Apple iCloud vs. Dropbox

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Apple iCloud
Score 8.5 out of 10
N/A
Apple iCloud is a document management software offering from Apple. It includes features such as access to music, photos, calendars, contacts, and documents, and it is built into every new iOS device.
$0.99
per month
Dropbox
Score 8.2 out of 10
N/A
Dropbox is a cloud storage solution, equipped with features that help users to save time, improve productivity, and collaborate with others. Users can edit PDFs, share videos, sign documents, and collaborate with stakeholders without leaving Dropbox.
$9.99
per month
Pricing
Apple iCloudDropbox
Editions & Modules
50GB
$0.99
per month
200GB
$2.99
per month
2TB
$9.99
per month
Plus
$9.99
per month
Essentials
$18
per month
Business
$20
per month per user
Business Plus
$26
per month per user
Basic
Free
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Apple iCloudDropbox
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Apple iCloudDropbox
Considered Both Products
Apple iCloud
Chose Apple iCloud
Apple iCloud allows to track devices when lost and uses end-to-end encryption for data such as iMessages of Health data. It also includes features of shared albums to optimize storage and can access these items through any Apple device in a quick and efficient way.
Chose Apple iCloud
Egnyte was a good system, but there were two things that I didn't like. One, once your data was in their server, it was in their server. It came across as you did not have control or even ownership of it anymore - plus you had to maintain the payments to them, or it was all …
Chose Apple iCloud
Dropbox is more universal but has a higher price point that Apple iCloud and google while mid price point offers more options in software that allows for file editing and sharing directly in the document. Apple iCloud does not have that on offer. Apple iCloud is the lowest …
Chose Apple iCloud
Nowadays local storage are having a lot of bottleneck and upgrading process require time and money, iCloud are one of the safest and most secure platforms, its End User License Policy is in favor of customer and reliability. Apple iCloud collaboratively works with iOS and macOS …
Chose Apple iCloud
Google Drive is similar to Apple iCloud, but since I prefer Apple products and have operated within the Apple ecosystem for many years, I use iCloud. Some clients who don't use Apple share documents with me in Google Drive so I have experience with the product, but I prefer …
Chose Apple iCloud
Dropbox is the king of cloud environments, and where Apple iCloud should go to. I have tried others but don't even remember their names now. We have our own personal cloud as well. I have used cloud environments since 2007 and would love to see Apple iCloud step up to a full …
Chose Apple iCloud
While I have to use Dropbox on occasion, I greatly prefer to use iCloud for file sharing. I also have used Google's Apps, and because I'm a Mac/iPhone user, iCloud has more easily fit into the normal routine of what I'm already doing and using. Dropbox has some minor features …
Chose Apple iCloud
Apple iCloud is specially made for iOS devices. Nothing and no one will ever be able to service an Apple product's needs better than Apple themselves. The Apple iCloud software is designed specifically for iOS devices, ease of use, and mindless security for automatic backups. …
Chose Apple iCloud
The basic premise among these is the same. Where Apple iCloud stands apart for our team is that there is not a separate app to be downloaded to access these features on most phones or tablets (most of our staff has iPhones, and we provide iPads). This allows everyone to obtain …
Chose Apple iCloud
The security and functionality of iCloud beats out any other products I've tried. While two-factor authentication is available elsewhere, Apple seems to take security a step further with notifications across all devices. In addition, the pricing is right - the low cost of 1TB …
Chose Apple iCloud
We have found that Google Backup & Sync and Apple iCloud between them have all the bases covered. While Google is excellent for many things, as an Apple-centric environment, we utilize both systems. Between them, we have been able to reduce our expensive on-prem file storage …
Chose Apple iCloud
Overall, iCloud performs quite well against some of its larger competitors. In my opinion, iCloud may be better suited for personal and social sharing compared to business cloud platforms like OneDrive and Google Drive. iCloud is incredibly strong if your organization is fully …
Chose Apple iCloud
Did not evaluate other products like Apple iCloud....
Chose Apple iCloud
Amazon AWS interface is clunky and too unintuitive for me. It's like going from a Mac to a Windows machine. YUCK. I realize that Apple iCloud is really just relying on Amazon AWS servers for data storage but it's so much nicer to work with the Apple interface for my daily data …
Chose Apple iCloud
They are different platforms but both reliable and easily used by those who need to access and use it. I am a happy customer for both Apple iCloud and Boomr and would highly recommend them to anyone who is looking to use and purchase something to give them the reassurance and …
Chose Apple iCloud
One Drive can allow users to collaborate in realtime and rare crashes on documents. The storage is very generous, and pricing for business, especially non-profits, is fair. One Drive also allows for better photo storage for us as a school. We can keep yearbook items and also …
Chose Apple iCloud
Already a part of the Apple ecosystem, so if it suits our needs, we will use it. We have a Department shared Dropbox account specifically for sharing large projects with vendors, so Apple iCloud is for lighter internal projects such as shared spreadsheets for project …
Chose Apple iCloud
Apple iCloud is extremely similar to Google Drive. You’re able to access files from anywhere, even a PC, without needing to be on the device where the file was originally created.
