Google Drive vs Google Docs: Difference and Comparison

There was a time when we used to store our data in hard drives to keep it secure and safe, but many times the data in hard drives used to get corrupted or used to get damaged because of viruses or, somehow, hard drives used stopped working by other means.

After introducing technologies and coming under the head of smart work instead of hard work, people started using online platforms to share, store and create files and data rather than the hard work of paperwork and hard drive usage.

 In the era of work from home, files which are not offline but online as in storage, storing online data backups and whatnot, we need to have some online backup applications and document applications on which we can rely for storing personal and professional important data and docs.

Key Takeaways

1. Google Drive is a cloud storage service, while Google Docs is a web-based word processing application.
2. Google Docs are used for creating and editing documents, while Google Drive is used for storing and sharing files.
3. Google Drive offers more storage space than Google Docs, making it more suitable for storing large files and media.

Google Drive vs Google Docs

Google Drive is a cloud storage service that allows users to store and access files from anywhere with an internet connection. Users can upload documents, photos, and videos to their Google Drive account. Google Docs is a web-based word processing application that allows users to create and edit documents online. It also includes Google Sheets for spreadsheets, and Google Slides for presentations. 

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Google Drive	Google Docs
Main Difference	Google Drive is a different or independent platform developed by Google.	Google Docs is a feature of Google Drive or depends on Google Account.
Feature	Google Drive allows users to store data.	Google Docs allows users to edit, view, and create files like Excel, presentations, word, etc.
Application	Google Drive as an application is available on Android, iOS, etc.	Google Docs as the application is available in Android, iOS, etc.
Released Date	Google Drive was released on the 24th of April of the year 2012.	Google Docs was released on the 9th of March of the year 2006.
Type of Platform	Google Drive is a type of storage platform.	Google Docs is a type of word processor and collaborative software platform.

What is Google Drive?

Google Drive is a file hosting platform launched and owned by Google LLC. Google Drive was born on the 24^th of April in the year 2012, which is approximately 8 to 9 years ago.

Google Drive has more than 1 billion users in number. Google Drive offers 15 GB of storage at no cost.

Google Drive is preferred because of its easy User Interface, data backup protection and security, and the facility to share documents with heavy MB or GB easily within a few minutes with a maximum number of other participants.

Google Drive has different varieties of storing options with the interaction of Google One. While interacting with Google One, Google Drive offers different storage plans, which consist of 15 GB, 100 GB, 200 GB, 2 TB, etc.

Google Drive consists of Google Docs, Sheets, and Google Slides, part of the Google Drive Suite.

What is Google Docs?

Google Docs’s parent is Google Limited. Google Docs was released on the 9^th of March of the year 2006, which is approximately 14 years ago. Google Docs is written in JavaScript and Java.

Google Docs operating systems are Android, iOS, macOS, and Chrome OS. Google Docs are available in 100 different forms of languages.

 Google Docs is a kind of word processor and collaborative software especially known for collaboration with Google Drive.

Google Docs is a service in Google Drive, a mobile application for Android, iOS, Windows, and a desktop application on Google Chrome’s OS.

The Google Docs application is also compatible with Microsoft Office in file-format type. Google Docs allows creating, viewing, and editing files like Excel, word, spreadsheets, presentations, etc., online, collaborating with users in real-time.  

Main Differences Between Google Drive and Google Docs

1. Google Drive was released in the year 2012, and Google Docs was released in the year 2006.
2. Google Drive stores and shares your data, and Google Docs help you create, view, and edit your data.
3. Google Drive is a file hosting service, and Google Docs is a collaborative service.
4. Google Drive is a part of Google, and Google Docs is a part of Google Drive.
5. Google Drive has folders to organize files and data, whereas Google Docs doesn’t have a folder facility for organizing data and files.

References

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1084804513002051
2. http://www.eastonsd.org/pdfs/evaluation_docs/Google_Docs.pdf