Cloud File Backup and Storage - Dropbox (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between storing your files in Dropbox and Dropbox backup? ›

When you store your files to Dropbox, your files are synced across your devices and accessible in real time. With Dropbox Backup, your folders and files from your computer or external hard drives* are automatically backed up to the cloud and you can quickly recover your content if something goes wrong.

File sharing features

They're essentially the same in granting permissions or sharing links as well. However, Dropbox does surpass Google Drive when it comes to securing your shared files. You can set passwords on shared files in Dropbox so that only people who have that password can access them.

Dropbox makes it easy to backup, organize and share your photos, wherever you are. Need more storage space? Dropbox has a range of cloud storage solutions that will offer you the right amount of online storage. Plus, there's always ways to save space, if you know how.

Online-only: An online-only file is stored in the cloud and won't take up storage space on your computer or mobile device. Available offline: If a file is available offline, you can open it from the Dropbox folder on your computer or from your mobile device without needing access to the internet.

The biggest drawback of Dropbox security is the absence of zero-knowledge encryption in its personal accounts. This means Dropbox and its employees hold the encryption key for your account, and their staff can access your data anytime without your knowledge.

Cloud backup refers to tools that protect your data, files and system from a catastrophic event like ransomware or theft. Cloud storage refers to tools that let you free up space on your device by having copies of some files saved to the cloud.

You can use both Dropbox and iCloud Drive if you want. Nothing is stopping you from storing your data with either cloud storage provider.

Faster, smarter storage for your files

Dropbox plans allow uploading of up to 2 TB at a time—versus a limit of just 50 GB per upload with iCloud—with fast syncing between devices and compatibility for more file types than iCloud.

A solid gray circle with a white cloud icon means your file is fully synced and online-only. For folders, this icon means there is at least one online-only file in the folder. There can also be files that are “available” and/or “available offline” in the folder.

Most cloud storage platforms, including Dropbox, have a degree of useful backup protection for files. However, files in cloud storage aren't automatically protected to the degree that they would be with a full backup.

Why is Dropbox not a backup solution? ›

Incomplete Data Protection: Dropbox will only backup the data that you ask it to and will only support certain applications like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace. This leaves a substantial portion of your data unsecured and vulnerable to data loss.

Dropbox has 256-bit AES encryption and promises that its employees can only read file names and locations. However, as Dropbox is a sharing service, the comprehensiveness of that encryption can fall short and leave your business data vulnerable.

Your default file recovery period depends on your Dropbox plan: Dropbox Basic, Plus, and Family customers have 30 days. Dropbox Professional, Standard, Essentials, and Dropbox team users have 180 days.

The updated Dropbox Backup provides the option to set up Automatic backups. You can schedule backups to take place on 15-minute (recommended), daily, weekly, or custom intervals.

Incomplete Data Protection: Dropbox will only backup the data that you ask it to and will only support certain applications like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace. This leaves a substantial portion of your data unsecured and vulnerable to data loss.

Cloud storage solutions are designed for accessibility while backup solutions are primarily intended for restoring lost or stolen data. Users of cloud storage will be accessing and managing files in real time.

Does my backup take up storage space in my Dropbox account? With the Dropbox Backup plan, you receive as much space as you need to back up one computer and one external hard drive. On other plans, such as Dropbox Basic or Plus, the size of your backups are limited by the storage quota of the plan.