Overall Findings
Both cloud storage providers offer a great deal. They each have their own unique approach to encryption and which apps and services they integrate with. However, both line up when it comes to collaboration, syncing across desktop and mobile devices, and the convenience of working remotely. Google Drive offers significantly more storage space up front and provides the convenience of integration with almost all of Google’s apps and services. But Dropbox’s more advanced file syncing algorithm gives you faster sync time, and its integration with so many third-party apps and services makes it an irresistible choice for people who don’t use many Google services.
Storage Space: Dropbox Has Better Premium Plans, Google Offers More for Free
When you first sign up for Google Drive, you get 15GB of free storage. You can upgrade your Google Drive account to 100GB for only $1.99/mo up to 2TB for $19.99/mo. Keep in mind this storage space is spread across multiple Google services. Dropbox starts you off with 2GB for the Basic free account. You can upgrade to 2TB for $9.99/mo or 3TB for $16.58/mo. Byte for byte, the prices between the two services align. However, you’re limited to 2TB with Google, and Dropbox isn’t making you consume any of its storage space with an email service like Google Drive does.
Embedded Apps: Google Has More, But Dropbox Plays With Others
When you select New in Google Drive, you’ll see options to create a new file using Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, Google Forms, Google Drawings, Google sites, Google My Maps, and the ability to connect with over a hundred online apps. When you select Create new file in Dropbox, you’ll see fewer embedded apps than in Google Drive. These apps include Dropbox Paper, HelloSign, Transfer, and Showcase (with the top paid tier). In addition, Dropbox provides an App Center where you can choose from 50 to 60 third-party integrations which work with Dropbox. Integrations include major names like Microsoft Office, Trello, Slack, Zoom, WhatsApp, and more. While it appears Dropbox offered Paper as a counterpart to Google Docs, there isn’t much comparison. Dropbox Paper is little more than a glorified Notepad app.
Syncing Changes: Both Are Near Real-Time
If you plan to edit files in Google Drive using cloud-based apps like Google Docs or Google Sheets, syncing isn’t really a concern. In fact, you can collaborate on editing documents in real time. However, if you plan on doing a lot of offline work and syncing those changes, Dropbox wins hands down. This is because while Google Drive transfers the entire file during each sync, Dropbox uses an algorithm called a “block-level file transfer,” which divides files into smaller “blocks.” Only the block that has been changed is transferred and synced. Both services offer the ability to view content in your cloud storage inside your local folder. Dropbox has always provided this feature in the form of its “Smart Sync” feature. Google later added it as “selective sync.”
Collaboration: Team Editing and Video Conferencing
Both cloud storage services have an integrated video conferencing service. You can use Google Meet with Google Drive, and Zoom with Dropbox. Multiple users in Google Drive can work on the same shared documents in real time. For example, you can watch as others edit a file, have an IM chat, and have a comment dialogue in the documents. With Dropbox, you can collaborate on Office docs in real time. This is thanks to Dropbox’s integration with Office Online. The same real-time commenting features are available. In terms of collaboration, neither service comes out on top.
Security and Privacy: Both Keep You Secure
Google incorporates 256-bit AES file storage encryption for any file transfers, and 128-bit AES encryption for files in storage (at rest). Dropbox, on the other hand, uses stronger encryption for files at rest (256-bit AES), and weaker security (128-bit AES encryption) for files in transfer. While this helps Dropbox achieve faster file sync time than Google Drive, it also comes with a slight security trade-off. With that said, since Dropbox only syncs “blocks” of files rather than entire files, that risk is reduced.
Final Verdict: Google Drive Wins By a Nose
Both services are excellent choices when it comes to cloud-based collaboration. Google Drive wins when it comes to free storage space, the convenience of deep integration with all of Google’s services, and solid security. Google Drive also has a more intuitive user interface. On the other hand, Dropbox pulls out ahead in terms of its faster file syncing algorithm, a large field of popular apps and services it integrates with, and its integration with the most popular video conferencing service online today, Zoom. Google Drive comes out on top because, for Google users, the convenience of Drive integration with Google services is a must-have. Considering there are approaching 2 billion Google users worldwide, that is no small matter. On the other hand, for anyone who doesn’t use many Google services or apps, Dropbox might be a better option if you’d love the flexibility of using your cloud storage with a wide variety of other third-party apps and services.
