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Add to SafariWhen comparing OneDrive vs Google Photos, the Slant community recommends Google Photos for most people. In the question“What is the best cross-platform photo backup and viewer service?” Google Photos is ranked 1st while OneDrive is ranked 2nd. The most important reason people chose Google Photos is:
Any images taken with your phone can automatically be backed up to Google Photos. And the first time you run the mobile app it will also help you back up any existing images and videos you might have on your phone.
Specs
Question Ranking
Pros
Pro Full integration in Windows 10
Once setup OneDrive folder and local folders can be the same slowing for seamlessly integration into Windows OS.
Pro Collaboration via Office 365
If you use Office 365 with OneDrive, you can share a file to edit collaboratively in real time.
Pro Microsoft Office integration
It integrates with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc as if you were using OneDrive locally.
Pro Automatic photo uploads from phone
When Android, iOS and Windows Phone users shoot a photo with their phone it is automatically uploaded to OneDrive via app.
Pro Music file syncs with Groove Music
Music files put in the Music folder in OneDrive sync with Groove Music.
Pro No setup for Windows 8/8.1
If you use Windows 8 or 8.1, OneDrive is already built in your system and can be accessed via file explorer.
Pro Can automatically back up phone's photos
Any images taken with your phone can automatically be backed up to Google Photos. And the first time you run the mobile app it will also help you back up any existing images and videos you might have on your phone.
Pro Can search photos
Text in photos, the content of the photo, and so on can be automatically searched. So one doesn't need to categorize to later find photos. Manual categorization is still possible.
Pro Simple sharing
Any picture or selection of pictures can be sent to anyone, even if they don't have a Google account. Photos will also give you a list of recommended photos to share.
Pro Free unlimited storage
Google Photos comes with free storage for images up to 16Mp and videos up to 1080p which means that most users need no longer worry about storage space.
Pro Can manually classify photos
Can create albums from photos or even manage the whole folders tree manually via Drive.
Pro Non-destructive built-in photo editor
Any photos that you edited can be undone to original copy.
Pro Smart shared libraries
Google Photos allows inviting other users to shared libraries. It has a feature that allows auto-adding all photos and videos or only of specific people to the shared library which is really useful for sharing with families or a close group of friends. It also allows the invitee to save those photos straight to their device automatically as if they took it.
Pro Send images and videos to Gmail and YouTube
If you linked your Google drive with google photos, then you can easily attach any of your Google Photos in an email message.
Pro Uses AI to create fun content
Google's AI automatically generates fun animations, collages, styled photos and stories every now and then which can be shared saved and shared to your device very easily.
Pro iOS app is easy and fun to use
The app is easy to use and has amusing features like reminders, where it pops up photos from many years ago.
Cons
Con Strictest code of conduct
Terms of Service forbid any kind of nudity, or that incites, advocates, or expresses pornography or racism among other things.
Con Becomes slower when it picks up a "Linux" user-agent
This may be intentional by Microsoft to force OneDrive users to use Windows. When OneDrive picks up a "Linux" user-agent it becomes slow whereas when from the same computer and browser it picks up a "Windows" user-agent it becomes considerably faster.
Con Might be removed anytime
Google has a tendency to quickly shut down or abandon services that don't perform well. Google Photos might run the risk of being discontinued if the user base of the app doesn't meet certain criteria.
Con Taking ownership of your backups is laborious
Major issue with this is getting access to your backups. Gotta wait for massive downloads. With OneDrive they are just files which you can move around.
Con The website has performance issues
The site tends to lag and file uploads can sometimes fail.
Con The web version lacks certain features available on mobile apps
Con Doesn't backup in the background
For iOS devices.
Con Not a lot of free storage space for high-res content
While there's a free unlimited storage plan, it's limited to 16 megapixel images and 1080p videos. Uploading full-resolution content, if you opt out of free unlimited storage plan, is limited to 15GB that comes with a Google account which is shared across all Google services. Increasing that storage space costs about $10/mo per 1TB of storage.
Con Files may be compressed if you're using the unlimited storage option
All images exceeding 16MP and videos exceeding 1080p will automatically be compressed to that size or lower. Meaning high-res images and videos won't work with the unlimited storage option.
