additionally has some benefits. Not like Google Docs and Sheets, that are purely cloud-based, Phrase and Workplace may be saved as particular person recordsdata and in numerous codecs. I additionally get entry to the Microsoft Clipchamp app, which I exploit for video modifying. All of the included apps are mechanically up to date, so I at all times have the most recent variations and safety updates.

I can entry OneDrive by way of the Microsoft Edge Browser as an alternative choice to the app. The net-based OneDrive offers me entry to my laptop computer’s desktop, paperwork, and different recordsdata, so I can simply entry them anyplace on any pc. I additionally get entry to my Phrase, Excel, and PowerPoint recordsdata, which I can open on-line with out the downloaded apps.

The Google Drive desktop app works equally to Microsoft OneDrive and seems in an area location in Home windows Explorer. It will not mechanically sync my paperwork and different system folders by default, however I can simply add them within the settings menu if I need to, however I often do not hassle as a result of OneDrive has me coated. As a substitute, I create a separate folder to repeat and paste all the knowledge I need to sync with Google Drive.

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One benefit of the Google Drive app is that it creates shortcuts to Docs and Sheets on my desktop, so I can simply entry my recordsdata with out navigating by way of menus to seek for them. I additionally love its simplicity as a result of it seamlessly integrates with Home windows as if it is a part of the system.

Till lately, I completely used the Google Drive internet app in my Chrome Browser and did not want the desktop app due to how effectively it labored. I exploit Chrome as my go-to browser, and opening my Docs, Sheets, and different recordsdata is handy as a result of they open in a brand new tab, and I needn’t swap between apps or home windows to entry them.

Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive: Which is finest on cell?

Sync your pictures to the cloud so that they’ll by no means get misplaced

Microsoft OneDrive and Google Drive are important cell apps as a result of I can entry all my info on the fly and not using a laptop computer. In addition they save me time and optimize my effectivity as a result of I can work on Google Docs, Microsoft Phrase, and different productiveness instruments whereas having espresso or ready in line on the grocery retailer.

I exploit a Samsung Galaxy telephone, and OneDrive is the easiest way to again up my pictures. My gallery mechanically syncs with OneDrive, and I can view my pictures anytime, irrespective of the place I’m or what gadget I am utilizing.

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The OneDrive cell app is user-friendly. I can view my desktop folders, downloads, and extra in the identical logical association as my laptop computer, and it additionally offers me entry to my lately opened Phrase and Excel paperwork and shared recordsdata. If I would like extra display area, I can use the forged characteristic to view my OneDrive recordsdata and folders on my TV as a substitute of my telephone show.

Google Drive lets me again up my telephone’s addresses, configuration, and different settings to the cloud. I may also again up and sync my pictures with Google Drive if I exploit Google Pictures as my default app as a substitute of Samsung Gallery.

The Google Drive cell app retains issues easy, with all my seen gadgets on the house display for fast entry. I can view all my folders within the Information menu and entry my different work within the Shared and Starred menu. Google Drive lacks a casting characteristic however makes up for it with a shortcut to the digital camera app, which may retailer pictures and movies immediately within the cloud.​​​​​​​

Which cloud storage app is finest for you?

It will depend on what you want

Each have professionals and cons — Google Drive is the higher possibility for customers requiring much less area and do not want entry to Microsoft Workplace merchandise as a result of it provides 15GB of space for storing and entry to Docs and Sheets at no cost. 100GB of storage prices the identical throughout each apps, however OneDrive is cheaper whenever you go larger.

OneDrive is best in order for you extra space for storing for much less, and offers higher integration if in case you have a Home windows laptop computer. It is also the one to decide on in the event you want Phrase, Excel, and different Microsoft merchandise, as a result of it is a part of the Office365 package deal.

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I exploit OneDrive and Google Drive every day and might’t do with out both. Google Drive is nice for storing work-related info and makes it simpler for me to collaborate with my crew. OneDrive offers me extra space for storing to again up my PC and telephone gallery, and I simply love utilizing Workplace apps on the go.