Alternatives to Dropbox for File Sharing

In this article, you’ll learn:

What do we know about Dropbox? Well, it has been reigning atop the cloud kingdom for over a decade. Its file sharing features have cemented its place as a mainstay in many people's virtual toolkits. But the most popular doesn't mean the most suitable for everyone. Many people are looking for alternatives to Dropbox for file sharing to get more storage, better pricing, or unique features like sharing sensitive documents and advanced search. To help you choose the best tool, we've created this list of cloud storages for file sharing, ranked, with their pros and cons.

What is Dropbox?

We know that you sometimes think about the possibility of having a safe haven in a vast cloud where your important files can be kept secure. Well, that's what Dropbox is. It grants your wishes for easy file storage, access, and collaboration.

Let's take a look at what Dropbox has to offer:

Real-time collaboration. With Dropbox Paper, you no longer just work on projects — you create masterpieces with your team. You can share documents, images, and videos, add comments, and assign tasks in a single workspace.
File recovery and version history. If you accidentally deleted files or made unwanted changes, fear not — Dropbox has got your back. You can turn back the clock up to 180 days depending on your plan.
Access from any device. Mac, PC, tablet, smartphone — it doesn’t matter. You can access your files anytime and anywhere — from any device, of course. Hello, remote work freedom!
Integrations. Dropbox is that friendly neighbor who gets along with everyone — it integrates with over 100 third-party apps, including Microsoft Office, Google Drive, Slack, Trello, and more. You can expect a seamless workflow and turbo-charged productivity. This includes support for managing NEC 1099 forms, enhancing document collaboration, streamlining project management, and facilitating secure data sharing.

Now, let's talk money. On the Free plan, Dropbox gives you a cozy 2 GB storage space. However, if you need more space for your files, you can upgrade to one of their premium plans. For individuals, the Plus plan starts at $11.99/month and offers 2TB of storage. Meanwhile, the Essentials plan is $22/month with a whopping 3TB of storage and extra perks like full-text search and browsing history.

10 Powerful Dropbox Alternatives Worth Considering in 2024

There are many different powerful alternatives to Dropbox in 2024, each with its unique features and strengths. Let's explore them one by one.

Pics.io

What is Pics.io? Think of it as more than just one of the file sharing services like Dropbox. It's a digital asset sharing and management superhero! Pics.io not only provides you with cloud storage at a great price. If you already use Google Drive or Amazon S3, you can connect the Pics.io digital asset management system just on top of them. Yes, it is your personal storage butler. Among its benefits:

Pics.io is powered by artificial intelligence that helps you tag assets faster.
Pics.io allows you to flexibly customize access rights and user permissions for your employees, clients, contractors, and partners.

Pics.io has great functionality for both single and multiple-asset sharing via links. Multiple assets will be sent within a shared collection called a website. You only neeв to select the necessary files and choose a template for. You can also set up rules and permissions, like password protection, comments, adding keywords, etc.

Pics.io helps you save all file versions and track the history of changes. With version control feature, you can easily compare different versions, leave comments if necessary, tag teammates, shift between versions, etc.

Pics.io also offers a mobile app to help you search, view, share, and upload new assets whenever you need them.

As for pricing, Pics.io starts at $50 per month — an affordable option for businesses of all scales looking for a reliable assistant to manage their digital assets. You might also benefit from their billing constructor and buy additional users, websites, storage, etc. anytime. A 7-day free trial is also available.

One of the drawbacks is that while Pics.io is a steal for businesses, individual users or small companies might find the $50 monthly fee a bit steep.

Box

Picture Box as Dropbox's cousin who's all about business — sharp suit, tie, and all.

This digital fortress offers robust security measures to make sure your files are safe and sound. For example, 256-bit AES encryption ensures no data or files can be seen by anyone but you. The built-in viewer allows you to access embedded images with no need for saving them to flash card memory.
The service allows you to view 120 file types, including text documents, spreadsheets, presentations, images, videos, and more. You can leave notes for them, simplifying communication between teammates.
Another significant advantage is the 1500 options for ready-made integrations with external applications such as Microsoft Office, Salesforce, Slack, and others.
When it comes to cost, Box is quite wallet-friendly: they offer a Free Plan for individuals with limited features and only $6 dollars per user per month at Business Starter Plan - for business teams. And if you're in a generous mood, higher business plans with additional features are also available. For $30 per user/month, you get unlimited storage and a 15 GB file size limit. And for $42, Box offers you unlimited storage, up to 50 GB file uploads, infinite e-signatures, and much more.

Now, let's take a look at the drawbacks:

While Box is great for basic file storage and sharing, it might not satisfy you if you need more advanced features. Its functionality in terms of creating and editing files is limited compared to the top players in the cloud storage market.

