What is the difference between OneDrive and MEGA?

OneDrive is best for Microsoft 365 users who need cloud storage, while MEGA is best for Users wanting encrypted cloud storage with generous free tier. OneDrive starts at $1.99/mo and MEGA starts at Free.

Is OneDrive or MEGA cheaper?

OneDrive starts at $1.99/mo with a free tier. MEGA starts at Free with a free tier.

Is there a free alternative to MEGA?

Both OneDrive and MEGA offer free tiers.

OneDrive vs MEGA

OneDrive is cloud storage tightly integrated with Microsoft 365, Windows, and Office apps, while MEGA is end-to-end encrypted cloud storage with 20GB free and zero-knowledge encryption. The biggest difference up front: MEGA is free, while OneDrive starts at $1.99/mo. OneDrive is built for microsoft 365 users who need cloud storage, whereas MEGA targets users wanting encrypted cloud storage with generous free tier.

At a glance

	OneDrive	MEGA
Best for	Microsoft 365 users who need cloud storage	Users wanting encrypted cloud storage with generous free tier
Starting price	$1.99/mo	Free
Free tier	✓	✓
Open source	—	—
Free tier available	✓	✓
Open source	—	—
20GB Free	—	✓
Chat	—	✓
E2E Encryption	—	✓
File Sharing	—	✓
File Sync	✓	—
Office Integration	✓	—
Sharing	✓	—
Versioning	✓	—

OneDrive

Strengths

Includes Office Integration as a core feature, purpose-built for file storage workflows
Includes File Sync as a core feature, purpose-built for file storage workflows
5 GB free — generous enough for most small teams to get real work done
Established product with 19+ years on the market and a mature ecosystem

Weaknesses

Free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade
Fewer built-in features means you may need additional tools to cover gaps
Syncing large folders can be slow and occasionally causes file conflicts
Mobile experience lags behind the desktop version in features and polish

Try OneDrive → Full review

MEGA

Strengths

End-to-end encryption by default — messages are unreadable even to the server operator
Includes 20GB Free as a core feature, purpose-built for file storage workflows
20 GB free — generous enough for most small teams to get real work done
Established product with 13+ years on the market and a mature ecosystem

Weaknesses

Free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade
Fewer built-in features means you may need additional tools to cover gaps
Syncing large folders can be slow and occasionally causes file conflicts
Limited team/admin features if your organization eventually scales up

Try MEGA → Full review

The bottom line

Pricing: MEGA is completely free (20 GB free), which makes it the obvious pick if budget is the top concern. OneDrive starts at $1.99/mo, but 5 GB free. That cost buys you a more polished or feature-rich experience, so it comes down to whether the extras justify the spend.

Feature gaps: OneDrive offers File Sync, Office Integration and Sharing that MEGA lacks. MEGA brings 20GB Free, Chat and E2E Encryption that OneDrive does not have.

Team fit: OneDrive is geared toward any size teams, while MEGA is aimed at individual users and small setups. Pick the one that matches where your team is today and where it is headed — migrating tools later is always painful.

Where each tool shines: OneDrive's biggest strengths are: includes office integration as a core feature, purpose-built for file storage workflows. includes file sync as a core feature, purpose-built for file storage workflows. MEGA's biggest strengths are: end-to-end encryption by default — messages are unreadable even to the server operator. includes 20gb free as a core feature, purpose-built for file storage workflows.

Watch out for: With OneDrive, users commonly note that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade. With MEGA, the main complaint is that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade.

Choose OneDrive if...

You need a tool built for microsoft 365 users who need cloud storage
You specifically need File Sync and Office Integration
You care about includes file sync as a core feature, purpose-built for file storage workflows
Your team size fits the any size profile OneDrive is designed for
The free tier works for you: 5 gb free

Choose MEGA if...

You need a tool built for users wanting encrypted cloud storage with generous free tier
Budget is a hard constraint — MEGA is free, OneDrive is not
You specifically need 20GB Free and Chat
You care about includes 20gb free as a core feature, purpose-built for file storage workflows
Your team size fits the individuals profile MEGA is designed for