Box vs Dropbox

August 26, 2023 | Author: Adam Levine
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Box
Box offers free cloud storage and file sharing services that enables you to securely share and access files online. Companies rely on Box because it's secure, works on any device and scales to meet the needs of small businesses and Fortune 500 companies.
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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.
Box and Dropbox are both popular cloud storage and file-sharing solutions, but they have distinct differences in their features, pricing, and target audiences. Box is primarily aimed at enterprise and business users, offering robust security, collaboration tools, and administrative controls. It provides features such as advanced access controls, file versioning, granular permissions, and integration with other business applications. Box emphasizes security and compliance, making it a suitable choice for organizations with strict data privacy requirements. Dropbox, on the other hand, targets a wider user base, including individuals, small businesses, and teams. It focuses on simplicity and ease of use, providing features like file syncing, sharing, and collaboration. Dropbox offers various pricing plans, including free and paid options, making it accessible for both personal and professional use.

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Box vs Dropbox in our news:

2023. Box announces Hubs, a custom portal to share specialized content



Box has introduced Hubs, a novel tool tailored for crafting centralized microsites to share specific types of content. Essentially, Box Hubs enables users to curate content from their Box account and disseminate it to their chosen audience in a customized and curated manner within their business. The potential applications for this tool are virtually limitless. It manifests as a specialized portal intended to house items such as HR policies, brand assets, or the most recent pricing details for a sales team. In conventional files and folders, these scenarios might lose their clarity, but within a portal, their purpose remains evident. The hub format offers a meticulously curated set of information for easy searchability—a concept that Box co-founder Levie acknowledges was not fully explored until the emergence of ChatGPT last year.


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.


2021. Box acquires eSignature startup SignRequest for new content workflows



Box has announced its acquisition of SignRequest, an e-signature startup, for a sum of $55 million. This strategic acquisition fills a crucial gap in Box's offerings, providing the company with a native signature component that was previously absent from its platform. By incorporating SignRequest's technology, Box gains the ability to offer seamless e-signature capabilities directly within its platform, enabling new workflows and enhancing user experiences. The importance of remote work has become increasingly evident, particularly during the pandemic, as it offers enhanced safety and flexibility. Even in a post-pandemic world with a return to more face-to-face interactions, the ability to perform tasks entirely in the cloud and eliminate paper-based workflows will significantly accelerate processes and enhance overall efficiency.


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.


2020. Box adds new collaboration capabilities



In response to the ongoing pandemic, Box is introducing new collaboration features. One of the key updates includes a cleaner interface, enhancing user interactions and file sharing capabilities. Additionally, Box is introducing a feature called Collections, which empowers users to organize their files and folders in a manner that suits their specific needs. This organizational structure is customizable on an individual basis. Furthermore, Box is incorporating an annotations capability, enabling users to easily add comments to files, either as a single editor or in a group discussion. Similar to collaboration tools in Google Docs, this functionality facilitates remote real-time commenting on any document, which is particularly valuable in the current environment. Lastly, Box allows external partners and customers to share files via a dedicated landing page, enhancing collaboration and information exchange.


2020. Box adds automated malware detection to Box Shield security product



Box has introduced automated malware detection tools to enhance Box Shield, its security offering unveiled in the previous year. The company is employing a three-fold strategy with this solution. Firstly, users will be able to preview files without the need to download them, while receiving indications of any associated risks. Secondly, the system will proactively block the downloading of files that contain malware. Lastly, the security team will be promptly notified when a malware-infected file is uploaded to Box.


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.

Author: Adam Levine
Adam is an expert in project management, collaboration and productivity technologies, team management, and motivation. With an extensive background working at prestigious companies such as Microsoft and Accenture, Adam's in-depth knowledge and experience in the field make him a sought-after professional. Currently, he has ventured into entrepreneurship, owning a thriving consulting and training agency where he imparts invaluable insights and practical strategies to individuals and organizations, empowering them to achieve their goals and maximize their potential. You can contact Adam via email adam@liventerprise.com