8 Of Best Google Drive Sync Tools

If you want something a little bit more feature-rich than Google Drive’s sync, you might want to take a look at the following tools.

8 Of Best Google Drive Sync Tools (2026): Access Files Across All Your Devices

Cloud syncing is standard for teachers, students, and teams who split work across laptops, desktops, and phones. Google Drive remains a core choice, and several third-party clients add features like multi-cloud aggregation, advanced scheduling, server automation, and client-side encryption. Below is an updated, objective look at eight current options that work with Google Drive, what they do, and when to use them.

See also: Essential EdTech Tools and Examples of Education Technology.

How to choose

  • Platforms — Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
  • Sync model — mirrored local copies, on-demand streaming, or mount-as-drive.
  • Multi-cloud support — aggregate Google Drive with other services if needed.
  • Automation — scheduling, filters, versioning, server/CLI agents.
  • Privacy — client-side encryption vs server-side encryption. See footnotes.
  • Cost — license vs subscription, and storage plan costs for Google accounts.

At a glance

Tool Platforms Sync Type Typical Cost Best For Privacy Note
Google Drive for desktop Windows, macOS Mirror or stream Drive files Included with Google account or Workspace plan Most Google users who want the native experience Server-side encryption, no end-to-end; new ransomware detection on desktop[1]
Insync Windows, macOS, Linux Selective sync, multiple accounts, Google Shared Drives One-time license (per account) with optional care plan[2] Cross-platform users, Linux support, granular folder control Relies on Drive’s security; no native end-to-end encryption[2]
odrive Windows, macOS; headless agent for Windows/macOS/Linux Unified multi-cloud sync with placeholders and progressive sync Premium subscription with free basics[3] Aggregating many services in one client, power users Optional client-side, zero-knowledge encryption via Encryptor[4]
GoodSync Windows, macOS, Linux Two-way sync and backup, jobs and scheduling Personal/Workstation license; business tiers available[5] Automated jobs, versioning, server and endpoint sync AES-256 encryption available for data at rest and in transit[6]
Syncovery Windows, macOS, Linux, NAS Advanced sync/backup profiles, filters, copy modes Per-device licenses; trial available[7] Complex jobs, multi-cloud, admin control, off-hours automation Client-side AES-256 encryption and PGP options[8]
Rclone Windows, macOS, Linux CLI-based sync/copy/mount for many clouds including Drive Free and open source[9] Admins and advanced users, servers, scripted jobs Supports encrypted remotes for client-side protection[9]
Mountain Duck Windows, macOS Mount cloud storage as a drive, open/edit without full local sync Per-license purchase[10] Working from cloud directly, file-browser workflows Client-side encryption via Cryptomator vaults[11]
ExpanDrive Windows, macOS Mount cloud storage as a drive, team management options Business/Enterprise subscriptions[12] Teams that prefer drive-mount access and central management TLS transport, OAuth; client stores credentials locally[13]

The tools, in detail

1. Google Drive for desktop

What it does: Syncs Google Drive to your computer with two modes: Mirror keeps full local copies that match Drive, while Stream shows everything with on-demand download. Supports Shared Drives, offline files, and tight integration with Docs, Sheets, and Slides.

Use it when: You want the official client, simple setup, and the most seamless Google Workspace integration. Recent updates include Windows on Arm support and ransomware detection that pauses suspicious sync activity on desktop.

Platforms: Windows, macOS. Cost: Included with Google account or Workspace plan; storage via Google One or Workspace.

2. Insync

What it does: A third-party Drive client with strong cross-platform support including Linux. Offers multiple accounts, granular selective sync, folder mapping, and Shared Drives.

Use it when: You need Linux support, more control over what syncs where, or multiple Google accounts on one machine.

Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux. Cost: One-time license per account; optional maintenance plan.

3. odrive

What it does: A unified client that connects Google Drive and many other services into one folder view with placeholders and progressive sync. Offers a headless agent for servers and automation.

