What is the Difference Between Google Drive and Amazon Drive?

Google Drive and Amazon Drive are online storage and backup services as well as file sharing services. It enables users to upload files and share files, back up the data on various devices, and let other users access files that are made accessible. However, several distinctions have been noticed in the two services concerning the services’ features, costs, compatibility with other services, and target customers.

 

This knowledge-base article aims to find out more on the difference between Google Drive and Amazon Drive. Let’s get started!

Storage Capacity and Pricing

 

Google Drive:

- Free tier: 15 GB of storage shared across Google services (Drive, Gmail, Photos)

- Paid plans: 

  - 100 GB for $1.99/month

  - 200 GB for $2.99/month

  - 2 TB for $9.99/month

  - Plans up to 30 TB available

- Storage can be shared with family members

 

Amazon Drive:

- Free tier: 5 GB for Amazon customers, unlimited photo storage for Prime members

- Paid plans:

  - 100 GB for $1.99/month

  - 1 TB for $6.99/month

  - Plans up to 30 TB available

- No family sharing option

 

File Type Support and Limitations

 

Google Drive:

- Supports a wide range of file types

- No file size limit for most file types

- 5 TB limit for individual files

 

Amazon Drive:

- Supports most common file types

- 2 GB file size limit for web uploads, 48.82 GB for desktop app uploads

- Some file types restricted (e.g., executable files)

 

Integration with Other Services

 

Google Drive:

- Deeply integrated with other Google services (Gmail, Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Photos, etc.)

- Google Workspace integration for business users

- Third-party app integrations available

 

Amazon Drive:

- Integrated with Amazon Photos for Prime members

- Limited integration with other Amazon services

- Fewer third-party app integrations compared to Google Drive

 

Collaboration and Sharing Features

 

Google Drive:

- Real-time collaboration on Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides

- Easy file and folder sharing with customizable permissions

- Comment and suggestion features for collaborative editing

- Version history for files

 

Amazon Drive:

- Basic file and folder sharing capabilities

- No real-time collaboration features

- Limited version history (30 days for non-photo files)

 

File Syncing and Backup

 

Google Drive:

- Desktop client for Windows and macOS

- Mobile apps for iOS and Android

- Selective sync options

- Automatic camera upload feature

 

Amazon Drive:

- Desktop client for Windows and macOS

- Mobile apps for iOS and Android

- Automatic photo and video backup for mobile devices

- No selective sync options

 

Search and Organization

 

Google Drive:

- Powerful search capabilities, including OCR for images and PDFs

- AI-powered "Quick Access" feature for frequently used files

- Custom folders and color-coding options

- Ability to add stars to important files

 

Amazon Drive:

- Basic search functionality

- Folder organization

- No advanced search or AI-powered features

 

Security and Privacy

 

Google Drive:

- Files encrypted in transit and at rest

- Two-factor authentication available

- Privacy controls for sharing and visibility

- Subject to Google's privacy policy and data collection practices

 

Amazon Drive:

- Files encrypted in transit and at rest

- Two-factor authentication available

- Privacy controls for sharing

- Subject to Amazon's privacy policy and data collection practices

 

Performance and Reliability

 

Google Drive:

- Generally fast upload and download speeds

- High uptime and reliability

- Global server infrastructure

 

Amazon Drive:

- Good upload and download speeds

- Reliable service, but less widespread adoption than Google Drive

- Robust Amazon Web Services (AWS) infrastructure

 

Target Users and Use Cases

 

Google Drive:

- Individual users and families

- Small to large businesses (via Google Workspace)

- Education sector (G Suite for Education)

- Collaboration-heavy workflows

- Users deeply invested in the Google ecosystem

 

Amazon Drive:

- Individual Amazon customers

- Amazon Prime members (for photo storage)

- Users primarily focused on photo and video backup

- Those already invested in the Amazon ecosystem

 

Mobile Experience

 

Google Drive:

- Feature-rich mobile apps for iOS and Android

- Offline access to selected files

- Integration with mobile OS for file management

 

Amazon Drive:

- Basic mobile apps for iOS and Android

- Focus on photo and video backup

- Limited offline access capabilities

 

Additional Features

 

Google Drive:

- Built-in PDF viewer and editor

- Google Docs offline mode

- Third-party add-ons for extended functionality

- Google Lens integration for document scanning

 

Amazon Drive:

- Amazon Photos integration for Prime members

- Limited additional features compared to Google Drive

 

Conclusion

 

Google Drive and Amazon Drive are both cloud storage services for users, but they serve different capabilities and environments. Google Drive is a more extensive and cooperative service based on additional Google services and other applications. It is suitable for individuals who need complex collaborate, such as designers, students, and business people, support for multiple file formats, and sophisticated search functions.

 

While Amazon Drive is less flexible and primarily serves as a cloud storage and backup tool, it also pays great attention to photo storage for Amazon Prime subscribers. It is suitable for users who are deeply involved in Amazon services or who will mainly use the device to store photos and videos.

 

When deciding between the two services, one must consider the ecosystem compatibility, the required level of collaboration, the amount of storage needed, and the accompanying features that will be necessary for successful work.