Remember when Google decided to launch Gmail and took on the likes of Yahoo and Hotmail ? Not only was Gmail a better email client , it also provide generous blank space ( 1 GB which was 500 times good than the challenger ) considering how expensive cloud storage was at the prison term . It was April Fools day butGoogle was dead serious .
It looks like Google is at it again , only this time , they want to dismantle the cloud storage business of Apple , Microsoft , and Dropbox . Meet Google One , a new home for Google Drive users under which you will encounter cheap swarm storage and a little something extra .
To better translate what Google is offer , I decide to dig late into the cloud computer storage programme being offer by the competitor . get ’s see what you really get for that dirt bum prices and if it is really worth it .
1. Google One or Google Drive
Right now , Google Drive offers15 GB of free spacethat is shared between all the product that Google has to extend like Gmail , Drive , and Photos . Note that Google Photos technically offers innocent unlimited storage as long as you are storing images in 1080mp and video in 1080px . If the resolution exceeds that limit , it will be counted against your 15 GB destitute space .
Plans :
The plan is simple and cheap . You get100 GB for $ 1.99 , 200 Gi for $ 2.99 , and 2 TB for $ 9.99per calendar month . It is to be noted that the above plan was already available in originate body politic like India where 100 GB plan costs ₹ 130 / mon . Those who are sign to the 1 TB plan will be upgrade to 2 TB at no additional cost .
Google One is not useable everywhere and they haveannounced on their blogthat the rollout will be completed in the next few month .
lineament :
Google will now provide Google One customersaccess to expertsthat are supposed to aid customers with products and services . You will get costless credit entry for Play Store as well as deals on hotels that kill up on Google search . More details are in the grapevine .
It seems Google is organise to partner with a turn ofservice providersto make Google One more than just a cloud storage platform . Google will benefit here when compared to OneDrive because the former also has a truehearted grasp in Mobile OS and apps industry .
Google One architectural plan can beshared with your class membersso you will be charged only once a month . As a pay off Google One member , you also get access code to live chat documentation and the program will be share between a max of 5 folk fellow member .
This should help practice those excess gigs lie unused in your account otherwise . If Google One is not uncommitted in your res publica , you cansign up herefor update .
The cloud storage quad will be used between Gmail , Drive , Photos , and G Suite . you may create , salvage , and share files with others . There are editing and collaborative feature with secure memory access .
User Experience
Google Drive is usable on every chopine and twist you own and everything continue in sync . Google also offer power retinue which comes with Docs , Slides , Forms , and Sheets that directly compete with Microsoft ’s Office 365 .
The only issue I have noticed is thesync . It works but sometimes , I think when files are particularly great , upload and sync bit slower than my ISP speed . I am not sure why it happens but it does happen and it is not an disjunct case either . Not a deal circuit breaker but something to consider .
Apart from this , Google also has a issue of other apps and services like Calendar and Keep ( note taking ) that will use memory quad .
2. Microsoft OneDrive
OneDrive offers5 GB of free spacewhich does n’t vocalize like much when you compare it with Google ’s 15 GB .
plan
Where Google Drive is free for up to 15 GB and as you corrupt more space , you could automatically create and save more Docs and Sheets , it is not so with OneDrive . Microsoft command the PC oxygen diligence like Google does the mobile O and search industriousness .
You get50 GB for $ 1.99after which you participate Office365 plan . situation 365 users get 1 TB of space and an office suite that they can install on 1 automobile ( personal computer or Mac ) and 1 pill and telephone for$6.99 / mon ; it is $ 9.99 for 5 substance abuser .
Features
If Google has Docs and Sheets , Microsoft hasOffice 365but Google also has Photo with unlimited blank space for backup . With the figure of exposure that the current generation is fall into place , Google has played its cards smartly .
Windows OneDrive and eventually Office 365 istightly integratedwith Windows office staff uncommitted on Windows 8 and 10 OS for microcomputer . OneDrive is a no - brainer for those who are already working with Office Suite because this way , you get spare access to Office 365 .
One crusade wasdesigned for Windowsoriginally and it reflects in their apps and software for Mac and iOS program . There is deficiency of consistency in blueprint and usableness . OneDrive sync is slightly better than Google Drive at the prison term of spell this clause .
Let ’s discuss third - political party apps . This is where OneDrive lose it badly . Microsoft works on alicensing systemand nothing is costless . Google , on the other hand , thrives on ad revenue and jolly much everything is free . This allows developers to integrate their apps and software system with Google Drive more easy , and freely , then OneDrive .
In the end , it comes down to one thing . If you are an Office 365 user , OneDrive is for you , otherwise , there are better options .
