- Both Dropbox and Box.net are forms of online storage. With this storage model, you upload files that you would like to backup to a remote server. Both services secure your data once on their servers, so that ideally only you can download it. This type of data storage setup is known as a "cloud." Google Docs, and Windows' docs.com services employ a similar framework. You have access to a certain amount of free storage space with both services, but each offers a different amount.
- One of the most striking differences between Dropbox and Box.net is the way that you can upload and access your data. With Box.net, after you log in to your account, you can drag and drop files from your computer onto the page. This initiates the file upload. With Dropbox, you download and install their software. Once the program is installed, a new folder appears in your list of directories. To initiate an upload to the Dropbox servers, you drag files into this directory.
- As of the date of publication, both Dropbox and Box.net offer free basic services. You can get access to 2 gigabytes of storage space with Dropbox's basic plan and 5 gigabytes of storage space with Box.net's. You can subscribe to Dropbox's "Pro 50" plan for $9 a month to gain access to 50 gigabytes of storage space or Box.net's "Business" plan for 500 gigabytes of space for $15 per user. A minimum of three users is required to qualify for this plan, so the total minimum monthly cost is $45.
- These services are tailored for and marketed to two distinct groups of users. Dropbox is more suitable for users who wish to easily and securely share files and folders with many different users. Its software can be installed on any number of computers, and dedicated folders can be shared among users. With Box.net, on the other hand, you can easily upload large amounts of data right from the convenience of your Web browser, though you may find that sharing this information with other users more cumbersome. On the other hand, Box.net offers integration with Google Docs, and you can use this to collaborate with many users at once.
previous post