Google Drive vs Microsoft OneDrive

Updated October 2026 · AppBreakup editorial

Google Drive

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

Free plan + paid

Visit Google Drive Google Drive profile

Microsoft OneDrive

Microsoft's cloud drive, built into Windows and bundled with Microsoft 365 plans.

Free plan + paid

Visit Microsoft OneDrive Microsoft OneDrive profile

The short answer

Pick OneDrive if you use Windows and Microsoft Office, since 1 TB comes with Microsoft 365 Personal and it is built into File Explorer. Pick Google Drive if you work in Gmail and Google Docs or want the larger free tier. The real difference is the suite each belongs to: choose the storage that matches the office apps you already use.

Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive: our take

Both services are the storage behind a wider productivity suite, so the choice usually follows the suite. Google Drive is part of every Google account, sharing its pool with Gmail and Google Photos, and Docs, Sheets and Slides work directly on files in it. OneDrive is the storage behind Microsoft accounts and Microsoft 365: it ships inside Windows, can back up the Desktop, Documents and Pictures folders, and uses Files On-Demand so files appear in File Explorer without using disk space until opened. Word, Excel and PowerPoint save to it by default and support real-time co-authoring.

On free storage, Drive is more generous at 15 GB against OneDrive's 5 GB, though Drive's allowance is also consumed by email and photos. On paid storage, OneDrive is often the better deal for anyone who wants Office: Microsoft 365 Basic gives 100 GB, and Microsoft 365 Personal includes 1 TB alongside the desktop Office apps. Google's paid storage comes through Google One, which can be shared with up to 5 others, or Google Workspace for businesses, with 15 GB to 5 TB per user. OneDrive business plans are tied to SharePoint and Teams.

Platform experience splits along the same lines. OneDrive is at its best on Windows, while its Mac and mobile apps lag behind. Drive's desktop app runs on Windows and macOS, and it is less capable at syncing large, deeply nested folders. Neither has an official Linux client, and neither is end-to-end encrypted, although OneDrive adds a Personal Vault area with an extra verification step for sensitive files. Drive's search, which reads text inside scans and images, is a strength.

If your work happens in Word and Excel on Windows, OneDrive is the obvious pick. If it happens in a browser with Gmail and Google Docs, Drive will feel more natural.

Choose Google Drive if…

People and teams already living in Gmail and Google Docs
Generous free tier shared with Gmail and Photos
Docs, Sheets and Slides edit files in place

Choose Microsoft OneDrive if…

Windows users and anyone already paying for Microsoft 365
Built into Windows with on-demand files
1 TB comes with Microsoft 365 Personal

What is 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.

What is Microsoft OneDrive?

OneDrive is the storage behind Microsoft accounts and Microsoft 365. It ships inside Windows, backs up the Desktop, Documents and Pictures folders, and uses Files On-Demand so files appear in File Explorer without taking disk space until opened. Word, Excel and PowerPoint save to it by default and support real-time co-authoring, and a Personal Vault area adds an extra verification step for sensitive files. A free Microsoft account includes a small amount of storage; most people get much more through Microsoft 365 subscriptions, which bundle the Office apps, making OneDrive one of the cheapest ways to get a terabyte if you already want Office. Business plans are tied to SharePoint and Microsoft Teams. Downsides: the experience outside Windows is less polished, there is no Linux client, and the free tier is smaller than Google's. Apps run on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS and the web.

Side by side

Attribute	Google Drive	Microsoft OneDrive
Pricing	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Open source	No	No
Self-hostable	No	No
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Best for	People and teams already living in Gmail and Google Docs	Windows users and anyone already paying for Microsoft 365
Status	Active	Active

Verified facts, compared

Facts both apps publish, checked on each vendor's own site.

Fact	Google Drive	Microsoft OneDrive
Free storage	15 GB, shared with Gmail and Photos	5 GB