Box and Dropbox are both cloud-based services for file sharing and storage that allow for collaborations with ease. Box vs Dropbox: which cloud-based software is the best in its class? Although Box and Dropbox are rivals today, the two cloud-based services were historically designed for different markets. Box has always focused on the enterprise market, and Dropbox has always focused more on the consumer market. However, the rivalry between Box and Dropbox have become more closely aligned as Dropbox has increased their business products line to enter the enterprise market in the last few years. So, Box vs Dropbox: who tops who?
What Is Box?
Box is a service that allows secure collaboration for file sharing from a variety of devices, such as a computer, smartphone, or tablet. With the Box service, users can manage and share their files across many devices throughout their business. Due to the flexibility of sharing amongst different devices and its cloud-based file sharing service, Box allows users to create, edit, review, and collaborate with other users on documents in real-time or on-the-go. Due to its ease of access and features, Box has gained popularity in the enterprise market and is used today by top brands such as General Electric (GE), Nationwide, Gap, Boston Scientific, and Pandora. Today, Box is utilized by over 50,000 companies worldwide.
What Is Dropbox?
Dropbox is a cloud-based service for file sharing and storage that has been a popular choice in the market especially for individual users looking to store and share data for free. Dropbox Business is the business package for enterprise users that includes more storage and sharing capabilities. Similar to Box, Dropbox has the capability to sync and share files securely across multiple devices. Today, more than 500 million people worldwide use Dropbox for their file sharing and storage needs.
Individual Use: Box vs Dropbox
Dropbox is more popular than Box when it comes to the individual and consumer market. Individual plans do not have as many “top tier” features as enterprise accounts, but depending on your needs, Box and Dropbox both have plans for the individual user. For individual use, Box and Dropbox are similar if one is not already accustomed to one or the other. See below four scenarios of which service to consider for individual plans.
- Do you prefer a desktop file structure interface?
If you prefer a platform where you can add and search folders and files as if it were like a folder and file structure on your computer, then Dropbox has a desktop app. - Do you need to bookmark webpage links in your cloud-based storage?
If you need to bookmark webpage links for collaboration or for references, then you should consider Box. - Do you need a lot of storage for free?
If you are a student or an individual consumer that needs to store a lot of files, then consider a Box free individual account with 10 GB of storage. - Do you need to purchase a large cloud-based file storage for access on multiple devices?
The best deal in terms of price and storage would be Dropbox Individual Plus Plan with 1 TB of storage.
Enterprise Use: Box vs Dropbox
When the question of Box vs Dropbox comes up in terms of enterprise, Box has the advantage. Box has always focused more on the enterprise market while Dropbox recently made its debut in the enterprise market just in the last few years. Although there are shared enterprise benefits and features to both platforms, Box has more top features to offer for businesses.
- Integrations with apps and software
Although both platforms can integrate with multiple software and apps, Box tops Dropbox by being able to integrate with over 1,400 apps and software. - Workflow automation
A feature unique to Box is workflow automation. Box allows for workflow automation by creating simple rules to automate tasks like reviews and approvals to allow effective and efficient movement of information through your business. The automation allows for quicker review cycles by automatically assigning tasks, such as a review, to designated team members when new and relevant documents are uploaded. Once a task is completed, a user will move the final document to an assigned folder for approvals and all designated members are notified automatically. - Version history
Another Box vs Dropbox feature is that Box tracks version history effectively and efficiently for record keeping and also team collaboration. Box allows for the storage of all files in one secure location online to give your business access to the latest version. Box tracks version history, and the cloud-based service also allows for a user to retrieve and download a previous version. - Global and regulatory compliance
Box also offers unique features such as managed encryption and ensuring global compliance to help businesses meet business requirements, regulatory policies, and data retention policies.