Chose Apple iCloud
iCloud is probably the best option for someone who uses primarily Apple devices and services. If you are multi-platform in your technology use I would make sure you test out the free version of iCloud before you make the switch, Apple likes to play nice with Apple, which means …
Chose Apple iCloud
Google Drive is still my primary repository - I use iCloud as a secondary. This is primarily due to the issues noted with iCloud.com.
Chose Apple iCloud
While the others are superior for file sharing with other people or teams, they aren't part of the Apple ecosystem and as such don't provide the core functionally that iCloud provides of in-app integration.
Chose Apple iCloud
Unlike other solutions, iCloud automatically backs up data without the user needing to download an additional application. Additionally, iCloud is the only application to keep and manage iPhone backups. Lastly, iCloud's pricing options are much more favorable than the other …
Chose Apple iCloud
I selected Apple icloud mainly because it is the best for using with pesky apple file types, but overall it does a pretty poor job against competitors. It is more expensive, offers less storage, and is much more difficult to use. I'd stick to an alternative program if it were …
Chose Apple iCloud
A major dislike is the limited free space. I love how Google Drive allows photos at a certain size to be free.
Chose Apple iCloud
Initially, I was using Google Drive and I was completely satisfied with its services. But after sometimes when I upgraded my mobile device and computer system to Mac OS and iOS, I shifted to iCloud because iCloud works flawlessly in the Apple ecosystem and It also provides a …
Dropbox
Chose Dropbox
Google drive's privacy is like way worse.
Chose Dropbox
Dropbox is more user friendly for file storage when you want to open and make notes on pdf etc.
Chose Dropbox
I think Dropbox is better and also better priced. They are quite different to what Dropbox is used for but I do use we transfer once in a while when people don't have access or an account with Dropbox
Chose Dropbox
I like to use OneDrive for photos/log-term storage. It gives me more storage space but seems to take longer to sync than Dropbox. That's why I use Dropbox for file sharing, current work, and photos that I'm using at this moment. I had Dropbox first because I had the free …
Chose Dropbox
Reliability, precise and seamless synchronisation are the top features that make Dropbox my preferred choice.
Chose Dropbox
Dropbox has been around for quite some time and I feel like it's a pretty trustworthy and long lasting platform. I'm thankful that I still have files saved over the past 10 years that are easily accessible to me.
Chose Dropbox
I use Google Drive for personal projects (although frankly, I have a personal account on Dropbox too). I don't think I'd ever use Google Drive for a professional project.
Chose Dropbox
It is good, but sometimes I just feel good about using the apple product since I have the iphone and imac. But whenever I use Dropbox I am reminded that I could do everything I am doing there within Dropbox and that I typically feel more comfortable that my files are safe.
Chose Dropbox
Dropbox is somehow easier to use, it is lighter and faster. Also the UX is more understandable and clear to me. I used Google Drive because it was a standard with one of my clients... But I really didn't like it. I truly hope, I will not be forced to use it again.
Chose Dropbox
Dropbox provides a much larger amount of storage, a wide range of file acceptance, and a more direct integration into our devices. Although Google Drive is useful, it has too many limitations for our business to use in the quantity and quality we want. Google Drive also mostly …
Chose Dropbox
Dropbox is strong in terms of navigability and storage. However, Google Drives proves stronger for collaborating on live documents
Chose Dropbox
sharepoint does not connect with file explorer like Dropbox does. it is more difficult to work on files in sharepoint as well as you edit them in the browser, rather than through another application. for example: on sharepoint, an excel spreadsheet can only be edited through …
Chose Dropbox
Compares well. The two work very similarly on my MacOS latop, but I feel Dropbox has the edge on mobile devices. Google Drive web interface seems more intuitive and it's easier to share files and links to files. Both are comparable with price and storage options. Would be good …
Chose Dropbox
I like the Dropbox because it’s convenient and Photo Booth should be added. My Photo Booth is free right now and I wish Dropbox was free because this is a little too expensive. I feel like the price is a little too outstanding I wish they would lower it because this don’t make …
Chose Dropbox
I started on Dropbox before any of these. I hate OneDrive as it constantly crashes. Google Drive enables collaboration simultaneously, as does Teams, but the limited formatting options in Google's version of Word drives me nuts. With Teams - because I didn't create the files …
Chose Dropbox
You can create an account easily and begin storing files but an account is not required in order to access them the way it is on some of these other programs. Also, any type of file can be easily stored and downloaded to a device with Dropbox, but some of these attempt to …
Chose Dropbox
The above products have good features but have some functionality missing in each of them. In comparison, Dropbox has all of them included in it which is very helpful.
