Google Drive

Google Drive is a cloud storage service from Google. It launched in 2012 and took over the storage role of Google Docs. People use it to store files online, open them from any device and share them with others.

Users can upload any type of file and organise it in folders. Shared drives let teams own files together, so documents stay in place when someone leaves. Sharing settings control who can view, comment on or edit a file. Drive opens Google Docs, Sheets and Slides directly, and it can preview many other formats such as PDF, images and Microsoft Office files. The Drive for desktop app syncs files between a computer and the cloud.

Every Google account comes with 15 GB of free storage, shared with Gmail and Google Photos. Google One plans sell more space for a monthly or yearly fee, and businesses get Drive through Google Workspace. Drive runs on the web, iOS, Android, Windows and Mac. It is widely used by schools and small businesses, and many people use it to send large files that do not fit in an email.