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Paid plans include the full Microsoft 365 suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Personal Vault adds an extra layer of protection for your most sensitive files
Syncs almost instantly and works seamlessly across Windows and Microsoft apps
All About Cookies is an independent, advertising-supported website. Some of the offers that appear on this site are from third-party advertisers from which All About Cookies receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear).
All About Cookies does not include all financial or credit offers that might be available to consumers nor do we include all companies or all available products. Information is accurate as of the publishing date and has not been provided or endorsed by the advertiser.
The All About Cookies editorial team strives to provide accurate, in-depth information and reviews to help you, our reader, make online privacy decisions with confidence. Here's what you can expect from us:
I found Microsoft OneDrive to be a reliable, capable cloud storage service, particularly for anyone already in the Microsoft ecosystem. Syncing was near-instant in my testing, which is what matters most day-to-day, and the sharing controls gave me more granular options than I expected. The plans come bundled with the full Microsoft Office suite, which makes the pricing a genuinely compelling deal if those apps are useful to you.
That said, it's not without frustrations. You'll get less storage per dollar than most competitors, and I ran into more friction than I should have — logging in from a new device was harder than it needed to be, and reaching a real person in support took more effort than expected.
Keep reading my full Microsoft OneDrive review to see if it's the right cloud storage for you.
| Starts at | $19.99/yr |
| Free plan | Yes — 5 GB |
| Storage space | 5 GB – 11 TB |
| Encryption | AES-256 |
| Local storage | Yes |
| Details | Get Microsoft OneDrive |
Our team has conducted hands-on testing on cloud storage services by signing up for and installing each one on our own computers and home networks, just as you would. We evaluate real-world usability from setup through day-to-day use.
We evaluate each product across six areas:
Microsoft OneDrive received a high star rating of 4.7, earning perfect scores in storage, features, compatibility, and value. We especially appreciate that paid plans bundle the full Microsoft Office suite — including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint — making it an exceptional deal for anyone already in the Microsoft ecosystem.
That said, occasional login friction and the fact that Microsoft holds your encryption keys keep it from a perfect score.
| Decision factor | Weight | Verdict |
| Our experience | 30% | 4.25 |
| Prices and value | 5% | 5.0 |
| Features | 15% | 5.0 |
| Storage | 30% | 5.0 |
| Security | 15% | 4.5 |
| Compatibility | 5% | 5.0 |
We last tested OneDrive on April 21, 2026.
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Paid plans include the full Microsoft 365 suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Personal Vault adds an extra layer of protection for your most sensitive files
Syncs almost instantly and works seamlessly across Windows and Microsoft apps
OneDrive does the basics very well. Syncing is reliable and very fast (almost instant), which is probably the most important thing. Sharing is also excellent, with granular access options and the ability to set a password or an expiration date on links. Finally, OneDrive’s paid plans are part of Microsoft 365, which includes the Office apps (like Word and Excel), so if you need these apps anyway, OneDrive is an excellent deal.
Now, the bad stuff. The biggest issue is that you get less storage for your money than many competitors. For example, the $19.99/yr OneDrive plan gives you 1 TB, whereas competitors like Google Drive give 2 TB. Presumably, this is because it's bundled with Office. But if you don’t use Office (or already own it), you’ll get less value here.
Finally, Microsoft can be frustrating to deal with. There’s a lot of automation in the login and customer support processes, which can introduce unnecessary friction.
One example: During testing, I needed to log in using the username and password instead of the passkey. This option was quite hidden, and once I found it, it just wouldn’t work, even though the login info was correct. This friction came up repeatedly during testing.
It’s easy to get started with OneDrive. If you don’t have a Microsoft account, you’ll first need to create one. You can then download the app for your devices and start uploading files. The app setup is also quick and easy, with just a few screens to click through.
OneDrive offers the usual options for getting files uploaded: you can drag files into the web app or your OneDrive folder on desktop, or you can click the Create or upload button on the web app to select files.
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The OneDrive interface is clear and easy to use. I don’t personally love the design, but it’s functional. You can organize your files into folders, and there are several ways to filter, sort, and search for what you need. You can toggle between grid and list view, and there is a Photos tab that pulls all your pictures into a gallery view. Everything worked as expected in my testing — no surprises here.
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Getting files into OneDrive is as easy as drag-and-drop. It works on both the desktop and web app, which makes things easy. You can also use the upload button in the web app if you prefer.
Once uploaded, you can organize your files into folders and then sort them in a variety of ways, including by name, date modified, and file size. There’s also a search option with filters to help narrow things down, such as file type and date. This worked well in my testing and makes life a lot easier when you’ve got a bunch of files uploaded.
