DropBox vs SharePoint

August 26, 2023 | Author: Michael Stromann
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DropBox
Dropbox is a Web-based file hosting service that uses cloud computing to enable users to store and share files and folders with others across the Internet using file synchronization. There are both free and paid services, each with varying options. In comparison to similar services, Dropbox offers a relatively large number of user clients across a variety of desktop and mobile operating systems.
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SharePoint
SharePoint's multi-purpose platform allows for managing and provisioning of intranet portals, extranets and websites, document management and file management, collaboration spaces, social networking tools, enterprise search, business intelligence tooling, process/information integration, and third-party developed solutions. SharePoint can also be used as a web application development platform.
Dropbox and SharePoint are both popular file-sharing and collaboration platforms, but they have different strengths and target different user bases. Dropbox is known for its user-friendly interface, ease of use, and seamless file synchronization across devices. It offers features like file sharing, version control, and collaboration with team members. Dropbox is often favored by individual users and small to medium-sized businesses looking for a straightforward and efficient file-sharing solution. On the other hand, SharePoint, developed by Microsoft, is a more robust platform that offers advanced document management, enterprise-level collaboration features, and integration with other Microsoft products like Office 365 and Teams. SharePoint is often utilized by larger organizations with complex collaboration needs, allowing them to create intranets, build workflows, and manage permissions for secure file sharing and team collaboration.

See also: Top 10 Enterprise Portals
DropBox vs SharePoint in our news:

2021. Dropbox to acquire secure document sharing startup DocSend for $165M



Dropbox has made a $165 million acquisition of DocSend, a service that enables customers to securely share and track documents through secure links rather than attachments. This acquisition, combined with the electronic signature capability of HelloSign (acquired by Dropbox in 2019), completes the company's end-to-end document-sharing workflow. With Dropbox, DocSend, and HelloSign working together, a comprehensive suite of self-serve products will be available to assist millions of customers in managing their critical document workflows. This integration will provide users with greater control over all aspects of their document management process.


2020. Dropbox introduces slew of new features for business



Dropbox has introduced several updates for its business users. In an effort to assist individuals in managing their numerous passwords, Dropbox is venturing into the realm of password managers, similar to LastPass or 1Password. Additionally, Dropbox is entering the online vault market, offering a secure digital space to store essential documents instead of relying on traditional safe deposit boxes. Users can share a pin with trusted individuals to provide access to important documents such as wills or insurance policies during emergencies. Furthermore, the company is expanding into the backup industry, enabling Dropbox Plus users to regularly back up the entire contents of their PC or Mac. In the event of a computer loss or complete system failure, users can easily retrieve their backed-up data.


2019. Dropbox unveiled feature to send big files



Dropbox has introduced a new feature called Dropbox Transfer, enabling users to send large files. This feature allows a maximum file size of 100 Gigabytes. Users can select files either from their local system or directly from their Dropbox account, ensuring faster sharing. It remains undisclosed whether the file size counts towards the user's storage quota. Recipients can download copies of the files, preserving the integrity of the originals. Creating a new file share requires a Dropbox account, although recipients downloading the files do not need an account themselves. Currently, the service is accessible to a limited number of customers but will be rolled out to all Dropbox users in the near future.


2019. Dropbox adds cold storage layer



Many individuals transfer files to Dropbox for backup purposes, but often these files are rarely accessed again. Hence, Dropbox engineers realized the impracticality of storing all files in the same manner, particularly when many files are not frequently accessed after the initial day of upload. To address this, the company decided to introduce two storage tiers: warm storage (formerly known as Magic Pocket) and a new long-term storage tier called Cold Storage. This approach allows Dropbox to store these files at a lower cost while still ensuring timely access if a customer needs to retrieve them. From the perspective of Dropbox customers, the engineering challenges associated with this approach are inconsequential. Their primary expectation is that when they click on a file, it should open quickly without significant latency, regardless of its age. However, Dropbox recognized an opportunity to store these files in a separate layer.


2019. Dropbox aquired e-signature service HelloSign



Dropbox has announced its acquisition of HelloSign for a total of $230 million. HelloSign is a company specializing in lightweight document workflow and eSignature services. This acquisition aligns with Dropbox's Extension capability, which was introduced last year, and HelloSign was among the companies involved in its launch. While Dropbox will continue to encourage companies to expand the Dropbox solution, this acquisition provides Dropbox with its own capability that does not rely on partnerships, as HelloSign is already integrated with Dropbox through Extensions. HelloSign will operate as a standalone business within the Dropbox family under the new arrangement.


