There’s rigid competition in the cloud storage section, with each company fighting to create its own space.
Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, and Dropbox are the most popular cloud storage options. This article will discuss Dropbox and some of its alternatives.
What is Dropbox?
Dropbox is a cloud storage service similar to Google Drive or OneDrive. It has all the features you would expect from a similar service, from syncing your saved files across devices to connecting third-party apps.
While Dropbox can be used for free, the free account provides only 2GB of storage space. Now, 2GB might not be enough for many, especially when other services like Google Drive and OneDrive provide up to 15GB and 5GB of storage space, respectively.
Dropbox is not the only cloud storage service offering free storage. Many of its competitors, like Google Drive, OneDrive, etc., offer better and more flexible storage options. Here are some of the best Dropbox Alternatives.
1. Google Drive
Google Drive is possibly the best Dropbox alternative on the list as it provides more storage space. With every Google Account, you get 15GB of storage.
You can use that 15 GB across different Google services, including Google Drive. Google Drive excels on many fronts; everything is better than Dropbox, from the user interface to features.
Besides saving files on cloud storage, Google Drive provides flexible share options. You can also integrate Google Workspace tools, Calendar, and Keep with Google Drive to boost your productivity levels.
Once you exhaust the 15GB of free storage, you can purchase a Google One Plan to increase your storage.
2. Microsoft OneDrive
OneDrive is a cloud storage option from Microsoft. You will also find OneDrive integration on the latest Windows 10 and 11 operating systems.
While Microsoft is trying to increase OneDrive sales and attract more users, it cannot match Google Drive’s success.
Microsoft provides you with 5GB of free storage space with every Microsoft Account. You can use that storage to store your essential files in the OneDrive cloud storage service.
Microsoft OneDrive also provides many other useful features like the Personal vault, two-factor authentication, set up OneDrive to sync backup of your important Windows folders, etc.
3. Sync.com
Sync.com is slightly more advanced than Dropbox. It’s an ultimate file storage and document collaboration tool designed for teams to stay safe, secure, and connected in the cloud.
While Sync.com is known for its affordable premium plans, it has a free version that offers 5GB of storage space. The site shares many similarities with Dropbox; you can upload and place files in a dedicated sync folder.
You also get several file-sharing options, such as setting link expiration dates, controlling file access permissions, and selecting download limits.
Aside from all its features, Sync.com stands out due to its impressive security features. It uses TLS protocol to protect your files from threats and follows several other security rules to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks.
4. pCloud
pCloud is one Dropbox alternative you can consider if you want to stream media files without downloading them. Its built-in media player allows you to stream saved media files without downloading them to your device.
The key highlight of pCloud is the pCloud Drive, which lets you access the content you’ve stored on the cloud without downloading it to your device. This means you can access your saved files without an active internet connection. However, you need to set up pCloud Drive for that, which is complicated.
If we talk about pricing, the premium plans of pCloud are more expensive than Google One plans, but you get more storage space. The free version of pCloud provides you with up to 10GB of storage space for free.
5. iCloud Drive
If you are connected to Apple’s ecosystem, you will find no Dropbox alternative better than iCloud Drive. iCloud Drive is great for Apple ID holders to store images, files, passwords, notes, and other data type.
The files you store on iCloud Drive can be accessed from all your Apple devices with your Apple ID. If you have an iPhone or iPad, you can utilize the iCloud Drive service to store the backup file.
Regarding pricing, the premium plans of iCloud Drive are expensive, but every account comes with 5GB of free storage. Once you exhaust the 5 GB limit, you can consider purchasing a premium plan.
6. Icedrive
Icedrive is a very attractive cloud storage service on the list. Its user interface is amazing and cannot be compared with Dropbox.
While the cloud storage service is new, it can still fulfill all your needs. To get started, Icedrive free users get 10GB of storage space.
That 10GB of storage can store photos, videos, documents, and other file types. Icedrive’s security is also robust, and it has affordable plans.
You also get an option to install Icedrive as a virtual drive on your Windows computer. This means you can manage your files stored in the cloud like yours on your computer. This gives you all of the features and feel of your native operating system.
7. Box
If you want a cloud storage service to satisfy your business needs, look beyond Box. Box has certain features that are designed for enterprises and business users.
You have all the features of Dropbox, but it has more advanced management features that go with businesses and enterprises. If we talk about the pricing, Box offers you 10GB of free storage to get started.
After 10GB, you must purchase a plan with 100GB of storage. Box’s base plan is priced at $7 per month. So, Box is more expensive than Dropbox or any other cloud storage service on the list, but you get more features.
Box also has robust security features, but some require premium purchases. If you prioritize app integrations and project management features and want unlimited storage, Box won’t disappoint you.
8. iDrive
iDrive is another excellent cloud storage service like Dropbox that you can consider. The cloud storage service mainly sells due to its multiple-device backup feature.
You can use iDrive to back up multiple computers, Macs, iPhones, iPads, and Android devices into a single account. Apart from that, there’s also an option to backup data from external hard drives.
The files and folders uploaded to iDrive are synced in real-time across all devices linked with Cloud Drive. The free version of iDrive provides 5GB of storage space, and the premium storage plans are very cheap.
9. Mega
Mega hasn’t received much appreciation from users yet, but it’s still one of the best Dropbox alternatives you can sign up for and use.
The cloud storage service has always been known for its free plans. You get 20GB of free cloud storage space to store your important files and folders. Now, 20GB of storage space is not what we normally see in other cloud storage providers.
To use the cloud storage service on your computer, you need to download & install the MEGASync app. The app allows you to upload or download files on your computer. The MEGASync app allows you to stream files without downloading from your MEGA cloud account.
10. NordLocker
We have listed NordLocker at the end because it only offers free 3GB of storage space. 3GB is a little more than what Dropbox offers, but it’s still less than Google Drive or any other services listed in the article.
NordLocker comes from the makers of Nord VPN Services, so you can expect better security and privacy features. You can store your important files with its free plan.
Once you upload your files, they will be synced, backed up, and encrypted. You can also organize your uploaded files into lockers and folders and store them locally or on the cloud.
The premium tier of NordLocker starts at $7.99 per month, which gives you a 2TB storage plan. Every premium plan also comes with 24/7 email and phone support.
These are some of the best Dropbox alternatives you can use to securely store your important files on the cloud. All cloud storage options we have listed offer free plans and better security & privacy features. So, make sure to create a free account on these services and give them a try.