Dropbox and Google Drive have been head-to-head for more than 10 years. How much storage space do the providers make available on your cloud, how does the collaboration with other users work, how much does additional storage space cost and for which devices are the functions available? Read the answers in our post.
What can Google Drive do?
If you have a Google account, Google Drive is automatically available to you. Basically, Google Drive initially offers you 15 GB of free storage space . However, this also includes the storage of your Gmail account. If you need more storage space, you can upgrade to Google One . Google One includes several options: 100 GB for € 1.99 per month or € 19.99 per year, 200 GB for € 2.99 per month or € 29.99 per year and 2TB for € 9.99 per month or € 99.99 a year. If you are logged in to your drive, you can upload and share files using drag'n'drop, the same applies to folders. In order for other users to have access to your files, they do not necessarily need a Google account. You can just share a link. With the Backup & Sync software , you can also set up an automatic backup of files that were created locally on your PC or Mac to Google Drive. Read here how to synchronize Google Drive with your PC. In addition to storing files, Google's cloud service offers you integrated text, table and presentation software: Google Docs . The applications that are included in Google Docs are not only reminiscent of the Microsoft Office package in terms of their appearance, but also in their functionality, which should make it easier for many users to get started. Another advantage of Google Docs files is that they make it very easy for you to work with multiple users on one file. You can also install Google Drive and Google Docs as an app on your Android device or iPhone . You can also use Google Docs offline.
What does Dropbox offer?
If you don't have a Google account, you can use the Dropbox cloud. However, it is also necessary to create your own account here . In the free version, Dropbox offers you 2 GB of free storage space , in the plus version you get 2 TB for € 9.99 per month and in the professional version you get 3 TB for € 16.58 per month . In the free version, you have no option to manage shared links or to display a viewer's history. Otherwise the range of functions is very similar between the free version and the paid version. However, there are still a few ways to expand the storage space at no additional cost. When it comes to storing your files, the Dropbox Cloud works very similarly to Google Drive. You can upload individual files or folders and share them with other users. Here, too, it is not necessary that the other users have a Dropbox account, because you can also share the files as a link . You can use Dropbox's own software to install a Dropbox directory on your PC or Mac . The folder on the PC and your online cloud will then be synchronized automatically if you are connected to the Internet. In contrast to Google Drive, Dropbox is also available for Linux and of course for your Android device or iPhone on the go. With Dropbox Paper, Dropbox is now also upgrading when it comes to file creation. Similar to Google Docs, you can use Dropbox Paper to create texts online and work on them together with other users..
The direct comparison - Google Drive vs. Dropbox
We have summarized the most important facts for you in this table:
| | Google Drive | Dropbox |
| Storage space | 15 GB free of charge
100 GB (1.99 € per month)
200 GB (2.99 € per month)
2TB (9.99 € per month) | 2 GB free of charge
2 TB (€ 9.99 per month)
3 TB (€ 16.58 per month) |
| Software and apps | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Account | Google account | own Dropbox account |
| File sharing | Share for Google users or as a link | Share for Dropbox users or as a link |
| Additional features | Google Docs
Backup & Sync
offline synchronization | Dropbox Paper
Dropbox software |
| | Google Drive | Dropbox |
| Storage space | 15 GB free of charge
100 GB (1.99 € per month)
200 GB (2.99 € per month)
2TB (9.99 € per month) | 2 GB free of charge
2 TB (€ 9.99 per month)
3 TB (€ 16.58 per month) |
| Software and apps | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Account | Google account | own Dropbox account |
| File sharing | Share for Google users or as a link | Share for Dropbox users or as a link |
| Additional features | Google Docs
Backup & Sync
offline synchronization | Dropbox Paper
Dropbox software |
