Item: Dropbox
Rating: 10
Author: Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with Dropbox

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I use Dropbox to store all my graphic works and designs. In all the years I've been with this service, I haven't had any issues with the security of my account or the safety of my stored files. Having Dropbox solves storage problems for my business and personal needs. I have been with Dropbox for 10+ years and recommend it all the time to those having storage issues.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Allows me to find my files easily.
Synchs with my computer.
Allows me to use it on multible devices.
Allows me to share files if desired.
Allows me to get files shared by others Dropbox users and put them into my storage.
Allows me to save all types of files.
Has very large storage capacity.

Cons

It would be great if Dropbox could create a virtual drive which acts like it is on the computer, allowing you to add, delete etc. (Example see pCloud).
Synch faster, There are times when I'm creating files and if I try to rename the new file, the synching process is still happening and I have to come back later to rename. I am on 5G internet so the delay isn't occuring on my end.
I am a one-person business using 2T plan. When I got a new laptop, I received a message from Dropbox that only a certain % of my cloud files can be put on my laptop even though I have the capacity for all of them. So I tried the Dropbox Cloud Only option and kept getting brown file box icons on my files which won't allow me to open the files. I'm using Window 11. No suggestions from MicroSoft or Dropbox resolved this so I went back to adding the Dropbox directory and files on my laptop. Now I don't get that annoying brown file box icon and have complete access to my files (except the % of files Dropbox won't let me download.

Return on Investment

I am able to share previews of projects with clients for their approval. This ability has enabled 100% customer satisfaction.
I have been able to store large graphic and video files. These files are for projects, marketing and training. Because these are all accessible in one location, it saves me considerable time which in turn allows me to complete client projects and administrative tasks quicker (e.g. invoicing, inventory, equipment servicing). I believe such time savings have increased profitability by 20%.
One year, I had to change computers two times. The first replacement computer had many issues and we found it was corrupted. The second computer, happily, turned out to be a winner. However, had I not stored my files on Dropbox, I would have lost everything -- client information, designs, financial/tax records and more. There would have been no way to recover that information from the original computer. Even after having to restart twice on new computers, the time lost would never be worse than losing all that data. I can't even put into a dollar amount what having Dropbox storage saved me.

Usability

I've been with Dropbox for a good many years. As a person who is of average tech saviness, I feel many others would find it usable. I think using the cloud only feature may be trickier for most. But if users have space on their computers, they easily manage the computer and cloud storage option because it's the same as using typical file management on the computer.

Alternatives Considered

pCloud, OneDrive and Google Drive

I use all of the drives shown as well as Dropbox. However, Dropbox is my mail file storage. I use it for Personal and Business items. Some of these items are stored in others as well, but in a different format and not as many. Also Dropbox has an affordable plan for the amount of storage I require.

Key Insights

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

Other Software Used

pCloud

Likelihood to Recommend

Any cloud storage is a great solution as a backup in case of computer damage or corruption. Dropbox has various plans to accommodate different amounts of storage issues and, to date, these plans are reasonably priced. There are options for team collaboration and sharing, personal sharing. Currently, files can be stored on computer and cloud or just on cloud and the user can choose which opton works best.
It won't work if the person wants the files on both the cloud and the computer if the computer has limited storage capacity because Dropbox does not create a virtual drive. It uses real space on the computer based on what's needed for the files. Using the cloud only feature is confusing because there are issues where a brown file box icon appears and there's been no explanation why the file is locked and can't be accessed, nor has there been any solution that works to get rid of those

Dropbox Feature Ratings

Comments

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Dropbox is a great fit for my business