3. Dropbox
If you think 5 GB in the loose architectural plan was less , you are in for a shocker . Dropbox offer only2 GB in the spare plan . But , there are a number of way to increase thisspace to 16 GB . You will have to do a number of matter like refer friends , download and install some apps . It is not pretty but accomplishable .
Read : How to utilize Dropbox to Host a Simple HTML Website
Dropbox offers a limited number of plans to opt from . In fact , there are only two plans . You will get1 TB for $ 9.99 / Monday ( Plus ) and for $ 19.99 ( Pro ) , you will again get 1 TB . hold off , what ? The difference lie down in the feature so get ’s move to the next section .
For the first plan , files will have a30 - Clarence Shepard Day Jr. variant historywhich means you’re able to recover an older variation of the Indian file for up to 30 days . It is 120 days for the later . You get bright sync in the Pro plan where you do n’t have to download the whole brochure but you’re able to still access all the single file . This will save space and comes as a blessing for Mac users who have less gruelling drive space .
You also getpriority confabulate supportand full - text search . The latter will aid you search inside files for a piece of schoolbook , say a phone number or an email i d.
Steve Jobs wanted to buy Dropbox but was rejected which leave in the birth of iCloud . The rest is chronicle . Dropbox is the dear nipper of the cloud storage universe . Expensive , yes , but offers aseamless sync experiencethat simply works . Dropbox enjoys a loyal buff follow , very similar to Apple !
While Google and Microsoft both have a suite of office apps , Dropbox just has Paper . A note - convey app that promises to help you collaborate with others . It has a minimalist design which is nerveless but fades when you compare it with what the Microsoft and Google have to offer .
On the plus side , developers love Dropbox to destruction and most apps support Dropbox right out of the box . Dropbox is for those who have the money to throw around and want a no - hassle cloud computer storage system with no manipulation for office apps .
Apple iCloud
As observe , Apple flunk to acquire Dropbox but they do have iCloud . It is noteworthy thatApple has an accord with Googlewhere they will be using their servers to hive away ‘ chunks ’ of iCloud data file .
The rumor has been doing the round since 2007 . Apple also uses Microsoft Azure and Amazon AWS to store part of that data point . Yeah , I lie with . Why use iCloud when you could immediately use Google Drive ? Like OneDrive , you get5 GB of spacewith the free plan .
you could raise to50 GB for $ 0.99 / mon , 200 GB for $ 2.99 / Monday , and 2 TB for $ 9.99 / Monday . This makes iCloud as cheap as Google Drive and the latter has reduced its prices only recently . So Apple did it first but bomb to make the form of moving ridge that Google One announcement did . Why ?
iCloud is tightly integrated with the repose of the Apple ecosystem . All your iPhone , iPad , and Macbook backups and preferences are make unnecessary in iCloud .
Apple offers iWork which is a suite of office apps that make out with Pages , Numbers , and Keynotes . Like everything Apple , they work amazingly well , they look pretty and minimalist make them more operable , and they areonly available on Apple . The last one is where Apple loses browny points .
In a world where people are count for cross - platform solutions so they can act upon anywhere , anytime , and from any car , this bewilder a problem . you’re able to access iCloud on a internet browser but that is not the same as an app on my Android . There is software for Windows but does n’t offer the same experience .
Users have consistently reported about facing obtuse sync on iCloud than Dropbox . you’re able to compare it to Google Drive which does n’t come as a surprise run into Apple does n’t own an in - house answer .
Wrapping Up: Google Drive vs. Dropbox vs. OneDrive vs. iCloud
Which one should you use and why ? They all have something to put up . Before you go comparing prices , understand this . You are not buying swarm storage , you areentering an ecosystem . Each company has spent decades building a issue of products that go handwriting in hired hand with each other , showing little making love for the competition .
Apple is more notorious in this deference . Look at the issue of Google apps available on Apple and the issue of Apple apps available on Google .
It is easy to narrow down your choice if you follow the unconscious process of liquidation . Are you using Office 365 to the extent where you spend most of your time working inside it ? If so , OneDrive is for you .
Are you a Mac and iPhone user , a true Apple fan who does n’t give a damn about Google , Android or Windows ? iCloud will serve you well .
Are you a developer working with apps and software and involve something that is easy to influence with ? Do n’t care if the program is a little expensive because time is of the essence to you ? Dropbox is clean , minimalist and works nicely with all the chopine and OS . in all probability because it is not owned by any of them !
Looking for something flashy but equally honest with a boniface of products and services that are free to utilize and usable on every platform ? Google Drive is for you .
