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Box Logo
9,929 views|5,807 comparisons
Dropbox Logo
6,709 views|4,222 comparisons
Comparison Buyer's Guide
Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Box and Dropbox based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out in this report how the two Cloud Storage solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.
To learn more, read our detailed Box vs. Dropbox Report (Updated: May 2023).
708,544 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Q&A Highlights
Question: Which is better—Box or Dropbox?
Answer: Just an FYI...I found out this week that Microsoft with their OneDrive solution will be also encrypting files in storage and in transit, and if you have your email already in the cloud with Microsoft O365 you can get enormous amounts of data per user in each person's OneDrive...I probably can't say how much, but let's just say it's WAY more storage per user than you get with Box or Dropbox. I'd suggest looking into, especially if you are a Microsoft PC/office/mail shop.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"I like the ease of use.""It is a very user-friendly product.""I like that Box makes it easy to deploy virtual machines.""The solution is scalable.""It is really easy to load files to and from this solution.""The collaboration of the solution is good.""You can upload your bin, upload your files quickly, and download your files quickly. It provides a lot of other alternatives.""Box is extremely stable, they have not been hacked or lost any data in the past seventeen years. I am very impressed with it."

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"One of the most useful features of Dropbox is its ease of use.""Its usability is valuable. It is easy to use.""Setting up DropBox is straightforward, and one person can do it in less than five minutes.""I think Dropbox is a good option for Windows users because it's easy to use in Windows and a user can access all other products and software.""Simple to share files with others.""It offers convenience. It can connect with all devices that you own.""A valuable feature is that it's useful for exchanging large files and documents. I'm happy with it.""It is the best solution in terms of space, file sharing, and live editing. I can share and edit files with multiple users."

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Cons
"The search features and role permissions are not very user friendly. It only searches the first few pages of a document, which is quite a problem.""It could be cheaper.""They could integrate better with other platforms.""With OneDrive, you can continuously save your files over a Box folder. That is something I wish we could have.""The room for improvement is in the area of integrations. They need to establish more integrations, especially with Office 365 and Outlook.""One thing that Box would benefit from is a records management component.""I don't like the low level of role-based security it provides – it's very cumbersome, and the support is ordinary at times.""If you want to delete something in Box, you have to do it manually, one by one. That was my recent experience. They might have a bulk delete, but I could not find that option. If you want to delete something, you have to go to each and every file and delete it."

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"It could be more secure.""I cannot edit a document at the same time as another user.""I would like to see integration with Office products, it would be very helpful.""If someone manages a large amount of data, they will need more storage, which they must purchase.""They can provide more storage. Data is something that everybody is after. Any organization that has the requirement of data for any type of analysis will definitely need increased storage.""The interface could have bigger buttons.""The price for storage space is a little expensive.""The storage is not large enough."

More Dropbox Cons →

Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "We are using the free version of the solution. There is a free version and monthly and yearly subscriptions available."
  • "Box needs to improve with their pricing in terms of licensing costs."
  • "My organization pays for the license."
  • "The more you dig, the deeper the level of tools, and the more expensive it becomes."
  • "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."
  • More Box Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "It has some free features, but for some of the features, you need to pay. If you need more storage, then you need to pay. Its licensing probably is on a monthly basis."
  • "I am on a monthly subscription for the solution and I am somewhat satisfied with the pricing. However, the price could a bit better."
  • "There is a subscription-based pricing model and I pay monthly."
  • "We pay a monthly subscription fee."
  • "The solution is purchased on a subscription basis, and there are purchasing options. If you purchase annually there is a discount."
  • "A basic version of Dropbox is available for free with a paid subscription from Microsoft."
  • "The solution is expensive."
  • "The solution does not come with a licensing cost."
  • More Dropbox Pricing and Cost Advice →

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    Answers from the Community
    Avigail Sugarman
    it_user105822 - PeerSpot reviewerit_user105822 (Data Centre Technician at a retailer with 10,001+ employees)
    Vendor

    Having used both I am too in the camp of Box followers simply because it is more secure and there is a great storage space in the free option. Dropbox has gained a lot of fans from the younger market as it is quick and easy to use but it is also fairly limited in its toolsets and also in its storage space. Box has a feel of permenancy and strength about it and has been a real boon for me when preparing presentations for various gigs in a multitude of locations as it enabled all the artists to access runsheets, chord charts, music videos and technical data sheets, so that when we came together at the gig we were all playing, acting and presenting off the same songsheet! Literally!

