10 Dropbox Alternatives for the Budget and Security-Conscious

Is it getting too expensive to store your files in the cloud with Dropbox? It’s not you.

It’s Dropbox.

In this post, we’ll look at the Dropbox alternatives that don’t disappoint. Here’s a sneak peek:

About Dropbox

Source: Dropbox

Dropbox may be the largest cloud storage player, but many users will argue it’s far from the reigning champ.

While Dropbox shines in simplicity and app integration, it lacks in certain areas.

Read the user reviews, and you’ll discover that the most common drawbacks are privacy and pricing issues.

Source: Reddit

Fortunately, there are Dropbox alternatives that offer a higher level of security at affordable prices.

10 top Dropbox alternatives for your digital storage needs

1. Treasure [Combining cloud storage accounts]

It’s hard to keep tabs on all your files when they’re scattered across multiple cloud storage accounts. Treasure solves this problem by connecting them in one place.

The coolest thing about Treasure? You can migrate your files between Google Drive, Dropbox, and more without ever leaving the platform.

Pros:

• User-friendly interface: Treasure’s straightforward interface is perfect for beginners.
• Quick and easy integration: You can integrate multiple cloud storage accounts (e.g., Dropbox, Google Drive, Box) in less than five minutes.

Limitations:

• Uploading limits: It’s currently impossible to upload files larger than 2GB. Treasure is reportedly working on it, though it has not shared a specific timeline.
• Android app lacks some basic features: Users currently can’t move and copy files on the Android app. Luckily, this should be available around Q3 or Q4 of 2021.

Unique features:

• 3-in-1: Treasure is the only service that combines cloud storage, encryption, and the ability to manage multiple cloud storage locations in one interface.
• Fuss-free uploading : Since you can upload files directly on Treasure, you don’t need to choose between Dropbox, Google Drive, or Box to make the most of your storage limit.

Pricing: Starts free for 10GB of storage. Paid plans begin at $99.99/year.

2. MEGA [Best free]

MEGA is a user-encrypted cloud service provider. Use it to share your Linux files at fast speed, securely exchange chat messages, synchronize your entire cloud to a local folder, and more.

Pros:

• Linux client: MEGA offers an excellent native Linux client, which is a rarity in cloud providers.
• User-friendly interface with end-to-end encryption: Beginners can get started right away without worrying about privacy issues.
• Streaming: MEGA offers excellent streaming from the cloud or file link to a video player.

Limitations:

• Glitchy Android app: Some users report that it’s difficult to sign in to the app as it keeps getting disconnected.

Unique features:

• Collaboration- and chat-centric: MEGA offers beyond cloud storage services. It also provides secure chat (e.g., 100% private video calls) and collaboration (e.g., drop files in folders even if users don’t have an account) solutions.

Pricing: Starts free for 20GB storage, with paid plans scaling $6.09/month when billed annually.

3. pCloud [Unlimited capabilities]

Want unlimited uploads and downloads? pCloud got you covered.

Of all storage providers in this list, pCloud stands out with its onboarding. As a free user, you’ll have to complete a series of steps—from verifying your email address to uploading a file—to access pCloud’s free 10GB storage space.

Pros:

• Available on multiple platforms: Many users like that they can use pCloud seamessly on iOS and Android devices, Mac, Windows, and Linux.
• Outstanding syncing: According to a user, it’s easy to set up syncing for video game saves.

Limitations:

• Frustrating user experience (UX): pCloud shows an error message when you copy large folders using the command-line or file manager. To bypass this issue, you need to log out and log in back again to restart the process.
• Scanning: pCloud has automated filters that scan your file uploads. If it detects they’re of questionable content, it might block you from uploading and suspend your account.

Unique features:

• Unlimited data capabilities: You can upload any files of any size. Plus, it doesn’t limit your upload or download speeds, even for free users.

Pricing: Starts free with 10GB of storage, with paid plans scaling $3.99/month when billed annually.

4. Internxt [Open-source]

Internxt is an open-source cloud storage service designed to put users first while respecting their right to privacy. An extremely safe and private alternative to Dropbox, all files and photos uploaded to Internxt are end-to-end encrypted, fragmented, and scattered across their vast decentralized network.

Internxt offers these three primary privacy services: Internxt Drive for cloud storage, Internxt Photos for sharing images across devices, and Internxt Send for secure file transfer.

