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 #9 with an average rating of 7.5, while Microsoft is ranked #4 with an average rating of 8.3. Google holds a 9.6% mindshare in PCSS, compared to Microsoft’s 9.8% 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 10 Google Cloud Storage Nearline reviews

1,627 Views
1,611 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Microsoft Azure File Storage

Read 50 Microsoft Azure File Storage reviews

5,223 Views
2,403 Comparison Views

97% willing to recommend

Google Cloud Storage Nearline

Microsoft Azure File Storage

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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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.

To learn more, read our detailed Google Cloud Storage Nearline vs. Microsoft Azure File Storage Report (Updated: July 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Google Cloud Storage Nearline vs. Microsoft Azure File Storage

July 2025

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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

9th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

7.3

Number of Reviews

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

6.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2025, in the Public Cloud Storage Services category, the mindshare of Google Cloud Storage Nearline is 9.6%, up from 6.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft Azure File Storage is 9.8%, down from 13.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Public Cloud Storage Services

Featured Reviews

Victor Oladejo

Data Engineer at Electronics Collections Group

A reliable solution for long-term data storage with room for improvement regarding its cost efficiency

The suggestion for improvement primarily revolves around cost efficiency. Currently, Google Cloud Storage Nearline charges a minimum of thirty days for data access. I propose a more flexible approach. Instead of a fixed thirty-day minimum charge, there could be a programmatic adjustment based on data access patterns. For instance, if Google Cloud notices that certain data is no longer frequently accessed, they could automatically adjust the billing. When data isn't actively used, the charges for access to that data should decrease. This approach would ensure that users are billed fairly for the actual access they require, especially when data access patterns vary over time.

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PrashanthR

Lead Software Engineer at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees

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…

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Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"Google is always introducing new features and tends to have a new release every month."

"The most valuable aspect of Google Cloud Storage Nearline is its integration with the wider Google Cloud ecosystem."

"I find the flexibility in storing documents or data and the ease of retrieval valuable with this solution."

"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."

"The best part of Nearline storage is the ability to take backups at optimal costs and its availability across multiple regions."

"Nearline is highly stable."

More Google Cloud Storage Nearline pros

"The product can integrate with all platforms. My team also does data visualization, and Power BI can directly connect with those nodes. We can very conveniently connect with multiple tools for our database. The benefit here is that by utilizing the same storage application, my application is linked with their application through the same server. This setup provides real analytics and data for a holistic purpose, which is advantageous."

"My client had zero data loss while using the solution for backups and file security."

"The solution can scale to fit any requirement."

"Azure File Storage gives us easy access to cloud solutions at the storage level."

"Integration with the entire Azure platform."

"The solution is easy to use."

"Implementations with other products are easy."

"Implementing Microsoft Azure has meant that we are using the same solution as our customers who use Azure Public Cloud. This allows us to integrate our application, as well as provide the solution to them."

More Microsoft Azure File Storage pros

Cons

"The UI could be a little bit more effective."

"The pricing is quite high."

"From a storage standpoint, it would be beneficial if the retrieval cost could be optimized, as it is comparatively higher than storage costs in Nearline."

"One area that needs improvement is the documentation, which I find to be disorganized and not user-friendly."

"The interface for managing file storage in the buckets could be improved."

"They need a better, more visual, user interface for folders and files."

"The suggestion for improvement primarily revolves around cost efficiency."

"Nearline security could be better. The solution could integrate better with SEIM tools."

More Google Cloud Storage Nearline cons

"It would be helpful if we could remove data that we don't frequently access to reduce the cost of the storage."

"There is a limitation on the storage capacity, like four terabytes. It could be improved to accommodate more data."

"It's a bit complex to set up. Other than that, there is nothing to improve."

"It would be good if they added some features that make the solution easier to access for everyone."

"They should make the solution more user-friendly."

"In our use cases, we see the weakness in mobile internet connectivity."

"They can improve the ability to assign permissions to different groups or users."

"The security could always be modernized."

More Microsoft Azure File Storage cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"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."

"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."

"The price is comparable to other competitive solutions."

"The product must improve its price."

"The product's pricing need improvement."

"The solution is a bit pricey compared to AWS and Google."

"The pricing could be more flexible."

"The pricing is usually dependent on your storage requirements. Overall, I believe Microsoft Azure File Storage's price is reasonable."

"The price of Microsoft Azure File Storage is expensive, we do not know exactly how the price is calculated."

"The price of the solution is reasonable. The pricing model is based on usage."

More Microsoft Azure File Storage pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

17%

Comms Service Provider

Financial Services Firm

University

Computer Software Company

15%

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Government

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?

The storage and access cost of Nearline are considered optimal compared to other cloud storage solutions, although I lack a clear view of other cloud storage costs.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Google Cloud Storage Nearline?

From a storage standpoint, it would be beneficial if the retrieval cost could be optimized, as it is comparatively higher than storage costs in Nearline.

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...

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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 pricing for Microsoft Azure File Storage is five out of ten, not so expensive and not so low.

See all answers

Comparisons

Amazon S3 Glacier vs Google Cloud Storage Nearline

Compared 94% of the time

Amazon S3 vs Google Cloud Storage Nearline

Compared 6% of the time

More Google Cloud Storage Nearline Competitors

Amazon EFS (Elastic File System) vs Microsoft Azure File Storage

Compared 55% of the time

Azure NetApp Files vs Microsoft Azure File Storage

Compared 16% of the time

Wasabi vs Microsoft Azure File Storage

Compared 12% of the time

Amazon S3 vs Microsoft Azure File Storage

Compared 6% of the time

Amazon S3 Glacier vs Microsoft Azure File Storage

Compared 5% of the time

More Microsoft Azure File Storage Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Google Cloud Storage Nearline

August 2025

Download Google Cloud Storage Nearline product report

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Azure File Storage

August 2025

Download 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

July 2025

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