Box vs Cloudinary comparison

Box and Cloudinary are both solutions in the Digital Asset Management category. Box is ranked #3 with an average rating of 7.7, while Cloudinary is ranked #2 with an average rating of 8.4. Box holds a 6.6% mindshare in DAM, compared to Cloudinary’s 5.0% mindshare. Additionally, 85% of Box users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Cloudinary users who would recommend it.

Box

Read 41 Box reviews

3,061 Views
122 Comparison Views

85% willing to recommend

Cloudinary

Read 16 Cloudinary reviews

343 Views
343 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Box

Cloudinary

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 5, 2025

Box and Cloudinary are prominent in the field of digital asset management and file collaboration. Box holds an advantage in secure file sharing and compliance, while Cloudinary excels in media asset optimization and transformation.

Features: Box offers secure file sharing, collaboration tools for both personal and enterprise users, and comprehensive integrations with platforms like Microsoft Office. Cloudinary is known for its media asset management capabilities, including image and video optimization through powerful APIs and efficient media-specific tasks.

Room for Improvement: Box could enhance its search functionality, provide better local device sync options, and improve bulk action capabilities. Cloudinary would benefit from an improved interface for easier navigation, a more straightforward initial setup process, and more flexible pricing structures to support scaling businesses.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Box supports flexible deployment across public, private, and on-premises models, with generally praised customer service, though some inefficiencies exist. Cloudinary is primarily deployed on public clouds, offering ease in general deployment but encountering challenges in scaling. Customer service feedback is positive, indicating satisfactory user experiences.

Pricing and ROI: Box provides competitive pricing with options from free to enterprise plans, delivering significant value despite high initial costs. Discounts for enterprises are common. Cloudinary offers generous free plans but presents scalability challenges with fixed pricing as user base grows. Both platforms demonstrate positive ROI through efficiencies and time savings, with Box adding notable compliance risk reduction.

To learn more, read our detailed Box vs. Cloudinary Report (Updated: September 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Box vs. Cloudinary

September 2025

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Box

Ranking in Digital Asset Management

3rd

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.1

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Enterprise Content Management (9th), Cloud Storage (13th), Document Management Software (4th), Content Collaboration Platforms (7th)

Cloudinary

Ranking in Digital Asset Management

2nd

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.2

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of October 2025, in the Digital Asset Management category, the mindshare of Box is 6.6%, up from 5.3% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Cloudinary is 5.0%, up from 2.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Digital Asset Management Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Cloudinary	5.0%
Box	6.6%
Other	88.4%

Digital Asset Management

Featured Reviews

Parthasarathy Chellapillai

Program Administrator at Flextronics

Used for data storage and data collaboration, but its data security could be improved

If I have restricted access within an organization by keeping the data in Box, there are other applications through which I can barge into the data. If anyone wants to keep a file restricted to four people, I can access it because it's available in the cloud. I can directly access the file and pull in the data by entering the file's name. Someone from outside the organization can't access it. However, someone from within the organization who is not supposed to access the data can access it, provided it is in Box. Box is almost like a folder structure outside your system. The solution uses the cloud, and you don't need any separate storage in your system. Even if your system crashes down, the data will be saved. Overall, I rate the solution a six out of ten.

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Josue BYIRINGIRO

ATLP Technical Mentor at Andela

Saves time and resources and has a clear dashboard

I like the tool best because it's straightforward and doesn't have too many complicated options like AWS. The dashboard is clear - you create a directory, get credentials, and then use those in your Node.js or Java application to access resources. With AWS, you have to consider many things, like bucket policies and user permissions. It doesn't have these complications. Everything on Cloudinary is clearer than other platforms I've seen. It is very easy to use. It's easier than the AWS platforms I've seen. Even general developers can use it, while AWS needs more experience. The solution saves time and resources in several ways. It's easy to get started with, saving time from the beginning. You can implement file uploads in about thirty minutes without complications. The SDK and APIs provided to access their resources are simple and not complicated. Cloudinary is also a popular platform with good documentation and community support, making it easy to find solutions to problems.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"The ability to collaborate around data anywhere, anytime is the most powerful features of Box."

"The solution is used for data storage and any kind of visualization."

"Governance and ease of use are why I think a lot of people like Box, including ourselves. Basically, we're concerned about what information is being sent to Box, so we use a lot of the Box governance features to make sure that what is being sent to Box is appropriate. If it is not appropriate, it is not allowed to be sent. It is also pretty easy to use. It is the easiest to use for customers and for technologists."

"Box is very simple and effective, so I prefer Box."

