OneDrive vs Google Drive: Cloud Storage for Business?

Last Updated on August 26, 2023

Need cloud storage for your business?

Well, OneDrive and Google Drive belong to the top places in terms of cloud storage — in addition to their range of Office apps.

In this article, let’s talk about Google Drive versus OneDrive and how they stack up against each other in terms of features and benefits.

Let’s get started.

OneDrive vs Google Drive Comparison

OneDrive and Google Drive are both great options for cloud storage for your business. But like everything else, they also have their own respective strengths and weaknesses.

I will explain where each service does better and needs improvement at the same time:

What is Microsoft OneDrive

OneDrive is a cloud storage service from Microsoft that offers smooth integration with Microsoft 365 and Windows operating systems.

It’s perfect for business ecosystems that run with Microsoft apps simply because storing, syncing, and sharing files and folders with others is easy and fast.

A little trivia here — Microsoft OneDrive was known as SkyDrive launched in 2014. The business variant was known as SkyDrive Pro, now OneDrive for Business.

Where OneDrive does better

If you’re leaning towards Microsoft OneDrive for your business, below are reasons that might actually nail the decision:

1. Higher level of privacy for your files

I don’t want to throw shade here. But the reality is important especially since your business has some confidential matters that you don’t want to show to anyone else.

So if your main concern is the level of privacy that you and your business might get, then I definitely recommend Microsoft OneDrive.

Yes, OneDrive scans your files and data. They have the right to do so anyway — but all of that is to keep you safe (and keep their ecosystem safe as well).

Unfortunately though (warning: going a bit technical here), OneDrive doesn’t use zero-knowledge encryption — but that means they can help you retrieve your password.

Note: The same goes with the other — no Google Drive zero-knowledge encryption. For this, you need a third-party tool.

On the bright side, they make sure to protect your data through:

• Access control systems (zero-standing access policy)
• Security monitoring systems and automation
• Personnel and processes (for privacy and incident management)
• Virus scanning on download
• Suspicious activity monitoring
• Ransomware detection and recovery
• Version history for all file types
• Password protected and expiring sharing links
• Mass file deletion notification and recovery

2. Faster syncing of files and folders

Does your business deal with large files? Do you need to share files that are more than 200 MB with your colleagues?

If that’s the case, then OneDrive is certainly a better fit for your business. This is due to a technology they use called block-level copying.

Basically, block-level copying refers to a procedure where when you change a part of a file, only the portions or sections of the file changed are sent and synced back.

On the downside, OneDrive only partially adapts block-level copying and doesn’t use it with all file types (mostly supports Microsoft Office documents).

Be that as it may, OneDrive is still a lot faster than Google Drive in downloading files (though a little slower in terms of uploading).

Cloudwards had a test about it with a 250 MB compressed folder and had the following results:

• OneDrive upload time: 3:45
• Google Drive upload time: 3:07
• OneDrive download time: 0:15
• Google Drive download time: 0:21

Note: Eager to learn more about how to use Microsoft OneDrive? Check out my ultimate beginner’s guide to using OneDrive here in the blog.

3. Customizable file-sharing links

What if you can share files and folders and set up a password or an expiration date?

Well, that’s certainly possible with OneDrive. In fact, sharing files is one of the strengths of this cloud storage service.

To be precise, when you share the link with anyone, you will be able to provide an expiration date and a password:

In OneDrive, there are four primary link settings:

• Anyone with the link
• People in your organization with the link
• People with existing access
• Specific people

Other cloud storage services don’t have this cool feature — although most of them have some sort of access settings (read-only or edit).

4. Integrates perfectly with Microsoft word and excel

Why is integration with Microsoft Word and Excel important?

Despite the ongoing popularity of other word processors and spreadsheet software, nothing can still beat these two in terms of adoption and robustness.

It goes without saying that OneDrive has a perfect integration with Word and Excel. You can even create a new document straight from the OneDrive app itself:

Chances are, I can guess that many of you who are reading this page is probably using these apps in your business.

Even if you’re using the desktop app version, the save function features OneDrive as a primary location.

When Excel files are shared over OneDrive, you can also invite another person to co-author the document with you.

As a bonus, if you want to use autosave with Excel and Word, you must save the file first in a OneDrive location and the system will take care of saving your document.

Where OneDrive needs improvement

Naturally, OneDrive has its own weak points. But I must admit, they have resolved one of their main issues.

In the past, plenty of users complained about delayed collaboration with OneDrive and its associated Microsoft Office apps.

However, Microsoft was able to resolve this. There is even a collaboration feature now that allows people to work on folders and Microsoft files at once.

With that, my main concern today with OneDrive is its confusing pricing plans. There are four options for businesses:

• OneDrive for Business (Plan 1)
• OneDrive for Business (Plan 2)
• Microsoft 365 Business Basic
• Microsoft 365 Business Standard

The main difference between them lies in the total storage space and office apps included like how Plan 2 users get unlimited cloud storage.

Even with the personal OneDrive Basic, Microsoft only gives out 5 GB of storage space for the free version, which is so much less than what others give.

Besides this, others have issues with OneDrive like how it seems a little complicated compared to other cloud storage services. But I don’t really see it as a big issue.

What is Google Drive?

Google Drive is a primary competitor of OneDrive. It’s also a cloud storage service provided by Google and trusted by numerous users.

It’s almost a no-brainer for businesses that use Google accounts in almost everything to make use of Google Drive especially since one account can access different Google apps.

Similar to OneDrive, Google Drive was also launched in 2014. Both are accessible through various operating systems and devices.

