Dropbox Review: Cloud Storage & Collaboration

When you talk about cloud storage, most people think of one product: Dropbox.  It is a cloud-based file storage and collaboration platform designed for collaboration to reduce busywork and increase efficiency. Dropbox brings your files together, in one central place. With powerful features like Smart Sync Dropbox Professional makes storing, sharing work, and tracking progress along the way incredibly easy.

It has limitations on security but is still one of the best cloud storage platforms.  If you want a cloud storage service that makes collaborating on shared documents easy, then Dropbox is a great choice. Read on for a closer look at one of the biggest names in cloud storage in this Dropbox review.

File Syncing & Sharing

There’s no quibble here because Dropbox is still one of the best cloud storage providers for file sharing and syncing. Dropbox solves one of the biggest problems with cloud storage: disk usage.  Thanks to its “Smart Sync” feature, you can decide which folders sync to your desktop and which ones stay in the cloud.  Smart Sync is a feature that helps save space on your hard drive by removing stale files and folders off your hard drive and storing them in the cloud. With Smart Sync, you can see and access everything in your Dropbox account on your desktop without taking up space on your computer’s hard drive.   

File Sharing, extras

If you want to share files from your Dropbox, you can; it’s even one of the best cloud storage for sharing. You can share a file or folder from the desktop application, web interface, mobile app or from your desktop folder.  You’re given the option to email the invitation directly or to generate a link that you can share yourself. Files can be set as read-only, or others can be allowed to edit them.

The desktop application includes the option to share files via Slack, Trello and Zoom. Additionally, if you connect with other services, you can also share from the web interface via Gmail, Outlook, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp and more.  Sending read only files is easy with Dropbox Transfer.

Pros:

• Office & Google Docs integration
• Smart storage usage with “smart sync”
• Block-level transfer
• Integration with MS Office & Google Docs
• Rewind tool – roll back file changes (30-180 days)

Cons:

• Lacks zero-knowledge encryption
• More expensive
• Poor privacy

Security – not its’ best feature

Dropbox isn’t the most secure cloud storage you’ll find.  If security is your priority, there are much better options out there, like pCloud or Icedrive

This comes down to encryption. The gold standard in security for cloud storage services is zero-knowledge encryption. This means that your provider doesn’t hold a copy of your encryption key, so it can’t decrypt your files, even if it wanted to.  With zero-knowledge encryption, your files are kept safe from the provider, from the law and from nosy hackers, too. Only you have the key, meaning only you have access to your files.  Unfortunately, Dropbox does not offer zero-knowledge encryption.

However, there are a few security features that Dropbox does offer, such as two-factor authentication. This requires you to use a second form of authentication — aside from just your password — to access your accounts. No code, no access, even if your password is compromised.

Dropbox Competitors

• Sync.com
• pCloud.com
• icedrive.net
• Google Drive

  Support

• 24/7 Support
• Live Chat Support
• Telephone Support: No
• Email Support
• User Forum
• Knowledgebase

You can contact Dropbox customer support by email or live chat, with 24-hour support available Monday through Friday. You can also ask a question on the community forum, where advice from other Dropbox users is available.

Dropbox Pricing

Personal Usage

• Free Plan – $0 – 2GB Storage – 1 user
• Dropbox Plus Plan – $9.99/mo. – 2 TB Storage – 1 user
• Dropbox Family Plan – $16.99/mo. – 2 TB Storage – 6 users

Business Usage

• Standard  – $12.50 per user per mo. – 5 TB Storage – 3+ users
• Professional $16.58/mo. – 3 TB Storage – 1 user
• Advanced – $20.00 per user per mo. – Unlimited Storage – 3+ user

To put these prices into context, both pCloud and Sync.com offer 2TB packages for around $8 per month, annually.

Dropbox Review: Desktop App

Once Dropbox is set up, you’ll see a pop-up message about the new desktop app. Previously, the only way to make changes to your settings outside of the web interface was to use the system tray icon, but Dropbox has thrown this model out. Instead, it wants you to use the desktop application to view and control your storage.

This new app looks a lot like the web interface, where you can pin files and folders, turn shared folders into Dropbox Spaces, join video meetings and access integrations with other services, such as Slack. Most of these features are also available via the web interface, but there are some things you can only do via the desktop app, such as starting a new Zoom meeting.

The Bottom Line

It’s important to recognize Dropbox as the provider that turned cloud storage into a mainstream idea. It’s been in the market since 2007, and its features, its interface and many of its ideas have been replicated elsewhere. It continues to be one of the best cloud storage for collaboration platforms.

Its good collaboration features and strong integration with other services still put it ahead of many of its competitors. It is a great tool for entrepreneurs collaborating and sharing files with contractors

Unfortunately, nearly a decade since a major data breach, Dropbox remains subpar when it comes to privacy and security. It isn’t terrible, but with a lack of zero-knowledge encryption, it remains a much weaker, less-safe option for most users, compared to pCloud, Icedrive, or Sync.com.

That said, it isn’t all bad for Dropbox, and simplicity and ease of use continue to be some of the best reasons to consider a Dropbox account for your files. If you’re looking for a cloud storage service that lets you work on shared files, then Dropbox is a truly excellent choice.

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