Apple iCloud vs. Google Drive

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Apple iCloud
Score 8.2 out of 10
N/A
Apple iCloud is a document management software offering from Apple. It includes features such as access to music, photos, calendars, contacts, and documents, and it is built into every new iOS device.
$0.99
per month
Google Drive
Score 8.7 out of 10
N/A
Google Drive is a cloud file storage, synchronization, and collaboration platform and service, that features Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides for document editing and presentation.
$6
per month
Pricing
Apple iCloudGoogle Drive
Editions & Modules
50GB
$0.99
per month
200GB
$2.99
per month
2TB
$9.99
per month
Basic
$6.00
per month
Business
$12.00
per month
Enterprise
Contact Vendor for Quote
per month
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Apple iCloudGoogle Drive
Free Trial
NoYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoYes
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details—Discounts are available for students, educators, and non profit organizations.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Apple iCloudGoogle Drive
Considered Both Products
Apple iCloud
Chose Apple iCloud
We actually use all three, apple iCloud, Google Drive, and Dropbox. We use them for storing different kinds of files. With word documents and excel documents, we use Google Drive. For large saved files (designer files) we use Dropbox, and for Apple we use all of our photos, and …
Chose Apple iCloud
Google Drive comes packaged with my GSuite account so I still use it but it doesn't sync all of my Apple devices together. As a result, the device syncing makes iCloud a more important cloud service for my business. I do find that upload speeds to Google Drive tend to be faster …
Chose Apple iCloud
For a Mac user in a Mac-only shop, iCloud is by far the best of breed. If your company has a mix of Mac and Windows users, it will not be the right primary tool (go to Google Drive for that). iCloud is a necessary and built-in part of a Mac user's experience and so will …
Chose Apple iCloud
Google Drive is great and offers competitive pricing plans but we have an Apple ecosystem and Apple iCloud was the preferred choice for it.
Chose Apple iCloud
I prefer Google Drive to Apple iCloud. That being said, iCloud does have a huge and very loyal fanbase, and as I have seen in my career it is not going anywhere. If you need a cloud platform just for filesharing, I would pick Dropbox or Google Drive over iCloud. If you need a …
Chose Apple iCloud
Google Drive is great and it offers way more free storage than Apple iCloud, however, Google is known for sharing their user's data much more freely than Apple. To some people, this might not be a big deal. I prefer to pay a few dollars for added security.

Dropbox is a …
Chose Apple iCloud
Initially, I was using Google Drive and I was completely satisfied with its services. But after sometimes when I upgraded my mobile device and computer system to Mac OS and iOS, I shifted to iCloud because iCloud works flawlessly in the Apple ecosystem and It also provides a …
Chose Apple iCloud
Google Drive is still my primary repository - I use iCloud as a secondary. This is primarily due to the issues noted with iCloud.com.
Chose Apple iCloud
Apple iCloud is extremely similar to Google Drive. You’re able to access files from anywhere, even a PC, without needing to be on the device where the file was originally created.
Chose Apple iCloud
Overall, iCloud performs quite well against some of its larger competitors. In my opinion, iCloud may be better suited for personal and social sharing compared to business cloud platforms like OneDrive and Google Drive. iCloud is incredibly strong if your organization is fully …
Chose Apple iCloud
Apple iCloud works as well or almost as well as OneDrive. I also use OneDrive fairly extensively because I have free storage and it came along with my other Microsoft software. I only pay for additional storage on iCloud. I suppose it's because I operate in both Windows and …
Chose Apple iCloud
Google Drive is similar to Apple iCloud, but since I prefer Apple products and have operated within the Apple ecosystem for many years, I use iCloud. Some clients who don't use Apple share documents with me in Google Drive so I have experience with the product, but I prefer …
Chose Apple iCloud
They are different platforms but both reliable and easily used by those who need to access and use it. I am a happy customer for both Apple iCloud and Boomr and would highly recommend them to anyone who is looking to use and purchase something to give them the reassurance and …
Chose Apple iCloud
Already a part of the Apple ecosystem, so if it suits our needs, we will use it. We have a Department shared Dropbox account specifically for sharing large projects with vendors, so Apple iCloud is for lighter internal projects such as shared spreadsheets for project …
Chose Apple iCloud
iCloud is probably the best option for someone who uses primarily Apple devices and services. If you are multi-platform in your technology use I would make sure you test out the free version of iCloud before you make the switch, Apple likes to play nice with Apple, which means …
Chose Apple iCloud
The basic premise among these is the same. Where Apple iCloud stands apart for our team is that there is not a separate app to be downloaded to access these features on most phones or tablets (most of our staff has iPhones, and we provide iPads). This allows everyone to obtain …
Chose Apple iCloud
The security and functionality of iCloud beats out any other products I've tried. While two-factor authentication is available elsewhere, Apple seems to take security a step further with notifications across all devices. In addition, the pricing is right - the low cost of 1TB …
Chose Apple iCloud
Unlike other solutions, iCloud automatically backs up data without the user needing to download an additional application. Additionally, iCloud is the only application to keep and manage iPhone backups. Lastly, iCloud's pricing options are much more favorable than the other …
Chose Apple iCloud
I selected Apple icloud mainly because it is the best for using with pesky apple file types, but overall it does a pretty poor job against competitors. It is more expensive, offers less storage, and is much more difficult to use. I'd stick to an alternative program if it were …
Chose Apple iCloud
Apple does offer an alternative to Office & the Google Docs family but trusting to use it with both internal and external parties is tough. Google is more universal and easier for 3rd parties to collaborate with. Apple works well for a closed internal group that is native to …
Chose Apple iCloud
Apple iCloud works on mobile devices, tablets, and computers. We are an all-apple school so using iCloud was a no brainer in comparison to using google for password management.
