Source-backed analysis9
Review basis
Research-based review: the AppDuo Editorial Team compiled it from official pages, documentation, app stores, press and user feedback, without hands-on testing. Every claim links to a source with the date it was checked.
9 reference sourcesInformation updated Nov 10, 2026
How we review
Dropbox Review
Long-running cloud storage, strong on sync and large-file sharing
By AppDuo Editorial Team · Updated
- Web
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
- iOS
- Android
On this page
Decide at a glance
Our verdict
Dropbox suits people who want dependable file sync and easy large-file sharing across many devices. The free plan is just 2 GB, and Plus costs $9.99 a month billed yearly ($11.99 month to month), while Microsoft 365 Personal bundles 1 TB with the Office apps for $99.99 a year.
Best for: Creatives and freelancers who send large video or design files to clients
Skip it if: People who mainly want cheap bulk storage
Pros
- High App Store rating: 4.8/5 from over 930,000 ratings
- Apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android and the web
- Link sharing works without a recipient account; Standard and above add password-protected files
Cons
- The free plan offers only 2 GB
- Month-to-month billing costs noticeably more: Plus is $11.99 versus $9.99 billed yearly
All pros and cons · Who is it for?
Pros
- Deleted files can be restored for 30 days on Plus, 180 days on Standard and one year on Advanced
Cons
- No client-side encryption; end-to-end encryption is limited to the Advanced plan
- In 2016, 68 million emails and hashed passwords from a 2012 incident surfaced
Best for
- Small teams syncing shared folders across operating systems, Linux included
Skip it if
- Users who need end-to-end encryption on a personal plan
Problems it solves
Experience & key features
Dropbox is a cloud storage and file-sync service. According to Wikipedia, MIT students Drew Houston and Arash Ferdowsi founded it in 2007 and officially launched it in 2008. The company is based in San Francisco and has traded on Nasdaq (DBX) since 2018. It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android and the web.
Dropbox's features page covers folder sync across devices, link sharing (with passwords, expiring links and download permissions) and integrations with Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Dropbox Sign. The Google Play listing cites previews of over 175 file types, scanning documents to PDF and offline access. Dash is a separate product for finding, organising and protecting company content.
Pricing and value
According to the plans page, Basic is free with 2 GB. Plus (one person, 2 TB) is $9.99 per month billed yearly or $11.99 month to month. Standard is $15 per user per month billed yearly ($18 monthly), starting at 3 TB for the team. Advanced is $24 per user per month billed yearly ($30 monthly), with a three-person minimum and 15 TB to start. End-to-end encryption and single sign-on appear only on Advanced.
Privacy and incidents
In August 2016 Dropbox confirmed that 68 million email addresses and salted, hashed passwords tied to a 2012 incident had surfaced, and it forced password resets for affected users. Today its help center says files at rest use 256-bit AES and two-factor authentication is available, but Dropbox does not offer client-side encryption.
More analysis
Compared with alternatives
Google Drive and OneDrive come with a Google or Microsoft account, which is convenient if you already use their office suites. MEGA focuses on end-to-end encryption and Box targets businesses. Dropbox fits best when cross-platform sync and large-file sharing come first.
Screenshots
Plans & pricing
Prices last verified Nov 10, 2026
Basic
PersonalFree
2 GB to store and share files.
Plus
Personal$11.99/mo
$9.99/mo billed yearly
1 person, 2 TB, 30 days to restore deleted files, transfers up to 50 GB.
Standard
Business$18/mo/user
$15/mo billed yearly
1 person or more, starts at 3 TB for the team, 180-day restore, transfers up to 100 GB, password-protected files, team folders and admin controls.
Advanced
Business$30/mo/user
$24/mo billed yearly
3 people or more, starts at 15 TB for the team, 1-year restore, end-to-end encryption, advanced key management and single sign-on.
- Free plan limits
- The free Basic plan includes 2 GB.
