Dropbox vs Google Drive: Which Cloud Storage is Right for You?

Dropbox and Google Drive embrace millions of personal and business accounts worldwide. The two popular storage clouds encompass top-level security, cloud-based collaboration options, and flexible payments. Above that, there’s always your final decision between the two. 

With  700 million registered users and $2.5 billion in annual revenue, Dropbox successfully rivals Google Drive with 2 billion monthly active users and $2.6 billion of cloud revenue. 

The cloud storage comparison highlights attributes and functionalities of Google Drive and Dropbox beyond storage size. Our up-to-date analysis provides all the necessary information you need to make a win-win choice for your private and business solutions. 

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Overview of Dropbox and Google Drive

Topping the cloud storage market, Dropbox and Google Drive are serving their target audiences worldwide. 

There’s no straightforward answer: “Is Google Drive better than Dropbox?” 

Because of exquisite backup, sync, and sharing features, there’s always a hard choice between Google Drive and Dropbox for private and business users. 

Our preliminary review of these storage apps indicates the following advantages:

Dropbox

Google Drive

🔸 Well-organized cloud drive 🔸 Fast file syncProcessing big files 🔸 Mobile app, enabling quick file sharing and signing documents  🔸Video and image collaboration  🔸 ‘Rewind’ as an advanced security feature 🔸 Multi-file management without leaving the app 🔸 Real-time file transfer  🔸 Intuitive and responsive user interface 🔸 Top-notch customer service 🔸 Enhanced compatibility across operational systems, including Linux and Ubuntu

🔸 A generous free plan 🔸 Customized photo gallery 🔸 Inexpensive storage upgrades 🔸 Advanced security  🔸 Enhanced compatibility with Windows, iOS, Android, and macOS 🔸 Optimized mobile app for iOS and Android

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Features comparison

Either for individual use or Dropbox vs Google Drive for business, our expert analysis reveals that Dropbox outperforms Google Drive with:

• Speed 
• File organization
• Fast file sync capacity up to 2 TB of files and 4K videos 
• Block-level sync
• SmartSync option allows working with chosen files and folders online and saves hard drive space 
• Large file uploads and downloads: transfers up to 2 TB at a time
• Enhanced sharing options
• Simultaneous processing of audio and video files with Dropbox’s robust viewer that supports 288 file types
• AES-256-bit cloud storage encryption for data security.
• TLS encryption for transferred files.
• Two-factor authentication.
• Support of compatible file formats, like RAW images and MKV videos
• A seamless user experience (UX)
• Collaboration workflow
• Dropbox Paper allows note-sharing with other users
• No workflow disruptions 
• File backup and recovery even for up to 10-year-old projects
• Simultaneous uploads and downloads
• Personal brand identity on file download pages
• Integration with editing programs: After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Premiere Rush
• Support of PSD and EPS Adobe formats without licensing
• The incremental backup feature transfers the updated parts of large files only 
• Simplified collaboration with no hopping across apps, emails, and exported versions
• Advanced multimedia features allowing to view video and audio files through Dropbox and Replay 
• Time efficiency and bandwidth 
• Streaming the latest content directly from the cloud 
• Working across multiple ecosystems securely in real time on Microsoft 365 
• Integration with third-party apps: Adobe Creative Cloud, Asana, Google Workspace, Microsoft Office 365, Jotform, Trello, Slack, and Zoom, among others
• No copy conflicts or interruptions
• Advanced file browsing and sharing for efficient team collaboration
• One-click file recovery and version control with Dropbox Replay
• Full history of changes
• Protection of local files with automatic Dropbox Backup 
• The Rewind function enables the rewinding of user accounts and files in bulk

In its turn, Google Drive: 

• Allows a decent free storage space. 
• Provides great security 
• Enables convenient file search. 
• Strong for its in-built productivity tools and Workspace apps within a unified cloud environment. 
• Enables simultaneous editing with other people, including comments and suggestions.
• Capable of saving up to 100 file versions.
• Provides file uploading capacity of up to 5 TB. 
• Large storage capacity for business accounts up to 5 TB per user.
• Popular for its suite of products and multiple integrations.
• Seamlessly integrates with Android phones and tablets and Chrome OS devices. 
• Google Drive/One apps are integrated with iOS and Windows for smooth file downloads and uploads. 
• Integrate with third-party services: Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office, Slack, and Zoom, among others.

While Google Drive provides unified data storage, Dropbox wins for usability.

Pricing plans and storage options

Dropbox pricing plans edge Google Drive after its 2 TB Premium plan limit.

While Google Drive pricing plans are comparatively cheaper, its storage options are limited. By contrast, Dropbox offers more expensive packages with up to 3 TB of cloud storage. Allowing a 30-day free trial, Dropbox has no refund policy granted by Google Drive.

Storage Benefits

With 15 GB of free storage compared to Dropbox’s 2 GB, Google Drive is the ultimate winner for individual users. Daily use of Google products like Gmail and Google Photos, among others, will quickly fill free space.

Dropbox grants an extra 500 MB for every referee within 16 GB of free storage space max.

Both clouds offer paid storage options in addition to their 2 GB and 15 GB free space. Upgrading to Dropbox paid storage includes smart syncing, which allows access to cloud files without saving them on a hard drive. Syncing offline folders allows access through mobile devices without an internet connection.

