10 pinnacle file-sharing services: Dropbox, Box, Google Bulldoze, OneDrive, and more

Most file-sharing services accept evolved into full-blown collaboration platforms. We await at 10 online services ranging from basic to enterprise-level.

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Back in the pre-cloud days, sharing files involved using file transfer protocol applications or else copying files to a disc and then mailing it or walking information technology over to a colleague (affectionately known equally 'sneakernet'). Emails could likewise be sent (and many people withal use e-mail as their main "file-sharing" option), but size limits on attachments and security concerns discouraged this practice.

Today'southward world of file sharing offers nearly countless options. Giants similar Dropbox, Box, Google, Microsoft, and Apple, every bit well equally smaller companies similar MediaFire and Tresorit, all offer online deject storage options that include file sharing, synchronization beyond multiple devices, and collaboration features. Once you lot have uploaded a file to one of these services, file-sharing is every bit piece of cake equally clicking a "share" button so sending the link to a colleague via e-mail. While nearly offer desktop and mobile applications, users can as well upload, store, sync, and share files via a web browser.

The services we've chosen are listed here in alphabetical order and encompass a range of options, from basic services for consumers to enterprise-level services. This is not an exhaustive list of all services, simply rather a sampling of the big players and some lesser-known vendors.

To cheque file transfer times for each, we uploaded a 245MB ZIP file using an cyberspace connection with an boilerplate upload speed of 86 megabits/2d. (See "How we tested.")

Box

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It's nearly impossible to talk nearly Box without mentioning Dropbox (and vice versa), every bit the two are oft pitted against each other. Box has always been geared toward businesses and enterprises, while Dropbox used to be largely focused on consumers and SMBs. But both services now include enterprise collaboration features and cloud content management via integrations with Google Workspace, Microsoft 365/Office 365, and many others, forth with enterprise-grade security and direction options.

There is a free plan for individudals that lets you kick the tires — it offers 10GB of storage, a 250MB file upload limit, and the ability to share these files with limited permissions. The file upload size limit is a bit strict if you are trying to share video files, but the 10GB storage limit is still pretty generous. Additionally, all of Box'due south business plans offering a fourteen-mean solar day complimentary trial.

Complimentary business relationship storage space: 10GB

Free account max file size: 250MB

Paid accounts : Personal Pro, 100GB storage, $10/month; Business Starter, 100GB storage, $5/user/month; Business concern, unlimited storage, $15/user/month; Business Plus, unlimited storage, $25/user/month; Enterprise, unlimited storage, $35/user/month; Enterprise Plus, unlimited storage, custom pricing. (All business organisation plans require at least 3 users. Prices shown are for annual payments.)

Paid account max file size: Personal Pro, 5GB; Business organization Starter, 2GB; Business organization, 5GB; Business concern Plus, 15GB; Enterprise, 50GB, Enterprise Plus, 150GB.

Additional features with business plans: Born integrations with Slack (as well as Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace), plus ane additional enterprise app integration; Box Sign (unlimited due east-signatures via web app); Box Relay (workflow automation); information loss protection; two-factor authentication; SSO; Active Directory integration; other user management features. Higher-level plans offering additional enterprise app integrations; HIPAA/FedRAMP compliance; document watermarking; AI-powered threat detection; more than.

Time to upload 245MB file: 35 seconds

Citrix ShareFile

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ShareFile, which Citrix caused in 2011, creates a custom file-sharing site for your business organization, then you can share files hands with clients, partners, co-workers, and others. For example, your accountant might use ShareFile to securely share tax documents with you lot. The service offers lots of compelling features and tools for business users, including workflow direction, document collaboration, e-signatures, and integration with Outlook and Gmail.

Security is robust, too, with enterprise-grade encryption and customizable permissions settings. The ShareFile dashboard makes information technology easy to add together new users and toggle between personal and shared folders. Full-featured apps are available for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows. There is no complimentary plan, but you tin endeavor the Premium version for gratuitous for 30 days without having to enter a credit card number. The company also offers a virtual data room for 5 employee users, which offers advanced security, sharing, and control for sensitive information.

Complimentary account storage space: N/A

Free business relationship max file size: N/A

Paid accounts : Standard, unlimited storage, $50/month; Advanced, unlimited storage, $77/month; Premium, unlimited storage, $122/month; Virtual Data Room, 5GB storage, $338/month. All plans are for upwards to five employee users (boosted employee user fees are $x–$24/user/month) and unlimited customer users. (Prices shown are for annual payments.)

Paid account max file size: Standard, Advanced, and Premium, 100GB; Virtual Data Room, 5GB.

Other paid options include: Feedback and approvals workflow; activity logs; versioning; tertiary-party integrations including Microsoft 365/Part 365 collaboration.

Time to upload 245MB file: 1 minute, 38 seconds

Dropbox

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As previously mentioned, Dropbox and Box are big players in the business market, offering enterprise-level security and management features equally well every bit a healthy ecosystem of integrated third-party apps that brand the services more than robust. Both have continually evolved and improved to the indicate that, for most organizations, either one is a swell option.

