Both Box and Dropbox have become standards in the cloud storage industry, offering robust yet easy-to-use platforms to store, access, and share content securely from anywhere. However, with differing features and capabilities around elements like workflow automation, media management, collaboration, and security protocols, many wonder whether one stands above the other.
This comprehensive Box vs Dropbox comparison guide examines all aspects of these two titans of cloud storage to help you determine the superior service based on your needs. We’ll compare storage, pricing, special features, file sharing, syncing capabilities, speed, security, and more across both platforms. Let‘s dive in.
Introducing Box – More Than Just Cloud Storage
Founded in 2005, Box goes beyond basic cloud storage to provide a customizable content management and workflow automation platform for businesses. The extensive collaboration and productivity-focused features allow teams to streamline processes and work more efficiently on files of any type from documents to photos, videos, CAD files and more.
With advanced encryption protecting data in transit and at rest, Box offers robust security safeguards. The service is accessible across all devices through desktop and mobile apps, as well as through a web browser.
Introducing Dropbox – User-Friendly File Sync and Share
Established in 2007, Dropbox pioneered the simple, reliable file hosting services we’re familiar with today. The user-friendly interface makes storing, accessing and sharing files intuitive from any desktop, mobile or web.
Dropbox shines at syncing and managing media files like photos and videos in particular. Advanced encryption plus two-factor authentication help keep data secure. Integration with popular apps like Microsoft Office and Google Docs optimization collaboration across teams.
Storage and Pricing Plan Comparison
Box Storage
Box offers storage capacities ranging from 10GB for free up to unlimited storage on Business and Enterprise plans, making it suitable for managing large libraries of files.
It provides 6 paid plans plus one free version as below:
- Free – 10GB storage
- Personal Pro – 100GB for $16/month
- Business Starter – 100GB for $7/user/month
- Business – Unlimited storage for $20/user/month
- Business Plus – Unlimited for $33/user/month
- Enterprise – Unlimited for $47/user/month
- Enterprise Plus – Customizable Unlimited
30 day trials are available on all paid tiers. Box also offers discounts up to 25% for annual subscriptions paid upfront.
Dropbox Storage
In comparison, Dropbox provides more limited but likely still sufficient storage for personal use or smaller teams, ranging from 2GB up to unlimited storage on higher-tier plans.
Their pricing plans are:
- Basic – 2GB Free
- Plus – 2TB for $11.99/month
- Family – 2TB for $19.99/month (up to 6 users)
- Professional – 3TB for $19.99/user/month
- Standard – 5TB for $18/user/month (3+ users)
- Advanced – Unlimited storage for $30/user/month (3+ users)
- Enterprise – Customizable Unlimited
Considering Box includes unlimited storage on all Business and Enterprise plans, it generally provides better value for growing companies or those with large storage needs. Though individuals may still find Dropbox‘s 2GB-3TB plans sufficient.
Key Feature Comparison
Beyond just secure cloud storage, Box and Dropbox offer a range of capabilities around collaboration, workflows, automation, media management and more that differentiate them.
Box Key Features
- Advanced collaboration capabilities like annotation and task assignment
- Over 1500 app integrations including Office 365, G-Suite, Slack, Zoom
- Enterprise-grade security and compliance capabilities
- Customizable workflows and business process automation
- eSignature workflows and legally binding approvals
- Advanced analytics through Box Skills
Box really shines around its more advanced content management, collaboration, security and workflow automation features tailored to business use cases.
Dropbox Key Features
- Best-in-class syncing and updates across devices
- Intuitive photo and video management tools
- Document scanning directly from mobile
- Comments, version histories and file recovery
- 100+ app integrations like Zoom, Slack, Office 365
- Remote device wipe for lost or stolen devices
Dropbox offers a very user-friendly, intuitive experience optimized heavily around syncing and personal media management capabilities. Integrations aid simple collaboration.
File Sharing and Transfer Limits
Box File Sharing
Box enables seamless internal collaboration through shared workspaces. External sharing is also made simple through password-protected and expiring links plus easy file requesting from non-users.
However, external transfer allowances top out at 100GB per file on the priciest Enterprise plan. More reasonably, Business plans allow external transfers of up to 5GB-15GB per file. For sharing especially hefty files securely outside your team, Box may hit limits.
Dropbox File Sharing
Dropbox wins for external sharing capabilities. Through its unique file transfer feature, Dropbox allows seamlessly sending of files up to 100GB, with no maximum transfer limit on its highest Advanced and Enterprise plans.
Team administrators can also set expiring links, password protection, and drop folders to seamlessly share files externally while maintaining control over company data. Pending invites and transfer history help keep track.
For secure external collaboration around big files, Dropbox is king.
Syncing and Collaboration Comparison
Box Collaboration
Box shines when it comes to internal team collaboration. With over 1500 app integrations, including deeply integrated Office 365, G-Suite and Slack support, content can easily be worked on collaboratively across the tools your team already uses.
