Dropbox

Dropbox is a simple, reliable file-syncing and storage service with enhanced collaboration features, but it's not as inexpensive or integrated as platform offerings like Google Drive, iCloud, and OneDrive.

Web Interface

Dropbox's web interface clearly shows your folders and sharing options.

Image Viewing

You can view images that are stored in your Dropbox account in the web app as well.

Dropbox Showcase

Dropbox Showcase lets you create a simple web presentation that you can share with specified contacts or the world. The feature requires a paid account, and lets you easily track who's viewed any of your Showcases.

Dropbox Paper

Dropbox Paper is a collaborative document type particular to Dropbox. It includes a task list, option.

Collaboration

Dropbox Paper is collaborative. For example, you can assign tasks to others.

Commenting on Files

When you use Dropbox collaboratively, other people can comment on your files. Shown is an image comment that is associated with a highlighted part of the picture.

File Thumbnails

With Dropbox, you can store, sync, and share more than just images. Thumbnails of a variety of supported file types help you quickly find what you need.

Sharing

Sharing folders and files has long been an important feature in Dropbox.

Paper Features

Dropbox Paper includes more collaboration features, such as the ability to work collaboratively by editing files, sharing meeting notes, and brainstorming.

About Our Expert

Jill Duffy

Contributor

My Experience

I'm an expert in software and work-related issues, and I have been contributing to PCMag since 2011. I launched the column Get Organized in 2012 and ran it through 2024, offering advice on how to manage all the devices, apps, digital photos, email, and other technology that can make you feel overwhelmed. That column turned into the book Get Organized: How to Clean Up Your Messy Digital Life. I was also the first product reviewer at PCMag to test fitness gadgets, including everything from early Fitbits to smart bras.

Currently, I'm passionate about the meaning of work and work culture, and I enjoy writing about how managers and employees can communicate better, with or without software. My most recent book is The Everything Guide to Remote Work. I also love a good workplace drama.

In addition to writing about work, I cover online education, focusing on learning for personal enrichment and skills development. I have a soft spot for really good language-learning software. Although I grew up speaking only English, some twists and turns in life led me to learn Spanish, Romanian, and a bit of American Sign Language. I've studied at the university level, as well as at the Foreign Service Institute, where US diplomats and ambassadors learn languages.

My writing has also appeared in WIRED, the BBC, Gloria, Refinery29, and Popular Science, among other publications.

Follow me on Mastodon.

The Technology I Use

Squeezing every last bit of usage out of the devices I already own is the only way I can tolerate my personal consumption. In other words, I do not own the latest cutting-edge technology. I buy things that will last and try to take care of them.

My life is organized by Todoist, and my notes live in Joplin. Where would I be without Dashlane as my password manager? Probably locked out of all my many online accounts—I have more than 1,000 of them.

When I share my contact information, it's an excruciatingly long list of phone numbers, messaging apps, and email addresses, because it's essential to stay flexible while also remaining somewhat mysterious.

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