Whether you are a freelancer or a digital entrepreneur, you need data and file storage solutions to run your business operations smoothly. As online businesses are gradually shifting towards cloud-based technologies, cloud storage is also becoming increasingly popular. Cloud storage can be used to store files and data in a convenient and secure way, without the need for any physical storage devices. 

One of the most popular cloud-storage platforms in the SaaS marketplace is Dropbox. Dropbox offers file sharing, storage and organization tools that can be synchronized across multiple devices. Dropbox can also be used to add electronic signatures to documents, and it has task management tools that can be used to boost productivity. Dropbox also has collaboration tools that are designed for remote teams, and it has a streamlined analytics dashboard that can be used to track documents. Dropbox can be accessed through a desktop platform and a mobile app. 

Dropbox undeniably has many convenient cloud storage features. However, poor search functionality and frequent login issues can make the platform tedious for many users. That being said, there are many alternatives that you can consider in case Dropbox does not meet your standards. 

The best Dropbox alternatives are:


(We mention the hidden gems on top of our list, to give them more exposure, over the already popular ones)


Google Drive

Google Drive is a market-leading cloud storage platform that lets you share files and folders through its streamlined app. Google Drive has built-in ransomware protection, and it can be used to boost collaboration. Google Drive integrates seamlessly with every major CRM and digital marketing platform, and it has an advanced search bar that can be used to locate documents easily. Google Drive also has vault and endpoint management tools for advanced users. 


Pros

✔️  Versatile collaboration tools, with in-built video conferencing features

✔️  AI-powered ‘search chips’ feature that eliminates the need to perform multiple searches

✔️ Proactive security tools that constantly scan files for malware, spam, ransomware, or phishing threats

✔️ Customized business emails are provided with every paid plan


Cons

❌ Synchronization features need to be improved

❌ Downloading glitches are common on Google Drive’s mobile app


Pricing

💰 Free trial plan available

💰 Business standard plan – $12 per user per month

💰 Business starter plan- $6 per user per month 

💰 Business plus plan- $18 per user month 

💰 Customized pricing plans for enterprise users


Best known for

Google Drive is best known for its collaboration tools. Google Drive has in-built video conferencing and meeting tools that can automatically save meeting recordings to Google Drive. Google Drive also has targeted file sharing tools that can be used to pair documents with digital whiteboards and polls. Google Drive users can also share notes, forms and surveys with their team members and clients, and they can create one-to-one chat boxes and appointment booking pages through Google Drive. 


OneDrive

OneDrive provides multi-device cloud storage solutions that can be used to backup and protect files and photos. OneDrive has many file-sharing and collaboration tools, and you can access the latest Microsoft 365 apps through OneDrive as well. OneDrive also has ransomware recovery and mobile scanning features. OneDrive has an ID-verified personal vault for sensitive files, and it can be used to back-up PC folders as well.


Pros

✔️ Advanced document scanning app that can convert paper documents, receipts and whiteboards into PDFs

✔️ Automatic backup options for photos and videos with in-built sharing tools

✔️ Seamless access to MS Office apps and Skype

✔️ Versatile synchronization features through which PC files can be easily backed up into OneDrive’s mobile app


Cons

❌ Download/upload speeds are throttled frequently, and this can be restrictive

❌ Files get altered occasionally during uploads


Pricing

💰 Free trial plan available

💰 Microsoft 365 family plan- $9.99 per month

💰 Microsoft 365 personal plan- $6.99 per month

💰 OneDrive standalone 100GB plan- $1.99 per month

💰 Plan 1 for business- $5 per user per month

💰 Plan 2 for business- $10 per user per month

💰 Microsoft 365 business basic plan- $6 per user per month

💰 Microsoft 365 business standard plan- $12.5 per user per month

💰 Customized pricing plans for users who are looking for add-ons


Best known for

OneDrive is best known for its mobile-driven document scanning tools. With OneDrive, you can easily scan paper documents, receipts, whiteboards and ID cards as PDF documents through OneDrive’s mobile app. ID cards, contracts and other sensitive documents can be scanned and stored easily in OneDrive’s personal vault, along with old printed photos. OneDrive also lets you mark up drawings, notes and whiteboards after they have been scanned.


Box

Box provides simplified collaboration and cloud-storage tools for individuals and businesses of all sizes. Box has encrypted file storage features, and its collaboration tools can be used to streamline workflows. You can also use Box to add electronic signatures to documents, and it has API/developer tools for advanced users. Box can be integrated with many external apps, including Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. Box also has features that can be used for workflow automation and it comes with custom metadata templates.


Pros

✔️ Versatile signing tools that let you add unlimited e-signatures to your documents

✔️ Real-time collaboration tools that can be used to conveniently review, edit and share files

✔️ Advanced developer tools with SDKs that can be used to deploy content apps

✔️ Automated workflow management tools that can be used to track and optimize business processes


Cons

❌ Notification features and email alerts could be improved

❌ Mac OS features could be improved


Pricing

💰 Free trial plan available

💰 Personal pro plan – $15 per user per month

💰 Business starter plan – $8 per user per month

💰 Business plus plan – $36 per user per month

💰 Business plan – $22 per user per month

💰 Enterprise plan – $50 per user per month

💰 Customized pricing plans for users who are looking for add-ons


Best known for

Box is best known for its e-signature features. Box Sign lets you add unlimited e-signatures to your documents. Box Sign can be easily integrated into Salesforce and Microsoft 365. You can also secure your signatures with Box Sign by adding governance policies and compliance rules, and you can add e-signature templates to your documents as well. E-signatures can also be incorporated into complex workflows with Box by using parallel document routing, and signatures can also be tracked easily through Box’s API.


