Box vs Google Drive: Cloud Storage Showdown 2024

Key Takeaways: Box vs Google Drive
  1. The main difference between Box and Google Drive is the amount of storage you get. The cap with Google Drive is 2TB, or up to 8TB with a Google Workspace account, while Box Business has unlimited storage.
  2. Box is a better choice than Google Drive if you need third-party connections.
  3. Google Drive is a good option for people who want affordability or for those who are already invested in the Google ecosystem.

Facts & Expert Analysis:

  • Box is best for professionals and those who need collaboration tools, as it has an excellent suite of features and many third-party connections.
  • Google Drive is best for those who are already invested in the Google ecosystem, as it integrates seamlessly with other Google products. 
4.05
4.1
  • Third-party integrations
  • Robust sharing features
  • Strong security
  • G Suite integration
  • Plenty of third-party apps
  • Excellent for collaboration
$5 / month(save 28%)(All Plans)
$1.67 / month(save 16%)(All Plans)

Box and Google Drive have much in common, as both focus on providing users with everything they need to collaborate on projects and increase productivity. It can be tough to choose between the two since they have similar tools and features. We break them down in our Box vs Google comparison guide. 

You’ll find Box and Google Drive on our list of the best cloud storage services, and for good reason. Both offer many features that working professionals and teams from all walks of life are looking for in cloud storage. As you will see in the following sections, Box and Google Drive make it easy to share and collaborate. However, there are some noticeable differences. 

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    100GB – Unlimited GB$5 / month(save 28%)(All Plans)
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    100GB – 30TB$1.67 / month(save 16%)(All Plans)
  • 03/18/2024 Facts checked

    Article rewritten with current features and up-to-date comparisons.

Box vs Google Drive: Our Comparison Guidelines

Having tested more than 400 products and services, we’ve spent a lot of time with cloud storage, including Google Drive and Box. When we conduct this type of comparison, we consider the features that both services offer and areas where one differs from the other. Using this information and our expertise, we feel qualified to present you with an accurate comparison. 

Cloudwards Editor’s Choice: Box

Box is our top choice because it offers similar features to Google Drive, but has better sync functionality and more file-sharing options. It integrates with Google Workspace apps and Microsoft 365 (formerly Microsoft Office). However, it’s not a perfect service; it can get expensive, especially if you want advanced features like Box KeySafe.

Editor’s Choice
100GB – Unlimited GB$5 / month

(save 28%) (All Plans)

Google Drive vs Box: Comparison at a Glance

Review Review
Sync
Sync Folder
Block-Level Sync
Selective Sync
Bandwidth Throttling
Sync Any Folder
Max File Size 150 GB
Network Drive
File Sharing
File Link Sharing
Link Passwords
Link Expiry Dates
Folder Sharing
Folder Permissions
Link Download Limits
Upload Links
User Management
User Groups
Set User Roles
Monitor User Activity
Restrict User Storage
Remote Device Wipe
Productivity
File Previews
Edit Files
In-App Collaboration
Office Integrations Office365, Google Workspace
Notes App
Media Playback
Mobile Apps
Deleted File Retention
Versioning
WebDAV
Security
At-Rest Encryption
In-Transit Encryption
Two-Factor Authentication
Client-Side Encryption
Data Residency
SSO Integration
Custom Password Requirements
Support
24/7 Support
Live Chat Support
Telephone Support
Email Support
User Forum
Knowledgebase
Misc
Free Plan

Which Is Better: Box vs Google Drive?

Google Drive is the better choice for those who are already invested in the Google ecosystem. A Google account comes with Google Drive, so it’s not a standalone product, as it includes integrations with Docs and Sheets. For more information, check out our Google Drive review.

google drive account
Your Google Drive account keeps all your stored files in the “My Drive” tab.

Box appeals to a broader audience, making it a better choice. In addition to Google and Microsoft integrations, it has a host of other third-party apps and includes access to in-house tools like Box Notes. We cover these elements and more in our Box review.

box account
A free Box plan comes with 10GB of storage capacity and
gives you access to many of its features.

Who Is Box For?

  • Teams and collaborators: Box integrates with Google Workspace and Microsoft 365, has a built-in task manager and has a marketplace with thousands of app connections.
  • Those who need unlimited storage: Most of Box’s business plans have unlimited storage.
  • Multimedia users: Box includes some photo-editing features, plays music in the browser and lets you connect external apps for more functionality.

Who Is Google Drive For?

