Google Drive vs Microsoft OneDrive
Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive are both file storage & sharing tools aimed at small businesses and enterprise. Microsoft OneDrive costs less, from $1.99/mo versus $7.99/mo for Google Drive. Both have a free plan.
Storage integrated with Google Workspace
Microsoft's cloud storage and file sync, bundled with Microsoft 365
| Pricing | Freemium · $8 | Freemium · $2 |
| Starting price | $7.99/mo | $1.99/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | 14 days | 30 days |
| Built for | Small businesses, Enterprise, Freelancers | Small businesses, Enterprise, Freelancers |
| Platforms | web, macos, windows, ios, android | web, windows, macos, ios, android |
| Country | US · 2012 | US · 2007 |
| Rating | — | — |
Choose Google Drive if
Individuals and teams in the Google ecosystem.
- Generous free tier
- Best real-time collaboration
- Bundled with Workspace
Look elsewhere if: Heavy desktop sync of large creative files (Dropbox).
Choose Microsoft OneDrive if
Windows users and Microsoft 365 organizations that want storage tightly wired into Office and Teams.
- Included with Microsoft 365, so often no extra cost
- Deep integration with Windows and Office apps
- 1 TB per person on Personal and Family plans
Look elsewhere if: Linux users or teams standardized on other suites (Google Drive, Dropbox, Box).
Google Drive vs Microsoft OneDrive pricing
Google Drive
- Free$015 GB shared with Gmail and Photos
- Google AI Plus$7.99/mo200 GB, Gemini features, share with 5 (US)
- Workspace Business Starter$8.40/user/mo$7 annual; 30 GB per user
- Business Standard$16.80/user/mo$14 annual; 2 TB per user
- Business Plus$26.40/user/mo$22 annual; 5 TB per user
Microsoft OneDrive
- Microsoft 365 Free$05 GB cloud storage and web Office apps
- Microsoft 365 Basic$1.99/mo$19.99/yr; 100 GB, ad-free Outlook
- Microsoft 365 Personal$9.99/mo$99.99/yr; 1 TB, desktop Office apps, Copilot
- Microsoft 365 Family$12.99/mo$129.99/yr; up to 6 people, 1 TB each
- Microsoft 365 Business Basic$7/user/moAnnual commitment; 1 TB per user, web Office apps, Teams
Google Drive · Key features
- 15 GB free storage
- Real-time collaboration on Docs, Sheets, Slides
- Shared drives for teams
- Search with OCR and AI
- Gemini in Drive for summaries
- Drive for desktop sync
Cons
- Desktop sync less reliable than Dropbox
- Permission sprawl over time
- Privacy concerns for some
Microsoft OneDrive · Key features
- Files On-Demand shows every cloud file without using local disk space
- Automatic backup of Windows Desktop, Documents and Pictures folders
- Real-time co-authoring in Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Personal Vault with extra identity verification for sensitive files
- Version history and ransomware detection with whole-drive restore
- Sharing links with view or edit rights, passwords and expiry dates
Cons
- No official Linux client
- Big jump from 100 GB to 1 TB with nothing in between
- Sharing permissions can confuse external guests
Google Drive vs Microsoft OneDrive: FAQ
Which is cheaper, Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive?
Microsoft OneDrive starts at $1.99/mo and Google Drive at $7.99/mo. Both prices are checked on the vendors' own pricing pages.
Do Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive have a free plan?
Yes, both Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive have a free plan; paid plans add more usage and features.