    I have used Dropbox for family business meetings and sharing of documents and ideas. It is also simple to set up and access which is a real boon when dealing with thechnophobes or computer luditites.
    In the end it is horses for courses and if you are a thorough bred on a long race with plenty of jumps then I'd go for the horse called Box. if your on the beach for a donkey darby then dropbox will do what you need.

    Appologies for the weird sense of humour.

    Eric Dirst - PeerSpot reviewerEric Dirst
    Real User

    The biggest difference we saw when we looked at Box a few years ago was that Box encrypted stored files both in transit and at rest in storage. This is a deal breaker for most enterprises because most enterprise policies won't allow public storage (outside company data center) of employee or customer data without it being encrypted in order to protect that information. In addition to better security, box had much better administrator tools than dropbox at the time. More granular control, better tools for the security team to enforce policies, etc. As far as I know, this hasn't changed in the last few years. Box is the only player really putting forth the effort to offer a secure cloud storage platform that has the ease of use of consumer solutions, but secured for the enterprise. Microsoft doesn't have it. Dropbox doesn't have it. I'm not aware of anyone else focusing on this niche of the marketplace.

    it_user120363 - PeerSpot reviewerit_user120363 (Management Consultant at a consultancy)
    Consultant

    If you’ve ever been frustrated by the desire to share your text files with a friend or business colleague, these two products will be a great boon. Both are free too. Both allow you to invite people to either view your files, or to share the editing. A great idea if you want to co-write a report for example. Both allow you to download the file, edit it, and then load it back up again. Or to edit offline on your PC using the synch option.

    Box (formerly box.net) key features:

    · Free storage – 10gb

    · File size limit – 250mb (free version)

    · Main users – business

    · Good online help

    · Works by you uploading files and folders, which you can then share. These can be synched with boxsynch – similar to Dropbox. Also free.

    · Secure storage

    · Not as intuitive to use (more like Google docs), due to endless security options

    · Great for more robust business usage

    · Looks very flash

    · Has a business version

    · Not so widely used (30m users)

    · Access from most phones, ipads, PCs and Macs.

    Dropbox key features

    · Free storage – 2GB (introduce your friends and this goes up)

    · File size limit – no limit

    · Main users – everyone

    · Little online help

    · Works by synchronising to a folder on your PC

    · Intuitive to use

    · A doddle to set up

    · Looks less flashy than Box, but improving

    · Secure storage (it is now!)

    · Great for simple file sharing

    · Has a business version

    · Very widely used (300m users)

    · Access from most phones, ipads, Kindle, Linux, PCs and Macs.

    If I were choosing now, I would almost certainly pick Box to work with, unless I wanted to share really large files (I don’t) or to run on Linux or a Kindle (don’t want to do this either).

    If all you want is a simple tool to share a few files, then I’d choose Dropbox.

    I’ve been using cloud based storage for many years now, but the earlier versions of Box, when it was Box.net, put me off, as they were flaky and cumbersome to use. Dropbox stole their thunder, made it really simple and hundreds of millions of users now use it. Both companies are working fast to capture users, especially business users. So watch this space, and watch Google docs too.

    Thank you,
    Jacqui

    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer:I like that Box makes it easy to deploy virtual machines.
    Top Answer: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.
    Top Answer:Dropbox offers helpful functionalities for business purposes, such as receiving file requests from external parties like customers who don't have an account. Additionally, it includes features, such… more »
    Top Answer:The pricing for non-corporations is expensive. They have raised their prices and have low storage capacity. There is a monthly and annual model pay and use solution.
    Top Answer:The price is expensive for individual users.
    Ranking
    6th
    out of 30 in Cloud Storage
    Views
    9,929
    Comparisons
    5,807
    Reviews
    8
    Average Words per Review
    370
    Rating
    8.4
    5th
    out of 30 in Cloud Storage
    Views
    6,709
    Comparisons
    4,222
    Reviews
    40
    Average Words per Review
    253
    Rating
    8.2
    Comparisons
    SharePoint logo
    Compared 29% of the time.
    Microsoft OneDrive logo
    Compared 16% of the time.
    Citrix ShareFile logo
    Compared 6% of the time.
    Office 365 logo
    Compared 6% of the time.
    Hyland OnBase logo
    Compared 3% of the time.
    Learn More
    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. Since 2005, Box has made it easier for people to securely share ideas, collaborate and get work done faster. Today, more than 43 million users and 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.

