Google Drive vs OneDrive: Which to Use?
Both Google Drive and OneDrive store your files in the cloud and sync them across devices. The right choice mostly depends on which apps you use day to day.
Short answer
Use Microsoft Word/Excel/PowerPoint? Get OneDrive (it comes with Microsoft 365 Personal at $7/month including 1TB). Use Gmail + Google Docs? Get Google One. Already paying for one? Stick with it.
Quick comparison
| Google Drive | OneDrive | |
|---|---|---|
| Free storage | 15 GB (shared with Gmail, Photos) | 5 GB |
| 100GB plan | $2/month | $2/month (Microsoft 365 Basic) |
| 1TB plan | - | $7/month (M365 Personal, includes Office) |
| 2TB plan | $10/month (Google One) | $10/month (M365 Family, 6TB total) |
| Office apps included? | No (Google Docs is alternative) | Yes (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) |
| Best for | Gmail users, collaboration in Docs | Microsoft users, Office files |
Where Google Drive wins
- 15 GB free beats OneDrive's 5 GB
- Google Docs/Sheets/Slides are free, work in any browser, and integrate seamlessly
- Real-time collaboration in Docs is the gold standard
- Better photo backup with Google Photos if you want it tied in
- Easier sharing links (anyone with the link options work well)
- Better search. Google's search is unbeatable. Find files faster
Where OneDrive wins
- Better Office app integration. Word/Excel/PowerPoint save and open from OneDrive seamlessly
- Microsoft 365 Personal bundle: $7/month gets you 1TB OneDrive + full Office apps for one user. Nothing comes close to that value if you'd buy Office anyway
- Microsoft 365 Family: $10/month, up to 6 users with 1TB each (6TB total)
- Better on Windows. Built into Windows 11, syncs Documents/Pictures/Desktop folders automatically
- Personal Vault: extra-encrypted folder for sensitive docs
Pricing breakdown (2026)
Google One
- 15 GB free
- 100 GB: $2/month
- 200 GB: $3/month
- 2 TB: $10/month (most popular)
- 5 TB: $25/month
- 10 TB: $50/month
Microsoft 365 (includes OneDrive + Office)
- 5 GB free OneDrive
- 100 GB only: $2/month (Microsoft 365 Basic)
- Personal: $7/month, 1 TB OneDrive + Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook
- Family: $10/month, up to 6 people, 1 TB each (6 TB total) + Office apps for everyone
Microsoft 365 Family is the best deal in cloud storage if you have a family. $10/month for six 1TB plans plus Office apps for all of them.
Compatibility
Both work on:
Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android, web browser. Both have desktop sync clients that put a folder on your computer that syncs to the cloud.
Things to know:
- OneDrive ships built into Windows 11. Google Drive needs the "Drive for Desktop" app installed
- Google Drive integrates with Google Docs natively (Word docs convert when you open them in Docs)
- OneDrive's sync is faster on Windows; Google Drive feels equivalent on Mac
Privacy
Both companies scan files for known illegal content. Both have ads-free paid tiers. Both encrypt files in transit and at rest (not end-to-end encrypted by default).
If you want true end-to-end encryption, consider Proton Drive ($5/month) or Tresorit instead.
What about sharing files?
- Google Drive: click Share, choose "Anyone with the link" or specific emails. Recipients can view in browser without account
- OneDrive: similar. Right click file > Share. Set permissions
Can I move from one to the other?
Yes.
- From Drive to OneDrive: use takeout.google.com to download everything, then upload to OneDrive
- From OneDrive to Drive: download from OneDrive (use the OneDrive web client; select all, download as zip), upload to Drive
- Or use migration tools like MultCloud (free with limits) to move directly between cloud services
What about iCloud Drive?
If you're all-in on Apple devices, iCloud Drive is decent too. Pricing similar to Google. iCloud Drive integrates seamlessly with Mac/iPhone/iPad but has weaker web access and worse on Windows.
My recommendation
- Light user, Gmail user: Google Drive free tier (15 GB)
- Need more space, Gmail user: Google One 200 GB ($3/month)
- Office user, individual: Microsoft 365 Personal ($7/month). 1 TB + Office
- Family of 4+: Microsoft 365 Family ($10/month). 6 TB total + Office for everyone
- Privacy focus: Proton Drive
- All Apple ecosystem: iCloud+
Need help picking?
Send a message describing what you do (Office docs? Gmail? Photos?) and Isaac can recommend.