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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Google Drive vs Gmail

Google Drive 4.8★ · Free to download 75
Winner Google Drive
Gmail 4.7★ · Free to download 65

For general cloud storage and file management, Google Drive is the better option, while Gmail is a solid choice for email communication despite some recent issues.

Full reviews: Google Drive · Gmail

Google Drive offers a generally positive user experience for file storage and sharing, though recent updates have introduced navigation and AI issues. Gmail is praised for its user-friendliness compared to native email apps, but struggles with spam, loading problems, and storage concerns.

Head to head

Features edge: Google DriveR8R14R15R21
Google Drive Google Drive is praised for its utility in uploading and managing various file types, including VR content, and for its automatic saving feature R8R14. However, users report issues with editing documents without downloading other apps, difficulty sharing files, and a lack of options to open folders in other apps R15R21. Some also note problems with video processing and the inability to restore previous versions of shared documents .
Gmail Gmail is highly valued for its core email functionality, including quick verification code delivery and cross-device syncing . Users appreciate its organization into categories like Primary, Social, and Forums, and some wish for more customization in these categories . However, significant complaints include the inability to turn off AI overviews, sponsored ads in the inbox, and issues with emails being miscategorized into tabs like 'promotions' R88.
Ease of Use tieR1R2R7R9
Google Drive Many users find Google Drive super easy to use and navigate, describing it as user-friendly and consistent R2. It's seen as helpful for daily life and business, making jobs easier and faster R9. Conversely, recent updates have made navigation difficult, with complaints about multiple steps to move files, constant AI assistant interruptions, and a clunky interface R1R7. Some users also find it hard to share files or for older generations to use R15.
Gmail Gmail is often described as user-friendly and easy to navigate, with one user stating it's 'wildly more user-friendly than Apple’s native Mail app' . However, recent updates have introduced several usability issues, such as emails remaining in the inbox after deletion, swipe-to-delete not working, and the 'View Entire Message' feature being inconvenient . Users also report difficulties adding new accounts and a lack of two-finger drag to select emails .
Reliability edge: Google DriveR6R8R10R14
Google Drive Google Drive is generally seen as reliable for uploading and accessing files R8R14. However, users report issues with backup links being broken, content unavailability errors on iPad, and files not syncing correctly R10. Some also experience laggy interfaces and the app getting stuck during multiple file uploads R6. A critical issue mentioned is the potential loss of files if ownership isn't transferred from school accounts R37.
Gmail Gmail is often praised for its reliability in sending and receiving emails quickly . Despite this, many users face significant reliability problems, including the app freezing, not loading, or crashing after updates . Issues with not receiving two-step verification codes and emails going missing are also reported R97. Some users also complain about not being able to log in or having to constantly reinstall the app R79.
Price/Value tieR10R13R22R61
Google Drive Google Drive is a free-to-download app, but users complain about very low free storage and the need to sign up for Google One for more R10R13. The app's large and growing size (over 420 MB) is also a concern for users with storage and bandwidth limitations R22.
Gmail Gmail is also a free-to-download app, but users express strong dissatisfaction with what they perceive as a shift towards charging for services, including email and storage R61. The app's egregious size, approaching one gigabyte, is a major concern for storage-conscious users R91.
Support tieR33R37R79R97
Google Drive There is no direct feedback on support quality for Google Drive. However, users express frustration over not receiving warnings about account deletion and file loss, suggesting a lack of proactive user guidance R37. Some also mention difficulty finding solutions online for issues like not being able to download the app R33.
Gmail There is no direct feedback on support quality for Gmail. However, users report issues with account recovery and login problems, with one user stating they couldn't recover their account despite trying multiple password changes R97. Another user mentioned not finding explanations online for recurring issues like links not working R79.
Pick Google Drive if

Pick Google Drive if you need a cloud storage solution for various file types, including VR content, and appreciate features like automatic saving and general ease of use for file management R8R14.

Pick Gmail if

Pick Gmail if you need a reliable email client that is generally user-friendly compared to native mail apps and offers good cross-device functionality .

Evidence note: Both apps are free, so the negative reviews often highlight friction points for all users, not just free-tier limitations. The evidence for support is indirect, based on user experiences with issues rather than direct interactions with support channels.

