Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Google Slides vs Google Drive

Google Slides 4.7★ · Free + IAP 60
Winner Google Drive
Google Drive 4.8★ · Free to download 75

Google Drive is the better choice overall due to its foundational role in file management and storage, despite some user frustrations, while Google Slides struggles with critical functionality on mobile devices.

Full reviews: Google Slides · Google Drive

Google Drive offers essential cloud storage and file management, generally praised for its convenience and organization, though users report issues with storage limits, navigation, and specific features like video processing. Google Slides, while appreciated for its free access and basic presentation capabilities, faces significant criticism for its limited functionality and buggy performance, especially on iPad and mobile devices.

Head to head

Features and Functionality edge: Google DriveR1R10R15R22
Google Slides Google Slides users frequently complain about missing features on the mobile app compared to the web version, such as the inability to add transitions, animations, videos, or word art R15. Many find it difficult to edit properly on iPad or phone, citing issues with image insertion, resizing, and text box selection R1R10R23R34. Some also report problems with opening larger PowerPoint presentations or looping playback R22.
Google Drive Google Drive is generally seen as a useful tool for daily life and work . Users appreciate its organization and automatic saving . However, some users report issues with specific functionalities, such as not being able to add files from their phone, download videos, or transfer photos between folders . There are also complaints about not being able to watch uploaded videos or edit Google Sheets without downloading another app R81R109.
Ease of Use tieR7R16R19R34
Google Slides Many Google Slides users find the app difficult to use, especially on iPad or phone, citing issues with the user interface, touchscreen compatibility, and navigation R7R16R39. Some find it frustrating to get work done and prefer using the web version or alternative apps R19. There are also reports of selection tools being janky and difficulty in moving between slides R34R39.
Google Drive Google Drive is often described as user-friendly and intuitive by some . However, a significant number of users find it hard to navigate, especially for sharing files R75. Some complain about a laggy interface and issues with folder organization R76. There are also concerns about the app's design and the constant pop-ups for features like Gemini R76.
Reliability and Performance tieR3R6R17R23
Google Slides Google Slides users frequently report the app being glitchy, slow, and freezing R3R6R17R23. Recent reviews indicate the app has become unresponsive, with edits not saving and images not displaying correctly after reopening R17R23. Some users experience issues with the app not downloading or opening presentations .
Google Drive Google Drive users report issues with lag, especially when uploading multiple files or trying to access documents R76. There are also recurring problems with synchronization and a persistent 'Content Unavailable' error on iPad . Some users also mention that the backup link is broken or that the app aggressively processes videos, restricting viewing R61.
Price and Value edge: Google SlidesR8R11R14R29
Google Slides Google Slides is praised for being free and saving users from expensive plans R11. Many appreciate it as a good tool for school and creativity without cost R8R14R29.
Google Drive Google Drive is free to download and offers 15GB of free storage, but many users find this insufficient and complain about the low storage R64. They express frustration with monthly fees for additional storage and suggest a flat rate for more storage .
Support and Data Management tieR15R39R61R79
Google Slides Reviews for Google Slides do not directly mention user support, but some users express frustration with the lack of features and difficulty in using the app, implying a need for better guidance or feature parity R15R39.
Google Drive Google Drive users report significant issues with data management, including the inability to delete files, loss of files after account deletion, and concerns about data privacy and security R79. There are also complaints about not being able to sign in or being directed to signup pages without explanation R61.
Pick Google Slides if

You need a free, basic presentation tool for simple tasks or school projects and primarily use a computer for creation and editing, accepting the limitations of the mobile app R8R11R14R39.

Pick Google Drive if

You need a reliable cloud storage solution for general file management, backup, and sharing, and are willing to navigate some interface complexities and potential storage limitations .

Evidence note: Many Google Slides reviews specifically highlight issues with the iPad/mobile app experience, suggesting a significant disparity between the web and app versions. Google Drive reviews cover a broader range of general cloud storage and file management concerns.

Frequently asked

Is Google Slides good for iPad users?
Based on user reviews, Google Slides is generally not recommended for iPad users, with many reporting it as 'useless' or 'terrible' due to limited features, difficulty editing, and frequent glitches compared to the desktop version R1R7R9R13.
What are the common complaints about Google Drive?
Common complaints about Google Drive include insufficient free storage (15GB is considered low), difficulties with navigation and sharing files, laggy performance, and issues with video processing and file deletion R64R75R76R79.
Can I edit documents in Google Drive?
While Google Drive stores documents, users report that to edit certain file types like Google Sheets or uploaded Excel documents on mobile, you often need to download a separate app, which can be frustrating R81R109.

