Google Drive
Free cloud storage that ties your files to one Google account.
Benchmark review. Giants are reviewed rarely, to show what the tools in the directory are measured against. This one is not listed in the directory, and it is an example, not a recommendation. Scores are our opinion on the six questions, based on public sources and dated October 2026.
Drive is easy and everywhere, which is why it gets a 5 on Delivery: files show up on every device and sharing just works. It also puts your files in one company's hands. The 15 GB of free storage is shared with Gmail and Google Photos, Google holds the encryption keys and so can access your content, and client-side encryption is limited to certain Workspace business plans. Docs, Sheets and Slides use Google's own formats unless you export them.
Leaving is possible but takes effort, and Drive has had rough patches. A 2023 bug in Drive for desktop made some files disappear, a 2023 class action alleges Google deleted files from paying users without enough notice, and free storage has not grown since 2013. Compare it with the sync tools in the directory, which keep your files on devices you own.
- Files appear on every device and sharing just works
- 15 GB free, shared with Gmail and Google Photos
- Docs, Sheets and Slides use Google's own formats unless you export