Pros:

• 100% Open-source and transparent: All Internxt source code is made public on GitHub and independently verifiable.
• Completely private: Absolutely no unauthorized access to information. No first or third-party access to user data.
• Industry-leading security: All data uploaded, stored, and shared is end-to-end encrypted via the military-grade AES-256 encryption protocol.

Limitations:

• Young service: Currently lacking some extra features offered by more established competitors.

Unique features:

• Free privacy tools and resources: Apart from cloud services, Internxt has also developed several online tools to protect users’ privacy, including their free Virus Scanner and Password Checker.

Pricing: Free plan up to 10GB. Premium plans start at only €0.89/month. Business and annual plans are also available.

5. Sync [Excellent security]

Source: YouTube

 

If privacy is a top priority, then Sync is for you.

Sync’s zero-knowledge encryption ensures that only the account owner (that’s you!) can access data in the cloud. No one else—including Sync’s employees and third-party apps—can read your files.

Take that, Dropbox.

Pros:

• Fast syncing: Sync shines in uploading and in its syncing speeds. For example, when you upload a document on the mobile app, it will appear on your laptop instantly.
• Unparalleled security and privacy policy: Encryption before file transfer is by default. With Sync, you can rest assured that your files are always encrypted. No one but you can access them.

Limitations:

• No Linux support: Sync announced years ago that Linux support was in the works, but nothing has been released until now.
• iOS app issues: Sync’s iOS app is prone to crashing during loading and when you click the search button.

Unique features:

• 100% private cloud: No one except you can access your files in the cloud. Sync also offers great security controls (e.g., remote wipe, two-factor authentication).

Pricing: Starts free with 5GB storage, with paid plans scaling from $5/user per month when billed annually.

6. Box Drive [Large teams]

Source: Box

Box Drive takes the messy out of file sharing.

Edit a PDF offline and automatically save it on the cloud, invite your co-workers to edit and upload files, save every important version of your files, and more.

Give Box Drive a go if you’re looking to simplify how you connect to the cloud.

Pros:

• Easy tracking: It’s easy to set up multiple folders and subfolders and track which users have access to each. According to a user, you can monitor and manage this access on an ongoing basis. This is a huge benefit for startups with large teams!
• Fast uploading: With Box Drive, it’s quick and easy to add your files to the cloud. Drag and drop, upload folders from your laptop—this cloud storage provider can do both seamlessly.

Limitations:

• Integration issues: Box Drive’s integration with Microsoft Office Online doesn’t always work (e.g., crashes without saving).
• Occasional loading issues: Box Drive tends to run slow when uploading large files.

Unique features:

• Collaboration-friendly: Box offers more than cloud storage, such as e-signatures and workflow automation. It’s a great storage provider to consider if you’re looking for a tool that empowers collaboration.

Pricing: Starts free with 10GB of storage, with paid plans scaling from $5/user per month (minimum three users) when billed annually.

7. OneDrive [Microsoft users]

There’s no better place to store your files than OneDrive if you’re a loyal Microsoft user.

This cloud storage allows you to save and share your files from any device, anywhere.

Its syncing leaves a lot to be desired, but it’s an obvious choice for users looking to raise their productivity without hopping from one platform to another.

Pros:

• Superb mobile apps: Microsoft’s OneDrive iOS and Android apps are sleek and straightforward to use.
• Microsoft ecosystem: With Office 365, you can get everything—from Word to Excel and Teams to Outlook—up and running in one platform.

Limitations:

• Not user-friendly: For starters, OneDrive’s sync settings are way too complicated. Based on this thread, you need to go through many steps to change the sync settings and unlink your folders.

Unique features:

• Files On-Demand: Similar to Dropbox’s Smart Sync, you can save space on your device with OneDrive’s Files On-Demand. Just mark a folder as online-only to free up space.

Pricing: Starts free for 5GB of storage, with paid plans scaling from $1.99/month.

8. SpiderOak One Backup [Customization]

Source: SpiderOak

With SpiderOak One Backup, you protect your files from data loss and ransomware.

One Backup may not hold a candle to other cloud storage providers like pCloud and Tresorit in terms of syncing, but it stands out with its Trusted Application Platform (check out what we mean below).

Pros:

• User-friendly interface: SpiderOak’s UI is smooth and easy to use for beginners.
• Responsive customer support: SpiderOak’s support team often responds in one working day (side note: I messaged them, and an agent replied within seven hours).