Frequently asked

Does Google Drive have enough free storage?
Google Drive users frequently complain about having very low free storage, often needing to sign up for Google One to get more R10R13.
Are there issues with AI features in Google Drive and Gmail?
Yes, both Google Drive and Gmail users report significant frustration with AI features, specifically constant AI assistant pop-ups in Drive that interrupt work and AI overviews in Gmail that are often incorrect and clutter messages R7R34R43R88.
How large are the Google Drive and Gmail apps?
Both apps are criticized for their large and growing sizes, with Google Drive being nearly half a gigabyte (420.4 MB and growing) and Gmail approaching one gigabyte (over 701 MB and growing) R22R91.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R8] Google Drive 5/5 · US Great app: I use this app for uploading stuff basically on VR it takes too long to download to my phone so I just use Google Drive to upload the photos onto Google Drive and download them from my phone. It’s way easier and faster. 10 out of 10 would recommend.
  2. [R14] Google Drive 5/5 · US Good for vr content: It’s really good if you wanna post VR content all you gotta do is just have the app on VR and on your mobile or whatever device that you do it you just explode it on your the Google Drive and then on your mobile you can check it and then download it to your Photos and edit it and post it
  3. [R15] Google Drive 3/5 · US Hard to navigate: I have a hard time sharing files with this app.
  4. [R21] Google Drive 3/5 · US Edit a google sheet: I feel like I shouldn’t have to download another app to be able to edit this document
  5. [R1] Google Drive 1/5 · US Update sucks: I hate this update. It makes my job infinitely harder. When I get receipts from employees I need to move them to another folder once they are recorded and there is no way to do that now without multiple new steps. Please put the option to move files back where it was.
  6. [R2] Google Drive 5/5 · US Super easy to use: Such a great user experience, so easy to use
  7. [R7] Google Drive 2/5 · US Constant AI assistant interruption: I don’t want the constant AI assistant pop up that interrupts my work and takes up half the screen. I have to X out or say no thanks constantly. I do not need AI to summarize a document I am clearly able to see and read myself. Also, why is it that now when I open a PDF, all of the background workspace is visible and the X and next buttons are clear bubbles I ca
  8. [R9] Google Drive 3/5 · US Business made easy: It made my job a whole lot better and fast. My business is at ease now
  9. [R6] Google Drive 3/5 · US App: Interface is a bit laggy and doesn’t have legend have drive viewers.
  10. [R10] Google Drive 1/5 · US Backup broken: The backup link is broken. All it does is present another login screen, and then immediately directs you to a signup page for Google One with no explanation and no exit.
  11. [R13] Google Drive 1/5 · US It has so less storage: It really does have really low storage
  12. [R22] Google Drive 1/5 · US Nearly HALF a GIGABYTE and bloating… 🚨🚨: Just one of many self-inflicted Google apps that have no regard for end-users’ storage and bandwidth limitations. 420.4 megabytes and growing… Uninstall. Divest from Google.
  13. [R61] Gmail 1/5 · US They ruined it: You now have zero free storage and they force you to have YouTube to verify. Absolutely worthless like all google products now. They intentionally ruined everything they own.
  14. [R33] Google Drive 3/5 · GB Won’t let me download: It works pretty great, I’ve used it for my YouTube videos! However, the thing is I accidentally uninstalled it and it won’t let me download it.
  15. [R37] Google Drive 1/5 · US It’s like they don’t care if you lose 9yrs worth of files: I recently graduated high school and new that my school google account would get deleted eventually. What I didn’t know and no one ever tells you, is that you have to switch the ownership of documents from the account that will be deleted, to the new account, not just share the documents. What infuriated me the most is that google didn’t g
  16. [R79] Gmail 1/5 · US Keep having to reinstall: For some reason in the last few months I have had to remove and reinstall to be able to use links within emails. Can’t seem to find any explanation online.
  17. [R97] Gmail 1/5 · US By name only: I don’t get my Gmail. It is by name for receiving and by name for sending since May 3 2026. My server is not authenticated and my imap is inappropriate and not responding. When I change my 6 different passwords and my cataract eye didn’t work, I’m lost! I have not been successful with my passkey…no recovery of account. I want to and should DELETE my Gmail account, but all of my conta
  18. [R34] Google Drive 1/5 · US Summarize this file: Get rid of it. How annoying on each and every file. Ridiculous.
  19. [R43] Google Drive 1/5 · US Please remove gemini: Hi google, I clicked no thanks for gemini, but I keep getting pop- ups on every single image asking me if I want to summarize this file. I don’t, ever. Please remove every pop-up and hide the gemini icon from the main view because now I associate that sparkle icon with the aggravating pop-ups
  20. [R88] Gmail 1/5 · US Let me turn off AI overview: I know how to read. I don’t need a (often incorrect) summary of the email cluttering the top of the message. When I try to turn it off, it stops sorting my emails. I’m so tired of companies trying to force AI into everything. It just makes my experience worse.
  21. [R91] Gmail 1/5 · US EGREGIOUSLY BLOATED app size approaching ONE GIGABYTE 🚨 🚨 🚨: 701+ MEGABYTES (UPDATE: 738.1 MEGABYTES, previously: 731.1… 716.7… the bloating doesn’t stop)… for an email app! The people getting paid to bloat and deploy this garbage are terribly negligent.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store