OneDrive vs Dropbox – an ongoing storage battle. It wouldn’t be incorrect to say that thousands of people compare the pros and cons of OneDrive and Dropbox in an attempt to find the best cloud storage.
Even after years of comparison, we have still not settled this debate, and users are left with no other choice but to switch between these two services back and forth.
Reviewsed has decided to settle the Dropbox vs OneDrive battle for once and for all. Both the cloud storage performs exceptionally well, but there can be only one winner in a battle! So, which cloud storage service deserves to be crowned the best cloud storage service?
About OneDrive
OneDrive comes with Microsoft’s expertise and trust. This cloud storage was once known as SkyDrive. Although it is an excellent cloud storage service for all types of users, however, it was initially popular among corporate, users, industry, and business users.
Today, it is among the leading cloud storages that offer a massive range of features. Windows Phone and Windows 8 and 10 users swear by the brilliant user interface and the widespread integration with a vast majority of the most popular apps and other platforms.
You can easily access OneDrive
- Click the “odd” cloud-shaped icon on your device
- Log in with your Microsoft or OneDrive Account
- Select the backup details, including what and when to backup, and what not to save on the OneDrive.
- If you want to edit, delete, and share the files offline.
OneDrive: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Direct access from your desktop computer.
- No need to access the website to access cloud storage from your desktop.
- Satisfactory integration. OneDrive integrates with approx. 35% of the most popular apps and platforms.
- Compatible with most platforms, including Mac, iOS, Chromium, Windows, and Android.
- 5GB free storage on subscription.
- Allows ample file storage, including photos, videos, and documents’ storage.
- Allows social network (read-only) file share.
- Collaboration with Microsoft Office that allows enhanced MS office file storage and real-time file collaboration.
Cons
- Privacy is questionable. Some users have observed privacy breaches in the past.
- It is a popular platform; thus, its security can be compromised.
- Users have complained about file alteration during syncing and uploading procedure.
About Dropbox
If you are new to cloud storage or you simply require easily accessible cloud storage, Dropbox can be an excellent option for you. Dropbox is specifically designed to allow the utmost ease of use to its users.
The broad range of features makes Storing, Sharing, Deleting, and Syncing files are exceptionally convenient. Dropbox has maintained its top position among the cloud storage service due to the regular feature updates and service enhancement. Two of the most prominent features of Dropbox are its highly trustable data security and its widespread app integration.
You can easily access Dropbox.
- Create a Dropbox account.
- Click on the profile picture or initials to access the notification panel.
- Edit your backup and storage preferences.
- You can also use Dropbox’s Windows tool to share and access your files and folders via Windows Explorer.
Dropbox: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Excellent integration. Dropbox integrates with approx. 45% of the most popular apps and platforms.
- Remarkable easy-to-use user interface
- Collaboration tool allows the user to keep a check on the document alteration.
- Compatible with most platforms, including Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, and Kindle Fire.
- Automatic File upload and backup.
- Allows file editing without internet access.
- Easy deleted file recovery.
- 3 TB free storage for a month.
Cons
- Lack of tabs can make it difficult to locate old and deleted files.
- Only 2GB free storage at the time of subscription.
- Files may get deleted if the account is inactive.
How Are Dropbox and Onedrive Similar?
The relationship between these two cloud storage services is the first thing that makes them so similar. While OneDrive is Microsoft’s cloud storage, which means it syncs seamlessly with Microsoft 365 apps, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Microsoft 366 offers integration with Dropbox for easy syncs and the ability to edit files in DropBox with Microsoft tools.
Both Dropbox and OneDrive are easily accessible through mobile devices. Both cloud storage services offer apps that support all widely used, ensuring accessibility from any location.
How Are OneDrive And Dropbox Different?
Both OneDrive and DropBox offer free plans and paid premium features. Actually, both of these services have free plans and advanced features when it comes to plans and features. However, as far as free storage space is concerned, OneDrive offers more space for free than Dropbox. In contrast, advanced plans are more affordable with OneDrive, offering a better storage plan.
If you are a user of Microsoft 365, Windows, and Android phones, OneDrive is more convenient to use than DropBox, which may have convinced many users to switch over.
