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Best Productivity ResourcesBy Shushant LakhyaniVerified creator

Alternatives

Best Free Alternatives to Google Drive

Google Drive is the default cloud storage for millions of people, but its free space is shared with Gmail and Google Photos. These alternatives are free or have free plans, from other big-name clouds to end-to-end encrypted storage and open-source tools that keep files on your own devices.

Short answer

The best free alternatives to Google Drive are OneDrive, Proton Drive and Filen. Of the 6 alternatives here, 2 are completely free and 4 have a free plan.

Updated

Google Drive has a free plan, with paid plans that unlock more features or usage.Google Drive pros and cons

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6 free Google Drive alternatives

Every pick is free or has a usable free plan. Pricing and features change, so check each tool's own site before you switch.

  1. 1

    OneDrive

    Free plan4.3

    Microsoft's cloud storage, with 5 GB free and built into Windows.

    Why it stands out: Built into Windows with automatic folder backup

    Compared with Google Drive: Focus: backup. Shares cloud storage and file sync with Google Drive. Rated 4.3 (Google Drive: 4.6).

    Best for Personal Use, Students, Professionals · Web App

    Pros, cons and detailsVisit
  2. 2

    Proton Drive

    Free plan4.4

    End-to-end encrypted cloud storage with 5 GB free.

    Why it stands out: End-to-end encrypted by default

    Compared with Google Drive: Focus: encrypted and privacy. Shares cloud storage and dropbox alternative with Google Drive. Rated 4.4 (Google Drive: 4.6).

    Best for Personal Use, Professionals, Freelancers · Web App

    Pros, cons and detailsVisit
  3. 3

    Filen

    Free plan4.3

    Zero-knowledge encrypted cloud storage from Germany, with free space at sign-up.

    Why it stands out: Zero-knowledge, end-to-end encryption

    Compared with Google Drive: Focus: encrypted and open source. Shares cloud storage and dropbox alternative with Google Drive. Adds Linux. Rated 4.3 (Google Drive: 4.6).

    Best for Personal Use, Developers, Freelancers · Web App

    Pros, cons and detailsVisit
  4. 4

    Nextcloud

    Free4.4

    Open-source, self-hosted file sync and sharing: your own Dropbox.

    Why it stands out: Open source and free to self-host

    Compared with Google Drive: Focus: self-hosted and open source. Shares file sync and dropbox alternative with Google Drive. Free (Google Drive: Freemium). Adds Linux. Rated 4.4 (Google Drive: 4.6).

    Best for Developers, Teams, Small Businesses · Web App

    Pros, cons and detailsVisit
  5. 5

    Syncthing

    Free4.6

    Free, open-source file sync straight between your own devices, with no cloud.

    Why it stands out: Free and open source (MPL-2.0)

    Compared with Google Drive: Focus: peer to peer and open source. Shares file sync and dropbox alternative with Google Drive. A desktop app, not a web app. Free (Google Drive: Freemium). Adds Linux. Same 4.6 rating.

    Best for Developers, Personal Use, Professionals · Desktop App

    Pros, cons and detailsVisit
  6. 6

    CryptPad

    Free plan4.3

    An end-to-end encrypted, open-source office suite in your browser.

    Why it stands out: End-to-end encrypted real-time collaboration

    Compared with Google Drive: Focus: encrypted, office suite and open source. Also in Collaboration, like Google Drive. Rated 4.3 (Google Drive: 4.6).

    Best for Teams, Personal Use, Small Businesses · Web App

    Pros, cons and detailsVisit

Frequently asked questions

Is Google Drive free?
Google Drive has a free plan, with paid plans that unlock more features or usage.
What is the best free alternative to Google Drive?
OneDrive is our first pick. Microsoft's cloud storage, with 5 GB free and built into Windows. OneDrive has a free plan, with paid plans that unlock more features or usage.
Which Google Drive alternatives are completely free?
Nextcloud and Syncthing are completely free. The rest have a free plan with paid upgrades.
Which alternatives work on the same platforms as Google Drive?
Google Drive lists Web, Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. OneDrive, Proton Drive, Filen, Nextcloud and Syncthing and 1 other share at least one of those platforms.

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