Google Drive vs Seafile

Google Drive8.9Visit Seafile8.6Visit

Higher score Google Drive #3 in Cloud Content Collaboration Software 8.9/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 1 features Visit Google Drive

vs

Seafile #7 in Cloud Content Collaboration Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 1 features Visit Seafile

• Google Drive fits best

  Teams wanting shared storage and live editing

• Seafile fits best

  Teams seeking open-source file sync and collaboration

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Side by side

Feature	Google Drive 8.9/10 Visit ↗	Seafile 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.9	8.6
Ranking	#3 in Cloud Content Collaboration Software	#7 in Cloud Content Collaboration Software
Best for	Teams wanting shared storage and live editing	Teams seeking open-source file sync and collaboration
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$1.99/mo	—
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	14 days	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile	Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support	Email, Phone, Live chat, Docs · 24/7	Email, Community, Docs
Compliance	SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, SSO/SAML, 2FA	SSO/SAML, 2FA
Integrations	9 integrations	6 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Google Drive 0/1 · Seafile 0/1
Guest access	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Storage included	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Maximum file size	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Version history	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Offline access	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Admin controls	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Supported platforms	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Edit Docs, Sheets, and Slides together in real time Share files with customizable permissions and manage versions Works across web, desktop, mobile, and third-party apps	Self-hosted Community Edition includes file sharing and synchronization. Virtual drives provide file access without local synchronization. Supports encrypted libraries, version history, and granular folder permissions.
Cons	Free storage is shared across Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos Consumer and business storage use separate plan families Advanced business security and management require higher tiers	Client-side encryption does not encrypt filenames or other metadata. Professional Edition pricing varies by team size and is billed annually. Its mix of self-hosted and cloud options calls for a deployment choice.
Our verdict	Google Drive brings cloud file storage, organization, and sharing together with live collaboration in Docs, Sheets, and Slides. It suits individuals and teams that want files accessible on web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, with… Read the review →	Seafile is an open-source file hosting and synchronization platform for individuals, teams, and organizations. It combines web access, desktop sync, virtual-drive clients, mobile apps, file sharing, and permission controls. Beyond file… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Google Drive — where it wins

  • Edit Docs, Sheets, and Slides together in real time
  • Share files with customizable permissions and manage versions
  • Works across web, desktop, mobile, and third-party apps

  Where it doesn't

  • Free storage is shared across Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos
  • Consumer and business storage use separate plan families
  • Advanced business security and management require higher tiers

• Seafile — where it wins

  • Self-hosted Community Edition includes file sharing and synchronization.
  • Virtual drives provide file access without local synchronization.
  • Supports encrypted libraries, version history, and granular folder permissions.

  Where it doesn't

  • Client-side encryption does not encrypt filenames or other metadata.
  • Professional Edition pricing varies by team size and is billed annually.
  • Its mix of self-hosted and cloud options calls for a deployment choice.

• Google Drive8.9/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

  A broad file-sharing workspace with live Google Docs editing and plans from free to enterprise.

  Visit Google DriveFull verdict →
• Seafile8.6/10 · Free plan

  A self-hostable sync platform with virtual drives, granular sharing, and collaborative documents.

  Visit SeafileFull verdict →