Google Driveand Dropbox are two of the most pop cloud storage providers , if not some of the best . They offer up a range of exciting features , from secure file storage and transfer , to free memory board , file syncing , extensions , chat - app integration , and more . But while they might go toe to toe on some cloud memory specifications , there are others where one is the clear victor . The question is , which one is the in force in 2024 ?
get ’s take a close expression at Google Drive and Dropbox to see how their latest head to channelise bend out .
Google Drive wins the free storage battle
Both Dropbox and Google Drive offer free entrepot space for those who would wish to try out their respective table service before position down a few dollar a calendar month for something more expansive and permanent . Google Drive comes standard , with 15 GB of free space , far more than Dropbox ’s initial free entrepot offering of just 2 GB .
Although that does give Google a notable edge in this section , Dropbox offers several ways to increase your free storage . Basic ( liberal ) report can make an extra 500 MB of storage space for each friend or fellowship fellow member referred to the religious service , up to 16 Gi . It also has innocent tryout available for its premium subscription packages , so if you want to stress out one of the paid options with masses of storage space , you may for a limited metre .
While the additional earned storage distance lead to Dropbox offering more free space than Google Drive , referring hoard of supporter is n’t a unproblematic task . Especially in today ’s mankind , most people who need cloud computer storage already have it . It ’s good that Dropbox has that option , but ultimately , Google Drive ’s free storage is simply good .
For paid storage, it’s a draw between Drive and Dropbox
If you need to store anything beyond a few gigabytes , it does n’t matter which swarm storage solution you prefer for ; you ’re move to have to make up for it . Both Google Drive and Dropbox offer agiotage subscription services , devote you much more distant storage , and a compass of pricing tiers with unlike features and , crucially , different quantities of cloud storage .
Dropbox currently offers two sets of design : One solidifying extend storage and other dick , and the other set proffer principally storage . For the purposes of the scout , we ’re only hold up to focus onthe solidifying of Dropbox design that primarily extend store . The Dropbox Plus account offers 2 TB of storage space , which lend remote twist wipe and multi - factor authentication ( which is essential for keep file secure these days ) . It ’ll lay you back $ 120 for the class or $ 12 a month . There ’s also the option of a Professional account , which costs $ 17 ( per calendar month if bill each year ) and declare oneself 3 TB of storage space plus watermarking and shared link ascendence .
Dropbox also offers Standard and advance chronicle for teams and business drug user , including extra file retrieval time , viewer story , and gadget approvals . The Standard accounts are bound to 5 TB of computer storage for a squad for $ 15 per user monthly ( when billed yearly ) . The modern subscription used to provide unlimited storage , but has since restricted that to a - still - whopping 15 TB for the squad . It ’s much more expensive , though , be $ 24 per drug user per calendar month when give per annum or $ 30 per user per month when paid monthly . They also come with a wealth of squad direction options , admit tools such as exclusive - signal - on integrations and tiered admin persona . Dropbox also bid an Enterprise plan , but you ’ll need to adjoin them for pricing .
On the other hand , for personal users , Google Drive just offers three chief tiers of pricing after the free option , all under its Google One avail . The first is call Basic and it ’s a $ 2 per calendar month plan that provides 100 GB , access to Google experts , and colored web monitoring . Google ’s Standard program is no longer useable , with Google now only offering two further subscription tiers . The next is Premium , which offers 2 TB for $ 10 per month and admittance to three Google Workspace exchange premium feature , as well as cashback in the Google Store and additional features for Google Photo editing .
The next higher grade is AI Premium , which offers the same 2 TB of memory board blank , but with additionalGoogle Gemini features , including the late role model at the time of writing , Ultra 1.0
finally , Google Drive and Dropbox both have their advantage when it comes to pricing . If 100 GB of space will suffice , Google Drive ’s $ 2 a calendar month selection is the unspoiled bet . But if you call for much more storage due to originative projection or business needs , Dropbox may be the agency to go since its pay plans start at $ 12 per calendar month for 2 TB when billed monthly . In this subject , it ’s a bit of a draw because who wins this family is based on what your exact reposition needs are . If it ’s more personal , Google Drive ’s Google One service might be serious . More professional ? Dropbox might be the one for you .
For more AI features and integration with Google ’s other product ? That ’s a no brainer .
Dropbox edges out Drive with file syncing
Dropbox can sync files across multiple twist and operating system , include all primary desktop and mobile platform . AsCloudwards breaks downin its comparison , its Linux reenforcement and “ impudent - sync ” set Dropbox apart from the competition , as it means only changes are synchronize , not the intact file or pamphlet .
