Google Drive offers free storage space and is convenient for sharing and editing files, but there are also many alternatives available. In fact, there are 8 best Google Drive alternatives for cloud file backup that can greatly help you, making them a viable option for those looking for a similar service.
Google Cloud Drive is a file storage platform developed by Google that allows users to store, share, collaborate, and access files from multiple devices using the web. Its convenience and popularity stem from its ability to enable seamless file management and collaboration, making it a go-to solution for individuals and teams alike.
You may still want to explore alternative options to Google Cloud Drive despite its benefits, as there are other cloud storage solutions available.
1. Price
Google Drive offers 15GB of free storage space, which also includes app storage for Gmail, Google Photos, and more. To get more storage, you'll need to pay for plans starting at 100GB for $1.99 a month. There are also other deals available.
2. Compatibility
Google Drive is a user-friendly option for those already invested in the Google ecosystem, seamlessly integrating with other Google tools. However, its limitations in compatibility with other software may be a drawback for some users.
3. Security
Google can access and manipulate your personal data, potentially leading to compromised files and unwanted spam.
While Google Drive offers convenience, its potential risks, including compromised passwords affecting entire accounts, make it essential to find a reliable cloud drive to back up data.
In this part, I have collected the 8 best alternatives to Google Drive for cloud file backup. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages. You can learn more about them to make a comprehensive choice.
Dropbox is the biggest competitor of Google Drive, offering great cloud storage plans for businesses and personal use, with a strong suit for large image and document files.
| Dropbox | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Space | 2GB | ||
| Price | 2 TB for $9.99/month | Professional: 3 TB for $16.58/month | Family: 2 TB for $16.99/month |
| Pros | Fast cross-device sync | Separate shared passwords for double authentication | Provides integration with Google and Office |
| Cons | Limited free space | Separate shared passwords for double authentication | No zero-knowledge encryption |
OneDrive is a cloud drive tool provided by Microsoft, which is also a built-in feature in Windows. It allows users to store various documents and files, and offers real-time sharing and collaboration capabilities.
| OneDrive | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Space |
5GB |
||
| Price | 100 GB for $1.99/month | 1 TB for $5/month/user | Unlimited (if you have 5+ users) for $10/month/user |
| Pros | Highly integrated with other programs | Powerful file sharing and collaborative editing | Support Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows |
| Cons | Less free space than other competitors | Only available for specific folders | No zero-knowledge encryption |
Nordlocker is a cloud drive service that offers end-to-end encrypted cloud storage for secure file backup. It allows users to store files both locally and in the cloud, providing an added layer of protection against hacking and unauthorized access.
| Nordlocker | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Space | 3GB | ||
| Price | 500 GB for $3.99/month | 2 TB for $19.99/month | |
| Pros | No size limit for file upload | Maximum security | zero-knowledge encryption |
| Cons | Unavailable for Android or iOS | Limited pay options | |
Sync is a fast and secure online data storage application that offers end-to-end encrypted file storage and sharing solutions, but lacks the collaboration features of Google.
| Sync | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Space | 5GB | ||
| Price | Standard: 3 TB for $10/month | Basic: 2 TB for $8/month | |
| Pros | 100% online repository with cross-device sync capabilities | Maximum security | Compatible with all Microsoft Office applications |
| Cons | Lack of collaboration features | Only single file sync is supported | |
pCloud is a cloud storage service focused on protecting user privacy, primarily catering to individuals rather than businesses. It offers file-sharing capabilities, similar to Google, allowing users to invite others to access specific files or folders.
| pCloud | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Space | 10GB | ||
| Price | 1 TB for $49.99/year or $175 for life | Business: 1 TB for $7.99/user/month | Family: 2 TB for $500 for life |
| Pros | More free cloud storage | End-to-end encryption | Support advanced file version control |
| Cons | No collaboration options | Not enough for large businesses | |
Box is ideal for small teams and businesses, providing real-time collaboration tools for document editing and commenting, as well as streamlined workflow management.
| Box | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Space | 10GB | ||
| Price | Personal Pro: 100 GB for $10/month | Business Starter: 100 GB for $5/user/month | |
| Pros | More free cloud storage | Designed for collaboration | Integration with many third-party services |
| Cons | Limited options | Overlap features | |
Icedrive offers 10GB free storage with zero-knowledge encryption, but lacks collaboration features.
