Cloud storage and collaboration
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52649 reviews trackedThe Bottom Line
Entry price
Free plan available, paid tiers above
Biggest pro
Block-level sync only transfers changed file portions, making edits extremely fast
Biggest con
No zero-knowledge encryption, Dropbox can access your file contents
TL;DR - Dropbox
- Cloud storage pioneer with block-level sync that only transfers changed file portions for fast updates
- Deep Microsoft Office and Google Workspace integration enables real-time co-editing without leaving Dropbox
- Business plans offer unlimited storage, admin controls, SSO, and audit logging for enterprise teams
Pricing: Free plan available
Best for: Growing teams
4.4/5 across review platforms
What is Dropbox?
Dropbox is a cloud storage and file synchronization platform that lets individuals and teams store, share, and collaborate on files from anywhere. Founded in 2007, it pioneered the modern cloud storage category with seamless sync across desktop, mobile, and web. Dropbox uses block-level file transfer technology, meaning only changed portions of files are synced, resulting in fast uploads for edits. The platform integrates with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace for real-time co-editing, and offers Smart Sync to browse all cloud files without consuming local disk space. Business plans add admin controls, unlimited storage, SSO, and advanced audit logging for enterprise compliance.
Available on: Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Block-level sync only transfers changed file portions, making edits extremely fast
- Seamless real-time co-editing inside Microsoft Office and Google Docs
- Smart Sync lets you see all files in your file explorer without downloading them
- Strong ecosystem of third-party integrations across productivity tools
- Reliable cross-platform sync across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android
- Generous unlimited storage on Business Advanced and Enterprise plans
Cons
- No zero-knowledge encryption, Dropbox can access your file contents
- Free plan limited to only 2 GB of storage, far below competitors
- Higher per-user pricing than alternatives offering comparable storage
- US-based servers subject to Patriot Act data requests
- Desktop app redesign has added complexity to what was a simple interface
Ratings Across the Web
4.4(52,649 reviews)
Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more
Key Features
Cloud file storage with up to unlimited space on business plansCross-device sync with block-level transfer for fast incremental updatesSmart Sync to browse cloud files without using local storageReal-time co-editing with Microsoft Office and Google Docs integrationFile sharing with password protection and expiration datesFile version history and recovery (up to 180 days on higher plans)Dropbox Paper for collaborative documents and note-takingTeam folders with granular permission controlsMobile apps with offline access and document scanningAdmin console with SSO, audit logs, and device management
Pricing Plans
30-day Free TrialBasic
Free
- 2 GB storage
- Sync across 3 devices
- File sharing
- Mobile app access
Plus
$13.25/monthly
- 1 TB (1,024 GB) storage
- Unlimited devices
- 30-day file recovery
- Password-protected sharing
- Smart Sync
- Offline access
Essentials
$19.99/monthly
- 3 TB (3,000 GB) storage
- 180-day file recovery
- Send large files up to 100 GB
- PDF editing
- Watermarking
- Branding controls
Business
$18/monthly
- 5 TB storage for the team
- Admin console
- Granular sharing permissions
- Dropbox Paper
- Team folders
- File locking
Business Plus
$25/monthly
- Unlimited storage
- SSO integration
- Advanced audit logging
- Device management
- Legal holds
- Compliance tracking
Enterprise
null
- Unlimited storage
- 24/7 phone support
- Domain insights
- Advanced security features
- Dedicated account manager
- Custom integrations
How Dropbox's pricing compares
At $13.25/mo, Dropbox is the most premium of its 4 direct competitors.
Entry paid plan, monthly.
Reviews
4.4/5
Across 52,649 verified user reviews on G2, Capterra
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Best Dropbox Alternatives
Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.
Google DriveFreemium
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OneDriveFreemium
Seamless cloud storage for Windows and Microsoft 365
BoxPaid
Secure cloud content management
pCloudFreemium
Secure cloud storage with lifetime plans and advanced encryption.
MEGAFreemium
Secure encrypted cloud storage, communication, and privacy tools for everyone.
Sync.comFreemium
Secure cloud storage with end-to-end encryption for privacy and collaboration.
Still deciding?
Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.
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Dropbox FAQ
How much free storage does Dropbox offer?
Dropbox Basic provides 2 GB of free cloud storage. This is significantly less than competitors like Google Drive (15 GB free) or OneDrive (5 GB free), but Dropbox compensates with fast block-level sync and strong app integrations.
Does Dropbox encrypt my files?
Dropbox encrypts files in transit with TLS and at rest with 256-bit AES encryption. However, it does not offer zero-knowledge encryption, meaning Dropbox technically has the ability to access your file contents. For zero-knowledge encryption, consider alternatives like Sync.com or pCloud.
What is Dropbox Smart Sync?
Smart Sync lets you see all your Dropbox files in your desktop file explorer without actually downloading them to your hard drive. Files appear as placeholders and are downloaded on demand when you open them, saving significant local disk space while keeping everything accessible.
Can multiple people edit the same file in Dropbox?
Yes. Dropbox integrates with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace to enable real-time co-editing directly within the Dropbox interface. Multiple team members can work on the same document, spreadsheet, or presentation simultaneously.
What is the difference between Dropbox Plus and Essentials?
Plus offers 1 TB of storage with 30-day version history for personal use. Essentials provides 3 TB, extends version history to 180 days, and adds professional features like PDF editing, watermarking, branding controls, and the ability to send large files up to 100 GB.
Does Dropbox work on Linux?
Yes. Dropbox has a native Linux client that supports Ubuntu and Fedora-based distributions. It provides the same sync and Smart Sync features available on Windows and macOS, making it one of the few major cloud storage providers with full Linux support.
Source: dropbox.com