The upgrade to Google One allows 2 TB of storage, similar to Dropbox’s Plus plan.

Security and privacy considerations

Security & Encryption

Regarding Dropbox vs Google Drive security, data saved with cloud services is much safer than information stored on a hard drive. However, information stored on user devices is an easy target for hackers who deploy malware and phishing approaches.

So, how secure is Google Drive vs Dropbox? 

Dropbox and Google Drive provide two-factor authentication (2FA). Users may encrypt data being transmitted from the cloud storage service to a user device and in reverse. 

The cloud storages deploy the top-secret Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 256-bit encryption established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and approved by the U.S. National Security Agency to ensure file safety during storage. 

Dropbox 

Dropbox is certified as the ISO 27701 PII Processor. This is the international standard for managing privacy information. The standard enhances the data security management system under ISO 27001 towards PIMS, a privacy information management system. 

Dropbox does not allow end-to-end encryption despite relying on standard encryption protocols. This means that third parties may access user files and private data. 

Google Drive

Google Drive security features allow storing sensitive files, provided all configurations are in place. The cloud deploys core protections: data encryption (AES-128) and SSL/TLS to encrypt data in transit. These protocols assume a robust defense, though much depends on the quality of their management. 

Additionally, Google Workspace deploys strict access controls for cloud storage. To mitigate security risks, regulated data operations require extra security measures, including data loss prevention and encryption on the client’s end.

Syncing

Syncing methods used by Google Drive and Dropbox are different. Google Drive’s sync allows for a wider document exposure during transit; every document is fully encrypted before storage. 

Dropbox syncs changes in sections instead of uploading the whole document. Collaboration-focused Dropbox Paper allows everyone to see quick changes. 

With automatic file-saving options, Google downloads and uploads the whole document to sync. Once a user wants to access the latest version from another device, syncing may cause delays from a few seconds to several minutes. The delay time depends on the number of active users and changes made. Sometimes, users may lose their file changes when the internet connection fails.

Virtual data rooms for advanced security and compliance

As file-sharing platforms, VDRs outperform cloud storage for business security. These virtual storage environments maintain confidential data securely and share it only with trusted parties. 

With the highest data security level, users may safely track files and manage their projects. 

While cloud storage solutions like Dropbox and Google Drive offer a high level of scalability and unlimited user access, they are not entirely virtual. These file-sharing platforms rely on remote servers that store user data and software. 

As far as security is concerned, cloud storage makes users entrust their data to third parties. Thus, much depends on security standards and certificates applied by individual cloud providers. 

In their turn, VDRs are connected to a corporate local network. This means access is granted to the personnel operating company-approved devices and access rights. 

VDRs allow companies that run multiple apps and operate complicated workloads to control corporate data. Nonetheless, VDRs entail a limited capacity and require the latest technology. 

Cloud storage solutions provide: 

• Enhanced storage options
• Data-sharing
• Quick setups
• Multi-platform integration. 

Despite these advantages, cloud storage is not perfect for data security. Data-sharing operations are hard to track and control, while most cloud vendors provide limited customer support. 

Virtual Data Rooms provide: 

• Secure document sharing for M&A and due diligence
• Granular access controls
• Progress tracking 
• Permission management 
• 24/7 customer support 
• Data safety permissions 
• Cloud security compliance with standards and certifications.

👁️‍🗨️ Learn everything you need to know about Virtual Data Rooms vs Google Drive  – understand which solution is ideal for secure business collaboration and data management.

Speed and performance 

File uploads and downloads

Dropbox and Google Drive differ in file upload/download speeds, synchronization, and availability across multiple platforms.

Integrated with Chrome OS and the Google Workspace suite, Google Drive ensures agile performance. In turn, Dropbox provides optimal speed and enhanced performance. 

In the experiment with a 3 GB RAR file, Google Drive upload time took 31 minutes and download time 1.4 minutes, respectively. It took Dropbox to upload the file in 21 minutes and download it in 1.5 minutes.

While Dropbox edges Google Drive in file uploads, it slightly falls behind in downloads. A 45% speed advantage may be leveraged for 10-30 GB uploads.

Performance 

Beyond speed, Dropbox edges Google Drive in performance. 

Dropbox is faster at sending files around the local network. The files are added to the Dropbox account owing to LAN sync before appearing in the cloud. 

As for sharing storage, the Google One plan allows up to six users for a mere $2 a month. Dropbox, in its turn, provides 2 TB of storage for $20 a month. 

Google Drive and Dropbox are cloud backup systems not suited for regular emergency backups. 

Google One provides extra storage for:

• Extra shared space 
• Google One VPN access on Android 
• 10% discounts in Google Store 

To benefit from advanced user options, Dropbox provides a superior interface and UX with premium pricing plans and business accounts. 

Use cases: When to choose Dropbox vs Google Drive

Here are the benefits promised by Dropbox and Google Drive for individuals and business users:

Key takeaways

There’s much of a difference between Dropbox and Google Drive. Technically, Dropbox outperforms Google Drive owing to enhanced performance, faster upload speeds, multimedia, and file-sharing options. While the best cloud storage is anyone’s guess, the ultimate choice between the two is always individual, depending on the type of use, purposes of use, participants, data amounts, and security and privacy considerations. 

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