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Head-to-head · Cloud Storage Services

Google Drive vs ownCloud

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Google Drive #4 in Cloud Storage Services 8.9/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Google Drive
ownCloud #6 in Cloud Storage Services 8.8/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit ownCloud

Google Drive leads on 0 checks, ownCloud on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreGoogle Drive · 8.9/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialboth

Google Drive scores higher on our rubric for cloud storage services: 8.9 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #6.

Google Drive is the better fit for teams wanting a broad general-purpose drive. ownCloud is the better fit for self-hosted teams needing mature administration.

  • Google Drive fits best

    Teams wanting a broad general-purpose drive

  • ownCloud fits best

    Self-hosted teams needing mature administration

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Side by side

Feature Google Drive 8.9/10 Visit ↗ ownCloud 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.8
Ranking #4 in Cloud Storage Services #6 in Cloud Storage Services
Best for Teams wanting a broad general-purpose drive Self-hosted teams needing mature administration
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $1.99/mo —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 14 days 30 days
Free trial length 14 days 30 days
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Email, Phone, Live chat, Docs · 24/7 Email, Phone, Community, Docs
Compliance SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, SSO/SAML, 2FA GDPR, SSO/SAML, 2FA
Integrations 9 integrations 12 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Google Drive 3/3 · ownCloud 3/3
File versioning ✓ ✓
Zero-knowledge encryption ✓ ✓
Business admin controls ✓ ✓
Specs
Storage limit 15 GB Not checked yet
File size limit 5 GB Not checked yet
Device platforms Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Our review
Pros
  • Shared drives, permissions, version history, and file restoration
  • Works across web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
  • Integrates with Google Workspace, Slack, Zoom, Salesforce, and more
  • Self-hosting plus web, desktop, and mobile access
  • Versioning, retention, locking, search, and ransomware protection
  • Integrations with S3, SharePoint, Microsoft 365, and collaboration tools
Cons
  • Personal storage is shared across Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos
  • Client-side encryption is limited to eligible Workspace accounts
  • Enterprise pricing requires contacting sales
  • Commercial use requires the €15 per user monthly Commercial plan
  • Hosted storage and user limits vary across online plans
  • Administration and policy controls may exceed simple storage needs
Our verdict

Google Drive is a cloud storage service for individuals, teams, and organizations that need to upload, organize, search, share, and collaborate on files. It supports Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, with access through the web, mobile…

Read the review →

ownCloud is open-source file synchronization, sharing, and content collaboration software for teams, companies, schools, institutions, and government organizations. It provides browser, desktop, and mobile access; internal and external…

Read the review →
  1. Google DriveCloud Storage Services 8.9Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. ownCloudCloud Storage Services 8.8Free plan · 30-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Google Drive — where it wins

    • Shared drives, permissions, version history, and file restoration
    • Works across web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
    • Integrates with Google Workspace, Slack, Zoom, Salesforce, and more

    Where it doesn't

    • Personal storage is shared across Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos
    • Client-side encryption is limited to eligible Workspace accounts
    • Enterprise pricing requires contacting sales

  • ownCloud — where it wins

    • Self-hosting plus web, desktop, and mobile access
    • Versioning, retention, locking, search, and ransomware protection
    • Integrations with S3, SharePoint, Microsoft 365, and collaboration tools

    Where it doesn't

    • Commercial use requires the €15 per user monthly Commercial plan
    • Hosted storage and user limits vary across online plans
    • Administration and policy controls may exceed simple storage needs
  • Google Drive8.9/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A broad team drive with strong collaboration, recovery, and Workspace integration.

    Visit Google DriveFull verdict →
  • ownCloud8.8/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

    A flexible cloud storage platform for teams that need control over data and administration.

    Visit ownCloudFull verdict →

More comparisons

All cloud storage services comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update