Chose Apple iCloud
As I have mentioned in this review, Apple iCloud shines while it is used with Apple products such as iPhones, iPads and Macs. Microsoft OneDrive serves a similar function when working with Windows operating systems. Both are excellent cloud storage programs that work better in …
Chose Apple iCloud
NCommand was awful. It didn't work well for us, things went missing and tended to be clunky. iCloud has been great with a cleaner interface, more options to collaborate on a document within a single URL, and just being all around simpler. iCloud also hasn't gone down and been …
Chose Apple iCloud
Apple iCloud is great for keeping me on the same page with all of my devices as far as photos, contacts, calendars, etc., are concerned. However, Box or Dropbox are easier to use for collaboration. I like the ability in Dropbox or Box to have a folder on my desktop that …
Chose Apple iCloud
This really just depends on the device you are using. If you use a lot of Apple devices then this of course is the way to go. But, if you use multi-platform devices, issues do occur. As always, Apple needs to learn to "play better with others", because in corporate environments …
Google Drive
Chose Google Drive
Google Drive provides a richer, enterprise-grade experience for business users. Apple iCloud is relegated to personal use only. Dropbox does not provide as rich of permissions and security structuring tools as Google Drive.
Chose Google Drive
Microsoft OneDrive shines when using Windows operating system, which is extremely common in almost every business. Apple iCloud on the other hand excels when using Apple products such as iPhones, iPads and Macs. Google Drive is useful in every situation, so it represents a …
Chose Google Drive
I am using Apple iCloud also, but that is available for Apple devices only. For other devices, I use Google Drive. Both software are very good, but Google Drive has much more features than iCloud. I prefer it for my office related work since it is very well synced with …
Chose Google Drive
Easy access and save files. I simply copy the link and send it to the receiver then [they] can access my files.
Chose Google Drive
Apple Drive dosn't offer that much storage and doesn't provide vast features with collaborative tools like docs , spreadsheet and forms etc. Google drive also allows you to search for files and folders that contain certain words in their title or content in any perticular file. …
Chose Google Drive
Google drive is easier to use and integrates well with different applications. It is also less expensive.
