Air vs. Google Drive
5 Reasons why Air wins against Google Drive
When it comes to cloud storage and collaboration tools, two of the most popular options are Air and Google Drive. In this comparative analysis, we will explore five key features of each platform to help you make an informed decision about which one is right for you.
Finding Files
When it comes to finding files, Air’s platform offers better search functionality than Google Drive. Air’s search allows you to search by not only the file name, but also the content within the file. This can be especially helpful when you need to find a specific piece of information within a larger document. Google Drive’s search is also powerful, but it only allows you to search by the file name and metadata. This can make it challenging to find a specific file if you don’t remember its name or where it is located.
Content Previews
Air’s visual-first platform prioritizes content stored in your workspace that has a visual component. Images and videos alike will always show above files such as spreadsheets or text files. The previews are large and dynamic. Air also allows for hover-state previews of video content on their web app. Google Drive’s platform does not natively differentiate between visual and non-visual files. This can lead to a challenging experience for specialized teams and users that need to find content that they don’t necessarily know the name of or where it is organized.
Collaboration Tools
Both Air and Google Drive offer robust collaboration tools, including real-time editing, comments, and version history. However, Air goes a step further by offering easy external-to-internal team messaging and task management features such as Kanban view. This makes it a great option for teams that need to stay organized and communicate effectively.
Storage Efficiency
Air uses a file system of boards and libraries to store workspace content efficiently - an approach called one-to-many. Workspace content can appear in as many or as few boards as the user needs. All the while, there remains no need to duplicate that file taking up storage within your workspace. Google Drive relies on a filing system that is “one-to-one”. Each file has to have a corresponding folder. If a creative needs a marketing team and a sales team to have the same image in their assigned folders, the image needs to be duplicated. This can take up extra time. If the image needs to be updated, the update must happen in two places.
Integration
Both Air and Google Drive offer seamless integration with a variety of third-party apps through their Open API. However, Air offers more integrations with business-specific tools, such as Slack and Adobe Premiere Pro. This makes it a great option for businesses that rely on multiple tools to stay productive.
In conclusion, both Air and Google Drive are great options for cloud storage and collaboration. If you need a reliable and easy-to-use platform for personal or small business use, Google Drive is a great option. If you need a platform that prioritizes providing a brand source of truth, with robust external-to-internal team messaging and task management features, Air is the way to go.
