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Google Drive is a comprehensive cloud solution for those looking to back up their data online. We have tested it and give it a favorable review due to its numerous features.
Backup and synchronization may be the basics of an online storage service. However, Google Drive offers much more and can easily be considered one of the best cloud service providers. It is integrated with a suite of collaborative or individual work tools. Furthermore, it is particularly generous in terms of free storage. Here is our review of Drive, Google’s cloud solution.
The Classic Cloud Service
Verdict
With its accessibility, above-average initial offer, and a suite of professional tools, Google Drive stands strong against the newcomers in the online storage world.
Moreover, it remains an indispensable tool that is usable by everyone. While security may not be as pronounced as in some competitors, in terms of overall capacity, it is undoubtedly one of the best choices available.
Presentation of Google Drive
For Google, Cloud is a service provided by default to every account owner. Thus, upon creating an account, users receive 15 GB of free storage. This free offer alone makes Google Drive highly recommendable.
However, note that this storage space is shared among various applications like Gmail and Google Photos. To obtain more capacity, one must subscribe to paid plans with Google One. But we’ll discuss that later.
Google Drive is integrated with the Google Workspace suite (formerly G Suite) including Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Meet. This means that all documents created in these applications are automatically saved to Drive.
As you can see, Google Drive is not just a simple online storage service. Besides the basic functionalities of backup and synchronization, it allows for sharing and collaborating on files. In other words, it is a comprehensive cloud solution that meets all expectations.
The service is accessible via web browsers and also offers a desktop client called Backup and Sync for Windows and macOS, along with a mobile application.
Google Drive: Review of Interface and Usage
While Google Drive’s interface is far from sophisticated, it at least boasts being easy to use. It is, so to speak, an online version of file exploration systems on any computer.
On both the web version and the desktop client, files can be displayed as thumbnails or in a list format. Additionally, to upload files, you can simply drag and drop them from one location to another (from computer to browser).
The mobile application interface is merely a condensed version of the web client. Thus, switching from one device to another is seamless. It is also worth noting that synchronization between devices is automatic and swift, making any file saved on a computer immediately accessible on a mobile device.
For file organization, Google Drive utilizes an AI-based recommendation system, which in our opinion is not particularly relevant. However, the “Recent” option is quite useful for easily locating the files you’ve worked on most recently. There is also the option to star files to facilitate their follow-up.
Perhaps what impressed us the most about Google Drive is the Optical Character Recognition (OCR) feature for searching. In simple terms, it allows searching for text within any type of file, including images and PDFs. To clarify, this does not refer to the title of the file, but the content instead.
Speed and Fluency
The upload speed of Google Drive is decent both ways. This applies whether using the desktop client, mobile app, or the browser. However, the Backup and Sync tool for the desktop adds a layer of granular control. For instance, if the connection is poor, you can limit the bandwidth.
Google Drive: Review of Online Backup Features
In our opinion, Google Drive meets all the criteria for a good online storage service. A cloud service is primarily designed to back up data.
One reason is the ability to access your files from various locations and devices. Another is the need to free up storage space on your device’s hard drive. Online storage also has the advantage of preserving data in case of system or hardware crashes.
Unlike Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive allows you to back up any folder on your device. However, it is not possible to select multiple locations for synchronization at once. In other words, you must individually choose the folders to back up.
Access or Duplicate
For streamlining Drive access on your computer, Google provides two options: access instead of duplicate or duplicate instead of access.
The access option is similar to Microsoft’s OneDrive Files on Demand. Files are stored in the cloud without consuming hard drive space. This can be files created in Google Drive, meaning those that do not come from external sources.
This option also allows you to make files available offline. However, note that files being modified and available offline will consume space on the machine.
On the other hand, with duplication, files in My Drive are stored in both the cloud and on the computer. In this case, all files are available offline and automatically synchronized once online.
Sharing Files
Now it’s time to share our thoughts on the sharing feature in Google Drive. You can choose to share files with a defined group or with anyone who has the link.
Moreover, you can also decide whether the people you shared the files with can edit, comment, or just view them. You can also check the activity history regarding the file to see, for instance, who modified it last.
Google Drive: Review of Security
In our opinion, Google Drive could do better to secure user data. Although data is stored and transferred encrypted, it does not feature end-to-end encryption. In other words, Google can decrypt the files if they choose. This makes the system more vulnerable to hackers.
As for the rest, Google Drive performs quite well. It offers various levels of two-factor authentication, allowing you to monitor file access and receive notifications in case of unauthorized attempts.
Nonetheless, Google collects our personal information for targeted advertising. You can obviously limit the information that the company can retain, but this typically requires a good amount of reading through the terms and conditions.
The Google Drive Mobile App
Google Drive supports all major mobile platforms. The mobile app allows access to all files stored in the cloud from smartphones and tablets.
However, to modify files, you generally need to use third-party applications like Docs and Sheets. Fortunately, comments can be added directly in Drive.
Furthermore, it does not provide automatic backup for photos as some providers do. Additionally, storing photos in Google Drive does not allow for photo editing.
To enjoy automatic backup of photos and videos, and to be able to edit them, there is the dedicated Google Photos app. Still, the 16 MP size limit for the free offer can be quite bothersome. However, we do give it a good point for the facial recognition feature and the ability to search for images by theme.
Google Drive: Plans and Prices
It is worth noting that Google offers 15 GB of free storage for all account holders. On this aspect, Google Drive is one of the most generous providers in terms of free offerings.
However, storing all your data likely takes up much more space. Therefore, you will need to subscribe to Google One to increase online storage capacity. Additionally, the paid plans come with various services which augment their appeal, including customer support available 24/7.
The basic plan is €1.99 per month for 100 GB of storage. This allows for additional tools for photo editing in Google Photos. With Google One 200 GB at €2.99 monthly, subscribers can benefit from a 3% discount at Google Store. This discount increases to 10% for the Google One 200 GB plan at €9.99 per month.
Note that all paid Google Drive plans can be shared among five users. Moreover, an annual subscription allows you to save the equivalent of two months’ worth of fees.
For businesses, plans start at €4.68 per month. These offers include professional email and advanced security management. Google even offers the possibility of video conferencing with 150 or 250 participants, depending on the chosen plan.
Our Final Opinion on Google Drive
Google Drive can be considered one of the best cloud service providers. One of the main reasons is the enticing 15 GB of free storage.
Furthermore, the ability to edit documents online within collaborative tools gives it an edge. The platform meets all requirements for backing up, synchronizing, and sharing.
On the interface side, it may not be the most sophisticated, but it offers the speed and ease of use needed, which is more than sufficient.
Where there are real points to address is at the security level. The lack of end-to-end encryption negatively impacts our opinion of Google Drive. Another bothersome aspect is the need to use third-party applications to access more features.
Nonetheless, Google Drive already offers a multitude of interesting features and services at an affordable price.
The Classic Cloud Service
Verdict
With its accessibility, above-average initial offer, and a suite of professional tools, Google Drive stands strong against the newcomers in the online storage world.
Moreover, it remains an indispensable tool that is usable by everyone. While security may not be as pronounced as in some competitors, in terms of overall capacity, it is undoubtedly one of the best choices available.
Ease of Use – 9.5
Interface – 8
Features – 9.5
Quality/Price Ratio – 9
9
Ease of use: easy.
Interface: simple but smooth.
Features: backup, synchronization, sharing, collaboration.
Quality/Price Ratio: good quality/price ratio.
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