If you work with large files, you need to work with Dropbox
May 01, 2021

If you work with large files, you need to work with Dropbox

Daniel Epstein | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with Dropbox

Firefilm Productions is a media production company, and as such[,] we work with large video files that often time need to be shared with multiple people at various distances. Snail-mailing an external hard drive used to be the only way to get these large files around [...] since they are too large for traditional email attachments. DropBox is used to more efficiently send these large files across the country so that distance plays no part in who we work with, or what job we can work on.
  • Dropbox app can be installed on multiple systems, allowing for multiplatform access to files.
  • Dropbox allows for large files to be sent digitally [...] and has tiered pricing to fit any budget.
  • Dropbox doesn't have a time limit on [its] files like some other competitors, allowing for file access at your own pace.
  • At one point 2 gigs [were] deemed enough for the "Free" version of Dropbox and its competition. However as even the most simple picture from a phone gets larger, 2 gigs might no longer be enough. Might want to increase the free size to adjust for file size inflation.
  • Dropbox's app is very presumptive of updating itself every time you log on to a system that it's installed on. I know that's a feature you can turn off, but the assumption to turn that feature on by default is annoying.
  • Dropbox could use a phone app function that would initiate a download to a designated computer hard drive. It would eliminate having to see the file on your phone, go to your computer, turn it on and then download the file.
  • Not having to snail mail external hard drives with footage means no worry about losing the footage in the mail.
  • Not having to snail mail footage means not having to purchase external hard drives solely for mailing, or shipping insurance.
  • Having files stored in Dropbox allows for collaboration and updating in [real-time] of large files, speeding up projects.
WeTransfer is another large file sharing entity, however[,] once a file is uploaded, the other user has a time limit to download it. Once that time limit is over, the file is erased. Dropbox has no such time limit, and thus is superior in that regard. Both offer a 2 gig free option, so there's really no reason to go with WeTransfer.

Do you think Dropbox delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Dropbox's feature set?

Yes

Did Dropbox live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of Dropbox go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Dropbox again?

Yes

The frustration of trying to compress files enough to get them to email or put them in the right format for a thumb drive is a thing of the past. I think anyone working with video, audio, or still[,] images in this day and age needs Dropbox to share files...period. There are competitors but they have downsides that Dropbox avoids, and the app that can be installed on any device is very [user-friendly] and functional.

Dropbox Feature Ratings

Versioning
10
Video files
10
Audio files
10
Document collaboration
10
Access control
10
File search
10
Device sync
8
User and role management
10
File organization
10
Device management
8
Performance
10
Reliability
10

Evaluating Dropbox and Competitors

  • Product Features
  • Product Usability
I had large video files that I needed to share with clients and collaborators. Emails had size limits and mailing thumb and hard drives became cumbersome and expensive. Dropbox allowed me to send large files digitally and continue to share them across multiple [devices]. It was a [no-brainer] to use it, and as my needs expanded, I was able to expand my Dropbox size limit.
I think I'd still arrive at the same destination (using Dropbox) if I had to do it all again. Mostly because my needs arose as Dropbox was developed. However[,] if I was just starting out now, I would evaluate any large file sharing program that allowed persisting files (no timed erasure) as well as size limits for a good price.

Using Dropbox

[Its] functionality and usability are very good, however[,] on every computer that I have ever installed the app on, Dropbox assumes I want it to update the files every time I start the system up. That's not always true, but the app assumes it is. I can switch that function off, but I would rather that function default to "Off" and then I can decide to turn it on as needed.
ProsCons
Like to use
Relatively simple
Easy to use
Well integrated
Consistent
Quick to learn
Convenient
Feel confident using
Familiar
None
  • Dragging and dropping files is always my preferred method, and Dropbox allows for that.
  • Files persisting indefinitely without a time limit to access them is great.
  • Having an app that can go on systems as well as phones is very convenient and well managed.
  • Dropbox trying to sync and update by default on every reboot.
Yes - Very well. Obviously[,] the file size that Dropbox is designed for would fill up a mobile device almost immediately, however[,] simply being able to see what files are in your Dropbox folder via your mobile device is very helpful. And if the file is small enough to work with a mobile device, the app is very helpful in accessing the data.