6 Best Google Drive Alternatives in 2025
Last updated: February 2026 • 20 min read
Google Drive is a popular tool for google workspace users. While it offers a free tier (15 GB free), its paid plans start at $1.99/mo (100 GB). Whether you're looking for a cheaper option, better features, or an open-source solution, we've compiled the 6 best Google Drive alternatives to help you find the right fit.
📋 Quick Summary
- Total alternatives: 6
- Free alternatives: 6 (Dropbox, OneDrive, pCloud)
- Open-source options: Nextcloud
- Best overall: Dropbox
- Best free: Dropbox
Why Look for Google Drive Alternatives?
People commonly look for Google Drive alternatives for several reasons:
- Cost: While Google Drive has a free tier, its paid plans starting at $1.99/mo (100 GB) can add up quickly for growing teams.
- Feature gaps: Privacy concerns and confusing organization are common complaints.
- Simplicity: Some users find Google Drive overly complex for their needs and prefer simpler solutions.
- Data ownership: Organizations wanting data sovereignty prefer open-source, self-hosted alternatives.
- Better fit: Different tools excel at different use cases — you may find a tool that's specifically built for your workflow.
📊 Quick Comparison Table
| Tool | Free Tier | Starting Price | Rating | Open Source | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Drive | ✓ 15 GB free | $1.99/mo (100 GB) | ⭐ 4.4 | No | Google Workspace users |
| Dropbox | ✓ 2 GB storage | $11.99/mo | ⭐ 4.2 | No | Individuals and teams needing reliable file sync |
| OneDrive | ✓ 5 GB free | $1.99/mo (100 GB) | ⭐ 4.1 | No | Microsoft 365 users |
| pCloud | ✓ Up to 10 GB | $49.99/yr | ⭐ 4.3 | No | Privacy-conscious users wanting lifetime storage |
| Nextcloud | ✓ Free (self-hosted) | Free | ⭐ 4.2 | ✓ Yes | Organizations wanting self-hosted cloud storage |
| MEGA | ✓ 20 GB free | €4.99/mo | ⭐ 4.1 | No | Users wanting encrypted cloud storage with large free tier |
| Sync.com | ✓ 5 GB free | $8/mo (2 TB) | ⭐ 4.2 | No | Privacy-focused individuals and businesses |
Detailed Reviews of Each Alternative
Dropbox
Cloud storage and file synchronization service.
Dropbox is one of the original cloud storage services, offering file syncing, sharing, and collaboration features. While it pioneered the cloud storage category, Dropbox has evolved into a broader collaboration platform with features like Paper, Transfer, and Replay.
Pros
- ✓ Reliable sync
- ✓ Great desktop app
- ✓ Widely used
- ✓ Good sharing features
Cons
- ✗ Expensive for storage
- ✗ Small free tier
- ✗ Privacy concerns
- ✗ Limited editing tools
OneDrive
Microsoft's cloud storage integrated with Microsoft 365.
OneDrive is Microsoft's cloud storage service, deeply integrated with Windows and Microsoft 365. It offers 5 GB of free storage and is included with Microsoft 365 subscriptions, providing 1 TB per user. OneDrive's tight integration with Office apps makes it the natural choice for Microsoft users.
Pros
- ✓ Included with Microsoft 365
- ✓ 1 TB with subscription
- ✓ Windows integration
- ✓ Personal Vault
Cons
- ✗ Sync issues reported
- ✗ Confusing personal vs business
- ✗ Limited free storage
- ✗ Microsoft ecosystem lock-in
pCloud
Secure cloud storage with lifetime plan option.
pCloud is a Swiss-based cloud storage service known for its security features and unique lifetime subscription option. Based in Switzerland with servers in the EU and US, pCloud offers strong privacy protections and a one-time payment option that makes it cost-effective long-term.
Pros
- ✓ Lifetime plan available
- ✓ Swiss privacy
- ✓ Good free tier
- ✓ Client-side encryption option
Cons
- ✗ Encryption costs extra
- ✗ Smaller ecosystem
- ✗ No real-time collaboration
- ✗ Limited integrations
Nextcloud
Open-source, self-hosted cloud storage and collaboration platform.
Nextcloud is the most popular open-source, self-hosted cloud storage solution. It provides file sharing, calendar, contacts, email, and collaboration features that you host on your own server. Nextcloud offers complete data sovereignty and can be extended with hundreds of apps.
Pros
- ✓ Open source
- ✓ Self-hosted
- ✓ Feature rich
- ✓ Data sovereignty
- ✓ Active community
Cons
- ✗ Requires hosting
- ✗ Setup complexity
- ✗ Performance varies
- ✗ Maintenance needed
MEGA
Secure cloud storage with end-to-end encryption and 20 GB free.
MEGA is a secure cloud storage service that provides end-to-end encryption by default. Founded by Kim Dotcom, MEGA offers a generous 20 GB free plan and strong privacy features. All files are encrypted before being uploaded, ensuring that only you can access your data.
Pros
- ✓ 20 GB free
- ✓ End-to-end encryption
- ✓ Privacy focused
- ✓ Good sync client
Cons
- ✗ Transfer limits
- ✗ Bandwidth quotas
- ✗ Controversial history
- ✗ Limited integrations
Sync.com
Encrypted cloud storage focused on privacy and compliance.
Sync.com is a Canadian cloud storage provider that offers zero-knowledge encryption by default. All files are encrypted end-to-end, meaning not even Sync can access your data. It's HIPAA, GDPR, and PIPEDA compliant, making it suitable for businesses with strict privacy requirements.
Pros
- ✓ Zero-knowledge encryption
- ✓ HIPAA compliant
- ✓ Good value
- ✓ Canadian privacy laws
Cons
- ✗ Slower sync
- ✗ Limited features
- ✗ No collaboration tools
- ✗ Basic interface
🏆 Our Recommendations
❓ FAQ
What is the best free alternative to Google Drive?
The best free alternative to Google Drive is Dropbox, which offers 2 GB storage.
Is there an open-source alternative to Google Drive?
Yes! Nextcloud is open-source alternative to Google Drive that you can self-host for free.
What is the cheapest alternative to Google Drive?
The cheapest alternatives are the free options: Dropbox, OneDrive, pCloud. For paid alternatives, prices start from as low as $1.991/mo.
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