Google OneandDropboxare two giants in the cloud storage space.
But both of them have their pros and cons in terms of what they offer to you.
So, lets jump right into the article to find out.
It was revolutionary, and that sparked the cloud revolution that we are witnessing today.
Dropbox also added document scanning and a built-in collaboration tool, also known asPaper, in the subsequent years.
Google Drive was released a few years later, in 2012.
Its biggest strength lies in the 15 GB storage space that you get with any account.
As Gmail is used widely, Google bundled Drive with all its apps.
That added a massive user base to it.
Google One was introduced in 2020, with a paid subscription plan adding more storage to Google Drive.
It has access to all suites of Google applications, including Docs, Sheets, and so on.
But you are not here for a cloud history session, right?
So lets take a look at how each service stacks up against each other.
Google One vs. Dropbox Compared
You may have already used both services before.
Both of them have a free plan which allows anyone with an email address to sign up.
Once you do so, you’re able to upload files and start using them.
But what differences exist between the free and paid plans?
Lets take a look.
Pricing
Google One gives you more storage on the free plan (15 GB).
Dropbox only has 2GB in the free tier.
The base plan is cheaper, too, on Google One at$1.99.
Dropbox will cut your pockets deep at$12.
However, Dropbox provides more storage with higher plans.
It has an all-you-can-store plan that does not have a data cap which Google One does not provide.
Verdict:You get cheaper storage with Google One than Dropbox.
There are apps for PC, Mac, and mobile devices to sync your latest files.
But Dropbox is faster when it comes to uploading the latest revision of a file.
Google Drive updates the entirety of a file when a newer version of a file is available.
That is why it takes time for the file to become available to use the moment you upload it.
Dropbox, on the other hand, only uploads the fragment of the file that is being changed.
This saves time, and the file is available instantly.
Verdict:Dropbox has faster file sync than Google One.
We alsocompared Google One with Google Drivein a separate article.
Do check it out.
File Sharing
With Dropbox, you get some additional benefits when sharing files from your storage.
you’re able to set the link to expire after a certain time.
With Google One, anyone with a link to your file can view and download it.
The goodies you get from Dropbox are absent here.
Verdict:Dropbox gives you more control when sharing files.
Ease of Use
Both services are designed primarily to be used on a web surfing app.
The files show up in the order of the uploaded date.
Drobox has a better interface, I guess.
It tries to replicate the interface of a desktop file explorer.
There are more options to customize the look and feel of your cloud drive.
you might automate tasks, connect apps to open specific files (e.g.
images), and rewind the contents of a folder right from the home screen.
Also, the recently opened files are at the top for easy access.
you’re able to open a file on Dropbox using just a single click.
This happens if you hover over the file name and the cursor turns into a link.
I dont like this, as I am used to double-clicking on File Explorer.
Google One, on the other hand, tries to implement a consistent user interface across all its applications.
That has other implications, such as limited scope for customization.
Google Drive has always felt like a web app just due to this.
Both cloud storage has a preview section to view images without opening them.
Verdict:You get a better user experience on Dropbox.
Built-in Apps
Dropbox has limited first-party apps.
You have Pages, a document editing app.
you’re free to collaborate with your team using this app.
It has a feel very similar to Notion.
Here, your coworkers can work on the same document at a time and comment on sections.
The best thing about these apps isVersion History.
it’s possible for you to see who made changes to a document down to the individual words.
There is the option to roll back a document to its earlier state if you choose to do so.
Offline Editing is available on Googles suite of applications.
These are synced to the cloud the moment you are connected to the internet.
Offline editing is not available on Dropbox Pages.
Verdict:Google One has better built-in applications, and these outnumber what Dropbox has to offer.
Integration with Apps
Dropbox has great integrations with third-party applications.
Right now, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel are supported.
you could also edit a document using Google Docs.
There is a whole store full of applications that you could connect to Dropbox.
Then you’re able to edit files created using these apps.
For example, you’re able to export your invoices created on Freshbooks right into your Dropbox account.
Google One has integration with other apps on Google Drive.
These work great too.
But Microsofts suite of apps is missing from here.
Verdict:Dropbox has integrations with richer third-party apps than Google One.
And if you have the Advanced plan, this extends up to 1 Year.
For the Basic and Family plan, this is limited to 30 days.
Google One gives you file restore ability for the last 30 days across all its plans.
Verdict:Dropbox allows you to restore files from an earlier time than Google One.
If you are looking torestore backups made using Google One, our separate article for you.
Its worth taking a look when you are switching to a new unit.
The basic plan only allows one user account.
There are plans for businesses that allow sharing, but they cost more.
This is not the case with Google One.
All plans can be shared with five members.
So, theoretically, you might purchase a plan with less storage and give your teams access.
No need to buy a higher-tier plan.
Only the free plan on Google One is limited to a single user.
Verdict:Google One wins hands down here with its ability to share across all its plans.
Security
Both Platforms give you top-of-the-line security for your data.
Your data remains encrypted, even in transit.
A 256-bit AES encryption is used in both platforms to keep the data safe.
Google One has some additional features, such as VPN and Dark web monitoring.
Then you’ve got the option to take support from a security expert to secure that data.
Verdict:This section is a tie.
Both platforms are highly secured and protect your data from theft.
Which is Better, Google One or Dropbox?
Google One is better for individuals who do not require a ton of storage.
Even for smaller Teams, it is perfect.
The ability to share an account is something that Dropbox cannot compete with.
Overall, storage is cheaper than Dropbox, even at the most expensive plan.
Dropbox, while costing more than Google One, performs faster than Google One.
The choice of going for one platform over another comes down to your use cases.
If you are heavily invested in the Google ecosystem, go for Google One.
We have a comprehensive guide onhow to use Google One.
If you are new to this ecosystem, do check it out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Google One unlimited?
No, there is not an unlimited storage plan on Google One.
Why use Google Drive over Dropbox?
you’re free to fill this very easily; thats why Google Drive is a good option.
Is Google One free to use?
But if you want to upgrade to higher storage, you must buy it.
Final Words
Both Google One and Dropbox are old dogs in the cloud storage scene.
And with time, they have added features that make them a solid product to use right now.
So, both services are good enough to use.
It just depends on what your workflow demands from your cloud storage solution.
I wont stretch this article anymore.
I hope you had a great time reading this piece.
