Google Drive vs Proton Drive: Which Cloud Storage Tool Is Better in 2026?

Google Drive

From $6

Proton Drive

From $3.99

Quick verdict

Overall pick: Tie

Pick Google Drive if your team needs real-time document co-editing, a REST API, and Workspace integration, and you accept per-seat pricing starting at $6. Pick Proton Drive if privacy is the priority: it offers client-side zero-knowledge encryption and password-protected expiring links at a flat $3.99 starting price. Google Drive lacks zero-knowledge encryption and password-protected links; Proton Drive lacks real-time co-editing and an API.

Proton Drive's entry plan ($3.99) is 34% cheaper than Google Drive's ($6).
Google Drive charges per user while Proton Drive uses a flat price, so Proton Drive gets relatively cheaper as your team grows.
Both offer a free plan, so you can test them side by side at no cost.
Only Google Drive offers: real-time document co-editing & preview, rest api & enterprise cloud integrations.
Only Proton Drive offers: client-side zero-knowledge encryption, password-protected & expiring links.

Try Google Drive →Try Proton Drive →

Cost calculator

Team size: 5 users

Tool	Monthly	Yearly
Google Drive · per user	$30.00	$360
Proton Drive · flat	$3.99	$48

Based on entry-level paid plans. Prices change, so check the vendor before you buy.

Which one should you choose?

If you need…	Pick	Why
Teams co-authoring documents in real time	Google Drive	Google Drive supports real-time document co-editing; Proton Drive does not.
Privacy-sensitive storage with zero-access encryption	Proton Drive	Proton Drive offers client-side zero-knowledge encryption; Google Drive does not.
Sharing files with password-protected or expiring links	Proton Drive	Proton Drive supports password-protected and expiring links; Google Drive does not.
Building integrations via REST API	Google Drive	Google Drive offers a REST API and enterprise cloud integrations; Proton Drive has no API.
Cost-conscious small teams comparing pricing models	Proton Drive	Proton Drive starts at $3.99 flat versus Google Drive at $6 per seat.

Feature comparison: Google Drive vs Proton Drive

Feature	Google Drive	Proton Drive
Free plan	✅	✅
Starting price	$6 /user/mo	$3.99 /mo
Client-side zero-knowledge encryption	—	✅
File version history & recovery (30+ days)	✅	✅
Large file transfer (100GB+ / link)	✅	✅
Real-time document co-editing & preview	✅	—
HIPAA, GDPR & SOC2 compliance	✅	✅
Password-protected & expiring links	—	✅
Smart on-demand selective sync	✅	✅
REST API & enterprise cloud integrations	✅	—

Highlighted rows are where the tools differ.

Pros and cons

Google Drive

Real-time document co-editing and preview
REST API and enterprise cloud integrations
Smart on-demand selective sync
File version history and recovery

No client-side zero-knowledge encryption
No password-protected or expiring links
Priced per seat starting at $6

Try Google Drive →

Proton Drive

Client-side zero-knowledge encryption
Password-protected and expiring links
Flat pricing starting at $3.99
File version history and smart sync

No real-time document co-editing
No REST API or enterprise cloud integrations

Try Proton Drive →

COMMUNITY POLL

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At a glance

Google Drive

Cloud storage and seamless real-time document collaboration integrated into Google Workspace.

Founded 2012 · From $6 · 6/8 tracked features

Best for: Google Workspace users, real-time document co-authoring

See Google Drive alternatives →

Proton Drive

Swiss privacy-first encrypted cloud storage with strict zero-access file encryption.

Founded 2020 · From $3.99 · 6/8 tracked features

Best for: privacy advocates, Proton ecosystem integration

See Proton Drive alternatives →

FAQ

Is Google Drive cheaper than Proton Drive?

No. Google Drive starts at $6 per seat, while Proton Drive starts at a flat $3.99.

Does Google Drive offer zero-knowledge encryption?

No. Proton Drive offers client-side zero-knowledge encryption; Google Drive does not.

Can Proton Drive replace real-time document co-editing?

No. Proton Drive lacks real-time co-editing, which Google Drive provides.

Which tool supports password-protected links?

Proton Drive supports password-protected and expiring links; Google Drive does not.

Which tool has an API?

Google Drive offers a REST API and enterprise cloud integrations; Proton Drive does not.

Related comparisons

Data last reviewed: pending verification. All Cloud Storage tools →