Dropbox is a cloud-based file storage service that allows users to store and share files across different devices. It was founded in 2007 by Drew Houston and Arash Ferdowsi.
Dropbox provides a user-friendly interface for uploading, downloading, and sharing files, making it accessible to people of all skill levels.
With Dropbox, users can store files in the cloud and access them from anywhere, on any device with an internet connection. This is especially useful for people who work remotely or need to collaborate with others on projects.
Dropbox offers a range of features, including file sharing, collaboration tools, and version history, which can be accessed through the Dropbox website or mobile app.
What is Dropbox
Dropbox is a cloud storage service that brings files together in one central place by creating a special folder on your computer.
This special folder synchronizes its contents to Dropbox's servers and to other computers and devices where you've installed Dropbox, keeping the same files up-to-date on all devices.
You can access Dropbox on various platforms, including Microsoft Windows, Apple macOS, and Linux computers, as well as on iOS, Android, and Windows Phone smartphones and tablets.
Dropbox uses a freemium business model, offering a free account with a set storage size, with paid subscriptions available for more capacity and additional features.
Dropbox Basic users get two gigabytes of free storage space, which is a great starting point for storing your files.
Dropbox Features
Dropbox offers a broad array of features beyond basic online storage, including file sharing, collaboration tools, and automatic file backup.
You can access Dropbox via the web or through mobile apps on iOS and Android devices, with secure encryption of 256-bit AES. The service also keeps a history of your files with versioning, allowing you to recover them in case of accidental deletion or malware.
Dropbox makes it easy to share files and folders with specific people using a link, or make files public for anyone with the link to access. The free version gives you 30 days of file recovery, while paid tiers go up to 180 days.
Platforms
Dropbox has a wide range of platforms to choose from, including computer apps for Microsoft Windows, Apple macOS, and Linux computers.
You can also access Dropbox on your mobile device with apps for iOS, Android, and Windows Phone smartphones and tablets. And, if you prefer a web-based interface, Dropbox offers a website interface.
Dropbox's partnership with Microsoft led to the announcement of a universal Windows 10 app in January 2016.
One of the convenient features of Dropbox is its automatic photo uploading feature, which allows you to upload photos or videos from cameras, tablets, SD cards, or smartphones to a dedicated "Camera Uploads" folder.
This feature comes with a bonus of 500 megabytes of extra space for uploading your first photo, and up to 3 gigabytes of extra space if you continue using the method for more photos.
In July 2014, Dropbox introduced "streaming sync" for its computer apps, which improved upload or download time by up to 2 times. This "supercharged" synchronization speed is a game-changer for large file transfers.
Key Features
Dropbox is mainly online storage that keeps files in sync between your personal devices and the cloud, but it offers a broad array of features beyond that basic functionality.
You can access Dropbox via the web or in apps that you can install on Mac, PC, and mobile devices, both iOS and Android. These apps are available for free and can be downloaded from the Dropbox website.
Dropbox securely encrypts all files with 256-bit AES, so you can rest assured that your files are safe and secure. This encryption is applied to all files, whether they're stored locally or in the cloud.
Dropbox keeps a history of your files with versioning, allowing you to recover them in the event of a malware or ransomware catastrophe, or even just accidental deletion. The free version gives you 30 days of file recovery, while paid tiers go up to 180 days.
You can control permission levels and share files and folders with specific people using a link, or make files public so anyone with the appropriate link can access your data. This makes it easy to send files without using email attachments.
Dropbox includes some collaboration tools, such as Dropbox Spaces, which lets teams work together on documents, share notes, and edit in real-time. This feature is perfect for remote teams or those who need to collaborate on projects.
Dropbox allows you to store and access your files from any device or location, making it a convenient way to access your files from anywhere. You can also access version history and restore previous versions of a file, manage permissions, and track changes.
Paid plans offer even more features, like the ability to set advanced file permissions and create mobile offline folders. This is especially useful for businesses or teams who need to manage sensitive information.
Dropbox has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to organize your files and folders. You can create an entire folder hierarchy and decide how you want to create and set up your file folders so that you can use an organization system that you're familiar with.
Dropbox also allows you to invite people to view shared folders and give them view-only or editing permissions to what's inside the folders. This makes it easy to collaborate with others and share files.
Dropbox lets you do a lot, from backing up files to managing them and sharing them with friends, family, or colleagues. The ability to use both the desktop and mobile apps makes the platform even more user-friendly.
Dropbox securely stores your files in the cloud, and when you make changes to these files in one place, the updates are automatically mirrored everywhere. This means you can easily access your files anywhere and share them with others more easily.
Dropbox offers a free version with 2 GB of storage, and enterprise users can upgrade to as much storage as needed – more than 5 TB. This makes it a great option for businesses or individuals who need to store large amounts of data.
