Box and Dropbox are two of the most popular file storage and sharing platforms that allow users to have access to their files and documents with the help of an internet connection. They offer different features, including the ability to share, create, and upload files.
Dropbox is famous for its excellent UX design, while Box is known for its unlimited storage options. Therefore, in this guide, we look at the similarities and differences, as well as a comprehensive guide to Box and Dropbox.
What is Dropbox?
Dropbox is a cloud storage service that allows users and businesses to upload and backup files across many internet-accessible devices. Dropbox will store the files that you have uploaded on their servers for safekeeping. Note that users can still have access to these uploaded files even if their devices get lost or destroyed.
How to Sign Up for a Dropbox Account
To create an account on Dropbox, you will need to follow the simple steps below:
#1. Find the “Sign in” icon on the Dropbox website and click on it.
Once you click on it, it asks you if you want to sign in (if you already have an account) or if you want to sign up (to create an account). Clicking on the sign-up icon redirects you to a form that you have to fill out. Note that the “sign in” icon is located in the top right-hand corner.
#2. Click on “Create an Account.”
To create an account on the Dropbox platform, you must click on the option that states “create an account”.
#3. Input your Details
Thereafter, you will be asked to:
- Enter your name,
- email address and
- password. (Note that you use your password manager to pick the most secure password options.)
#4. Choose Your Plan
On the next page, you will have to choose a plan that fits your needs. You can continue with the free plan that offers a “2GB Dropbox Basic plan” that is at the bottom of the screen.
Finally, you will get an email confirmation of your account to your registered email address; however, you will need to verify your email address by following the prompts before you can use the service.
How to Use the Dropbox Folder on Desktop
You can automatically create a Dropbox folder by downloading Dropbox to your desktop device. Follow the steps below to use Dropbox on your desktop computer:
#1. Find the Dropbox Folder
Click on the “search” option close to your Windows icon and type “Dropbox” in apps.
#2. Upload files to Your Dropbox
For you to add files to your Dropbox application, you should simply locate the file, look for the file you wish to save, and simply drag and drop it into your Dropbox folder. Note that all files you upload to Dropbox will be accessible on any device you log into.
#3. Save Files to Your Dropbox Folder
You can either choose to save files directly to your Dropbox or create renamed folders for specific files like images, songs, or documents.
How to Use Dropbox on the Web
If you prefer to use Dropbox on your computer without having to download it, you have the option to use the web-based version. To do this, follow the steps given below:
- To upload files to the Dropbox web version, you should:
- Sign into your Dropbox account on your web browser.
- Then, on the right-hand side of the home screen, pick the option to either upload a file or folder. Note that Dropbox will require access to your device for it to upload files from it.
- Look for the file you wish to upload on your device and tap “open.” This will allow the file to be uploaded to your Dropbox account.
How to Find Files and Folders on Dropbox
Follow the steps below if you wish to find files that you uploaded to Dropbox using the web application:
#1. You have six options on the right-hand side of the home screen. Pick the option that suits you; for instance, to find a file or folder, tap “all files.” Then you can look through this section to find the files you are looking for. (Note that you can arrange files in both alphabetical order and by date.)
#2. Alternatively, you can search for the names of the files or folders that you wish to search for by typing their names on the search bar.
There are several options for sharing files or folders through Dropbox. Follow the steps below to do so:
Before you can share the file, you must first locate it. Therefore, go to your Dropbox folder and search for the file by name. Then right-click on it and select the option to “share” in the dropdown menu. In this case, you can:
- 1. Email the File
To share the file via email, click on the email option and add the contact information for the recipient in the “to:” section. Then, click Share,” and access to the file will be sent directly to the person’s email. - 2. Generate a Share Link
You can also choose to generate a shareable link to that file by selecting the “share link” option at the bottom right-hand side of the window. - 3. Then, copy the link and share it with whoever you want to have access to your files.
How to Use Dropbox to Download Files
If you wish to download and have a copy of the file on your storage device, follow the steps below:
1. You must first locate the file as directly as possible by either using the search option or the date option.
2. Click on the three horizontal dots (ellipsis) close to the file and select “download.”
How to Use Dropbox to Restore Files
If you deleted a file or folder and wish to retrieve it, you have until 30 days to recover it (120 days on Professional plans). Follow the steps below to recover your files.
1. Locate the deleted files by clicking on “deleted files” on the left-hand side of the home screen in the web application.
2. Select the file you want to restore and press “restore” on the right-hand side of the screen.
Note that you can also choose to delete the file by selecting the option to “delete permanently,” located under the “restore” button.
How to Request Files on Dropbox
You can invite people without Dropbox accounts to upload files to yours. This is a useful way for you to get files from employees or relatives who don’t use Dropbox.
1. Log into your Dropbox account and click on “file request,” which is on the left-hand side of your screen.
2. Select the “New Request” option on the right-hand side of the screen.
3. Next, you will see a page asking you to name the files or folders you’re requesting. For example, you could call them “work info” or “wedding pictures.”
4. After you have created the name, choose the folder you want Dropbox to put them in.
5. Then tap “create” to move forward.
6. Next, you can add the contacts that you wish to have access to the folder. Note that you can either send the request to them via email or share the shareable link with them, as shown earlier.
What is Box?
Box is a secure and user-friendly cloud storage platform that allows users to create, share, and edit files. It also allows for co-editing, signatures, classification, and file retention. Founded in 2005, Box stands out for its simplicity and ability to integrate with third-party apps.
