Comparison

Dropbox vs Proton Drive

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Dropbox

Securely store, sync, and share your files and photos across all your devices. Easily upload, access, and send documents, videos, and more from anywhere, even offline. Offers robust backup and recovery features for peace of mind.

Highlights
  • Automatic photo and video upload
  • Offline file access
  • Large file sharing via links
  • Document scanning to PDF
  • Version history and file recovery
  • Cross-device synchronization
Read full description

Dropbox lets you upload, save, and transfer photos and files to the cloud. Backup and sync your pictures, videos, documents, and other files to cloud storage and access them from any device, anywhere. With advanced sharing features, it’s easy to share and send photos or files to family, friends, and co-workers. Features: • Automatically upload videos and photos from your camera roll to cloud photo storage - all in the background - for easy video sharing and photo sharing. • Access any file in your account - even offline - and preview over 175 different file types with no special software required. • Easily send large files by copying and pasting a link you can give to anyone, even if they don’t have a Dropbox account. • Scan documents, receipts, IDs, photos, and more using your mobile device and transform them into high-quality PDFs, so you can view and send anywhere. • Sync folders on your PC or Mac to Dropbox with computer backup, and recover older versions or restore deleted files with version history and file recovery. Sign up now for your free Dropbox Plus trial. You’ll get 2 TB (2,000 GB) of storage space - that’s enough room to save files from all your linked devices. And with Dropbox Rewind, you can roll back any file, folder, or your entire account, up to 30 days. Before starting a trial or completing payment, you’ll see the plan price. This amount will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase and on renewal and will vary by plan and country. Dropbox subscriptions renew monthly or yearly, depending on your plan. Your account will be charged for renewal 24 hours before the end of your current billing period. To avoid auto-renewal, turn it off within at least 24 hours before your subscription renews. You can turn off auto-renewal anytime from your Apple ID account settings. You can manage and cancel your subscriptions by going to your account settings on the App Store after purchase. Dropbox is a secure cloud solutions leader trusted by Fortune 500 companies for their most sensitive data. Over 14 million paid users choose Dropbox because they know they can count on a company that’s also dedicated to their security and privacy—no matter what they do or where they are. Let Dropbox be your all-in-one file storage, file organizer, file transfer, and file sharing solution for all your devices. We’d love to hear from you! Join the Dropbox community: https://www.dropboxforum.com Terms of Service: https://www.dropbox.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.dropbox.com/privacy

About

Proton Drive

Securely store and back up your files and photos with end-to-end encryption. Access your content across devices, share securely with password protection, and enjoy peace of mind with Swiss privacy laws. Offers free storage with upgrade options.

Highlights
  • End-to-end encrypted storage
  • Automatic photo and video backup
  • Secure link sharing with passwords
  • PIN/biometric protection
  • Offline file access
  • File version history
Features
Read full description

Proton Drive provides private and secure storage for your files and photos. With Proton Drive you can protect important documents, automatically back up cherished memories, and access your content across devices. All Proton Drive accounts come with 5 GB of free storage and you can upgrade to up to 1 TB of storage at any time. Trusted by over 100 million users, Proton Drive gives you an end-to-end encrypted vault where only you—and the people you choose—can access your files and photos. Proton Drive features: - Secure storage - Get 5 GB of free encrypted cloud storage with no file size limits. - Share content using secure links with password and expiration settings. - Keep your files and photos safe with PIN or biometric protection. - Access important files and photos even if your device is lost or damaged. Easy to use - Automatically back up photos and videos in their original quality. - Securely organize your cherished memories into albums. - Rename, move, and delete your personal files securely within the app. - Create, edit and collaborate on docs. - View your important files and memories – even when offline. - Restore files with version history. Advanced privacy - Stay private with end-to-end encryption – even Proton can’t view your content. - Secure your metadata, including filenames, sizes, and modification dates. - Protect your content with Swiss privacy laws, the strongest in the world. - Trust in our open-source code that is public and verified by experts. Secure up to 5 GB of free storage for your personal files, photos, and videos with Proton Drive.  Stay ahead with our releases and updates by connecting with us! - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/protonprivacy - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/protonprivacy/ - X/Twitter: https://x.com/ProtonDrive - Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/ProtonDrive/ Terms of Service: https://proton.me/legal/terms Privacy Policy: https://proton.me/legal/privacy

