Dropbox vs. Proton Drive
Side by side, with sources. Checked Oct 3, 2026.
Dropbox
Paid plans
Proton Drive
Free plan + paidPrice
Basic is free with 2 GB and up to 3 devices. Plus (2 TB) and team plans are paid; prices depend on your country. From Japan the plans page shows Plus at ¥1,200 a month billed yearly.from ¥1,200/monthSource: dropbox.com
Free plan with 5 GB. Drive Plus (200 GB) is US$4.99 a month, or US$3.99 a month billed yearly.from $3.99/monthSource: proton.me
Pricing model
Paid plans · Free plan available
Free plan + paid · Free plan available
License
ProprietaryA proprietary cloud service and apps under Dropbox’s terms of service.
Open core · GPL-3.0The Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android and web apps are GPL-3.0; the Proton Drive service is run only by Proton, and its server code is not published.
Works on
- ✓ Windows
- ✓ Mac
- ✓ Linux
- ✓ iPhone & iPad
- ✓ Android
- ✓ Web browser
- ✓ Windows
- ✓ Mac
- – Linux
- ✓ iPhone & iPad
- ✓ Android
- ✓ Web browser
Where your data lives
On Dropbox’s servers, protected in transit and at rest.
On Proton’s servers, end-to-end encrypted; Proton says it owns its server hardware in Switzerland and Germany.
Getting started
—
Difficulty: Easy Official installers, app-store apps and a free account; nothing to run yourself.
Hosted version
—
Proton Drive (free 5 GB)The free plan has 5 GB; the service runs on Proton’s servers.
Our take
The closest like-for-like switch if you want a cloud folder with end-to-end encryption. Linux users will miss a desktop app.
Best for
Privacy without self-hosting
People who want encrypted sync and sharing without running anything themselves.
Check first
Linux and sharing
There is no Linux desktop app yet; also check how sharing with people outside Proton works for you.