  • Google users: Google Drive integrates seamlessly with other Google products.
  • Those who want easy file sharing: The platform doesn’t limit how you share files, making it easy to send them by using an email address or creating a link.
  • Productivity-focused individuals: With Google Drive, you can easily move between apps, embed files in emails or collaborate in real time, which is great for those who value productivity.

If You Want to Consider Other Services, Check Out…

IDrive offers cloud storage and online backup features, making it an excellent choice for syncing and protecting your data. You can opt for zero-knowledge encryption when you first sign up. Additionally, there are separate storage allotments for cloud storage and online backup. Check out our IDrive review for more.

idrive security
IDrive has excellent security features; however, its
free plan is changing to a 30-day free trial.

Sync.com has outstanding features and offers zero-knowledge encryption to protect your entire account. Its file versioning is very generous, as Sync.com only limits how long it keeps older files. File sharing is secure, with an option to enable end-to-end encryption. We cover these features and more in our Sync.com review.

sync encryption
Sync.com has advanced security features like zero-knowledge
encryption, which helps protect your account.
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    100GB – 5TB$0.25 / month(All Plans)
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      200GB – Unlimited GB$5 / month(All Plans)
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        2TB – 5TB$9.99 / month(save 16%)(All Plans)
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          100GB – Unlimited GB$1.67 / month(save 16%)(All Plans)
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            500GB – 10TB$4.17 / month(save 24%)(All Plans)

          Box Key Features

          • File sync: You can choose which files to sync to your account using selective sync.
          • File sharing: Paid plans let you add a password for protection when sharing files.
          • Native apps: Box Notes, a web-based word processor, is one of several apps that Box has created.
          • Unlimited storage: All plans except for one business plan have unlimited storage space.
          • Third-party integrations: Box’s app marketplace boasts more than 1,500 external connections, including popular choices like Zoom and Slack.

          Google Drive Key Features

          • File sharing: You can share files with others and determine the level of access that collaborators have.
          • Collaboration: Google apps like Docs and Slides support real-time collaboration.
          • Google Workspace: Every Google Drive account includes access to popular apps like Sheets, Gmail, Meet and Chat.
          • Free storage space: Google Drive’s 15GB of free storage isn’t limited by features or access.
          • Affordability: The most expensive Google One plan costs $99.99 per year with 2TB of storage.

          Box vs Google Drive: Similarities

          Box and Google Drive have much in common; both appeal to users who are looking for productivity and collaboration tools. 

          Collaboration and Productivity

          It’s easy to stay productive and collaborate with team members using Box or Google Drive. Both support real-time collaboration, such as with Box Notes or Google Sheets, so you don’t have to leave the web interface to work on files. Users can download files and upload changes with either Box or Google Drive.

          Security

          Google Drive and Box share the same security measures to protect your data.

          Protocols
          At rest AES 256-bit AES 256-bit
          In transit TLS/SSL encryption TLS/SSL encryption
          2FA-authentication
          Third-Party Integrations

          Box has a robust marketplace with hundreds of apps that you can connect to your account. Popular options include Microsoft Teams, Gmail integration, Outlook and Zapier, to name a few. As mentioned earlier, Box supports integrations with Google’s productivity apps.

          box external integration
          Box has hundreds of connections to third-party apps,
          helping increase productivity.

          Google Drive has an app store with external connections, though it has fewer options than Box. Notable app integrations include ChatGPT, Salesforce and Google Analytics. Google doesn’t support connections to other productivity ecosystems like Microsoft, except for the Microsoft Teams app.

          google app market
          The Google Workspace Marketplace has dozens of apps
          that you can connect to your account.
          Privacy

          Privacy is not the best with either service, though Box is the better option. Data sharing with third-party apps is a typical trade-off with cloud storage, which emphasizes collaboration tools and connections. 

          Both services collect data on you, with Google being the more noteworthy platform in this regard. However, if you opt for KeySafe, Box’s paid add-on, you can gain control over the encryption keys used to decrypt your account. 

          Downloadable Apps

          Google Drive and Box have downloadable sync tools for Apple and Android devices, and for Mac and Windows computers. Both services sync data across your devices.

          Platform Mobile Devices Desktop OS
          iOS & Android macOS & Windows
          iOS & Android macOS & Windows
          box google mobile apps
          You can get mobile access to your Box or Google account
          by downloading the respective app on your device.

          Box vs Google Drive: Differences

          Very little separates Google Drive and Box. However, some significant differences could help you decide between the two cloud storage services.

