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IDrive vs Microsoft OneDrive

IDrive and Microsoft OneDrive are both file storage & sharing tools. IDrive is aimed at small businesses and freelancers, while Microsoft OneDrive is aimed at small businesses and enterprise. IDrive costs less, from $0.25/mo versus $1.99/mo for Microsoft OneDrive. Both have a free plan.

IDrive

Cloud backup for multiple PCs, Macs, phones and servers in one account

Microsoft OneDrive

Microsoft's cloud storage and file sync, bundled with Microsoft 365

PricingFreemium · $0Freemium · $2
Starting price$0.25/mo$1.99/mo
Free planYesYes
Free trial—30 days
Built forSmall businesses, Freelancers, EnterpriseSmall businesses, Enterprise, Freelancers
Platformsweb, windows, macos, linux, ios, androidweb, windows, macos, ios, android
CountryUSUS · 2007
Rating——

Choose IDrive if

Households and small businesses that want to back up many computers and phones into one affordable, encrypted account.

  • One account covers many devices instead of per-computer pricing
  • Large storage tiers at low cost per terabyte
  • Versioning and snapshots help recover from ransomware

Look elsewhere if: Users who want unlimited backup for one computer or mainly need file sync and sharing (Backblaze, Sync.com, pCloud).

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).

IDrive vs Microsoft OneDrive pricing

IDrive

  • Basic$010 GB, no credit card required
  • Mini$0.25/mo100 GB, one user, billed yearly; 500 GB is $0.83/mo
  • Personal$11.99/mo5 TB; $9.99/mo billed yearly, $6.99 first-year promo
  • Team$11.99/mo5 users, 5 computers, 5 TB; $6.99/mo first-year promo
  • Business$59.99/mo1.25 TB, servers and NAS; yearly from $19.99 for 500 GB

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

IDrive · Key features

  • Back up unlimited PCs, Macs, phones and tablets to one account
  • Up to 30 file versions plus snapshots for point-in-time recovery
  • Optional private-key 256-bit AES encryption
  • Entire-machine backup for full system restores
  • Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace cloud-to-cloud backup
  • IDrive Express physical drive shipping for large backups and restores

Cons

  • Desktop app is busy and less intuitive than Backblaze
  • First-year promo prices rise noticeably on renewal
  • Storage is capped per plan, unlike Backblaze's unlimited personal backup

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

IDrive vs Microsoft OneDrive: FAQ

Which is cheaper, IDrive or Microsoft OneDrive?

IDrive starts at $0.25/mo and Microsoft OneDrive at $1.99/mo. Both prices are checked on the vendors' own pricing pages.

Do IDrive and Microsoft OneDrive have a free plan?

Yes, both IDrive and Microsoft OneDrive have a free plan; paid plans add more usage and features.

Not sure yet?