Professionals
- Simple to make use of on all platforms.
- Inexpensive storage tiers.
- Lightning quick.
Cons
- Plans can get complicated with the quantity of additional options.
Our Verdict
Google Drive is a implausible service that, when you’re something like me, it’s exhausting to think about being with out.
Worth When Reviewed
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Greatest Pricing At the moment
In the case of selecting one of the best cloud-based storage providers in your Mac, it truly is troublesome to look previous Google Drive.
Whereas the concept of utilizing Google’s instruments on Apple {hardware} will make some squirm, it’s such a strong platform, with deep integration with issues like Google Docs, Sheets, and extra that it makes it exhausting to not respect it.
That’s earlier than you understand it comes with a whopping 15GB of free storage, triple what Apple presents free of charge on iCloud Drive, and a few surprisingly highly effective backup and sync options.
First Impressions
Earlier than we begin, it’s price noting that you should use Google Drive on Mac by a devoted app, or through the net interface. Whichever you decide, you’ll undoubtedly respect simply how fast the system is.
A helpful setup wizard helps you to decide and select how a lot of your Mac you divulge heart’s contents to Google’s syncing options. As soon as it’s arrange, you’ll be able to verify sync standing in your menu bar, in addition to get a glanceable have a look at how a lot knowledge you’re utilizing. It turns into second nature to create a Google Doc, shift recordsdata round, or maintain a backup of your images inside Google Pictures.
Talking of information, 15GB is a lot beneficiant, however you’ll be able to get pleasure from 100GB for simply $1.99/£1.59 a month, 200GB for $2.99/£2.49, and transfer up the tiers till you get to 2TB for $9.99/£7.99 per 30 days. That’s what Google presents as commonplace, however there are much more choices as much as 30TB for an eye-watering $150 a month.
Google Drive options
Google’s system, alongside Dropbox and OneDrive, is arguably one of the crucial frequent file-sharing choices. Meaning it’s far more prevalent than, say, iCloud Drive, making it far more helpful throughout a number of platforms.
I exploit it commonly to put in writing articles, similar to this one in Google Drive, retailer the screenshots I seize, and ship them to editors, and in case your workflows and job require any diploma of fast sharing of recordsdata forwards and backwards, it’s an ideal match.
The deep integration with Docs, Sheets, and different Google instruments means it’s by no means been simpler to share a doc with a colleague, gather suggestions, and make amendments.
It’s simple to see which recordsdata are taking on probably the most room in your Drive.
With regards to amendments, the Backup and Sync characteristic is nice. You’ll be able to set Google Drive to observe sure recordsdata and folders in your native machine, and any adjustments made might be up to date throughout the cloud – ultimate for anybody utilizing a number of machines.
Google Drive annoyances
Google Pictures is a pleasant backup choice to have, but it surely’ll begin to eat into your storage fairly rapidly.
Whereas Google’s One plans are fairly inexpensive, I do want it will be a little bit simpler to discern which plans supply which options.
It’s a small gripe, however whereas the 200GB plan comes with storage sharing and three% again in Google Retailer credit, the following tier up provides Magic Editor for Google Pictures, Google Workspace options, and even Fitbit Premium.
It’s maybe to be anticipated given the extensive web forged by Google’s ecosystem, however the sheer variety of extra options, and the way in which they’re strewn throughout the plans, is a little bit powerful to parse.
Do you have to use Google Drive?
Whether or not you’re on Mac, iPhone, iPad, or simply about another platform, Google Drive stays the best choice round.
A beneficiant free tier, a dizzying array of additional options, and a quick, easy interface take all the effort out of cloud sharing.