Side-by-side comparison based on expert reviews and community consensus.
Google Drive / Google One
Best OverallProton Drive
Best for PrivacyPrice
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Summary
The most universally recommended cloud storage across Reddit and expert reviews. Unmatched app integrations, fast sync, and plans scaling up to 25TB make it the default choice for most users.
End-to-end encrypted storage governed by strict Swiss privacy laws — the go-to pick when security is non-negotiable. PCMag calls it the best-in-class for security among all tested services.
Pros
- Leading integration with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Gmail)
- Fast upload and download speeds cited by multiple Reddit users
- Scales to 25TB via Google Workspace for power users
- Excellent mobile and desktop apps
- End-to-end encryption with zero-knowledge architecture
- Governed by strict Swiss privacy laws
- 1TB plan praised by Reddit users as reliable and fast
- Part of the broader Proton ecosystem (Mail, VPN, Calendar)
Cons
- Privacy concerns — Google mines data for advertising
- Free tier only 15GB, shared across Gmail and Photos
- Price increases over time have frustrated long-term users
- Slower upload speeds compared to Google Drive per user reports
- Fewer third-party app integrations than Google or Dropbox
- Free tier is limited at 1GB
Our take
If you're not sure what to get, get Google One. It's the fastest, most integrated, and most people already use it — there's no real reason to switch away.
If you don't trust Big Tech with your files, Proton Drive is the answer. Swiss jurisdiction and zero-knowledge encryption mean even Proton can't read your data.
Buy