Advanced capabilities like annotated image markup, task management, version histories and advanced permissions make collaborating on projects very fluid. However, syncing larger files can be a bit slower due to lacking block-level sync.
Dropbox Collaboration
Dropbox certainly still enables straightforward collaboration through its web interface or mobile apps. Features like file commenting, version history, groups and links allow you to coordinate teams.
However, where it really excels is with its almost effortless syncing capabilities. Dropbox‘s block-level sync means files of any size seamlessly sync across desktops almost instantaneously. Smart Sync lets you save hard drive space by only downloading online files on demand. Offline editing is simple and saves directly on reconnect.
For intuitive collaboration around smaller working files, Dropbox is tops. But Box better meets complex project needs.
Upload and Download Speed Test
Dropbox edges out Box when it comes to raw upload and download speeds as well according to Cloudwards speed testing on a 1GB file.
Box Speeds
- 450Mbps Download Speed
- 21Mbps Upload Speed
Dropbox Speeds
- 460Mbps Download Speed
- 22Mbps Upload Speed
The margin is slim, but reliability and stability of transfers also plays a role. Here again Dropbox showcases extreme reliability in syncing and updating edits across devices near instantaneously. For the absolutely fastest throughput, Dropbox wins.
Security and Compliance Comparison
Enterprise-grade security is crucial for any cloud storage provider handling sensitive company data. Both Box and Dropbox implement robust encryption, access controls and other measures to keep data ultra-secure from threats both in transit and at rest.
Box Security
Box covers bases like SOC 2 compliance, granular access permissions, remote data wipe, device trust, encrypted file transfers, logging and reporting to provide peace of mind around data security.
By default, 256-bit AES encryption protects all files at rest. Secure SSL/TLS channels encrypt data in transit. Additional controls via Box Shield, Box Governance and Box Relay add extra protection.
For regulated industries, Box offers very advanced security capabilities to meet compliance needs.
Dropbox Security
Similarly, 256-bit AES encryption secures all Dropbox files at rest by default. Secure SSL/TLS protects data transfers through channels.
On the user access side, two-factor authentication, remote device wipe, session timeouts, recovery codes and advanced permissions keep accounts secure. Link passwords and expirations maintain control sharing.
While meeting standard business needs, Dropbox offers a bit less flexibility for regulated industries. But device wipe and logging help protect user endpoint security.
Integrations and Supported Apps
Box Integrations
A major advantage setting Box apart is its wealth of app integrations – over 1500+ and counting. Natively integrated collaboration tools like Office 365, Google Workspace, and Slack combined with support for automation app via Zapier build broad connectivity.
Key supported apps include Google Workspace, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Adobe Sign, IBM, Salesforce, Oracle, AT&T, AWS, Splunk and many more.
Dropbox Integrations
While not quite as robust as Box‘s offerings, Dropbox still contains 100+ solid integrations. Tight Google integration plus Microsoft Office and Adobe PDF handling streamline web workflows. Zapier expands capabilities to thousands more apps.
Other top supported apps include Slack, Trello, HelloSign, Atlassian, Zoom, Tableau, McAfee, Okta and more.
If seamless integration with niche business software is crucial, Box has the superior app ecosystem. But Dropbox covers the basics.
Use Case Showdown: Which excels?
Box Use Cases
Box shines best supporting complex business workflows across larger teams:
- Regulated industries needing air-tight security and compliance
- Large media files and datasets with unlimited storage
- Advanced content management with workflow automation
- Enterprise productivity infrastructure tied into your existing software stack
For documented-centric teams like legal, finance, healthcare in need of security, auditability, and seamless integrations, Box is superb.
Dropbox Use Cases
Dropbox offers superior experiences for:
- Individuals and small teams wanting reliability and ease-of-use
- Creative workflows involving photos, videos, graphic design
- Simple project management with file requests/tracking
- Field teams needing mobile scan/share capabilities
If you need user-friendly, intuitive file sync and sharing supporting lightweight collaboration, Dropbox is extremely solid.
The Verdict: Who Wins? It Depends…
Both Box and Dropbox represent best-in-class cloud storage solutions considered leaders in their markets – but differences in intended functionality mean each has potential to be deemed "superior" depending on your needs:
For complex enterprise needs – Box wins
The clear winner for regulated industries, media asset management, advanced workflows and existing software ecosystem integration is Box thanks to strengths like unlimited storage, compliance readiness, automation capabilities and 1500+ app integrations.
For intuitive collaboration around smaller files – Dropbox wins
If seamlessly syncing common working files across devices with minimal friction is the goal alongside supporting lightweight but user-friendly collaboration, Dropbox simply can‘t be beat for reliability, intuitive interfaces, and cross-platform accessibility.
Hopefully this complete head-to-head comparison helps provide clarity on which solution best addresses your use case needs between Box and Dropbox. Cloudwards recommends evaluating free trials of both to experience the platforms firsthand if still uncertain which fits best. Please reach out with any other questions!
