FileDrop is a set of file tools for Google Sheets and Google Drive, built by HeadwayApps in the EU. It began as a drag-and-drop sidebar for placing images in spreadsheet cells and has grown into a suite with upload forms, e-signatures, PDF sharing, searchable tables, bulk OCR, receipt tracking and no-code automations.
It comes as a web app plus a Google Workspace add-on. Its stated aim is to fill gaps in Google's own tools, such as collecting uploads without a sign-in, copying folders in Drive for the web, and sharing a catalog without sharing the underlying spreadsheet. The company says it has operated since 2022.
How does FileDrop work?
Inside Sheets and Drive, FileDrop runs as sidebars. Users drag files into cells, and each file is saved to Google Drive and linked from the cell under the name in the sheet. Folder tools copy files and folders, duplicate folder structures, report on who has access and share files in bulk.
In the web app, users build a request or form, then send it to one client or many. Submissions land in a Drive folder for each client and can add rows to Sheets or Airtable. Automations use triggers such as a new row, new file or schedule, followed by actions such as notify, move files or back up.
Key features of FileDrop
The forms module collects files and signatures on branded pages with a custom address, automatic reminders and bulk request campaigns. E-signatures let users upload a PDF, place fields and send a signing link. PDF links add passwords, expiry, email-verified access, watermarks, blocked download and print, and view tracking.
Tables publish searchable image catalogs with filters, fed directly from form submissions. Bulk OCR extracts text from scanned PDFs and images. The receipt tracker uses AI to read merchant, date, tax and total with a confidence score, and nothing reaches exports until a person approves it. An API and webhooks serve developers.
Key Features
Files and images in Sheets cells — Drag and drop one file or many into spreadsheet cells. Files are saved to Google Drive and linked in the cell, and files already in Drive can be inserted.
Drive folder tools — Copy files and folders, duplicate folder structures, report on who has access to folders and share files in bulk with view or edit rights.
Upload forms without sign-in — Branded forms let people upload files or sign without a Google account, with responses saved to a Drive folder per client. Reminders and bulk request campaigns are available on Business and above.
Electronic signatures — Upload a PDF, place fields and send a signing link, one at a time or to a recipient list. Signed copies are kept in Drive.
Branded PDF links — Share PDFs with passwords, expiry, email-verified access, watermarks, blocked download and print, and view tracking. A file can be swapped while keeping the same link.
Tables and catalogs — Publish a table as a searchable public catalog with filters and larger image previews, fed from form submissions, without sharing the underlying Sheet.
No-code automations — Build workflows from triggers such as a new row, new file or schedule, with actions like notify, move files, create folders or back up. Scheduled Google Sheets backups are included.
Bulk OCR — Extract text from batches of scanned PDFs and images in the web app or the Sheets add-on. OCR is available from the Business plan.
Receipt tracker — AI reads merchant, date, tax and total with a confidence score. Receipts are approved, edited or excluded before export to Xero, QuickBooks or a Sage CSV.
API and webhooks — An API key and signing-secret webhooks cover events such as new submissions, approvals, and PDF views, downloads or expiry.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Covers uploads, e-signatures, PDF sharing, OCR, tables and automations in one product, mostly inside Google Sheets and Drive.
Collects files from people without requiring a Google sign-in, with a Drive folder per client.
Free plan with no card required; paid plans start at $7.42 a month billed yearly.
PDF links offer passwords, expiry, watermarks, blocked download and print, and view tracking.
Data is hosted in Germany, with TLS 1.3 and encryption at rest on every plan, plus GDPR, CCPA and CASA documentation.
API, webhooks and Zapier extend it beyond the built-in integrations.
Cons
OCR is not included on Free or Pro; it starts at the Business plan.
The Free plan is tightly capped, for example 1 form with 20 responses a month and 10 automation runs a week.
Every plan up to Business is single-user; multiple seats require the Teams plan.
Monthly billing prices are not shown in the source text, only yearly-billed prices.
Pricing
Free $0 Free forever, no card required
Pro $7.42/month Billed yearly at $89
Business $14.08/month Billed yearly at $169
Teams $36.67/month Billed yearly at $440
Frequently Asked Questions
What is FileDrop?
FileDrop is a web app and Google Workspace add-on that adds file tools to Google Sheets and Drive. It includes upload forms, e-signatures, PDF sharing links, searchable tables, bulk OCR, receipt tracking and no-code automations.
How much does FileDrop cost?
FileDrop has a free plan. Paid plans are Pro at $7.42 a month ($89 billed yearly), Business at $14.08 a month ($169 yearly) and Teams at $36.67 a month ($440 yearly). Paid plans come with a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Does FileDrop have a free plan?
Yes. The Free plan costs $0 with no card required and includes 1 user, 50 add-on uploads a month, 1 form with 20 responses a month, 3 signature requests a month and 20 receipt scans a month.
Can people upload files without a Google account?
Yes. FileDrop Forms lets people send files or sign a form on a branded page without signing in. Responses are routed to a Drive folder for each client.
What does FileDrop integrate with?
It connects to Google Drive, Google Sheets, Dropbox, OneDrive, Box, Airtable and Excel. Notifications go to Slack, Microsoft Teams or Google Chat, and receipts export to Xero and QuickBooks. Zapier, an API and webhooks cover other apps.
Which plan includes OCR?
OCR starts at the Business plan, which includes bulk OCR for 1,000 files a month and OCR inside the Sheets and Drive add-on. Teams raises this to 2,000 files a month.
Where is FileDrop data hosted and is it secure?
The site states data is hosted in Germany by Hetzner. It lists TLS 1.3 in transit, encryption at rest on every plan, GDPR and CCPA compliance and a CASA Tier 2 verification.
Who is FileDrop best for?
It suits agencies, accountants, HR teams and schools that already use Google Workspace and need to collect, sign and share documents. It is less suited to teams that do not use Google Sheets or Drive.