Limitations:

• Inconsistent sync issues: Many users report that SpiderOak frequently hangs at the “staging” stage.
• Buggy web client: SpiderOak’s upload speed is known to be slow. According to a user, it would process and upload in short bursts, pause for 30 seconds, and burst once again.

Unique features:

• Advanced security: SpiderOak’s Trusted Application Platform allows you to build no-knowledge software using only HTML5. There’s also Crossclave if you want to add an extra layer of security to your team communication.

Pricing: Free 21-day trial, with paid plans scaling from $5.75/month when billed annually.

9. IDrive [Customer support]

Source: IDrive

IDrive is a cloud backup service that offers outstanding customer service.

Whether you want to backup your entire drive, restore your folders in point-in-time recovery, or protect your files with private key encryption, this tool is for you.

Pros:

• Folder path: IDrive follows your folders structure even when you don’t upload your parent folder.
• Wallet-friendly: IDrive offers one of the most affordable plans in the cloud storage market. If you’re switching from competitors like Dropbox and Sync, IDrive will offer you a 90% discount for your first year.
• Excellent customer support: IDrive offers a speedy response. When I messaged them, the CS agent replied within seconds.

Limitations:

• Lower quality by default for mobile apps: IDrive automatically resizes your images to lower quality. To fix this, you need to edit your settings to enable full-sized image back-ups.
• Inconvenient sharing: Recipients need to have an IDrive account to download your shared files.

Unique features:

• Disk clone: You can back up your entire drive on your computer with your content and information structure intact.
• Snapshots-based restore: IDrive gives you a historical view of your data, allowing you to perform point-in-time recovery.
• Physical data shipment: IDrive offers a free storage device to backup and retrieve your data for Express Backup users.

Pricing: Starts free for 5GB of storage, with paid plans beginning from $4.34/month for the first year—for a limited time.

10. Google Drive [Google Workspace users]

Google Drive is a no-brainer if you use Google products heavily.

Upload a document to Google Drive, edit it on Google Docs, and move it to another folder. Everything is seamlessly integrated, making it a great cloud storage provider if you want to perfect your workflow.

Pros:

• Superb integration: Google Drive offers numerous add-ons, including SurveyMonkey, GIMP, and Screencastify.
• Google ecosystem: Work on Sheets, Docs, Drive, and more in a single ecosystem.
• Visual preview: Google Drive previews all your files (including text-heavy documents).

Limitations:

• Privacy issues: Google scans every file in Google Drive, making them searchable online.

Tip: Encrypt your files using a tool like Cryptomator before uploading.

• Frustrating uploading experience: You need to restart your uploads if you accidentally close Google Drive. On the other hand, Dropbox picks up where you left off.

Unique features:

• Fantastic search capabilities: Thanks to Google AI and Search technology, you can search within files and locate what you’re looking for in a few seconds.

Pro tip: Use Xoba to cut down your search time across your Google Drive, Slack, Jira, and more.

Built for project managers and consultants, Xoba helps you keep track of important projects and streamline your workflow.

Curate information across these multiple apps with Xoba cards based on projects or timelines, and share them with your teammates in one central place.

Grab the Xoba lifetime deal on AppSumo today for $50.

Pricing: Google Drive starts free for 15GB of storage, with paid plans (include other Google products) scaling from $6/user per month.

Which Dropbox alternative will you pick today?

Dropbox isn’t for everyone. Fortunately, the alternatives in this list are just as superior and more affordable.

Here’s a recap of what we’ve covered:

• Treasure is the only service that combines cloud storage, encryption, and the ability to manage multiple cloud storage locations in one place.
• Mega has the best free plan; it offers the most generous storage space (20GB!).
• pCloud excels in unlimited capabilities. Check it out if you want unlimited uploads and download speeds.
• Internxt is an open-source cloud storage service designed to put users first while respecting their right to privacy.
• Sync offers excellent security and privacy policy.
• Box Drive is an obvious choice for large teams, as it’s easy to set up multiple folders and subfolders and track which users have access to each.
• OneDrive is a no-brainer for Microsoft users. You can access Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and more in a central location.
• SpiderOak One Backup is great for customization. Look no further if you want to build no-knowledge software with HTML5.
• IDrive boasts outstanding customer support.
• Google Drive is built for Google Workspace users. Use Xoba to quickly search across Google Drive, Slack, Jira, and more. Grab the Xoba lifetime deal on AppSumo today for $50.

Which of these Dropbox alternatives is a great fit for your needs?