Google Drive review

Google Drive is part of Google Workspace, and for a small office already on Gmail it is the lowest-friction way off a shared drive. Files open in Docs, Sheets and Slides, so several people edit one copy instead of trading versions. Workspace pricing lists Starter with 30 GB of pooled storage per person and the Gemini assistant in Gmail, Standard with 2 TB, eSignature with Docs and PDFs and the Gemini assistant in Docs and Meet, and Plus with 5 TB, eDiscovery and Vault to retain, archive and search data. Enterprise adds data loss prevention, context-aware access, data regions and AI Classification for Google Drive. Each plan has a 14 day trial. What Drive lacks compared with M-Files, Laserfiche or DocuWare is document management depth: there is no built-in capture and indexing of scanned paper, and retention rules need Plus. Google showed zloty prices from our location, so the USD check is pending.

Who it is for

Small offices on Gmail and Google Docs that want simple shared storage and real-time editing.

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• 30 GB pooled storage per person on Starter, 2 TB on Standard and 5 TB on Plus
• Gemini AI assistant in Gmail on Starter, and in Docs and more on Standard
• eSignature with Docs and PDFs on Standard
• Vault to retain, archive and search data on Plus
• Data loss prevention, context-aware access and AI Classification for Google Drive on Enterprise

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: The easiest tool here for staff who already use Google Docs
• Strength: Real-time editing removes duplicate copies
• Strength: 14 day trial
• Weakness: Starter's 30 GB pooled storage per person is small for scanned archives
• Weakness: Retention and eDiscovery through Vault need the Plus plan
• Weakness: USD price check pending from our location

Key facts

• Storage: 30 GB per person on Starter, 2 TB on Standard, 5 TB on Plus
• Free trial: 14 days
• Records retention: Vault on Plus and Enterprise

Where it ranks

Google Drive is No. 4 in our Best Document Management Software verdict.