--- title: Google Drive canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/google-drive/ category: Cloud Storage Services points: 51 rank: 8 of 10 facts_checked: 2026-10-08 --- # Google Drive File storage with 15 GB free, paid plans through Google One, and no Linux desktop app. 51 points out of 100. #8 of 10 cloud storage services. Vendor: Google LLC. Website: https://drive.google.com/ - Every Google Account includes up to 15 GB, shared across Gmail, Drive and Photos [1][10]. - Basic gives 100 GB ($1.99 a month in the App Store listing) and Google AI Plus 2 TB ($9.99); both share storage with up to 5 others [1][11]. - Trashed files are deleted for good after 30 days; an old file version can be deleted after 30 days or 100 newer versions [3][7]. - Drive for desktop exists for Windows and macOS; the desktop version is not available for Linux [5]. - End-to-end encryption is listed only for some Workspace business editions [8]. Verdict: Google Drive suits people who want a large free allowance, Google Docs, Sheets and Slides in the browser, and a plan that six people can share [1][2]. Streamed files open from File Explorer [6]. The catch: Drive has no Linux desktop app, the sharing help page describes no password for share links, and end-to-end encryption is a business feature [5][8][9]. Best for: People who already use a Google Account and want a large free allowance and browser editing. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | Security and audits | End-to-end encryption | none | 0/10 | Client-side encryption is listed only for Workspace Frontline Plus, Enterprise Plus, Education Standard and Education Plus editions [8]. | | Security and audits | Independent security test since 2024 | Not published | 0/6 | Not found on the vendor's Drive and Google One pages [1][2]. | | Security and audits | SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001 | Yes | 5/5 | Google's ISO/IEC 27001 certificates cover Google Workspace, and its scope list includes Google Drive [13]. | | Security and audits | Open-source apps | Not published | 0/3 | Not found on the vendor's Drive for desktop pages [2][5]. | | Security and audits | Security key for two-factor sign-in | Yes | 4/4 | Any FIDO1 or FIDO2 security key can be used as a second step for Google Account 2-Step Verification [4]. | | Security and audits | Public bug bounty | Yes | 3/3 | Google runs a public Vulnerability Reward Program; its rules page covers scope and reward amounts [14]. | | Apps and sync | Apps | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | 8/10 | Drive for desktop covers Windows and macOS, not Linux [5]. Drive apps for iOS and Android are listed in the App Store and linked from Google's Drive page [11][12]. | | Apps and sync | Files on demand in Windows | Yes | 6/6 | Streamed files show in File Explorer and are made available offline when opened [6]. | | Apps and sync | Choose which folders sync | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's streaming page, which offers streaming or mirroring of My Drive and mirroring of local folders [6]. | | Recovery and sharing | File version and deleted-file history | 30 | 2/6 | Trash deletes after 30 days; a version may go after 30 days or 100 newer versions. Both give 30 [3][7]. | | Recovery and sharing | Restore the whole account | Not published | 0/4 | Not found on the vendor's Drive help pages [3][7]. | | Recovery and sharing | Password-protected share links | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's sharing help page, which lists public, anyone-with-link and restricted access [9]. | | Recovery and sharing | Edit documents in the browser | Yes | 4/4 | Files in Google Docs, Sheets and Slides open in the web browser [2]. | | Recovery and sharing | Plan for five or more people | Yes | 4/4 | Basic and larger plans share storage with up to 5 others, six people in total [1]. | | Price and plans | Free plan with 5 GB or more | Yes | 5/5 | Every Google Account includes up to 15 GB, shared across Gmail, Drive and Photos [1][10]. | | Price and plans | Cheapest paid plan with 100 GB or more | $1.99/mo | 8/8 | Basic 100 GB is $1.99 in the App Store listing; Google's own plans page shows zloty only [11]. | | Price and plans | Cheapest paid plan with 1 TB or more | $9.99/mo | 2/8 | Google AI Plus 2 TB is $9.99 in the App Store listing; monthly price used [11]. | | Price and plans | One-time lifetime plan | No | 0/3 | The plans page lists no one-time plan [1]. | | Price and plans | Refund period of 14 days or more | Not published | 0/3 | Not found on the vendor's plans page [1]. | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | Free | Free [1][10] | $0 | | Basic | $1.99/month (App Store) [1][11] | $1.99 | | Google AI Plus | $9.99/month (App Store) [1][11] | $9.99 | | Google AI Pro | PLN 97.99/month [1] | - | Google's plans page shows prices only in Polish zloty. The dollar prices come from Google's App Store listing, which shows monthly prices [1][11]. ## Strengths - The free allowance is 15 GB, shared with Gmail and Photos [1][10]. - Basic (100 GB) and the 2 TB plan share storage with up to 5 others [1]. - Google Docs, Sheets and Slides files open in the web browser [2]. - Streamed files show in File Explorer and become available offline when opened [6]. - Any FIDO1 or FIDO2 security key can be a second sign-in step [4]. ## Limits - The Drive desktop version is not available for Linux [5]. - Client-side end-to-end encryption is offered only on Workspace business and education editions [8]. - The sharing help page describes no password for share links [9]. - Trash empties after 30 days, and old versions can go after 30 days or 100 newer versions [3][7]. ## Sources 1. [Google One plans](https://one.google.com/about/plans), Google, accessed 2026-10-08 2. [Get started with Drive for desktop](https://support.google.com/drive/answer/10838124), Google Drive Help, accessed 2026-10-08 3. [Delete or restore files in Drive](https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2375102), Google Drive Help, accessed 2026-10-08 4. [Use a security key for 2-Step Verification](https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/6103523), Google Account Help, accessed 2026-10-08 5. [System requirements for Drive for desktop](https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2375082), Google Drive Help, accessed 2026-10-08 6. [Stream and mirror files with Drive for desktop](https://support.google.com/drive/answer/13401938), Google Drive Help, accessed 2026-10-08 7. [Manage file versions in Drive](https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2409045), Google Drive Help, accessed 2026-10-08 8. [About client-side encryption](https://knowledge.workspace.google.com/admin/security/about-client-side-encryption), Google Workspace Admin Help, accessed 2026-10-08 9. [Share files from Google Drive](https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2494822), Google Drive Help, accessed 2026-10-08 10. [Free storage and sharing in your Google Account](https://support.google.com/googleone/answer/9312312), Google One Help, accessed 2026-10-08 11. [Google Drive on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/google-drive/id507874739), Google (Apple App Store), accessed 2026-10-08 12. [Google Drive](https://workspace.google.com/products/drive/), Google Workspace, accessed 2026-10-08 13. [ISO/IEC 27001](https://cloud.google.com/security/compliance/iso-27001), Google Cloud, accessed 2026-10-08 14. [Google and Alphabet Vulnerability Reward Program (VRP) Rules](https://bughunters.google.com/about/rules/6625378258649088), Google Bug Hunters, accessed 2026-10-08