In the 21st century, cloud storage platforms are gaining more and more popularity as it allows you to access data from almost any device, at any given time. Although tons of platforms offer data storage features, none come close to the staple Microsoft OneDrive and its flexible plans for all. Many people use Microsoft’s OneDrive plans to store important information and data.  If you’re not familiar with OneDrive and how it works, don’t worry! In this guide, we will explain how OneDrive plans work and help you determine which plan is the best for you.

What is Microsoft OneDrive?

Microsoft offers a cloud storage service called “OneDrive,” previously known as “SkyDrive.” It is included in the Microsoft 365 software suite, or you can sign up for a standalone account for free that comes with a simple Microsoft account. OneDrive allows you to store different types of files such as photos, music, videos, or any sort of document with any file extension. You can access them from various devices and share them with others, too. The OneDrive service is in fierce competition with its competitors, like Google Drive, DropBox, Apple iCloud, etc., and therefore aims to provide competitive features and pricing.

OneDrive Features

To better understand how OneDrive functions, it is essential to be aware of its key features. The following are the features that OneDive offers:

Multiple Backups OneDrive allows you to create multiple backups of your files to ensure that they are protected from loss or damage. You can also set up automatic file backups to the cloud, which ensures that the files are always backed up. File Sharing via Links OneDrive lets you share your files and folders with others by creating links to the files or folders. You can set permissions on the links to control who can access, view, or edit your files, making it easy to collaborate on projects or share files with friends and family. Share files and folders using OneDrive Document Scanning OneDrive has a feature that enables you to scan documents and save them directly to the cloud. This can be extremely convenient to quickly save important documents and ensure that they are easily accessible from anywhere. Personalized Data Vault You can store your personal data such as passwords, bank details, and other sensitive information in the data vault. This feature makes it easier to keep your confidential information secure and accessible in no time from any device. Automatically Uploads Photos to the Cloud OneDrive can automatically upload photos from your device to the cloud, making it super quick to access and share them from anywhere. If you are someone who captures lots of photos and wants to keep them secured in one place, this feature will be ideal for you.

Microsoft OneDrive: Plans Comparison

Like most subscription-based products by Microsoft, OneDrive is also offered with different storage capacities and capabilities, designed for different user types. This way, you can select the option best tailored to your requirements, and pay for the services that you get. OneDrive allows you to create multiple backups of your files to ensure that they are protected from loss or damage. You can also set up automatic file backups to the cloud, which ensures that the files are always backed up. OneDrive lets you share your files and folders with others by creating links to the files or folders. You can set permissions on the links to control who can access, view, or edit your files, making it easy to collaborate on projects or share files with friends and family. OneDrive has a feature that enables you to scan documents and save them directly to the cloud. This can be extremely convenient to quickly save important documents and ensure that they are easily accessible from anywhere. You can store your personal data such as passwords, bank details, and other sensitive information in the data vault. This feature makes it easier to keep your confidential information secure and accessible in no time from any device. OneDrive can automatically upload photos from your device to the cloud, making it super quick to access and share them from anywhere. If you are someone who captures lots of photos and wants to keep them secured in one place, this feature will be ideal for you. Microsoft OneDrive is available for both home users as well as enterprises that need their data on the cloud at all times. When you create a Microsoft account, you get 5 GB of free cloud storage space with it. However, this space may not be sufficient for everyone. This is why we have compiled the different (paid) OneDrive plans for you, so you can make an informed decision on your next digital storage investment.

For Home

The Microsoft Home plans offers OneDrive cloud storage and other features in three different categories, designed for average users who want to share their data with friends and family. Before we discuss them, note that OneDrive is not offered as a standalone service, but as a product of a bigger suite for Home users. When you have a subscription-based plan, you can then continue to expand your OneDrive storage by paying a premium per month. Now let us talk about the different OneDrive plans and how Microsoft offers them to the end users.

OneDrive (Free) with Microsoft Account

The very basic and free model of OneDrive is the free version. When you sign up for a Microsoft account, OneDrive access is automatically created for you and is associated with that account. The free version of OneDrive offers only 5 GB of storage space, but you can use your Microsoft account to access the uploaded data from any device with a web browser and an internet connection. If you are running out of storage space with the free model of OneDrive, then you can upgrade it to any of the following OneDrive plans for Home users. This can be done directly from your Microsoft account as well. Here is how: Need ample extra storage space? Learn how to get 5TB OneDrive storage space for free. Using the steps above, you can subscribe to one of the following plans for additional OneDrive storage:

Microsoft 365 Basic Microsoft 365 Personal Microsoft 365 Family

Each of these plans is discussed in detail further down.

