Backblaze vs Google Drive: Backup vs Cloud Storage Compared

Backblaze is computer backup and cold-storage infrastructure. Google Drive is sync-and-collaborate cloud storage. They solve different problems — here's which one your team actually needs.

Updated 2026-10 · 2026

Backblaze

Unlimited computer backup and low-cost cloud storage (B2)

$9/mo (Personal Backup) or $6/TB/mo (B2)per computer (Personal Backup) or per TB (B2)

Strengths

+Unlimited backup storage per computer for a flat fee
+B2 cloud storage is one of the cheapest S3-compatible options ($6/TB/mo)
+Automatic, set-and-forget background backup of entire drives

Weaknesses

-No real-time collaboration or document editing
-Not built for sharing files with teammates day-to-day
-Restoring large amounts of data can be slow unless you pay for flash drive shipping

Best for

Solo users and small teams who need reliable, cheap backup or raw cloud storage, not document collaboration

Google Drive

Cloud file storage with real-time collaboration, built into Google Workspace

Free (15GB) – $9.99/mo (2TB Google One) or Workspace plans from $7/user/moper user / per storage tier

Strengths

+Real-time collaborative editing with Docs, Sheets, Slides
+Easy file sharing and granular permission controls
+Native mobile and desktop sync apps across all platforms

Weaknesses

-Storage gets expensive fast at scale compared to B2
-Not designed as a full system/disk backup tool
-Storage is shared across Gmail and Photos on personal accounts

Best for

Teams that need shared docs, real-time collaboration, and easy file access across devices

Feature Comparison

Feature	Backblaze	Google Drive
Core purpose	Computer/disk backup + object storage	File sync, sharing, collaboration
Free tier	15-day trial only, no permanent free tier	15GB free storage
Pricing model	$9/mo flat per computer (unlimited) or $6/TB for B2	Per storage tier, $1.99–$9.99/mo for Google One
Real-time document editing	Not supported	Yes (Docs, Sheets, Slides)
Automatic full-disk backup	Yes, continuous background backup	No, manual or selective sync folders only
File sharing/permissions	Basic (B2 buckets, API-based sharing)	Granular link/user-level sharing
Version history	Up to 1 year (extendable) for deleted/changed files	30 days default, 100 revisions per file
Mobile apps	Limited (B2 via third-party apps)	Full-featured iOS/Android apps
API access	Yes, S3-compatible B2 API	Yes, Google Drive API
Restore/retrieval speed	Can be slow; paid flash drive restore option	Instant download/stream
Best use case	Disaster recovery, archival storage	Daily collaboration and file access

The Verdict

These aren't really competitors — Backblaze is backup/archival infrastructure, Google Drive is a collaboration platform. If you need to protect against data loss or store large archives cheaply, use Backblaze. If your team needs to co-edit documents and share files daily, Google Drive wins — many teams end up running both.

How to switch from Backblaze to Google Drive

1Export your data from Backblaze: use the web Restore tool to generate a downloadable ZIP, or for B2 buckets use the B2 CLI (`b2 sync`) or rclone to pull files down in their native format.
2Install the Google Drive desktop app (Drive for desktop) and create a folder structure that mirrors your Backblaze backup organization.
3Upload or sync the exported files into Drive, either via drag-and-drop in the browser or by pointing rclone directly from your B2 bucket to a Drive remote.
4Recreate any automation that relied on B2's API (backup scripts, CI artifact storage) using Drive's API or a tool like Zapier/Make, since these aren't automatically portable.
5Set sharing permissions and folder access for your team in Drive, since B2 and Backblaze Personal Backup don't have equivalent granular sharing controls.
6Keep Backblaze running in parallel (or switch to B2 for pure backup) for at least one billing cycle before cancelling, since Drive doesn't provide full-disk backup protection.

Backblaze vs Google Drive: common questions

How do I export my data from Backblaze to Google Drive?+

For Personal Backup, use the Backblaze web restore feature to download a ZIP of your files (or order a physical USB/flash drive restore for large volumes). For B2, use the B2 CLI, rclone, or the web console to download individual files or sync entire buckets, then upload to Drive via the Google Drive desktop app or rclone directly bucket-to-Drive.

What do I lose by switching from Backblaze to Google Drive?+

You lose automatic full-disk backup — Drive only syncs folders you explicitly add, so it won't protect your whole computer against failure. You also lose Backblaze's cheap per-TB archival pricing; Drive's per-user storage tiers get expensive well before B2 does at scale.

Is Google Drive's free tier enough for a small team?+

15GB free is shared across Gmail, Photos, and Drive, so it fills up fast for a team collaborating on documents and files. Most small teams move to Google Workspace Business Starter ($7/user/mo with 30GB/user) or Google One plans within a few weeks of regular use.

Does Google Drive replace the automations I had set up with Backblaze B2?+

Not directly — B2's S3-compatible API is commonly used with backup scripts, CI/CD artifact storage, or third-party backup tools like Veeam or Duplicati. Drive's API supports file automation (via Apps Script, Zapier, or Make) but isn't a drop-in replacement for infrastructure-level backup jobs; you'll need to rebuild those workflows separately.

Is Google Drive cheaper than Backblaze over time?+

Not for pure storage volume — B2 at $6/TB/mo is far cheaper than Google One's 2TB at $9.99/mo once you're storing multiple TBs. But if you're paying for Drive anyway for collaboration, the per-user cost often works out cheaper overall since it replaces both storage and document tools in one price.