"File sharing, authorization on the back, its ease of use and reliable uptime performance are valuable features of this solution."

"Box is very user-friendly; more so than SharePoint."

"Simple file sharing and sync for internal and external customers."

"Box had a very easy-to-use search feature and a good user interface on its website, which was faster and better than SharePoint."

More Box pros

"One of the best features of the platform is that we have a generous free tire that I can use for some of my projects without worrying about the platform's cost."

"The tool has tools designed for the average user, and the onboarding process is very easy, especially for aspiring junior developers. I love Cloudinary's automation feature. It automatically optimizes assets, so I don't have to do anything. When I store an image, their system already optimizes it. Its CDN is very powerful. The solution also has a default configuration that makes images load faster without losing quality. We haven't faced any issues in integrating the tool with other platforms."

"The most valuable features of the solution revolve around image storage."

"The tool's support team is very prompt."

"Cloudinary provides a free plan for developers wanting to get started or explore its capabilities."

"I like the tool best because it's straightforward and doesn't have too many complicated options like AWS. The dashboard is clear - you create a directory, get credentials, and then use those in your Node.js or Java application to access resources. With AWS, you have to consider many things, like bucket policies and user permissions. It doesn't have these complications. Everything on Cloudinary is clearer than other platforms I've seen. It is very easy to use. It's easier than the AWS platforms I've seen. Even general developers can use it, while AWS needs more experience."

"I can create folders in the Cloudinary interface using the front end, allowing me to store profile pictures, post pictures, cover pictures, and other media files."

"The product's most valuable feature is the ability to upload images quickly and retrieve URLs. It integrates well with code, providing a seamless experience."

More Cloudinary pros

Cons

"I would love to see the ability to invite collaborators extended to a file level, not just the folder level."

"Maturity of the enterprise security around user management."

"The upload speed needs improvement."

"One thing that Box would benefit from is a records management component."

"If there was a plugin that added some sort of toolbar in Office, that would be great."

"Working on documents in real-time is sometimes faulty and could be improved."

"With OneDrive, you can continuously save your files over a Box folder. That is something I wish we could have."

"I haven't really come across a case where we're not able to use it for what it is, so I don't really have anything holding us up or any customers holding us up at this point that I know of. There are always some limitations, but as a technologist, I just live with them, and there is always room for improvement, but I don't have anything quantifiable."

More Box cons

"The AI can't edit the image. If Cloudinary can add a way or a module that can generate the image, then you won't need to upload images to it."

"For non-technical users, the initial setup could be made easier."

"It blocked our account, prevented us from uploading files, and showed a message about file adjustments."

"I think Cloudinary has room for improvement, depending on the project you're working on. Changes might not be needed if your project fits what Cloudinary already offers. But if your project needs some changes, you can make them."

"The user interface of Cloudinary needs improvement."

"The product could be improved by being more user-friendly for beginner programmers."

"Cloudinary's first paid plan is quite expensive, around one hundred dollars, which is more expensive than competitors like Dropbox"

"The high price of the tool is an area of concern where improvements are required."

More Cloudinary cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The pricing may seem steep at first, but delve into the features and you'll soon realize it is incredible value for what you get."

"The more you dig, the deeper the level of tools, and the more expensive it becomes."

"They are very price competitive when pushed. Initially, they come out with a standard list price, but they are willing to be very competitive. The Box price was pretty much equal to or lower than the Citrix price, and Box has more features."

"I have to pay for Box. It could be a little cheaper. On a scale from one to ten, I would give the pricing a five."

"I'm in Higher Ed, so we purchase through Internet2-Net+. I absolutely recommend going that route for Higher Ed customers."

"We are using the free version of the solution. There is a free version and monthly and yearly subscriptions available."

"Our pricing and licensing is excellent. I'd tell all Higher Ed customers to talk with Internet2 for excellent pricing and support."

"There's a free version that allows you to use it with almost full-feature access. Even in the free version, it gives you all you need."

More Box pricing and cost advice

"It is a free tool."

"For us, the price is okay."

"The solution’s pricing is moderate."

"The tool's pricing is very high."

"If you are just starting out, the tool is actually free. You don't have to pay any fee, except if you have a large volume of files and documents you want to host."

"From what I've used, it's actually cheap compared to other options like AWS."

"I am using the free version."

"We decided to quit using Cloudinary after two years because we were getting a lot of users, and it was becoming expensive. Cloudinary had fixed charges, so if we agreed to pay 500 USD per month, it would be the same whether we used high or low resources. They would notify us if we exceeded our limit, but not if we used less—however, AWS charges according to usage, which became more cost-effective for us as we grew. With AWS, you might pay 100 one month and 200 the next, depending on your usage."

