iCloud suits people with an iPhone, iPad or Mac who want photos, files and backups to just work, plus iCloud+ privacy extras like Hide My Email. Google Drive suits people who use Gmail and Google Docs and want more free space to start with, across any device. If your devices are Apple, start with iCloud; if your work runs through Google, start with Drive.
Cloud storage is one of those choices you make once and live with for years, so it's worth reading the small print. I read Apple's iCloud and iCloud+ support pages and Google's Drive and Google One storage pages.
iCloud and Google Drive side by side
| iCloud | Google Drive | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Apple | |
| Free storage | 5 GB | Up to 15 GB per Google Account |
| Shared with | Your Apple devices and backups | Gmail, Google Drive and Google Photos |
| Bigger plans | iCloud+ from 50 GB up to 12 TB | Google One membership |
| Family sharing | Up to five other family members | Not covered on the pages I read |
| Privacy extras | Private Relay, Hide My Email, Custom Email Domain | Not covered on the pages I read |
What iCloud gives you
Apple says iCloud keeps your photos, files and backups safe and available wherever you go, with 5 GB of storage for free. iCloud Photos stores your full-resolution library and keeps space-saving versions on your devices, and Shared Albums let friends add their own photos, even from Android or Windows.
Upgrade to iCloud+ and you get more storage plus features only subscribers get: iCloud Private Relay, Hide My Email, a custom email domain, Apple Invites and HomeKit Secure Video. Apple says you can share your plan with up to five other family members, and you can upgrade from an iPhone, iPad, Mac or PC.
What Google Drive gives you
Google Drive is Google's cloud storage, part of Google Workspace alongside Docs, Sheets, Slides and Gemini. Google's help page says each Google Account includes up to 15 GB of storage, and you can add more with a Google One membership.
The catch is in the same sentence: that 15 GB is shared across Gmail, Google Drive and Google Photos. Google's help page lists what counts, including Gmail messages and attachments, even the ones in Spam and Trash, and photos backed up in Original quality or Storage saver.
What really fills your storage
This is the detail that usually only shows up when the storage warning arrives. Google's 15 GB isn't just Drive; your whole inbox and your photo library share it, so a busy Gmail account can fill it on its own. Apple's 5 GB is smaller, but it's also doing a lot of work, because your device backups sit in iCloud alongside photos and files.
So compare like with like. If you're on Apple devices, iCloud's backups and Photos integration are the reason to use it. If you live in Gmail and Docs, Drive's 15 GB goes further, as long as you keep an eye on what Gmail is storing.
Sharing works differently too. Apple lets you share an iCloud+ plan with up to five other family members, and anyone can add to a Shared Album, even from Android or Windows. On Google's side, Drive is part of Google Workspace, so sharing a folder with a client or colleague is built into the way Docs and Sheets already work.
Who each service suits
iCloud suits families on iPhones and Macs who want photos and backups handled automatically, and anyone who'd use Hide My Email. Google Drive suits people working in Gmail, Docs and Sheets, and households with a mix of Android and Apple devices. If your Drive is already full, here's how to free up space on Google Drive, and this piece on cloud storage for more productive work covers the bigger picture.
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My advice on iCloud or Google Drive
Open the storage settings on your phone today and see what's using the space. If photos and device backups are the biggest slice and your devices are Apple, stay with iCloud and move up a tier when you need to. If Gmail and documents are taking the room, Google Drive is your home, and a clear-out of old attachments in Gmail will often free more space than you'd expect.
Do you make cloud storage or file tools? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place in comparisons like this one.
Frequently asked questions
How much free storage does iCloud give you?
Apple says iCloud includes 5 GB of storage for free, and iCloud+ plans add more.
How much free storage does Google Drive give you?
Google says each Google Account includes up to 15 GB of storage, shared across Gmail, Google Drive and Google Photos.
Does Gmail count towards Google Drive storage?
Yes. Google's help page says Gmail messages and attachments, including Spam and Trash, count towards your storage.
Can I share iCloud storage with my family?
Yes. Apple says you can share an iCloud+ plan with up to five other family members.
What extra features come with iCloud+?
Apple lists iCloud Private Relay, Hide My Email, a custom email domain, Apple Invites and HomeKit Secure Video.