Chose Dropbox
It is [...] easy to navigate. You don't have a learning curve with Drive. I selected Dropbox because I did not select Dropbox. It is my organization's native cloud storage so I had to deal with it. I am not mad, also not disappointed, but also not happy.
Chose Dropbox
A bit less integrated than iCloud or OneDrive, but the company has focused on this aspect since day one. I have always used it and trust it.
Features
Apple iCloudDropbox
File Sharing & Management
Comparison of File Sharing & Management features of Product A and Product B
Apple iCloud
8.4
Ratings
0% below category average
Dropbox
7.8
Ratings
7% below category average
Versioning8.70 Ratings7.50 Ratings
Video files9.30 Ratings7.80 Ratings
Audio files9.30 Ratings7.90 Ratings
Document collaboration7.10 Ratings7.70 Ratings
Access control7.70 Ratings7.80 Ratings
File search8.50 Ratings7.60 Ratings
Device sync8.50 Ratings8.10 Ratings
Cloud Storage Security & Administration
Comparison of Cloud Storage Security & Administration features of Product A and Product B
Apple iCloud
7.5
Ratings
15% below category average
Dropbox
7.9
Ratings
9% below category average
User and role management6.90 Ratings7.80 Ratings
File organization8.20 Ratings8.10 Ratings
Device management7.30 Ratings7.90 Ratings
Cloud Storage Platform
Comparison of Cloud Storage Platform features of Product A and Product B
Apple iCloud
7.1
Ratings
18% below category average
Dropbox
8.0
Ratings
6% below category average
Performance7.20 Ratings7.50 Ratings
Reliability8.10 Ratings8.30 Ratings
Storage Reports6.10 Ratings8.20 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Apple iCloudDropbox
Small Businesses
SugarSync
SugarSync
Score 5.8 out of 10
SugarSync
SugarSync
Score 5.8 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Druva Security Cloud
Druva Security Cloud
Score 9.7 out of 10
Druva Security Cloud
Druva Security Cloud
Score 9.7 out of 10
Enterprises
Druva Security Cloud
Druva Security Cloud
Score 9.7 out of 10
Druva Security Cloud
Druva Security Cloud
Score 9.7 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Apple iCloudDropbox
Likelihood to Recommend
9.1
(0 ratings)
8.0
(0 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
10.0
(0 ratings)
6.7
(0 ratings)
Usability
8.5
(0 ratings)
7.5
(0 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
6.7
(0 ratings)
Performance
8.2
(0 ratings)
6.0
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
7.5
(0 ratings)
7.4
(0 ratings)
Online Training
-
(0 ratings)
8.2
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
7.5
(0 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
6.4
(0 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
6.6
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Apple iCloudDropbox
Likelihood to Recommend
iCloud is also great to keep access to photos synced across devices. Ex: I can snap a photo at a job site and have access to that photo on my desktop when I return to my office. I can then drop the photo into a document that is stored in iCloud and have instant access to that document on my iPad at a client's office later in the day. Seamless transitions make life much easier.
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Dropbox is great for everyone. Data on a hard drive is no longer secure. Learned the hard way when a hard drive fried. It's great for families, students, artists, entrepreneurs, consultants, small businesses, startups, graphic designers, and photographers. Did I leave anyone out?
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Pros
  • Syncing files, appointments, Notes and contacts. If I'm away from home, and set an appointment using my phone, that appointment automatically updates real time to my home laptop and vice-versa.
  • It stores files (e.g photos) nicely
  • Once it's set up, it's fairly easy to use.
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  • Ensures documents are up to date, even with multiple users accessing the same documents.
  • I love that if a team member accidentally deletes a file, I can find it and restore it.
  • I like that I can edit from the web or have the app downloaded.
Read full review
Cons
  • Customization - iCloud is great at the stuff it does well. But it lacks features that some competitors (in Google Drive or Dropbox) do really well. API support for third-party apps is really great for some other people.
  • Remote use - Managing or accessing information from iCloud while not on one of your logged-in apple devices can sometimes be an issue. From a work computer for example. It doable, but the experience is much less user-friendly.
