Dropbox
Cloud file storage and sync service for sharing files across devices.
Liked for easy, set-and-forget file sync and sharing12 that has stayed reliable for years across Windows, Mac, Linux and Android.345 The most common complaints are tightening limits and storage plans that feel poor value,6789 with some also citing heavy filesystem scans and intrusive macOS permissions.1011
Why people recommend it
Reliability · 3
Long-time paying users describe it as rock solid and trustworthy.
“it's been rock solid and a true workhorse”
“They all work perfectly for their intended uses.”
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“I use a bunch of additional services they offer. They work well, make me spend less money and save my time”
Easy sync · 3
Makes syncing and sharing files simpler than rsync or OneDrive.
“dropbox just made it easier to setup sharing and use without thinking”
“Third-party vendors like DropBox, Box and many others have made products that look like OneDrive but actually work”
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“doing most of my work via a Dropbox account that's replicated across machines”
Cross-platform · 3
Keeps files available across many devices and operating systems.
“I love Dropbox since I ran Ubuntu long ago and Windows and Android. I am still on it”
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Integrations · 3
Its API and third-party support let users connect other tools and devices.
“I love Dropbox, I pay annually.”
“It can connect to Dropbox so I deployed a small app in Fly.io”
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“store my encrypted data on Dropbox”
Extra services · 1
Add-on features like send, transcription and sharing controls save time.
“I use a bunch of additional services they offer. They work well, make me spend less money and save my time”
Caveats and dissent
Storage value · 2
Plan storage caps have not grown in years and pricing has become complicated.
“Dropbox is still stuck at 2 or 3 TB for their $12/$20 plans.”
“I use a bunch of additional services they offer. They work well, make me spend less money and save my time”
Added limitations · 2
Some users left after Dropbox introduced limits and ended the referral storage program.
“then they removed it after I had invited so many people and I didn't want to keep using the service at all.”
“after they started pushing limitations I stopped using it.”
macOS behavior · 1
One user cancelled over misuse of root to re-add macOS permissions.
“I used to sync all my files off dropbox when I cancelled my subscription because of their misuse of root”
Resource usage · 1
Large filesystem walks spun up fans on an Intel Mac Pro.
“Dropbox would fire up to do massive walks of the filesystem tree and the fans would take off.”
Linux features · 1
The Linux app has long-requested features still missing.
“This has been a feature that has been being requested on the linux version of the app for years, and dropbox appears unlikely to add it anytime soon.”
Lock-in · 1
Even happy users want an exit plan in case the service declines.
“I love Dropbox, I pay annually.”
Often compared with
3 moved from Dropbox to SyncthingFilestash7 comments mention both
1 moved from OneDrive to DropboxGoogle Drive3 comments mention both
1 moved from Dropbox to Google Drive
1 moved from rsync to Dropbox
Who recommends it in their own words
Threads where it came up
- Dropbox, loved by the masses, a shareholder dead end 4 mentions
- Dropbox CEO Drew Houston to step down 3 mentions
- Everyone hates OneDrive, Microsofts cloud app that steals and deletes files 2 mentions
- Herdr has released native app 1 mention
- New 14‑inch MacBook Pro with M6 1 mention
- Ask HN: My Apple ID is locked for a week, Apple is a single point of failure 1 mention
Data: dropbox.json. Quotes are verbatim; the verdict and theme labels are written by a model from these comments, and every clause links to its sources.
All comments 25
“dropbox just made it easier to setup sharing and use without thinking”
“Dropbox would fire up to do massive walks of the filesystem tree and the fans would take off.”
“Keeping Dropbox storage subscription instead of considering migration to iCloud storage.”
“I use a bunch of additional services they offer. They work well, make me spend less money and save my time”
“I use Keepass and the free tier of Dropbox”
“I have several times my HDD in Dropbox”
“from a user point of view it is really attractive to have storage services that are JUST storage.”
“then they removed it after I had invited so many people and I didn't want to keep using the service at all.”
“after they started pushing limitations I stopped using it.”
“I used to use Dropbox at work and also personally.”
“I used to sync all my files off dropbox when I cancelled my subscription because of their misuse of root”
“I love Dropbox since I ran Ubuntu long ago and Windows and Android. I am still on it”
“it's been rock solid and a true workhorse”
“I maintain a Dropbox account, Apple Shared Albums, and a private Peertube instance for sharing this media.”
“I've used everything from ftp (for videos), to Dropbox”
“Dropbox is still stuck at 2 or 3 TB for their $12/$20 plans.”
“I love Dropbox, I pay annually.”
“It can connect to Dropbox so I deployed a small app in Fly.io”
“Sync the file to Dropbox.”
“store my encrypted data on Dropbox”
“sync notes to my PC with Dropbox”
“They all work perfectly for their intended uses.”
“Third-party vendors like DropBox, Box and many others have made products that look like OneDrive but actually work”
“This has been a feature that has been being requested on the linux version of the app for years, and dropbox appears unlikely to add it anytime soon.”
“doing most of my work via a Dropbox account that's replicated across machines”