Use it when: You want one app to aggregate multiple clouds, keep local storage light, and automate background sync jobs.

Platforms: Windows, macOS; agent for Windows/macOS/Linux. Cost: Free basics with Premium subscription for advanced features.

4. GoodSync

What it does: Two-way sync and backup with robust job scheduling, filters, versioning, and endpoint-to-endpoint sync. Supports Google Drive and many other targets.

Use it when: You need repeatable, automated jobs for specific folders or servers and want detailed control over conflict resolution and version history.

Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux. Cost: Personal/Workstation license; business tiers available.

5. Syncovery

What it does: Advanced profiles with copy modes, filters, bandwidth throttling, moved-file detection, cloud-to-cloud jobs, and scheduling. Broad cloud support including Google Drive.

Use it when: You manage complex sync scenarios across devices and services, or you want admin-grade scheduling and logging.

Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, NAS. Cost: Per-device licenses; trial available.

6. Rclone

What it does: Command-line tool for syncing, copying, mounting, and serving data across many cloud providers including Google Drive. Scriptable for servers and automation.

Use it when: You prefer CLI, need scheduled tasks on a server or NAS, or want fine-grained control in shell scripts.

Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux. Cost: Free and open source.

7. Mountain Duck

What it does: Mounts Google Drive and other clouds as a local drive so you can open and save files from desktop apps without fully syncing the entire library. Works well with file-browser workflows.

Use it when: You want direct-from-cloud editing and a thin local footprint rather than mirroring large libraries.

Platforms: Windows, macOS. Cost: Per-license purchase.

8. ExpanDrive

What it does: Mounts Google Drive and other clouds as drives and offers team-friendly management. Designed for users who prefer native Finder or File Explorer access while working from cloud storage.

Use it when: Your team wants drive-mount access with centralized control and does not need full local sync.

Platforms: Windows, macOS. Cost: Business and enterprise subscriptions.

Quick recommendations

  • Most users: Start with Google Drive for desktop for mirror or stream.
  • Linux or multiple Google accounts on one machine: Insync.
  • Aggregate many clouds with light local storage: odrive.
  • Scheduled jobs, backups, and versioning: GoodSync or Syncovery.
  • Servers and scripted automation: Rclone.
  • Work directly from cloud without full sync: Mountain Duck or ExpanDrive.

Privacy footnotes

  1. Google Drive for desktop uses server-side encryption within Google’s infrastructure. It does not provide end-to-end encryption. Google has introduced AI-based ransomware detection that can pause desktop sync during suspected incidents. Sources: Google Drive product pages and recent coverage in WIRED. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
  2. Insync is a third-party client for Google Drive that manages syncing and account features. Security and encryption of stored files are provided by Google Drive. Pricing and platform details from Insync. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
  3. odrive provides a unified client across many clouds and supports placeholders and progressive sync. Premium plans unlock advanced features. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
  4. odrive Encryptor offers client-side encryption for zero-knowledge style protection where secrets stay on your devices. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
  5. GoodSync offers personal and business licensing. It supports Google Drive and provides detailed job control. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
  6. GoodSync supports AES-256 encryption for data at rest and in transit and can encrypt during backup jobs. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
  7. Syncovery supports many clouds including Google Drive and offers advanced scheduling and copy modes. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
  8. Syncovery supports client-side encryption (AES-256) and workflows such as PGP exchange. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
  9. Rclone is a free, open-source CLI that supports Google Drive and can create encrypted remotes for client-side encryption. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
  10. Mountain Duck mounts cloud storage as a drive and supports Cryptomator-compatible client-side encryption. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
  11. ExpanDrive mounts cloud storage as a drive. Security docs describe TLS transport and OAuth-based authentication with credentials stored locally. Pricing info available in public docs. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}

For classrooms and small teams, start with the official client and add a specialty tool only when a feature gap appears. If you need client-side encryption, use tools that support it directly or combine Google Drive with a vault approach.