Storing and managing assets in the cloud improves collaboration and enhances access to critical information. Today, several companies provide cloud-asset storage solutions for enterprises.
The largest and most popular file-storage platform is Google Drive.
However, enterprises are rejecting Google Drive despite its features and embracing alternatives. Why? Because Google uses our private data for marketing and advertising purposes.
As a result, customers feel uneasy sharing confidential files on Google Drive, but if Google’s privacy issues seem scary, do not worry; you’re not stuck using it. There are plenty of Google Drive alternatives, and we’ve rounded up the best ones for you.
This article will explain why Google Drive may not be the best file-storage platform and what key features enterprise users must look for in a cloud storage system. Finally, we will review five Google Drive alternatives.
Let us dive right in!
Why are enterprises searching for Google Drive alternatives?
Most enterprise companies find Google Drive appealing because of its features and connectivity. Most of us use Google products daily, so it appears an easy onboarding lesson to use for professional purposes.
Furthermore, we are aware of Google Drive’s many features of free storage, easy integration, collaboration options, and its known interface.
That said, Google Drive has major drawbacks pushing enterprises to seek alternatives.
Data collection
Google admits to tracking and analyzing the data you upload to your Drive to create ‘user profiles.’ These user profiles aid Google in displaying personalized ads and searches across the internet. Occasionally, Google Drive will share files and data with unknown third parties. Many users accept this as part of Google’s ecosystem, but it makes us feel uneasy all the same.
Need to upgrade for enterprise usage levels
Google gives 15GB free for new users, but while that may sound a lot, it is not. Once you have a lot of files, images, and videos, they eat away at that free space. Before you know it, every team member will need an upgrade to get more space, which becomes costly.
Limited control over shared files
To boost collaboration, Google Drive allows users to share their files with other users. Unfortunately, those files can be altered by other parties or seen by the wrong people once transferred.
Most files and images stored in Google Drive have shared control features, which is easy if you have up to ten people in a team, but most enterprise professionals have hundreds. It would take additional time to check who can and cannot see a file. Otherwise, co-workers can create copies that give others access.
Lower security
The security vulnerability is a major Google Drive drawback. Google Drive comes with a Gmail account, with no added protection for the storage platform.
Anyone with access to that Gmail account can access the documents on Drive. Even a minor mistake like forgetting to log out of an email account on a public computer—can give cybercriminals access to cloud-stored assets.
Lack of ownership
Unless stored on a web3 ecosystem, when assets and files are stored online in cloud storage systems like Google Drive, those assets become the property of the platform provider.
As a result, companies like Google can modify or delete entire documents if they deem them to break specific policies. Google can also lock users from their assets and provide government authorities or third parties access to these files.
Enterprise features needed for digital asset storage
Given the several drawbacks of using Google Drive for enterprises, it may be a good idea to seek alternative solutions. However, what features should enterprises search for before moving to a Google Drive replacement?
Choosing the best Google Drive alternatives is not easy, considering there are plenty of options.
Security
Security features are, unsurprisingly, top of most enterprise companies‘ features list. While enterprises acknowledge the benefits of using cloud-based storage, they often sacrifice security features when they don’t have to.
More secure platforms, like a digital asset management platform, will use password protection, two-factor authentication, and secure data encryption.
These security features ensure that co-workers cannot share files with unwanted parties. They also ensure that cyber criminals can’t easily access your sensitive assets.
Data privacy
If privacy is your concern, a client-side encryption service puts enterprise companies in control of their data. Moreover, encryption also guarantees that company data is not shared with third parties.
Storage capacity
When choosing an asset and file storage solution, enterprises must consider their available storage capacity. While some services provide capped storage options (e.g., a maximum of 2 TB of storage), others may offer unlimited storage options.
(P.S. Did you know that KeyShot can store up to 2 million images?)
Cost
One downside to Google Drive is that once you have ensured every team member has enough storage, costs will skyrocket as each Drive needs to be upgraded. When searching for a digital asset storage solution, make sure you review costs upfront and before you invest.
