Looking for a Dropbox alternative? Here’s a quick guide to help you decide based on storage, cost, security, and collaboration tools.
Top Picks:
- Google Drive: 15GB free, seamless Google Workspace integration, plans from $1.99/month.
- Microsoft OneDrive: 5GB free, strong Microsoft 365 integration, plans from $1.99/month.
- Box: Business-focused, unlimited storage options, advanced security.
- pCloud: Lifetime storage plans, zero-knowledge encryption, 10GB free.
Quick Comparison:
| Feature | Google Drive | Microsoft OneDrive | Box | pCloud |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Storage | 15GB | 5GB | 10GB | 10GB |
| Starting Price | $1.99/month | $1.99/month | $5/user/month | $199 (Lifetime) |
| Max Storage | 5TB/user | 6TB (Family Plan) | Unlimited | 10TB |
| Zero-Knowledge Encryption | No | No | No | Yes |
| Collaboration Tools | Extensive | Extensive | Advanced | Basic |
Key Takeaways:
- Google Drive: Best for personal use and collaboration.
- Microsoft OneDrive: Ideal for small businesses using Microsoft tools.
- Box: Great for enterprises needing advanced security and compliance.
- pCloud: Perfect for privacy-focused users or those seeking one-time payment plans.
Read on for detailed insights into each platform and find the best fit for your needs.
The Best Cloud Storage in 2025: Dropbox vs Google Drive vs iDrive vs Sync vs pCloud vs OneDrive
1. Google Drive
Google Drive provides a generous 15GB of free storage, far surpassing Dropbox’s 2GB limit. Its pricing is also attractive for those needing more space, with additional storage options available through Google One:
| Storage Plan | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| 100 GB (shared with up to 6 people) | $1.99 |
| 200 GB | $2.99 |
| 2 TB | $9.99 |
| AI Premium (2 TB) | $19.99 |
When it comes to security, Google Drive uses top-tier encryption to protect data during transfer and while stored. It also includes features like Information Rights Management (IRM), multi-factor authentication via Google Workspace, automatic updates, and scans for external files up to 100MB in size [1].
Google Drive integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace, supporting over 100 file types. This allows for real-time collaboration, commenting, and centralized file management. It also connects with popular business tools like Slack, Zoom, and Salesforce, and offers workflow automation through Zapier [2].
As a Dropbox alternative, Google Drive stands out with its large storage capacity, strong security measures, and robust collaboration tools – all in one platform. Next, let’s take a closer look at another top contender: Microsoft OneDrive.
2. Microsoft OneDrive
Microsoft OneDrive provides 5GB of free storage to get you started and offers several affordable plans through Microsoft 365 subscriptions:
| Plan Type | Storage Capacity | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 Basic | 100GB | $1.99 | $19.99 |
| Microsoft 365 Personal | 1TB | $9.99 | $99.99 |
| Microsoft 365 Family | 6TB (1TB per user) | $12.99 | $129.99 |
| OneDrive for Business (Plan 1) | 1TB per user | $5.00 | $60.00 |
OneDrive ensures your data is protected with 256-bit AES encryption, both during transfer and while stored [4]. It adheres to key industry standards like ISO 27001 and SOC 2 and uses data redundancy by mirroring across multiple Azure regions [3]. For sensitive files, the Personal Vault offers extra layers of security, including authentication methods like fingerprint, facial recognition, PIN, or SMS [3].
A major advantage of OneDrive is its seamless integration with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem [5]. While Dropbox supports a wider range of third-party apps, OneDrive stands out for its deep connection to Microsoft’s tools. This includes real-time collaboration via Microsoft Teams and instant access to Office apps, streamlining workflows for users already utilizing Microsoft’s services [6].
“You control your data. When you put your data in OneDrive cloud storage, you remain the owner of the data.” – Microsoft Support [3]
For businesses, OneDrive includes advanced security features like monitoring for suspicious activity. Downloaded documents are automatically scanned by the Windows Defender anti-malware engine for potential threats [3]. Microsoft’s “zero-standing access” policy further enhances security by limiting engineer access to the service unless explicitly required for resolving incidents [3].
Microsoft 365 subscribers also get extras like password-protected sharing links and file expiration dates [3]. This makes OneDrive an excellent choice for organizations already using Microsoft tools or those seeking to unify their cloud storage and productivity solutions. Next, we’ll break down the features of competing platforms to help you decide which service fits your needs best./banner/inline/?id=sbb-itb-2f29631
3. Box
Box offers cloud storage designed for businesses, combining strong security measures with seamless third-party integrations. It caters to various business needs through a range of storage plans:
| Plan | Storage | File Upload Limit | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual (Free) | 10GB | 250MB | $0 |
| Personal Pro | 100GB | 5GB | $10.00 |
| Business Starter | 100GB | 2GB | $5.00/user |
| Business | Unlimited | 5GB | $15.00/user |
| Business Plus | Unlimited | 15GB | $25.00/user |
| Enterprise | Unlimited | 50GB | $35.00/user |
| Enterprise Plus | Unlimited | 150GB | Custom |
Box uses AES 256-bit encryption to protect data both at rest and during transit. It complies with regulations like HIPAA, GDPR, and FedRAMP, making it a preferred choice for industries with strict compliance requirements. Features like Box Shield leverage AI to classify sensitive data and enforce security rules automatically [9].
For collaboration, Box integrates with over 1,500 apps, including Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and Slack [11]. Tools like Box Notes and Box Canvas allow teams to work on documents in real time, while Box Drive lets users access cloud files directly from their desktop, simplifying workflows.
“When collaborating securely is one of the most important parts of your job, you need security and compliance you can trust. With the Content Cloud, we bring you the very best in security, privacy, and compliance – and it’s built right into our DNA.” – Box [8]
Box also provides advanced enterprise features such as detailed audit trails, automated workflows, Box KeySafe for encryption key management, and Box Zones for data residency. These tools help businesses maintain control over their data and streamline operations [9].
