Google Drive vs iCloud Drive Comparison

• 100 GB, Basic 100 GB monthly: $1.99 a month
• 100 GB, Basic 100 GB for 1 year: $19.99 billed yearly
• 2 TB, Google AI Plus 2 TB monthly: $9.99 a month
• 2 TB, Google AI Plus 2 TB for 1 year: $99.99 billed yearly
• 5 TB, Google AI Pro 5 TB monthly: $19.99 a month
• 5 TB, Google AI Pro 5 TB for 1 year: $199.99 billed yearly

• 50 GB, iCloud+ 50 GB monthly: $0.99 a month
• 200 GB, iCloud+ 200 GB monthly: $2.99 a month
• 2 TB, iCloud+ 2 TB monthly: $9.99 a month
• 6 TB, iCloud+ 6 TB monthly: $29.99 a month
• 12 TB, iCloud+ 12 TB monthly: $59.99 a month

Google encrypts files in transit and on its disks with AES-256, using keys managed by its own key management service, so its systems can decrypt them. File names, descriptions, owners and activity logs are encrypted on disk the same way. Client-side encryption, which Google cannot decrypt, exists only in some paid Workspace editions for organizations and has to be switched on by an admin; personal Google accounts cannot use it. Decryption happens on Google's servers, so the web, desktop and mobile apps work the same way.

By default Apple keeps the keys to iCloud Drive in its data centers and can decrypt your files, for example to restore them after a forgotten password. Advanced Data Protection, a setting turned on from an iPhone, iPad or Mac, deletes Apple's copy of the keys and leaves them on your trusted devices; Apple no longer offers it to new users in the UK. Even with it on, the file type, size, creation and modification dates and checksums of the file content and file name stay under keys Apple holds. With the setting on, iCloud.com cannot open your files until you allow web access, and then each session gets temporary keys from one of your devices.

Google's terms name Google LLC of Mountain View, California, and are governed by California law unless local law requires otherwise. The privacy policy names Google Ireland Limited among the Google companies that provide consumer services in the EU. Google keeps servers around the world, and files may be processed outside your country.

Users in the US contract with Apple Inc. in Cupertino, California; users elsewhere contract with a regional Apple company, such as Apple Distribution International in Ireland. The terms are governed by California law, except for residents of the EU, the UK, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland, whose local law applies. Apple keeps the keys it can use in its US data centers and may store data with third-party data centers. In mainland China, iCloud is operated by GCBD (AIPO Cloud (Guizhou) Technology Co. Ltd) under its own terms.

Google LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., whose shares trade on Nasdaq. Google Drive launched on 24 April 2012.

An earlier version of a non-Google file may be deleted after 30 days or once there are 100 newer versions, unless you mark it Keep forever. Google Docs, Sheets and Slides keep their own version history. Files in the Trash are deleted after 30 days.

Deleted files stay in Recently Deleted for 30 days and can be restored. Pages, Numbers and Keynote documents keep a version history; Apple documents no version history for other files.