OneDrive has a Photos tab that pulls all your photos from across the platform into one place, organized by date. You can also create albums here, or use the Explore tab to filter by faces, locations, or subjects (such as selfies or nature shots).
Finally, OneDrive offers a Personal Vault feature that essentially acts as a password-protected container. You can put files and folders into the Personal Vault to keep them hidden from hackers or prying eyes. This is a great way to store sensitive documents, like bank statements or tax returns.
OneDrive’s syncing worked very well in my testing. In fact, this was probably my favorite part of using the service — changes made on my computer synced almost instantly, and I never had to worry about performing a manual sync. The most I had to do was refresh the web app for the changes to show up there.
Sharing also works well. You can share via email or via a link. Controls are pretty granular: each file can be set to view or edit, and you can do this on a per-person basis or for the link as a whole.
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For links, you can set whether anyone with the link can access the file or only specific people. Links can be password-protected, and you can also set an expiration date for access, which is a nice touch.
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Microsoft does not offer OneDrive-only plans. Instead, the service is bundled into its Microsoft 365 plans. On the paid plans, storage jumps quickly from 100 GB to 1 TB, which should be plenty for most users, except for those with very large photo or video libraries.
The standard Microsoft 365 plans start at $19.99/yr and run up to $129.99/yr. You can also add additional storage to any plan for an extra fee:
The free OneDrive plan is just that: 5 GB of OneDrive storage. You can also access the web versions of Office apps. The Microsoft 365 Basic plan adds extra storage and a few minor features. Microsoft 365 Personal is where things get interesting. This plan gives access to the full Office suite, along with a higher storage limit. The Family plan lets you share those benefits with up to six people.
| Plan | Free | Microsoft 365 Basic | Microsoft 365 Personal | Microsoft 365 Family |
| Price | Free | $19.99/yr | $99/yr | $129.99/yr |
| Storage space | 5 GB | 100 GB | 1 TB | Up to 6 TB (1 TB per person) |
| Local storage | ||||
| Secure sharing | ||||
| Secure file deletion | ||||
| Device syncing | ||||
| File organization | ||||
| Details | View Plan | View Plan | View Plan | View Plan |
For the amount of storage you get, OneDrive is relatively expensive. The clearest example is the $99/yr Microsoft 365 Personal plan. For that price, Apple and Google both give you 2 TB of storage, whereas Microsoft only gives you 1 TB. However, Microsoft’s plans include the entire Office suite. If that’s useful to you, the value equation changes significantly.
Microsoft offers a money-back guarantee, allowing you to receive a full refund if you cancel within 30 days. That makes it easy to try out the features and decide if it’s right for you.
OneDrive is packed with features, from cloud storage basics to useful Microsoft extras.
OneDrive lets you easily mark files for offline use. This is extremely useful if you’re ever in situations with spotty internet access, such as long flights or road trips. It’s also great for those random occasions when you need to get some work done in weird places, like the barn while your kids do horseback lessons. I consider this to be a must-have feature for cloud storage services.
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A common concern with cloud storage is what happens to your files if you cancel. If you cancel your Microsoft 365 subscription, your storage is downgraded to the free 5 GB tier. If you have more than that stored, your account will be “frozen,” meaning you can access your files, but you won’t be able to add more. The excess data will be deleted after 90 days.
OneDrive lets you share files via links or by sending them directly to other OneDrive users. Recipients do not need a OneDrive account to access files shared via a link.
To access sharing, simply right-click a file or hover over it and select the share option. In the menu that appears, you can edit sharing preferences to restrict access to certain people and change permissions from “view” to “edit.” You can also set expiration dates or passwords for shared links, which is a nice touch.
Secure file deletion is a “digital shredder” feature that securely erases files from servers after they are deleted. This can be useful if a hacker gains access to the service’s servers. Without it, files often remain on the server until overwritten by other data, and during that window, someone could recover them (at least, in theory).
OneDrive does not have this feature (nor do most mainstream cloud storage services). When files are deleted, they go into the Trash, and after 30 days, they’ll be permanently deleted, but it’s still technically possible for someone to recover them if they haven’t been overwritten. This is a pretty niche scenario, but worth keeping in mind if you deal with highly sensitive files.
OneDrive subscriptions are part of Microsoft 365, so they include a slew of useful extras, including Office apps like Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and OneNote. For many users, this will be a huge perk.
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The Microsoft 365 Personal and Family plans also include some additional AI and Teams features, although these are probably less widely useful.
Yes, OneDrive is generally safe. Microsoft uses AES-256 encryption, and account access is pretty limited. I had to jump through hoops during testing to log in to my account on a different device than normal. OneDrive also offers the Personal Vault feature, which adds an extra layer of privacy to files stored there. However, while OneDrive is encrypted, Microsoft does hold the keys, so your data can theoretically be accessed by the company.
