Transfer Files from OneDrive to Google Drive-What is the Fastest Way?

Should I Switch from OneDrive to Google Drive? (OneDrive VS. Google Drive)

Microsoft OneDrive (formerly SkyDrive) is a cloud storage service that allows you to sync files and access them from a web browser or mobile device. It is part of the Microsoft ecosystem and integrates seamlessly with tools like Office apps and Windows systems. OneDrive offers both free and paid storage plans, but its free tier was reduced from 15 GB to 5 GB in 2016.

In contrast, Google Drive provides 15 GB of free storage, shared across Google services like Gmail and Google Photos. It is widely favored for its strong collaboration features, real-time editing, and easy sharing options through Google Workspace.

OneDrive vs. Google Drive
Feature	OneDrive	Google Drive
Free Storage	5 GB	15 GB (shared with Gmail & Google Photos)
Ecosystem	Deep integration with Microsoft services (Windows, Office, Outlook)	Integrated with Google services (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Photos)
Collaboration	Good collaboration via Office Online	Excellent real-time collaboration via Google Workspace
File Sync	Seamless sync on Windows devices	Works well across all platforms
Pricing	Competitive, especially with Microsoft 365 bundles	Flexible plans via Google One
Ease of Use	Familiar for Windows/Microsoft users	Intuitive and simple interface
Sharing	Secure sharing with permissions	Easy sharing with links and real-time editing

Because of these differences, many users consider switching from OneDrive to Google Drive—whether for more storage, easier collaboration, or data backup. Choosing the right transfer method can help you transfer files from OneDrive to Google Drive efficiently and then achieve the switch without hassle.

Regular Methods to Transfer OneDrive to Google Drive

Below are two commonly used traditional methods that most users rely on to migrate files, photos, or other data from OneDrive to Google Drive. Let’s go through them step by step.

Way 1. Download from OneDrive and Upload to Google Drive

As the name suggests, this method involves first downloading files from OneDrive to your local device and then uploading those files to Google Drive.

Step 1. Go to the official OneDrive website and sign in to your account.

Step 2. Select the files or folders you want to transfer, then click the "Download" button and wait for the process to complete.

Step 3. Sign in to the official Google Drive website. Click the "New" button (or the inverted triangle next to "My Drive"), then choose "Upload files" or "Upload folder".

Step 4. Select the downloaded files from your computer and upload them to Google Drive.

This method works well for small transfers and provides a simple way to move files between cloud platforms without requiring any installations.

However, it has some limitations:

⭕Files may be downloaded in compressed format, requiring manual extraction before uploading, which takes extra time.

⭕The upload process must be monitored continuously, and any interruption due to unstable internet may require restarting the transfer.

 

Way 2. Transfer Files from OneDrive to Google Drive via Drag and Drop

For users looking for a more streamlined approach, the drag-and-drop method offers a simpler alternative by reducing the need for manual downloading and uploading steps.

Step 1. Install the OneDrive desktop application.

• Windows 10/11 users usually already have OneDrive preinstalled and only need to sign in.
• Other users may need to download the OneDrive app and install it manually.

Step 2. Open your browser and log in to your Google Drive account.

Step 3. Ensure both OneDrive and Google Drive are accessible on your computer (via browser or desktop apps).

Step 4. Select the files or folders from OneDrive, then drag and drop them directly into Google Drive.

Limitations of this method:✎...

⭕The process can be time-consuming for large transfers since files must be moved manually.

⭕It depends heavily on a stable internet connection, and any interruption may affect the transfer.

⭕It requires both OneDrive and Google Drive to be properly set up and accessible on the same device,

 

Is There a Cloud Tool to Move OneDrive to Google Drive Online?

On the whole, while traditional methods (manual download/upload or drag-and-drop) work, they are often time-consuming and inefficient—especially when handling large amounts of data. Because of this, many users prefer cloud migration tools that automate the entire process directly online.

To simplify the process and improve OneDrive to Google Drive migration efficiency, many users are eager to get an automated cloud transfer tool. So, is there a cloud to cloud transfer tool to transfer files from OneDrive to Google Drive without downloading?

Yes. There are cloud-based tools available that allow you to directly migrate OneDrive to Google Drive online without downloading them to your computer first.

MultCloud: One-click Solution to Move OneDrive Filesto Google Drive

A widely used option is MultCloud, a web-based cloud file management platform that supports OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, Google Photos, iCloud Photos, iCloud Drive, SharePoint, and up to 40 cloud services.

Step-by-step Guide to Transfer OneDrive to Google Drive via MultCloud

MultCloud makes the migration process simple by allowing you to connect your cloud drives and transfer files directly online without downloading anything locally. Once your accounts are connected, you can easily choose what to move and let the system complete the transfer automatically in the background.

Step 1. Create a MultCloud account

Go to the official MultCloud website and sign up for a free account.

