13 Best Dropbox Alternatives (Better Cloud Storage Services)

Updated Dec 6, 2022.
dropbox alternatives

Businesses no longer rely on hard drives to store data and files. Files are now available on all devices, and you can share files with a couple of clicks. Also, multiple people can work on a single file. All these are made possible with cloud storage.

Cloud storage services help back up files, share files, and collaborate with others. Dropbox is one of the most popular and oldest cloud storage services with unique features. However, alternatives to Dropbox offer better features and security.

Why Dropbox Alternatives?

With Dropbox, you can easily share different types of files, and it does not take much of your computer space. However, there are a few drawbacks that could hinder one from choosing this cloud storage service.

1. Lack of High-level Security

Dropbox is known for notorious hackings and information being stolen. There is every tendency that the site administrator will view sensitive files on the cloud, and this is a security issue. Users are not allowed to perform encryption on their data before uploading it to Dropbox. Therefore, it is best used for casual files rather than sensitive ones. You can get high-level security with most of Dropbox’s alternatives.

2. Limited Search Function

Dropbox lacks the essential search tools for finding specific files. In addition, it does not have the latest technology for searches. Its most significant drawback is that it does not have metadata search functionality. Therefore, users do not have a chance to dig through the uploaded files. As a result, locating files on the software becomes difficult.

3. High Cost

Its prices are not competitive. Compared to some other competitors, you get only a few features with its free plan. Dropbox is free for the first 2GB of storage, and you earn additional space by encouraging others to sign up. You can then purchase space starting from $10 a month. There are cheaper options with special offers.

Best Dropbox Alternatives for Cloud Storage

1. pCloud

The First Cloud Storage Provider to Offer Both Encrypted and Non-encrypted Folders in the Same Account

pCloud is The First Cloud Storage Provider to Offer Both Encrypted and Non encrypted Folders in the Same Account

pCloud provides users with unlimited capabilities for their data. You can upload files of any kind directly to your account, regardless of their size. The web platform is accessible through any browser or device. You can use SSL/TLS encryption to guarantee your files’ safety. It is applied when information is transferred from your device to your pCloud servers.

You can perform any kind of file and folder collaboration on my.pCloud.com. pCloud Drive is a desktop application that creates a secure virtual drive on your computer, which you can use to store, synchronize and access your files in the cloud. This desktop application is available for Mac, Windows, and Linux.

With its android and iOS versions, you can store and access your files on the go. The automatic upload function turned on allows you to backup your mobile photos and videos instantaneously.

Pricing

pCloud offers two pricing plans. The Premium 500 GB Plan costs a one-time payment of $175. It is ideal for sharing large files regularly. For power users regularly exchanging huge files, the Premium Plus 2 TB plan is perfect. It costs a one-time payment of $350. These lifetime plans are best valued.

pCloud Pricing Plan

This cloud storage tool service also offers a free plan for up to 20GB of storage for users.

Why Choose pCloud Over Dropbox?

  • pCloud’s Virtual Drive feature allows all the data you store on your device to be automatically stored on the cloud.
  • With pCloud Crypto, you can create a digital vault that is impossible to penetrate.
  • The average upload and download speed is faster.
  • You get up to 20 GB of free cloud storage to store data.

2. Sync.com

A Collaborative Cloud-based Storage Service that Helps Keep Your Files in Sync

Sync.com is a Collaborative Cloud based Storage Service that Helps Keep Your Files in Sync

Sync.com’s encrypted cloud storage platform ensures that your privacy is protected with end-to-end encryption. So that your data in the cloud is safe and private, it also prevents unauthorized access by providing remote lockout device services. With apps for Windows, Android, Mac, iPad, iPhone, and the web, you will never lose a file again, and you can access your files from anywhere.

This cloud service is intuitive and easy to understand. You can give members access to the folder you want to collaborate on after sharing it. Sync.com allows you to provide a different level of permissions to various members, with some having editing rights and others having view-only rights.

