Google File Stream vs Dropbox: A Complete Comparison

Quick Search:

• What Happened to Google File Stream?
• Google File Stream vs Dropbox: Free Space
• Google File Stream vs Dropbox: Security
• Google File Stream vs Dropbox: Integration
• Google File Stream vs Dropbox: File Syncing
• Bonus Tip: How to Use Google Drive and Dropbox Together
• In the End

What Happened to Google File Stream?

Google File Stream has ended its service and has rebranded as Google Drive for Desktop since 2021. In the past, Google File Stream is only for Google business users for seamless file transfer. Different from Google Drive, users can access and edit files via Google File Stream online instead of downloading the document to a local device first.

Google made a big change so Google Backup and Sync and Google File stream are integrated, and it’s called Drive for Desktop now. The new service has absorbed the virtues of both tools and makes it easy to stream files. So, to know Google File Stream vs Dropbox in different aspects, it’s similar to knowing the differences between Drive for Desktop and Dropbox.

Google File Stream vs Dropbox: Free Space

Drive for Desktop is a client desktop app version of Google Drive. Google offers 15GB of free storage space. And it shares the quota with Google Photos and Gmail. Compared to the generous cloud service, Dropbox offers less – 2GB. Is it better to use Google Drive or Dropbox? If you value free space, then the answer is yes.

Google File Stream vs Dropbox: Security

When talking about Dropbox security, it encrypts data in transit with TLS/SSL and at rest with AES-256. Two-factor authentication (2FA) is available for all users. Paid users can enjoy more security features, such as expiring shared links, password-protected files, and granular permissions.

When it comes to Drive for desktop, Google uses the same encryption protocol as Dropbox. It also supports 2FA, ensuring your data can only be accessed on your own. If you value sharing methods and settings, Dropbox can be more helpful.

Google File Stream vs Dropbox: Integration

Drive for desktop and Dropbox provide excellent integrations, but they cater to slightly different user needs. In detail, Dropbox can be connected with over 300,000 apps, such as Slack, Zoom, Trello, Microsoft Office, etc., making it ideal for diverse workflows. 

Contrastingly, Google Drive has a deep integration with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Gmail, Calendar). Although it supports third-party services, it’s more limited than Dropbox. Therefore, if you value the scale of third-party tool support, Dropbox is a good alternative to Google Drive.

Google File Stream vs Dropbox: File Syncing

Dropbox offers a traditional file-syncing model where files are synced locally across devices and the cloud. It also offers Dropbox smart sync and selective sync, which allows users to manage which files to be stored locally or accessed from the cloud. Google Drive for Desktop focuses on file streaming, allowing users to view and edit files directly from the cloud without taking up local storage.

So, Google Drive for Desktop is more convenient when syncing files between the cloud and the local device.

Bonus Tip: How to Use Google Drive and Dropbox Together

We have shown you Google File Stream vs Dropbox in different aspects. Now, you should know that both services are useful and smart. They both have pros and cons. So, the best way is to use both tools at the same time. In this situation, you can utilize MultCloud to organize them together. It is a web-based cloud file manager that allows you to link over 30 cloud drives in one place.

By adding Dropbox and Google Drive on MultCloud, you can head to different clouds with just one click. Normal features are available, such as uploading, downloading, sharing, renaming, copying, etc. Also, advanced are provided for you to make cloud-to-cloud transfers, sync, and backup.

Now, follow the steps below to learn how to manage Google Drive and Dropbox together via MultCloud:

Step 1: Register an account on MultCloud by your email. Or, you can log in with your Google, Facebook, or Apple ID.

Step 2: Locate on the left taskbar, and head to Add Cloud. Then tap the icon of Google Drive to add your credentials. Next, follow the on-screen tips to permit MultCloud. Then, repeat the same steps to add Dropbox and give MultCloud access too.

Step 3: Once you have added the cloud successfully, they will be displayed on the left lower pane. You can access files on each cloud by tapping its name. To perform basic features, you can right-click the item to Download, Share, Rename, etc. Also, if you want to transfer files between both cloud drives, simply navigate to Cloud Transfer on the left upper sidebar.

Similarly, you can utilize features like Cloud Sync, Cloud Backup, Remote Upload, Email Migration, etc. Meanwhile, MultCloud currently released a new feature that allows you to download photos and reels from Instagram to your local device/cloud service at once, which is named Instagram Downloader. If you want to download someone else’s Instagram post, use this feature.

In the End

So, Google File Stream vs Dropbox, which one is better for you? You have the answer after reading this tutorial. Anyway, both cloud services are useful and smart. If you intend to use them together, you can utilize MultCloud to connect them in one place. With the help of MultCloud, you can easily manage multiple cloud drives, just as you would on each cloud's official app.