With digitization taking over our corporate as well as personal lives, the need for file storage has only increased over the years. Be it your work files, memorable photos, personal documents, or any other digital footprint, having ample file storage is absolutely important. The best option for storing large amounts of files safely and securely is to look for cloud storage options. Dropbox is one of the most popular cloud storage tools.
Table of Contents
What is Dropbox?
Dropbox is one of the first cloud storage services introduced which provided its users the option to store all their files on the cloud and syncs them with all your devices. When you sign up on Dropbox, you are allotted a certain amount of space to store and share your files. The free plan comes with a limited storage space of 2 GB while the subscription plan comes with an option to increase the storage space to 3 TB.
Features of Dropbox
Some of the key features of Dropbox include:
- Free storage up to 2 GB
- Secure file-sharing using 256-bit AES encryption
- Files can be accessed from anywhere and on any device
- Data backup
- Easy sharing with others
- Compatible with different platforms, such as Windows, Mac, Linux, etc.
- Easy collaboration with team members
- Password protection and download permissions to ensure data security
Pricing
Dropbox has three plans:
- Basic Plan – This is the free plan.
- Plus Plan – This plan costs $9.99 per month when billed annually.
- Professional Plan – This plan costs $19.99 per month when billed annually.
Today, Dropbox is not the only option available when it comes to free cloud storage tools. Here is a list of the top eight Dropbox alternatives in 2021.
1. Sync
Sync is considered one of the best alternatives to Dropbox. Based out of Canada, this cloud storing service’s main aim is to provide cheaper options to people when it comes to storing all their files on the cloud. It comes with a wide range of features, which has catapulted its popularity in the free cloud storage domain.
Features
- Extremely user-friendly with easy setup and access
- Share files with anyone, whether they have a Sync account or not
- Password protection and notifications when your file is accessed
- Two-factor authentication
- Real-time backup
- Remote device lockout
- Sync provides apps for iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows
- Vault option to store your files outside the Sync folder
Pros
- The free plan comes with 5 GB of storage space.
- You can share files of any size with Sync as well as non-Sync users.
- File sharing comes with options such as set passwords, set expiry times and dates, deactivate links, etc.
- Apart from the 5 GB, you can get an additional 1 GB for every referral.
Cons
- Sync does not provide any monthly plans.
- No third-party tools integration.
- Sync has only email support which is not feasible if you have any urgent issues.
- Due to end-to-end encryption, the upload and download speed is on the lower side.
Pricing
Below are the pricing plans when you opt to pay annually.
- Personal Plan
- Sync Starter – $0 – 5 GB storage
- Personal Pro – From $4.08 – 500 GB storage
- Personal Pro+ – From $8 – 2 TB storage
- Business Plan
- Solo – $10 – 3 TB storage
- Pro – $5 – 1 TB storage
- Pro Advanced – $15 – 10 TB
Why is it better than Dropbox?
So, why is Sync one of the best free Dropbox alternatives?
- Sync’s free plan comes with 5 GB storage whereas Dropbox offers only 2 GB.
- Sync provides end-to-end encryption, unlike Dropbox where the data is decrypted before it is loaded onto the server.
- Sync provides better customizations and permissions of files and folders.
2. pCloud
pCloud is a Swiss-based cloud storage company. Though it is not a very popular one, its features and pricing make it a good Dropbox alternative. Ideal for both personal as well as business users, pCloud offers a number of features, enabling its users to store and share their data securely. Teams can use pCloud as a central repository and share their files, videos, audios, images, etc., with anyone, anywhere across the globe.
Features
- Client-side encryption
- Free 10 GB storage
- Apps for iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, Mac, and Adobe Lightroom
- User-friendly interface
- Instant synchronization across all devices
- Advanced security
- File backup and versioning
Pros
- pCloud stores 5 different copies of your files on servers located in three different locations to ensure that your data is never lost.
- File history tracking up to 30 days.
- pCloud offers pCloud Crypto that enables clients to encrypt their data which can be decrypted only with a CryptoPass.
- You can access your pCloud account from different devices at no extra charge.
Cons
- Users will have to pay for extra services, such as pCloud Crypto add-on and extended file history.
- The backup period should be extended.
- No document integration.
Pricing
- Free Plan – 10 GB storage
- Premium Plan – 500 GB storage
- Monthly Plan – $4.99 per month
- Annual Plan – $3.99 per month
- Lifetime Plan – $175
- Premium Plus Plan – 2 TB storage
- Monthly Plan – $9.99 per month
- Annual Plan – $7.99 per month
- Lifetime Plan – $350
- Business Plan – 1 TB storage/user
- Monthly Plan – $9.99 per month
- Annual Plan – $29.97 per month
- Family Plan – 2 TB storage for up to 5 users
- Lifetime Plan – $500
Why is it better than Dropbox?
pCloud is a good alternative to Dropbox because:
- The download, upload, and sync speeds of pCloud are much faster than that of Dropbox.