Pricing

Sync.com offers free 5GB space for storage with its free forever plan. This plan allows you to sync and share files. Using the referral program, you can invite your friends to join. For each friend that joins successfully, you get a gigabyte of extra storage for up to 20GB. Your friend also receives an additional gigabyte.

Sync.com Pricing Plan

It offers two paid plans. For individuals and sole practitioners, the Sole Basic plan, which costs $8 per user per month, is suitable. With this plan, you get up to 2 TB of secure storage space. The Solo Professional plan is for sole practitioners who are seeking more storage space and custom branding. It costs $20 per user per month, which gives you 6 TB of secure storage space and custom branding.

Why Choose Sync.com Over Dropbox?

  • Sync.com is cheaper than Dropbox.
  • With its free plan, you get 5GB of cloud storage, which is more than what Dropbox offers.
  • Files are more secure with Sync.com to ensure that your data is safe from prying eyes.
  • You get multiple options when it comes to file-sharing that allows users to send their files even to those who do not have a Sync account.
  • Pro users get an unlimited option for versioning and retrieving files.

3. Google Drive

A Free Cloud Storage Service Suitable for GSuite Users

Google Drive is a Free Cloud Storage Service Suitable for GSuite Users

Google Drive is a cloud service that allows users to store contacts, share contacts, photos, presentations, videos, and many more. Drive is part of the GSuite apps available online for desktop and smartphone users. If you already have a Gmail or Google account, this is the storage service for you.

You can save files directly to the cloud from your email, using the “Save to Google Drive” icon in your Gmail. Using the “work offline” mode, you can work while off the internet and have your data saved in the cloud when you come back online.

This cloud storage service lets you store files in the cloud and sync them across multiple devices. It can connect with over 100 Drive apps, including Slack, Freshdesk, Airtable, and Zip books. With Google Docs and Google Sheets, you can instantly open MS Excel and MS Word files without the need to convert.

Features like priority use AI to predict what you’re looking for and bring out the most relevant content, helping your team search files a bit faster. Mobile application is available for all your devices, including Android, Mac, iOS, and many more.

Pricing

Google Drive’s free version gives you access to 15 GB of cloud storage. You also get a 14-Day free trial period to try out its features before committing.

Google Drive Pricing Plan

The Business Starter plan costs $6 per user per month. With this plan, you get 30GB of cloud storage per user with up to 100 participants for video meetings. The most popular plan is the Business Standard plan which costs $12 per user per month. Each user gets cloud storage of 2TB.

The Business Plan costs $18 per user per month. It offers you 5TB of cloud storage space per user. With the Enterprise plan, you can contact a sales expert for a custom quote, and it provides you unlimited storage.

Why Choose Google Drive Over Dropbox?

  • Unlike pCloud, Google Drive supports a variety of file formats.
  • In terms of space, Google Drive offers more free cloud storage when compared to Dropbox.
  • At a super low cost, you can get ample storage space with Google Drive.
  • Sharing files through links is possible with Google Drive to allow users to collaborate and work on their files.

4. Icedrive

A Cloud Service that Makes Cloud Storage Feel like a Physical Hard Drive

Icedrive is a Cloud Service that Makes Cloud Storage Feel like a Physical Hard Drive

Icedrive has an intuitive interface design and file synchronization options. You can download the desktop software on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Through the context menu, you can sync any existing folder on your computer. It is a fast service with both upload and download speeds.

With its software application, you get drive-based access in which the storage will mount on the device like a physical hard drive or USB stick. Using its application version, you get a built-in document viewer to view all documents and vectors directly from the app.

This cloud-based document management tool goes the extra mile to ensure user’s security and is fully compliant with the GDPR. Icedrive claims that the “Bulletproof Twofish Algorithm” is a much more secure solution than AES, so it adopts it. It also uses client-side encryption that allows all of your sensitive data to be locked on your device before the Icedrive secured cloud.

Pricing

Icedrive offers a free plan that gives you 10 GB of cloud storage. The paid lifetime plans are offered in three different plans. The Lite plan costs a one-time payment of $59. With this plan, you get 150 GB storage space and 250 GB monthly bandwidth.

