Dropbox vs Google Drive Comparison

• 2 TB, Plus monthly: $11.99 a month
• 2 TB, Plus for 1 year: $9.99 a month, billed yearly
• 3 TB, Standard monthly, per user: $18 per user a month
• 3 TB, Standard for 1 year, per user: $15 per user a month, billed yearly

• 100 GB, Basic 100 GB monthly: $1.99 a month
• 100 GB, Basic 100 GB for 1 year: $19.99 billed yearly
• 2 TB, Google AI Plus 2 TB monthly: $9.99 a month
• 2 TB, Google AI Plus 2 TB for 1 year: $99.99 billed yearly
• 5 TB, Google AI Pro 5 TB monthly: $19.99 a month
• 5 TB, Google AI Pro 5 TB for 1 year: $199.99 billed yearly

Dropbox encrypts stored files with 256-bit AES and manages the keys itself, so its servers decrypt files to show previews and thumbnails, run search and text recognition, and check content against its rules. File names, types and sizes sit in a separate metadata database. End-to-end encrypted team folders exist only on the Advanced, Business Plus and Enterprise team plans; personal plans have no setting that keeps the keys away from Dropbox.

Google encrypts files in transit and on its disks with AES-256, using keys managed by its own key management service, so its systems can decrypt them. File names, descriptions, owners and activity logs are encrypted on disk the same way. Client-side encryption, which Google cannot decrypt, exists only in some paid Workspace editions for organizations and has to be switched on by an admin; personal Google accounts cannot use it. Decryption happens on Google's servers, so the web, desktop and mobile apps work the same way.

Users in the United States, Canada and Mexico contract with Dropbox, Inc. in San Francisco; everyone else with Dropbox International Unlimited Company in Ireland, which is the controller of their personal data. The terms are governed by California law unless local law requires otherwise. Dropbox runs its production systems in data centers in the United States and says it may store and process data in other countries as well.

Google's terms name Google LLC of Mountain View, California, and are governed by California law unless local law requires otherwise. The privacy policy names Google Ireland Limited among the Google companies that provide consumer services in the EU. Google keeps servers around the world, and files may be processed outside your country.

Listed on Nasdaq under DBX. Drew Houston co-founded Dropbox in 2007 and is now co-CEO.

Google LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., whose shares trade on Nasdaq. Google Drive launched on 24 April 2012.

Earlier versions and deleted files can be restored for 30 days on Basic and Plus, 180 days on Standard and 365 days on Advanced. Google Docs, Paper docs and Office Online files are not covered.

An earlier version of a non-Google file may be deleted after 30 days or once there are 100 newer versions, unless you mark it Keep forever. Google Docs, Sheets and Slides keep their own version history. Files in the Trash are deleted after 30 days.