What is Google Drive used for?

Google Drive is Google's cloud file storage and sync service with online sharing, built into Google Workspace. It is a good fit for sharing project files with a team, backing up documents across devices and collaborating on documents in real time.

Is Google Drive free?

Yes. Google Drive has a free plan.

Is Google Drive open source?

No. Google Drive is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. Open-source alternatives to Google Drive include Nextcloud All-in-One, ownCloud and Nextcloud.

What are some alternatives to Google Drive?

Google Drive competes with Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive and iCloud. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source Google Drive alternatives.

Google Drive: features, pricing and alternatives

About Google Drive

Google Drive is a cloud storage service where individuals and teams store files, sync them across devices and share them with other people. It is part of Google Workspace, so files connect directly with Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms and the rest of the suite, which makes real-time collaboration on shared documents possible.

Google positions Drive for individuals, small and growing businesses, startups, enterprises, education and nonprofits. Within Workspace it sits alongside Gmail, Meet, Chat, Calendar and the Admin console, and Google highlights security controls and AI features such as Gemini across the suite.

Drive is a proprietary, hosted service from Google with no self-hosted option. Google Workspace plans are listed on a pricing page, and individuals can start with a personal account.

Key features

Cloud file storage with device sync
Sharing files and folders with others
Real-time collaboration in Docs, Sheets and Slides
Admin Console for managing organizations
Integration with Gmail, Meet and Calendar

Good fit for

→Sharing project files with a team
→Backing up documents across devices
→Collaborating on documents in real time

Tags: cloud-storage; file-sharing; file-sync; google-workspace; collaboration; backup; saas

Google Drive: questions and answers

What is Google Drive used for?: Google Drive is Google's cloud file storage and sync service with online sharing, built into Google Workspace. It is a good fit for sharing project files with a team, backing up documents across devices and collaborating on documents in real time.
Is Google Drive free?: Yes. Google Drive has a free plan.
Is Google Drive open source?: No. Google Drive is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. Open-source alternatives to Google Drive include Nextcloud All-in-One, ownCloud and Nextcloud.
What are some alternatives to Google Drive?: Google Drive competes with Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive and iCloud. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source Google Drive alternatives.