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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Dropbox vs Box

Dropbox 4.8★ · Free + IAP 75
Winner Dropbox
Box 4.8★ · Free + IAP 70

For general cloud storage and ease of use, Dropbox has a slight edge, but Box is a strong contender, especially for business use cases requiring secure sharing.

Full reviews: Dropbox · Box

Dropbox and Box both offer cloud storage, but Dropbox is generally praised for its reliability and ease of use for personal files, while Box is often used in business settings for secure sharing. Recent updates have caused usability issues for both apps, particularly on mobile.

Head to head

Features & Functionality tieR3R5R6R9
Dropbox Dropbox users appreciate its ability to store and sync files across devices, and many have used it for years to keep important photos and documents safe R5R11. However, some users report difficulty with file organization, especially rearranging files R3, and issues with deleting items from the app R6. There are also complaints about PDF viewing on iPad R9 and sharing links not working properly or forcing others to download the app . Some users find the interface confusing and not straightforward R21R27R30.
Box Box is valued for storing and retrieving files on the fly and for organizing music files R77. It's also highlighted for secure sharing with third parties and clients R65. Developers appreciate its ability to edit .txt or code files . However, users report significant issues with the app's camera for taking photos , difficulty uploading files , and problems with offline mode reliability . Some users also wish for more options for sharing and downloading files directly within the app .
Ease of Use & Interface edge: DropboxR11R12R21R26
Dropbox Many Dropbox users find it easy to use and navigate R11R26. However, some recent updates have introduced glitches, like failed photo/video downloads R12 and issues with the share link screen being cut off on iPhone R31. The interface can be awkward on iPad, making navigation difficult R30, and some users are confused by the many options R21.
Box Box is generally considered easy to use for basic storage and retrieval R77. However, recent updates have made the app clunky and less user-friendly, with larger fonts and icons reducing space for full file names . Users report issues with navigating folder structures , files not appearing on the first attempt , and the app frequently logging them out .
Reliability & Performance edge: DropboxR7R10R12R15
Dropbox Dropbox is often praised for being reliable and keeping files safe . However, some users have experienced significant issues, including files being deleted without consent after downgrading from a paid account R7R15R46. There are also reports of sync failures R10R12, the app being a 'memory hog' , and general unreliability, especially for business use R28. Some users also report basic functions failing, like the text editor erasing unsaved work .
Box Box is generally considered reliable for data storage . However, numerous users report the app being very slow to load files and folders R66. Frequent crashing is also a common complaint . Some users have experienced files being erased or not syncing properly, leading to data loss R81.
Price & Value tieR4R5R6R13
Dropbox Dropbox offers a free tier, which many users appreciate R5. However, there are significant complaints about the cost of additional storage, with users feeling it's too expensive R13. Some free users are frustrated by constant pop-up warnings about being full R6 and unwanted messages after downgrading R4. There are also reports of being forced into team plans for more storage as a single user .
Box Box also offers a free tier, with one user mentioning 10 GB of storage . A long-term user was even granted 50 GB of lifetime storage . However, some users feel there are less expensive platforms available . One long-term customer reported a 3x price increase and broken billing . Box is praised for being ad-free .
Customer Support edge: DropboxR2R25R40R46
Dropbox Dropbox receives praise for helpful support in restoring accounts R2 and patient phone conversations . However, there are strong complaints about the lack of human support, with users only getting robots R25R40.
Box Box receives negative feedback regarding its customer service, with users calling it 'horrible' . One user mentioned that the AI couldn't resolve their issue R46.
Pick Dropbox if

Pick Dropbox if you need a generally reliable and easy-to-use cloud storage solution for personal files, especially if you value responsive customer support for account issues R2. It's also a good choice if you've been using it for years and appreciate its consistency R5.

Pick Box if

Pick Box if you need secure file sharing, particularly for business or with clients R65. It's also a good option if you appreciate an ad-free experience and need to edit text or code files directly .

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of negative recent reviews, often related to mobile app performance, updates, and pricing/storage issues. For Dropbox, the issue of files being deleted after downgrading or without consent is a recurring, severe complaint R7R15R46. For Box, slowness, crashing, and login issues are frequently mentioned R66. The free vs. paid asymmetry is evident, with many negative reviews for both apps stemming from free-tier limitations or frustrations after downgrading from paid plans.

Frequently asked

Do Dropbox or Box delete my files if I stop paying?
Dropbox users have reported that their personal family photos and videos were deleted without consent after they downgraded to a free account or stopped paying for storage R7R15R46. Box users have also reported files being erased or not syncing, leading to data loss R81.
Are Dropbox and Box good for business use?
Dropbox is used by some businesses, but some users find it unreliable for business purposes R28 and have trouble sharing files with clients who get messages about buying more storage R27. Box is highly recommended for business use, especially for secure client sharing R65 and organizing work files R77, though its mobile app can be clunky for work tasks .
Are there issues with the mobile apps for Dropbox and Box?
Yes, both apps have reported issues on mobile. Dropbox users experience awkward navigation on iPad R30, cut-off share link screens on iPhone R31, and camera upload disappointments R57. Box users report the iOS app being ridiculously slow R66, frequent crashing , issues with the built-in camera , and difficulty uploading files from the app .