    Dropbox provides cloud-based file syncing, sharing, and storage. It specializes in helping large-scale businesses stay organized and productive while protecting the integrity of sensitive information with enterprise-level security. Dropbox is a valuable solution for businesses looking to simplify communication, safeguard information, and improve collaboration. Dropbox's platform provides a user-friendly, real-time sharing and storage solution for large businesses. The company's enterprise-level service plan includes 256-bit AES and SSL encryption, an optional two-step verification process, and optional mobile passcodes, which provide tight security to protect sensitive information. Dropbox uniquely offers a remote wipe feature, which allows businesses to keep data safe when an employee leaves the company or a computer is lost. Dropbox stands out from the competition by offering businesses expanded storage, unlimited file recovery and versioning, and control over sharing permissions. Additionally, Dropbox provides businesses with team management solutions, including device and location tracking, login tracking, detailed user management options for administrators, and centralized billing. Collaboration between team members is further simplified with the addition of various Dropbox apps that allow advanced functionality such as document editing, CRM, and e-signatures. Dropbox has become one of the most popular business tools, entrusted by 97 percent of all Fortune 500 companies. Before implementing Dropbox, global apparel merchandiser BCBGMAXAZRIA was struggling to structure communication and increase company-wide efficiency, which resulted in the need for increased staff hours and expenses. Since choosing Dropbox as its cloud-based sharing and storage solution, BCBGMAXAZRIA has been able to restructure its file sharing and collaboration streams in every department. As a result, BCBGMAXAZRIA is able to boost efficiency, reduce expenses, and protect its information throughout all 550 locations. Review more of the top Cloud Storage Solutions with our SmartAdvisor.

    Offer
    Learn more about Box
    Learn more about Dropbox
    Sample Customers
    GE, Toyota, P&G, Caterpillar, Flex, Schneider Electric, Sally Beauty, Eurostar, AstraZeneca, AirBnB, Whirlpool, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Nationwide, Aeropostale etc
    Vita Coco, BCBGMAXAZRIA Group, Centric Project, Kayak, FourSquare, Asana, Huge Adversting , USA Gymnastics, Appen, Valliant, Radio Lab
    Top Industries
    REVIEWERS
    Non Tech Company28%
    University10%
    Financial Services Firm10%
    Real Estate/Law Firm10%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Educational Organization32%
    Computer Software Company12%
    Government6%
    Financial Services Firm6%
    REVIEWERS
    Comms Service Provider14%
    Computer Software Company11%
    Financial Services Firm11%
    University8%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Educational Organization18%
    Computer Software Company13%
    Government6%
    Comms Service Provider6%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business26%
    Midsize Enterprise22%
    Large Enterprise52%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business17%
    Midsize Enterprise38%
    Large Enterprise45%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business44%
    Midsize Enterprise18%
    Large Enterprise38%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business28%
    Midsize Enterprise26%
    Large Enterprise45%
    Buyer's Guide
    Box vs. Dropbox
    May 2023
    Find out what your peers are saying about Box vs. Dropbox and other solutions. Updated: May 2023.
    708,544 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    Box is ranked 6th in Cloud Storage with 8 reviews while Dropbox is ranked 5th in Cloud Storage with 42 reviews. Box is rated 8.4, while Dropbox is rated 8.2. The top reviewer of Box writes "User-friendly, easy to navigate, and has helpful support". On the other hand, the top reviewer of Dropbox writes "Simple access, straightforward implementation, and reliable". Box is most compared with SharePoint, Microsoft OneDrive, Citrix ShareFile, Office 365 and Hyland OnBase, whereas Dropbox is most compared with SharePoint, Microsoft OneDrive, Citrix ShareFile, Google Workspace and Google Cloud Storage. See our Box vs. Dropbox report.

    See our list of best Cloud Storage vendors and best Content Collaboration Platforms vendors.

    We monitor all Cloud Storage reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.