Comparing OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, SharePoint, and iCloud for Australian business use - storage limits, pricing, collaboration features, and security.
Devices fill up fast. Between large project files, video recordings, design assets, and years of accumulated documents, local storage becomes a bottleneck. Cloud storage solves the capacity problem while adding collaboration and redundancy benefits - but not all providers are equal, especially when it comes to business use.
Here is an honest comparison of the six most widely used cloud storage platforms for Australian SMBs, covering what matters: storage, pricing, collaboration, security, and integration.
1. Microsoft OneDrive
Best for: Microsoft 365 users
OneDrive is included with every Microsoft 365 Business subscription. Each user gets 1 TB of storage, which syncs seamlessly with Windows, Office apps, and Teams. For businesses already running Microsoft 365, OneDrive is often the obvious default - there is no additional cost, and the integration with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is unmatched.
File sharing and co-authoring work well in real time, and the recent files view makes it easy to pick up where you left off across devices. OneDrive’s main limitation is that it works best within the Microsoft ecosystem; collaboration with users on other platforms can be slightly clunky.
Pricing: Included with Microsoft 365 Business Basic ($10.50 AUD/user/month and above).
2. Google Drive
Best for: Google Workspace users and mixed-platform teams
Google Drive is Google Workspace’s backbone and offers excellent real-time collaboration through Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides. The search functionality is genuinely superior to most competitors - finding files by content rather than just filename is a regular time-saver.
Each Google Workspace Business Starter user gets 30 GB of pooled storage; higher tiers provide more. The web-first experience is strong, and third-party app integrations are extensive. For teams that work across Mac, Windows, and Linux, Google Drive handles mixed environments well.
Pricing: From $8.40 AUD/user/month (Google Workspace Business Starter).
3. Dropbox Business
Best for: Teams with large file workflows and external collaboration
Dropbox remains one of the cleanest sync experiences available. Its desktop client is fast, reliable, and handles large files without the sync issues that sometimes affect competitors. The Paper feature provides basic collaborative document editing, and Dropbox Transfer is useful for securely sending large files to external parties.
Dropbox Business starts at 9 TB of shared storage across the team. It is generally more expensive than OneDrive or Google Drive, but the reliability and simplicity justify the cost for creative agencies, construction firms, and others dealing with large assets regularly.
Pricing: From approximately $25 AUD/user/month (Business plan).
4. Box
Best for: Compliance-heavy industries and enterprise-grade security
Box is designed with regulated industries in mind - healthcare, legal, finance, and government. It offers granular permission controls, extensive audit trails, data residency options, and integrations with compliance frameworks. The collaboration tools are solid, and Box Sign includes e-signature functionality.
For most Melbourne SMBs, Box may be more than necessary. But if your business handles sensitive client data and operates under strict regulatory requirements, its security and compliance credentials are hard to beat.
Pricing: From approximately $20 AUD/user/month (Business plan).
5. SharePoint (Microsoft)
Best for: Intranet, document management, and team collaboration within Microsoft 365
SharePoint is often misunderstood as just a file storage system - it is actually a full document management and intranet platform. Unlike OneDrive (which is personal cloud storage), SharePoint is designed for team and departmental document libraries with versioning, approval workflows, and metadata tagging.
Every Microsoft 365 Business subscription includes SharePoint. For growing businesses that want a structured document repository rather than an informal shared folder, SharePoint provides the framework. It does require setup and governance to function well, which is where managed IT support adds real value.
Pricing: Included with Microsoft 365 Business subscriptions.
6. iCloud Drive
Best for: Apple-first businesses or sole traders using Mac and iPhone
iCloud Drive works seamlessly across Apple devices and is worth considering for sole traders or very small businesses running entirely within the Apple ecosystem. The integration with Pages, Numbers, and Keynote mirrors what OneDrive offers for Microsoft Office users.
The limitations become apparent in mixed environments. Collaboration with Windows users is possible but not as smooth, and iCloud’s business credentials are thinner than its competitors - there is no business-tier audit trail or admin console to speak of.
Pricing: iCloud+ storage from $1.49 AUD/month (50 GB) to $14.99 AUD/month (2 TB) per user.
Which One Should You Choose?
The honest answer is: it depends on what you already use. If your business is on Microsoft 365, OneDrive and SharePoint are the natural choice. If you are on Google Workspace, Google Drive is the logical default. If you work with external parties frequently and deal with large files, Dropbox is worth the premium.
Whatever you choose, make sure it is actually configured properly - access permissions, device sync policies, and backup coverage are where most businesses leave gaps.
Need help reviewing your cloud storage setup or migrating to a more suitable platform? Contact CX IT Services and we will sort it out.