More Cloudinary pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

10%

Computer Software Company

Government

Healthcare Company

No data available

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	16
Midsize Enterprise	9
Large Enterprise	27

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	10
Midsize Enterprise	2
Large Enterprise	4

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Box?

The solution is used for data storage and any kind of visualization.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Box?

I was not involved in discussions about paying for Box, so I cannot provide specifics about pricing.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Box?

Collaborative editing was challenging if multiple people were in a document at once. The installation procedure was tricky but manageable with provided guidance and steps.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cloudinary?

I did not research Cloudinary's pricing, as I am using it for free. In the free service, it performs well.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Cloudinary?

The UI needs improvement because it has become quite messy recently, making it difficult to locate the media library and images. Additionally, the initial setup process is complex due to the numero...

See all answers

What advice do you have for others considering Cloudinary?

I would advise new users to read the documentation thoroughly to understand how to upload and store images effectively. For those using Cloudinary for the first time, be prepared for a learning cur...

See all answers

Comparisons

SharePoint vs Box

Compared 16% of the time

ShareFile vs Box

Compared 11% of the time

Microsoft OneDrive for Business vs Box

Compared 10% of the time

Egnyte vs Box

Compared 5% of the time

IBM FileNet vs Box

Compared 5% of the time

More Box Competitors

Bynder vs Cloudinary

Compared 100% of the time

More Cloudinary Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Box

October 2025

Download Box product report

Buyer's Guide

Cloudinary

October 2025

Download Cloudinary product report

Overview

Box is a Modern Content Management Platform for companies of all sizes and industries. The difference that Box brings is that it offers the security and controls admins need with the sharing and collaboration capabilities end users want. Box has made it easier for people to securely share ideas, collaborate and get work done faster. Today, more than 62,000 businesses, including 59% of the Fortune 500, trust Box to manage content in the cloud.

The Box platform provides HIPAA, FINRA, FedRAMP, and many other compliances to go with granular access permissions and advanced security capabilities.

By using Box you can sync, share, and collaborate on all types of files, anywhere, on any device - but that's just the beginning. You can choose where to store your data, to manage your own encryption keys, and set workflows to automate content-based processes. You can also assign custom metadata tags to content, watermark sensitive content, and set file retention or legal hold policies.

Box has deep, native integrations with Microsoft Office and Outlook, Google Apps for Work, Salesforce, Netsuite, Docusign, Adobe, and many other best-of-breed solutions you may already be using.

Box

Cloudinary provides a comprehensive API for image transformation, offering easy integration and a user-friendly interface. With automated asset optimization and robust media management, it enables seamless image storage and retrieval, making it a preferred choice for websites and applications.

Cloudinary is a leading platform in image management, featuring tools for image transformation, storage, and hosting. Its user-centric design simplifies processes like automated image optimization and media validation. Users benefit from a versatile CDN and a generous free tier, facilitating efficient development and deployment. The ability to handle image uploads and retrievals without complex configurations aids in quick time to market, while intuitive search and manageable media organization enhance user experience. Despite its strengths, users call for improvements in user-friendliness, API functionality, and clearer documentation. Pricing remains a concern, and additional advanced AI capabilities for image generation are desired. There's interest in better video hosting and integration with existing storage solutions.

What features does Cloudinary offer?

API for Image Transformation: Offers broad capabilities for customizing images.
Automated Asset Optimization: Ensures images are delivered in optimal formats.
Media Validation: Verifies media integrity and quality.
Intuitive Search: Allows easy retrieval of media assets.
CDN Power: Boosts content delivery speed globally.

What benefits do users find in Cloudinary?

Seamless Development: Facilitates quick development and deployment.
Efficient Image Management: Simplifies image storage and retrieval.
User-Friendly Interface: Aids in easy platform navigation.
Time-Saving Processes: Reduces time in image handling and delivery.

Cloudinary finds applications across sectors such as e-commerce, where image optimization for different devices significantly enhances user experience. In the web and app development fields, it enables automated management of image sizes and formats, supporting functions like user uploads and profile picture handling. Organizations utilize its media management capabilities for storing and handling documents, videos, and other assets. The API integration streamlines backend operations, making it an appealing choice for developers in diverse industries.

Cloudinary

Sample Customers

GE, Toyota, P&G, Caterpillar, Flex, Schneider Electric, Sally Beauty, Eurostar, AstraZeneca, AirBnB, Whirlpool, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Nationwide, Aeropostale etc

Information Not Available

Buyer's Guide

Box vs. Cloudinary

September 2025

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