Dropbox vs Google Drive
Updated October 2026 · AppBreakup editorial
Dropbox
The original file-sync service, known for dependable desktop sync and easy sharing.
Google Drive
Google's cloud drive, tied into Gmail, Photos and the Docs editors, with 15 GB free.
The short answer
Pick Google Drive if you already live in Gmail and Google Docs and want a generous free tier. Pick Dropbox if reliable desktop sync of large or complex folders matters most, you need a Linux client, or you share files often with people outside your organisation. The biggest difference: Drive is part of a productivity suite, while Dropbox is first and foremost a sync and sharing tool.
Dropbox or Google Drive: our take
Google Drive is the storage layer of a Google account. Files, Gmail and Google Photos share one pool, and Docs, Sheets and Slides edit files directly in Drive, so collaboration on documents happens in place. Its search is strong, including text inside scanned PDFs and images. Dropbox started as the folder that syncs everywhere and is still one of the most reliable at handling big libraries, block-level updates and online-only files. It has added file requests, large transfers, PDF editing, e-signatures and video review, aimed mainly at freelancers and small creative teams.
The free tiers are very different. Drive gives 15 GB, though Gmail and Photos eat into it; Dropbox Basic gives 2 GB and limits the number of linked devices, so most regular Dropbox users end up paying. Dropbox Plus offers 2 TB for one person, and Dropbox's paid plans generally cost more per terabyte than most rivals. Drive's extra storage comes through Google One for individuals and families (shareable with up to 5 others) or Google Workspace for businesses, where storage ranges from 15 GB to 5 TB per user. Dropbox offers a 30-day free trial.
Platforms are a deciding factor for some. Dropbox runs on Windows, macOS and Linux as well as Android, iOS and the web. Drive for desktop exists only for Windows and macOS, and it is less capable than Dropbox at syncing large or deeply nested folders. Neither service is end-to-end encrypted by default, so neither is the pick if privacy from the provider is the priority.
For most people already using Gmail or Google Workspace, Drive is the natural and cheaper choice. Dropbox earns its price for creative professionals, Linux users and teams that move lots of large files and need sync that just works.
Which should you pick?
Choose Dropbox if…
- Freelancers and teams who need sync that just works across every OS
- You need Linux, which Google Drive doesn't list
- Very reliable desktop sync, including Linux
- Easy sharing and file requests with non-users
Choose Google Drive if…
- People and teams already living in Gmail and Google Docs
- Generous free tier shared with Gmail and Photos
- Docs, Sheets and Slides edit files in place
About each app
What is Dropbox?
Dropbox popularised the idea of a folder that quietly syncs across computers, and its desktop client is still one of the most reliable at handling large libraries, block-level updates and selective or online-only files. Around that core it now bundles file requests, large transfers, PDF editing, e-signatures, video review and AI search, aimed mostly at freelancers and small creative teams. Sharing works with anyone, including people without an account, and deleted files and old versions can be restored for a period that grows with the plan. The free Basic tier is small and limits the number of linked devices, so most regular users end up on a paid plan billed per person or per team member. Files are encrypted at rest but not end-to-end by default. Dropbox runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, plus Android, iOS and the web, which makes it one of the few big names with a proper Linux client.
What is Google Drive?
Google Drive is the file storage layer of a Google account. Files, Gmail and Google Photos share one storage pool, and the Docs, Sheets and Slides editors work directly on files in Drive, so many people end up using it without ever choosing it. Sharing is link-based and fine-grained, search is strong (including text inside scanned PDFs and images), and Drive for desktop can either stream files on demand or mirror folders to a Windows or Mac computer. Every account gets free storage; more comes through Google One subscriptions for individuals and families, or Google Workspace plans for businesses, which add admin controls and pooled team storage. The main drawbacks are privacy and lock-in: files are not end-to-end encrypted, the desktop client is less capable than Dropbox's at syncing large or deeply nested folders, and there is no Linux client. Apps run on the web, Windows, macOS, Android and iOS.
Side by side
| Attribute | Dropbox | Google Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid |
| Open source | No | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Best for | Freelancers and teams who need sync that just works across every OS | People and teams already living in Gmail and Google Docs |
| Status | Active | Active |
Dropbox vs Google Drive pricing
Google Drive: free plan + paid
- Free storage: 15 GB, shared with Gmail and Photos source
Platforms
| Platform | Dropbox | Google Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Web | ||
| Windows | ||
| macOS | ||
| Linux | ||
| iOS | ||
| Android |
Dropbox facts
4 of 4 verified- Free plan
- 2 GB
- Checked Oct 25, 2026dropbox.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Sign up for 2 GB of storage”
- Plus storage
- 2 TB for one person
- Checked Oct 25, 2026dropbox.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “For 1 person 2 TB of storage”
- Founded
- 2007
- Checked Oct 25, 2026dropbox.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Drew Houston, Co-Founder and Co-CEO Drew Houston co-founded Dropbox in 2007.”
Google Drive 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)
- “comes with up to 15 GB of cloud storage at no charge.”
- Family sharing
- Share storage with up to 5 others
- Checked Oct 25, 2026one.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Share storage with up to 5 others”
- Desktop app
- Windows and macOS
- Checked Oct 25, 2026google.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Available for Windows and macOS.”
- Workspace storage
- 15 GB to 5 TB per user
- Checked Oct 25, 2026workspace.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Storage that grows with you Scale your storage effortlessly from 15GB to 5TB per user, plus the ability to request additional storage.”
Pros and cons of Dropbox
- Very reliable desktop sync, including Linux
- Easy sharing and file requests with non-users
- Version history and deleted-file recovery on every plan
- Free plan is only 2 GB
- Paid plans cost more per TB than most rivals
- Not end-to-end encrypted by default
Pros and cons of Google Drive
- Generous free tier shared with Gmail and Photos
- Docs, Sheets and Slides edit files in place
- Excellent search, including text in scans and images
- No end-to-end encryption
- No official Linux client
- Storage is shared with Gmail, so mail eats into it
Other apps to consider
iCloud DriveInstead of Google Drive
Simpler choice for an all-Apple household, built into every Mac and iPhone.
Proton DriveInstead of Google Drive
End-to-end encrypted storage from a privacy-focused Swiss company.
NextcloudInstead of Google Drive
Self-hosted suite with files, calendar and office, so the data stays on your server.
Dropbox vs Google Drive: common questions
Is Dropbox better than Google Drive?
Pick Google Drive if you already live in Gmail and Google Docs and want a generous free tier. Pick Dropbox if reliable desktop sync of large or complex folders matters most, you need a Linux client, or you share files often with people outside your organisation. The biggest difference: Drive is part of a productivity suite, while Dropbox is first and foremost a sync and sharing tool.
Is Dropbox free?
Dropbox has a free plan, with paid plans for more features. See its verified pricing facts above for current limits.
Is Google Drive free?
Google Drive has a free plan, with paid plans for more features. See its verified pricing facts above for current limits.
Is Dropbox or Google Drive open source?
Neither is open source.
Which platforms do Dropbox and Google Drive support?
Dropbox: Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android. Google Drive: Web, Windows, macOS, iOS and Android.