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Dropbox alternatives: 8 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Dropbox: free plan is only 2 GB, and paid plans cost more per TB than most rivals. We ranked 8 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Dropbox, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Google Drive currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Google Drive logoGoogle DriveFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +24 of 466.5
2Microsoft OneDrive logoMicrosoft OneDriveFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +24 of 462.6
3Box logoBoxFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +23 of 359.6
4pCloud logopCloudFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +35 of 557.2
5Sync.com logoSync.comFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +24 of 455.3
6WeTransfer logoWeTransferFree plan + paidNoWeb, macOS, iOS +14 of 438.6
7Smash logoSmashFree plan + paidNoWeb, macOS, iOS +15 of 538.6
  1. Google Drive logo

    1. Google DriveTop pick

    Best for: People and teams already living in Gmail and Google Docs

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Dropbox

    Far more free storage and built-in document editors.

    Pros

    • Generous free tier shared with Gmail and Photos
    • Docs, Sheets and Slides edit files in place
    • Excellent search, including text in scans and images

    Cons

    • No end-to-end encryption
    • No official Linux client
    • Storage is shared with Gmail, so mail eats into it
    Visit Google Drive Compare with DropboxDetails and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Google Drive a good Dropbox alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free storage
    15 GB, shared with Gmail and Photos
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Workspace storage
    15 GB to 5 TB per user
    Checked Oct 25, 2026workspace.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Family sharing
    Share storage with up to 5 others
    Checked Oct 25, 2026one.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop app
    Windows and macOS
    Checked Oct 25, 2026google.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Microsoft OneDrive logo

    2. Microsoft OneDrive

    Best for: Windows users and anyone already paying for Microsoft 365

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Dropbox

    Cheaper storage when bundled with Microsoft 365 apps.

    Pros

    • Built into Windows with on-demand files
    • 1 TB comes with Microsoft 365 Personal
    • Real-time co-authoring in Word, Excel and PowerPoint

    Cons

    • Only 5 GB free
    • No Linux client
    • Mac and mobile apps lag behind the Windows experience
    Visit Microsoft OneDrive Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Microsoft OneDrive a good Dropbox alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free storage
    5 GB
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Microsoft 365 Basic
    100 GB
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Microsoft 365 Personal
    1 TB
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Max file size
    250 GB
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Box logo

    3. Box

    Best for: Companies that need governed file sharing, compliance and workflows

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Dropbox

    Stronger admin, compliance and workflow controls for larger companies.

    Pros

    • Strong admin, retention and compliance controls
    • Deep integrations with business apps
    • Built-in e-signature and workflow automation

    Cons

    • Tiny per-file upload limit on the free plan
    • Business plans need several seats
    • Overkill for personal use
    Visit Box Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Box a good Dropbox alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Free plan upload limit
    250 MB per file
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.box.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Personal Pro upload limit
    5 GB per file
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.box.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Business Plus upload limit
    15 GB per file
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.box.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. pCloud logo

    4. pCloud

    Best for: People who would rather pay once than keep a storage subscription

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Dropbox

    Lifetime plans and a similar sync experience at a lower long-term cost.

    Pros

    • Lifetime plans avoid recurring fees
    • Choice of EU or US data location
    • Virtual drive with a Linux client

    Cons

    • Client-side encryption costs extra
    • Lifetime value depends on the company lasting
    • Frequent sales and upsells make pricing hard to read
    Visit pCloud Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is pCloud a good Dropbox alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Lifetime plans
    From 500 GB, one-time payment
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pcloud.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Lifetime 2 TB
    499 USD (sale price at check)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pcloud.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Company base
    Switzerland
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pcloud.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Data location
    Europe or USA
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pcloud.com(opens source in a new tab)
    File size limit
    None
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pcloud.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Sync.com logo

    5. Sync.com

    Best for: Privacy-minded people and small teams who still need easy sharing links

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Dropbox

    End-to-end encrypted sync and sharing with a comparable feature set.

