Recently, Google has started delivering multiple services in various fields, including cloud storage. Apart from its quite famous Google Drive, Google One was launched in 2018 that provides subscription-based cloud storage for end users.
You may be thinking that what is the point of introducing two different platforms in the same niche. There are quite a few differences between Google Drive and Google One. You might not notice them at first look. However, as you start exploring each service in detail, variations emerge that can potentially impact your choice between them.
Google Drive vs. Google One
The following article will look at five different aspects of Google Drive and Google One. The upcoming discussion will enable you to decide which one of these services is for you.
1. Account model
Before diving into features and performance, we need to identify the fundamental dividing line between Google Drive and Google One. If you have been a Google user for years, you would have experienced Google Drive at some point. It is free cloud storage that is automatically linked with your Google account and lets you store files and data over the cloud. Google One also provides cloud storage, but it covers a range of Google services, including Google Drive, Gmail, Google Photos, and more.
With a Google One subscription, you can easily extend the available storage space on any online account. Therefore, you can think of Google Drive as an online drive that comes along with all Google accounts. On the other hand, Google One can be considered an add-on that can integrate with any service owned or maintained by Google. Apart from that, tons of additional features are only accessible through Google One account and not on Google Drive. Since the entire model of Google One is based on account integration, these features mostly have to do with data collaboration, sharing and syncing. If you face issues with the sync process, read our guide on fixing Google Drive not syncing issue.
When users upgrade their Google Drive account to Google One, they get more storage space and the ability to divide their storage between different platforms manually. Besides, the account on Google One can be shared by all members of a family or all employees of a small business. No such thing is accessible on Google Drive as that is independent storage associated with every Google account.
2. Features
Now, let us take a closer look at the features you get with Google Drive and Google One. We will also see how these elements differ in the definition. Google Drive allows you to easily share office files and open them over the web browser. On the contrary, Google One enables seamless integration with all existing tools, including MS Office and file types such as images, videos, PDFs, etc. For people who want to go with Google Drive, here is a detailed tutorial on uploading and sharing a video on it.
Both Google Drive and Google One are powered by AI-assisted search technology. It allows you to organize and find different files more swiftly. Google Drive and Google One do not differ regarding system readiness. They are available over the web, on desktop, and have applications on common mobile operating systems; Android and iOS.
However, there is one crucial distinction in worldwide availability. Since Google Drive comes with each Google account, it is available everywhere a Gmail or Google account can be created. Alternatively, Google One is the only subscription service. It was only launched in the US during its beta testing phase. Currently, it is accessible in around 150 countries, with some features only offered to members in certain regions.
As we described earlier, unlike Google Drive, Google One can be integrated with Gmail and Google Photos. Moreover, it provides extended customer support that cannot be guaranteed in a regular drive account. Once you subscribe to Google One, you are automatically listed in their membership groups which offer a variety of supplementary benefits over a typical Google user. Some exclusive Google One features include expert guidance, cashback, Android VPN service, Play Store credits, special discounts, etc.
3. Security protocols
When it comes to cloud storage, many people have genuine concerns regarding the security of their data and files. It is one of the primary reasons why a significant chunk of the user base still prefers local storage. Google claims to use advanced encryption standards on Google Drive and Google One to guarantee utmost security for your files and data.
To minimize data leaks and improve user experience, there are some quite sophisticated protocols in Google Drive and Google One. Google Drive supports two different encryption types. When your files are stored on the drive, they are secured through AES 128-bit encryption, and when they are being shared with someone else, SSL/TLS 256-bit encryption is applied. Over the internet, data is more prone to attacks when transported from one location to another. Google Drive has practically resolved this issue by using a more advanced encryption protocol while sharing. Here is an article on how to use Google Drive offline. It is primarily helpful for users who do not have a stable or regular internet connection.
Similarly, Google One does not lack behind in security features at all. With equally competent encryption standards, you can forget about any security concerns. Besides, it also provides a detailed security checkup that gives personalized recommendations to increase the security standard across all devices. Google One also gives you supplementary control over your privacy. With a minute and comprehensive settings for even the tiniest details, you can ensure that nothing is being compromised.
4. Storage space & pricing
Google Drive and Google One have free as well as paid packages. The level of support and features provided under these packages is different. Firstly, please note that all paid packages of Google Drive are gradually being shifted to Google One. However, not all drive services are being rebranded. There can be differences in storage space and pricing for individuals who still plan to use the two services separately.
Whenever you need to choose between two platforms that offer services to the same target audience, pricing can be decisive. Both Google Drive and Google One offer 15 GBs of free storage space, but their paid packages are worth their respective prices.
If you need more storage than the free package offered, it will have to be upgraded with a monthly or annual subscription. The packages start from $1.99/month for 100 GBs and go up to $299.99/month for 30 TB. For Google Workspace users, there is an additional storage space of 30 GBs at a discounted rate of $6/month. Individuals who want to employ cloud storage for an enterprise can ask for a personalized quote, depending upon the number of users.
Even though the general plans on both services might seem equal in price, the added benefits of Google One make it slightly more economical and cost-effective. Also, there is no 1 TB package on Google One. You are offered the 2 TB package at a surprisingly low price to make up for that. Google Drive charges you $19.99/month for that plan provided at only $9.99/month on Google One.
5. Customer support
Let us not forget a pretty critical aspect that must be compared. The level of support with any cloud storage service is of utmost importance. On Google One, all subscriptions come with 24/7 support, including live chat, live call, and email. The cross-Google support on Google One enables you to find all answers under the same program. Moreover, it is currently being offered in more than 23 languages is impressive. All users can access detailed setup guides and valuable information regarding regular Google One usage.
The critical difference between the support system of these two services is the response and action time. Support at Google Drive is not particularly bad, but it surely does not match what you get on Google One. It must be noted that you might have to wait for extended periods before your query is answered. Paid users are always given slight preference over individuals using Google Drive for free. The support staff is quite cooperative and can easily handle all kinds of problems.
Since Google One is a relatively recent service compared to Google Drive, the amount of online support content and knowledge base is not the same. There are considerably more articles, tutorials, and guides for Google Drive. Also, because of being in operation for so long, the market is loaded with plenty of third-party applications for Google Drive that take its customization to the next level. Having a massive team of support staff, Google Drive can direct, manage, and resolve your issues more often than not.
Another great feature that sets Google Drive support apart from that of Google One is the ability to upgrade. The level of support you get on drive can be upgraded without changing your current storage plan. It is helpful for individuals or businesses who need to have premium support while using a free plan for storage space. Such an option is not available on Google One.
Conclusion
Both Google Drive and Google One fundamentally provide the same services, but their unique selling points are quite different. When considering choosing Google Drive or using its paid counterpart, you will have to compare the five aspects detailed in this article. By marking key differences in features, pricing models, and support, users can quickly identify the service best suited for their day-to-day use.
