If you use Google One, you “subscribe” to ad­di­tion­al cloud storage for Google Drive and Google services such as Photos, Docs and Gmail at a rate of your choice. There are also benefits such as technical support, ad­di­tion­al filters and effects for photos and videos, and discounts for the Google Store.

All plan in­for­ma­tion correct as of January 2025.

What is Google One?

If you use Google Drive, you may have asked yourself what Google 1 or Google One is. The answer is simple: Google Drive users au­to­mat­i­cal­ly receive 15 GB of free storage in Google’s cloud. However, if you need to back up very large or many files, create WhatsApp backups with Google Drive or share storage with family members, it’s best to use Google One. This is a sub­scrip­tion model that allows you to expand the available cloud storage for a fee.

Google One currently offers one plan with 100 GB and two plans with 2 TB of storage. The two higher-tier plans differ based on whether they include Gemini Advanced, Google’s AI solution. Sub­scrib­ing to Google One doesn’t change how you use Google Drive — you’ll simply gain extra cloud storage and ad­di­tion­al features. However, unlike Google Workspace, Google One is designed ex­clu­sive­ly for personal use. Busi­ness­es requiring more storage and advanced tools for video con­fer­enc­ing and col­lab­o­ra­tion should opt for Google Workspace sub­scrip­tion plans instead.

HiDrive Cloud Storage
Store and share your data on the go
  • Store, share, and edit data easily
  • Backed up and highly secure
  • Sync with all devices

How does Google One work?

Google One works like Google Drive. It requires no con­ver­sion or cus­tomiza­tion. You continue to use the functions of your Drive storage to back up files in the cloud, syn­chro­nize local files with Google Drive or use Google Drive offline. The only dif­fer­ence in terms of cloud functions is the greater storage volume. At­tach­ments, files, photos and videos are therefore still added to the storage space used. Device- and location-in­de­pen­dent file access and Drive file sharing also remain unchanged. There is therefore no sep­a­ra­tion between storage for Google Drive and Google One.

What ad­di­tion­al functions does Google One offer?

In addition to the extended cloud storage, Google offers you many other features for each sub­scrip­tion plan. These include:

  • Round-the-clock support for Google One sub­scribers
  • Shared family storage space for up to five family members (with separate storage)
  • Dark web mon­i­tor­ing
  • Up to ten percent discount on purchases in the Google Store
  • VPN for multiple devices
  • Ad­di­tion­al image and video editing tools and filters
Tip

If you need Google’s cloud storage for business purposes, opt for the business version of Google Cloud. Use Google Workspace with IONOS and get all Google apps in one place — including business email and team functions.

What does Google One cost?

The prices for Google One are staggered as follows:

  • Basic plan at 100 GB for $1.99 per month
  • Premium plan with 2 TB for $9.99 per month
  • AI Premium plan with 2 TB and use of Google’s AI Gemini Advanced for $19.99 per month

Those who opt for an annual payment method also receive a discount of up to 29 percent on the total price.

Image: Google One’s different subscription plans (shown here in euros)
Google One offers you three different paid sub­scrip­tions for extended cloud storage; Source: https://one.google.com/intl/en/about/

How can Google One be activated?

If you don’t yet have one, you must first create a Google account to activate Google One. When creating an account, either link an existing email address to your Google account or create a new Gmail account. Then go directly to the Google One website, select a suitable sub­scrip­tion and pay by credit card, PayPal or with Google Pay credit.

If you want to cancel your Google One sub­scrip­tion, log in to Google and go to Google One. You can cancel at any time at the end of the current billing period.

Google One compared to other providers

Google One focuses on large storage volumes for private in­di­vid­u­als. If you’re looking for similar cloud services or Google Drive al­ter­na­tives, our com­par­i­son table will give you an overview:

Cloud service Prop­er­ties Price for 100 GB to 2 TB Server location
Google One Cloud storage on a sub­scrip­tion basis for data and device backup and “family storage” 100 GB: $1.99 per month
2,000 GB: $9.99 per month 		USA/Worldwide
HiDrive Cloud storage for backing up, editing, syn­chro­niz­ing and sharing files; creating automated backups; ISO-certified, highly secure European data centers 100 GB: $1.50 per month
250 GB: $3 per month
2 TB: $10 per month 		Germany
OneDrive Cloud service for private in­di­vid­u­als and companies for creating backups, central data access and sharing large data via link 100 GB: $1.99 per month
1 TB: $9.99 per month 		USA, Asia, EU
Dropbox Large cloud storage for col­lab­o­ra­tive work, file sharing, and cen­tral­ized access to files 2 TB: $9.99 per month
3 TB: $16.99 per month 		Personal: USA
Business: USA, Australia, EU, Japan, UK
Se­cure­Cloud German cloud storage for data backups and col­lab­o­ra­tive business file sharing 100 GB: €8 (around $9) per month Germany
Tip

Do you want the highest data pro­tec­tion standards for your cloud storage? Then choose IONOS HiDrive cloud storage. Back up your files at af­ford­able rates in highly secure, ISO-certified data centers.

What is the Google 1 app?

Just like with Google Drive, a Google One sub­scrip­tion gives you access to extended cloud storage from any device. You can work with your cloud data using both desktop and mobile browsers. Google also provides the Google One app, available for Android and iOS, which lets you back up important data from your mobile devices, including documents, photos, videos, chats, contacts, and calendar notes. To sync essential data and folders on your desktop, install the Backup & Sync tool for macOS or Windows with Google One.

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