Compare cloud storage sync clients and editing options on Windows and Mac computers at IU

Note:

UITS recommends using Microsoft OneDrive at IU and Google at IU My Drive for individual storage only, not for departmental storage. For more information on determining the type of data you are storing, and what storage options are available, see Options for storing files at IU.

	OneDrive	Google My Drive
Sync apps available	Sync OneDrive files	Google Drive for desktop (formerly Google Drive File Stream), Backup and Sync for Google Drive¹, Google Docs Offline (Chrome extension)
Access files directly through file explorers	OneDrive clients	Google Drive for desktop, Backup and Sync for Google Drive
Access offline copies of files	OneDrive clients	Backup and Sync for Google Drive
Access folders that are shared with you but that you do not own directly through file explorers	Open in browser, choose Sync, and you’ll then see the folder in OneDrive local (under the Indiana University link)	Google Drive for desktop, but only for files in Google Shared Drives
Open and edit files in a desktop program from the browser file view	The hamburger menu has options to open in the app or in the browser	Google Docs Offline Chrome extension
Open and edit files in online apps	Office Online	Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, etc.; Office Editing for Docs, Sheets & Slides

Note:

¹ For a detailed comparison of Google Drive for desktop and Google Drive Backup and Sync, see Compare Backup and Sync & Google Drive for desktop.