Yet another Google Drive vs Dropbox question
August 30, 2020 3:33 PM Subscribe
I use both GDrive and Dropbox. I've reached that point where I want to use one for work only and the other for personal stuff only (or should I just chuck one out completely?). Done my research, watched various YouTube videos on this, but my problem is I still can't make a decision. It's 2020—can you share your experience on how you use these two cloud services? Maybe that'll trigger me to finally make a move.
Some details:
1. Mac user (laptop and desktop) and often work interchangeably, so I need things to sync fast, where Dropbox wins.
2. Paid user (100GB on Google Drive, 2TB on Dropbox) so the usual argument about free storage doesn't apply to me.
3. Syncs both to Finder because I like looking at files without having to open a browser.
4. I love using Google Docs and Google Sheets for almost everything, and have been thinking about converting all my files to these formats. The only thing stopping me is that right now, QuickLook (when you preview a file in Finder by choosing a file and pressing the space bar) doesn't work on Google Docs and Sheets files because basically they're just a link. So I still have to go open a browser to preview a file. Not a deal-breaker but a bit inconvenient sigh.
5. I like that I can see on Google Drive who last accessed the file (when shared with others), if it was just edited or shared, etc.
6. Also like that document history is automatically saved on Docs and Sheets and can even revert to an earlier saved version.
7. Saw that I can actually make Google Docs and Sheets inside Dropbox—the problem is it only stays there, can't be moved/won't appear in Google Drive (? not sure yet, and not sure if it is going to be an issue).
8. I also think about security, who has access to shared files, how to remove them securely, etc.
9. For work, I deal a lot with images and illustrations. Use Photoshop and Illustrator almost every day. Also a big user of MS OneNote which right now syncs in Dropbox. Very much love anything that integrates with Trello and IFTTT and Fantastical.
10. Use and pay for Grammarly, which is integrated in Google Docs.
11. Often access via mobile app.
12. Dropbox now has a desktop app which looks promising.
Ugh I'm tearing my hair out. I need to decide. Thank you in advance, hivemind.
Some details:
1. Mac user (laptop and desktop) and often work interchangeably, so I need things to sync fast, where Dropbox wins.
2. Paid user (100GB on Google Drive, 2TB on Dropbox) so the usual argument about free storage doesn't apply to me.
3. Syncs both to Finder because I like looking at files without having to open a browser.
4. I love using Google Docs and Google Sheets for almost everything, and have been thinking about converting all my files to these formats. The only thing stopping me is that right now, QuickLook (when you preview a file in Finder by choosing a file and pressing the space bar) doesn't work on Google Docs and Sheets files because basically they're just a link. So I still have to go open a browser to preview a file. Not a deal-breaker but a bit inconvenient sigh.
5. I like that I can see on Google Drive who last accessed the file (when shared with others), if it was just edited or shared, etc.
6. Also like that document history is automatically saved on Docs and Sheets and can even revert to an earlier saved version.
7. Saw that I can actually make Google Docs and Sheets inside Dropbox—the problem is it only stays there, can't be moved/won't appear in Google Drive (? not sure yet, and not sure if it is going to be an issue).
8. I also think about security, who has access to shared files, how to remove them securely, etc.
9. For work, I deal a lot with images and illustrations. Use Photoshop and Illustrator almost every day. Also a big user of MS OneNote which right now syncs in Dropbox. Very much love anything that integrates with Trello and IFTTT and Fantastical.
10. Use and pay for Grammarly, which is integrated in Google Docs.
11. Often access via mobile app.
12. Dropbox now has a desktop app which looks promising.
Ugh I'm tearing my hair out. I need to decide. Thank you in advance, hivemind.
I’ve used both; I occasionally get people who say they have trouble accessing Dropbox but I’ve never had anyone tell me they couldn’t access my files on Google. Also, more people have an existing Google account. If I had to share work stuff with lots of different people outside my organization I’d probably use Google.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 7:44 PM on August 30, 2020
posted by The Underpants Monster at 7:44 PM on August 30, 2020
I deal a lot with images and illustrations.
There is no Google product I would rely on for this; your 8 and 9 would push me towards Dropbox. I use both for different things, but Drive is next to useless for multimedia/programming.
posted by aspersioncast at 7:59 PM on August 30, 2020
There is no Google product I would rely on for this; your 8 and 9 would push me towards Dropbox. I use both for different things, but Drive is next to useless for multimedia/programming.
posted by aspersioncast at 7:59 PM on August 30, 2020
I use Dropbox with Truecrypt. I have a number of Truecrypt archives in my Dropbox, containing notes and other files related to various projects of mine. When I'm done working and want to make sure my files are both secure and easily accessible to me, even if I switch machines, I just close the files and dismount the Truecrypt archive(s) they're in. The files instantly become inaccessible on that machine (but are still there in encrypted form). And Dropbox syncs the updated archive to the cloud within seconds.
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 12:16 AM on August 31, 2020
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 12:16 AM on August 31, 2020
You do sound like you like Google Drive better (with some minor hiccups, like QuickLook). But I agree with the above posters about file security and issues with how it handle image files.
So why not try using Google Drive for your personal stuff and Dropbox for your work stuff? Call it a trial period, give it three months, and see how you like it. The nice thing about moving digital files around is that it's very easy to move them to your new storage option if you do change your mind.
(for context: I also use both Dropbox and Google Drive for personal and work reasons on a Mac. My use case is different but I have differentiated how I use them: Google Drive has a personal folder and a work folder and ne'er the twain shall meet; Dropbox just has work stuff because it's for secure file transfer).
posted by librarylis at 12:00 PM on September 1, 2020
So why not try using Google Drive for your personal stuff and Dropbox for your work stuff? Call it a trial period, give it three months, and see how you like it. The nice thing about moving digital files around is that it's very easy to move them to your new storage option if you do change your mind.
(for context: I also use both Dropbox and Google Drive for personal and work reasons on a Mac. My use case is different but I have differentiated how I use them: Google Drive has a personal folder and a work folder and ne'er the twain shall meet; Dropbox just has work stuff because it's for secure file transfer).
posted by librarylis at 12:00 PM on September 1, 2020
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by rw at 4:40 PM on August 30, 2020