storage.to vs Google Drive
Different tools for different needs. See when to use each for sharing files.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | storage.to | Google Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Quick file sharing | Cloud storage |
| Account required | No | Yes (Google account) |
| Max file size | 25 GB | 5 TB |
| Free storage | Unlimited (3-day retention) | 15 GB (permanent) |
| Auto-delete | Yes (1-7 days) | No |
| Download without account | Yes | Sometimes |
| Burn after reading | Yes | No |
| Privacy model | Minimal data | Google ecosystem |
Different Tools, Different Purposes
storage.to is for...
Quick, temporary file sharing. When you need to send something to someone once and don't need it to live forever.
- • Send a large video to a client
- • Share a file with someone outside your organization
- • One-time document delivery
- • Sharing with people who don't have Google accounts
Google Drive is for...
Long-term storage and collaboration. When you need files to persist and be accessible over time.
- • Document collaboration in real-time
- • Personal file backup
- • Team file libraries
- • Integration with other Google apps
Key Differences
Sharing Workflow
Google Drive: Upload file → Navigate to file → Click share → Configure permissions → Copy link. Recipients may need to request access or sign in.
storage.to: Drop file → Get link. Done. Recipients click and download instantly.
Privacy & Data Collection
Google Drive: Part of Google's ecosystem. Files are scanned, indexed, and used to improve Google's services. Activity is tracked across your Google account.
storage.to: Minimal data collection. No account required. Files are encrypted at rest and deleted automatically.
Storage Model
Google Drive: 15GB free storage shared across Gmail, Drive, and Photos. Files persist until you delete them or run out of space.
storage.to: No storage limits. Upload as much as you want (25GB per file). Files auto-delete after 1-7 days. It's for sharing, not storing.
Recipient Experience
Google Drive: Recipients may need to sign in, request access, or deal with permission errors. Large files sometimes require the recipient to add the file to their own Drive first.
storage.to: Click link, click download. No account, no sign-in, no friction. Works for anyone with a browser.
When to Use Google Drive Instead
- Real-time collaboration: Multiple people editing the same document simultaneously
- Long-term storage: Files you need to access for months or years
- Google Workspace integration: You're already using Gmail, Calendar, Docs, etc.
- Version history: You need to track changes and restore previous versions
- Team organization: Shared drives with folder structures and access control
The Bottom Line
Google Drive is a full cloud storage and collaboration platform. It's excellent for teams working together on documents and for long-term file storage.
storage.to is purpose-built for quick file sharing. No account friction, no permission hassles, no clutter in your storage. When you just need to send a file to someone, storage.to gets out of your way.
Use Google Drive for collaboration and storage. Use storage.to for one-off file transfers.
Need to share a file quickly?
No signup. No permissions to configure. Just upload and share.
Upload Now