Furthermore, it is used by over 90,000 organizations and firms that cut across law, healthcare, media, and more.
How to Sign Up on Box
To sign up for Box, you should go to the Box website, where you can also check out their pricing.
Note that most business plans come with a 14-day free trial; however, you can choose the free account option by clicking on the “individuals and teams’ button to find the free account.
1. Create a Free Account
Click on the “signup” button to fill in the information in the spaces provided, or you can make use of your Google account.
2. After you fill out the information needed, you will have to verify your email address before you can access your new Box account.
How Do I Install Box on My Desktop?
If you want to download the Box Drive desktop app, which supports Mac and Windows, follow the steps below:
1. You should click on “Apps” on the left sidebar on your account home screen.
2. Then click on “Official Box” on the menu bar at the top.
3. Afterwards, click on the “Box Drive” icon and click “Download.”
4. After it downloads, you should install the Box Drive on your device by following the instructions.
5. Therefore, you can open the app and log into your Box account. This will give you access to your synced files on your computer.
How to Install Box on Mobile
Note that the Box app is available for both iOS and Android devices, and you can follow the steps below to download it:
1. Open your Apple app store or Google Play store apps and search for “Box.”
2. Click and download the Box Mobile App
3. Once you have installed it on your mobile device, you can enter your login credentials. This will give you access to your Box account and files from your mobile device.
Dropbox vs Box
Pros of using Dropbox:
1. Better Interface:
Dropbox is easy to navigate as the interface is designed with the user in mind, and all of the features are easily accessible from the main dashboard. Additionally, it makes it easy to find files by using the search function.
2. Fast response:
Thanks to the LAN sync feature of Dropbox, it is one of the fastest cloud storage services in the world. This feature allows you to access your files and folders quickly without waiting for them to upload or download from the cloud.
3. Excellent Value:
With a pricing range that starts at $9.99 for the Dropbox Plus plan, which gives you up to two terabytes of storage. This makes Dropbox one of the most affordable cloud storage services out there.
4. Incredibly Secure:
Dropbox values the security of its users’ data. This is why they have a team of experts working constantly to improve the security of the service.
5. Versatile Integrations:
Even though they are few, Dropbox offers a set of integrations that will allow you to access third-party features on the Dropbox platform.
6. Quality Customer Service:
Dropbox offers one of the best customer services, which is available 24/7 to help you handle issues and answer your questions. Additionally, they provide you with tips that will make sure your use of the service is smooth.
Pros of using Box
1. More Storage for Free:
Box offers a mouth-watering ten gigabytes of free storage to all users. Moreover, this is more than what Dropbox offers.
2. Seamless Integrations:
Box has over 1,500 integrations that include:
- Salesforce,
- Google, and
- Microsoft.
This makes Box one of the most versatile cloud storage services out there. Additionally, the interface makes it easy for you to find all the tools that you need.
3. Extensive File Sharing:
You can share any kind of file, whether it is a zipped folder or a raw video. You can just create a link and share it on any platform of your choice. Note that Box gives you access to preview 120 different file types. Additionally, the recipient does not have to have a Box account to interact with the file.
4. Additional Plans and Packages:
For those who may need more storage, you can upgrade to a Personal Pro plan for $10 per month. This plan gives you one hundred gigabytes of storage and a host of other features.
5. Unlimited Storage:
For businesses that may require unlimited storage, Box offers several plans for that. Therefore, you never have to worry about running out of space
Dropbox vs. Box for Business
For businesses, Box is better, as it offers versatile business solutions, more integrations, and unlimited storage options.
Dropbox vs. Box vs. Google Drive
Dropbox:
With Dropbox’s smart sync option, users can upload files and have access to their quality without waiting for them to upload or download from the cloud.
Google Drive
Google Drive works and has features like:
- Search your drive for words to get search results for documents
- It supports multiple devices like Mac, PC, iOS, and Android.
- You can scan documents with it.
- It can automatically convert images to PDF.
- It also makes it possible to access your files offline; however, you have to specify which files or folders to have access to offline.
Box:
Box offers the same kind of services as the others above. Additionally, businesses that may require unlimited storage have several plans for that. Therefore, they never have to worry about running out of space.
Dropbox vs. Box Pricing
If you are looking for the best single-user plan, Dropbox offers a $9.99 plan that comes with two terabytes of storage.
Is Box as good as Dropbox?
Both offer a variety of exciting features, but at the end of the day, Box is better because it offers:
- versatile business solutions
- more integrations and
- unlimited storage options.
Is Box slower than Dropbox?
Yes, Box is slower than Dropbox, as it is known to have:
- 450 Mbps download speed and
- a 21 Mbps upload speed.
Who is Dropbox’s biggest competitor?
Competitors to Dropbox
- Google Workspace.
- Microsoft OneDrive for Business
- Box.
- ShareFile.
- Apple iCloud.
- WeTransfer.
Why use Box over Dropbox?
Since Dropbox only allows you to use three devices under one account, it’s better to use Box, which allows you to use an unlimited number of devices connected to one account.
What is the disadvantage of Dropbox?
One of the disadvantages of Dropbox is that it only offers two gigabytes of storage when compared to the ten terabytes of storage that Box offers.
Is Box more secure than Google Drive?
When it comes to security, Box is considered to be more secure than Google Drive.
Which country owns Dropbox?
Dropbox, Inc. has its headquarters in San Francisco, California, U.S.
Is anyone still using Dropbox?
With over 500 million registered users, Dropbox remains one of the most popular cloud storage services.
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