To get 1 TB of storage and 2 TB monthly bandwidth, the Pro plan, which costs $149, is suitable. The final plan, which costs $499, is the Pro + plan. It gives you 5 TB of storage and 8 TB monthly bandwidth.

Icedrive Pricing Plan

All the plans offer enough storage for the cost.

Why Choose Icedrive Over Dropbox?

  • Icedrive has more reliable customer service support to attend to customers’ queries.
  • Its free plan gives about 10GB of cloud storage space that can contain a lot of files.
  • You get greater upload and download speeds than you will get with Dropbox.

5. Box

The Best Cloud Storage Provider for Large Enterprises with Collaboration Tools

Box is the The Best Cloud Storage Provider for Large Enterprises with Collaboration Tools

Box is a cloud service that allows you to have a secure collaboration with other devices wherever you are. It also lets you store and share large files. You can also transfer terabytes of data from the cloud to your desktop effortlessly. This storage provider is designed for businesses and collaborative team members.

Encryption is high level, with AES 256-bit security to keep your files away from prying eyes. With this cloud-based file storage platform, you can view various files, including Word, Excel, PDF, Photos, and many more, without downloading.

You can also determine who will view and edit your documents with its control access. It is easy to use and integrates with multiple third-party applications. This online file-sharing software provides immediate syncing between mobile app and desktop.

Customer service support is 24/7, and you can use this cloud service over the web or download it.

Pricing

The free plan offers 10 GB of cloud storage space. Aside from the free plan, Box offers four paid plans. For secure file sharing and storage for teams, the Starter plan is suitable, and it costs $5 per user per month if billed annually. This plan gives you up to 100 GB of cloud storage. The Business plan costs $15 per user per month and is for team collaboration for any business.

Box Pricing Plan

Box’s most popular plan is the Business plan, which costs $25 per user per month. With this plan, content management for your entire organization is made easy. The Enterprise plan, the final plan, costs $35 per user per month for advanced content management and data protection.

Why Choose Box Over Dropbox?

  • Box offers more competitive pricing.
  • With its free plan, you get 10 GB of cloud storage.
  • It offers more integrations than Dropbox.
  • Security is more reliable with Box.

6. Nordlocker

A Cloud Storage from the Makers of NordVPN

Nordlocker is a Cloud Storage from the Makers of NordVPN

Nordlocker is a cloud computing service that uses its drag-and-drop feature to secure files in seconds by simply dropping your files into the app. It has an intuitive interface and is easy to use. Both individuals and businesses use this cloud storage platform, and local encryption of files is possible.

With local encryption, encrypted files remain in your device’s hard drive so that hackers cannot access data encrypted with Nordlocker. You can grant family members or friends access to your files while still maintaining end-to-end encryption. Also, you can invite users to access a folder through their email within the Nordlocker app.

This cloud-based storage service is available on Windows and macOS. Your files are synced via a private cloud so that you can access them from anywhere. Nordlocker uses a zero-knowledge policy not to experience logging and uses the most advanced algorithms and ciphers, including Argon2, ECC, AES256, XChaCha20 EdDSA, and Poly1305.

Pricing

With the Nordlocker free plan, you get 3 GB of secure cloud storage. It does not require your credit card information. End-to-end encryption is unlimited with this plan. The most popular plan is the Premium plan which costs $3.99 per month and provides you with 500 GB of secure and private cloud storage. You can also contact its sales expert if you need more storage space.

Nordlocker Pricing Plan

You get a 30-day money-back guarantee with its premium plans. In addition, premium customers get priority support.

Why Choose Nordlocker Over Dropbox?

  • You get a 30-day money-back guarantee with its free plans.
  • Its prices are lower than Dropbox’s as its premium plan costs $3.99 per month.

7. Backblaze

An Online Backup Service that Automatically Backs Up Data Without You Performing Any Action

Backblaze is an Online Backup Service that Automatically Backs Up Data Without Performing any Action

Backblaze is an online backup service designed to help businesses back up their data in the cloud. It implements military-grade encryption with Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) connections. Developers can customize their cloud storage and build applications, and host content with ease.