Google Drive

Google Drive takes its deserved place among cloud storage options. Why? Well, let's take a look at its pros:

It's a service which is similar to Dropbox to share files. Of course, it offers generous storage options — a vast space for your files. For example, a free version provides 15 GB of storage space (including Gmail and Google Photos), but you can increase it to a paid plan and get up to 2 TB of space.
Even better, Google Drive works seamlessly with Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides. And this time, we are talking not only about viewing files but also about editing them on the go, without downloading them to a PC and using third-party applications.
Google Drive also offers an interesting offline feature. By checking the appropriate box in the settings, you can open files without an Internet connection. The storage will automatically synchronize with the folder on your PC.
Google Drive offers a very convenient and functional advanced search with multiple filters.
Although Google Drive shares storage with other services like Gmail, you can store an unlimited number of photos with a resolution of up to 15 MP. All you need to do is upload images to Google Photos web app.

But still, Google Drive also has certain downsides:

It comes with a sizable chunk of free storage, offering 15 GB as of now. However, if you're dealing with a large volume of files or need more room, you may have to buy a storage plan.

Well, pricing. Google Drive won't empty your piggy bank. Pricing starts at just $2 per month for 100 GB of files and $5 for 2 TB. Cheap enough for a cloud storage solution with a lot of perks, isn't it? Moreover, the service regularly offers discounts of up to 75% for the first three months if you upgrade your subscription plan.

OneDrive

OneDrive, Microsoft's answer to the cloud storage conundrum, is certainly making waves. It's as if they've taken their well-loved, familiar Windows and Office 365 platforms, and infused them with a cloud-based strength. And this leads to pleasant advantages:

With a simple right-click and an email address, your file is ready to be shared. No need to worry about security or size limitations like with email attachments.
If you opt for their beefier storage plans, you not only get heaps of space but also access to Office apps and advanced security features.
OneDrive also enables you to search for files in your browser — not just by name but by content. This comes in handy if you work with multiple spreadsheets or text documents.
Similar to Google Drive, OneDrive automatically synchronizes with all your devices. For example, you can link your cloud storage to a work folder on your computer and to your smartphone's camera gallery.

However:

Beware, once a user exits, Microsoft doesn't babysit their data forever. You've got a window — from 30 days to 3 months — to snatch up that data and store it safely. Want to retrieve data from a year ago? OneDrive may not store that for you.

OneDrive has plenty of pricing plans to choose from. Most of them offer 1 TB of storage for every user included in the plan. The price per user per month starts from $5 at the cheapest OneDrive Business (Plan 1).

Zoho Docs

Zoho Docs is also one of the file-sharing sites like Dropbox:

What's really cool about Zoho Docs is how it works hand-in-hand with Zoho's Office Suite. It's a bit like having your personal Google Drive, but specifically for business use. So, you can work on reports, budget plans, and slide decks without leaving Zoho workspace.
Zoho Docs is a convenient tool for optimizing workflows. The service allows multiple users to edit files in real time and exchange comments. It also provides the opportunity to view up to 25 previous versions of a digital asset.

When it comes to pricing, Zoho Docs starts at $2.50 per user per month if paid yearly. However, there's a 15-day free trial to give it a whirl before you commit. A Team plan costs $4,50 per month and its upload limit per file is up to 50 GB, while a Business plan costs just $9 per month and allows you to share files of up to 250 GB.

However, some things are less than perfect:

In case of Zoho Docs, it's the storage limit. Depending on your chosen pricing plan, you may soon run out of space. For example, their Starter plan offers up to 1 TB of storage space for a team of up to 10 users, a Team plan — up to 3 TB per team, and a Business plan — up to 5 TB per team.
At $2.50 per user per month, Zoho Docs is pretty affordable. But if you've got a big team, those costs could start to pile up.

pCloud

Let's start with the advantages of pCloud:

While most platforms offer monthly or yearly plans, pCloud goes a step further with lifetime storage plans. For example, for $200, you get a lifetime 500 GB cloud storage, and for $400 — 2TB of storage space. The most expensive plan costs about $1,200, but you get 10TB of storage space for your money. Pay once, and it's yours forever. Pretty sweet, right?
And let's talk about security. pCloud offers the highest level of encryption (it's called pCloud Encryption), so your data always stays safe and protected — no matter what you're storing. Your family photos or sensitive documents are in safe hands.
pCloud is a true champion in terms of reliability and uptime. Even if one of the company's servers goes down, you can still access your files, because they're stored on five different devices at once.

But here's the catch:

While pCloud is great for individual use, it might not be the best fit for teams. Its collaboration features are a bit limited compared to other platforms. Keep this in mind if you need a platform for streamlining teamwork.
You know how some cloud storage services let you edit your documents or photos right there in the app? Well, pCloud isn't one of them. If you need to tweak a file, you'll have to download it, make your changes, and then upload it back again. It's a bit of a round-trip, especially if you're someone who edits files a lot.
pCloud Encryption is a very useful and convenient but expensive service. For example, you will have to pay $150 in one installment.

Yes, we remember to tell you about the pricing. pCloud offers a pretty flexible range. You can choose to pay monthly, starting at $3.99/month, or go for lifetime access with a one-time payment of $175. And if you're unsure, there's a free tier with up to 10 GB of storage for you to test the waters.

Sync.com

Why Sync.com may be a perfect fit for file sharing?

