Google Drive Review: Flexible Syncing Meets Generous Free Storage

Google Drive Review: Flexible Syncing Meets Generous Free Storage | PCMag

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Editors' Choice 4.5 Outstanding this.$refs.template.innerHTML, onCreate: (instance) => this.tippyInstance = instance, onShow: (instance) => { this.escapeHandler = (e) => { if (e.key === 'Escape') instance.hide(); }; window.addEventListener('keydown', this.escapeHandler); }, onHide: (instance) => { if (this.escapeHandler) { window.removeEventListener('keydown', this.escapeHandler); this.escapeHandler = null; } }, onMount: (instance) => { const closeBtn = instance.popper.querySelector('[data-tooltip-close]'); if (closeBtn) closeBtn.addEventListener('click', () => instance.hide()); }, }; }, }">   What Our Ratings Mean 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies. The Bottom Line Google Drive packs powerful file storage and syncing with standout collaboration tools, polished mobile apps, and increasingly useful AI features. Starts at Free $0.00 See It PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing.

Pros & Cons 15GB of free storage Excellent productivity suite collaboration Options for cloud and local file sync Many file and folder organization tools Lots of third-party integrations Useful mobile apps featuring OCR Lacks password protection for shared files Anyone with your email can place items in your account Google Drive Specs Name Value tr:nth-of-type(n+6)]:hidden" :class="{ '[&>tr:nth-of-type(n+6)]:!table-row': open }"> Emphasis Full service file storage, sharing, syncing, and collaboration File Size Limit 5TB Free Storage 15GB Online Editing File Versioning Windows App iOS App Android App More Specs

Google Drive is much more than a cloud-based file storage and syncing service with a generous free storage plan; it's also an integral part of a full, collaborative office suite. You can use Google Drive to store documents created in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, and to back up files from your computer (or go with cloud-only file storage). Paid plans, branded as Google One, offer extra storage and other perks, including Google AI tools. Either way you go, Google Drive impresses with its ability to store, back up, create, and edit files, whether you work solo or as part of a team. As a result, Google Drive earns our Editors' Choice endorsement for top-notch consumer-end file storage and syncing services, alongside Microsoft OneDrive.Google Drive vs. Google Drive for BusinessThere are key differences between the consumer and business Google Drive versions (available for the browser, macOS, and Windows), the chief among them being increased storage. Consumer Google Drive offers 15GB of cloud storage, while business Google Drive (part of the Google Workspace suite) starts at 30GB and caps out at 5TB. On top of that, the consumer Google Drive is free; the business Google Drive requires a Workspace subscription (starting at $8.40 per month or $7 per month with an annual plan).Plans and Prices: An Extremely Generous Free TierIt doesn't cost any