Try our new research platform with insights from 80,000+ expert users

Google Cloud Storage Nearline vs Microsoft Azure File Storage comparison

Google and Microsoft are both solutions in the Public Cloud Storage Services category. Google is ranked #12 with an average rating of 7.5, while Microsoft is ranked #4 with an average rating of 8.2. Google holds a 10.1% mindshare in PCSS, compared to Microsoft’s 11.6% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Google users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 97% of Microsoft users who would recommend it.
Google Cloud Storage Nearline
Read 9 Google Cloud Storage Nearline reviews
  • 1,754 Views
  • 1,518 Comparison Views
100% willing to recommend
Microsoft Azure File Storage
Read 47 Microsoft Azure File Storage reviews
  • 3,351 Views
  • 2,776 Comparison Views
97% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Download the report
Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 1, 2024

Google Cloud Storage Nearline and Microsoft Azure File Storage both offer cloud storage solutions with distinct advantages. Google Cloud Storage Nearline seems to have the upper hand in cost-effectiveness for less frequently accessed data, while Microsoft Azure File Storage excels in versatility and integration with Windows environments.

Features: Google Cloud Storage Nearline provides cost-effective storage for infrequently accessed data, seamless integration with Google Cloud services, and robust data reliability. Microsoft Azure File Storage offers strong file sharing capabilities, SMB access, and easy integration with Windows environments.

Room for Improvement: Google Cloud Storage Nearline could improve its retrieval times, offer more comprehensive documentation, and enhance customer support. Microsoft Azure File Storage could better support larger-scale deployments, reduce latency periods, and simplify deployment in non-Windows environments.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Google Cloud Storage Nearline offers straightforward deployment processes but needs better customer service support. Microsoft Azure File Storage provides smooth deployment within Windows-based systems and reliable customer service, although it faces complexities in non-Windows environments.

Pricing and ROI: Google Cloud Storage Nearline has a highly competitive pricing model, making it ideal for cold data storage. Microsoft Azure File Storage, priced higher, delivers better ROI through its array of features and integration capabilities, justifying the cost for organizations needing these functionalities.

DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETE REPORT
To learn more, read our detailed Google Cloud Storage Nearline vs. Microsoft Azure File Storage Report (Updated: March 2025).
Buyer's Guide
Google Cloud Storage Nearline vs. Microsoft Azure File Storage
March 2025
Download the complete report
Helped 842,161 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

Google Cloud Storage Nearline
Ranking in Public Cloud Storage Services
12th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.2
Number of Reviews
9
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Microsoft Azure File Storage
Ranking in Public Cloud Storage Services
4th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.5
Number of Reviews
47
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of March 2025, in the Public Cloud Storage Services category, the mindshare of Google Cloud Storage Nearline is 10.1%, up from 4.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft Azure File Storage is 11.6%, down from 13.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Public Cloud Storage Services
 

Featured Reviews

AmitKumar36 - PeerSpot reviewer
Flexible, seamless, and scalable document storage with AI and analytics integration, providing reliable support
The solution is very flexible in terms of scalability. It is an online service, so we can scale it anytime with some pre-planning. I rate the scalability a nine out of ten. As for the users using this solution in our organization, that varies according to what time of the day and what day it is, but it goes around 2,000 to 3,000 users. The maximum is about 3,000. On average, it stays somewhere between 2,000 and 1,800.
Read full review
PrashanthR - PeerSpot reviewer
Seamlessly streamlines document processing with advanced file storage and OCR integration
We need to store data over there. We process documents through Kofax Time is a major benefit, as well as ease of processing. With configuration, it happens quite easily, and we can finish tasks early. File storage is complemented by OCR with Azure Cognitive Service. This enhances the processing…
Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"I find the flexibility in storing documents or data and the ease of retrieval valuable with this solution."
"Google is always introducing new features and tends to have a new release every month."
"The capacity and space on offer are excellent."
"The most valuable aspect of Google Cloud Storage Nearline is its integration with the wider Google Cloud ecosystem."
"It provides the necessary support and flexibility to manage data storage effectively, especially during times of variable data flow."
"The data structure and the types of data that are supported are very good."
"Nearline is highly stable."
"The most valuable aspect of Google Cloud Storage Nearline is its integration with the wider Google Cloud ecosystem."
More Google Cloud Storage Nearline pros
"Azure File Storage gives us easy access to cloud solutions at the storage level."
"The best part is the accessibility to all the files."
"It's a scalable solution."
"I like that we can copy and download data using Azure. It's not just for file storage; we can also use it for large data sets or to host static web applications."
"We have not explored the desktop performance analysis of the file storage, but the user interface, API, and the response that we receive over the file storage are very good. We have a lot of customers that connect to the client-side, click the images, and upload them. The beauty of the solution is that we can mount the file storage into a critical server as well as an external drive. The speed that we receive with the images is pretty good."
"The interface is very good."
"Very user-friendly and intuitive."
"File storage is complemented by OCR with Azure Cognitive Service."
More Microsoft Azure File Storage pros
 