  • Ability to edit documents on the cloud similar to google docs or some other competitors
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  • I’d like to be able to hover over an image/document and have it expand/enlarge without actually opening it
  • I’d love to see a carousel that lets me thumb through more quickly
  • I’m almost always in thumbnail view. I’d like to see them re-organize automatically when something is moved or deleted instead of leaving an empty space.
  • AI options for photo editing.
  • Easier pdf markups
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Likelihood to Renew
It's so seamless that I can't imagine another product doing a better job synchronizing all of my devices. I simply do not think about it at all. Everything happens behind the scenes and I'm confident that Apple keeps my data safe and secure. I'm a happy customer as far as this is concerned. I have not had a bad experience with this service.
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Even though it has its shortcomings, Dropbox is an exceptionally useful product for simple file sharing. It’s intelligent design and user-friendly interface have continued to facilitate project completion. However, as we expand, we will probably look to other solutions for storage and sharing as we undertake larger and more intensely collaborative projects
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Usability
While it may be great to use with other Apple products, I find it's an absolutist-style workflow to be debilitating and to lead to many problems. When you sign into the cloud, it completely takes over your device in many ways that you don't notice at first until there is a problem.
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It works extremely well, and we have never had any issues with connecting or sharing files. It's very easy to use, and any team member can share, add, and delete files to a virtual drive. This is extremely helpful, and it's an amazing tool to use, ensuring everyone can connect and work together effectively.
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Performance
Occasionally, large files that haven't yet been synced require a few minutes to pull down but I've rarely noticed delays. It does a good job of keeping data cached on my local machines while updating them with changes from other machines transparently.
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Dropbox is really useful, you can access any file from anywhere and you can upload and even edit files online, but, sometimes it can be slow. Downloading, uploading, and syncing is a bit slow, it can take several minutes. Furthermore, the search engine for large amounts of data can be slow too and it is not powerful.
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Support Rating
I never used Apple iCloud support, but have never needed to do so. It has become more of a personal issue with computers in my organization, where the business solution has been with Dropbox. I do have to admit when my Mac went down, having things on Apple iCloud did help to get things restored. However, since I had more than one photo file for my Business and Personal data, I was not able to recover my Business Photos. Apple iCloud should have been able to do this.
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They immediately responded like in an example that I gave where one of our staff members accidentally deleted the whole Special Hope Network Dropbox, we immediately contacted Dropbox they walked us through the steps of how to retrieve the information and luckily enough we were able to retrieve the entire Dropbox and we have had back and forth with Dropbox on what to do when an employee leaves how to remove them how to add another employee.
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Online Training
No answers on this topic
I did not personally take any training for Dropbox so I am self taught but I know when our Vice President selected Dropbox, he personally did do some training modules on it and I'm assuming it was very easy and simple to understand since he now acts like he is a pro at it!
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Implementation Rating
No answers on this topic
I needed to stay current in improving my daily operations. Dropbox
was suggested to me by a former colleague two-years ago and I've been using it just fine ever since.
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Alternatives Considered
As I have mentioned, the seamless integration across Apple's ecosystem is what keeps us using this product. However, the robust value of the Microsoft 365 Business Premium suite and functionality of their AI companion - Copilot - makes it superior at an organization level. The same could be said for Google AI (Gemini) as well as their cloud services like Drive.
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I prefer the layout and visual aspect of Dropbox as it mirrors my files on my computer. I feel that I am more organized, and it's easier to find my files in Dropbox than it was with Google Drive.
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Scalability
No answers on this topic
bc i think box.com is better and more affordable
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Return on Investment
  • The ability to access saved content across devices no matter where I am located reduces missed opportunities to share and collaborate.
  • The version history has allowed my team to re-visit previous renditions when errors occur - saving valuable time determining the root cause.
  • The cloud reduces the number of physical documents one must remember when traveling for work.
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  • I access my Dropbox account from anywhere—any computer, my smartphone —is very accessible while still secure.
  • I would like it to be more editable with existing projects. This could be just me.
  • I would like it to integrate better with other systems, such as email and Office.
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ScreenShots

Dropbox Screenshots

Screenshot of the action bar, that sits across the browser page can be used to record the screen, edit PDFs, upload files, create folders, get signatures, or send and track documents.Screenshot of Dropbox Replay, that lets collaborators leave frame-accurate feedback and markups directly on project files.Screenshot of Dropbox Capture, which can be used to take screen recordings, screenshots, and GIFs with one click and share them with a link.Screenshot of the interface where Dropbox lets users upload, edit, send, and sign PDFs in one place.