Dropbox's apps offer an automatic photo uploading feature, allowing users to automatically upload photos or videos from cameras, tablets, SD cards, or smartphones to a dedicated "Camera Uploads" folder in their Dropbox. This feature is perfect for photographers or those who take a lot of photos.
Dropbox introduced "streaming sync" for its computer apps, which improves the upload or download time by up to 2 times. This makes it faster and more efficient to upload and download large files.
Dropbox's version history lets you restore older versions of your files, so you can recover them in the event of a malware or ransomware catastrophe, or even just accidental deletion. This feature is especially useful for businesses or teams who need to manage sensitive information.
Integrations
Dropbox integrates with a wide range of third-party apps and services, making it easy to collaborate and automate workflows.
One of the most popular integrations is with Google Drive, allowing you to access and share files seamlessly between the two platforms.
Dropbox also integrates with Microsoft Office Online, enabling you to edit and share Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents directly within Dropbox.
You can even connect your Dropbox account to your favorite productivity apps, such as Trello and Asana, to streamline your project management and organization.
With the Dropbox Paper app, you can create and edit documents in real-time, and even @mention team members to assign tasks and track progress.
Dropbox's Zapier integration allows you to automate tasks and workflows by connecting your Dropbox account to thousands of other apps and services.
Dropbox's API also enables developers to build custom integrations and applications, giving you even more flexibility and control over your workflows.
History
Dropbox was founded in 2007 by Drew Houston and Arash Ferdowsi, two MIT students who were frustrated with the hassle of carrying around USB drives.
Their initial prototype was built in just three months, and it quickly gained popularity as a way to share and store files online.
The first Dropbox service was launched in 2008, with a free account offering 2GB of storage space.
Dropbox's early success was fueled by its ease of use and the fact that it was free to use, with no ads or catches.
By 2010, Dropbox had already gained 45 million users, making it one of the fastest-growing startups in history.
The company's growth continued to skyrocket, with Dropbox reaching 100 million users by 2012.
In 2013, Dropbox raised $500 million in funding, valuing the company at $10 billion.
This influx of capital allowed Dropbox to expand its services and features, including the introduction of file recovery and sharing.
By 2014, Dropbox had reached 175 million users, solidifying its position as a leader in the cloud storage market.
Dropbox's user base continued to grow, with the company reaching 500 million users by 2017.
Today, Dropbox remains one of the most popular cloud storage services, with a user base that spans the globe.
Dropbox Business
Dropbox Business is designed for companies that need more features than the standard Dropbox account. It provides more storage space, lets you set up multiple users on the account, and creates audit trails for user activity and sharing.
With Dropbox Business, you can integrate apps and get priority support. This is especially useful for businesses that need to store and share a large amount of files and cloud content.
Here are the main Dropbox Business plans:
The Enterprise plan is for large enterprises and includes features like EMM, centralized admin console, network control, and domain insights and account capture.
Business Model
Dropbox uses a freemium business model, where users are offered a free account with a set storage size, with paid subscriptions available that offer more capacity and additional features.
Dropbox Basic users are given two gigabytes of free storage space, which can be expanded through referrals. Users can earn up to 16 gigabytes of additional storage space by recommending the service to others.
Dropbox Plus users, on the other hand, get 2 terabytes of storage space, as well as advanced features like remote wipe and extended version history.
Here's a breakdown of the storage space users can earn through referrals for both Dropbox Basic and Dropbox Plus:
Dropbox Business offers a range of features tailored for corporations, including collaboration tools, advanced security and control, and unlimited file recovery.
Business Plans
Dropbox Business offers flexible plans to suit the needs of businesses of all sizes.
The Dropbox Business Standard plan starts at $12.50 per user, per month, and includes 5 TB of storage. It's perfect for small businesses with just a few employees.
The Dropbox Business Advanced plan starts at $20 per user, per month, and offers even more control and security features. You can buy as much space as your team needs, making it ideal for businesses with growing storage requirements.
For large enterprises, Dropbox Business offers an Enterprise plan that provides as much space as your organization needs. This plan includes advanced features like EMM, a centralized admin console, and 24-7 phone support.
Here's a breakdown of the Dropbox Business plans:
The Enterprise plan is the most comprehensive, offering advanced features and support for large enterprises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dropbox totally free?
Dropbox Basic is free to use, with access to your files from multiple devices, including computers, phones, and tablets. However, some features and storage limits apply.
Can anyone see what in my Dropbox?
No, your Dropbox files are private by default and only shared with others if you intentionally share links or folders. Your Dropbox account remains secure and private unless you choose to share it with others
Do I need Dropbox if I have iCloud?
Consider using Dropbox if you need to upload large files or require more flexibility in file types and syncing options. Dropbox offers more generous upload limits and features than iCloud.
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