- pCloud provides additional security in the form of pCloud Crypto.
- The free plan of pCloud comes with 10 GB which is five times more than what you get with Dropbox.
3. Google Drive
Like Dropbox, Google Drive is also a Google product, but with better features, thus, making it a useful Dropbox alternative. Similar to Dropbox and its other alternatives, Google Drive is also an effective cloud service tool for storing and sharing different types of files and data. Ideally, Google Drive is also your best option if you are looking to store all your personal files.
Features
- Free 15 GB storage
- Free images backup on Google Photos
- Apps for Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac
- Revision history and restore previous versions
- Automatic save
- Convert images and PDFs into editable files
- Stream music and create playlists
- Real-time collaboration
- Easily add files as attachments by clicking on the Drive symbol
Pros
- Google Drive has an easy-to-use interface which makes it easy to carry out tasks such as creating new documents, viewing shared folders, recent documents, etc.
- Open Microsoft Word or excel in Google Drive without converting them.
- Custom links to share your file with others.
- Compatible with a number of apps.
- Accessible on any device from anywhere, as long as you have an active internet connection.
Cons
- There is scope for potential security risks even though the Google Docs are encrypted.
- You need an active internet connection to see any real-time changes or to collaborate with others.
- Files larger than 5 TB cannot be uploaded.
- There is a daily limit of uploads – 750 GB.
Pricing
- Free Plan – 15 GB storage
- Premium Plans
- 100 GB – $1.99/month
- 1 TB – $9.99/month
- 10 TB – $99.99/month
- 20 TB – $199.99/month
- 30 TB – $299.99/month
Why is it better than Dropbox?
Here are the top reasons why Google Drive is one of the best free Dropbox alternatives.
- Compared to Dropbox’s free storage of 2 GB, Google Drive offers 15 GB.
- With Google Drive, you have free access to G Suite apps such as Google Docs, Sheets, etc.
- If you are looking for subscription plans, Google Drive is much cheaper than Dropbox.
4. OneDrive
Offered by Microsoft, OneDrive is an excellent cloud sharing service that allows its users to store, share, and sync all their files and data. Though the basic functionality of OneDrive is similar to what Dropbox and its other alternatives offer, it does come with a host of other features also, making it one of the best Google Drive or Dropbox alternatives.
Features
- Free storage of 5 GB
- Flexible pricing plans to suit your requirements
- Inbuilt OneNote support
- Microsoft apps integration
- Personal vault
- Document scanner
- Set expiry dates on files to provide access for a limited time
Pros
- Microsoft’s OneDrive is extremely easy to set up and use.
- Compatible with Android and browsers, making cross-platform use easy.
- A real-time collaboration saves time when communicating with different team members.
- Access your files from anywhere and on any device, making remote work easier and effective.
Cons
- OneDrive does not offer great support when it comes to working offline.
- If you are using OneDrive for Business, you will not be able to integrate third-party apps.
- OneDrive for Business does not allow uploads of files which are more than 15 GB in size.
Pricing
- For Home
- Microsoft 365 Family – 6 TB – $99.99/year (for 6 users)
- Microsoft 365 Personal – 1 TB – $69.99/year
- OneDrive Standalone – 100 GB – $1.99/month
- OneDrive Basic – 5 GB – Free
- For Business
- OneDrive for Business (Plan 1) – $5.00 per user/month – 1 TB per user
- OneDrive for Business (Plan 2) – $10.00 per user/month – Unlimited storage
- Microsoft 365 Business Basic – $5.00 per user/month – 1 TB per user
- Microsoft 365 Business Standard – $12.50 per user/month – 1 TB per user
Why is it better than Dropbox?
OneDrive is a good Dropbox alternative because:
- It has free storage of 5 GB, unlike Dropbox which offers only 2 GB.
- OneDrive’s monthly paid subscription is comparatively much cheaper.
- Security-wise OneDrive is more robust than Dropbox.
5. Zoho Docs
When we talk about cloud storage services, most of us skip Zoho Docs; however, it is one of the best free Dropbox alternatives available in the market today. Whether you are a large enterprise or a smaller one, Zoho is ideal for everyone as it is loaded with a number of features.
Features
- Version history up to 25 revisions
- Permissions on who can access the file, view, or edit them
- Bulk upload
- Email integration
- Tagging
- Document editor
- Publish directly as HTML or export to WordPress
Pros
- Collaborate with multiple users in real-time.
- Directly preview files without downloading them.
- The text search functionality makes it really easy to search for any file/document.
- Zoho Docs is complete secure and reliable.
Cons
- Integrations are sometimes complicated.
- Needs an active internet connection.
- Sometimes there are synchronization issues.
- Sheets within Zoho Docs need to be converted when sharing with external users.
Pricing
- Free Plan – 5 GB/user for up to 25 users
- Standard Plan – 50 GB/user at $5/user per month
- Enterprise Plan – 100 GB/user at $8/user per month
Why is it better than Dropbox?
