Now that Google Drive is finally here and you can use it, the first question is simple: is it better than the cloud service you’re already using (or maybe considering using)? We haven’t had the chance to put Google Drive through the ringer quite yet, but we can compare it to the competition on paper.
The verdict? Not too shabby.
The chart below shows off the features, pricing and highlights of the major players in cloud storage right now — the folks Google is taking aim at with Drive. Dropbox is the standard bearer, but Microsoft’s SkyDrive, Apple’s iCloud, and upstart Box have all got something to offer:
SkyDrive is currently the best overall value, offering up 25GB of storage for $US25 a year. But Google Drive is right behind Microsoft, offering the same amount for $US30 a year.
iCloud is the best at seamlessly integrating with iOS for backups of vital info. But Google Drive offers more flexlibility as to how you can access and manage your storage space.
Dropbox is available on more mobile platforms, as is Box, but neither have the same level of collaborative document editing tools that Google Drive does.
Overall, Google Drive hits a sweet spot between value and flexibility. It’s not the cheapest or most comprehensive, but it appears to cover the widest swath of features people want. We’ll see how it does in action soon enough. For now, though, it looks like your best bet.