Data recovery
File recovery is a feature that allows users to access and restore previous versions of edited assets and files or compare previous versions. Google Drive offers this, which is a nifty feature, so ensure that when you search for an alternative, the software automatically backs up earlier versions of files in case you need to restore previous versions.
Searchability
While Google Drive does have excellent search options, it will only display limited files from a search. Digital Asset Management systems (and brand portals) are better at tagging files and assets so that they are more uniquely named, unlike Google, which relies on the user when saved. Plus, finding other users’ files will become virtually impossible if each person uses different naming practices.
Top 5 Google Drive alternatives for enterprise companies
Digizuite
Digizuite DAM works with B2B large enterprises, mainly in manufacturing, retail and life sciences. Digizuite has numerous pre-built connectors that integrate with the rest of the enterprise ecosystem and data and content to travel seamlessly – including Sitecore, Optimizely, Microsoft Office, Salesforce and Adobe CC.
Enterprises that need to create, manage, and distribute large volumes of cutting-edge content across various channels, handled by many users or vendors, should use Digizuite.
-
Pros and Cons
-
Pro: Native-like integrations and easy to connect with existing applications that enterprise companies use (i.e. inriver, Office 365). Explicitly tailored for enterprise industry sectors such as retail, manufacturing and life sciences.
-
Con: It’s not a great alternative for organizations that manage a handful of products and limit their distribution to only a few channels.
-
Dropbox
Dropbox is a popular cloud storage platform similar to Google Drive. As with many shared drives, Dropbox offers cross-platform collaboration but has better file security and two-factor authentication and does not share your data. Those who love Google Drive will find Dropbox very similar; however, the pricing plans, like Google Drive, can be high.
-
Pros and Cons
-
Pro: For those who love Google Drive, Dropbox is very similar thus will not be a difficult learning curve to get started.
-
Con: As Dropbox is very similar to Google Drive, then the same concerns about Google Drive concerning cost and feature limitations.
-
AWS
AWS provides cloud storage services for Amazon e-commerce and retail channels. It is popular with e-commerce brands for its data storage, encryption, and asset management. AWS provides excellent recovery and backup features should data assets be lost or compromised.
-
Pros and Cons
-
Pro: Amazon, the retail behemoth, is ideally suited to retail enterprises who are looking for solid e-commerce growth.
-
Con: It can get costly with the number of modules added. Non-retail sectors may feel the products don’t really support their needs.
-
Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Azure is versatile as a combined assistant of Microsoft and Windows. It not only capacitates storage, but Microsoft Azure also assists in the Internet of Things, media, mobile, web, and analytics, delivering content through a robust ecosystem with solid security features.
There are over 600 services that fall under the Azure umbrella, but broadly speaking, it is a cloud-based platform on which applications can be added.
-
Pros and Cons
-
Pro: With over 600 applications, Microsoft Azure has aligned itself to service every industry, no matter the company size or niche.
-
Con: With over 600 applications, you need access to numerous IT engineers to begin assessing which ones are required when implementing the software. Not only is this costly, but the learning curve of new applications is slow.
-
pCloud
If you prioritize security, pCloud is a good Google Drive alternative as it provides secure encrypted storage solutions for individuals and enterprises. pCloud includes a secure platform for storage, syncing, and file collaboration. pCloud is an excellent end-to-end encryption platform that you won’t find on shared drives (Google Drive or Dropbox).
-
Pros and Cons
-
Pro: If you favor affordable encrypted solutions, pCloud is a solid alternative to Google Drive.
-
Con: Not all features are encrypted, making the software a little redundant if you favor security. In addition, encrypted features for extended file history are an additional charge.
-
Use a DAM as your Google Drive alternative
As your enterprise scales, adopting a Google Drive alternative becomes a necessity.
Despite Google Drive’s distinctive features, it has many disadvantages, including security vulnerabilities, cost of plans, limited file sharing control, limited asset management, and a lack of privacy.
When searching for other solutions, it’s important to consider storage, cost, asset management, and security features that meet enterprise-level requirements.
That’s exactly why Digizuite DAM was created – to meet those needs.
Want to learn more about Digizuite and how it can efficiently replace Google Drive in your business?
Book a demo and a Digizuite expert will walk you through the software and discuss your asset management needs.
