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 knowledge you may’t afford to lose.

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

Value, 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 Net, 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 affords 5GB of free space for storing. It additionally supplies quite a few paid choices linked to its Workplace 365 suite. The Workplace 365 Primary package deal contains 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 embrace:

• 100GB for $2 per 30 days
• 1TB for $7 per 30 days
• 6TB for $10 per 30 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 contains Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets and affords straightforward sharing and collaboration for customers.

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

• 100GB for $2 per 30 days
• 200GB for $3 per 30 days
• 2TB for $10 per 30 days
• 10TB for $100 per 30 days

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

Every supplies 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 secure. I’ve a Microsoft 365 Private package deal with 1TB of storage, which is greater than sufficient house for my work, pictures, and media library. I like that I needn’t manually again up my info as a result of it routinely syncs with the cloud. OneDrive seems as an area location in Home windows Explorer, and I can at all times copy and paste different knowledge 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. In contrast to Google Docs and Sheets, that are purely cloud-based, Phrase and Workplace might be saved as particular person information and in numerous codecs. I additionally get entry to the Microsoft Clipchamp app, which I take advantage of for video modifying. All of the included apps are routinely up to date, so I at all times have the newest 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 provides me entry to my laptop computer’s desktop, paperwork, and different information, so I can simply entry them anyplace on any laptop. I additionally get entry to my Phrase, Excel, and PowerPoint information, 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 routinely sync my paperwork and different system folders by default, however I can simply add them within the settings menu if I wish to, however I normally 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 wish 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 information 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 just lately, I completely used the Google Drive net app in my Chrome Browser and did not want the desktop app due to how effectively it labored. I take advantage of Chrome as my go-to browser, and opening my Docs, Sheets, and different information 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 cellular?

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

Microsoft OneDrive and Google Drive are important cellular apps as a result of I can entry all my info on the fly with no 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 take advantage of a Samsung Galaxy cellphone, and OneDrive is one of the best ways to again up my pictures. My gallery routinely syncs with OneDrive, and I can view my pictures anytime, regardless of the place I’m or what gadget I am utilizing.

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The OneDrive cellular 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 provides me entry to my just lately opened Phrase and Excel paperwork and shared information. If I would like extra display screen house, I can use the solid characteristic to view my OneDrive information and folders on my TV as a substitute of my cellphone show.

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

The Google Drive cellular app retains issues easy, with all my seen objects on the house display screen 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 digicam app, which might 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 execs and cons — Google Drive is the higher choice for customers requiring much less house and do not want entry to Microsoft Workplace merchandise as a result of it affords 15GB of space for storing and entry to Docs and Sheets totally free. 100GB of storage prices the identical throughout each apps, however OneDrive is cheaper whenever you go increased.

OneDrive is healthier in order for you extra space for storing for much less, and supplies higher integration when you’ve got 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 take advantage of OneDrive and Google Drive day by 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 group. OneDrive provides me extra space for storing to again up my PC and cellphone gallery, and I simply love utilizing Workplace apps on the go.