Google as a company may not need an introduction. It is best known for its search engine, but it offers many other online tools that people hardly ever hear about.
Google One is a subscription service that offers various benefits and features within the Google ecosystem. It was launched in 2018 and has become a popular tool for Google users.
We've tested Google One extensively to give you a full and unbiased review. Our review is based on specific criteria including features, pricing, customer support, ease of use, and more.
packages and prices
Google One offers three plans; Basic, Standard and Premium. Basic costs €2 per month, Standard €3 per month and Premium €10 per month. The basic plan includes 100 GB of cloud storage, 200 GB of standard storage, and 2 TB of premium storage. You can share the features of each plan with up to 5 other Google users after you sign up.
Google applies a 17% discount on paid plans if you pay annually.
Features
The main feature of Google One is the cloud storage that it offers. This storage covers all your Google services including Gmail, Google Photos, Google Docs, Google Drive, etc. Google allows you to share storage space with five other users, so your friends and family can also benefit from your Google One subscription.
Other notable features include;
Mobile app
The Google One mobile app (Android only) is helpful. It allows you to automatically backup your phone and restore it if necessary. Backup is an essential feature because you could lose your phone at any time, perhaps due to damage, theft, or loss. If you don't have a backup, you can't get back your important data and files like photos, videos, contacts, etc.
The Google One mobile app also helps you manage space on your phone. For example, the app notifies you when you reach your storage limit and suggests apps and files to clean up to free up space.
The app also includes a VPN service to encrypt your online activity and protect your personal information.
virtual private network
Google One includes a VPN service that you can use. However, this service is only available on the Premium plan which costs €10 per month. Also, it is not available in all countries.
A virtual private network (VPN) encrypts your Internet traffic and hides your identity online. It does this by redirecting your IP address through a specially configured remote server. Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and other third parties cannot intercept your browsing data if you have a VPN.
Google One VPN is available for Android phones and iPhones, and you can install it on up to six mobile phones.
We found that Google One VPN is pretty basic and lacks many features that you would normally find in a standalone VPN. We think it's because it's just an add-on feature rather than a standalone feature, so Google doesn't have to compare it to competing VPN services. Google VPN is a single switch with no settings, hence the limitations.
Google One provides access to expert support for various Google products. This is a valuable feature given that Google is famous for having lax customer support for consumer-facing services. Generally, the only support Google users receive is through forums and FAQs, not through direct contact with support agents, but Google One avoids this.
Google One subscribers can access phone and chat support. You can log in on the web interface or on the mobile app. Chat with a customer service representative or have a support agent call you on your mobile number. If you choose the call back option, you must provide the specific phone number where you want to be called. The app supports more than a hundred country codes.
The chat option is also simple. The app connects you with a support agent who can answer your questions about Google products. After each chat session, you will see an optional satisfaction survey form to complete. This form provides feedback to Google about your customer service. You will also see a recording of your conversation at the bottom of the support page after the session ends.
Benefits of Google Photos
The Google One subscription plan includes additional features when using the Google Photos app. It offers additional editing features such as AI-powered filters like Radiant, Airy, Luminous, Ember, Portrait Blur, Portrait Light, and Color Pop.
Google One subscribers also get High Dynamic Range (HDR) capture in Google Photos. In general, you can do a lot more with Google Photos as a Google One subscriber compared to a regular user.
Google Store Rewards
Google One subscribers also get up to 10% store credit when they purchase devices like a Pixel smartphone, Nest Thermostat or Google Nest Mini. Please note that rewards vary by plan.
Interface and in use
Usability is an area where Google products score highly, and Google One is no exception. It was easy for us to subscribe and access. Pay directly on the official Google One website and you're done.
You can access Google One directly on the web or download the mobile app from the Google Play Store. The web interface is easy to use and navigate, and the mobile app is simpler. The functions are separated in different menu bars and are easily accessible, including the VPN service.
Google One's VPN service is simple but lacks many features common to competing commercial VPNs. This is a single switch to enable or disable the VPN. You can't change the settings like you can with other VPNs. For example, you cannot choose the location of the VPN server. You also cannot select the specific VPN protocol to use.
Some features are available in the Google One app but not in the web interface, such as Google Photos filters.
Support
Google One provides proper customer support as part of the subscription package. It includes support for several Google products that regular users don't have access to. You can contact support via live chat or request a callback to a specific mobile number.
Support response time was also pretty quick in our tests.
Competition
Google One has many competitors in the cloud storage space, including Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive, and Apple iCloud. Some offer more storage value for less than a Google One subscription. For example, $100 per year on OneDrive gets you 6TB of storage, while a similar Google One plan only offers 2TB.
Dropbox also offers up to 5TB of storage, while Google One is capped at 2TB. On the other hand, iCloud has nearly identical storage plans to Google One. Its highest plan is 2TB of storage for $10 per month, just like Google One.
Alternatives like Microsoft OneDrive and Dropbox offer more value for less money than Google One. However, we can say that Google One is still worth it due to the additional features of Google ecosystem products.
Google One VPN service has many rivals like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Windscribe. Virtually all commercial VPNs offer better features than Google.
final verdict
Google One is a valuable tool for all users in the Google ecosystem, offering many features that a normal Google user would not get. Your cloud storage plan is suitable for individual or family use. The VPN feature is ideal for everyday Internet users. Customer support is great and the additional features of Google Photos are useful for people who love their cameras.
However, if cloud storage is the only feature you need, alternatives like Dropbox and Microsoft OneDrive offer better value. Many other commercial VPN services also offer features superior to Google.
Google One best serves users who are passionate about Google products.