Is Google One worth it in 2026?
By Matteo Vigliante · Updated 23 May 2026 · 2 min read
Google One is worth it if your photos, email, and files already live in Google's apps. The 2 TB plan is priced competitively and includes a VPN and family sharing. If you don't lean on Gmail or Google Photos, you can usually get the same storage cheaper from pCloud or Internxt, and with better privacy.
Google One is one storage pool shared across Gmail, Drive, and Photos, with a VPN and family sharing added on. For most people the 2 TB plan is the only one worth paying for. The 100 GB and 200 GB tiers fill up too fast to hold a phone's photo library for long.
Its real selling point is convenience. If your photos already back up to Google Photos and your mail is on Gmail, paying Google to host the storage too means nothing new to set up. The cost is privacy. Your files are encrypted on Google's servers, but Google holds the keys and indexes your content for search.
Key numbers: Cheapest 2 TB is Google One at €9.99/mo. Biggest free tier is Google One at 15 GB. Highest rated is Icedrive at 3.8 / 5.
If you want the storage without the data mining, the providers below match Google One on price and do better on privacy.
Google One and its closest alternatives
Frequently asked
Does Google One include Google Photos storage?
Yes. The Google One quota is shared across Gmail, Drive, and Google Photos. Original-quality photo backups count against it.
Is Google One end-to-end encrypted?
No. Files are encrypted in transit and on Google's servers, but Google holds the keys and can scan your content. For zero-knowledge encryption, look at pCloud Crypto, Proton Drive, or Internxt.
Related
pCloud vs Google One: which should you pick?
Pick Google One if you live in Gmail and Google Photos. It's the smoother everyday experience and the family sharing is generous. Pick pCloud if you want a one-time lifetime price, the option of zero-knowledge encryption, and a Swiss company instead of a US one.
Google Photos storage full? Here are your options
Google Photos shares one 15 GB free pool with Gmail and Drive, so when it fills up, photo backups stop. You can clear space, upgrade to Google One (€1.99/mo for 100 GB, €9.99/mo for 2 TB), or move your library elsewhere. If you need storage rather than Google's other services, several providers give you 2 TB for the same price or less.
iCloud+ vs Google One: which should you choose?
Choose iCloud+ if your life runs on Apple devices. It backs up your iPhone automatically and works best on Mac and iOS. Choose Google One if you use Gmail and Google Photos, want storage that works the same on Android, Windows, and the web, or want the bigger free tier. At 2 TB they cost the same, €9.99/mo, so the choice is about ecosystem, not price.
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