This cloud service is ideal for developers, IT professionals, freelancers, and corporations, and it is user-friendly. Backblaze will automatically backup data to a cloud service without the user’s intervention once it is configured.

You can transfer data between Mac and Windows operating systems without hassle. Mobile applications are available on iOS and Android to allow users to get access on the go.

Pricing

Backblaze offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and is a low-cost online backup service. Prices are per computer. This cloud storage service offers three paid plans. The initial plan costs $6 per month. The most popular plan costs $60 per year. Therefore, you get to save about $12. For the 2-year plan, you pay $110 and get to save $34.

Backblaze Personal Pricing Plan

Why Choose Backblaze Over Dropbox?

  • With Backblaze, you get a 30-day money-back guarantee.
  • It offers an additional level of security with the option of a private encryption key.
  • Backblaze has an inexpensive pricing structure.
  • Unlimited storage is what you’ll enjoy with its paid plans.

8. Amazon Drive

A Cloud Backup for File, Videos, and Photos

Amazon Drive is a Cloud Backup for File, Videos, and Photos

Amazon Drive is a cloud storage solution that is flexible. You can access your files through its desktop apps and also through the web. The Amazon Drive apps are available for Mac, Android, Windows, and iOS to get access on the go. This cloud computing service offers unlimited cloud storage for photos.

With its drag and drop feature, you can easily copy files from your computer to the Amazon cloud account. It uses basic security measures, including a password and a sign-in ID to protect your files, and offers two-factor authentication. Amazon Drive allows you to recover deleted files. It also integrates with other Amazon services.

The cloud storage solution is easy to use and deploy. You can back up your files, share files, and get access to cloud storage with Amazon Drive. All you need to do is get an Amazon Drive account. Its integration with Fire TV allows you to view a slideshow of your photos on your television.

Pricing

Amazon Drive offers a free plan that comes with 5 GB of cloud storage. However, if you require extra storage, you can upgrade to its premium plans. Its wide variety of plans offers you plans with cloud storage ranging from 100 GB to 30TB. The smallest plan costs $19.99 per year and offers you 100 GB of cloud storage.

The biggest plan gives you 30 TB of cloud storage and costs $1,800 per year. However, it is recommended to go for the plan that costs $59.99 per year with 1 TB of cloud storage. This cloud-based file storage platform offers a 90-day free trial period to try it out before committing.

Why Choose Amazon Drive Over Dropbox?

  • Using the Amazon Drive app, you can upload files up to 50GB in size.
  • With its free plan, you get 5 GB of cloud storage.
  • Amazon Drive’s upload and download speed is fast.

9. Microsoft OneDrive

A Cloud Storage Provider with Most of Its Advanced Features Available to all Subscription Types

Microsoft OneDrive is a Cloud Storage Provider with Most of Its Advanced Features

Microsoft OneDrive’s Known Folder Move feature makes it easy to move files from your desktops, pictures, and document folders to OneDrive. In addition, it integrates with Outlook to ensure a seamless sharing of OneDrive files that appear like email attachments.

You can save files and photos on OneDrive and access them from anywhere at any time. Therefore, if you lose your device, you will not lose your files. Sharing files no longer have to do with large email attachments; instead, just send a link via email or text.

Using OneDrive’s Personal Vault feature, users can store important files with additional protection. This Personal Vault allows you to access stored files with a robust authentication method. This storage solution is flexible for businesses of all sizes, from small to large enterprises.

Pricing

Microsoft OneDrive offers four paid plans, and prices do not include tax. For file sharing and OneDrive storage, the OneDrive for Business (Plan 1) plan, which costs $5 per user per month with an annual commitment, is ideal. The OneDrive for Business (Plan 2) plan costs $10 per user per month if billed annually and offers advanced security, file sharing, storage, and compliance capabilities.

