Security and audits12 of 31
Apps and sync14 of 20
Recovery and sharing10 of 22
Price and plans15 of 27
cloud storage service · Google LLC
Google Drive
File storage with 15 GB free, paid plans through Google One, and no Linux desktop app.
In short
- Every Google Account includes up to 15 GB, shared across Gmail, Drive and Photos1,10.
- 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 others1,11.
- Trashed files are deleted for good after 30 days; an old file version can be deleted after 30 days or 100 newer versions3,7.
- Drive for desktop exists for Windows and macOS; the desktop version is not available for Linux5.
- End-to-end encryption is listed only for some Workspace business editions8.
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 share1,2. Streamed files open from File Explorer6. 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 feature5,8,9.
Best for: People who already use a Google Account and want a large free allowance and browser editing.
Where the points come from
Security and audits 12 of 31 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| End-to-end encryption | noneClient-side encryption is listed only for Workspace Frontline Plus, Enterprise Plus, Education Standard and Education Plus editions8. | 0 / 10 |
| Independent security test since 2024 | Not publishedNot found on the vendor's Drive and Google One pages1,2. | 0 / 6 |
| SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001 | YesGoogle's ISO/IEC 27001 certificates cover Google Workspace, and its scope list includes Google Drive13. | 5 / 5 |
| Open-source apps | Not publishedNot found on the vendor's Drive for desktop pages2,5. | 0 / 3 |
| Security key for two-factor sign-in | YesAny FIDO1 or FIDO2 security key can be used as a second step for Google Account 2-Step Verification4. | 4 / 4 |
| Public bug bounty | YesGoogle runs a public Vulnerability Reward Program; its rules page covers scope and reward amounts14. | 3 / 3 |
Apps and sync 14 of 20 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Apps | Windows, macOS, iOS, AndroidDrive for desktop covers Windows and macOS, not Linux5. Drive apps for iOS and Android are listed in the App Store and linked from Google's Drive page11,12. | 8 / 10 |
| Files on demand in Windows | YesStreamed files show in File Explorer and are made available offline when opened6. | 6 / 6 |
| Choose which folders sync | Not publishedNot published on the vendor's streaming page, which offers streaming or mirroring of My Drive and mirroring of local folders6. | 0 / 4 |
Recovery and sharing 10 of 22 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| File version and deleted-file history | 30Trash deletes after 30 days; a version may go after 30 days or 100 newer versions. Both give 303,7. | 2 / 6 |
| Restore the whole account | Not publishedNot found on the vendor's Drive help pages3,7. | 0 / 4 |
| Password-protected share links | Not publishedNot published on the vendor's sharing help page, which lists public, anyone-with-link and restricted access9. | 0 / 4 |
| Edit documents in the browser | YesFiles in Google Docs, Sheets and Slides open in the web browser2. | 4 / 4 |
| Plan for five or more people | YesBasic and larger plans share storage with up to 5 others, six people in total1. | 4 / 4 |
Price and plans 15 of 27 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan with 5 GB or more | YesEvery Google Account includes up to 15 GB, shared across Gmail, Drive and Photos1,10. | 5 / 5 |
| Cheapest paid plan with 100 GB or more | $1.99/moBasic 100 GB is $1.99 in the App Store listing; Google's own plans page shows zloty only11. | 8 / 8 |
| Cheapest paid plan with 1 TB or more | $9.99/moGoogle AI Plus 2 TB is $9.99 in the App Store listing; monthly price used11. | 2 / 8 |
| One-time lifetime plan | NoThe plans page lists no one-time plan1. | 0 / 3 |
| Refund period of 14 days or more | Not publishedNot found on the vendor's plans page1. | 0 / 3 |
The rule behind each line: how we score cloud storage services.
Plans and prices
As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.
| Plan | Price as listed | Per month | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free1 person | Free1,10 | $0 | Up to 15 GB shared across Gmail, Drive and Photos |
| BasicUp to 6 people | $1.99/month (App Store)1,11 | $1.99 | 100 GB; Google's own page shows PLN 8.99; annual billing offered, amount not shown |
| Google AI PlusUp to 6 people | $9.99/month (App Store)1,11 | $9.99 | 2 TB; Google's own page shows PLN 46.99; annual billing offered, amount not shown |
| Google AI ProUp to 6 people | PLN 97.99/month1 | – | 5 TB; price shown in zloty only; annual billing offered, amount not shown |
Google's plans page shows prices only in Polish zloty. The dollar prices come from Google's App Store listing, which shows monthly prices1,11.
Strengths
- The free allowance is 15 GB, shared with Gmail and Photos1,10.
- Basic (100 GB) and the 2 TB plan share storage with up to 5 others1.
- Google Docs, Sheets and Slides files open in the web browser2.
- Streamed files show in File Explorer and become available offline when opened6.
- Any FIDO1 or FIDO2 security key can be a second sign-in step4.
Limits
- The Drive desktop version is not available for Linux5.
- Client-side end-to-end encryption is offered only on Workspace business and education editions8.
- The sharing help page describes no password for share links9.
- Trash empties after 30 days, and old versions can go after 30 days or 100 newer versions3,7.
Other cloud storage services
- 1
Proton DrivePeople who want every file encrypted by default and open-source apps73/100$3.99/mocheapest paid plan with 100 GB or more - 2
pCloudPeople who want a one-time lifetime plan or a virtual drive instead of a monthly subscription69/100$4.66/mocheapest paid plan with 100 GB or more - 3
FilenPeople who want every file end-to-end encrypted, open-source apps and a low entry price59/100$1.12/mocheapest paid plan with 100 GB or more - 4
iCloud DrivePeople who mainly use iPhone and Mac and want a Windows PC to reach the same files59/100$2.99/mocheapest paid plan with 100 GB or more
Sources
- Google One plans, Google. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Get started with Drive for desktop, Google Drive Help. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Delete or restore files in Drive, Google Drive Help. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Use a security key for 2-Step Verification, Google Account Help. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- System requirements for Drive for desktop, Google Drive Help. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Stream and mirror files with Drive for desktop, Google Drive Help. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Manage file versions in Drive, Google Drive Help. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- About client-side encryption, Google Workspace Admin Help. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Share files from Google Drive, Google Drive Help. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Free storage and sharing in your Google Account, Google One Help. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Google Drive on the App Store, Google (Apple App Store). Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Google Drive, Google Workspace. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- ISO/IEC 27001, Google Cloud. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Google and Alphabet Vulnerability Reward Program (VRP) Rules, Google Bug Hunters. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Website: drive.google.com · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with Google LLC.