gPanel or Folgo: Which Google Drive Admin Tool Fits My Needs?
Effectively managing Google Drive can be complex, especially when working across multiple users and shared drives within Google Workspace. Two popular tools that can help you take control of your Drive environment are gPanel and Folgo, each providing different approaches to Google Drive management.
Disclaimer: gPanel is a product of Promevo. We are not affiliated. This comparison is for informative purposes only.
What is gPanel?
GPanel by Promevo is an administrative platform designed to help Google Workspace admins manage user accounts and services within their domain. It includes a range of tools for user provisioning, email management, Drive file sharing controls, and policy enforcement, allowing administrators to oversee multiple aspects of Google Workspace from a centralized dashboard.
What is Folgo?
Folgo is a Google Drive management tool deeply integrated with Google Workspace, purpose-built to simplify cleanup, bulk file actions, Drive migrations, and permission management at scale. Folgo empowers administrators to efficiently manage large volumes of Drive data, simplify repetitive tasks, and perform audits across their Drive environment, all while maintaining a user-friendly interface that enables direct actions within your workspace.
Overview
Usability
User-friendly interface, integrated in Google Drive
Web-based admin panel
Security & Error Prevention
Guided actions, low risk of errors
Requires caution, needs training
Triggered automation
Enterprise tier supports custom automation via Rules Engine
Target Product(s)
Specific to Google Drive
Google Drive, Gmail, Calendar, Contacts, Groups, Meet, User Management, License Management
Target Audience
Folgo
Non-technical users, simple management
gPanel
Only admins
No third-party server
Folgo
All data are stored in your Google Drive
gPanel
gPanel stores and processes data on external servers.
APIs for integration
Folgo
gPanel
Usability
User-friendly interface, integrated in Google Drive
Web-based admin panel
Security & Error Prevention
Guided actions, low risk of errors
Requires caution, needs training
Triggered automation
Enterprise tier supports custom automation via Rules Engine
Target Product(s)
Specific to Google Drive
Google Drive, Gmail, Calendar, Contacts, Groups, Meet, User Management, License Management
Target Audience
Non-technical users, simple management
Only admins
No third-party server
All data are stored in your Google Drive
gPanel stores and processes data on external servers.
APIs for integration
Google Drive Features Differences
Audit a specific Google Account
Audit a specific folder or Shared Drive
gPanel audits by user, not by folder or Shared Drive
Remove permissions from selected folders or accounts
Only broad sharing policies, no targeted removal
Transfer ownership of entire folders
gPanel can transfer user’s files, but not maintain folder hierarchy or structure
Duplicate Folder structures
Folgo
gPanel
Move folders to Shared Drives
Folgo
Handles permission issues and can bypass errors
gPanel
Delegated access
Folgo
Any Drive user can use it based on access rights
gPanel
gPanel is for super admins only
Audit a specific Google Account
Audit a specific folder or Shared Drive
gPanel audits by user, not by folder or Shared Drive.
Remove permissions from selected folders or accounts
Only broad sharing policies, no targeted removal.
Transfer ownership of entire folders
gPanel can transfer user’s files, but not maintain folder hierarchy or structure
Duplicate Folder structures
Move folders to Shared Drives
Handles permission issues and can bypass errors.
Delegated access
Any Drive user can use it based on access rights
gPanel is for super admins only.
How Do gPanel and Folgo Differ?
While both platforms support Google Workspace management, they serve different priorities:
- Primary Focus:
- gPanel offers a broad suite of user management features for Google Workspace, including email settings, user provisioning, and domain-wide controls in addition to Drive management.
- Folgo is solution specific to Google Drive management, specializing in tasks like bulk file operations, permission audits, data extraction, and shared drive organization.
- Ease of Use:
- Folgo emphasizes simplicity and direct action, allowing you to manage and clean up Drive files without complicated workflows.
- gPanel provides comprehensive administrative features that may require a learning curve to fully utilize all its capabilities.
- File Management Capabilities:
- Folgo enables actions such as moving and deleting files in bulk, transferring ownership, adjusting permissions, and migrating content to shared drives with just a few clicks.
- gPanel allows admins to review sharing settings and manage user access but offers broader admin tools beyond Drive, which may include less specialized bulk file management functionality.
- Workspace Integration:
- Folgo is directly integrated with your Google Workspace environment, enabling actions within your Drive without exporting your data outside your domain, this means your files remain secure and under your control at all times.
- gPanel connects with Google Workspace to manage various services from a central location, including Drive, Gmail, and user settings.
Conclusion
Both gPanel and Folgo offer valuable tools to help you manage Google Workspace, but they serve different purposes.
gPanel provides broad administrative controls across your Workspace environment, including user management and various service configurations, making it suitable if you need centralized domain management.
In contrast, Folgo is purpose-built for Google Drive management, helping you handle audits, file migrations, and permission management while keeping your data secure within your environment. It is particularly effective for onboarding and offboarding processes, allowing administrators to easily transfer data, adjust permissions, and ensure a smooth transition for users joining or leaving your organization.
Your choice will depend on whether you need a wide-reaching admin tool like gPanel or a specialized Drive management solution like Folgo to simplify your day-to-day workflows.
Want to know what you can do with Folgo as an Admin? Take a look at our article about Admin Tasks.