- Pick it if you are:
- Google Workspace users; Budget-conscious individuals and families
- Top complaint:
- No zero-knowledge encryption - Google scans and accesses your files
- Price:
- Free plan, paid from $1.99/mo
- Pick it if you are:
- Privacy-focused individuals leaving Google Drive; Existing Proton Mail, VPN or Pass users
- Top complaint:
- Proton Drive not syncing: desktop app stalls or says 'synced' when it isn't
- Price:
- Free plan, paid from $4.99/mo
Score Comparison
Signals Comparison
Google Drive
- No zero-knowledge encryption - Google scans and accesses your files(8/10)
- Gemini AI caught scanning private files without user permission(9/10)
Proton Drive
No signals
Google Drive
- 15GB shared storage fills up faster than users expect(6/10)
- Google One storage plans being repackaged into AI bundles(5/10)
Proton Drive
- Proton Drive renewal price is higher than the first-year deal(5/10)
- Free plan is really 2 GB until you unlock the other 3 GB(5/10)
- Proton Drive refund denied after the first 30 days(6/10)
Google Drive
- Poor offline functionality compared to competitors(6/10)
- Search often fails to find files even with exact terms(5/10)
- Multiple account switching is frustrating and clunky(5/10)
Proton Drive
No signals
Google Drive
- Microsoft Office file compatibility issues(5/10)
Proton Drive
- No Proton Drive Linux app (only a command-line tool)(7/10)
- rclone with Proton Drive fails: 'Too many recent API requests'(6/10)
- Few collaboration features and almost no third-party integrations(5/10)
Google Drive
- Google Drive not syncing on desktop(7/10)
- 750GB daily upload limit breaks large backups(6/10)
- Drive for desktop dropping Google Photos backup and older macOS(5/10)
- Storage still full after deleting files(5/10)
Proton Drive
- Proton Drive not syncing: desktop app stalls or says 'synced' when it isn't(8/10)
- Sync conflicts, 'Name clash' duplicates and deleted files coming back(8/10)
- Over storage after downgrading: sync stops and files can be deleted(8/10)
Google Drive
- Download quota exceeded on shared files(6/10)
- Folder downloads stuck on 'Zipping'(5/10)
Proton Drive
- Why is Proton Drive so slow? Uploads and downloads crawl(7/10)
Google Drive
No signals
Proton Drive
- Proton Drive photo backup stuck or not uploading(6/10)
Google Drive
No signals
Proton Drive
- Proton support is slow and redirects to forms(6/10)
Google Drive
No signals
Proton Drive
- Missing features: no incremental backups, duplicate detection or 'new photos only'(4/10)
Pricing Comparison
Google Drive
Users: 1 user
Storage: 15GB
Limits: Content may be deleted if you stay over quota for 2 years
Users: Share with up to 5 others
Storage: 100GB
Limits: No Gemini AI features
Users: Share with up to 5 others
Storage: 2TB
Limits: AI Plus AI features reportedly being restricted from Nov 2026
Users: Share storage with up to 5 others
Storage: 5TB
Limits: Mostly an AI subscription with storage attached
Users: Per user (max 300)
Storage: 30GB pooled per user
Limits: Only 30GB per user
Users: Per user (max 300)
Storage: 2TB pooled per user
Limits: Vault and advanced security need Business Plus
Users: Per user (max 300)
Storage: 5TB pooled per user
Limits: DLP and data regions only on Enterprise
Proton Drive
Users: 1.0
Storage: 5 GB (2 GB base + up to 3 GB earned)
Limits: 5 GB max, shorter version history than paid plans, storage shared with Proton Mail, no priority support
Users: 1.0
Storage: 200 GB
Limits: Drive only; no VPN, Pass or premium Mail
Users: 1.0
Storage: 200 GB
Limits: Drive only
Users: 1.0
Storage: 500 GB (shared with Mail)
Limits: Storage is shared across all Proton apps
Users: 1.0
Storage: 500 GB (shared with Mail)
Limits: Storage is shared across all Proton apps
Users: 2.0
Storage: 2 TB
Limits: Two users only
Users: 2.0
Storage: 2 TB
Limits: Two users only
Users: 6.0
Storage: 3 TB
Limits: Storage pooled across the family
Users: 6.0
Storage: 3 TB
Limits: Storage pooled across the family
Storage: 1 TB per user
Limits: Drive, Docs and Sheets only (no Mail/VPN)
Storage: 1 TB per user
Limits: Drive, Docs and Sheets only
Users: 5000.0
Storage: 1 TB per user
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Google Drive | Proton Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | ||
| Cross-platform access Web, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android | ||
| Linux desktop app No official Linux client | ||
| Security | ||
| End-to-end encryption All plans, including free | ||
| Zero-knowledge encryption Google can access your files | ||
| Collaboration | ||
| Real-time collaboration Best-in-class for documents | ||
| Encrypted Docs and Sheets editors | ||
| Shared drives (Business) Business Standard and above | ||
| Sync | ||
| Windows desktop sync app Activity tab with pause/resume and rename | ||
| macOS desktop sync app Menu bar app with File Provider, on-demand sync | ||
| Command-line client (Drive CLI) Linux, macOS, Windows; released June 2026 | ||
| Desktop sync Drive for desktop app | ||
| Block-level / incremental sync Users request it for large files | ||
| Productivity | ||
| Google Docs/Sheets/Slides Included free, don't count against storage | ||
| Backup | ||
| Version history 30 days free, extended with paid plans | ||
| File version history Up to 10 years on Drive Plus and bundles; 365 days on Drive Professional | ||
| Sharing | ||
| File sharing links Granular permissions | ||
| Family sharing Up to 6 people on paid plans | ||
| Usability | ||
| Offline access Limited, must mark files specifically | ||
| Mobile | ||
| Mobile photo backup One-way backup on iOS and Android | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Third-party integrations Extensive but Google-centric | ||
| Official API for third-party tools rclone backend is unofficial and throttled | ||
| Bundle | ||
| Bundled VPN and password manager Proton Unlimited, Duo and Family include Proton VPN and Proton Pass | ||
| AI | ||
| AI features (Gemini) Controversial - scans files | ||
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