OneDrive vs Dropbox – Pricing
OneDrive
| Plan | Price | Storage | Services Include |
| OneDrive For Home | |||
| OneDrive Basic 5 GBStorage only | Free | 5 GB (One-time subscription offer) | Microsoft OneDrive only |
| OneDrive Standalone 100GB | $1.99 per month | 100 GB | Microsoft OneDrive only |
| Microsoft 365 Personal | $69.99 per year | 1000 GB (1 TB) | MicrosoftSkype |
| Microsoft 365 Family | $99.99 per year | 6000 GB (1 TB for each user) | MicrosoftSkype |
| OneDrive for Business Plan 1 | $5.00/ per user per month(annual commitment) | 1000 GB (1 TB) per user | Microsoft OneDrive only |
| OneDrive for Business Plan 2 | $10.00/per user per month (annual commitment) | Unlimited | Microsoft OneDrive only |
| OneDrive For Business | |||
| Microsoft 365 Business Basic | $5.00per user/month(annual commitment)$6.00per user per month (monthly commitment) | 1000 GB (1 TB) per user | ExchangeMicrosoft OneDriveMicrosoft SharePointMicrosoft Teams |
| Microsoft 365 Business Standard | $12.50per user per month (annual commitment)$15.00per user per month (monthly commitment)Free one month trial. | 1000 GB (1 TB) per user | ExchangeMicrosoft OneDriveMicrosoft SharePointMicrosoft TeamsMicrosoft Yammer |
Dropbox
| Plan | Price | Storage |
| Individual – Plus | $9.99 per month (billed yearly)$119.88 per year buddle (save $24.00) $11.99 per month (billed monthly) | 2000 GB (2 TB) |
| Individual – Professional | $16.58 per month (billed yearly)$199.00 per year (save $40.88) $19.99 per month (billed monthly)Free trial available | 3000 GB (3 TB) |
| Team – Standard | $12.50per user per month (billed yearly)$450 charged per year $15 per user per month (billed monthly)(minimum of 3 users)Free trial available | 3000 GB (3 TB) |
| Team – Advanced | $20per user per month (billed yearly)$720 charged per year $25 per user per month (billed monthly) (minimum of 3 users)Free trial available | Unlimited |
Dropbox also offers an Enterprise package that allows the buyer/organization to plan and design their Dropbox package according to the specific needs of their enterprise.
Both OneDrive and Dropbox has improved their packages and changed their prices throughout the years. If we make a price comparison between the two, OneDrive comes out as more expensive cloud storage as compared to Dropbox, especially when it comes to business plans.
OneDrive vs Dropbox – Features Comparison
| Features | Dropbox | OneDrive |
| Platform Support (Windows, iOS, Android, and Windows Phone) | Yes | Yes |
| Packages- Individual Use | Yes | Yes |
| Packages- Professional Use | Yes | Yes |
| Free Trial Available | Yes | Yes |
| Free Account | Yes | Yes |
| Monthly and Yearly Subscription | Yes | Yes |
| Collaboration Tools | Yes | Yes |
| Customizable Branding | Yes | No |
| Two-factor authentication (2FA) | Yes | Yes |
| Files recovery | Yes | Yes |
| Secure Data Storage | Yes | No |
| Third-Party Integration | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliance | Yes | No |
| Permission Management | Yes | Yes |
| Remote Access | Yes | Yes |
| Search Functionality | No | Yes |
| Full Text Search | Yes | No |
| Data Import/Export | No | Yes |
| File Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Document Management | Yes | Yes |
| File Management | No | Yes |
| Photo Albums | No | Yes |
| Data Synchronization | Yes | Yes |
| Document Storage | Yes | Yes |
| Customer Support | Yes | Yes |
| Two-factor authentication (2FA) | Yes | Yes |
| Files recovery | Yes | Yes |
| Secure Data Storage | Yes | No |
| Third-Party Integration | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliance | Yes | No |
| Permission Management | Yes | Yes |
| Remote Access | Yes | Yes |
| Search Functionality | No | Yes |
| Version Control | Yes | Yes |
OneDrive Compared To Dropbox – File Sync
Dropbox and OneDrive both support auto file synchronization, which indicates that whatever modifications are done to a file on one device are instantly replicated across all devices associated with the same account. Both cloud systems also allow users to choose to sync files and folders, so they may decide which folders and files they want to sync and which to exclude. They also give version history, which allows users to restore past versions of files if needed.
In terms of file syncing, Dropbox and OneDrive both provide comparable functionality.
Nevertheless, there are some distinctions in terms of user interface and usability. Some customers, for example, like Dropbox’s selective sync functionality, while others prefer OneDrive’s connection for the Microsoft Office suite.
