Even though the two platforms sound similar, there are a lot of differences that businesses need to think about when choosing a cloud storage platform, which has become a more important choice in recent years. In the past, businesses that wanted to store a lot of data and make it easy to access it from anywhere had to buy their own servers, which are expensive to buy and hard to keep up, often requiring specially trained staff. People who filled up their computer internal hard drive, on the other hand, had to use external drives like USB sticks or network-attached storage (NAS) drives, which are usually expensive and offer limited remote access.
Both are quickly being replaced by a wide range of cloud storage and cloud backup products, which not only offer customized storage that can be expanded, but can also be accessed from almost anywhere. Box and Dropbox are two of these options with names that sound the same. If you want to learn more about each solution, check out our Box cloud storage review and our Dropbox cloud storage review.
Both Dropbox and Box have a lot of different features, like the ability to store a lot of data, share files safely, and use advanced tools for working together. Both services can be used for personal or business needs, and they have different pricing plans. These tools for managing documents offer a lot.
Dropbox Storage and Pricing
Dropbox has 7 plans. The Basic plan is free, and the other 6 plans cost money and increase the size of your account and storage space. The Basic plan gives you up to 3 devices and 2 GB of free storage space with basic features. Dropbox business plans offer anywhere from 2TB to unlimited storage per user, with no limit on the number of devices. Box has 7 plans, one of which is free, and 6 business plans. Each Business plan gives you unlimited storage, while the Free plan only gives you 10 GB. All paid Box plans come with features like e-signatures, workflow automation, and the ability to work together.
Box vs dropbox Comparison Table
Feature | Box | Dropbox |
---|---|---|
Storage Capacity | Varied plans offering up to unlimited storage | Varied plans offering up to 3TB storage |
Collaboration | Extensive collaboration features for teams | Collaboration features primarily for file sharing |
Security | Robust security measures with advanced access controls | Strong security measures with two-factor authentication |
File Syncing | Syncs files across devices seamlessly | Syncs files across devices seamlessly |
Integrations | Integrates with various third-party apps and services | Integrates with various third-party apps and services |
Pricing | Offers different pricing plans for individuals/teams | Offers different pricing plans for individuals/teams |
File Versioning | Keeps track of file versions and allows rollbacks | Keeps track of file versions and allows rollbacks |
Mobile Apps | Provides mobile apps for iOS and Android | Provides mobile apps for iOS and Android |
Customer Support | Offers various support options including phone/email | Offers various support options including phone/email |
Official link | Visit Website | Visit Website |
Box vs dropbox Security
Box and Dropbox are both popular cloud storage and file sharing services that offer security features to keep user data safe. But they have some different ideas about how to keep people safe. Box is known for having strong security measures and focusing on meeting the needs of large businesses. It has a number of security features, such as encrypting data, controlling who can access it, and using advanced authentication. Box uses strong encryption algorithms to keep data safe while it’s in transit and while it’s sitting still. It also has features like watermarking, file versioning, and granular access permissions to ensure data integrity and control.
On the other hand, Dropbox is easier to use and is often used for personal and small business needs. It also encrypts data while it’s being sent and while it’s being stored, but its security features may not be as good as Box’s. Dropbox does offer two-factor authentication and password protection for shared files, but it may have fewer options for fine-grained access controls than Box.
Both Box and Dropbox follow industry-standard security certifications and rules, like SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001. This shows that they are committed to keeping their environments safe. But it’s important to remember that both the service provider and the user are responsible for security. Users should use strong passwords, turn on two-factor authentication, and be careful about sharing sensitive information.
Box vs dropbox Features
Box is known for having a lot of features, especially for business users. It has strong security measures, such as encrypting data, controlling who can access it, and offering advanced authentication options. Box has a lot of storage space and lets you upload large files, so it’s good for businesses that deal with a lot of data. It also has tools for working together, such as co-authoring in real time, version control, and file comments. Box works with a lot of third-party apps and has APIs for custom integrations, so users can make their workflows more efficient. Box also has a lot of controls for admins, audit logs, and reporting tools that help organizations keep track of and control their data.
