OneDrive vs Google Drive vs iCloud: Which One Stand Out?

resources / Cloud Tips

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Written By Alan Williams

Dec 08, 2021 • Proven solutions

Google Drive, iCloud, OneDrive are among the top cloud storage platforms. Each has its own pros and cons. One dominates others in some areas while it lags from others in certain areas. But when it comes to the best, it requires a comparison of the three. Let us go with Google Drive vs iCloud vs OneDrive to find, which one standout.

Onedrive vs Google Drive vs iCloud: Which One Standout
Part 1

Pricing

One of the main things to consider while choosing the right cloud storage is the price. When it comes to iCloud vs Google Drive vs OneDrive, Google Drive dominates the other two in the area of free storage. It provides you with thrice the free cloud storage than the other two. But when it comes to paid cloud storage, each platform has its own plans and pricing. If we go with 50 GB of paid storage then iCloud is the best option to go with. iCloud is the only one that offers this plan for $0.99/month.

On the other hand, if you want 100 GB of cloud storage, both Google Drive and OneDrive comes with $1.99/month. When it comes to 200 GB of cloud storage, both Google Drive and iCloud provide you with the same price of $2.99/month. When it comes to 1TB of cloud storage One Drive is the best option to go with. It is the only platform that offers you 1TB of storage at $6.99/month.

Most of the people doesn’t require more than 1TB of cloud storage. But if your demand is higher, you can go with Google Drive or iCloud. Both platforms provide you with 2 TB of cloud storage at $9.99 per month.

If your demand is even higher than 2TB, you can go with Google Drive that offers you up to 30 TB of storage for $299.99/month.

For your better understanding, a comparison table of Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud is presented below. You can choose the one that suits you more.

Storage OneDrive Google Drive iCloud
50 GB $0.99/month
100 GB $1.99/month $1.99/month
200 GB $2.99/month $2.99/month
1 TB $6.99/month
2 TB $9.99/month $9.99/month
6 TB $9.99/month
10 TB $99.99/month
30 TB $299.99/month
Part 2

Storage

Storage is an important factor to consider when we are going for OneDrive vs Google Drive vs iCloud. As every individual has its own needs, so the demand for storage also varies from person to person.

Some are satisfied with free cloud storage of 5 GB. Some are satisfied with 15 GB. Some take the help of multiple platforms to use free available storage. When it comes to paid storage, every platform has its own plans.

If you want more storage then you can go with iCloud that offers you 50 GB of additional paid storage. If you are looking for some more then iCloud also offers 200 GB and 2 TB of additional storage.

OneDrive offers you a maximum paid storage of 6 TB. It also offers you with 100 GB, 1 TB, and 6 TB.

If your demand is even higher, then Google Drive is the best option to go with. It offers you free cloud storage of 15 GB. It also provides you with maximum cloud storage of 30 TB. If you want some lesser, there are several other plans of 100 GB, 200 GB, 2 TB, and 10 TB.

Here Google provides you with the best cloud storage space both in case of free and paid storage.

For making it clearer, a comparison table is presented below.

Storage Google Drive OneDrive iCloud
Free 15 GB 5 GB 5 GB
Maximum 30 TB 6 TB 2 TB
50 GB ✔️
100 GB ✔️ ✔️
200 GB ✔️ ✔️
1 TB ✔️
2 TB ✔️ ✔️
6 TB ✔️
10 TB ✔️
30 T ✔️
Part 3

File Sharing

When it comes to sharing files on Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud, there isn’t much difference. All platforms provide you an ability to easily share files and manage permissions for sharing. They also provide you an ability to permit who can make necessary edits.

When it comes to Google Drive and One Drive, both provide you with almost the same options. You can easily share files between windows apps, Android Apps, and iOS apps. But when it comes to iCloud, It doesn’t allow sharing options for Android apps.

google drive vs icloud vs onedrive

Moreover, both OneDrive and iCloud provide you with only 15 GB size limit for sharing files. On the other hand, Google Drive provides you an ability of 5 TB at a time.

When it comes to choosing the best, Google Drive leads due to the file-sharing limit. But when an overall comparison is taken into account there is no match to OneDrive. One Drive provides you an ability to keep track of files and folders that you have shared.

Below is the table of comparison for all three cloud storage platforms.

File sharing OneDrive Google Drive iCloud
Emphasis Office apps Full service Apple device users
File size limit 15 GB 5 TB 15 GB
Online editing ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
File versioning ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Windows app ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Android app ✔️ ✔️
iOS app ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Part 4

File Sync

When it comes to synching files, iCloud has a separate zone. It is best to go with iCloud when you have iOS and Mac with you. But when it comes to the Android platform iCloud lags behind.

When it comes to a comparison between Google Drive and OneDrive. Google Drive provides you an ability to back up more file types. On the other hand, OneDrive provides you with more customization options. This customization option works well for mobile photo and video backups.

Cloud Storage capacity

Moreover, Google Drive provides you with a facility for backing up your contacts and calendar events. It also provides you with the option of choosing the image quality that you want to sync. So, it is a good choice to go with.

Sync iCloud Google Drive OneDrive
iOS ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Windows ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Android ✔️ ✔️
File types All Limited Limited
Contacts ✔️ ✔️
Customization More Less More
Part 5

Integrations

When it comes to integration there is no match to iCloud, but it demands the Apple platform. It means, if you are using third-party apps you are going to face issues. It integrates best with iTunes and other Apple products.

On the other hand, OneDrive provides you the ability to use a host of Microsoft Office apps. It is one of the best platforms in this category and even dominates Google Drive and iCloud. It provides you a facility to work both online and offline. Overall it provides you with a good ecosystem.

When it comes to integration with third-party apps there is no match to Google Drive. It also provides you an ability to integrate with various Google products.

In the end, if you are using cloud storage for business purpose OneDrive is the best option. If you are using cloud storage for personal purposes Google Drive is a good choice.

Integrations Google Drive OneDrive iCloud
Third-party integration Many Few Few
Best integrates with Google Docs, Gmail Windows, Office Apple Devices, iTunes
Integrate with Android ✔️ ✔️
Integrate with iOS ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Part 6

Security

When we are considering One Drive vs iCloud vs Google Drive, all three platforms come up with good security features.

Starting with Google Drive, it provides you with HTTPS for all services. In addition to this, it also provides you with two-factor authentication and SSL encryption. The point where it lags is the usage of 128-bit AES encryption for the data at rest.

Coming to iCloud, it comes with SSL encryption. It provides you with security tokens for enhanced authentication when you are accessing other apps. It also provides you with two-factor authentication. Although it uses AES 128-bit encryption but uses iCloud keychain. iCloud keychain uses 256-bit encryption for passwords and other sensitive data.

When it comes to OneDrive it provides you with TLS encryption during transit. It directs you to HTTPS. On the other hand, it provides you with network protection, application security, and content protection with a unique AES256 key. Moreover, it gives you a facility of Personal vault for enhanced protection.

Security Google Drive OneDrive iCloud
Encryption SSL SSL + PFS SSL
At rest 128-bit AES 256-bit AES 128-bit AES
In transit TLS TLS (2048 bit) TLS 1.2

Conclusion:

When it comes to OneDrive vs Google Drive vs iCloud, all of these are among the top cloud storage platforms. But when it comes to choosing the best, it depends upon needs and availability. Here availability means if you are using Apple products iCloud is good for. On the other hand, if you are having more business needs OneDrive is good. But if you want to go for overall purposes, Google Drive is the best.

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