Cloud Storage & File Sharing · head-to-head

File.io vs Google Drive

File.io

File.io is an anonymous, one-time file-transfer service: uploaded files get a short-lived link that self-destructs after a configurable number of downloads, with a simple REST API returning JSON for uploads and deletions. A live OPTIONS preflight with an Origin header against the real host, www.file.io, returned a 403 with no Access-Control-Allow-Origin header, resolving cors from unknown to no; no API key is required for basic use, and HTTPS was reconfirmed. A free anonymous tier covers casual transfers, while a paid plan raises file-size limits and adds account-based management.

Google Drive

Google Drive's API lets applications create, read, update, and share files and folders stored in a user's Drive, with fine-grained OAuth scopes for personal or Workspace accounts. A live GET against the real gateway, www.googleapis.com/drive/v3/files, returned a 403 without a token, reconfirming OAuth 2.0 auth over HTTPS, and a follow-up OPTIONS preflight echoed the request Origin in Access-Control-Allow-Origin, resolving cors from unknown to yes. The url was updated to Google's current Workspace documentation hub, which the old /drive/ path now permanently redirects to. Personal accounts get 15GB free, with paid Google One and Workspace plans raising the storage cap.

File.ioGoogle Drive
AuthenticationNoneOAuth
Pricingfreemiumfreemium
FormatsJSONJSON
CORSnoyes
HTTPSYesYes

File.io needs no API key, while Google Drive requires OAuth — pick File.io to start without signup.

More comparisons