Chose Google Drive
Box and Dropbox, two other significant names in the online file syncing service industry, also provide their document kinds for collaboration: Box with Note and Dropbox with Paper. Both integrate the Google and Microsoft editors into their services, allowing you to create a new …
Chose Google Drive
Google Drive stacks up against Dropbox and other competitors by being the most accessible, mainstream, smooth-running application across a broad spectrum of devices at an affordable rate. Dropbox was more expensive, less organized, and did not upload or download quite as …
Chose Google Drive
Out of the all the ones listed above, the only one that comes close is Dropbox, and their storage and pricing are not as good. OneDrive, while you get a bucket load of free storage with a O365 subscription, has less functionality and integration options. iCloud and IDrive are …
Chose Google Drive
The Google Drive facility has no comparison. It's free, you can have it on your cell phone and you only need a connection to the internet. Everything is saved and safe in your Gmail email address. That is an advantage that other programs do not offer. That is why Google Drive …
Chose Google Drive
iCloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, the list goes on and on and on. The cloudy skies are becoming more and more crowded by the day with providers. Google is a huge company and brand. While there is always the risk that they will disable a product such as Google Reader or create a …
Chose Google Drive
I have used ownCloud and Dropbox for file storage and they do a decent job of allowing me to backup, share and access my files. iCloud is still new and while it's getting better, there is no Enterprise edition and they only start you out with 5 GBs of space, for all of your …
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
Apple iCloudGoogle Drive
File Sharing & Management
Comparison of File Sharing & Management features of Product A and Product B
Apple iCloud
9.1
74 Ratings
8% above category average
Google Drive
8.6
202 Ratings
2% above category average
Versioning8.750 Ratings8.3178 Ratings
Video files9.270 Ratings8.0171 Ratings
Audio files9.267 Ratings8.1165 Ratings
Document collaboration8.963 Ratings9.2199 Ratings
Access control8.461 Ratings8.9197 Ratings
File search9.766 Ratings8.9201 Ratings
Device sync9.473 Ratings9.0188 Ratings
Cloud Storage Security & Administration
Comparison of Cloud Storage Security & Administration features of Product A and Product B
Apple iCloud
8.7
70 Ratings
1% above category average
Google Drive
8.3
196 Ratings
4% below category average
User and role management8.654 Ratings8.3185 Ratings
File organization8.266 Ratings7.9195 Ratings
Device management9.467 Ratings8.799 Ratings
Cloud Storage Platform
Comparison of Cloud Storage Platform features of Product A and Product B
Apple iCloud
9.4
74 Ratings
10% above category average
Google Drive
8.7
196 Ratings
3% above category average
Performance9.674 Ratings8.7194 Ratings
Reliability9.674 Ratings9.1196 Ratings
Storage Reports9.158 Ratings8.587 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Apple iCloudGoogle Drive
Small Businesses
SugarSync
SugarSync
Score 10.0 out of 10
SugarSync
SugarSync
Score 10.0 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Druva Data Resiliency Cloud
Druva Data Resiliency Cloud
Score 9.6 out of 10
Druva Data Resiliency Cloud
Druva Data Resiliency Cloud
Score 9.6 out of 10
Enterprises
Druva Data Resiliency Cloud
Druva Data Resiliency Cloud
Score 9.6 out of 10
Druva Data Resiliency Cloud
Druva Data Resiliency Cloud
Score 9.6 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Apple iCloudGoogle Drive
Likelihood to Recommend
9.2
(74 ratings)
8.8
(203 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
10.0
(4 ratings)
9.9
(5 ratings)
Usability
10.0
(21 ratings)
8.7
(36 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Performance
8.2
(12 ratings)
9.0
(7 ratings)
Support Rating
7.5
(20 ratings)
7.8
(48 ratings)
In-Person Training
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(3 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
6.0
(1 ratings)
Ease of integration
-
(0 ratings)
5.0
(1 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
Apple iCloudGoogle Drive
Likelihood to Recommend
Apple
iCloud is also great to keep access to photos synced across devices. Ex: I can snap a photo at a job site and have access to that photo on my desktop when I return to my office. I can then drop the photo into a document that is stored in iCloud and have instant access to that document on my iPad at a client's office later in the day. Seamless transitions make life much easier.
Read full review
Google
It is possible to share files and folders with up to 200 email addresses, as well as with persons outside the company.Use the drop-down arrow to select who may see, comment on, or change the file or folder before sending out an invitation.I am very much impressed with this feature
Read full review
Pros
Apple
  • Syncing files, appointments, Notes and contacts. If I'm away from home, and set an appointment using my phone, that appointment automatically updates real time to my home laptop and vice-versa.
  • It stores files (e.g photos) nicely
  • Once it's set up, it's fairly easy to use.
Read full review
Google
  • Any user with access can store a file using different platforms like Android, IOS, Windows, or Ubuntu (Desktop version)
  • You can share files with any number of different users with different access rights or you can even keep it public by providing the access link and assign different rights for public access
  • You can open Excel/Word files using google software Sheets/Docs in the browser environment without having to install software like Microsoft Office etc on your Windows OS
Read full review
Cons
Apple
  • Customization - iCloud is great at the stuff it does well. But it lacks features that some competitors (in Google Drive or Dropbox) do really well. API support for third-party apps is really great for some other people.
  • Remote use - Managing or accessing information from iCloud while not on one of your logged-in apple devices can sometimes be an issue. From a work computer for example. It doable, but the experience is much less user-friendly.
  • Ability to edit documents on the cloud similar to google docs or some other competitors
Read full review
Google
  • Having a little bit more control and clarity over what is shared and how it is shared would be a useful improvement.
  • Could be more robust and flexible as far as assigning restrictions.