Cons

"The interface for managing file storage in the buckets could be improved."
"One area that needs improvement is the documentation, which I find to be disorganized and not user-friendly."
"Nearline security could be better. The solution could integrate better with SEIM tools."
"They should provide more options or flexibility in terms of pricing."
"The solution needs to offer better System Information and Event Management (SEIM). I'd like to discover how we could implement something like that within Google's cloud."
"The UI could be a little bit more effective."
"One area that needs improvement is the documentation, which I find to be disorganized and not user-friendly."
"The suggestion for improvement primarily revolves around cost efficiency."
More Google Cloud Storage Nearline cons
"It should allow better methods for handling large files."
"Some of the procedures are a bit more complex in Azure than in other providers."
"I have used the file storage explorer in multiple systems, and it seems a bit cumbersome and not very efficient, particularly with authentication. It can be tricky to set it up."
"Considering the enterprise licensing required for the solution, the cost of the solution is an area where the product needs improvement."
"The product’s pricing could be better."
"The provider needs to collect more information about the products."
"There is room for improvement in helping customers understand and integrate Azure File Storage into their operations."
"Some chunking logics need to be better to address issues with processing bigger files. It should allow better methods for handling large files."
More Microsoft Azure File Storage cons
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Google Cloud Storage Nearline is very inexpensive. It costs us less than $50 a month to store our files. We use approximately 10 terabytes. Overall, I would rate the product a five out of five for affordability."
"Right now, for the number of servers and the storage that I have, I would say I'm charged between $125 and $150 per month."
"The solution is a bit pricey compared to AWS and Google."
"The pricing could be more flexible."
"One of the major benefits for AWS is that they have a very large customer representative base where clients can be picked from, they offer large discounts and credit. We were not able to receive the same kind of offers from Microsoft Azure File Storage. We tried to approach Azure while hiring for our disaster recovery discussion, but we didn't receive anything from Azure."
"The licensing cost for Microsoft Azure File Storage comes with an agreement from Microsoft."
"I think the pricing of the product can be reduced."
"The product must improve its price."
"The price of the solution is reasonable. The pricing model is based on usage."
"The pricing is usually dependent on your storage requirements. Overall, I believe Microsoft Azure File Storage's price is reasonable."
More Microsoft Azure File Storage pricing and cost advice
report
See which vendors are best for you
Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Public Cloud Storage Services solutions are best for your needs.
See recommendations
842,161 professionals have used our research since 2012.
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
20%
Financial Services Firm
9%
Manufacturing Company
8%
University
7%
Computer Software Company
17%
Financial Services Firm
11%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Government
6%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Google Cloud Storage Nearline?
The most valuable feature of Nearline is the access. It's helpful to move data that is generated once a month, such as salary information, to Nearline.
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Google Cloud Storage Nearline?
From a pricing standpoint, Google Cloud Storage Nearline is more expensive compared to some alternatives like Amazon. I would rate the pricing at five on a scale of one to ten.
See all answers
What needs improvement with Google Cloud Storage Nearline?
One area that needs improvement is the documentation, which I find to be disorganized and not user-friendly. The lack of comprehensive walkthrough guides for specific use cases makes it difficult t...
See all answers
Which file storage system is better - Amazon EFS (elastic file storage) or Azure File Storage?
Amazon EFS is easy to set up: you can use the AWS management console, API, or command-line. Amazon EFS can grow to petabytes and deliver consistent low latencies and high levels of throughput. This...
See all answers
What do you like most about Microsoft Azure File Storage?
The product is a reliable cloud solution.
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft Azure File Storage?
The price is almost the same as the competition. I would rate it three or three and a half out of ten on the pricing scale.
See all answers
 

Comparisons

Amazon S3 Glacier vs Google Cloud Storage Nearline Logo
Amazon S3 Glacier vs Google Cloud Storage Nearline
Compared 98% of the time
Amazon S3 vs Google Cloud Storage Nearline Logo
Amazon S3 vs Google Cloud Storage Nearline
Compared 2% of the time
More Google Cloud Storage Nearline Competitors
Amazon EFS (Elastic File System) vs Microsoft Azure File Storage Logo
Amazon EFS (Elastic File System) vs Microsoft Azure File Storage
Compared 49% of the time
Azure NetApp Files vs Microsoft Azure File Storage Logo
Azure NetApp Files vs Microsoft Azure File Storage
Compared 19% of the time
Wasabi vs Microsoft Azure File Storage Logo
Wasabi vs Microsoft Azure File Storage
Compared 14% of the time
Amazon S3 vs Microsoft Azure File Storage Logo
Amazon S3 vs Microsoft Azure File Storage
Compared 7% of the time
Amazon S3 Glacier vs Microsoft Azure File Storage Logo
Amazon S3 Glacier vs Microsoft Azure File Storage
Compared 6% of the time
More Microsoft Azure File Storage Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Google Cloud Storage Nearline
March 2025
Google Cloud Storage Nearline reportDownload Google Cloud Storage Nearline product report
Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Azure File Storage
March 2025
Microsoft Azure File Storage reportDownload Microsoft Azure File Storage product report
 

Also Known As

No data available
MS Azure File Storage
 

Overview

A low-cost, highly-durable and highly available storage service for infrequently accessed data, data archiving, online backup and disaster recovery. Data is available instantly, not within hours or days. With sub-second average response times and 1 cent per GB/month pricing, Cloud Storage Nearline gives you terrific performance at a low cost.

Google

Fully managed file shares that use the standard SMB 3.0 protocol

Key scenarios:

  • Share data across on-premises and cloud servers
  • Migrate file share-based applications to the cloud with no code changes
  • Integrate modern applications with File storage
  • Simplify hosting for high availability workload data
Microsoft
 

Sample Customers

Information Not Available
Talon, Camden
Buyer's Guide
Google Cloud Storage Nearline vs. Microsoft Azure File Storage
March 2025
Free Report: Google Cloud Storage Nearline vs. Microsoft Azure File Storage
Find out what your peers are saying about Google Cloud Storage Nearline vs. Microsoft Azure File Storage and other solutions. Updated: March 2025.
DOWNLOAD NOW
842,161 professionals have used our research since 2012.
See our Google Cloud Storage Nearline vs. Microsoft Azure File Storage report.
See our list of best Public Cloud Storage Services vendors.

We monitor all Public Cloud Storage Services reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.