Top Google Docs Filesystem Alternatives for Seamless Cloud Integration
The original Google Docs Filesystem project aimed to bridge the gap between the portability of Google Docs and the flexibility of local file system access. By allowing users to mount their Google Docs account as a regular file system, it promised seamless integration for those who prefer to work with their chosen office suite while leveraging Google Docs for storage. This innovative Python-based tool, using the FUSE API, offered cross-platform compatibility for Linux, Mac OSX, and FreeBSD. However, for various reasons, users may seek a Google Docs Filesystem alternative. This article explores some of the best solutions available today that offer similar, or even enhanced, cloud storage and file management capabilities.
Best Google Docs Filesystem Alternatives
When looking for an alternative to a niche tool like Google Docs Filesystem, you're often seeking robust cloud storage, efficient file synchronization, and the ability to access your documents flexibly. Here are some top contenders that provide excellent alternatives for managing your cloud files.
OpenDrive
OpenDrive is a powerful remote drive solution that serves as a strong Google Docs Filesystem alternative, offering robust cloud storage, syncing, sharing, and backup capabilities. Available on Freemium, Mac, Windows, Web, Android, iPhone, Android Tablet, iPad, and Wordpress, it provides features like unlimited bandwidth, unlimited storage, and support for WebDAV, making it a versatile choice for cross-platform file management.
Storage Made Easy
Storage Made Easy (SME Enterprise File Share and Sync Solution) is a comprehensive commercial alternative to Google Docs Filesystem, focusing on secure cloud collaboration and management across various data points. It supports a wide range of platforms including Mac, Windows, Linux, Web, Android, iPhone, Java Mobile, Blackberry, Windows Phone, iPad, Facebook, Wordpress, and Microsoft Office Suite. Key features include backup, cloud storage, file-sync, integrated search, password encryption, and support for both FTP and Amazon S3, making it highly flexible for enterprise environments.
Drive File Stream by Google
Drive File Stream by Google is a direct and free alternative to the original Google Docs Filesystem concept, allowing users to stream their Google Drive files directly from the cloud to their Mac or PC. This frees up significant disk space and network bandwidth, as files are only downloaded when accessed. It offers seamless integration with Google's ecosystem and is a native, efficient solution for accessing your cloud files as if they were local.
Gladinet
Gladinet Cloud Desktop, now often associated with CentreStack, is a commercial Google Docs Filesystem alternative that excels at mounting various cloud storage services to your local desktop PC. It supports Mac, Windows, Web, Android, iPhone, Android Tablet, Windows Phone, and iPad. Its core features include robust cloud storage integration, file-sync capabilities, and selective synchronization, providing a powerful way to unify your cloud data access.
GDocsOpen
GDocsOpen is a commercial Windows-only alternative that simplifies opening, editing, and saving DOC and XLS files directly from Windows using Google Docs. While it doesn't offer the full filesystem mounting capability of Google Docs Filesystem, it provides a straightforward way to integrate Google Docs into your desktop workflow, making it a convenient option for users primarily focused on MS Office and Open Office document types.
Each of these alternatives offers unique strengths for managing your cloud documents and integrating them with your local workflow. Whether you prioritize comprehensive features, specific platform support, or seamless integration with a particular cloud service, exploring these options will help you find the best fit for your needs as a Google Docs Filesystem alternative.