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Many people have a love/hate relationship with the Cloud. They love how the Cloud allows them to back up their data and access their files from anywhere they have an Internet connection. But they hate that they can’t access the Cloud when they’re away from the Internet. Some people swear by saving their data locally on their computer. But when their computer crashes or they’re away from their computer, they wish they had saved their data to the Cloud.
Dropbox gives you the best of both worlds, local storage plus Cloud storage together. Dropbox is an online storage service that allows you to store documents, photos, music, PDF’s, videos and other files on their computers. But what makes Dropbox even more useful is that Dropbox automatically syncs your files to other computers on your account every time you save them. 
Also see, 8 Easy Ways to Get Free Dropbox Space
Why You Should Want Dropbox
1. It’s Free
Dropbox gives you 2 GB of free storage space when you sign up. That’s not a lot but you can earn additional free storage space by:
- signing up using a referral from an existing Dropbox user
- referring others to Dropbox
- taking a tour of the Dropbox website
- connecting with Dropbox on Twitter and Facebook
- sharing a Dropbox file with others
As of last week, you can get an extra 500 mb of space on Dropbox for free by automatically uploading your photos from your Android phone to Dropbox. You can find out more information here: Dropbox Blog.
If you need more space, Dropbox offers paid upgrades of 50 GB for $9.99/month or $99/year and 100 GB for $19.99/month or $199/year. If you need more than 100 GB of storage space, Dropbox has other plans available as well.
2. Access to Your Dropbox Files
With Dropbox you can have instant access to your files from almost anywhere. Dropbox can sync with your computers, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and Android devices. No need to wait for your files to upload, they’ll be stored locally on your computers automatically when they’re added to Dropbox. No need for a thumb drive, Dropbox can transfer your files for you. 
3. App Integration
The folks at Dropbox have done a superb job of making sure that a wide variety of apps and software programs sync with Dropbox. Apps such as EasySign, Evernote, and many others offer this feature.
4. Online Backup
You know you should back up your computer’s files regularly, but few of us take the time to do regular backups. By using Dropbox to store your files, you automatically back up your files to the Cloud and other computers every time you save a file. If your computer crashes or your phone goes through the spin cycle of your washing machine, your files are preserved.
5. Group Share
Dropbox allow you to share files with others. Log in to your Dropbox account and click on Files => Share a Folder. You can then share an existing folder or create a new one and send it to another Dropbox user. This feature is very handy for working on group projects. No more emailing documents among team members, wondering which version is the correct one. Dropbox updates files in real time so everyone can access the same version of the file. You can also share a file with the world using an unsecured “Public” file that can be accessed from a link.
Disadvantages of Dropbox
Dropbox isn’t perfect. Last year the site had security issues that caused some people to question how secure data was on Dropbox. If you need to store sensitive files on Dropbox, you can use a third-party service such as TrueCrypt to protect your data with an additional layer of encryption.
Dropbox has strong competition from other services offering Cloud storage, including SugarSync, Apple’s iCloud, Microsoft’s new SkyDrive, Box.net and others. Some of these services offer more free storage space, but Dropbox has integration with more apps and other services, as well as features such as ease of use that make it a very popular site.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for combining the convenience of storing your files in the Cloud with the benefits of accessing them locally, check out Dropbox.
Do you store your files locally on your computer or in the Cloud? Do you like the idea of having files stored in both places? Do you use Dropbox? Let us know in the Comments section below! (Note: if you would like to try Dropbox, you can use this link: Sign Up for Dropbox which will give you and me more free storage.)
Don’t Miss: How to Get a Whopping 1 GB of Free Dropbox Space
* Keyboard image by Johan Larsson
I had been using DropBox but then I realized that when I worked on files by accessing them through my computer’s file folders, they did not update in my DropBox folder. This threw me a few times when I thought I was working on an updated file.
But I agree, it is a very convenient tool to have. Especially if you work on two different computers (which I will when I travel to the US and have to transfer my works-in-progress to a laptop). I need to introduce more friends to this, so we can share files!
Hi Kathy, I’ve never had an issue with a file not updating in Dropbox and I’ve been using it almost exclusively to store my files for over a year. Did you ever figure out what the problem was?
You’re right, Dropbox is incredibly handy when you travel. You can access your files from almost anywhere.