  • Google Sheets could be enhanced because Excel really is not there yet as a product with equal capabilities as there are still quite a few limitations to the functionality.
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
Apple
It's so seamless that I can't imagine another product doing a better job synchronizing all of my devices. I simply do not think about it at all. Everything happens behind the scenes and I'm confident that Apple keeps my data safe and secure. I'm a happy customer as far as this is concerned. I have not had a bad experience with this service.
Read full review
Google
For its compatibility, easiness, quick responses, user interface, storage capacity, files management and file listings. These are some of the reasons for giving higher ratings and Google Drive has become an integral part of my professional life. We use this software on daily basis and most of the time saving lot of time.
Read full review
Usability
Apple
While it may be great to use with other Apple products, I find it's an absolutist-style workflow to be debilitating and to lead to many problems. When you sign into the cloud, it completely takes over your device in many ways that you don't notice at first until there is a problem.
Read full review
Google
It's easy enough to use for computer users of all ages and skill levels. I am an advanced user, and I think the hardest part might be showing someone how to download and set up the app on their device if they weren't too familiar with computers, but overall it is very easy to understand.
Read full review
Reliability and Availability
Apple
No answers on this topic
Google
Always available
Read full review
Performance
Apple
Occasionally, large files that haven't yet been synced require a few minutes to pull down but I've rarely noticed delays. It does a good job of keeping data cached on my local machines while updating them with changes from other machines transparently.
Read full review
Google
The documents load fairly quickly and also update in real time, especially given the fact that multiple people can be using it at once. The "Offline" feature works great to allow the user to make edits and access the document without access to the internet, and then sync changes later once they're back.
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Support Rating
Apple
Apple customer service is fantastic. iCloud is built with Apple in mind and its design is extremely intuitive and user-friendly. Additionally, whenever our team has encountered issues, the speed of Apple support has been more than timely in addressing our issues and solving our request. We have encountered relatively few issues in my time with the platform and this only improves our overall score for those who keep the platform stable.
Read full review
Google
It takes a few days for customer support to get back to you. Although, I have not had to use support too often. Once you get an email back, they are very thorough and work hard to fix the problem quickly. It is a really great resource and a great way to get the help you need if you're stuck. A phone call also works quickly but you have to call during specific times.
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In-Person Training
Apple
No answers on this topic
Google
The effective google workspace using training that my organization received and was conducted by me (as a team lead of the ICT team) was mind-blowing and as a result, our staff is performing well in terms of using the application for their daily jobs than before. Now, in my institution, all teachers and all the administrative personnel are very much interested in cloud storage facilities, in previous my institution was afraid of losing all important documents in the cloud storage. But, after having received the training they are now realized that if anyone has only one google account then he or she can use 15GB of cloud storage freely and they are now happy because now it is not necessary for anyone to carry the traditional pen drive.
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Implementation Rating
Apple
No answers on this topic
Google
It's an extremely easy software to implement, once you sign up for a google account you automatically have access to google drive with a set amount of storage space. The business or Google Suite accounts have more storage space than a regular free account, but setting up and accessing google drive is very easy in both cases
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Alternatives Considered
Apple
Apple does offer an alternative to Office & the Google Docs family but trusting to use it with both internal and external parties is tough. Google is more universal and easier for 3rd parties to collaborate with. Apple works well for a closed internal group that is native to Apple's ecosystem. Google offers more storage space than Apple
Read full review
Google
In short, Google Drive is better for independent users who store a normal amount of stuff. OneDrive makes more sense for businesses and teams that are doing heavy-duty storage or large-scale syncing. Realistically, though, most users will fall somewhere in between the two, where either platform would meet their needs.
Read full review
Scalability
Apple
No answers on this topic
Google
I have always been able to access
Read full review
Return on Investment
Apple
  • If I lose track of my credentials or my continuing education documentation, I could end up not being able to renew my certification. This would lead to a major loss in revenue.
  • Time is money and having all of my required documents easily accessible in iCloud saves me time and allows me to work more efficiently.
  • My Apple devices were certainly not cheap purchases. iCloud has allowed me to maximize my productivity through synchronizing my work no matter which device I'm working on.
Read full review
Google
  • It has given our operation remote capabilities
  • Easier to access and understand client's need through collaborative enviroment
  • availability to digital resources fast and easy
  • saved our operation hundreds of dollars in physical storage (both investment and maintenance)
  • our operation became easier for new staff to get onboard: small learning curve to use it
Read full review
ScreenShots

Google Drive Screenshots

Screenshot of Google Drive PriorityScreenshot of Comment on Microsoft Files in Google DriveScreenshot of Shared drives