Buzz
Cloud storage has become a vital tool for both work and personal use, and opinions on which service is best are plentiful. Let’s compare three of the most popular options to determine which is the ultimate choice for syncing files.
The Competitors
You're likely familiar with Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive. We've discussed these services before, covering topics like the best add-ons for Google Drive and creative ways to use Dropbox. We've also examined OneDrive's features and compared it to other cloud platforms, as well as had a showdown between Google Drive and Dropbox shortly after Google Drive’s launch. Since then, each service has evolved. Here’s a quick overview of what they offer now:
Google Drive: Launched in 2012, Google Drive is free for Google account holders, with additional storage options ranging from 100GB to 30TB, available for a monthly fee between $2 and $300. It allows users to store various file types, share them, and collaborate on documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and forms through the Google Drive office suite. Apps are available for Windows, OS X, Android, and iOS.
Dropbox: Introduced in 2007, Dropbox offers a free Basic account, with a Pro version providing 1TB for $10 per month. It supports file storage, sharing, and automatic synchronization of local files. Dropbox is accessible on all major platforms, including Linux, Blackberry, and Kindle Fire.
OneDrive: Formerly SkyDrive, OneDrive is a Microsoft service that rebranded in 2014. You receive 5GB of free storage with a Microsoft account, or 1TB if you subscribe to Office 365. Non-Office 365 users can upgrade to OneDrive Basic for $2/month and receive 50GB. OneDrive integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Office and is built into Windows 8 and 10. It’s available on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Windows Phone.
All three platforms offer free usage across most devices, but if you're considering an upgrade, it's important to understand their differences and where each shines.
Pricing and Storage Plans
Storage size is key when selecting a cloud service, especially for storing and sharing large files. Each service offers paid plans for additional space, but let's first look at what’s available for free:
Google Drive: Offers 15GB of free storage with a Google account (including Gmail storage).
Dropbox: Provides 2GB of free storage with a Dropbox Basic account (with opportunities to earn more storage).
OneDrive: Grants 5GB of free storage with a Microsoft account.
It’s worth mentioning that OneDrive used to offer 15GB of free storage, but that has since changed. Late last year, Microsoft reduced the storage for Office 365 subscribers from unlimited to 1TB. Additionally, they discontinued their 100GB and 200GB plans, though they once offered an option to upgrade for more storage, which is no longer available.
Although Dropbox offers just 2GB of free storage, you can boost your free storage limit through several methods: refer someone to Dropbox for 500MB of extra space, link your social networks to gain 125MB, take a tour of their Dropbox Basics tutorial for 250MB, and enable the 'camera upload' feature on your mobile device to add an extra 3GB. However, there is a cap of 16GB for free Dropbox storage, so don’t go overboard with referrals.
If the free storage from these services isn’t enough, all three have paid plans that offer additional space for a fee:
Google Drive: For $2 per month, Google provides 100GB; $10 per month gives you 1TB; $100 per month provides 10TB; $200 per month offers 20TB; and $300 per month gives you 30TB.
Dropbox: A Dropbox Pro account gives you 1TB for $10 per month, or you can opt for a Dropbox Business plan offering “unlimited” space for $15 per month per user (starting with 1TB per user).
OneDrive: OneDrive offers a 50GB plan for $2 per month. If you subscribe to Office 365, you also get 1TB of space included for $10 per month.
For the most free storage with the least effort, Google Drive takes the lead. However, if you need more than 15GB and are willing to pay, both Google Drive and Dropbox offer solid pricing. OneDrive’s $2 for 50GB might seem a bit steep compared to Google Drive’s $2 for 100GB, but if you’re already using Microsoft Office or Windows, it could be worthwhile.
Everyday Use and File Synchronization
Although all three services are user-friendly and widely available, each one has its unique features and characteristics that cater to different types of users. For instance, Google Drive and OneDrive are closely integrated within their respective ecosystems. On the other hand, Dropbox is more of an independent platform, providing accessible cloud storage no matter your operating system or apps. Let's dive deeper into the standout features and key differences between these services.
Google Drive
Google Drive can be accessed via your browser, a desktop app that syncs to a Google Drive-linked folder, or the mobile app. Once logged in, you can upload individual files (up to 5TB each), organize them into folders, or create new files using Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, or Google Drawings.
After installing the Google Drive desktop client, you can easily drag and drop files into the linked folder on your desktop to sync them with your cloud account. A local copy remains on your computer, and these files can be accessed on any device with the app installed or through a web browser. If you use Gmail, Google Drive also lets you save and attach files directly from Drive. Files and folders can be shared with others via email invitations or links, and real-time collaboration on documents, spreadsheets, and other files is possible.
Google Photos enhances Google Drive by making it an excellent spot to store all your photos, particularly if you want quick searchability. Photos are automatically organized based on location and people in the images. Keep in mind, however, that while Google Drive offers the most free storage initially, it is shared across Photos, Docs, and even Gmail.