It's one of those cloud storage platforms that take your privacy and security very seriously. Sync.com uses end-to-end encryption, which is like sending a letter in a locked box and only the person you're sending it to has the key.
Another great perk with Sync.com is their generous storage provisions — perfect for working with large files or just storing a lot of data. For example, Individual plans offer you from 2TB to 6 TB of storage, and Teams plans — from 1 TB to unlimited storage space.
Sync.com promises that other services, including their own programs, will not track your files. You are the sole owner and user of your digital assets.

There are, however, a couple of small problems:

Sync.com isn't exactly the best when it comes to playing nice with others. It lacks integrations with some common apps, which might be an issue if you're used to working with a certain set of tools.
Currently, there is no Sync app that can be accessed from Linux, but various file-sharing possibilities await you at the Sync.com web panel.

In terms of pricing, Sync.com starts at $8 per user per month for 2 TB of data (a Solo Basic plan). Yes, this is a bit higher than other platforms. But hey, you're paying for premium security and privacy features. A Solo Professional plan costs $20 for 6 TB, and a Teams Standard plan — $6 for 1 TB per user per month, but you can add 3 and more users. Large corporations also have access to storage without volume limits — the terms of their connection are discussed individually.

Tresorit

Let's first discuss the pros of Tresorit:

Again, the highest level of security. Why? Because of zero-knowledge encryption. It means that even Tresorit itself can't access your files — they're invisible to anyone but you. The decisive argument is two-factor authentication —even if hackers find out your password, they won't be able to access the storage.
And it's not just for individuals, small and medium-sized businesses can also benefit from its powerful storage capabilities (we’re discussing them further).
Tresorit is a user-friendly solution available for desktop computers and mobile gadgets. Its interface is available in most popular languages.

The downsides?

As they say, quality comes at a price. Tresorit isn't your cheapest option, with plans starting at $11.99 per month. A bit pricey, yes. But you're paying for top-notch security features.
With great security comes great responsibility. If you forget your password, Tresorit can't help you recover your files.

When it comes to pricing, you can choose between Individual and Business plans. A Personal plan costs $11.99 per month and offers you 1 TB of encrypted storage space, while a Professional plan gives you up to 4 TB of storage space for $27.49 per month. As for Business plans, a Business Standard plan means you pay $14.50 per user per month and get 1 TB of encrypted storage space, while a Business Plus plan is generous at 2 TB of storage per user just for $19.

SpiderOak

Another file sharing Dropbox alternative, SpiderOak also takes privacy seriously.

Its "No Knowledge" approach means your data is encrypted in such a way that no one at SpiderOak can access it. Just like in Tresorit.
It also offers additional services, such as SpiderOak Semaphor for team communication and SpiderOak Hive for seamless syncing and sharing of files. These tools could add value, especially for businesses.
SpiderOak has excellent reviews for its customer service. If you have any questions, you can be sure that you will receive an accurate and detailed answer as soon as possible.

However:

SpiderOak is quite expensive compared to other alternatives to Dropbox for file sharing.
SpiderOak previously had its mobile app, but this part of its history is now a thing of the past.

The good news is that SpiderOak offers competitive rates starting at $6 per month for 150 GB of storage. For $11 per month, you get 400 GB of storage space, for $14 — generous 2 TB, and for $29, you get 5 TB of storage space. Not as cheap as other services but of top-notch quality.

Mega

Mega boasts numerous pros:

Just think about it: Mega offers a huge 20 GB of storage for free. Well, that's pretty impressive.
But Mega isn't just about giving you plenty of space. They also put a lot of emphasis on keeping your files secure. That's what's called end-to-end encryption. Your data gets transformed into unreadable code from the moment it leaves your device until it reaches its destination.
Security, security, and more security. Mega stores files in a dispersed server network outside the United States. The company regularly publishes transparency reports that confirm its responsibility for the privacy of user data.

However, there are some cons as well:

Their free plan means you get a hefty amount of storage, but it's pretty much a no-frills experience. If you need more advanced features like password-protected links or shares that expire, you might have to dip into your pockets and go for one of their paid plans.
Support is provided exclusively in the form of email requests. The company does not provide consultations in chats or by phone. In 2024, this form of communication is a bit outdated.

Mega's pricing starts at about $5.5/month for 400 GB. So, it's not the most budget-friendly option, but given the storage capacity and security features, it's definitely worth the investment. The most popular plan, Pro I, costs about $11 and offers 2 TB of storage and 2 TB of transfer space. Analogically, Pro II costs about $22 per month and gives you 8 TB of storage and 8 TB of transfer, and with Pro II plan, you pay about $32 for 16 TB of storage and 16 TB of transfer.

So, there you have it. 10 great alternatives to Dropbox, each with its pros and cons. Choose the one that depends on your budget and demands. And, of course, enjoy digital file management.

Read more about Dropbox for business alternatives.

Conclusion

So, Dropbox may be a big fish, but these alternatives are swimming up fast. No matter your needs (storage, better pricing, or just changes) — you'll definitely catch something in this sea of options. If you need more information on best way to share files with clients, check our detailed guide.

Did you enjoy this article? Give Pics.io a try — or book a demo with us, and we'll be happy to answer any of your questions.