Microsoft 365 Basic

It is a subscription-based service that provides users with access to cloud-based versions of essential Office applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote, and also includes OneDrive. The basic plan is ideal for individuals or small businesses looking for a low-cost solution to manage and collaborate on documents and files in a secure and easy-to-use online environment. It is designed to support one user, with 100 GB of cloud storage included. With Microsoft 365 Basic, you can sync your files and folders to OneDrive and then access them from any device, including Windows and macOS computers, as well as mobile phones. This allows you to work on documents and files from anywhere, at any time, and on any device, making it perfect for remote work or on-the-go productivity. OneDrive is a key feature of Microsoft 365 Basic, providing you with a central location to store, share, and collaborate on files with others. With 100 GB of storage, you can keep all of your important files, photos, and videos in one place. If you are a small business owner and need to collaborate with a team of freelancers on a project. You can create a shared folder on OneDrive and invite the team members to access it. They can then edit and contribute to the project, with all changes saved automatically to the cloud, eliminating the need to send files back and forth via email. Plus, with OneDrive’s sharing controls, you can control who has access to the folder and what level of access they have, ensuring your files are always secure.

Microsoft 365 Personal

Microsoft 365 Personal is another subscription-based plan that provides access to Microsoft Office applications, cloud storage with OneDrive, and other features. It is designed for individuals who need a single subscription for personal use. With this plan, you will get access to the premium desktop, web, and mobile versions of Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and more. This means users can create, edit, and share documents across multiple devices and platforms. Additionally, the plan includes 1TB (1000 GB) of cloud storage with OneDrive, which allows you to store, share, and access files from anywhere with an internet connection. OneDrive is a powerful tool that can be utilized in many ways. For example, if you need to access a document from your home computer while at work, you can simply upload the document to OneDrive and access it from your work computer. Let’s say you are a student who needs to work on a group project with classmates. With Microsoft 365 Personal, you can create a shared folder on OneDrive where all members of the group can access and collaborate on files. You can also set permissions to control who can edit and view files. This allows for seamless collaboration and eliminates the need for sending multiple versions of a document back and forth via email.

Microsoft 365 Family

It is also a subscription-based plan that offers an array of powerful tools and features for up to six users. Whether you are a student, professional, or an individual who seeks to enhance productivity and organization, this plan is an ideal choice for you. With a yearly subscription of $99.99, the Microsoft 365 Family plan provides premium versions of popular software such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more, along with advanced security features, ad-free email and calendar, and up to 6TB of cloud storage, with 1TB of OneDrive storage per person. OneDrive storage offered in this plan is incredibly helpful for people who need to access their files from anywhere, at any time. With OneDrive, you can access your files from your computer, tablet, or smartphone, making it easy to work on your files on the go. it also makes it easy to share files with others, even if they don’t have a Microsoft account. This plan is especially useful for families, who need to store and share family photos and videos, important documents, and other files. With the ability to share files and folders, family members can collaborate on projects and stay organized. For example, parents can use OneDrive to store and share important documents such as school schedules, medical records, and bills, while children can use it to store and share their homework and class projects.

For Business

If you manage corporate IT systems or run a business, you may find the capabilities of Microsoft 365 Home plans limiting. In that case, you should consider using Microsoft 365 Business, which is more expensive and comes with a wide range of features.

OneDrive for Business (Plan 1)

OneDrive for Business (Plan 1) is a subscription-based cloud storage service offered by Microsoft that is designed for small businesses. This plan provides users with 1TB of storage space per user, which can be used to store and share files securely. This plan is particularly useful for organizations that need to collaborate with team members located in different locations or who work remotely. With OneDrive storage, businesses can securely store and access files from anywhere and on any device. The service also offers advanced security features, such as data encryption, to help protect sensitive data.

OneDrive For Business (Plan 2)

This plan is quite similar to Plan 1 but offers unlimited individual cloud storage. OneDrive for Business (Plan 2) is ideal for businesses that need to store and share large files, such as videos or high-resolution images, and require advanced security and compliance capabilities. It offers features such as data loss prevention, data encryption, and data retention policies, making it a popular choice for businesses that work with sensitive or confidential information. With unlimited OneDrive storage, businesses can securely store and access files from anywhere, and collaborate with team members in different locations or who work remotely. Suppose a large engineering firm needs to store and share large CAD files. By using OneDrive for Business (Plan 2), they can store all their files in the cloud and give their team members access to the files they need. This way, everyone can work on the same project from different locations and ensure that the final product is completed on time and to the client’s specifications.

