Google Drive

Google Drive offers you 15 GB for free, plus more space if you subscribe. You can store whatever you want on your cloud drive. It’s integrated with Google Documents, Gmail, and other services, so it’s easy to share files and documents and collaborate on them. 

Design 5/5

It’s as Google as can be. The recognizable logo and familiar colors are here along with logical file structure, contrasting fonts, icons for various file types, and all the elements of the conventional windowed file manager.

Usability 5/5

First of all, the app is perfectly integrated into the Google ecosystem, especially with Google Docs. You can view documents with a built-in viewer, even if you don’t have the separate Google Docs apps installed. If you have, the documents will seamlessly open in corresponding apps. Sharing documents is also enabled, so you can read and edit other users’ docs if they granted you access to them, and vice versa. This makes Google Drive a good place for collaboration.

You can set up local storage, so the files you have selected will be available right on your device even when you’re offline. As you get online, the changes will be synced. The only limitation is your device storage.

You can access Google Drive through third-party apps and services, like file managers or backup utilities. But the original app lets you control the access you provide. You need to access your Google account and check the security events. The original one is still the most trusted.

Cross-platform use 5/5

The mobile app is available for both iOS and Android. If you use another operating system, you can access Google Drive with your browser, via its webpage. It’s running well on old devices: iPhone 5S and Android devices of 2013 are quite capable of handling it.

In-app purchases

The 15 GB you get for free as you register are quite a good offer, but if you run out of space, you can purchase one of Google One subscription plans. Starting with $1.99/month, Google One, along with more cloud storage, brings also family access, discounts on Google Play, at booking suites in hotels, and so on.

The Bottom Line

Google Drive is the default cloud storage if you have an Android device, and a great third party option for iPhones or iPads. With it you can back up your photos, contacts, mail, easier send large files, read and edit documents, and so on. Highly recommended for anyone unless you have googlephobia.