- Free trial
- 30-day free trial · no credit card
Cancellation & refunds
The plans page does not state a refund policy; terms sit in Dropbox's terms of service. The free trial (30 days, per the page title) is offered on Standard and Advanced only; Plus is buy-now. According to Google Play, in-app subscriptions renew monthly or yearly and auto-renewal must be turned off at least 24 hours before renewal.
Privacy
According to its help center, files at rest are encrypted with 256-bit AES and data in transit uses SSL/TLS. Dropbox says it does not offer client-side encryption; end-to-end encryption and advanced key management are on the Advanced plan. The current privacy policy was posted 30 May 2025, and a revised version takes effect on 1 January 2027.
Dropbox alternatives
Frequently asked questions
How much storage is free on Dropbox?
The free Basic plan has 2 GB, according to the plans page.
Does Dropbox offer end-to-end encryption?
Yes, but only on the Advanced plan per the plan comparison. The help center also states Dropbox has no client-side encryption.
How large a file can I send with Dropbox?
Up to 50 GB per transfer on Plus, and 100 GB on Standard and Advanced.
Can I restore deleted files?
Yes: 30 days on Plus, 180 days on Standard, 1 year on Advanced.
Review evidence & sources9
Scores
- Ease of use
- 8.5
- Features
- 8.0
- Value for money
- 6.5
- Performance
- 7.6
- Support
- 7.0
- Privacy & security
- 6.5
Why this score
Folder sync and link sharing are simple, consistent with a 4.8/5 App Store rating.
Why this score
Sync, scanning, PDF editing, signatures and Teams/Zoom integrations, though no office suite of its own.
Why this score
Only 2 GB free; 2 TB costs $9.99 a month billed yearly or $11.99 monthly, while Microsoft 365 Personal lists 1 TB plus the Office apps at $99.99 a year.
Why this score
4.8/5 on the App Store but 4.3/5 on Google Play across 2.33M reviews; no independent speed data in the sources reviewed.
Why this score
Help center and community forum; the plan table lists business-hours phone support, but not on Plus.
Why this score
256-bit AES at rest, but no client-side encryption and a 68-million-account credential exposure disclosed in 2016.
What users say
- App Store (US)4.8/5 · 932,194
- Google Play4.3/5 · 2,330,000
Sources
- Vendor-providedDropbox plans pageNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedDropbox features pageNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedDropbox Help: how security worksNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedDropbox Privacy PolicyNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedMicrosoft 365 / OneDrive plans and pricingNov 10, 2026
- storeApp Store listingNov 10, 2026
- storeGoogle Play listingNov 10, 2026
- Community-reportedWikipedia: DropboxNov 10, 2026
- pressPCWorld: Dropbox changed passwords after 68M accounts compromisedNov 10, 2026
Specs & compatibility
- Developer
- Dropbox, Inc.
- Headquarters
- United States
- Launched
- 2008
- Category
- Productivity
Capabilities
- Works offline
- Real-time collaboration
- Integrations
- Mobile app
- Public API
- AI features
- End-to-end encryption
Platforms
- Web
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
- iOS
- Android
Interface languages
- English
- Japanese
- Chinese
- Spanish
- French
- Korean
- German
- Portuguese
- Russian
- Thai
- Indonesian
Integrations
- Microsoft Teams
- Zoom
- Dropbox Sign
- Microsoft Office
Support
- Help center
- Community forum
- Phone
Change history
- Company.Dropbox cuts about 20% of staff, after cuts of 11% in 2021 and 16% in 2023.
- Company.Dropbox acquires HelloSign, now Dropbox Sign.
- Company.Dropbox (DBX) begins trading on Nasdaq.
Full change history (7)
- Feature.Dropbox Paper, a collaborative document editor, officially launches.
- Update.Dropbox confirms 68 million emails and hashed passwords from a 2012 incident surfaced and enforces password resets.
- Company.Dropbox announces the shutdown of its Mailbox and Carousel apps.
- Launch.Dropbox officially launches at TechCrunch Disrupt 2008, a year after it was founded.
About the author
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