Dropbox, on the other hand, focuses on being easy to use and simple, but it still has a lot of useful features. It makes it easy to access files from anywhere because it automatically syncs files across devices. Dropbox has tools for sharing files and working together, like shared folders, document comments, and a history of past versions. It also works with popular productivity apps like Microsoft Office and Google Workspace, making it possible for workflows to run smoothly. Dropbox has many different plans, including ones for individuals, small businesses, and larger teams. Each plan has a different amount of storage space and more advanced sharing controls.
Both Box and Dropbox have mobile apps that let users access their files and manage them on the go. They also let you access files when you are not online and let you preview different types of files. Both services also have file recovery options that let users get back deleted files within a certain amount of time.
Box vs dropbox Collaboration
Box is known for its features that make it easy for people to work together, especially business users. It has a lot of tools that help teams work better together and get more done. Users can create shared folders, work on documents together in real time, and add comments and notes to files with Box. Box also works with productivity apps like Microsoft Office 365 and Google Workspace, making it easy for people to work together in familiar settings. Box also has advanced access controls and permission settings that make it easy for users to manage collaboration workflows and keep data safe.
Dropbox, on the other hand, also has strong collaboration tools, but its interface is easier to use and understand. It lets users make shared folders, invite other people to work on projects, and sync files across devices. Dropbox Paper has a built-in collaborative workspace where users can edit documents together, add comments, and see changes as they happen. Dropbox works well with popular productivity tools like Microsoft Office, Slack, and Trello. This makes it easy for users to work together in the way that works best for them.
Both Box and Dropbox have version control, which lets users keep track of previous file versions and go back to them. They also send out notifications and keep activity logs so that everyone knows about changes to files and discussions. But it’s important to note that Box’s collaboration features may be better for large organizations with complex collaboration needs, while Dropbox is a popular choice for individuals and small teams because it’s simple and easy to use.
Box vs dropbox Performance
Box is known for having a strong infrastructure and the ability to grow, which makes it a good choice for enterprise customers. It lets users upload and download files quickly, making it easy to send files of different sizes. Box uses content delivery networks (CDNs) to speed up access to files by serving files from servers in different parts of the world. This helps to reduce latency and make sure users have a smooth experience, especially if they are in different parts of the world. Box also works hard to keep its availability and uptime high, making sure that users can always access their files.
Dropbox, on the other hand, focuses on being simple and easy to use while still working well. It works well to keep files in sync across devices, so users can easily access their files from different platforms. Delta synchronization is used by Dropbox’s desktop client. This means that only the changes made to a file are uploaded, which saves time and bandwidth. This feature speeds things up, especially when working with large files or folders that are updated often. Dropbox also uses server infrastructure that is placed in a way that gives the best performance around the world.
Both Box and Dropbox spend money to keep their infrastructure safe and reliable so that they can offer their services. They use backup systems, redundant storage systems, and data replication to make sure that data is safe and won’t be lost if something goes wrong. Also, they update their platforms often to make improvements to performance and fix any problems with performance.
Box: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Secure storage
- Easy collaboration
- File sharing with external parties
- Version control
- Integration with third-party applications
Cons
- Expensive pricing
- Learning curve for new users
- Limited offline access
- Storage limitations
- Limited customization options
Dropbox: Pros and Cons
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Seamless file synchronization across devices
- Easy file sharing and collaboration
- Version history and file recovery options
- Integration with a wide range of apps and services
Cons
- Limited storage capacity in free plans
- Reliance on internet connectivity for accessing files
- Higher pricing for premium plans compared to some competitors
Which one should you consider?
Box and Dropbox are both popular services for storing and sharing files in the cloud. Each has its own strengths. Box is great for enterprise customers because it has strong security and collaboration features. Dropbox is popular with individuals and small teams because it is simple and easy to use. In the end, choosing between Box and Dropbox depends on your needs and priorities, such as whether you want advanced security and enterprise-level controls (Box) or simple, easy-to-use software (Dropbox).
FAQs
Dropbox and Box are both cloud-based platforms for storing files and working on documents together. Dropbox has a better mobile app and a better way to manage photos, while Box has built-in workflows and lets you edit e-signatures. Free version? There are more than 100 apps, like Google Suite.
Box has a program called Box KeySafe that lets users take care of their own encryption keys. Aside from that, both Box and Dropbox use AES-256 to encrypt files, making them equally safe.