Microsoft OneDrive
Microsoft's cloud storage and file sync, bundled with Microsoft 365
Microsoft OneDrive is a file storage & sharing tool for Small businesses and Enterprise, offered as freemium ($2/mo). Founded in United States in 2007. Popular alternatives include Google Workspace.
About Microsoft OneDrive
Microsoft OneDrive is Microsoft's cloud storage, sync and file-sharing service. It launched in 2007 as Windows Live Folders, became SkyDrive and was renamed OneDrive in 2014, and it is built into Windows and Microsoft 365. Its core job is to keep files backed up and in sync across devices, share them with links and permissions, and act as the storage layer under Office and Teams.
Features include Files On-Demand, automatic backup of the Desktop, Documents and Pictures folders, Personal Vault, version history, ransomware detection and recovery, camera upload and co-authoring in Office apps, and Copilot can summarize files. Home users get a free 5 GB tier, Microsoft 365 Basic with 100 GB, and Personal, Family and Premium plans with 1 TB per person plus Office apps. Businesses get OneDrive through Microsoft 365 Business plans with 1 TB per user.
OneDrive fits Windows users and organizations already paying for Microsoft 365, where it costs nothing extra. It is less polished on Mac, has no official Linux client, sharing settings can confuse outside guests, and storage jumps from 100 GB straight to 1 TB. Google Drive is the natural choice for Google Workspace teams, Dropbox has the smoothest cross-platform sync, and Box offers stronger governance for regulated firms.
Pricing shifted in 2025 and 2026. Microsoft 365 Personal rose to $9.99 a month in January 2025 with Copilot added, standalone OneDrive for Business plans stopped being sold to new customers in mid-2026 ahead of end of life in January 2027, and Business Basic rose from $6 to $7 per user on July 1, 2026.
Key features of Microsoft OneDrive
- 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
- Copilot summaries and Q&A over files on eligible plans
- Automatic camera roll upload from iOS and Android
Pros and cons
Pros
- 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
- Strong recovery tools against ransomware and accidental deletion
- Cheap 100 GB tier at $1.99 a month
Cons
- No official Linux client
- Big jump from 100 GB to 1 TB with nothing in between
- Sharing permissions can confuse external guests
- Standalone business storage plans are being retired
- Mac sync is less polished than Dropbox
Microsoft OneDrive pricing
Microsoft OneDrive uses a freemium model. A 30-day free trial is available.
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 Free | $0 | 5 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/mo | Annual commitment; 1 TB per user, web Office apps, Teams |
Source: www.microsoft.com · checked on Oct 20, 2026
How Microsoft OneDrive compares in File storage & sharing
- Rank by votes
- #1 / 16
- Starting price
- $2
- Free alternatives
- 1
0 votes from members
72% below the category median ($7/mo)
Free or open-source tools in File storage & sharing
Microsoft OneDrive ranks #1 of 16 file storage & sharing tools by community votes and is priced below most tools in the category.
Common use cases
- 1Backing up a Windows PC's Desktop and Documents folders automatically
- 2Co-editing Excel reports with colleagues in real time
- 3Sharing large files with clients through expiring links
- 4Storing team files behind Teams channels and SharePoint sites
- 5Uploading phone photos to the cloud automatically
Best for
Windows users and Microsoft 365 organizations that want storage tightly wired into Office and Teams.
Not ideal for
Linux users or teams standardized on other suites (Google Drive, Dropbox, Box).
Integrations
- Microsoft Teams
- SharePoint
- Outlook
- Word
- Excel
- Windows File Explorer
- Power Automate
- Zapier
Our take
If you already pay for Microsoft 365, OneDrive is the obvious storage choice, and the Personal and Family plans are good value at 1 TB per person. Teams built around Google Workspace or needing the smoothest cross-platform sync should pick Google Drive or Dropbox.
FAQ
- What is Microsoft OneDrive?
- Microsoft OneDrive is a File storage & sharing tool: Microsoft's cloud storage and file sync, bundled with Microsoft 365.
- How much does Microsoft OneDrive cost?
- Microsoft OneDrive uses a Freemium model; paid plans start at $2 per month.
- What are the best alternatives to Microsoft OneDrive?
- Community-listed alternatives to Microsoft OneDrive include Google Workspace.
- Does Microsoft OneDrive have a free trial?
- Yes, Microsoft OneDrive offers a 30-day free trial.
- What does Microsoft OneDrive integrate with?
- Microsoft OneDrive integrates with Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Outlook, Word, Excel, Windows File Explorer and more.
- Which platforms does Microsoft OneDrive support?
- Microsoft OneDrive is available on web, windows, macos, ios, android.
- Who is Microsoft OneDrive for?
- Windows users and Microsoft 365 organizations that want storage tightly wired into Office and Teams.
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