OneDrive itself has not been involved in any known data breaches. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that Microsoft generally has a large target on its back due to its heavy use in corporate and government settings. Most consumers don’t need to worry about corporate espionage, of course, but if you deal with sensitive files, it might be worth choosing a provider with a lower profile.
OneDrive offers desktop and mobile apps for most major operating systems, as well as some surprising ones like Xbox. There’s also a useful web app to access files from any device. Here’s the breakdown:
Microsoft offers numerous support options, including online guides, community forums, email support, live chat, and phone support. The guides are thorough, and when I asked a question via the email support option, I received a thorough response within just a few hours.
My only complaint with Microsoft support is that you sometimes have to jump through hoops to get help from a person. As you drill down into support, it may walk you through guides and troubleshooting steps before giving you contact options. However, once you find what you need, it’s generally helpful.
OneDrive has very positive reviews overall on Apple’s App Store and Google Play. Most of the complaints I saw centered around the UI or workflow issues, such as scanning documents. I didn’t see any specific complaints that seemed widespread.
The low Trustpilot score appears to stem largely from complaints about OneDrive's Documents folder behavior. OneDrive moves the files from the local folder into OneDrive, which can cause some confusion. This is a specific workflow issue that doesn't reflect overall quality, so I would take this score with a grain of salt, personally.
OneDrive is a strong choice for Microsoft users, but it's not the right fit for everyone — particularly if you want more storage for the money or stronger privacy protections. Here are three worth considering
Proton Drive is the better pick if privacy is your priority. Unlike OneDrive, Proton uses end-to-end encryption, meaning even Proton can't access your files. If the fact that Microsoft holds your encryption keys gives you pause, this is the obvious alternative. It also pairs well with other Proton tools, such as Proton Mail and Proton Pass.
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End-to-end encryption keeps your files truly private, so not even Proton can read them
Clean, easy-to-use interface across web and mobile apps
Higher-tier plans bundle extra Proton services, including VPN, Mail, and Pass, for added value
Learn more in our Proton Drive review.
Google Drive makes the strongest case against OneDrive on value alone. At the same price point, you get 2 TB of storage versus OneDrive's 1 TB. If you don't need Microsoft Office and just want reliable, straightforward cloud storage, Google Drive is hard to beat.
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Fast, reliable syncing and excellent collaboration tools via Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides
Offers a lot of competitively priced plans plus a free tier of 15 GB storage
Higher-tier plans include Gemini AI features for Gmail, Docs, and more
Learn more in our Google Drive review.
NordLocker is worth considering if you want security-focused storage that pairs with a VPN. Nord bundles NordLocker with NordVPN, making it a compelling all-in-one option for users who want privacy tools without juggling multiple subscriptions.
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End-to-end encryption included on every plan — even the free tier
Clean, clutter-free interface makes managing files simple and stress-free
Can bundle with NordVPN and NordPass for a fuller security suite
Learn more in our NordLocker review.
Overall, OneDrive is a very solid cloud storage option. It works reliably, it’s fast, and it comes bundled with Office apps. Its security is fairly robust, and it handles sharing well. However, you get less storage for your money than many competitors.
Ultimately, whether OneDrive is right for you really comes down to Microsoft Office. If you need or want Office apps, OneDrive becomes an excellent choice — it’s bundled in the plans, and it works well enough that I don’t think anyone needs to look elsewhere. However, if you don’t need Office, other services offer either storage for the money (Google Drive) or stronger privacy features (Proton Drive).
Microsoft OneDrive is an excellent cloud storage option. It works reliably, syncs quickly, and comes with a ton of extras, like Microsoft Office apps bundled with the subscription. You do get less storage for the money than some competitors, but if you use Office apps like Word and Excel, having those included can make up for the lower storage.
Not necessarily. Microsoft OneDrive and Google Drive are both very secure services with similar encryption schemes and security options. OneDrive has features that Google lacks, such as the secure Personal Vault and additional security controls for shared files, while Google offers industry-leading protection against account theft.
Neither OneDrive nor iCloud is really better than the other. Each has its own pros and cons. OneDrive integrates well with the Microsoft ecosystem and with Windows, while iCloud generally integrates better with Apple devices. iCloud does offer more storage for the money, but OneDrive comes bundled with Office apps, which can be a major advantage. Which is better for you depends on your devices and priorities.
No, you don’t have to pay for OneDrive. However, the free tier is limited to 5 GB of storage. If you’re only storing documents, that could be enough, but as soon as you start adding any media, you could quickly fill that space. Paid OneDrive plans start at $19.99/yr.
Paid plans include the full Microsoft 365 suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Personal Vault adds an extra layer of protection for your most sensitive files
Syncs almost instantly and works seamlessly across Windows and Microsoft apps
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