| Icedrive | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Space | 10GB | ||
| Price | 150 GB for $19.99 per year and $99 lifetime | 1TB for $4.99 per month or $229 lifetime | |
| Pros | More free cloud storage | zero-knowledge encryption | Easy to use |
| Cons | No collaboration options | No integrated features | |
A cloud drive offers 250GB of free storage space, allowing for file uploads and backups, but lacks collaboration and integration features. To access additional storage, a paid backup software is required.
| EaseUS Cloud | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Space | 250GB | ||
| Price | 1TB for $39.95/ Yearly (include backup function) | ||
| Pros | More free cloud storage | zero-knowledge encryption | Support backup function |
| Cons | Free trial for 30 days only | No integrated features | Only for PC |
For businesses, there are several alternatives to Google Cloud Drive that offer free storage services, file uploading, and saving, but differ in terms of security and collaboration features. Some of the best options include Box, which provides secure and collaborative features, making it a suitable choice for businesses.
Each of these cloud drives is a great product, and you can use them to their full potential. However, it's essential to remember to always back up your data, and I'll provide you with a top-notch backup software and steps to follow.
Qiling Backup Home is a top-notch backup software that offers multiple backup destinations and supports various backup types, including files, folders, disks, systems, and partition backup. It also enables direct backup of files to various cloud drives, such as Google Drive, making it a convenient option. The software is user-friendly, making it easy to operate.
Step 1. To begin the backup process, click the File backup button.
Step 2. On the left side of the screen, you can see lists of both local and network files. You can expand the directory to select the files you want to back up.
Step 3. The guidance on the screen is to choose a place where you want to store the backup. This involves selecting a location where the backup file will be saved.
Step 4. To set up a backup, ensure the backup is encrypted and schedule it by clicking on "Options" in "Backup Options".
You can customize the backup process by setting a specific start time in the Backup Scheme, and also explore other options available.
Step 5. You can save the backup file to your computer, Qiling's cloud service, or a network-attached storage device (NAS).
Step 6. Qiling Backup allows customers to store backup copies of their files on either a third-party cloud drive or the company's own cloud storage.
To back up data on a third-party cloud drive, select Local Drive and scroll down to add Cloud Device, then fill in your account information.
Step 7. Click on Proceed to start a backup. The backup process will then be displayed as a card on the left-hand side of the screen, and a click will allow you to view more details about the backup job.
Qiling Backup has many features, including cloning and recovery, which can be very convenient for users. It can also provide many benefits, such as being able to restore data quickly and easily, and being able to create a backup of an entire system or specific files. Additionally, it can also provide a safe and secure way to backup data, protecting it from loss or corruption.
Google Drive is not open source because it is private, but open source services can be a good alternative. This is because everyone can edit or share files in open source, making it publicly accessible. Therefore, open source services can be a good choice for Google Drive alternative.
1. Control
Users can review the code to ensure the software isn't performing any unwanted actions, and they can modify the parts they're not satisfied with.
2. High-quality
Open source software is typically of high quality because its source code is available, allowing for careful design and review by many users.
3. Security
Some of them will provide End-Open-source software is a high-efficiency option, especially for end-to-end encryption in storage. If errors occur, they can be addressed in a timely manner, ensuring the software remains reliable and secure.
This article highlights eight Google alternatives for cloud file backup, providing a detailed comparison of their pros and cons. Whether you're looking for a reliable backup solution or simply want to diversify your cloud storage, this information can help you make an informed decision. Just remember to back up your files, regardless of the service you choose!
Besides the 8 best google drive alternatives for cloud file backup, here are some frequently asked questions.
1. Is there any alternative for Google Drive?
There are alternatives to Google Drive, such as pCloud, Nordlocker, and Sync, which offer more free storage space and comprehensive data protection.
2. Is Google Drive a good cloud backup?
Google Drive is a good cloud backup option with 10 GB of free storage space, and its integration with other Google programs makes it convenient to use.
3. Is Google Drive being discontinued?
Google announced that the Google Drive app would no longer be supported, with support ending on December 11, 2017, and the app being completely shut down on March 12, 2018.