Microsoft OneDrive vs Google Drive vs iCloud vs Dropbox

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Cloud services

What is Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, iCloud and Dropbox, what can you do with them and what are the differences?

The big tech companies give users online storage options. Microsoft, Google and Apple do this for free. Of course not unlimited. If the free storage space is not enough, you can buy extra space for a monthly fee. It is of course obvious to first use the free service that belongs to a device:

• Google Drive is on Android devices.

• OneDrive is on Windows computers.

• iCloud can be found on Mac, iPhone and iPad.

• Dropbox is a standalone and does not belong specifically to a device or brand.

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You can install and use each cloud service on more than 1 device (for example on both a phone and a tablet), but be careful: a file that you delete on one device will disappear on all devices. Fortunately, all services have a recycle bin, in which the files are often stored for a few weeks.

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Google Drive

Google's storage service is called Google Drive. Every Google account comes with 15 GB of free storage space as standard. But Google does things a little differently than other companies. Because various Google services use the space: the mail program Gmail, the photo app Google Photos and Drive. That is where all kinds of files are stored. Google Drive is standard on Android devices. There is a separate app for Windows, Mac and iPhone/iPad. Google Drive also has an online entrance. This includes Google Documents and Google Spreadsheets. These are a great alternative to Word and Excel.

As mentioned, the free storage space is 15 GB. For 1.99 euros per month this becomes 100 GB. There are also subscriptions for 200 GB (2.99 euros) and 2000 GB (9.99 euros).

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OneDrive

OneDrive is Microsoft's online storage service. This service is standard on a computer with Windows. There is an app for Mac, iPhone/iPad and Android devices. The user must install this themselves.

The files that OneDrive stores can also be viewed and managed online by users. Via any browser. Everyone gets 5 GB of free storage space. For 2 euros per month, this becomes 100 GB. And 1000 GB costs 7 euros per month. For every option, including the free version, a (free) Microsoft account is required. This also gives users access to a free online version of Word, Excel and PowerPoint. These are stripped-down versions of the paid packages. But the average user can get by just fine with it.

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iCloud

The iCloud is Apple's storage service. That is why iCloud is standard on the Mac and iPhone/iPad. There is also an app for Windows but not for Android. The files that iCloud stores can also be viewed online. But iCloud is only interesting for those who use at least one Apple device. The free storage space is 5 GB. For 99 cents per month, this becomes 50 GB. In addition, there are subscriptions for 200 GB (2.99 euros), 2000 GB (9.99 euros), 6000 GB (29.99 euros) and 12000 GB (59.99 euros). A (free) Apple ID is required for iCloud.

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Dropbox

Dropbox is an independent cloud service. Anyone who wants to use Dropbox must always install it themselves. The company has an app for Windows, Mac, iPhone/iPad and Android. The files that someone saves in Dropbox can also be viewed and managed online. Dropbox gives users 2 GB of free storage space. This can be expanded to 2000 GB for 9.99 euros per month or 3000 GB for 16.58 euros per month.

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Overview of free storage and costs

Did you find it difficult to choose between the services? You can of course try out the services for free first. You can also use multiple services. Price level May 2024.