Google Drive
Focus: file sharing. Shares cloud storage and file sync with OneDrive. Rated 4.6 (OneDrive: 4.3).
Web AppFree planWeb, Windows
4.6Visit
Web App
OneDrive
Microsoft's cloud storage, with 5 GB free and built into Windows.
Rating
4.3 / 5
Pricing
Freemium
Difficulty
Beginner
Works on
Web, Windows, macOS
Built with love by Shushant Lakhyani. Building bestproductivityresources.com
What is OneDrive?
OneDrive syncs and backs up your files and photos and is built into Windows. A free Microsoft account includes 5 GB, shared with Outlook.com attachments and Microsoft 365 apps. Microsoft 365 Basic adds 100 GB for $19.99 a year in the US.
Pros: what OneDrive does well
- Built into Windows with automatic folder backup
- Works with Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Cheap upgrade to 100 GB
Cons: where it falls short
- Only 5 GB free
- Free space is shared with Outlook.com attachments
Who OneDrive is for
Windows users who want their files and photos backed up automatically.
Who can skip it
People who need more than 5 GB without paying.
Compare OneDrive
See how OneDrive stacks up, side by side, plus the lists it made.
OneDrive alternatives
Not sold on OneDrive? These do a similar job, and each card says what it has in common.
Proton Drive
Focus: encrypted and privacy. Shares cloud storage and dropbox alternative with OneDrive. Rated 4.4 (OneDrive: 4.3).
Web AppFree planWeb, Windows
4.4Visit
Dropbox
Focus: file sharing. Shares cloud storage and file sync with OneDrive. Adds Linux. Rated 4.6 (OneDrive: 4.3).
Web AppFree planWeb, Windows
4.6Visit
Seafile
Focus: self-hosting, encryption and open source. Shares file sync and cloud storage with OneDrive. Free (OneDrive: Freemium). Adds Linux. Rated 4.6 (OneDrive: 4.3).
Web AppFreeWeb, Windows
4.6Visit
Koofr
Focus: sync and privacy. Shares cloud storage and backup with OneDrive. Adds Linux. Rated 4.5 (OneDrive: 4.3).
Web AppFree planWeb, iOS
4.5Visit
Nextcloud
Focus: self-hosted and open source. Shares file sync and dropbox alternative with OneDrive. Free (OneDrive: Freemium). Adds Linux. Rated 4.4 (OneDrive: 4.3).
Web AppFreeWeb, Windows
4.4Visit
Free alternatives to OneDrive
Want to spend nothing? These free picks cover similar ground.
FreeFileSync
Focus: folders and open source. Shares file sync and backup with OneDrive. A desktop app, not a web app. Free (OneDrive: Freemium). Adds Linux and Offline. Rated 4.6 (OneDrive: 4.3).
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.6Visit
Syncthing
Focus: peer to peer and open source. Shares file sync and dropbox alternative with OneDrive. A desktop app, not a web app. Free (OneDrive: Freemium). Adds Linux. Rated 4.6 (OneDrive: 4.3).
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.6Visit
Duplicati
Focus: encryption, scheduler and open source. Shares backup and cloud storage with OneDrive. A desktop app, not a web app. Free (OneDrive: Freemium). Adds Linux. Rated 4.5 (OneDrive: 4.3).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.5Visit
PhotoPrism
Focus: photo library, self-hosted and face recognition. Shares backup with OneDrive. Free (OneDrive: Freemium). Rated 4.6 (OneDrive: 4.3).
Web AppFreeWeb
4.6Visit
Sync-in
Focus: self-hosted, file sharing and open source. Shares file sync with OneDrive. Free (OneDrive: Freemium). Adds Linux. Rated 4.4 (OneDrive: 4.3).
Web AppFreeCross-Platform, Linux
4.4Visit
restic
Focus: encryption, snapshots and command line. Shares backup with OneDrive. A desktop app, not a web app. Free (OneDrive: Freemium). Adds Linux. Rated 4.7 (OneDrive: 4.3).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.7Visit
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