Dropbox
Dropbox can also be accessed through any web browser, its desktop app, or the Dropbox mobile app. You can upload files of any size with Dropbox, and you can drag and drop files or folders into the Dropbox folder and they’ll sync right away, leaving a local copy on your device. Unfortunately, though, you can’t drag and drop entire folders for upload in the web app (you have to grab each individual file).
Also, larger files may take a while to upload depending on your internet speed, but if you enable LAN syncing, you can increase file syncing speeds between devices dramatically as long as you’re on your local network. It’s useful when you’re sharing large files like music, movies, or photos between devices at home. Dropbox also keeps track of revision history and file changes, and if someone deletes a file you shared with them (or you accidentally delete something), you can access and restore deleted files for up to 30 days after deletion. That said, Dropbox shouldn’t be your sole backup for files.
Dropbox lets you share files and folders through email invite or link (which can be accessed without needing a Dropbox account), and Dropbox users can also collaborate on Microsoft Office Online files in real time. For other file types, you can still collaborate on them, comment on them, and re-share them—just not in real time. It’s still super useful, but it can lead to confusion if two people try to make changes to one file at the same time.
Dropbox doesn’t have a suite of apps for creating files within the service (like Google Drive and OneDrive), but where it lacks in additional tools it makes up for in ease of use and third party apps and tools. Dropbox’s open API makes it easy for developers to integrate Dropbox with almost anything. All in all, Dropbox is the cloud service that popularized cloud storage, and it’s been around for a long time. Most cloud storage and file sharing services try to emulate it.
OneDrive
OneDrive is Microsoft’s counterpart to Apple’s iCloud, but it works across a variety of platforms. This makes it a great option for those within the Microsoft ecosystem, yet still highly functional for others. Just like the other services, OneDrive can be accessed via web, desktop, or mobile apps. In fact, OneDrive is deeply embedded in Windows 8 and 10, where it operates as a background service and automatically appears when you save files or navigate through File Explorer. So, if you’re using Windows 10 with a Microsoft account, you're likely already using OneDrive.
OneDrive is seamlessly integrated with Microsoft Office, making it simple to share documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Office 365 subscribers benefit from real-time collaboration, and users can share other files via email or a link, similar to how Google Drive and Dropbox operate.
Security and Encryption
Security is crucial, but unfortunately, neither Google Drive, Dropbox, nor OneDrive provide native encryption. This means that if an unauthorized user gains access to your cloud storage, they can potentially view all your files.
There are several actions you can take independently; such as enabling two-factor authentication, reviewing all of your connected devices and services, and encrypting your data manually. Dropbox also gives you the ability to store encrypted volumes and unpack them on your computer. In short, if you want your files to remain secure with these services, it’s up to you to put in the effort to protect them.
When it comes to privacy, Google, Dropbox, and Microsoft all have slightly different approaches to how they handle your data and who can access it. Both Google and Dropbox require a court order before they will snoop on or release your data to authorities. Microsoft, however, has a history of monitoring OneDrive files and scanning them (similar to Apple’s approach with iCloud privacy). If privacy is a major concern for you, there are more secure alternatives available. Alternatively, you could always set up a private cloud storage solution if you’re very concerned about data security.
Google Drive Is Ideal for Google Enthusiasts, OneDrive Is Perfect for Microsoft Office Experts, and Dropbox Is the Most Versatile
Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive all handle cloud file storage well, and their methods are quite similar. What really sets them apart is the additional features they offer.
Google Drive is simple to set up and offers a solid amount of free storage. If you frequently use Google’s apps and services—particularly Google Docs and Google Photos—Google Drive is your ideal choice. It’s also great if you simply need ample, hassle-free storage. The only drawback is that your Gmail inbox storage counts against your Drive’s quota, so that 15GB may be used up faster than you’d expect.
If Google Drive is tailored for users fully immersed in Google’s ecosystem, OneDrive is a perfect fit for those who are deeply integrated into the Microsoft world. If you rely on Windows or use Microsoft Office apps like Word, Excel, or PowerPoint daily, OneDrive will suit you well. It’s also great for those who use Outlook or Xbox Live regularly. Even if you don’t use many Microsoft products, OneDrive still offers some useful features (such as converting whiteboards and documents into PDFs), though its real goal is to encourage you to use Microsoft’s full suite of services.
Dropbox is the go-to service for everyone else, offering seamless functionality regardless of the platform you’re on. If you’re a Linux enthusiast, it’s probably your best bet. While it doesn’t offer an overwhelming number of extra features, Dropbox excels at straightforward cloud storage. The desktop app integrates smoothly with your computer’s file system, and files sync across devices almost instantly. With a huge open API, Dropbox is highly developer-friendly, offering tons of third-party apps, helpful tools (such as right-click syncing other folders), and integrations with numerous services. Plus, its long history means there’s likely a pre-existing plugin or app to meet your storage needs. However, the web app isn’t as smooth as the desktop or mobile versions, and “earning” free storage can be a hassle, but it’s still free.
There’s no rule saying you can’t use all three services and tailor them to their strengths. For instance, you could leverage OneDrive for team collaboration in Microsoft Office, use Google Drive to store photos and media, and rely on Dropbox for versatile, reliable storage for everything else.
