Updated September 2026: in 2021 I compared iCloud, Google One and Microsoft OneDrive family plans in a table of 2021 Indian prices, calculating a cost per GB. Prices have changed since, so I have rewritten it into a method for comparing family cloud plans yourself, with what my 2021 comparison showed.
When Google Photos stopped offering free unlimited backup, the question for many families became which paid plan to choose. In 2021 I compared the family plans from Apple, Google and Microsoft using the prices then. The conclusion was striking: Microsoft's plan cost the most per month but gave by far the most storage, 1 TB for each of six people, making its cost per GB a fraction of the others at the time.
How do you compare cloud plans fairly?
- Annual cost: use yearly pricing where available; it is usually cheaper than monthly.
- Storage you will actually use: per person or shared, and how fast it grows.
- Number of people: all three offer family sharing, but differently.
- Bundled extras: Office apps, music, AI features or other services you would pay for anyway.
Why does cost per GB mislead?
Because unused storage has no value. A 6 TB plan is cheap per GB only if your family needs that much. For a household using 150 GB in total, a smaller plan may cost less overall even at a higher price per GB.
How do the three differ in structure?
iCloud+ and Google One give one pool shared across the family. Microsoft 365 Family gives each of up to six people their own 1 TB. Shared pools are flexible; separate allowances stop one person's usage from affecting everyone else. Apple bundles more storage with Apple Music and other services in Apple One, Google bundles AI features in higher tiers, and Microsoft bundles Office apps.
What should you calculate?
Your family's current total storage, a growth estimate for two years, and the yearly cost of the smallest plan from each provider that covers it. Then add the value of extras you would otherwise pay for. That total gives a fair comparison.
Which is usually cheapest?
It depends on your numbers. Large families needing Office tend to find Microsoft best value, all-Apple households find Apple One convenient, and Android users with moderate storage often find Google One simplest. Check current prices in India on each provider's site before deciding.
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