2018. Dropbox expands Paper into planning tool with timelines



Dropbox has introduced an update to its document-driven collaboration tool, Paper. This update includes a timeline feature, expanding its capabilities beyond collaboration to serve as a lightweight project planning tool. With this feature, users can create a timeline comprising milestones. Since it is integrated within Paper, team members can be assigned to each milestone and additional information, including links to relevant documents, can be added through notes. The timeline also allows the embedding of to-do lists for task assignees, providing a centralized access point for all project participants to manage their respective tasks.


2018. Dropbox adds automatic OCR for all PDFs



Users of Dropbox now have access to a valuable new feature: optical character recognition (OCR) that automatically transcribes text from their images and PDFs. This text recognition engine will be gradually rolled out to Dropbox Pro, Business Advanced, and Enterprise accounts in the coming months. However, administrators may be able to obtain early access by checking for availability. Once activated, the OCR functionality will scan every image and PDF in your Dropbox account, extracting the text and adding it to the file's metadata. This enables you to search for specific content within the documents. Rest assured, all the transcribed data will be treated with the same level of security as the original document. This feature proves to be quite useful, although its accuracy will determine its overall effectiveness.


2018. SharePoint gets organization-wide news and content targeting



Microsoft has recently announced several enhancements for SharePoint and Office 365 sites, bringing new capabilities and functionalities. Among the notable updates is the introduction of a designated communication site that serves as the official news portal for the organization. This allows news posted on the portal to be easily identified with a special indicator, ensuring clear visibility on both mobile devices and the SharePoint home page. Additionally, a new feature enables the targeting of content to specific audiences based on their Active Directory (AD) Group membership, including dynamic groups. Moreover, SharePoint sites now have the ability to create mega-menus for navigation, facilitating improved user experiences and seamless site exploration. These advancements aim to enhance communication, personalization, and navigation within SharePoint and Office 365 sites.


2018. Dropbox improves its collaboration layer - Paper



Dropbox introduces various improvements to its collaboration tool, Paper, enabling users to work seamlessly within the application without the need to switch programs. One notable enhancement is the ability to paste multiple elements into Paper and obtain live previews. Notably, it is now possible to link a Dropbox folder directly within Paper, allowing users to navigate through the files and sub-folders contained within. As the documents within the folder undergo changes, Paper automatically updates the preview, as the folder itself serves as a live link to the corresponding Dropbox folder. This feature is considered essential for a company like Dropbox. Furthermore, Dropbox now supports Airtables, an advanced type of spreadsheet. With this new enhancement, users can effortlessly embed an Airtable using its embed code and seamlessly integrate it into Paper. Once embedded, the preview in Paper displays the chosen Airtable view that the user has saved. Finally, Paper also provides support for LucidCharts. Similar to Airtables and folders, users can simply paste the LucidCharts link, enabling a live preview within Paper. Should any modifications occur in the original chart, the updates are automatically reflected in the Paper preview.


2018. Dropbox released new add-on for Gmail



Dropbox has introduced a new add-on that allows users to manage Gmail attachments directly within their Dropbox account. This add-on presents attachments in a convenient side panel, enabling users to save them directly to their Dropbox storage if desired. Whether accessed through the mobile app or the web interface, the experience remains consistent. This integration eliminates the need for users to leave Gmail or other G Suite tools, saving them valuable time and effort typically spent on copying, pasting, and switching between programs. This collaboration between Google and Dropbox is somewhat unexpected, considering their competition in the cloud storage arena. While Google Drive offers similar features to Dropbox, this add-on enhances the usability of Dropbox by seamlessly integrating it within the Gmail ecosystem.

Author: Michael Stromann
Michael is an expert in IT Service Management, IT Security and software development. With his extensive experience as a software developer and active involvement in multiple ERP implementation projects, Michael brings a wealth of practical knowledge to his writings. Having previously worked at SAP, he has honed his expertise and gained a deep understanding of software development and implementation processes. Currently, as a freelance developer, Michael continues to contribute to the IT community by sharing his insights through guest articles published on several IT portals. You can contact Michael by email stromann@liventerprise.com