Pricing
Dropbox For Individuals
BASIC
- Free
- 2 GB of space
PLUS
- $9.99 per month OR
- $99.00 per year (save $20.88)
- 1 TB (1,000 GB) of space
- Offline folders on mobile
- Remote device wipe
- Priority email support
PROFESSIONAL
- $19.99 per month OR
- $199.99 per year (save $40.88)
- 2 TB (2,000 GB) of space
- Everything in Plus
- Smart Sync: save hard disk space
- Showcase: present and track your work
- Advanced sharing controls
- Full-text search
- Document image search
- 120-day version history
- Priority chat support
Dropbox For Businesses
STANDARD
- $12.50 per user per month (starting at 3 users)
- 3 TB (3,072 GB) of space
- 120 days of file recovery
- 256-bit AES and SSL/TLS encryption
- Smart Sync
- Dropbox Paper admin tools
- Office 365 integration
- Admin console and audit log
- Granular sharing permissions
- User and company-managed groups
- Remote device wipe
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
- Unlimited API access to security and productivity platform partners
- 25,000 API calls/month for data transport partners
- Live chat support
ADVANCED
- $20.00 per user per month (starting at 3 users)
- Unlimited space
- Everything in Standard
- Advanced admin controls
- Dropbox Showcase
- Tiered admin roles
- File event tracking
- Advanced user management tools
- Invite enforcement
- Domain verification
- Single sign-on (SSO) integration
- Device approvals
- Business hours phone support
ENTERPRISE
- By quote
- Customizable solutions
- Unlimited space
- Everything in advanced
- Account capture
- Network control
- Enterprise mobility management (EMM) support
- Domain insights
- Advanced training for end users and admins
- 24/7 phone support
Box for Individuals
INDIVIDUAL
- Free
- 10 GB of storage
- 250 MB file upload limit
PERSONAL PRO
- $10.00 per month
- 100 GB of storage
- 5 GB file upload limit
Box for Businesses
STARTER
- $60.00 per user per year ($5.00 per user per month)
- 100 GB secure storage
- 2 GB file upload
- Minimum 3 users, max 10 users
- Granular access and controls
- Desktop sync
- Mobile access
- Version history
- SSL and at-rest encryption
- Two-factor authentication
- Standard business support
- User management
- 25,000 API calls per month
BUSINESS
- $180.00 per user per year ($15.00 per user per month)
- Unlimited storage
- 5 GB file upload
- Minimum 3 users, no maximum
- Includes all Starter features plus:
- Advanced user and security reporting
- Active Directory & Single Sign-On (SSO) integration
- Custom branding
- Mobile security controls
- Integrations with EMM providers
- Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
- 50,000 API calls per month
BUSINESS PLUS
- $300.00 per user per year ($25.00 per user per month)
- Unlimited storage
- 5 GB file upload
- Minimum 3 users, no maximum
- Unlimited external collaborators
- Includes all Business features
- Unlimited external collaborators
- Full content visibility and management
- Full user activity tracking
- Admin role delegation
- Metadata and custom templates
- Custom terms of service
- PCI DSS
- Optional: Box Governance, Box KeySafe, Box Zones
- 50,000 API calls per month
ENTERPRISE
- By quote
- Unlimited storage
- 5 GB file upload
- Minimum 3 users, no maximum
- Includes all Business Plus features plus:
- Regulatory compliance: HIPAA/HITECH-eligible, FedRAMP
- Unlimited external collaborators
- Full content visibility and management
- Unlimited integrations, including DLP and eDiscovery
- User groups
- Workflow automation
- Device trust (advanced mobile requirements)
- Password policy enforcement
- Document watermarking
- Metadata and custom templates
- Optional: Box Governance, Box KeySafe, Box Zones
- 100,000 API calls per month
Features
Box Features
- Access stats
- Auto-expiration
- Box content API
- Desktop sync
- File locking
- Full-text search
- Granular permissions
- Mobile access
- Partner apps
- Rich file preview
- Secure sharing
- SSL and at rest encryption
- Two-factor authentication
- Version history
Dropbox Features
- 256-bit AES encryption security
- Any device accessibility
- Automatic organization and back-up
- Automatic updates
- Efficient syncing
- File sharing
- File storage
- Large file sharing
- Manually set bandwidths
- Offline access
- Online back-up and file recovery
- Preview and download
- Simple link-sharing via email, chat or text message
Conclusion
Pricing: Box vs Dropbox
Pricing range is similar between the two platforms with variations accounting for different features offered in each plan.
Features: Box vs Dropbox
Box rivals Dropbox in features that are designed for the needs of growing or established companies. Box’s designs and integrated features such as auto-expiration, secure sharing, version history, and file lock for security and collaborations are useful for businesses to collaborate with stakeholders nationally and globally in real-time or on-the-go. Box offers regulatory compliance features such as HIPAA which allows healthcare industries to utilize their cloud-share service.
Final Words
If security and confidentiality, version history, and real-time collaboration are a part of your professional life, then Box is the cloud-based platform for you. Individuals or businesses who work in manuscript writing, data analysis, clinical data, technical writing, proprietary information, or in the legal, pharmaceutical, biotech, or life science industries, may find the many features of Box helpful.
Leave a Reply