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R3] Dropbox 3/5 · US Mostly good: Nice for access to files but difficult to rearrange filed
  2. [R5] Dropbox 5/5 · US After all these years: Awesome and free. Forgot I had it TBH. Found 13 year old pix from an old trip to Europe.
  3. [R6] Dropbox 3/5 · US Delete items: Need to be able to deleted from the app. Instead in constantly gives you pop up warnings that it’s full. If you want to make space you have to go to the website and manually delete/empty trash.
  4. [R9] Dropbox 3/5 · US PDF cannot be viewed online: When using the app, PDF files show blank pages when viewed from iPad.
  5. [R11] Dropbox 5/5 · US Wonderful tool!: I love using Dropbox to give me access to favorite files on multiple devices. It is easy to use and simplifies my life!
  6. [R12] Dropbox 3/5 · US Recent update glitch: I like the app but ever since their recent update I been getting a notification stating that my photos/videos failed to download onto the app. I made sure I have the latest version of the app and I have space within my account but this issue still continues. Yall need to put a new update out or something for this issue.
  7. [R21] Dropbox 3/5 · US Confused: Having trouble trying to figure it out. It’s not straight forward and I need things spelled out. There are so many different options and there’re not self explanatory, therefore, I’m hesitant to “touch” anything. Long story short, I’m not tech savvy.
  8. [R26] Dropbox 5/5 · US God or whoever your higher power is bless you: I love you thank you so much for everything you do you make it so fun and easy to send things to friends back-and-forth back-and-forth back-and-forth back-and-forth back-and-forth back-and-forth back-and-forth. I love it and I love you and everyone who works in your building.
  9. [R7] Dropbox 1/5 · US Beware: For the longest time, Dropbox never deleted anything of mine. The only time you had to purchase the storage was if you wanted to add more photos and videos. Not to keep your original photos and videos from being deleted. Without my consent, they deleted a lot of of my personal family photos and videos. Stay away from this scam company
  10. [R10] Dropbox 1/5 · US Can’t synch: Boo
  11. [R15] Dropbox 3/5 · US Wow deleting important photos of mine because I decided after several years of paying for your stora: So not cool of you Dropbox to DELETE my photos from several years including pictures of my nieces as babies, me holding them as babies, and my now dead grandmas 90th birthday! Why are you deleting my photos and files when I am not even synching anything new to yo yr app?! Oh you want money from me
  12. [R4] Dropbox 1/5 · US Dissatisfied: After years of paying for an account my storage needs changed and I downgraded to a free account. I frequently received unwanted messages on my laptop and texts. This has turned me off toward this app and even if I again needed storage needs I would not choose Dropbox.
  13. [R13] Dropbox 2/5 · US Too much rent for more cloud: Why does more memory cost so much money. Is there some Angel at the edge of tge cloud charging you a tariff and you pass it on with your own cost. How much is it costing you to keep my information in your cloud. Probably less then two dollars. Can’t you be more fair, especially to people with a fixed income who can’t or don’t delete!
  14. [R2] Dropbox 5/5 · US Thank you!: I lost access to my old email address and Dropbox helped me restore my account, had to answer questions and I’m so appreciative of their support in the process. Thank you!
  15. [R25] Dropbox 1/5 · US Humans need human support: Having absolutely no way to talk to a live support tech will be the downfall of platforms like this!
  16. [R40] Dropbox 2/5 · US Support I’m paying for is just not there. All I get is a robot.: It does what it’s supposed to do. And they’ve added so much stuff I don’t care about and can’t escape that I’ve had enough. All sorts of unnecessary, for me, features. I want to store synced files and share them. That’s it. But it sings, dances, cooks, drives. I don’t care. My plan included support. Apparently they were kidding. Ther
  17. [R46] Dropbox 1/5 · US Estafado: La aplicación más inservible de todas . Pagué, metí fotos, cerré sesión y desapareció todo. La Ia no me puede resolver. Si, los archivos ya habían terminado de cargar. No pongan cosas importantes aca
  18. [R81] Box 3/5 · US Not syncing !: I almost lost my years videos because application is not syncing! It just give errors for offline videos It seems like no one is fixing the issue
  19. [R27] Dropbox 3/5 · US Interface issues: I’m often unsure of where I am and where my files are in relation to where I am. The Dropbox interface could be clearer in this respect. Also, we’ve had trouble sharing files either clients who have their own Dropbox account. They get a message about buying more storage. This is problematic and we have to switch to another sharing platform.
  20. [R28] Dropbox 1/5 · US There has to be a better product: Use it for our business, it is very unreliable.
  21. [R65] Box 5/5 · US Amazing for use with OpenClaw: Great working with openclaw as file system allows you to share documents via openclaw with 3rd parties in controlled manner.
  22. [R77] Box 5/5 · US Great App: Box is the best for storing and retrieving files on the fly ✊🏾😎 I’m a freelance musician… I play in about 12 bands plus I get a lot of referrals… this app keeps me well organized when mp3s and pdfs starts piling up 😅
  23. [R30] Dropbox 3/5 · US Awkward interface on iPad: I find Dropbox is awkward to navigate on my iPad. I want to see a top level directory of folders, just like on my Mac desktop version of Dropbox. Instead, I have to fumble around to eventually reach that level. It’s very annoying and makes searching for projects to present in person very frustrating.
  24. [R31] Dropbox 1/5 · US Share link screen broken: You can’t see the text for the share link screen properly on iPhone. Half the options are cut off.
  25. [R57] Dropbox 3/5 · GB Camera upload disappointment: I’ve been using Dropbox for well over a decade now and love how it keeps all my files backed up, synchronised and secure for desktop and laptop use. However, when it comes to iOS (iPhone) backups it fails horrendously. The simple task of camera uploads, which in theory should be automated, doesn’t even work when I have the app open. It’s truly a pain and such a big
  26. [R66] Box 3/5 · US If only the iOS app was not ridiculously slow…: If only the iOS app was not ridiculously slow, Box would be the absolute best. Please fix this

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store