Serving over 100,000 organizations – including 67% of Fortune 500 companies [8][10] – Box stands out in industries that demand rigorous security. Beyond security, its AI capabilities assist with content summarization and knowledge extraction, helping businesses organize and utilize their information more effectively [11].
While Box’s free tier offers 10GB of storage, surpassing Dropbox’s 2GB limit, it caps individual file uploads at 250MB [7]. For businesses prioritizing compliance and scalability, the unlimited storage and advanced security features in higher-tier plans are particularly appealing. Up next, we’ll compare how Box stacks up against other providers.
4. pCloud
pCloud stands out with its lifetime plans and strong security measures. Unlike most subscription-based services, pCloud offers one-time payment options for permanent storage access:
| Plan Type | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | Lifetime (One-time) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium (500GB) | $4.99 | $49.99 | $199 |
| Premium Plus (2TB) | $9.99 | $199.99 | $399 |
| Ultra (10TB) | $19.99 | $199.99 | $1,190 |
To protect your data, pCloud uses TLS/SSL encryption during transfers and stores five copies of each file across three secure data centers located in the European Union [13]. As a Swiss-based company, it also adheres to strict Swiss data protection laws, adding an extra layer of privacy [13].
One of its standout features is pCloud Crypto, a client-side encryption tool. It employs 4096-bit RSA for private keys and 256-bit AES for encrypting files and folders [12]. What makes pCloud unique is its ability to handle both encrypted and non-encrypted folders within the same account, giving users more control over their sensitive data.
For businesses, the Business Pro plan ($15.98 per user/month with annual billing) offers a range of collaboration tools, including:
- Customizable folder sharing with View or Edit permissions
- Password-protected link sharing
- File request options
- Public folder support for hosting static websites
- Team management and access controls
Users frequently praise the platform’s ease of use and reliability:
“Easy to use, quite easy to configure, great to use on several systems. Having tried several cloud systems before…I found pCloud very easy and comfortable to use and will use it for the time to come.” – Thomas Duntze, Civil servant [14]
With over 20 million users [13], pCloud combines competitive pricing with advanced security. Its free tier offers 10GB of storage – far more than Dropbox’s 2GB starter plan – making it an appealing choice for long-term storage. Whether you’re looking for personal or business solutions, pCloud is a strong alternative to Dropbox.
Features Comparison
Here’s a breakdown of key features for four popular cloud storage platforms:
| Feature | Google Drive | Microsoft OneDrive | Box | pCloud |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Storage | 15 GB | 5 GB | No free plan | 10 GB |
| Starting Price | $7/user/month | $5/user/month | $15/user/month | $199 (Lifetime) |
| Max Storage | 5 TB/user | 1 TB/user | Unlimited | 10 TB |
| Zero-Knowledge Encryption | No | No | No | Yes (via pCloud Crypto) |
| File Size Limits | 5 TB | 250 GB | 150 GB | 500 GB |
| Collaboration Tools | Extensive | Extensive | Advanced | Basic |
| Office Integration | Google Workspace | Microsoft 365 | Multiple platforms | Basic editors |
Key Takeaways
Each platform has its strengths, catering to different needs:
- Google Drive offers 15 GB of free storage and integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace, making it a great choice for online collaboration.
- Microsoft OneDrive shines with its Business Standard plan ($12.50/user/month), which includes the full Microsoft Office suite.
- Box targets enterprises with unlimited storage and robust security. Its Business Plus tier adds features like custom branding and advanced user controls.
- pCloud stands out with lifetime plans that require a one-time payment, plus optional zero-knowledge encryption through pCloud Crypto.
Security and Collaboration
Security is a key consideration. While Google Drive, OneDrive, and Box manage encryption keys on their servers, pCloud takes it a step further with optional zero-knowledge encryption, ensuring only you can access your files.
For collaboration, Google Drive and OneDrive excel with tools tailored for personal and business use. Box focuses on enterprise-level collaboration, while pCloud prioritizes secure storage and sharing over real-time collaboration features.
Data Residency
Another factor to consider is where your data is stored. Google Drive and OneDrive primarily use US-based data centers. On the other hand, Box and pCloud provide more flexible options for data residency, allowing businesses to meet regional compliance requirements [15].
Best Options by Use Case
Here’s a breakdown of cloud solutions tailored to different user needs based on practical applications.
Personal Storage
Google Drive offers 15GB of free storage and integrates effortlessly with Google’s services. If Google Drive doesn’t meet your needs, there are plenty of alternatives to explore.
Small Business Teams
Microsoft OneDrive stands out for its strong collaboration tools and seamless connection with Microsoft 365, making it a solid choice for small business teams.
Enterprise Solutions
Box is ideal for enterprises prioritizing security, compliance, and efficient collaboration. It features advanced workflows, content portals, and integrations with tools like Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and Slack.
Budget-Conscious Users
pCloud is a great pick for those looking to avoid recurring subscriptions. Its lifetime storage plans can save money over time. If you need stronger security, other options outside this list might be worth exploring.
Other platforms, like Sync.com and Egnyte, also cater to specific needs, such as privacy and creative workflows.
Privacy-Focused Users
Sync.com offers strong security features, including zero-knowledge encryption. Its Team Standard plan starts at $6 per user per month (billed annually), delivering a secure and easy-to-use option.
Creative Teams
For specialized workflows, Egnyte provides advanced file management and third-party integrations, starting at $20 per month (billed annually), making it a great fit for creative teams.
Cross-Platform Users
Google Drive shines for users who frequently switch between devices and operating systems, thanks to its excellent cross-platform compatibility.