Where Google Drive does better

If you prefer Google Drive, here are some reasons why you might like it over OneDrive:

1. Quicker collaboration

Currently, both OneDrive and Google Drive have good collaboration features (especially with the recent updates from OneDrive).

However, when it comes to collaboration, Google Drive still does better in terms of speed. It also feels more natural and easier to understand than OneDrive.

For example, sharing a folder with anyone will give them this view:

You can see above the simplicity it brings. You can toggle the view into tiles or details options quite easily.

On the downside, unlike in OneDrive, you can’t create a new document or upload new files to a folder without signing in first.

Sharing other files with Google Drive is also helpful since it has good integration with other applications and software.

2. Generous free plan storage space

Are you looking for an option that would give you the most storage space right away?

In that regard, nothing can beat the free 15 GB space that comes with Google Drive online storage in its free personal plan that also includes access to all their Google Docs apps.

It’s also easy to upgrade the storage capacity through Google One. You can upgrade to 100 GB for only $2 per month. Some websites and apps also offer Google Drive storage deals.

If you wish to use Google Workspace (business plan) without a custom domain, you can also use Google One for it.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t translate to business plans with custom domains since those plans have a different storage capacity package.

Where Google Drive needs improvement

The same as other cloud storage services out there, Google Drive has its own share of things that it needs to improve:

1. Simple file-sharing capabilities

Google Drive’s file-sharing capabilities are the total opposite of Microsoft OneDrive. It’s simple and easy to understand — that’s it.

You can share files and folders with anyone with the link and change access settings:

On the security side, this is a negative. There are no options for setting a password or an expiration date for the share link.

With this setting, anyone can practically access the document as long as they got a hold of the link for that file.

The other option is to manually include a person in the people with access setting so only those email addresses are permitted access to the file or folder.

2. Google’s privacy issues

Google always had some trouble with privacy issues. It even made the news in 2012 with its privacy policy that claimed to own its customers’ files.

Even today, Google is still facing lawsuits with what the complainants say about tricking consumers into disclosing location data for ad targeting.

Because of this, Google in general is a big red flag to businesses that put high regard on confidential matters.

Google promised to ban advertisers from using third-party cookies for tracking consumers in Chrome. Unfortunately, Google delayed it until late 2023.

3. Forced conversion to Google format

Have you tried uploading a Word document or Excel spreadsheet to Google Drive?

If so, you may have noticed that the file is converted to its Google format equivalent so you can use it seamlessly within their ecosystem.

Unfortunately, this presents a problem when you download the file back and you want to send it in its native Microsoft format.

That’s because you may end up having to clean the formatting on the document and change it according to how it was before you uploaded it to Google Drive.

Overview of OneDrive vs Google Drive

From the things I wrote above, I’m sure that you now have a good idea of which cloud storage service is the right one for you.

To help you even further, here is a summary of some of the important features:

Pricing tiers

For the free tier, Google Drive is the clear winner as it includes 15 GB of storage space compared to OneDrive’s 5 GB of storage space.

For business plans, here are Google Drive’s pricing tiers:

Now, how much does OneDrive cost?

To compare, here are OneDrive’s pricing tiers:

The cheapest one from Google Drive price plans costs $6 per month and only comes with 30 GB of cloud storage per user while it’s $5 per month for OneDrive.

However, if you look at it, this isn’t a fair comparison since Google Workspace already includes access to all their apps while it’s not the same case for OneDrive.

In terms of value, Google Drive charges in a way that you get more value out of it than how OneDrive prices its plans.

Security features

For security, OneDrive takes matters more seriously. Both cloud storage services though have their own encryption settings for data protection.

For OneDrive:

• Multiple authentications
• The login password has to be 13 digits with a mixed case
• Inherited security, compliance, and identity across cloud environments and cloud storage space
• Identity verifications and compliance for used device every access

Related: How to Secure OneDrive: Personal Vault Walkthrough Tutorial

For Google Drive:

• RSA encryption key length to 2048 bits
• Anti-information leakage solution
• Two-step verification process

In terms of security, both platforms are solid (though it’s still not impossible for incidents to happen in either service).

The main issue, unfortunately, is privacy matters. OneDrive doesn’t have a known privacy issue yet as far (as I know).

File Management

Both cloud storage companies have good file-sharing and syncing capabilities (even if there’s a slight variation in terms of speed).

For mobile use, Google Drive allows you to back up your contact list, media files, and calendar events — though you can attribute it to the fact that Android is owned by Google.

Desktop apps are also available that make syncing to a local drive possible — though OneDrive Sync feels a little clunky at times.

Note: OneDrive Sync can get a little tricky. Check here to read my guide on OneDrive Sync installation and configuration.

Alternative to OneDrive and Google Drive

I may be biased here. But I could definitely say that OneDrive is the best alternative to Google Drive.

But what if you’re satisfied with OneDrive and Google Drive?

Well, the good thing to know is that there are a lot of alternatives out there. Unfortunately, none are as good as OneDrive and Google Drive.

Anyway, here are some alternatives you can check out:

• Dropbox: It’s the third most popular cloud storage solution out there and has been around since 2007.
• Box: Offers good integration with OneDrive and Google Drive so you can basically create Microsoft 365 or Google Documents from there.
• iCloud: This is Apple’s version of cloud storage with similar features to Google Drive (free account available).
• NordLocker: This one has local end-to-end encryption, which is perfect for businesses that deal with highly confidential files.

How do you feel about OneDrive and Google Drive? Which one do you like more? Kindly share your thoughts below.

For inquiries and other concerns, kindly use the site’s contact form and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.