Dropbox vs OwnCloud: Which Cloud Storage Option is Right for You?

If you're in need of cloud storage, you've likely come across two popular options: Dropbox and GSuite. However, if you're looking for a self-hosted file hosting solution, OwnCloud is a major contender. The primary difference between Dropbox and OwnCloud lies in their pricing models. In this article, we'll delve into the details of these two options to help you make an informed decision.

OwnCloud vs Dropbox

Pricing

OwnCloud is essentially free to use. However, you'll need to download and set it up on your own machine, which requires a Linux system or a virtual machine. Once set up, you can access your files from any device using the OwnCloud client apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. Please note that the Android and iOS client apps are paid and cost $1 each.

While OwnCloud itself is free, there are additional costs to consider. Since you're hosting your files on your own premises, you'll need to bear the cost of server space and storage. You'll also need a machine that's available 24/7 to run OwnCloud, which comes with electricity and machine costs. Additionally, depending on the file types and sizes you work with, you'll need to gauge your storage space requirements. For example, a WD EX4100 NAS with 32 TB of storage currently costs around $2000.

On the other hand, Dropbox Business is a cloud file-storage application. The basic plan is free and provides 2 GB of storage per user. However, for enterprise-level storage, the paid plans start at $15/month/user, offering 5 TB of storage per user. If you require unlimited storage, you can upgrade to the Advanced plan for $25/month/user. Dropbox also offers a 30-day trial period, allowing you to test out their different pricing tiers.

Security

When it comes to handling sensitive documents and official data, security is of paramount importance. OwnCloud, being an open-source product, offers a high level of security. Since your data is stored on your local machine or server, the risk of a public breach is significantly reduced.

OwnCloud provides various encryption capabilities, such as built-in AES-256 encryption or the option to configure your own encryption method. You can also configure your firewall server or application with OwnCloud and encrypt data traveling through the network using SSL. Additionally, OwnCloud offers a full audit trail, allowing you to track data access and sharing.

Dropbox also provides the same level of data encryption. Files on the cloud are encrypted using AES-256, and data in transit is protected using SSL/TLS. Dropbox's infrastructure for file preview and access is complex, as it stores file fragments on different servers. This means that even if someone gains access to the file preview, they won't be able to access other files and folders.

Add-Ons

While both OwnCloud and Dropbox excel at file storing and sharing, they also offer additional tools and functionalities. For instance, Google Drive comes with apps like Google Keep Notes, which allow you to quickly take notes and store them in the cloud.

Similarly, OwnCloud has its own marketplace with apps like Carnet and Metadata, which provide additional functionalities and file metadata information.

Dropbox offers extensions that add extra capabilities to your storage, such as Adobe Sign, Canva, Pixlr, and Nitro PDF.

Collaborative Tools

Collaborative tools may not be a priority when choosing a file-sharing platform, but they become essential as your needs evolve. OwnCloud integrates with Collabra, which allows you to collaboratively edit and share LibreOffice documents on the cloud. On the other hand, Dropbox has its own document collaboration tool called Dropbox Paper, similar to Google Docs.

Additionally, Dropbox integrates well with popular tools like Gmail and Slack, giving it an edge in terms of collaborative features.

Conclusion

Dropbox offers more in terms of collaboration and add-ons, with an easy setup process that doesn't require managing additional resources. For most users, Dropbox is the better option. However, if you have the resources and IT knowledge, setting up OwnCloud storage provides you with complete control over your data. While the initial setup and configuration may be more time-consuming, the benefits of total data control make it worthwhile.

If you have any further questions or concerns, feel free to leave a comment below.

Also Read: OwnCloud vs NextCloud – Best Self File Hosting Application?