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Google Drive Logo

Cloud storage and backup for files, photos, docs, and more

Last updated: December 2024

Google Drive - 2024 Pricing, Features, Reviews, & Alternatives

Table of Contents

What is Google Drive?

Google Drive is a cloud storage and backup platform to access files, docs, photos & more, store them in a safe place, and collaborate with other people. The Google Drive platform can be accessed wherever the user is at the time, from in their home to on-the-go, or in the office, meaning files can be accessed, shared, edited, collaborated on, and more.

The security and backup features within Google Drive mean that files are protected and safely stored even when technological disasters occur. No matter what happens to the users' devices, their files are safely stored in Google Drive.

Google Drive allows users to do more than just store their files. Users can share files with exactly who they want and edit them together, from any device. Google Drive gives instant access to Google Docs, a suite of editing tools that makes working together easy—even when your teammates are miles away.

Benefits of using Google Drive

  • Create & collaborate on photos, videos, presentations, PDFs, Google Docs, and more.

  • Google Drive can be used alongside existing apps such as email and calendar to create streamlined workflows.

  • The powerful search functionality uses intelligence to identify objects in photos or text and presents the most relevant results for keyword searches.

  • Open over 30 file types including Docs, Sheets, Slides, Google Forms, Google Drawing, and more, right within the browser.

  • Create, open and share files from a variety of apps directly in Google Drive, even when offline, and changes are automatically synced when internet connection is resumed.
  • Starting from

    6

    /user

    Per month

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    Google Drive's key features

    GetApp's analysis of 1675 verified user reviews collected between July 2021 and October 2024 identified Google Drive's most critical features and how it performs according to users.

    Features

    4.6

    /5

    27.6K

    Ease of use

    4.7

    /5

    27.6K

    Document Storage

    Reviewers appreciate Google Drive's Document Storage for its ample free storage space, ease of organization with folders and subfolders, and robust search functionality. They highlight the ability to store various file types, including documents, images, and videos, and access them from any device. Users also value the security and encryption provided, ensuring their data is safe. However, some mention the need for additional storage for larger files, which can be purchased at a reasonable cost. Of the 850 Google Drive users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Document Storage, 99% rated this feature as important or highly important.


    Secure Data Storage

    Users report that Google Drive's Secure Data Storage offers robust security measures, including encryption in transit and at rest, and two-factor authentication. They appreciate the ability to control access to files and folders, ensuring data privacy. Reviewers feel confident in the reliability and availability of their data, accessible from anywhere. However, some users wish for built-in encryption capabilities without relying on third-party tools. Overall, they trust Google Drive for secure and protected data storage. Of the 510 Google Drive users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Secure Data Storage, 97% rated this feature as important or highly important.


    File Sharing

    Reviewers indicate that Google Drive's File Sharing capabilities are easy and intuitive, allowing users to share files with specific permissions (view, comment, edit). They appreciate the ability to share large files and collaborate in real-time with colleagues. Users find the link-sharing option particularly useful for quick access. However, some mention occasional issues with permission settings. Overall, they value the efficiency and flexibility of file sharing in Google Drive. Of the 1035 Google Drive users who gave detailed accounts of their use of File Sharing, 97% rated this feature as important or highly important.


    Document Management

    Users highlight Google Drive's Document Management for its ability to organize files into folders, track changes, and maintain version history. They appreciate the search functionality, which makes finding documents easy. Reviewers also value the integration with other Google tools, enhancing collaboration and productivity. Some users mention the need for more advanced document retention capabilities. Overall, they find Google Drive effective for managing and organizing documents. Of the 557 Google Drive users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Document Management, 95% rated this feature as important or highly important.


    Access Controls/Permissions

    Reviewers appreciate Google Drive's Access Controls/Permissions for allowing granular control over who can view, edit, or comment on files. They find it easy to manage permissions and ensure data privacy. Users value the ability to change access settings at any time, providing flexibility and security. However, some mention occasional issues with permission settings. Overall, they feel confident in the control and security provided by Google Drive's access management. Of the 740 Google Drive users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Access Controls/Permissions, 94% rated this feature as important or highly important.


    Mobile Access

    Users report that Google Drive's Mobile Access is convenient and user-friendly, allowing them to access, edit, and share files from their smartphones or tablets. They appreciate the ability to work on documents on-the-go and the seamless synchronization across devices. Reviewers find the mobile app efficient for managing files, although some note occasional upload delays. Overall, they value the flexibility and convenience of accessing Google Drive from mobile devices. Of the 497 Google Drive users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Mobile Access, 92% rated this feature as important or highly important.