Screenshots

Dropbox4 screens
Proton Drive4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Dropbox at 4.8 against Proton Drive's 4.1. Dropbox also leads on ratings volume (927K vs 1.3K) and chart position (#5 vs #207). Proton Drive's advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Dropbox sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and Proton Drive sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Dropbox holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Dropbox has 927K ratings behind it against 1.3K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 48% of Dropbox's written reviews are positive against 37% of Proton Drive's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Dropbox ships an update every 2 weeks, Proton Drive fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 30, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Dropbox versus Proton Drive: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDropboxProton Drive
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (927K ratings) — better4.1 (1.3K ratings)
Positive reviews47.8% of reviews — better37.0% of reviews
Number of ratings927K — better1.3K
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#5 — better#207
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size229 MB235 MB
Age rating+124+
DeveloperDropbox, Inc.Proton AG

Customer experience

Dropbox

All ratings924,317 ratings
Positive95.5%
Neutral1.7%
Negative2.9%
Written reviews2,191 reviews
Positive47.8%
Neutral6.3%
Negative45.9%

Proton Drive

All ratings1,261 ratings
Positive75.3%
Neutral8.4%
Negative16.3%
Written reviews909 reviews
Positive37.0%
Neutral21.8%
Negative41.3%

User reviews

Dropbox

From 927K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Reliable cloud storage
  • 🔒 Secure file sharing
  • 📁 Convenient file management
  • 💻 Cross-device accessibility
  • 📸 Automatic photo backups

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy app updates
  • 🔍 Confusing file navigation
  • ⚠️ Unreliable upload/sync
  • 💰 Expensive paid plans
  • 🔋 High battery drain

Proton Drive

From 1.3K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and efficient
  • 🔒 Secure and private
  • 👍 Simple and intuitive UI
  • 💡 Integrated with iOS Files app

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy and unreliable
  • 🔋 High battery consumption
  • 📥 Slow upload/download speeds
  • 🗂️ Lacking key features like search and sorting

Bugs and requests

Dropbox

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Freezing on login screen
  • Duplicate file uploads
  • Incorrect file timestamps
  • Incompatibility with iOS updates
  • Disappearing recent files

Requested features

5 requests
  • Select all option for uploads
  • Background upload support
  • Integrated media player
  • Increased free storage
  • Flexible paid plan options

Proton Drive

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Frequent crashes and errors
  • Inconsistent file syncing across devices
  • Unable to access files uploaded from desktop
  • Issues with offline file access

Requested features

4 requests
  • Automatic photo/video backup
  • Ability to edit documents within the app
  • Seamless integration with other apps for file sharing
  • Linux desktop client

In-app purchases

9 purchases

Dropbox

Subscriptions9
  • Dropbox Simple - Monthly1 Month trial$6.991 Month
  • Dropbox Plus - Monthly$11.991 Month
  • Dropbox Plus - Monthly1 Month trial$11.991 Month
Show 6 more
  • Dropbox Plus - Monthly14 Days trial$11.991 Month
  • Dropbox Professional - Monthly$19.991 Month
  • Dropbox Professional - Monthly1 Month trial$19.991 Month
  • Dropbox Family - Monthly1 Month trial$19.991 Month
  • Dropbox Plus - Annual2 variants$119.991 Year
  • Dropbox Plus - Annual1 Month trial$119.991 Year
9 purchases

Proton Drive

Subscriptions7
  • Drive Lite 1 month$0.991 Month
  • Drive Plus 1 month$4.991 Month
  • Drive Plus 1 TB (1 month)$9.991 Month
Show 4 more
  • Proton Unlimited 1 month$14.991 Month
  • Drive Plus 1 year$47.901 Year
  • Drive Plus 1 TB (1 year)$95.991 Year
  • Proton Unlimited 1 year$119.001 Year
One-time2
  • Drive Plus$59.99
  • Proton Unlimited$149.99

Questions

Is Dropbox free?
Dropbox is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Proton Drive free?
Proton Drive is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Dropbox or Proton Drive?
Dropbox is rated higher. Dropbox averages 4.8 out of 5 from 927K ratings, while Proton Drive averages 4.1 from 1.3K ratings.
Do Dropbox or Proton Drive have ads?
Neither Dropbox nor Proton Drive shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Dropbox or Proton Drive?
Dropbox ships an update every 2 weeks, and Proton Drive fortnightly. Most recently, Dropbox was updated on October 30, 2026 and Proton Drive on October 30, 2026.
Which is more popular, Dropbox or Proton Drive?
Dropbox currently peaks at #5 in the App Store charts, and Proton Drive at #207. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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