Google Drive (Google One) review

Google Drive is the default answer for most households because it is already there: every Google account gets 15 GB free, and that space covers Drive files, Google Photos and Gmail together. Upgrading through Google One adds 100 GB, 2 TB or 5 TB tiers, and every paid plan can be shared with up to 5 other people, so a family can run on a single subscription. The desktop app for Windows and macOS keeps a Drive folder in step with the cloud, and the mobile apps can scan receipts and letters into searchable PDFs. The trade-offs are the shared quota, which means a busy inbox and a phone camera roll compete for the same space, and the bundling of Gemini AI features into the 2 TB and 5 TB tiers. Files are not end-to-end encrypted by default. From our location the plans page showed local currency only, so the USD price is pending.

Who it is for

Android users and anyone already living in Gmail and Google Photos who wants one storage pool for the whole household.

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• 15 GB free storage shared across Google Photos, Drive and Gmail
• Paid plans of 100 GB, 2 TB and 5 TB
• Share plan storage with up to 5 other people
• Drive desktop app for Windows and macOS that keeps files updated
• Document scanning to searchable PDF in the Android and iOS apps

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: The largest permanent free tier among the big three platforms at 15 GB
• Strength: One storage pool covers photos, files and email
• Strength: Family sharing with up to 5 others is included on paid plans
• Weakness: Gmail and Photos eat into the same quota as your files
• Weakness: Higher tiers are bundled with Gemini AI features you may not want
• Weakness: Files are not end-to-end encrypted by default, unlike Proton Drive or Sync.com

Key facts

• Free storage: 15 GB, shared with Gmail and Photos
• Paid tiers: 100 GB, 2 TB, 5 TB
• Family sharing: Up to 5 others
• Desktop apps: Windows and macOS

Where it ranks

Google Drive (Google One) is No. 1 in our Best Cloud Storage Services verdict.