In contempo years, Dropbox has been adding features aimed at boosting productivity and collaboration, such as the power to create Microsoft Office or Google Docs/Sheets/Slides files from within Dropbox and a new shared Spaces interface for team collaboration.

To try before you purchase, Dropbox's costless Basic plan for individuals offers 2GB of storage. A 30-day free trial is available for all business plans.

Gratuitous account storage space: 2GB

Free business relationship max file size: No limit, but must be smaller than your storage infinite quota.

Paid accounts : Personal plans include Plus (ane user, 2TB storage, $ten per month) and Family (up to vi users, 2TB shared storage, $17/month). Work plans include Professional (1 user, 3TB storage, $sixteen.lx/month); Standard (3+ users, 5TB storage, $12.50/user/month); Avant-garde (3+ users, unlimited storage, $twenty/user/month). For enterprise plans, contact Dropbox Sales. (Prices shown are for almanac payments.)

Additional features with business plans: 180 days of file recovery and version history, 180-day history for Dropbox Rewind (recover from accidents/ransomware past reversing changes at binder or account level), remote device wipe, two-factor authentication, certificate watermarking, shared link controls, file locking, branded sharing, priority email support, and live chat support. Higher-level plans offer HIPAA compliance, an admin console, SSO integration, audit logs, more.

Fourth dimension to upload 245MB file: 56 seconds

Google Bulldoze

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If you lot're already invested in the Google ecosystem, Google Bulldoze is a no-brainer, since it integrates with Google's productivity apps, such as Google Docs. Even if you don't use other Google services, Google Drive is worth considering, every bit it gives users 15GB of free storage (shared with other Google services). Its rates are also competitive — 200GB costs individuals just $xxx/year.

With the Backup and Sync desktop client, yous can choose which of your Windows or macOS computer folders to continually sync to Google Drive — you don't have to keep files in a designated folder, as you do with some services. Permissions on shared files can get complicated — we've oft shared a link with colleagues only to go a response saying that they can't access the file. Merely once you tin access a file, collaborating on documents in real time through Google's other productivity apps is as expert as it gets.

Across the 15GB complimentary plan, Drive is bachelor to individuals through a Google One program. Businesses can opt for either a Google Workspace programme, which includes Drive, Gmail, Agenda, Docs, and other productivity/collaboration apps, or Workspace Essentials, which includes all of the above except Gmail and Agenda. A fourteen-mean solar day complimentary trial is available for business plans.

Free account storage infinite: 15GB

Free business relationship max file size: 5TB (with some exceptions)

Paid accounts: Google 1 plans for individuals: 100GB, $2/calendar month; 200GB, $iii/calendar month; 2TB, $10/month; 10TB, $50/month; 20TB, $100/month; 30TB, $150/calendar month. Google Workspace Essentials plans for businesses: 100GB per user/2TB pooled cloud storage, $8/user/month. Google Workspace plans for businesses: Business organization Starter: 30GB storage per user, $6/user/month; Business Standard: 2TB storage per user, $12/user/month; Business organization Plus: 5TB storage per user, $18/user/month; Enterprise (300+ users): unlimited storage, contact sales for pricing.

Additional features with business organization plans: Security and management controls, 24/vii telephone and e-mail support, centralized admin console, audit and reporting. Higher-level plans offer advanced endpoint management, data loss prevention, context-aware admission, more.

Time to upload 245MB file: 48 seconds

iCloud Drive

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Anyone who owns a Mac, iPhone, or iPad probable already has the free 5GB of online storage via iCloud that comes with the creation of an AppleID, and those users can share folders and documents with other iCloud users. Although Apple does offer an iCloud app for Windows, it's probable that this mainly benefits Apple users who also use a Windows PC; we don't really see people who are primarily Windows users signing upwards for an iCloud account to utilize the service, specially considering iCloud does not have an Android app. Android device users could access iCloud via the web app, but they would likely utilise Google's online cloud storage to support their photos and videos anyway.

As with other online storage services, users tin set up iCloud to automatically back up and sync specific folders from their calculator to their iCloud account, such as the Documents binder, Desktop folder, or others. Photos and videos from an iPhone or iPad tin also be automatically synchronized. Using this feature tin can apace eat up the 5GB of free infinite, then it's likely that anyone using iCloud for such purposes would upgrade to a paid account. At $3 per month for 200GB, information technology's yet a relatively skillful bargain for the Apple faithful.

While iCloud users can utilize their personal accounts to share files with colleagues (and those files are encrypted in transit and at rest), this is essentially a consumer service.

Free business relationship storage space: 5GB

Free account max file size: 5GB in theory, as long as information technology doesn't exceed storage limits.

Paid accounts : 50GB, $1 per month; 200GB, $3/month; 2TB, $10/month. Apple allows these plans to exist shared with family members (up to five other members). Those who subscribe to Apple services such as Apple Music or Apple TV+ may also be able to salve money through Apple I bundling.

Paid account max file size 50GB, every bit long as information technology doesn't exceed storage limits.

Additional features with paid plans: Upgrading your storage amount doesn't give you additional features, unlike with other online storage services.

Time to upload 245MB file: one minute, 56 seconds