Zoho Docs

Zoho Docs offers document management and secure real-time collaboration tools with affordable pricing plans. With Zoho Docs, you can set up email notifications and audit trails that are linked to your documents, and you can password-protect your files easily. Zoho Docs also offers file recovery and task management tools, and it has a desktop app that can be used for real-time synchronization. You can also schedule reminders for your team members and clients with Zoho Docs as well.


Pros

✔️ Unique file versioning features that let you store up to 25 versions of a file

✔️ Advanced analytics and reporting tools that can be used to set up audit trails for your files

✔️ Robust document management tools that can be used to share folders with links

✔️ Versatile collaboration tools that can be used to assign roles and add/invite users


Cons

❌ Lack of storage space for premium plans when compared to peers

❌ User interface needs to be improved


Pricing

💰 Free trial plan is available

💰 Standard plan- $4 per user per month

💰 Premium plan- $7 per user per month

💰 Customized pricing plans for users who are looking for add-ons


Best known for

Zoho Docs is best known for its document management tools. With Zoho Docs, you can set up multi-level folders and create/edit documents online with ease. Zoho Docs can also be used to zip and unzip files, and it can be used to add tags to documents. You can also conduct full-text searches and share folders from your workspaces, and you can manage documents and data through Zoho Docs’ mobile app as well.


Internxt

Internxt offers zero-knowledge cloud storage solutions for users who give special importance to privacy and security. Intenext has a multi-device platform that synchronizes your files in real-time. Internxt also has document management and organization tools, and it has a multi-media gallery that can be used to easily manage videos and photos. Internxt also offers free password-checking and virus scanning tools, and you can purchase Internxt plans with crypto tokens as well. 


Pros

✔️ Robust zero-knowledge platform for enhanced security and privacy

✔️  Streamlined gallery that lets you access synced photos even when your device is lost, stolen, or broken

✔️ Unique password checking tools that can be used to test the strength of your passwords

✔️ Versatile synchronization tools that can back up your files with enhanced privacy and security


Cons

❌ Link sharing features need to be improved

❌ Document analytics and tracking features need to be improved


Pricing

💰 Free trial plan available

💰 20GB plan- $1 per month

💰 200GB plan- $5 per month

💰 2TB plan- $11 per month

💰 Customized pricing plans for users who are looking for add-ons


Best known for

Internxt is best known for its privacy and security features. Internxt’s zero-knowledge cloud storage service provides best-in-class privacy and security for your data. Internxt also fragments & encrypts every file in its servers using military-grade file sharding algorithms, which makes it impossible for anyone to access or sell your data. Internxt proactively scans files for malware and viruses as well before they are uploaded onto its servers.


pCloud

pCloud offers multi-device cloud storage and file sharing solutions for individuals and businesses of all sizes. pCloud also offers link-sharing tools that can be used to share large files, and it has real-time synchronization tools that can be used to recover older file versions as well. pCloud also has robust file-management tools, and it has collaboration tools that are perfect for small, medium-sized and large teams. pCloud also has a built-in media player, and it can back up files from various external platforms through its integration options.


Pros

✔️ Versatile audio and video players that can be used to build playlists

✔️ Handy synchronization tools, with multi-device offline access features

✔️ Robust collaboration tools that can be used to generate detailed stats for shared links

✔️ In-depth file management and versioning tools


Cons

❌ Electronic signature functions are lacking compared to peers

❌ Loading and navigation speeds are slow compared to peers


Pricing

💰 Free trial plan available

💰 Premium 500GB plan- $49.99 per year

💰 Premium plus 2TB plan- $99.99 per year

💰 2TB family plan- $500 one-time payment

💰 Business plan- $9.99 per month

💰 Customized pricing plans for users who are looking for add-ons


Best known for

pCloud is best known for its file-versioning features. With pCloud lets you preview final edits and restore previous versions of files. pCloud can store multiple file versions for 15-30 days, and you can set up restore points to download old non-encrypted files or accidentally removed shared content. With pCloud, you can also record all file changes in your account for up to 365 days and easily recover data within a year of a deletion or an edit.


Dropbox FAQs


Is there a better system than Dropbox?

There are many alternatives to Dropbox that you can consider for your business, in case Dropbox is not suitable for your business requirements. We have listed some of these alternatives above.


Are there free alternatives to Dropbox?

Most cloud-storage providers do have lifetime free plans, but the storage space that comes with these plans is very limited. If you want additional storage space, you will have to upgrade to a paid plan.


What are Dropbox competitors? 

Dropbox has many competitors, we have listed some of them above.


Is Dropbox still relevant?

Dropbox has the second-highest market share when it comes to cloud storage solutions, hence it is very relevant. 


Does Microsoft have something like Dropbox?

Microsoft has OneDrive, which is similar to Dropbox. 


Is pCloud better than Dropbox?

pCloud is better than Dropbox as far as file management is concerned, but Dropbox is better than pCloud as far as electronic signature tools are concerned. 


Is Dropbox safer than Google Drive?

Dropbox and Google Drive are very similar when it comes to AES encryption; however, Dropbox has a slight advantage over Google when it comes to encrypting files that are at rest.


What is Google’s version of Dropbox?

Google’s version of Dropbox is Google Drive.