Step 2. Add cloud drives

Log in to MultCloud, click "Add Cloud", and connect both your OneDrive and Google Drive accounts by granting the required permissions.

Step 3. Create cloud transfer Task

Open the Cloud Transfer feature. Select OneDrive as the source and Google Drive as the destination.

Step 4 (Optional). Configure transfer settings

You can tick OneDrive to select everything to transfer, or just select some of them to move. Besides, you can hit "Options > Filter", then set up certain file types to migrate.

Automatic OneDrive to Google Drive migration can be configured with Schedule, then you can run it daily, weekly, monthly, or even at the time you customized it. Thus, you can copy files from OneDrive to Google Drive on a recurring basis.

Step 5. Run the transfer task

Click "Transfer Now" to start the process. MultCloud will handle the migration automatically in the background.

Once started, the transfer continues even without keeping your browser or computer active, making the entire process fully automated and efficient.

★Tips:

Freeing up space for OneDrive automatically is also available for you in this tool, just click "Options > Delete all source files" after transfer is complete to configure. Once set, all these transferred files will be removed from OneDrive when the task is finished, and only one copy in Google Drive.

Enjoy all premium features in the advanced plan after subscribing, such as Filter, Schedule, more data traffic, up to 10 threads, and more.

In addition to the "Cloud Transfer" feature, you can also use "Copy to" to directly copy files from OneDrive to Google Drive in bulk without downloading them locally as well.

Step 1. Click OneDrive under My Cloud Drives after adding them into MultCloud.

Step 2. Tick the OneDrive files and folders you'd like to move and choose "Copy to" from the top menu.

Step 3. Select a path in Google Drive as the destination location, click "OK" to copy files from OneDrive to Google Drive, then wait for the process to complete.

Further Reading: Move OneDrive Business Files to Google Drive Workspace

The guide above is mainly designed for personal cloud users who want to migrate files from a standard OneDrive account to Google Drive. But what if you are using OneDrive for Business and need to migrate data from multiple sub-accounts or entire domains to Google Drive Workspace in bulk?

Fortunately, MultCloud provides a powerful "Team Transfer" feature designed specifically for business-level migration scenarios. It allows you to move files between business cloud accounts, such as from OneDrive for business to Google Workspace, or transfer between two different OneDrive for business accounts, etc. Add OneDrive for business and Google Workspace into MultCloud.

Navigate to the "Team Transfer" tab, choose the OneDrive for business as the source while the Google Workspace as the destination. You can map source accounts to destination accounts based on your organizational structure, ensuring precise one-to-one or bulk user-level migration.

Summary

What's the fastest way to transfer files from OneDrive to Google Drive? You might have a clear idea about it after looking through the above methods. To save most time and energy, MultCloud is highly recommended for the following advantages.

• During the transmission process, there is no need to upload, correspondingly, the decompression operation is also omitted, which can save a lot of time and energy;
• If there are too many files, MultCloud can transfer the contents of multiple folders or the entire cloud disk at one time.
• As long as you start or set the task successfully, they can run in the background even if you close the computer.

Moreover, it released mobile apps as well, so if you would like to migrate files across different clouds,MultCloud canalso help you a lot.

FAQs

Can I Merge OneDrive and Google Drive?

No, you can not directly merge OneDrive and Google Drive into a single space. However, you can use MultCloud to connect both accounts and manage, transfer, and access files from OneDrive and Google Drive in one unified interface.

How Can I Automatically Back up OneDrive to Google Drive?

You can set up an automated backup task using MultCloud, which supports scheduled backup between OneDrive and Google Drive. After connecting both accounts, you can choose the folders you want to back up and configure a schedule (such as daily, weekly, or monthly). This allows your files to be transferred automatically without manual intervention.

Can I Schedule Recurring Transfers from OneDrive to Google Drive?

Yes, you can schedule rescurring transfers from OneDrive to Google Drive using MultCloud. It allows you to schedule by daily, weekly, or monthly to keep files updated automatically between the two platforms.

How Can I Automatically Move Selected OneDrive Folders to Google Drive?

You can select specific folders when setting up a transfer task in MultCloud, allowing you to move only the data you need instead of the entire drive. In addition, you can configure filters to include or exclude certain file types, making it easier to organize and control what gets transferred between cloud services.

Is there a OneDrive to Google Drive sync tool for ongoing transfers?

Yes, MultCloud offers a "Cloud Sync" feature that supports ongoing synchronization between OneDrive and Google Drive. It allows you to keep files continuously updated with real-time or scheduled sync options, whether you prefer one-way or two-way synchronization. This ensures your data stays consistent across both cloud services without manual transfers.

How Can I Transfer Files from Google Drive to OneDrive For Business?

You can transfer files from Google Drive to OneDrive for Business with MultCloud’s "Cloud Transfer"as well. Simply connect both your Google Drive and OneDrive for Business accounts, select the files or folders you want to move, and start the transfer.