Microsoft OneDrive Pricing Plan

The Microsoft 365 Business Basic plan costs $5 per user per month if billed annually and $6 per user per month with a monthly commitment. For business-class email, office apps, and services like OneDrive, the final plan, Microsoft 365 Business Standard, is suitable, and it costs $12 per user per month. You can also opt for $15 per user per month if billed monthly. The two final plans offer a 30-day free trial period to try it out before committing.

Why Choose Microsoft OneDrive Over Dropbox?

  • Microsoft OneDrive offers more competitive pricing.
  • Working with office documents such as Word, Powerpoint, and excel is easy.
  • Its Personal Vault feature allows you to store essential files with additional protection.
  • You get ample storage space at an affordable rate.

10. Tresorit

A Cloud Storage Solution with High Level of Encryption

Tresorit is a Cloud Storage Solution with High Level of Encryption

Tresorit is a cloud storage provider that allows you to transfer risky and confidential files without any hassle. It is an “ultra-secure” place to store, sync, and share online files within your organization and with external partners. There is an editing badge that Tresorit makes collaborators aware of when someone is working on something.

This cloud-based document management tool supports Windows, Linux, Linux, Android, and iOS devices. It is best used by businesses. Integration with Outlook helps to ensure seamless sharing of files. The online file-sharing application supports various languages and has an easy-to-use interface. Therefore, you must not be an expert to us.

Encryption is end to end with this cloud storage software, and only those who have your permission can view your confidential and sensitive files. You can synchronize all your devices to allow you access encrypted documents via laptop, desktop, smartphone, and tablet.

Pricing

Free users get 5 GB of cloud storage for up to 2 devices. You can upgrade to a premium plan that best suits your business if the free storage is not enough for you. With the premium plans, you can access files across ten devices.

Tresorit Pricing Plan

The Business Standard plan gives you the basics of secure collaboration. It costs $14.50 per user per month if billed annually and starts from 3 users. For enhanced control and security, the Business Plus plan, which costs $19.17 per user per month, is suitable. This plan also starts from 3 users.

The best plan for enterprises is the Enterprise plan, and it starts from 5 users. It costs $24 per user per month, and you can also contact its sales experts for a custom quote.

Why Choose Tresorit Over Dropbox?

  • It provides better security with two-factor authentication.
  • Free users get 5 GB of cloud storage. This is more than you will get with Dropbox.
  • There is no traffic or bandwidth limit.

11. SpiderOak

A Suite of Cloud Storage Apps for Businesses

SpiderOak is a Suite of Cloud Storage Apps for Businesses

SpiderOak offers a cloud storage backup service called SpiderOak One. It has applications for Android, Linux, Mac, Windows, and iOS. The syncing and sharing features of SpiderOak One allow you to save large images and files without any hassle. Also, using its quick link sharing feature, you can create a link to files for future reference.

This cloud service offers end-to-end encryption. It uses private encryption with AES 256-bit to encrypt your files. The Shareroom feature enables you to share folders and protect shares with a password. Small and medium-sized enterprises use SpiderOak.

Pricing

With SpiderOak, you get four paid plans. You can use all of its plans on unlimited devices. The 150 GB plan costs $6 per month. The 400 GB plan costs $11 per month. Its 2 TB plan costs $14 per month. The final plan is the 5 TB plan costs $29 per month.

SpiderOak Pricing Plan

SpiderOak offers a 21-day free trial period with no credit card required to try out its features before committing.

Why Choose SpiderOak Over Dropbox?

  • SpiderOak encrypts your data from uploading to storage and is more secure than Dropbox.
  • It offers more competitive pricing.
  • Unlike Dropbox, you can choose what folders to backup.
  • There is transparency of files during backup.

12. iDrive

A Cheap Alternative to Dropbox

iDrive is a Cheap Alternative to Dropbox

iDrive is an online storage platform that provides applications for Mac, iOS, Windows, and Android devices. However, Linux devices use the web interface. The scheduling and notification options allow you to schedule backups and receive notifications. Ticking the Continuous Data Protection option enables you to set up automatic cloud file syncing for smaller than 0.5 GB files.

It uses AES 256-bit, which enables private encryption when you sign up. Using the web client, you can invite people to share. You can also determine the level of permission for each share. Files and folders will be synced in real-time across all the devices that you link using iDrive.