OneDrive Compared To Dropbox – File Share
Dropbox and OneDrive provide identical file-sharing capabilities. Both cloud services allow you to share files in a variety of ways, such as by sending a link to a folder or file, allowing others to work on a file or folder, or setting up a shared folder where numerous users may view and collaborate on data. Users of Dropbox and OneDrive can choose privileges for shared files and folders, such as read-only or read/write access, as well as expiration dates for shared links.
OneDrive vs Dropbox – Security
It all comes down to security. With ever-increasing security breaches, the threat of misuse of your personal information, and the fear of your data being sold to advertising and database management companies have become a real issue.
Many cloud storage services are accused of “spying” on their users and selling not only their personal information but also information about their preferences to advertising companies.
Both OneDrive and Dropbox offer sufficient data security. Both when it comes to selecting the most secure cloud storage amongst the two, Dropbox most definitely takes the crown.
- Dropbox no.1 rated secure cloud storage.
- It is amongst the very few cloud storages that use block-level sync.
- All the files are encrypted using 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES).
- To make the data transit more secure, Dropbox uses SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)/TLS (Transport Layer Security) that is protected with a 128-bit or higher AES
- Dropbox login is protected with Two-step verification.
However, it wouldn’t be fair to stay that OneDrive compromises on its security.
- OneDrive also protects each file with a unique AES256 key that is encrypted with master keys that are protected in the Azure Key Vault.
- OneDrive also offers TLS encryption protection during data transfer.
- Accounts are protected with Two-step verification.
- Malware protection and scan with Windows Defender every hour.
OneDrive Compared To Dropbox – Older File Version Reversions
Winner: Dropbox
Suppose you need to revert to an earlier version of one of the documents you have stored, rejecting changes made. In that case, Dropbox’s cloud storage solution is the preferable alternative, as it permits revisions for a maximum of 180 days.
With its Business levels, OneDrive allows you to revert to any of the last 500 modified changes. Even though this seems nice, if you, along with your team, save 20 files per day, you’ll only have 25 days of revisions. Dropbox’s approach to file revisions is preferable to ours.
OneDrive Compared To Dropbox – Free Storage Space
Winner: OneDrive
Although we don’t place a high value on this category in this DropBox vs. OneDrive comparison since we don’t believe the majority of customers will benefit from the free tier alone, OneDrive wins this category. Its free level offers as much as 5 GB of storage, whereas Dropbox offers only 2 GB.
OneDrive Compared To Dropbox – Premium Storage Space
Winner: Tie
In the end, both of these services are roughly equal in this category. However, each has advantages in a specific section of the field.
We are giving Dropbox the edge for individuals who require over one TB of cloud storage. OneDrive only offers one option for limitless storage. Yet, it takes a minimum of five subscribed members on a team, while there is a OneDrive issue that OneDrive does not provide any additional storage alternatives larger than 1 TB. Dropbox offers limitless storage with no prerequisite user requirements, as well as a few tiers ranging from 1 TB to 5 TB.
However, if you require 1 TB or lower storage capacity, OneDrive for Business Plan 1 is our preferred solution.
OneDrive Compared To Dropbox – Mobile Application
Dropbox and OneDrive provide mobile applications allowing users to access data while on the go. The mobile apps include file sync, control over versions, and auto backups, just like the desktop counterparts.
Dropbox’s mobile app provides a user-friendly UI, plus it allows users to send and share files with other people directly from their mobile devices. It also offers offline access to files, which is essential if you are in a region where there is no internet connection.
The OneDrive mobile app is very simple and works nicely alongside various Microsoft applications and services. It lets you view files from different devices, such as a computer or tablet, and automatically backs up your images.
Which is Better: Dropbox vs Onedrive?
Who Wins The Best Cloud Storage Battle?
We have comprehensively compared both the services in terms of plans, pricing, security, and range of features. Although both the cloud storages perform efficiently and both of them have their pros and cons, but we can’t have two winners in a battle.
Dropbox comes out as an overall better cloud storage service with exceptional pricing, integration, download and upload speed, and most importantly – outstanding security.
However, OneDrive has the potential to outdo Dropbox only with a few improvements. Offering more free storage space on subscription than Dropbox may help them achieve a bigger subscriber number. However, in the long run, the subscribers demand enhanced features and seamless security. For now, Dropbox is hands down the best cloud storage service.
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Kylo Smith
Kylo is a tech geek who loves technology and spends time writing about it. He is also an avid gamer, completing his studies in Information technology. He is a co-founder of Reviewsed.