    Pros

    • End-to-end encryption on by default
    • Full sharing toolkit: expiring links, file requests, passwords
    • Long version history on paid plans

    Cons

    • No Linux desktop client
    • Limited online editing and search
    • Free plan is small
    Visit Sync.com Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Sync.com a good Dropbox alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    5 GB
    Checked Oct 25, 2026sync.com(opens source in a new tab)
    End-to-end encryption
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026sync.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Founded
    2011
    Checked Oct 25, 2026sync.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Users
    Over 2 million
    Checked Oct 25, 2026sync.com(opens source in a new tab)
  6. WeTransfer logo

    6. WeTransfer

    Best for: Occasional senders and creatives who want the link-sharing tool clients already recognise

    Free plan + paidWeb, macOS, iOS, Android

    38.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Dropbox

    Sends big files by link without needing recipients to have storage space or an account.

    Pros

    • Recipients need no account or app
    • Clean, familiar interface
    • Paid plans add passwords, branding and custom expiry

    Cons

    • Free plan now has tight transfer and data caps
    • Free links expire quickly
    • Plan limits have changed several times
    Visit WeTransfer Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.37
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is WeTransfer a good Dropbox alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    10 transfers or 3 GB per 30 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026wetransfer.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Starter plan
    10 transfers or 300 GB per 30 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026wetransfer.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Ultimate plan
    Unlimited transfers, passwords, branding
    Checked Oct 25, 2026wetransfer.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Enterprise
    Custom plan with SSO
    Checked Oct 25, 2026wetransfer.com(opens source in a new tab)
  7. Smash logo

    7. Smash

    Best for: Photographers and video teams who send very large files and want no hard size limit

    Free plan + paidWeb, macOS, iOS, Android

    38.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Dropbox

    No size cap on transfers, for one-off deliveries you don't want filling your storage.

    Pros

    • No hard size cap on free transfers
    • No sign-up needed to send
    • Branding, tracking and file requests on Pro

    Cons

    • Free transfers over 2 GB are queued and slower
    • Free links last only seven days
    • Best prices need an annual or two-year commitment
    Visit Smash Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.37
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Smash a good Dropbox alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free plan
    $0, no sign-up
    Checked Oct 25, 2026fromsmash.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free priority limit
    2 GB per transfer, larger ones queued
    Checked Oct 25, 2026fromsmash.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free retention
    7 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026fromsmash.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro plan
    Unlimited size, 30-day retention
    Checked Oct 25, 2026fromsmash.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Founded
    2017
    Checked Oct 25, 2026fromsmash.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Dropbox alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Google Drive logo

Best Dropbox alternative for most people

Google Drive

Far more free storage and built-in document editors.

Syncthing logo

Best Dropbox alternative for a free option

Syncthing

Free peer-to-peer sync between your own devices with no cloud account.

Microsoft OneDrive logo

Best Dropbox alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Microsoft OneDrive

Cheaper storage when bundled with Microsoft 365 apps.

Syncthing logo

Best Dropbox alternative for open source

Syncthing

Free peer-to-peer sync between your own devices with no cloud account.

Syncthing logo

Best Dropbox alternative for self-hosting

Syncthing

Free peer-to-peer sync between your own devices with no cloud account.

Box logo

Best Dropbox alternative for Mac

Box

Stronger admin, compliance and workflow controls for larger companies.

pCloud logo

Best Dropbox alternative for Windows

pCloud

Lifetime plans and a similar sync experience at a lower long-term cost.

pCloud logo

Best Dropbox alternative for Linux

pCloud

Lifetime plans and a similar sync experience at a lower long-term cost.

Sync.com logo

Best Dropbox alternative for iPhone and Android

Sync.com

End-to-end encrypted sync and sharing with a comparable feature set.

WeTransfer logo

Best Dropbox alternative for working in the browser

WeTransfer

Sends big files by link without needing recipients to have storage space or an account.

Dropbox alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Dropbox?

Google Drive ranks first right now. Far more free storage and built-in document editors. Microsoft OneDrive and Box follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Dropbox?

Yes. Google Drive (free plan + paid), Microsoft OneDrive (free plan + paid), Box (free plan + paid) and pCloud (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Dropbox?

Yes: Syncthing. Syncthing can also be self-hosted.

Which Dropbox alternatives work on Linux?

pCloud and Syncthing run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Dropbox?

The complaints we hear most: free plan is only 2 GB; paid plans cost more per TB than most rivals; not end-to-end encrypted by default.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Dropbox, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.