This online backup service can also back up your Facebook videos and photos and Instagram upload to your iDrive cloud account.

Pricing

iDrive offers a free plan which comes with 5 GB of cloud storage. You can backup your data in physical form once every year for free. This cloud storage software is reliable due to its minimal downtime. If you pay upfront for two years, you get a discount. You can save up to 50% on all its plans.

iDrive Pricing Plan

It offers five pricing tiers. The Personal plan, which costs $52.12 for the first year, protects all your devices into one account, including external hard drives. To manage backup for all computers, the Team plan, which costs $74.62 for the first year, is suitable.

With the Business plan, you get unlimited users, computers, and servers. It costs $74.62 for the first year and allows you to exchange SQL and NAS devices. For the Managed Endpoint Protection plan, you get unlimited users. Finally, the iDrive BMI Appliance plan gives you unlimited licenses, instant recovery, and two-tier protection.

Why Choose iDrive Over Dropbox?

  • Its free plan comes with 5 GB of cloud storage.
  • You can schedule backups.
  • In terms of pricing, iDrive is cost-effective as you can save up to 50% on all its plans.

13. Mega

A Privacy-oriented Cloud Storage Service

Mega is a Privacy oriented Cloud Storage Service

Mega offers end-to-end data encryption with AES-128. This means that the user is the only one that can decrypt their data. Also, its two-factor authentication makes it a secure cloud storage service. This cloud service offers file-sharing features. You can encrypt shared files and folders with an individual encryption key which can be sent separately.

The interface is super easy, and you can upload any size file as long as you stay within your overall quota. The ability to automatically back up photos and videos from mobile devices is prominent in this unique cloud storage service.

Pricing

If you purchase a one-year pro plan, you get two months free. Mega offers four paid plans. The Pro Lite plan is ideal for secure file storage, and it costs $5.95 per month. The Pro I plan is a great value plan, and it costs $11.92 per month. This plan gives you 2 TB storage and 2 TB transfer.

Mega Pricing Plan

The Pro II plan, which costs $23.85 per month, provides you with 8 TB storage and 8TB transfer. The Professional plan, which is the Pro III plan, costs $35.78 per month. With this plan, you get 16 TB storage and 16 TB transfer.

Why Choose Mega Over Dropbox?

  • Mega has a fast upload and download rate.
  • At an affordable rate, you get large enough cloud storage space.
  • You get two months free for purchasing a one-year pro plan.
  • Mega fully supports file versioning.

Alternatives to Dropbox FAQ

Is there a cheaper alternative to Dropbox?

There are alternatives to Dropbox that are cheaper and provide you with the necessary features required to backup and store your data in the cloud without any hassle.

Examples of these cloud storage software tools include Sync.com, Google Drive, Box, Nordlocker, Backblaze, Microsoft OneDrive, SpiderOak, and Mega.

What are Dropbox’s main competitors?

Dropbox’s competitors are many; however, Box, Nordlocker, Microsoft OneDrive, and Mega are the main competitors because of their super cheap prices and advanced features. In terms of cloud storage, Google Drive is Dropbox’s most significant competitor. Tresorit is Dropbox’s best competitor when it comes to security

Is Google Drive similar to Dropbox?

Google Drive is similar to Dropbox in a few ways, including backing up files to the cloud, letting you share your files with others, and syncing files across devices.

However, there are also aspects in which they differ. Google Drive offers more free cloud storage. It is also more favorable in terms of cost. While Dropbox supports only a few file formats, Google Drive supports over 30 different file formats.

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Martin Luenendonk

Editor at FounderJar

Martin loves entrepreneurship and has helped dozens of entrepreneurs by validating the business idea, finding scalable customer acquisition channels, and building a data-driven organization. During his time working in investment banking, tech startups, and industry-leading companies he gained extensive knowledge in using different software tools to optimize business processes.

This insights and his love for researching SaaS products enables him to provide in-depth, fact-based software reviews to enable software buyers make better decisions.