AppBreakup
Submit an app
Google Drive logo

Google Drive

Google's cloud drive, tied into Gmail, Photos and the Docs editors, with 15 GB free.

Free plan + paidCloud storage and file sync services
Visit Google DriveSee 8 alternatives
Verified facts
4 of 4
Alternatives ranked
8
Approved reviews
0
Visits sent from here
0

About Google Drive

Google Drive is the file storage layer of a Google account. Files, Gmail and Google Photos share one storage pool, and the Docs, Sheets and Slides editors work directly on files in Drive, so many people end up using it without ever choosing it. Sharing is link-based and fine-grained, search is strong (including text inside scanned PDFs and images), and Drive for desktop can either stream files on demand or mirror folders to a Windows or Mac computer. Every account gets free storage; more comes through Google One subscriptions for individuals and families, or Google Workspace plans for businesses, which add admin controls and pooled team storage. The main drawbacks are privacy and lock-in: files are not end-to-end encrypted, the desktop client is less capable than Dropbox's at syncing large or deeply nested folders, and there is no Linux client. Apps run on the web, Windows, macOS, Android and iOS.

Best for: People and teams already living in Gmail and Google Docs.

Pros and cons

What works

  • Generous free tier shared with Gmail and Photos
  • Docs, Sheets and Slides edit files in place
  • Excellent search, including text in scans and images

Why people leave

  • No end-to-end encryption
  • No official Linux client
  • Storage is shared with Gmail, so mail eats into it

Top Google Drive alternatives

See all 8
  1. 1Dropbox logo
    Dropbox

    More reliable desktop sync for big folders, with strong file recovery tools.

    66.5
  2. 2Microsoft OneDrive logo
    Microsoft OneDrive

    The natural switch if you work in Word and Excel rather than Google Docs.

    62.6
  3. 3iCloud Drive logo
    iCloud Drive

    Simpler choice for an all-Apple household, built into every Mac and iPhone.

    59.6
  4. 4Proton Drive logo
    Proton Drive

    End-to-end encrypted storage from a privacy-focused Swiss company.

    57.2
  5. 5pCloud logo
    pCloud

    Offers lifetime plans and lets you pick EU or US data storage.

    55.3

Why people left Google Drive

In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.

No switching stories yet. If you moved away from Google Drive, review the app you switched to and tell us why.

Reviews

No approved reviews yet. How we verify reviewers

Write a review of Google Drive
Your rating of Google Drive

Never shown publicly. A work email helps us verify you.

What did you use it for, and what was good or bad? At least 40 characters.

A GitHub username, your company domain, or say you can send a screenshot. Verified reviews count more.

By submitting, you confirm you're at least 16 and agree to our terms. Your name, rating, review and the date are published; your email isn't. See our privacy policy.

Google Drive: common questions

Is Google Drive free?

Google Drive has a free plan and paid plans.

Is Google Drive open source?

No, Google Drive is not open source. Open-source alternatives include Nextcloud.

What platforms does Google Drive run on?

Google Drive is available for Web, Windows, macOS, iOS and Android.

What are the best alternatives to Google Drive?

The highest-ranked Google Drive alternatives right now are Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive and iCloud Drive. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 8 Google Drive alternatives