Introduction
It's no secret that cloud storage is the way of the future. From the ability to access your files from anywhere to automatic backup, there are plenty of reasons why you might want to use cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox. But what about security?
There are many similarities between these two services, but also some key differences. We'll start off by comparing the two services' basic features and costs before getting into their biggest difference: their security features. After that, we'll answer some common questions about this topic—like whether or not it's possible for someone else to hack into your account or see what you're storing on it. By the end of this article, you should have a better understanding of how secure each service really is so that you can decide which will work best for your needs!
Google Drive vs. Dropbox: A brief history
Both Dropbox and Google Drive are free online storage services. But that's where the similarities end. We did a deep dive on Google Drive recently, check it out Google Drive Backup and Sync: Everything You Need to Know.
Dropbox started out as a file syncing service for Mac users who wanted to share files between multiple computers. It later added support for Windows, Linux and iOS devices as well.
Google Drive is an all-in-one cloud storage solution that also comes with a word processor (docs), spreadsheet app (sheets) and presentation software (slides). You can also use these apps if you don't have an account — they're all built into Google Docs.
What are the security differences between Google Drive and Dropbox?
The answer to this question is a bit complicated. On the one hand, Google Drive has more security features than Dropbox, so it's safer than Dropbox in that sense. However, if you use the same password across multiple accounts (like most people), then it doesn't matter whether or not your files are stored in Google Drive or on someone else's computer—your information will still be vulnerable to hackers if they get hold of your account credentials (aka: your login information).
So what are some ways to keep yourself safe?
So, which cloud storage is safer?
As we covered above, the two cloud storage services have different security features and restrictions. Dropbox doesn't offer multifactor authentication but Google Drive does. However, Dropbox has its own unique set of features that makes it more than just a file-sharing service: you can share entire folders with other users, send messages to individuals or groups of people (and receive notifications when they respond), and even create custom emoji reactions for your files. While these may be small details in the grand scheme of things, they're still helpful for getting work done quickly without having to leave the app or website you're using at hand.
Dropbox is also cheaper than Google Drive at $10 per month for their 1TB plan—or $100 per year if paid monthly—while Google Drive starts off at an annual fee of $120 per year ($11/month). This means that over time Dropbox will cost less than Google Drive since you'll pay less each year on average when using their services instead of paying upfront for 2TB worth of space like on G Suite's unlimited plan (which costs $30/month).
Conclusion
Both Google Drive and Dropbox are very secure. They both use encryption and each has its own strengths and weaknesses. If you’re concerned about privacy, you should probably go with Google Drive because it doesn’t share user data with third parties. However, if you want a little more control over your files (and less reliance on others), then Dropbox might be a better option for you.
