Dropbox vs Microsoft OneDrive
Cloud Storage comparison: specs, VersusAnything Score, key differences and a clear recommendation.
Dropbox and Microsoft OneDrive are two of the most cross-shopped cloud storage services right now, and the gap between them is narrower in some rows and wider in others than the marketing suggests. Dropbox pioneered desktop sync and still has the most reliable sync engine, plus Dropbox Transfer and Sign, but gives only 2 GB free. OneDrive is built into Windows and bundled with Microsoft 365, so 1 TB often comes free with Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Quick verdict
On the VersusAnything Score, Dropbox finishes ahead, 33 to 28. It is the better buy for professionals who need rock-solid sync across Windows, Mac and Linux; for Microsoft 365 subscribers who get the storage as part of the deal, OneDrive still makes more sense.
VersusAnything Score
Scores are calculated from measurable specifications normalised within the cloud storage category and weighted by the factors above. Text-only rows (such as chipset or operating system) are explained but not scored. How the score works.
Side-by-side overview
Dropbox
Dropbox pioneered desktop sync and still has the most reliable sync engine, plus Dropbox Transfer and Sign, but gives only 2 GB free.
Best for professionals who need rock-solid sync across Windows, Mac and Linux
Microsoft OneDrive
OneDrive is built into Windows and bundled with Microsoft 365, so 1 TB often comes free with Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Best for Microsoft 365 subscribers who get the storage as part of the deal
Key differences
- Popular paid plan: Dropbox 2 TB for $11.99/month (Plus) vs OneDrive 1 TB with Microsoft 365 Personal, $9.99/month — a preference, not a scored win
- End-to-end encryption: Dropbox No (encrypted at rest and in transit) vs OneDrive No (Personal Vault adds extra protection) — a preference, not a scored win
- Version history: Dropbox 30 days (180 on Professional) vs OneDrive 25 versions — a preference, not a scored win
- Office suite integration: Dropbox Microsoft 365 and Google Docs integration vs OneDrive Word, Excel, PowerPoint (full desktop apps with 365) — a preference, not a scored win
- Platforms: Dropbox Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS vs OneDrive Web, Windows, macOS, Android, iOS — a preference, not a scored win
Specification comparison table
| Specification | Dropbox | OneDrive |
|---|---|---|
| Free storage | 2 GB | 5 GB |
| Popular paid plan | 2 TB for $11.99/month (Plus) | 1 TB with Microsoft 365 Personal, $9.99/month |
| Cost per TB per month (USD) | $6 | $9.99 |
| End-to-end encryption | No (encrypted at rest and in transit) | No (Personal Vault adds extra protection) |
| Max single file size | 2,000 GB | 250 GB |
| Version history | 30 days (180 on Professional) | 25 versions |
| Office suite integration | Microsoft 365 and Google Docs integration | Word, Excel, PowerPoint (full desktop apps with 365) |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | Web, Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Family sharing | Yes, Family plan 2 TB for up to 6 | Yes, 365 Family gives 1 TB each for up to 6 |
Overall: Dropbox vs OneDrive Score: Dropbox 33 · OneDrive 28
OneDrive offers 5 GB of free storage while Dropbox stops at 2 GB; the 3 GB gap matters because free storage decides how long you can go before paying. For popular paid plan, Dropbox uses 2 TB for $11.99/month (Plus) whereas OneDrive goes with 1 TB with Microsoft 365 Personal, $9.99/month. This is a preference rather than a scored win: the headline plan is what most families actually buy. Dropbox is better on cost per TB per month (USD) at $6 against $9.99, a $3.99 difference; lower is better because cost per terabyte normalises plans of different sizes. The two differ on end-to-end encryption (No (encrypted at rest and in transit) against No (Personal Vault adds extra protection)), and end-to-end encryption means the provider cannot read your files. Dropbox offers 2,000 GB of max single file size while OneDrive stops at 250 GB; the 1,750 GB gap matters because file size limits matter for video projects and disk images.
For version history, Dropbox uses 30 days (180 on Professional) whereas OneDrive goes with 25 versions. This is a preference rather than a scored win: version history is your safety net against accidental edits and ransomware. For office suite integration, Dropbox uses Microsoft 365 and Google Docs integration whereas OneDrive goes with Word, Excel, PowerPoint (full desktop apps with 365). This is a preference rather than a scored win: built-in editing means you can work without downloading files. For platforms, Dropbox uses Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS whereas OneDrive goes with Web, Windows, macOS, Android, iOS. This is a preference rather than a scored win: native apps on every device decide how seamless sync feels. For family sharing, Dropbox uses Yes, Family plan 2 TB for up to 6 whereas OneDrive goes with Yes, 365 Family gives 1 TB each for up to 6. This is a preference rather than a scored win: family plans split one pool of storage across several people.
Pros and cons
Dropbox
Pros
- Best-in-class sync engine
- Dropbox Transfer for big files
- Platform-neutral
- Better cost per TB per month (USD) ($6)
- Better max single file size (2,000 GB)
Cons
- Weaker free storage (2 GB)
OneDrive
Pros
- 1 TB bundled with Microsoft 365
- Built into Windows File Explorer
- Personal Vault for sensitive files
- Better cost per TB per month (USD) ($9.99)
- Better max single file size (250 GB)
Cons
- Weaker free storage (5 GB)
Which one should you buy?
Choose Dropbox for…
Professionals who need rock-solid sync across Windows, Mac and Linux. It stands out for best-in-class sync engine, dropbox transfer for big files, platform-neutral.
Choose Microsoft OneDrive for…
Microsoft 365 subscribers who get the storage as part of the deal. It stands out for 1 tb bundled with microsoft 365, built into windows file explorer, personal vault for sensitive files.
Final verdict
On the VersusAnything Score, Dropbox finishes ahead, 33 to 28. It is the better buy for professionals who need rock-solid sync across Windows, Mac and Linux; for Microsoft 365 subscribers who get the storage as part of the deal, OneDrive still makes more sense. The VersusAnything Score is a transparent starting point, not a command; weight the rows you care about and the right answer for you may differ.
Compare with another cloud storage service
Frequently asked questions
Is Dropbox better than OneDrive?
On the VersusAnything Score, Dropbox finishes ahead 33 to 28. That makes Dropbox the better overall pick for professionals who need rock-solid sync across Windows, Mac and Linux, while OneDrive is still the right choice for Microsoft 365 subscribers who get the storage as part of the deal.
What is the biggest difference between Dropbox and OneDrive?
The largest gap is popular paid plan: Dropbox lists 2 TB for $11.99/month (Plus) while OneDrive lists 1 TB with Microsoft 365 Personal, $9.99/month. The headline plan is what most families actually buy.
Which is cheaper, Dropbox or OneDrive?
Dropbox is cheaper on cost per TB per month (USD): $6 against $9.99 for OneDrive. Street prices vary by country and retailer, so check current offers.
Who should choose OneDrive over Dropbox?
OneDrive is the better fit for Microsoft 365 subscribers who get the storage as part of the deal. Its strongest points are 1 tb bundled with microsoft 365, built into windows file explorer, personal vault for sensitive files.
Sources
- Dropbox: Dropbox, Inc. official (manufacturer)
- OneDrive: Microsoft official (manufacturer)
Specifications last verified: 2026-10-01. Prices are launch or official list prices in US dollars unless stated. See our sources and data policy.