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. [R1] Google Slides 1/5 · US Trash on iPad: I can’t use google images or stock images I thought google slides on my work iPad would be useful but no it’s not
  2. [R10] Google Slides 2/5 · US Bad for editing, good for presenting: Their web based functionality is perfect, I’m not sure what got lost in translation to the app but it was miserable trying to create a presentation. I wasn’t even getting fancy, just updating text.
  3. [R15] Google Slides 3/5 · US UGHHHHH: ALL I ASK IS TO BE ABLE TO MAKE A BACKGROUND THE HELP GUIDE SAYS TO DO WHAT DOSNT EVEN EXIST ALSO CAN YOU MAKE IT NOT LIMITED I JUST WANT A APP THAT ALLOWS ME TO USE THE COMPUTER FETRUS ar least it’s okay for limited presentations
  4. [R22] Google Slides 2/5 · US Such a stupid app: Unable to loop playback in app.
  5. [R7] Google Slides 1/5 · US Useless: COMPLETELY USELESS. iPad mode doest work. Worst app ever. Copy of PowerPoint. Ugh.
  6. [R16] Google Slides 1/5 · US horrible: utterly garbage ui compatibility with touchscreen
  7. [R19] Google Slides 2/5 · US Slow annoying not cooperative: I will always use canva this is the most annoying app if you just use it on safari way easier but its just so frustrating I cant get my work done either stick with safari or canva dont get the app.
  8. [R34] Google Slides 1/5 · US Janky selection tools: Every time I try to tap on a text box to edit it it either goes to one of the other ones or pulls up a menu that gets in the way of what I’m trying to do.
  9. [R3] Google Slides 3/5 · US Idk read: It's ok sometimes it’s really glitchy
  10. [R6] Google Slides 3/5 · US Slow: It would freeze a lot and highlighting gets annoying, except that it’s GREAT!
  11. [R17] Google Slides 4/5 · US Needs a fix: In the past Google Slides has performed flawlessly. Recently while trying to set up a slide presentation on my phone or on an external device, the app continues “loading “ and never displays.
  12. [R23] Google Slides 4/5 · US Becoming more and more unresponsive: I have loved Google Slides on the iPad for quick and easy slide creation or editing for a long time. Recently the app has routinely become stuck, and refuses to make edits available. “Double click to edit” and it doesn’t edit. Inserting an image from photos and the corners aren’t draggable to resize. These issues affect the seamless nature the app used to have
  13. [R8] Google Slides 5/5 · US Good app: It gets the job done and it's on the go
  14. [R11] Google Slides 5/5 · US Best presentation program: Love to use all Google apps they are free and easy to use. Don’t have to pay expensive plans
  15. [R14] Google Slides 4/5 · US I heart slides: Slides= good. I use slides to illustrate my own stories. It’s fun. 8D I love slides. I just wish you could combine the app docs with this app. That would be easier to access.
  16. [R29] Google Slides 5/5 · US 5 STARS: This is why i give 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I give 5 stars cuz this is a really fun & cool app cuz you can be really creative
  17. [R39] Google Slides 3/5 · US This is OK: When you use it on an iPad or phone it’s hard to use so I prefer using it on a computer. If you have like know how to like you on iPad or phone please tell us for the people who don’t know how to and it’s hard to move on the next slide.
  18. [R61] 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.
  19. [R79] Google Drive 1/5 · US Cannot erase once downloaded! Takes space!: Does not have an “erase” button or “I dont want that file anymore”. All files I have are NOT IN USE, and it is impossible to delete them. Will keep looking!
  20. [R9] Google Slides 3/5 · US Eehhhh: You can’t use on iPad
  21. [R13] Google Slides 2/5 · US On IPad…..: The IPad version is terrible it is like the Chromebook’s version watered down and you can’t even use some features
  22. [R64] Google Drive 1/5 · US It has so less storage: It really does have really low storage
  23. [R75] Google Drive 3/5 · US Hard to navigate: I have a hard time sharing files with this app.
  24. [R76] Google Drive 2/5 · US Could be a lot better: The time spent redesigning the app icons could have been better utilized making Google drive more functional. With the resources and talent Google has this app and any other Google app should be seamless, easy to use, and intuitive. Google drive is not those things. It gets stuck when you try to upload several files at once. The folder organization is a mess, the layout is s
  25. [R81] 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
  26. [R109] Google Drive 1/5 · US Can’t edit sheets on my iPhone 16?: For some reason, I can’t edit sheets or uploaded excel documents on my iPhone. Pretty frustrating.

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