Box vs Cloudinary comparison

Box and Cloudinary are both solutions in the Digital Asset Management category. Box is ranked #5 with an average rating of 7.7, while Cloudinary is ranked #1 with an average rating of 8.4. Box holds a 5.7% mindshare in DAM, compared to Cloudinary’s 4.7% 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

3,048 Views
91 Comparison Views

85% willing to recommend

Cloudinary

Read 16 Cloudinary reviews

293 Views
293 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: July 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Box vs. Cloudinary

July 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

5th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.3

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

1st

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.2

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2025, in the Digital Asset Management category, the mindshare of Box is 5.7%, down from 6.3% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Cloudinary is 4.7%, up from 0.9% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

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 application is very light in terms of uploading and downloading files."

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

"Sharing and collaborating across files and folders has been a massive game changer."

"You can upload your bin, upload your files quickly, and download your files quickly. It provides a lot of other alternatives."

"I like that Box makes it easy to deploy virtual machines."

"We've never had a penetration. We've never had a security issue that their support didn't solve. We love their audit trail. We can know exactly when a collaborator opens. We love how you can define a collaborator."

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

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

More Box pros

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

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

"I use the solution for posting images."

"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."

"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."

"Unlike Firebase Storage, Cloudinary handles media-specific tasks like re-encoding uploads. For example, when users upload a video from an Apple device, it's often encoded in a proprietary Apple codec."

"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."

"As a developer, I find Cloudinary valuable because it provides many opportunities for building applications. For example, I recently created an AI application that can read images and automatically generate captions, which helps in describing images or videos without manual input. Cloudinary's APIs support this functionality and enhance my development process. One of the most beneficial features of Cloudinary is its asset management capabilities. I can tag and categorize images and videos based on their content, such as tagging videos where a person is wearing glasses. This helps in organizing and managing media effectively. I have experimented with Cloudinary's automation capabilities, but I am still learning and haven't fully explored its potential. Currently, I want to use Cloudinary to improve user engagement with my videos, such as tracking who is viewing and interacting with my media. This is a feature I plan to explore more in the future."

More Cloudinary pros

Cons

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

"Data privacy, regarding where to store your data: Offering several transparent(!) options (where to store my data and whether to sync back or not and where to sync) regarding the local law situations (USA, EU, Switzerland!) would increase the credibility of a US based company (after NSA ‘snooping’)."

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

"They could integrate better with other platforms."

"I don't like the low level of role-based security it provides – it's very cumbersome, and the support is ordinary at times."

"The UI should be faster. Sometimes it lags when switching between documents."

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

"Maturity of the enterprise security around user management."

More Box cons

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

"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."

"I haven't really thought about what improvements I’d like to see in Cloudinary recently. One thing that comes to mind is the capability for hosting very large video files, similar to platforms like YouTube. Cloudinary is not as widely known for video uploads as other platforms, and it would be great if it had a larger user base for this purpose. Apart from marketing and video uploading, I haven't identified specific features or functionalities that need improvement. It’s been a while since I actively used Cloudinary, and I’m just starting to get back into it. Once I’m more familiar with it again, I’ll have a better idea of any gaps or areas for enhancement. I’ll need to think more about this and might provide feedback later."

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

"There are some things the product can improve in its UI."

"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."

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

"The solution should be made more user-friendly because sometimes it's hard to understand."

More Cloudinary cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"My organization pays for the license."

"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."

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

"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."

"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."

"A business account has a minimum of three users. If you are more than three people in-house, go for the Enterprise version. All the external users are free of charge."

"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."

More Box pricing and cost advice

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

"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."

"For us, the price is okay."

"The solution’s pricing is moderate."

"I am using the free version."

"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."

"The tool's pricing is very high."

"I have not used the product's paid subscription, as the free tier is sufficient for most users."

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

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 6% of the time

IBM FileNet vs Box

Compared 4% of the time

More Box Competitors

Bynder vs Cloudinary

Compared 100% of the time

More Cloudinary Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Box

August 2025

Download Box product report

Buyer's Guide

Cloudinary

August 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

July 2025

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