Google Drive (Google One) vs Microsoft OneDrive
Cloud Storage comparison: specs, VersusAnything Score, key differences and a clear recommendation.
If you are torn between Google Drive (Google One) and Microsoft OneDrive, this page lays out every specification that separates them and what each one means in use. Google Drive offers the most generous free tier at 15 GB, shares its pool with Gmail and Photos, and pairs with Docs, Sheets and Slides. OneDrive is built into Windows and bundled with Microsoft 365, so 1 TB often comes free with Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Quick verdict
Google Drive scores 94 to OneDrive's 28 on our category weighting, making it the stronger overall pick for Gmail users and anyone who collaborates in Google Docs. OneDrive remains the right call for Microsoft 365 subscribers who get the storage as part of the deal.
VersusAnything Score
Scores are calculated from measurable specifications normalised within the cloud storage category and weighted by the factors above. Text-only rows (such as chipset or operating system) are explained but not scored. How the score works.
Side-by-side overview
Google Drive (Google One)
Google Drive offers the most generous free tier at 15 GB, shares its pool with Gmail and Photos, and pairs with Docs, Sheets and Slides.
Best for Gmail users and anyone who collaborates in Google Docs
Microsoft OneDrive
OneDrive is built into Windows and bundled with Microsoft 365, so 1 TB often comes free with Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Best for Microsoft 365 subscribers who get the storage as part of the deal
Key differences
- Popular paid plan: Google Drive 2 TB for $9.99/month (Google One Premium) vs OneDrive 1 TB with Microsoft 365 Personal, $9.99/month — a preference, not a scored win
- End-to-end encryption: Google Drive No (client-side encryption only for Workspace) vs OneDrive No (Personal Vault adds extra protection) — a preference, not a scored win
- Version history: Google Drive 100 versions or 30 days vs OneDrive 25 versions — a preference, not a scored win
- Office suite integration: Google Drive Google Docs, Sheets, Slides vs OneDrive Word, Excel, PowerPoint (full desktop apps with 365) — a preference, not a scored win
- Family sharing: Google Drive Yes, up to 5 members vs OneDrive Yes, 365 Family gives 1 TB each for up to 6 — a preference, not a scored win
Specification comparison table
| Specification | Google Drive | OneDrive |
|---|---|---|
| Free storage | 15 GB | 5 GB |
| Popular paid plan | 2 TB for $9.99/month (Google One Premium) | 1 TB with Microsoft 365 Personal, $9.99/month |
| Cost per TB per month (USD) | $5 | $9.99 |
| End-to-end encryption | No (client-side encryption only for Workspace) | No (Personal Vault adds extra protection) |
| Max single file size | 5,000 GB | 250 GB |
| Version history | 100 versions or 30 days | 25 versions |
| Office suite integration | Google Docs, Sheets, Slides | Word, Excel, PowerPoint (full desktop apps with 365) |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Web, Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Family sharing | Yes, up to 5 members | Yes, 365 Family gives 1 TB each for up to 6 |
Overall: Google Drive vs OneDrive Score: Google Drive 94 · OneDrive 28
Google Drive offers 15 GB of free storage while OneDrive stops at 5 GB; the 10 GB gap matters because free storage decides how long you can go before paying. For popular paid plan, Google Drive uses 2 TB for $9.99/month (Google One Premium) whereas OneDrive goes with 1 TB with Microsoft 365 Personal, $9.99/month. This is a preference rather than a scored win: the headline plan is what most families actually buy. On cost per TB per month (USD), Google Drive keeps it to $5 while OneDrive lists $9.99. That $4.99 edge counts since cost per terabyte normalises plans of different sizes. The two differ on end-to-end encryption (No (client-side encryption only for Workspace) against No (Personal Vault adds extra protection)), and end-to-end encryption means the provider cannot read your files. The max single file size row goes to Google Drive: 5,000 GB against 250 GB. File size limits matter for video projects and disk images.
For version history, Google Drive uses 100 versions or 30 days whereas OneDrive goes with 25 versions. This is a preference rather than a scored win: version history is your safety net against accidental edits and ransomware. Google Drive: Google Docs, Sheets, Slides. OneDrive: Word, Excel, PowerPoint (full desktop apps with 365). Neither is scored, but built-in editing means you can work without downloading files. Platforms is identical at Web, Windows, macOS, Android, iOS. For family sharing, Google Drive uses Yes, up to 5 members whereas OneDrive goes with Yes, 365 Family gives 1 TB each for up to 6. This is a preference rather than a scored win: family plans split one pool of storage across several people.
Pros and cons
Google Drive
Pros
- 15 GB free
- Docs, Sheets and Slides built in
- Google One AI Pro bundles Gemini
- Better free storage (15 GB)
- Better cost per TB per month (USD) ($5)
- Better max single file size (5,000 GB)
Cons
- No scored row lost in this matchup
OneDrive
Pros
- 1 TB bundled with Microsoft 365
- Built into Windows File Explorer
- Personal Vault for sensitive files
- Better free storage (5 GB)
- Better cost per TB per month (USD) ($9.99)
- Better max single file size (250 GB)
Cons
- No scored row lost in this matchup
Which one should you buy?
Choose Google Drive (Google One) for…
Gmail users and anyone who collaborates in Google Docs. It stands out for 15 gb free, docs, sheets and slides built in, google one ai pro bundles gemini.
Choose Microsoft OneDrive for…
Microsoft 365 subscribers who get the storage as part of the deal. It stands out for 1 tb bundled with microsoft 365, built into windows file explorer, personal vault for sensitive files.
Final verdict
On the VersusAnything Score, Google Drive (Google One) finishes ahead, 94 to 28. It is the better buy for Gmail users and anyone who collaborates in Google Docs; for Microsoft 365 subscribers who get the storage as part of the deal, OneDrive still makes more sense. The VersusAnything Score is a transparent starting point, not a command; weight the rows you care about and the right answer for you may differ.
Compare with another cloud storage service
Frequently asked questions
Is Google Drive better than OneDrive?
On the VersusAnything Score, Google Drive finishes ahead 94 to 28. That makes Google Drive the better overall pick for Gmail users and anyone who collaborates in Google Docs, while OneDrive is still the right choice for Microsoft 365 subscribers who get the storage as part of the deal.
What is the biggest difference between Google Drive and OneDrive?
The largest gap is popular paid plan: Google Drive lists 2 TB for $9.99/month (Google One Premium) while OneDrive lists 1 TB with Microsoft 365 Personal, $9.99/month. The headline plan is what most families actually buy.
Which is cheaper, Google Drive or OneDrive?
Google Drive is cheaper on cost per TB per month (USD): $5 against $9.99 for OneDrive. Street prices vary by country and retailer, so check current offers.
Who should choose OneDrive over Google Drive?
OneDrive is the better fit for Microsoft 365 subscribers who get the storage as part of the deal. Its strongest points are 1 tb bundled with microsoft 365, built into windows file explorer, personal vault for sensitive files.
Sources
- Google Drive: Google official (manufacturer)
- OneDrive: Microsoft official (manufacturer)
Specifications last verified: 2026-10-01. Prices are launch or official list prices in US dollars unless stated. See our sources and data policy.