          Price

          The cost of storage is an important area where Box and Google Drive differ. Google easily offers better personal plans based on storage alone, with 2TB of storage costing less than Box’s comparable plan with 100GB of storage. Overall, Google is the least expensive of the two services across the board, although you get more storage space with Box Business.

          Platform Personal Business
          Personal Pro with 100GB, $14 per month or $120 per year Business Plus with unlimited data, $33 per user per month or $25 per user per month (billed annually)
          Premium 2TB, $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year Business Standard with 2TB of shared data, $12 per user per month (billed annually)

          A free Google One account has 15GB of storage space. The Basic plan increases the capacity to 100GB and costs $19.99 per year. The Premium plan costs $99.99 per year with annual billing and includes a VPN. If you already have a Google One account, you will see additional plan choices with storage amounts of 8TB, 10TB, 20TB or 30TB.

          If you need more Google Drive storage space, consider a Google Workspace account. These plans are billed annually and offer Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus and Enterprise options. Storage ranges from 30GB to 8TB of pooled data, and the plans include the full suite of Google productivity apps, along with added security and additional features.

          Box has a range of business plans but only one paid personal plan. If Box’s free 10GB plan isn’t enough space, you can choose to upgrade to the Personal Pro plan. It costs $10 per month with annual billing, and it has 100GB of storage. Additional features include Box Notes and Box Canvas, the platform’s productivity apps.

          Box also offers an array of Business plans. The Starter plan is a good option for small teams, offering 100GB of shared cloud storage. The Business and Enterprise plans have unlimited storage and added features such as advanced search filters, HIPAA compliance, two-factor authentication for external users and password enforcement.

          File Sharing

          Box and Google both let you quickly and easily share files with others by using an email address or creating a shareable link. However, the two services differ in their options and settings for sharing. Google lets you share with people or to Google Calendar. You can also determine the level of restriction for recipients. 

          box file share
          If you have a paid plan, you can add a password
          to all the files you share with Box.

          Box has similar access restrictions, though more collaboration tools are locked behind paid plans. With a subscription, you also have the option to add a password to a shared file, which helps increase security and prevent unauthorized access. 

          google drive file share
          Sharing files with Google Drive lets you determine
          the kind of access the recipient has.
          File Sync

          Google Drive has a few file sync settings with which users can customize how files synchronize in their accounts. The main option is to keep the files in the cloud or have them mirrored on your computer. This is a version of selective sync, though you can’t select individual folders.

          google drive desktop app
          Using Google Drive’s desktop app, you can choose to store
          files in the cloud or mirror them on your hard drive. 

          Box allows users to sync specific folders to their accounts, which they can view in the web interface when selecting a file. This level of customization regarding what syncs to a Box account gives users greater control over how their data storage is used.

          box folder sync
          Box lets you determine which folders you want to sync with its desktop app.
          Versioning

          File versioning is very different between Google Drive and Box. Google has one versioning policy, while Box’s versions change with your plan.

          Platform: Versions Number of Days Keep Forever?
          Free -1 version
          Personal Pro -10 versions
          Business Starter – 25 versions
          Business/Business Plus – 50 versions
          Enterprise -100 versions
          No limit
          100 30
          Storage Space

          There’s a significant difference in the amount of storage you get with each service. Google Drive has a free account with 15GB of cloud storage, while Box’s free account offers 10GB. For paid Google plans, the most storage you can get is 2TB, or 8TB with Google Workspace. With a Box business plan, you can get unlimited storage. Its non-business plans only offer up to 100GB.

          The Verdict: Why We Think Box Wins Overall

          Box does nearly everything that Google Drive does while giving its users access to Google Workspace apps. It has more versatility and external connections, and it’s a better option for a wider variety of users. Pricing could be an issue, as Google Drive is the more affordable choice. However, choosing Box will help you meet your productivity and collaboration needs.

          Do you use Box or Google Drive? If so, what has your experience been like? Is there an alternative that you prefer? Let us know in the comments section below. Thanks for reading our article. 

          FAQ: Google Drive vs Box

          • Box is the better option, as it offers access to Google Workspace apps, provides unlimited storage on business plans and has more features than Google Drive.

          • Box Notes is similar to Google Docs. Both are web-based word-processing apps that support easy sharing and real-time collaboration.

          • No, Box does not sync with Google Drive. However, you can create and edit Google Sheets, Docs and Slides in your Box account.

          • No, Box is a separate company based in Redwood City, California.

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          The post Box vs Google Drive: Cloud Storage Showdown 2024 appeared first on Cloudwards.

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