Dropbox vs Syncthing

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

Syncthing

• Syncing folders between your own computers without a cloud provider
• Privacy-minded users who want open source software
• Keeping a desktop in sync with a home server for backup

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.

Syncthing

• There is no cloud storage: files live only on your devices, and devices exchange data only when they are online at the same time.
• The Syncthing team says it has no plans to officially support iOS; a separate open source iOS app incorporates Syncthing.
• The base download is a command-line daemon with a web interface. Tray icons and file browser integration come from separate downloads.
• Support is through the community forum; commercial support is sold by a separate company, Kastelo.

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.

Syncthing

Continuous synchronization

Folders are kept in sync between two or more computers in real time. You can sync as many folders as you need, with other people or only between your own devices.

No central server

Data is never stored anywhere other than on your own computers, so there is no cloud account or third-party server holding the files.

Encrypted, authenticated connections

All communication is secured with TLS and perfect forward secrecy. Each device has a cryptographic certificate, and only devices you explicitly allow can connect.

Browser-based interface

Syncthing is configured and monitored through a responsive web interface served by the program and opened in a browser.

Works over LAN and Internet

Devices find each other by ID without IP addresses or advanced configuration. UPnP is used where available, and relays carry traffic when no direct connection is possible.

Open protocol and source

The sync protocol is a documented specification and all source code is public, with development and bug reports open for anyone to read.

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.

Syncthing

• SyncthingFree

  The full program for every supported operating system, with source code available on GitHub.

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.

Syncthing

No public discounts listed.