File sharing is very handy when you’re working on a group project or to share photos with loved ones. 🙂
I was recently introduced to Dropbox — mainly as a way of transfering files & data to clients (and vice versa).
What I liked about it was that I was able to send larger files, such as 30′ videos, that I’d normally have to split up to send through regular email.
I didn’t know about the security issues.
Hi Eleni, I did the same thing as you did. Before Dropbox, I would transfer files between computers using email, but that was much slower and less convenient. Once I started using Dropbox, I began using it nearly exclusively.
Last May, Dropbox had a glitch that eliminated password protection for a small percentage of accounts for a brief period of time. There were no reports of files being accessed due to this breach, but it was a security flaw that Dropbox quickly remedied.
Informative once again Carolyn!
I’ve been hearing about Dropbox for quite sometime, and being a freelance writer, I do need a place where I can store all my posts, files and all things to refer back to later.
Guess this is something that needs to be checked out right away! Thanks for sharing the information, and as you say they are giving away more storage space, so that would make it all the more better now 🙂
Hi Harleena, I store nearly everything on Dropbox now, my blog photos, drafts, videos, graphics, personal photos and documents. I like that I can access them from other computers, my iPhone and iPad, and that I have automatic backups of them.
Whether you sign up through the link above or through someone else’s Dropbox account, make sure you sign up through someone’s account to get the extra free storage space. Once you use Dropbox, you will appreciate having free space. 🙂
Great post –
Like every tool, Dropbox has pros and cons. I use it to communicate with various committees and teams I’m on. Simplicity is paramont since I don’t want a big training effort for new users. We never use it for sensitive information and most people who break into our files would die of boredom or embarrassment when they realize that the information is public!
All files on Dropbox need to be archived by somebody and Dropbox is not the primary repository. It is too easy for somebody to accidentally alter or delete files. The primary purpose is to allow everyone on a team to have access to useful documents without having to maintain their own files. We have had hoards of printed and electronic files just in the rare circumstance we needed them. We can easily end that time wasting habit.
I also use Dropbox to share files among my devices and as a backup for critical files.
If course Apple’s iCloud has become a mainstay for my personal word processing, presentation and spreadsheet files. When I change a file it’s automatically backed up and saved on my iMac, iPad and iPhone. If I dropped my iPad during a presentation, the same file would be on my iPhone and I’d be up and running in a minute.
Hi Gary, thanks so much for your enlightening comment. It’s very helpful to hear from a reader with such extensive experience with Dropbox and iCloud.
iCloud is a serious contender against Dropbox, but many people need their Cloud backup to work across many systems, not just on Apple devices. But if you are on Apple products 100%, iCloud is a worthwhile alternative to Dropbox.
Hi Carolyn,
Sounds like a great tool to me. I always seem to be where my files are not – or I can’t get onto the web.
Even with just 2GB, I think that I would find this useful. Thanks for the share.
Hi Hamish, I think you’ll find Dropbox a very useful tool and the more you use Dropbox, the more you will appreciate all it offers.
If you sign up for Dropbox, you should make sure to either use the link above or have someone else who is a Dropbox user refer you so you start off with extra free storage. Once you start using Dropbox you’ll quickly realize that you can’t have enough free storage! 🙂
Hi Carolyn,
I signed up using the link above. At first I got 2GB of storage, but just a few minutes later an e-mail arrived to tell me that I had been given another 250MB – so it works just fine.
Thanks again for the share – this is going to be handy for me. 🙂
Hi Hamish, That’s great that you signed up, I appreciate you using the link. You will find many uses for Dropbox and will soon find the extra space very handy!
I’ve heard a little about it as well and told myself I was going to check into this a little more so thanks for sharing this post today Carolyn.
I think it could really be good for sharing really large files which comes in very handy for me.
I do back up my computer on a regular basis, weekly as a matter of fact, but I have an external hard drive that is very small so I can actually take it with me wherever I go. I don’t know how trustworthy some sites are so they just make me nervous. Like you mentioned that they did have issues at one time so nothing is ever 100% secure.
I’ve been wanting someone to write about this so thanks Carolyn for sharing this.
Hope you’re having a wonderful day!
~Adrienne
Hi Adrienne, I think you’ll really find Dropbox handy. The security issue was that a very small percentage of users had password protection disabled for a short time. Not good for finances, but for blogging drafts and photos, I don’t see that as a big problem. I find Dropbox incredibly handy to manage my data and I think you would too, Adrienne!