    All Google Drive features

    Data Security
    Search/Filter
    File Transfer
    Real Time Synchronization
    Drag & Drop
    Collaboration Tools
    Role-Based Permissions
    Content Library
    Remote Access/Control
    Real Time Editing
    Full Text Search
    Automatic Backup
    Data Storage Management
    Multi-Device Support
    SSL Security
    Document Capture
    Encryption
    Email Management
    Offline Access
    Content Publishing Options
    Alerts/Notifications
    Version Control
    API
    Multi-Language

    Google Drive awards

    Google Drive alternatives

    Google Drive logo
    4.8
    (27.6K)

    Starting from

    6

    /user

    Per month

    Free trial
    Free version
    Ease of Use
    Features
    Value for Money
    Customer Support
    Content Central logo
    4.3
    (41)
    visit website

    Starting from

    10

    Per month

    Free trial
    Free version
    Ease of Use
    Features
    Value for Money
    Customer Support
    FileCloud logo
    4.6
    (224)
    visit website

    Starting from

    6

    Per month

    Free trial
    Free version
    Ease of Use
    Features
    Value for Money
    Customer Support
    Vitrium Security logo
    4.6
    (72)
    visit website

    Starting from

    500

    Free trial
    Free version
    Ease of Use
    Features
    Value for Money
    Customer Support

    Google Drive pricing

    Pricing options
    Free plan
    Subscription
    Free trial
    Pricing range

    Value for money

    4.7

    /5

    27.6K

    Starting from

    6

    /user

    Per month

    Google Drive support options

    Typical customers

    Freelancers
    Small businesses
    Mid size businesses
    Large enterprises

    Platforms supported

    Web
    Android
    iPhone/iPad

    Support options

    FAQs/Forum
    Email/Help Desk
    24/7 (Live rep)
    Knowledge Base

    Training options

    Webinars
    Documentation
    Live Online

    Google Drive reviews

    Overall rating

    4.8

    /5

    27.6K

    Positive reviews

    98

    %

    Rating breakdown
    • Value for money
    • Ease of use
    • Features
    • Customer support
    • Likelihood to recommend9.25/10
    Rating distribution

    5

    4

    3

    2

    1

    21.8K

    5.2K

    529

    46

    10

    Pros
    Filestream integrates perfectly with Windows Explorer. I LOVE that I can access files on my computer that are on the shared drive in the same way I would access a file in MyDocuments.
    Overall I am pleased with drive. It is user friendly and being someone who is not tech savvy it is nice to be able to use without having to contact support.
    Overall, I am very happy with Google Drive. It is a good investment when backing up your files.
    Cons
    There isn't much I don't like about google drive. The offline work can be a little tricky at times and I have lost a few sentences due to this feature.
    There is some frustration for lack of support for older devices which sometimes are just used for storage themselves.
    Furthermore, it seems to keeps failing to sync a specific type of file (.suo , a Visual Studio related file) which however is only just a bit annoying and does not cause any trouble.

    Google Drive FAQs

    Q. What type of pricing plans does Google Drive offer?

    Google Drive has the following pricing plans:
    Starting from: $6.00/month
    Pricing model: Free, Subscription
    Free Trial: Available | (No Credit Card required)

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    Q. Who are the typical users of Google Drive?

    Google Drive has the following typical customers:
    Freelancers, Large Enterprises, Mid Size Business, Non Profit, Public Administrations, Small Business


    Q. What languages does Google Drive support?

    Google Drive supports the following languages:
    Chinese (Traditional), Japanese, English, Russian, Swedish, Arabic, Danish, Hebrew, Korean, Thai, Turkish, Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, Italian, French, German, Chinese (Simplified), Polish


    Q. Does Google Drive support mobile devices?

    Google Drive supports the following devices:
    Android, iPad, iPhone


    Q. Does Google Drive offer an API?

    Yes, Google Drive has an API available for use.


    Q. What other apps does Google Drive integrate with?

    Google Drive integrates with the following applications:
    Microsoft Outlook, Less Annoying CRM, PayPal, Aircall, Zoho CRM, Insightly, Zapier, Google Docs, Docusign, Trello, Zoho Books, FreshBooks, Uberflip, Bookedin, SimplyCast, Salesforce Sales Cloud, Close, Slack, Nimble, ERPLY, Zendesk Sell, Lucidchart, Zinc, Wave, BuiltWith, Yesware, vcita, Mailchimp, Wrike, Asana, FreeAgent, Xero, CubeAnywhere, Smartsheet, Cyfe, Google Sheets, Zoho Invoice


    Q. What level of support does Google Drive offer?

    Google Drive offers the following support options:
    FAQs/Forum, Email/Help Desk, 24/7 (Live rep), Knowledge Base

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