Box vs Google Drive: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Box and Google Drive side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Google Drive leads on higher user rating and lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Box
Secure cloud content management
Best for you if:
- • You want enterprise security
Google Drive
Cloud storage and collaboration with 15GB free
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
| At a Glance | Box | Google Drive |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $5/user/mo, billed monthly Business Starter plan | Free plan, paid from $1.99/mo, billed monthly Basic (Google One) plan |
Category | File Management Cloud Storage | Cloud Storage File Management |
Rating | 4.3/5 Capterra 4.4 · G2 4.2 · SourceForge 4.3 10,971 reviews | 4.8/5 Capterra 4.8 28,616 reviews |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Watch out for | 3+ user minimum for all business plans | Storage shared across Google products |
Choose Box or Google Drive?
Choose Box if
- You want enterprise security
- You want compliance features
- You work in file management, not cloud storage
Choose Google Drive if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want 15GB free
- You want google integration
- Budget matters ($1.99/mo, billed monthly vs $5/user/mo, billed monthly)
- You work in cloud storage, not file management
In-Depth Analysis
Box
Secure cloud content management
Box's pricing is generally fair, with a generous free tier and competitive options for small businesses.
Watch out
3+ user minimum for all business plans
Strengths
- Pro: Enterprise security
- Pro: Compliance features
- Pro: Great integrations
Weaknesses
- Con: Expensive
- Con: Complex for small teams
Key features
Google Drive
Cloud storage and collaboration with 15GB free
Google Drive's pricing is exceptionally generous, especially with its robust free tier and highly competitive paid plans.
Watch out
Storage shared across Google products
Strengths
- Pro: 15GB free
- Pro: Google integration
- Pro: Real-time collaboration
Weaknesses
- Con: Privacy concerns
- Con: Google account needed
Key features
Plans and prices: Box vs Google Drive
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Box |
| box.com read Oct 7, 2026 |
| Google Drive |
| drive.google.com read Sep 29, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Box pricing and Google Drive pricing.
Key Takeaways
Box
- Choose if you want secure cloud content management
Google Drive
- Higher user rating: 4.8/5 vs 4.3/5
- Lower entry price: $1.99/mo, billed monthly vs $5/user/mo, billed monthly
What the data shows
On the data below, Google Drive leads on higher user rating and lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Google Drive has the higher user rating (4.3/5 from 10,971 reviews for Box, 4.8/5 from 28,616 reviews for Google Drive).
- Google Drive has the lower entry price: $1.99/mo, billed monthly (Basic (Google One)) against $5/user/mo, billed monthly (Business Starter) for Box.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
What Users Say
Google Drive Reviews
User friendly
I use it mainly for watching videos instead of iCloud. Great for video streaming.
Easy file storage and sharing
Most everyone has a Google or Gmail account, so it's easy to share files securely with others, and most contacts have tried or used Google Drive already, unlike DropBox or other alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Box and Google Drive compare in 2026?
On the data below, Google Drive leads on higher user rating and lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Google Drive has the higher user rating (4.3/5 from 10,971 reviews for Box, 4.8/5 from 28,616 reviews for Google Drive). Google Drive has the lower entry price: $1.99/mo, billed monthly (Basic (Google One)) against $5/user/mo, billed monthly (Business Starter) for Box. Both have a free plan.
What are Box and Google Drive used for?
Box: Secure cloud content management. Google Drive: Cloud storage and collaboration with 15GB free.
What does Box cost vs Google Drive?
Box's cheapest paid plan is Business Starter at $5/user/mo, billed monthly. Google Drive's cheapest paid plan is Basic (Google One) at $1.99/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 7, 2026.
What's the main difference between Box and Google Drive?
Box's main strength: enterprise security. Google Drive's main strength: 15GB free.