In comparison , Google Drive ’s syncing supports multiple devices and operating organisation , though it does n’t fend for Linux natively . Some workarounds make it so , but it ’s not an officially supported platform for single file synchronise . While it does allow you choose specific files to sync , it does n’t substantiate syncing of file change , often call off “ pulley-block - level ” synchronization . That means it needs to re - upload or download entire files to synchronise them .
Dropbox wins again with file sharing
File sharing is of paramount importance to many cloud storage customers , as it induce it much well-situated to post large files or folders to groups of people .
Google Drive lets youshare file and foldersusing the mobile app or in the web internet browser interface , with direct connexion or the choice to email access to your trusted share partner . It also offers the opportunity to give viewing and editing permission to those you share with , letting you tailor-make the power they have . The only downside is that without passwords or expiry dates on those links , they do present a potential security problem if you do n’t move your shared files or folder in the futurity .
Dropbox offers just as much flexibility with designating shared booklet and files . However , Professional , Standard , and Advanced story holder can set parole and death particular date on radio link , which aid protect your data long - term . you could also define user edit permission with a Standard or Advanced account .
Dropbox ’s share page also makes it gentle to see which folders and file you ’ve made approachable to others . Ultimately , that , combined with better security protections for user datum , do Dropbox the good pick .
Outside support and productivity options
Google Drive can quickly save and store Gmail attachments and twin store images with Google Photos , and it makes collaboration wanton through Google Docs , Sheets , and Slides . TheGoogle Workspace Marketplacehas a smorgasbord of third - party apps for Google Drive , giving the cloud warehousing answer a circumstances more potential than some of its competitors .
Dropbox has also developed its own product and partnership . Dropbox has Lot of extensionsthat provide bread and butter for various email client and shoot the breeze apps ( like Gmail and Microsoft Teams , respectively ) , and allow users to do things like sign documents or send faxes .
Plus , Dropbox has added its apps over the year to compete with Google more directly . That includes Dropbox Paper for creating message and Dropbox Transfer for sending large files firmly . Notably , the religious service also recently releaseda fresh Desktop appto assemble all its services into a cleaner port that makes them more usable and integrates Dropbox more fully with operating scheme capableness .
Dropbox has come a long way here and again is more friendly for complex or enterprise - degree businesses . Still , it ’s also very convenient that Google maintain everything in the Google family . It ’s a lot : The success here at last calculate on what you want .
Dropbox just barely beats Drive in security and privacy
In a world of post - Snowden revelations and even hacks of major organizations , ensuring your distant information and privacy are protected is a major thoughtfulness for many cloud storage customers .
For its part , Dropbox encipher your information withSSL / TLS encryptionwhile files are in motion and then to a 256 - number AES standard when at relief . It also offers multi - factor authentication for account admittance , to forbid unauthorized users from gaining access code . ante up customers can also remotely wipe sync files should they lose a relevant twist . Version rollback even lets you interchange updated files for differing periods of clip depending on your package , offer some bill of tribute against ransomware .
Google Drive proffer like security department features , though it uses 256 - snatch AES encryption with data file in passage and when at rest . It also indorse two - broker authentication and Cloud Identity characteristic for businesses .
Overall , Dropbox has a tenuous lead here . And that ’s largely becauseit offers more security department and accident protective cover featuresthan Google ’s Workspace and One plans and offers clear explanation of those features .
Dropbox wins the tight race
As two of thebest cloud storage servicesaround , Google Drive and Dropbox have an intense rivalry , each system essay to win more exploiter with fantabulous devoid service options or the right new paid ascent . Despite tough competition , we find that Dropbox is a superior swarm storage system to Google Drive .
That said , there are some cases where Google Drive may well serve well your demand . For newcomers to storage systems with limited experience , scarce funds , and little single file cognitive content , Google Drive is the good choice to try out , as it has a free adaptation with a muckle more perks than Dropbox . Seasoned Google users will have no problems navigate through and understanding the format of Google Drive . While Google users might favor what ’s intimate to them , we still opine Dropbox is the best service .
patronage user will find Dropbox peculiarly advantageous because it has features like terabytes of store in all of its paid programme , robust file synchronise and share-out , and a helpful password protection feature for shared single file . If you want to apply Google ’s AI services though , pay a petty extra for storage gets you access to some of its latest development , which are well worth considering .
