Google Drive alternative

Delivering client photos without the folder list

Google Drive is reliable general cloud storage, but sending clients into a folder of file names rarely feels complete. Here is how Google Drive compares to a dedicated photo gallery, and where each tool fits your workflow.

Last updated 15 September 2026

What Google Drive is built for

Google Drive is the default cloud storage tool for millions of people, and for good reason. It excels at storing documents, syncing files across devices, and organizing team folders. The free 15 GB allowance is generous for everyday office work and general file management.

Drive handles any file format you upload. When you place full-resolution JPEG, PNG, or RAW files into a Drive folder, it stores and serves them exactly as uploaded. If you need a single place to store contracts, production notes, and project assets, Google Drive works well.

Where Drive stops being a client gallery

The friction begins when a client opens your delivery link. Instead of a curated gallery, they land in a file-and-folder list with small thumbnails. Navigating multiple subfolders feels like managing a desktop directory rather than viewing finished work. Because folder permissions cascade to everything inside, you also have to manage your folder structure carefully so internal files do not get shared by accident.

Sharing controls on Drive also show their limits during client delivery. Public links do not offer a password option. If you want to set an expiration date on a shared link, Google requires an eligible work or school Workspace account, and it only applies to Viewer roles. On free personal accounts, links stay active until you remove them manually.

There is also the shared storage quota. Your 15 GB of free space is shared across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos. Storing several full-resolution client sets can fill that quota quickly. If your Google account goes over its storage limit, incoming email in Gmail can be interrupted until you free up space.

shoots.page vs Google Drive for photo delivery

Here is how shoots.page compares to Google Drive for delivering photos to clients.

Checked 15 September 2026 against Google One plans and the Google Drive help center.
What matters	shoots.page	Google Drive
Built for	Client photo delivery: one lasting gallery link	General cloud storage and file sharing
Free storage	2 GB of gallery storage	15 GB, shared with Gmail and Google Photos
Paid storage	A 250 GB plan exists; paid billing is not live yet	Google One from 100 GB at $1.99/month
Client viewing	Photo gallery grid and 2000 px viewer	File and folder list with thumbnails
Recipient account	Never needed	Not needed to view public links; needed for editing and invited collaboration
Link expiry	Optional expiry date on every gallery	Only on eligible work or school accounts
Password option	Optional password on every gallery	Not offered; sharing is by link or named people
Original quality	Byte-for-byte originals, exactly as uploaded	Files are stored and served as uploaded
Photo proofing	Built in, per gallery	Not offered

Where Google Drive genuinely wins

Generous free storage: Google Drive provides 15 GB of free space, compared to 2 GB on shoots.page.
Broad file support: Drive stores any file type, including video, spreadsheets, and design assets.
Live document collaboration: you can collaborate directly on Docs, Sheets, and Slides in the browser.
Named-person permissions: Drive lets you invite specific people by email with Viewer, Commenter, or Editor roles.
Familiar ecosystem: most clients already interact with Google accounts and Drive links regularly.
Desktop sync: native sync clients let you mirror cloud folders directly to your desktop.

Where shoots.page fits the delivery moment

Dedicated presentation: clients browse a clean thumbnail grid and view full-size photos in a 2000 px preview viewer.
No recipient accounts: clients never need to create an account, sign in, or download software to view and download their photos.
Delivery safeguards: protect any gallery with an optional per-gallery password and set an optional gallery expiry date.
Flexible downloads: clients can download individual originals, individual JPEGs, or full ZIP archives when you enable them.
Built-in proofing: clients can star their favorite photos against your limit, with optional pricing for extra selections.
Unlisted links: gallery links are excluded from search engine indexing and sitemaps so your work stays private.

A common pattern

Many photographers keep Google Drive for business administration while using shoots.page for the final handoff. You can keep using Drive for contracts, invoices, schedules, and raw asset archives, where its document collaboration and folder sync excel.

When it comes to photo delivery, you can drop your finished files into shoots.page. You get 2 GB of free gallery storage, giving your client a polished viewing link without mixing client presentations into your general business drive.

Common questions

Is Google Drive free?

Every Google account includes 15 GB of free storage. That pool is shared across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos. If you need more room, Google One plans start at 100 GB for $1.99 per month in the US.

Do clients need a Google account to see a shared folder?

Not if you use a view-only public link. Anyone with that link can open the folder and download files. However, if you invite a client by email address or grant them editing access, they must sign in to a Google account.

Can I set a password or expiry on a Drive share link?

No password option exists for Google Drive links. Link expiration dates are only available on eligible work or school Workspace accounts for the Viewer role. Free consumer Google accounts do not support link expiration.

Does Google Drive compress my photos?

Google Drive stores and serves your files exactly as uploaded. It does not compress your images. Do not confuse Google Drive with Google Photos, which is a separate product with its own quality settings.

Why do photographers use a gallery service instead?

Photographers use gallery services to give clients a visual viewing experience rather than a folder list. Gallery tools also provide photo proofing, full-set ZIP downloads, and delivery controls like passwords and expiration dates without requiring client accounts.

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