I have been using DropBox for last 1 year and I generally save all my important data in it as your data is easily available on hard drive plus on cloud. Another thing you can easily get additional 500 MB storage by inviting one friend, no matter if he/she joins or not.
Hi Atul, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I’m glad you have found Dropbox to be useful. The amount of storage you get from referring someone is 250MB (unless you have connetected your account to a .edu email address, in which case the amount is 500MB) and they have to sign up for you to get the extra storage. I hope you continue to enjoy Dropbox and The Wonder of Tech!
Hm, I tend to use my web server for backups (I can password protect various areas), but the computer backup does sound tempting. I have two external hard drives, but it’s always good to have crucial data online as well, just in case.
Hi Leora, I also have backups on my web server and an external hard drive, but Dropbox allows me instant access to my files from other computers and my iPad and iPhone/Android phones. I find it incredibly handy to be able to transfer images and documents between devices, whether for writing this blog or sharing my files with others.
ive just discovered Dropbox, i find it really handy when traveling
Hi Jane, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech. You’re right, Dropbox is incredibly handy to use when you’re traveling. I’m glad you’re enjoying the service! 🙂
I like Dropbox. A lot. They’re one of the best examples of ‘doing things right’. I tried it for the first time last year and was instantly converted.
I now use Dropbox for important (though not confidential) backups – nothing permanent, though, as they do not yet provide enough free space for my needs. As for shelling out money for their premium plans, it’s not that I find the service pricey; in fact it’s quite reasonably priced, but my buying philosophy is:
“If I bought everything I can afford, then pretty soon I wouldn’t be able to afford anything.”
So the free service it is, for now. I’ve already got more than standard storage space because I introduced a few friends to Dropbox.
Everyone loves the convenience of it. You don’t have to worry about passwords or even syncing your files. As soon as I started working on two separate computers, Dropbox became an essential app/service.
Hi John, It’s wonderful to hear from another satisfied Dropbox user. I like your philosophy about spending. It’s very wise to resist temptation in buying things you can afford.
I agree, I think the fees for Dropbox are reasonable, but I have found that the free space they give me is sufficient for my needs.
I agree, if you work on more than one computer (or need access to your files on a mobile device), Dropbox becomes essential.
Thanks for the Dropbox details! I have a Dropbox account, and do need more space, but didn’t know all these ways I can expand it. Great to know I can get more space without having to pay for it.
Hi Carol, I’m glad you found this article useful. Dropbox keeps coming up with new ways to earn free space. I learned a few new ways from researching this article. I even signed up with my university email so I can get even more free space. It never hurts to get more free space! 🙂
Wonderful, Carolyn, thank you so much! You just gave me an idea about using dropbox for videos. Very annoying to send them via email and then realising it cannot be done in one go due to size.
Hi Barbara, You’re right, it’s much easier to use Dropbox to share files than email. Video files can be especially troublesome because of the size of the files. With Dropbox you can share the files easily and access them from almost anywhere.
Hi Carolyn,
I have been using Dropbox for a while and I have never had any problems at all. To me, Dropbox is one of the services I use the most and one of the services I am most satisfied with. I use it for backup and to share files.
Hi Jens, It’s very helpful to hear from others who have enjoyed using Dropbox and find it useful. I have never had any problems with Dropbox either. It has made my life much easier, which is why I was so excited to share it with Wonder of Tech readers.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your experiences with us, Jens! 🙂
Hi Carolyn!!! 🙂
Dropbox is one of the awesome technologies now. Been using this and I love it, I can share my files without difficulty but I was wondering if its really safe of using this one. Does the hacker can hack the files in the dropbox? Just like the emails, hackers can know the content of important mails. I wish you can give answer to all my anxieties. Thank you very much and more power.
Hi Avatar, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! The security issues Dropbox had last year affected a very small percentage of its users and no breaches of data were reported. If you need extra security for the files you keep on Dropbox, you should use a third-party encryption tool. As with all data in the Cloud, security is an issue but there have been no reports of Dropbox being hacked.
Hi Carolyn,
I’m a huge Dropbox nut. I got onto that bandwagon when it launched and was absolutely thrilled when they began offering it on mobile devices.
It’s one of those things that once you start using it you just have a hard time thinking about how you’d get around without it!
