Microsoft OneDrive vs Proton Drive
Microsoft OneDrive and Proton Drive are both file storage & sharing tools. Microsoft OneDrive is aimed at small businesses and enterprise, while Proton Drive is aimed at freelancers and small businesses. Microsoft OneDrive costs less, from $1.99/mo versus $4.99/mo for Proton Drive. Both have a free plan.
Microsoft's cloud storage and file sync, bundled with Microsoft 365
End-to-end encrypted cloud storage from Swiss privacy company Proton
| Pricing | Freemium · $2 | Freemium · $5 |
| Starting price | $1.99/mo | $4.99/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | 30 days | — |
| Built for | Small businesses, Enterprise, Freelancers | Freelancers, Small businesses, Enterprise |
| Platforms | web, windows, macos, ios, android | web, windows, macos, ios, android |
| Country | US · 2007 | CH |
| Rating | — | — |
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).
Choose Proton Drive if
Privacy-focused individuals, families and small teams who want encrypted storage that is still easy to use.
- Zero-access encryption by default, not as an add-on
- Swiss company with strong privacy track record
- Bundles with Mail, VPN and Pass give good value
Look elsewhere if: Teams that depend on deep app integrations and live office editing (Google Drive, Dropbox) or need encrypted enterprise controls (Tresorit).
Microsoft OneDrive vs Proton Drive pricing
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
Proton Drive
- Free$0Up to 5 GB after completing Drive setup steps
- Drive Plus$4.99/mo$47.88/yr billed annually; 200 GB, 10-year version history
- Proton Unlimited$12.99/mo$9.99/mo billed yearly; 500 GB plus Mail, VPN and Pass
- Proton Duo$19.99/mo2 TB shared by 2 users, all Proton apps
- Proton Family$29.99/mo3 TB shared by up to 6 users
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
Proton Drive · Key features
- End-to-end encryption of files, names, folders and photos
- Desktop sync apps for Windows and macOS
- Automatic photo and video backup on iOS and Android
- Share links with passwords, expiry dates and access control
- Encrypted Proton Docs and Sheets inside Drive
- Version history of up to 10 years on paid plans
Cons
- No native Linux sync client yet
- Few third-party integrations compared with Google Drive
- Collaborative editing far behind Google Workspace
Microsoft OneDrive vs Proton Drive: FAQ
Which is cheaper, Microsoft OneDrive or Proton Drive?
Microsoft OneDrive starts at $1.99/mo and Proton Drive at $4.99/mo. Both prices are checked on the vendors' own pricing pages.
Do Microsoft OneDrive and Proton Drive have a free plan?
Yes, both Microsoft OneDrive and Proton Drive have a free plan; paid plans add more usage and features.