Some of the reasons why Zoho Docs is considered as a good free Dropbox alternative include:
- Compared to Dropbox’s free 2 GB storage, Zoho Docs offers 5 GB free storage space.
- Zoho Docs not just works as a file storage platform but is also an amazing team collaboration tool.
- It is easy to use and comes with advanced admin controls.
6. Box
Box is a free Dropbox alternative that has ideally been created for businesses and collaborations between teams. With a number of features which help to improve your workflow, Box has emerged as one of the most sought-after Dropbox alternatives in 2021.
Features
- The free plan comes with 10 GB storage space
- Compatible with different platforms
- Integration of Microsoft 365 apps
- User Management tools
- BoxNotes
- Integration with more than 1400 third-party apps
- View more than 120 different types of files
Pros
- The integration with multiple third-party apps makes it really easy to use.
- Instant synchronization between desktop and mobile app.
- Clean and modern interface.
- Works fast even if you have a slow internet connection.
Cons
- Has an upload limit of just 250 MB.
- The initial setup and learning is slightly complex.
- Built-in editing and creating functionality is limited.
Pricing
- Personal Starter – 10 GB storage – Free
- Business Starter – 100 GB storage – $5/user/month
- Business – Unlimited storage – $15/user/month
- Enterprise – Unlimited storage – Contact vendor for prices
Why is it better than Dropbox?
Some of the reasons why Box is a good Dropbox alternative include:
- The free plan that Box offers comes with 10 GB storage whereas Dropbox provides only 2 GB.
- Compared to Dropbox, Box offers more collaboration and integration tools.
- In terms of file sharing, Box has an edge over Dropbox.
7. Tresorit
When it comes to the most secured Dropbox alternative, Tresorit wins hands down! With an assurance of $50,000 bounty for anyone who can breach Tresorit’s security, one can truly understand the confidence the owners of Tresorit have in their tool. With features like end-to-end encryption, cloud vault, etc., Tresorit is truly your best bet if you are looking for free Dropbox alternatives.
Features
- End-to-end encryption
- Zero-knowledge authentication
- Multi-platform support
- GDPR Compliant
- Ultra-secure file storing and sharing
- File change notifications
- Access control
Pros
- Tresorit stands apart from the other free Dropbox alternatives because of its end-to-end encryption feature which requires the receiver to have a password to unlock the encryption.
- It is compatible with different platforms, such as Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, etc.
- Free 5 GB storage space which can be extended up to 16 GB through bonuses.
Cons
- The paid versions of Tresorit are expensive.
- Tresorit is not an open source.
- This tool can be slightly tricky and complicated to use.
Pricing
- Individual Plans
- Basic – 3 GB storage – Free
- Premium – 500 GB storage – $10.42/month, billed annually
- Solo – 2.5 TB storage – $24/month, billed annually
- Team Plans
- Small Business – 1 TB storage – $20/user, per month, billed annually
- Business – 1 TB storage – $12/user, per month, billed annually
- Enterprise – 1 TB storage- $24/user, per month, billed annually
Why is it better than Dropbox?
If you are a large enterprise, then Tresorit is a good Dropbox alternative because:
- Tresorit provides more security and privacy to your data.
- The free storage of 3 GB is just slightly better than Dropbox’s 2 GB.
- Tresorit supports multiple languages including Hungarian and German.
8. SpiderOak
SpiderOak offers a suite of cloud storage apps. They also have SpiderOak One which is their cloud storage backup service. Similar to all the other free Dropbox alternatives mentioned in this list, SpiderOak also provides a range of file sharing, saving, and syncing functionalities.
Features
- Complete privacy and security while file sharing
- Collaboration tools
- 21-day free trial
- Apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux
- Customizable backups
- Zero-knowledge policy
- Private encryption
Pros
- Enhanced privacy and security.
- Drag-and-drop sync feature.
- Unlimited storage for business plans.
- One-key backup
Cons
- No option for video streaming.
- Paid plans are expensive.
- Interface needs to be more user-friendly.
Pricing
- 21-day Free trial – 250 GB storage
- Premium Plans
- 100 GB storage – $5/month
- 250 GB storage – $9/month
- 1000 GB storage – $12/month
- 5000 GB storage – $25/month
Why is it better than Dropbox?
SpiderOak is a good Dropbox alternative because:
- It has a lot of advanced features which are not available in Dropbox.
- The security benefits offered by SpiderOak are comparatively better than what Dropbox offers.
Conclusion
Though Dropbox was the first tool in the cloud storage service domain, it does not mean that it is the best in the industry. Over the years, a number of free Dropbox alternatives have hit the market, providing different plans for personal as well as business needs.
Irrespective of whether you are looking for cloud storage services for personal or business requirements, our list of the 8 best free Dropbox alternatives in 2021 will help you choose the right service provider. We recommend that you go through these Dropbox alternatives on SaaSworthy in detail to get a clear understanding of each of the options.