One of the coolest things about it, for me, is being able to share files and folders in real time with edit privileges with others. I was shocked at how much they offered for free to users. I even managed to max out the referrals and get a ton of extra free space added to my account. I hope you get a lot of referrals so you can max out yours too! More space for free is an added bonus! 😉
Cat
Hi Cat, I agree, when I first started using Dropbox way back when, before I started this blog, I had no idea how handy it would be. But now I save almost everything to Dropbox.
That’s great you have been able to expand your space over the years, Cat. As you know, the more space you can get on Dropbox the better!
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with us! 🙂
WOW! Carolyn, though I had used Dropbox for simple file sharing, I have to confess I had not explored it to learn this. Loved, loved, loved learning about the syncing feature.
Definitely will get on it and start using this great tool more effectively. Thanks so much for letting me know the details on this resource.
best wishes for a terrific week ahead. Until next time, aloha. Janet
Mahalo, Janet. Even those who have signed up for an account may not be aware of all of the features of Dropbox. The more that you use Dropbox, the more you will appreciate the service.
I hope you have a wonderful week too, Janet!
I am a very big fan of Dropbox and i use this tool to host my important documents like ebooks, pics and notes. And a blogger i use this tool to backup my WordPress files on cloud. this is a awesome service.
Hi Alok, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I’m so glad you enjoy using Dropbox. It’s great to hear from another satisfied Dropbox user. You’re right, you can save all kinds of files on Dropbox. It sounds as if you make full use of your Dropbox account! 🙂
Hi Carolyn,
I was searching for a cloud server for storing my data. I liked dropbox but I have more than 2GB of data. I decided to give AVG livekive.com a try. I was totally confused by the UI and reminded myself that antivirus companies have no business in storing data ;).
I like the dropbox for its well designed site.
I also thought of using Google docs, but you know there is something strange and funny. Even with a paid subscription, one can never upload a folder, only individual files.
I think I have to knock on dropbox doors again and copy my really important files over there.
Thanks for all the info. It really helped a lot 🙂
Hi Ashvini, I understand, I went through the same analysis. Other services offer more space initially, but not nearly as many features. The good news about Dropbox is that there are so many ways to increase your space for free. So I took the plunge and started using Dropbox to save my files and I keep increasing my space through the different methods they offer.
Make sure when you sign up for Dropbox that you use a referral link such as the one above so that you start out with more than 2 GB of space. I think you’ll find it’s fairly easy to increase your free space quickly, Ashvini! 🙂
Ashvini,
Dropbox UI is quite easy & simple to use. And as you said about the 2 GB limit you can refer some users to dropbox and can expand that limit to 8 GB. I referred some of my Friends to them & now I am having an account with 8 GB of storage space, though i am hardly using 1 GB even.
You can also try out Amazon Cloud Drive which gives 5 GB of free space to all users who register with them.
Carolyn as you mentioned about the security issues in Dropbox, so there is a new service going to hit the markets soon i.e Bitcasa it is similar as Dropbox you can sync all your computer files with their cloud but with enhanced security, the founders of this service are ex-employees of Visa & Master Card so they are quite good with security (this was written in one of the about us section on their site 😀 )
Right Now Bitcasa is in Beta, I have the invite to try it out but haven’t tried it yet! 😛
Hi Rohit, Bitcasa sounds very interesting. I look forward to finding out more about that service.
Yes, Amazon Cloud Drive and others give more space initially to users, but they don’t have as many features and aren’t as integrated with other apps and services.
I also worry about people using too many cloud services and then having difficulty keeping track of where their files can be found.
Thanks so much for letting is know about Bitcasa, Rohit! 🙂
I love Dropbox. I ‘ve been using it for quite sometime to share files with clients ( reason #5)
Hi Dave, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I’m glad you’re enjoying Dropbox. It’s great to hear from another happy Dropbox user! 🙂
There’s a nice blogging platform named Calepin. They use the blog owner’s dropbox account to store content. Worth a try. 🙂
Hi Anees, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Thank you for letting us know about Calepin. I hadn’t heard of that blogging platform before. 🙂
Dropbox saved us when we required to share files which were greater than 30 mb and nothing was working ,so I can say it can be a life saver sometimes
Hi Bishwajeet, I agree, Dropbox can be a lifesaver. When I’m away from my computer and need a file, Dropbox means I can get it from pretty much anywhere. Amazing! 🙂