iCloud or Google Drive for Photos? An Honest Comparison
Both iCloud Photos and Google Photos have quirks that cause real data loss. This side-by-side comparison from someone who recovers data from both services covers backup completeness, original quality preservation, deletion behavior, recovery windows, and the one situation where each service fails its users.
Key Topics Covered
iCloud Photos: original quality preservation, HEIC/HEIF format
Google Photos: free storage limits and compression history
Deletion behavior: iCloud 30 days, Google Photos 60 days
Cross-platform access: each service's mobile and desktop apps
Recovery after account closure or subscription lapse
Which service to trust for long-term photo archiving