Dropbox vs iCloud

Dropbox

• Individuals who want 2 TB synced across Windows, Mac and Linux
• Teams that send large media files to clients
• Small teams that need team-owned folders and admin controls

iCloud

• People whose devices are mostly iPhone, iPad and Mac
• Automatic iPhone and iPad backups and photo libraries
• Families: any iCloud+ plan can be shared with up to five other people

Dropbox

• The free Basic plan includes only 2 GB of storage.
• The cheapest paid plan is Plus at 2 TB for one person; the plans page lists no smaller paid tier.
• End-to-end encryption, single sign-on and audit logs are limited to Advanced, which requires at least 3 users.
• Monthly billing costs more: $11.99 for Plus and $18 per user for Standard, against $9.99 and $15 on yearly billing.

iCloud

• The free tier is 5 GB, which has to cover device backups, photos and files together.
• Apple lists access through iPhone, iPad, Mac, the iCloud for Windows app and iCloud.com; no Android app is listed.
• End-to-end encryption for iCloud Drive, Photos and Backup applies only after turning on Advanced Data Protection, which is optional.
• Plans are priced per month only; the page lists no annual billing option.

Dropbox

Sync across devices

Files stay in sync between the desktop apps, the mobile apps and the web, and every paid plan allows an unlimited number of connected devices.

File recovery and version history

Deleted files and earlier versions can be restored for 30 days on Plus, 180 days on Standard and 1 year on Advanced.

Large file transfers

Send a copy of files by link: up to 50 GB per transfer on Plus and up to 100 GB on Standard and Advanced, where transfers can also be password protected.

PDF editing and signatures

Edit, annotate and sign PDFs inside Dropbox. The paid plans list unlimited self-signing and 3 signature requests per month.

Team folders and admin console

Standard adds team-owned folders, groups and an admin console. Advanced adds tiered admin roles, audit logs with file event tracking and single sign-on.

Connections to AI tools

Dropbox content can be connected to AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini to find and summarize files and save work back to Dropbox.

iCloud

iCloud Drive

Files and folders are reachable from the Files app on iOS and iPadOS, the Finder on a Mac, File Explorer on Windows PCs, or iCloud.com.

iCloud Photos

Keeps high-resolution photos and videos in iCloud with space-saving versions on each device. Shared Albums accept contributions from people on Android or Windows devices.

iCloud Backup

Data on an iPhone or iPad, including apps, is backed up automatically whenever the device is connected to power and Wi-Fi.

Sharing and collaboration

Share files, folders and documents by sending a link, control who can view, edit or share the work, and see edits appear as they are made.

iCloud+ privacy features

Paid plans add Private Relay for browsing in Safari, Hide My Email for random forwarding addresses, and a custom domain for iCloud Mail.

Advanced Data Protection

An optional setting that raises the number of end-to-end encrypted data categories to 25, including iCloud Backup, Photos, Notes and iCloud Drive.

Dropbox

• Basic$0

  2 GB to store and share files.

• Plus$9.99

  per month, billed yearly ($11.99 billed monthly)

  For 1 person: 2 TB of storage, 30 days to restore deleted files and transfers of up to 50 GB.

• Standard$15

  per user / month, billed yearly ($18 billed monthly)

  For 1 person or more: storage starts at 3 TB for the team, 180-day restore, 100 GB transfers, team folders and admin controls.

• Advanced$24

  per user / month, billed yearly ($30 billed monthly)

  For 3 people or more: storage starts at 15 TB, 1-year restore, end-to-end encryption, single sign-on and tiered admin roles.

• EnterpriseCustom

  Custom pricing with integrations for third-party security tools and live support from dedicated staff.

iCloud

• iCloud 5GB$0

  5 GB to back up data and keep it in sync across devices and iCloud.com.

• iCloud+ 50GB$0.99

  per month

  50 GB plus Private Relay, Hide My Email, Custom Email Domain and HomeKit Secure Video recordings for one camera.

• iCloud+ 200GB$2.99

  per month

  Everything in the 50GB plan, with 200 GB and HomeKit Secure Video recordings for five cameras.

• iCloud+ 2TB$9.99

  per month

  Everything in the 200GB plan, with 2 TB and HomeKit Secure Video recordings for unlimited cameras.

• iCloud+ 6TB$29.99

  per month

  Everything in the 2TB plan, with 6 TB of storage.

• iCloud+ 12TB$59.99

  per month

  Everything in the 6TB plan, with 12 TB of storage.

Dropbox

• Annual discount

  About 17% to 20% lower with yearly billing

  Billed yearly, Plus is $9.99 a month instead of $11.99, Standard is $15 per user instead of $18, and Advanced is $24 per user instead of $30.

iCloud

• Other savings

  Included in every Apple One bundle

  iCloud+ is part of all Apple One plans, which bundle it with up to five other Apple services. Apple lists Apple One at $21.95, $27.95 or $39.95 per month depending on the plan.