Microsoft 365 Business Basic

Microsoft 365 Business Basic is a cloud-based productivity suite that includes Microsoft Teams and OneDrive for Business, along with other Microsoft applications. This plan also includes web and mobile versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, making it easy for users to create and edit documents. For a small consulting firm with employees who work remotely or travel frequently, Microsoft 365 Business Basic allows easy collaboration on projects through Microsoft Teams. It enables them to share files securely using OneDrive and access important documents from their mobile devices using the web and mobile versions of Office apps. This plan is an affordable and efficient way for small businesses to increase productivity, streamline communication and stay organized.

Microsoft 365 Business Standard

This plan provides businesses with a range of productivity tools, including business-class email, cloud storage, and premium Office applications. The Business Standard plan is designed for small and medium-sized businesses that require a comprehensive solution for managing their daily operations. OneDrive storage is a key feature of Microsoft 365 Business Standard. With 1 TB of cloud storage per user, businesses can securely store and share files and collaborate with team members, even when they’re working remotely. This can help businesses to streamline their operations and improve productivity. Additionally, with premium Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, the team can create and edit professional-quality documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, improving the overall quality of their work. Options to have OneDrive cloud storage services do not end here. Almost all Microsoft 365 plans, like Microsoft 365 Premium, include OneDrive storage services; including the ones not discussed in this article. However, the available storage space with each plan may vary. Microsoft has also integrated OneDrive with the Windows operating system in the last year. Below you’ll find the information on OneDrive’s role inside the Windows OS.

OneDrive in Microsoft Windows

Microsoft OneDrive is tightly integrated with the Windows operating system, providing users with a seamless and convenient way to access and manage their files and folders. Here are some of the key ways that OneDrive is integrated with Windows OS.

OneDrive Folder When you install the OneDrive app on your Windows PC, it creates a special OneDrive folder on your local hard drive. This folder is automatically synced with your OneDrive cloud storage, allowing you to access and manage your files from anywhere. Any updates or changes made to the synced folders are automatically made onto the cloud storage as well. The default location for the OneDrive folder on a Windows PC is “C:\Users[Username]\OneDrive“. File Explorer Integration The OneDrive folder is seamlessly integrated with File Explorer, making it easy to browse, open, and save files directly to your OneDrive cloud storage. You can also right-click on a file or folder and select “Share” to quickly generate a link to share with others. Automatic Syncing OneDrive automatically syncs your files and folders between your local hard drive and the cloud, ensuring that you always have the latest version of your files available. You can also control which files and folders are synced by selecting “Choose folders” in the OneDrive app settings. Backup and Restore With OneDrive’s “Backup and Restore” feature, you can effortlessly and automatically back up your files and folders to the cloud. Should you need to retrieve your data, the OneDrive website or app provides easy options to restore your files. This convenient feature ensures that your important files are always securely backed up and easily retrievable when necessary. Search integration The files and folders in OneDrive are also integrated with Windows search, making it easy to find what you’re looking for. When you search for a file or folder in Windows, it will search both your local hard drive and your OneDrive cloud storage.

OneDrive Plans Summary

Here, we have summarized the information on the different OneDrive plans for your convenience so you can compare them and determine the right plan for you. When you install the OneDrive app on your Windows PC, it creates a special OneDrive folder on your local hard drive. This folder is automatically synced with your OneDrive cloud storage, allowing you to access and manage your files from anywhere. Any updates or changes made to the synced folders are automatically made onto the cloud storage as well. The default location for the OneDrive folder on a Windows PC is “C:\Users[Username]\OneDrive“. The OneDrive folder is seamlessly integrated with File Explorer, making it easy to browse, open, and save files directly to your OneDrive cloud storage. You can also right-click on a file or folder and select “Share” to quickly generate a link to share with others. OneDrive automatically syncs your files and folders between your local hard drive and the cloud, ensuring that you always have the latest version of your files available. You can also control which files and folders are synced by selecting “Choose folders” in the OneDrive app settings. With OneDrive’s “Backup and Restore” feature, you can effortlessly and automatically back up your files and folders to the cloud. Should you need to retrieve your data, the OneDrive website or app provides easy options to restore your files. This convenient feature ensures that your important files are always securely backed up and easily retrievable when necessary. The files and folders in OneDrive are also integrated with Windows search, making it easy to find what you’re looking for. When you search for a file or folder in Windows, it will search both your local hard drive and your OneDrive cloud storage.

Conclusion

Choosing the right OneDrive plan can significantly impact your productivity, collaboration, and data security. By comparing the various plans and features offered by OneDrive, you can determine which plan best meets your individual needs. Whether you are an individual, a small business, or a large organization, OneDrive offers flexible plans and pricing options that cater to different requirements and budgets. From the basic free plan that comes with a Microsoft account to the feature-rich Microsoft 365 Business plan, OneDrive provides a range of options for storing, sharing, and accessing your files and folders.