Google provides 15GB of free space, but this space is split between Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos. All your files, including those in the Trash and Spam folders, count as storage space.
While it is possible to remove what you no longer need, this process can take a long time. At worst, you'll end up browsing thousands of files that are several years old.
Alternative a Google Drive
If you're not ready to upgrade to a premium plan, consider these free or low-cost alternatives to Drive. Some have a lot more features that can make it easier to stay organized.
Backblaze
Launched in 2007, it is an online backup service for individuals and businesses. Once installed, Backblaze backup software automatically backs up and archives your data.
This cloud backup service works on both Mac and Windows computers.
Unlike Google Drive, Backblaze offers unlimited storage. Also, you can back up files of any size. Drive, in comparison, provides 100GB to 2TB of storage, depending on the plan you select. The Backblaze Personal Cloud Backup plan is cheaper and offers better value for money than Google's 2TB plan.
Backblaze offers users the ability to restore old versions of files. If you delete a document or photo by mistake, you can go to the dashboard and restore it in seconds.
The downside to a Backblaze license is that it's for one device only. With Drive, you can save and archive data from different devices.
Acronis True Image
can create a mirror image of your hard drive or selected partitions in minutes. You can use it for both disk cloning and disk imaging to restore or migrate data.
For example, if you are moving to a new computer, you can use the Disk Clone feature to create a replica of your old hard drive. This eliminates the need to copy and transfer individual files to a new device.
Like Backblaze, Acronis True Image works on Mac and Windows computers. Once installed, it not only backs up files and folders, but also scans your system for malware.
IDrive
Google Drive makes teamwork easier by allowing users to share files with their colleagues. IDrive also offers this functionality, but it is a more effective backup tool.
With, users can back up and sync data across all their devices from one centralized location. This service not only stores your files, but also offers incremental and continuous backups. Additionally, it supports server cloud backups, a feature that is not currently available to Google Drive users.
After registering an account, you can perform local backups, schedule regular backups and clone hard drive. There is also the option to restore up to 30 previous file versions. Google Drive doesn't offer any of these features.
IDrive offers a free basic plan, a personal plan, and two plans for business users. The free plan includes 5GB of storage, while the Personal plan offers 5TB of storage per user for an annual fee of $ 52,12. You can install the app on your Mac or PC, as well as on mobile devices.
pCloud
Like Google Drive, it facilitates online collaboration and remote working. Users can share links and files, synchronize their data across many devices, and back up data stored on other platforms.
What sets pCloud apart is its client-side encryption functionality. This service encrypts the data on your computer and then uploads the encrypted version to its servers. As a result, no one else besides you can view those files. The end user is the only one who has the encryption key.
You can always sign up for the free plan, which includes 10GB of storage. You also have the option to purchase a lifetime subscription.
This cloud backup service works on all devices. When you sign up for an account, you can choose to store your data on its servers in the US or the EU.
Later, you can backup, sync and share music, photos or documents. Previous file versions can be restored within 15 days to a year, depending on the plan selected.
Box.com
Google Drive and share many similarities, including their backup and file sharing capabilities. Box, however, has more advanced features and a large number of productivity tools.
Depending on your needs, you can sign up for a personal or business plan. Box offers two personal plans, including a free one with 10GB of storage.
Both plans support two-factor authentication, secure file sharing, note taking, and integrations with Microsoft Office 365 and Google Workspace. Users also have access to project management tools.
Overall, Box is aimed at business users. Google Drive, on the other hand, appeals to individual users. While both apps can be used for remote work and collaboration, Box is more robust than Drive.
