Difference Between Dropbox and Google Drive: Which is Better?

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Which is better Google Drive or Dropbox? With their comparison in this article, you can tell that they are both great service providers and they offer almost similar features. However, Google Drive is slightly rated over Dropbox.

Nonetheless, their difference is minimal, and your choice depends on what features matter to you and your team. For instance, if reducing bandwidth is a top priority for your business, Dropbox is the way to go. On the other hand, if a set of productivity tools are more vital to you, Google Drive is the one for you. Your business and needs, and personal preference are what truly matters.

All in all, both services are great. Which is better Google Drive or Dropbox? Let’s compare so you can make your choice.

Difference Between Dropbox and Google Drive

File synchronization and top cloud storage services such as Dropbox and Google Drive share several similar features like selective folder syncing, version history, free storage, customized sharing permissions, and event tracking.

However, they differ in some areas that aren’t exactly obvious to most. So, what are their differences? And which is better Google Drive or Dropbox? 

Pricing

Price comes first because as much as value for money is vital, the cost of value is likewise important to your business, and in this aspect, Google Drive is your choice.

Dropbox provides 2GB storage when you sign up with them, which isn’t really that much. So, to enjoy the advantages of cloud storage, you’ll have to migrate to their paid plan. Also, the highest storage you can get is 1TB. You don’t have the option of 500GB or even 100GB, it’s either you go for 2TB or 1TB.

Nevertheless, Dropbox comes with more features. And here’s how the pricing works:

  • 2GB – Free
  • 1TB – $9.99 per month or $99.0 per year
  • 2TB – $19.99 per month or $198.96 per year
  • 3TB – $15 per month or $150 per year
  • Unlimited – $25 per month or $240 per year

On the other hand, Google Drive offers 15GB of storage space when you sign up with them. That’s a wonderful amount of space for any other user without a business – it’s not enough for a business. You can upgrade to a paid plan and select from 200GB or 100GB with minimal cost.

Google Drive scores slightly over Dropbox in flexibility, and here’s how their plan works:

  • 15GB – Free
  • 100GB – $1.99 per month or $19.99 per year
  • 200GB – $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year
  • 2TB – $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year
  • 10TB – $99.99 per month
  • 20TB – $199.99 per month

Speed

When we compare speed, the question “Which is better Google Drive or Dropbox” has a direct answer – Dropbox is the right choice! This specific feature is what makes Dropbox popular among users.

Dropbox offers instant syncing because of a block-level file copying technique, where only changes bits get synched. This implies that when you sync any of your new files, it takes a little longer for the first time, then after that, only a few seconds are needed to update changes. For that reason, the updated version becomes available across all your devices instantly!

It also uses local synching called LAN Sync. This helps your files directly sync across multiple devices on the same network, which is why transferring files across computers is superfast with Dropbox.

Meanwhile, Google Drive doesn’t use the block-level technique. However, it is powered by some of the fastest servers in the world. Their server speed almost meets Dropbox’s technology, which is why you might not notice a huge difference between the two.

You’ll only notice the difference when you transfer multiple files across computers. With Google Drive, your files get uploaded to their server before downloading again to the receiving computer. This demands more bandwidth, which is why Dropbox is best in transfer speed.

Security

Security is another vital feature in cloud storage and should always be considered before deciding which is better Google Drive or Dropbox. Both Google Drive and Dropbox understand the importance of foolproof and thorough security, and they’ve done well to provide it.

Google Drive provides two-factor authentication to keep your account safe via an authentication app, SMS, one-tap sign-up from your mobile phone, a phone call with code, or physical key.

Dropbox also provides those security options except the one-tap sign-in option. While both services encrypt your data while it moves back and forth from local devices to the cloud, Google Drive goes the extra mile by encrypting that key via a master key.

File Sync

File sync is a crucial feature that allows you to share files automatically to various devices, which helps you save some effort and time. So, when it comes to filing sync, which is better Google Drive or Dropbox?

Dropbox is the first storage provider to introduce file synching before others joined in. Yet, Dropbox has some fantastic features that are yet to be replicated by the rest in the market. It comes with a local folder named Dropbox, and whatever you store in that folder is transferred to the cloud and past it to other devices.

Dropbox also offers a feature called selective synching that allows you to choose to put off the sync for some specific folders, so their contents remain available only in the cloud.

Google Drive, on the other hand,follows a longer approach, but the difference isn’t significant because it they have faster servers spread across the world. And their desktop client, you can sync files while it provides a selective sync feature via its taskbar icon.

Overall, Dropbox is better at file syncing. But compared to Google Drive, you have to be sure $10 is worth the slight difference.

Privacy     

Both programs provide excellent privacy, but Dropbox gets favored because of its block-level file copying technology compared to Google Drive, which has to upload your files to their servers before downloading to another computer.

All in all, both Google Drive and Dropbox offer excellent privacy to their users, so you can remain to rest assured that your file is yours and only yours to see!

Conclusion – Which is better Google Drive or Dropbox?

While Google Drive might score more in their overall comparison, Dropbox still has some features that beat what Google Drive offers. For example, Dropbox is better at file syncing, while Google Drive offers better and more flexible pricing.

So, which is better Google Drive or Dropbox? Your business needs and personal preferences are what matters first. As soon as you can state exactly what you need in the storage and transfer platform, your choice becomes easier!

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