Google One, released a few years back, has become an integral part of the Google ecosystem. This includes Android, Chromebooks, and more.
For long-time users of Google Drive, this can introduce a conundrum. What if Google Drive is being phased out for a new solution? But the answer is no; Google Drive is here to stay.
To keep you informed, this article compares the two services and how they stack up against each other.
So follow along and learn about Google’s new cloud solution.
What is Google One?
Google One is an all-in-one cloud storage management solution. Primarily it is where you would store all your photos, videos, documents, etc. But also, there is a neat management feature that helps clean the storage easily.
That sounds very much like Google Drive, isn’t it?
Actually, they are pretty similar. On Google Drive, you get 15 GB of space to store your files. This includes Gmail and Google Photos. With Google One, you subscribe to a plan that increases this storage space to 100 GB.
It’s like Google Drive on steroids.
And the extra space is important too. Considering the high-res photos taken by smartphones, 15 GB is very easy to fill up.
And you get to share the space with your friends and family. Depending on the plan, the allocated number of people can use the storage on their respective devices.
Features of Google Drive and Google One
To better understand the difference between Google Drive and Google One, you should go through what features each brings to the table.
Let’s start with Storage Space.
With Google Drive, you are getting a free 15 GB storage space. This is used to store mail and attachments from Gmail, files created using the Google suite of applications such as Google Docs or Sheets, photos and videos from Google Photos, and the files that you upload on Google Drive.
Google One can store all of these but bumps the space up to 2 TB. There are three plans that allow 100 GB, 200 GB, and 2 TB, respectively.
If you are already subscribed to Google One, you can increase the storage space even more. There are upgrade plans with 5TB, 10 TB, 20TB, and a whopping 30 TB of storage that you can select.
Next, look at the Sharing benefits.
Google Drive only allows you to add a single account email account with 15 GB of storage space that you get. That means you have to add the same email address if you wish to use it across multiple devices.
With Google One, you can add five members of your family to your plan. Everyone can use their own email addresses and can store their files on Google One’s cloud store.
Do not forget VPN too.
Google One comes bundled with a VPN. This negates the need to buy a third-party service if you already have a Google One plan. It will help mask your IP Address and keep your data secure.
There are other perks too.
You get Live Support from Google’s Support Center to answer any queries or troubleshoot your issue. Plus, when shopping from Google Store, you can get a cool 2–10% off across its lineup of products.
Additionally, the Google One app will show you discounts from partners. You will get extra benefits when you use the coupon codes listed there.
Finally, there is the option to monitor your information from getting exposed to the dark web. Google can scour the web and note if your Email, Phone, or Social Security Number (SSN) is released. It can also advise you to take the necessary steps should such an event happens.
What is the Pricing of Google One?
All Google One plans come with the feature set that we described earlier. That means the base plan will have the same features as the most decked-out 2 TB plan.
The Basic plan of Google One starts at $1.99 per month ($19.99 annually), which gives you 100 GB of storage space. You get sharing up to 5 persons, VPN, Dark Web monitoring, and Rewards on the Google One app.
The Standard plan is $2.99 per month for 200 GB of space ($29.99 annually). All benefits as the basic plan plus a 3% discount storewide on the Google Store.
The Premium plan gives you 2 TB of storage for $9.99 per month ($99.99 annually). Benefits are the same as before, plus add in a cool 10% discount on Google Store.
We also have a comprehensive guide to using Google One on any of your devices. Do check it out.
Which is best for you, Google Drive or Google One?
Google Drive is the best option for most people, mainly because you don’t need to pay anything. Create a new Gmail, and that is all you need to do. You get a free 15 GB of storage immediately.
Google One is for those users who have already run out of the allocated 15 GB space. You need to store important files on the cloud, so you can access them easily anytime.
Personally, I do not think everyone needs the 2 TB plan. The 200 GB plan is the middle ground and should provide enough space for everyone.
Additionally, if you need all the space in the world, Google One has a massive 30 TB option once you subscribe to any existing plan.
Also, check our article, where we show how you can restore a backup using Google. You must check that out when you are switching to a new device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Google Drive and Google One the same?
No, they are not the same. Google Drive is the free cloud storage space that gives you 15 GB of space, whereas Google One is a subscription plan that increases the storage to 100 GB. You can configure it for up to 2 TB of space.
Is Google One replacing Google Drive?
No, Google One is not replacing Google Drive. Both services are available to use, and depending on whether you want to use it for free (Google Drive) or pay for it (Google One), you have the options to do so.
Final Words
So, what did you decide? Will you pay up for a Google One subscription or continue using an existing Google Drive account?
The choice is entirely yours and depends on how the features of Google One come in handy for you. Use this article as a guide, and you will be aware of all the benefits or drawbacks of each Google One plan.
That concludes this article. I hope you had a fun time reading it.
