Cloud Storage Comparison: Apple iCloud Drive vs Google Drive

In the mobile first and cloud first age, people are tending to cast away local disk storage and jump into the boat of cloud storage, which proves to be far more convenient and flexible. To help you choose the most suitable cloud service, we have done many cloud storage comparisons, for example, iCloud Drive vs OneDrive, Box vs OneDrive, and more. In this post, the iCloud Drive vs Google Drive battle is broadcast live to all of you. Welcome to the show!

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iCloud Drive vs Google Drive: Which One Is the Winner

Before starting the iCloud Drive vs Google Drive battle, a brief introduction to the two cloud services is necessary.

Apple iCloud Drive provides users with a cloud-based storage service, which makes it possible for users to sync files and documents across all iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices. The program used to access these files is called iCloud Drive. Note that in iOS 11, the app is called Files.

Google Drive is a file storage and synchronization service developed by Google. You can store any file in Google Drive and access them from anywhere, smartphone, tablet, or computer. And Google Drive enables you to share files and folders by inviting others to view or download all the files.

Round 1. Storage Cost and Plan

Both iCloud Drive and Google Drive offer free storage plans and paid storage plans.

iCloud Drive

When setting up iCloud, you get 5GB of free storage for iCloud Drive, iCloud Backup, iCloud Photo Library, iCloud Mail, and the information from your apps that use iCloud. For more storage, you need to pay $0.99/month for 50GB, $2.99/month for 200GB or $9.99/month for 2TB. The 200GB and 2TB plans are allowed to share with your family.

Google Drive

Everyone can get 15GB storage space for free, or you can upgrade to a premium plan: 11GB for $1.99/month, the most popular 1TB for $9.99/month, or 10TB for $99.9/month.

Round 2. Security and Privacy

iCloud Drive and Google Drive both place much emphasis on cloud file security and administrative control.

iCloud Drive

All files are protected by a minimum of 128-bit AES encryption. All sessions at iCloud.com are encrypted with TLS 1.2. Any data accessed via iCloud.com is encrypted on the server. All traffic between your devices and iCloud Mail is encrypted with TLS 1.2. Consistent with standard industry practice, iCloud does not encrypt data stored on IMAP mail servers. All Apple email clients support optional S/MIME encryption.

Google Drive

Google now uses HTTPS on all of its services, which are to be applauded, and also implements ‘internal measures’ to look out for potentially compromised account login activity. Moreover, Google offers two-step verifications As for your data itself, this is encrypted in transit using SSL but only stored at rest using 128-bit AES like iCloud.

Round 3. Accessibility and Shareability

Both iCloud Drive and Google Drive have their own good points.

iCloud Drive

iCloud Drive lets you access all files from your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, and Windows PC. You can always get the most up-to-date files from any iOS device. And you are allowed to share files with anyone, as you like.

Google Drive

Google Drive enables you to store any files and access them from any smartphone, tablet, or computer. And Google Drive allows you to share files and folders by inviting others to view or download. Everyone on your team can collaborate on all the files you want – no email attachment needed.

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The Bottom Line

In short, Google Drive is a more natural choice for Android users as it’s already integrated while iCloud Drive seems to be designed for iOS users. The generous 15 GB free storage of Google Drive must benefit all users from any platform a lot. Or you can use the two cloud services simultaneously. And for the better management of your multiple cloud drives, a cloud manager – AnyDrive is strongly recommended, which enables you to access and manage your clouds with only just one login.