Google Drive: iCloud, Dropbox, SkyDrive and Box comparison

Google has launched Drive, its online storage service. We look at how it compares to Dropbox, iCloud and others. 

 

 

 

Google Drive - Web, Windows, Mac, Android, iOS (tba)

5GB: Free
25GB: $2.49(£1.54)/month
100GB: $4.99/month
1000GB: $49.99/per month 
 

The search engine giant has opened up its new storage service to a range of web apps, so you a are to add photos to email, edit video and send faxes directly on the Drive server.

Google's Docs service is integrated with Drive, making sharing and editing documents straightforward. 

Dropbox - Web, Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Blackberry 

 

2GB: Free (extra storage for referring others)
50GB: $9.99(£6.20)/month or $99/year
100GB: $19.99/month or $199/year
Unlimited: $795/year for five users and $125/year per additional user

Dropbox has become one of the world's most valuable technology startups by offering easy online file storage, and has gained more than 50 million users since it was founded in 2007. 

It gained popularity due to its innovative desktop programs, which allowed users to simply drag files into a folder rather than laboriously uploading them, and apps for the major mobile operating systems. 

Dropbox this week made it easier to share uploaded files with other users by allowing people to send links direct to folders. 

Microsoft SkyDrive - Web, Windows, Mac, iOS, Windows Phone 
 

7GB: Free
20GB: £6/year
50GB: £16/year
100GB: £32/year 

 

The cheapest of the paid-for options, Microsoft launched its full online storage system earlier this week. 

SkyDrive offers group editing of Microsoft Office files and is available for Windows Phone. 

Box - Web, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Blackberry 
 

5GB: Free
25GB: $9.99(£6.20)/month
50GB: $19.99/month
1000GB: $15 per user/month (minimum three users)
Unlimited: prices vary 

 

Box was one of the first cloud-storage services when it launched in 2005, and offers business and personal services. 

There is a wide range of applications for desktop operating systems and browsers, which includes tools for scanning, sharing and editing files. 

Apple iCloud - Windows, Mac, iOS
 

5GB: Free
15GB: £14/year
25GB: £28/year
55GB: £70/year
iTunes Match: £21.99/year 

 

iCloud keeps photos, apps and music synced across separate devices. For example, a book purchased on the iPad will be open on the same page when it is opened on the iPhone. 

Apple also offers its iTunes Match service, which lets you backup any song in your iTunes library - not just those bought on the iTunes store - and download them onto other devices. 

iCloud is designed only for Apple's ecosystem, and is not as flexible as other online storage services. Only certain types of files can be stored.