Key Difference: Cloud storage allows a user to save data and files on external servers. These external servers are managed by a hosting company, such as Dropbox, Box and Google Drive. Each company has different services that it provides for its users, but commonly they usually all allow the users to store data and files, as well as share those files with others.

In today’s world, everything is connected. Due to the technological advances of the 21^st century, we now have the ability to be constantly connected to the web, or to each other. This is why, today is called the technological age. We are so dependent on technology that we need to be in constant touch and presence of it. We need to be have total access to all information, that available on the internet and our work that we have already done.

However, our work is generally saved on the device we do the work on, whether it is a desktop at the office, a desktop or laptop at home, or something. However, with the advent of smartphones and tablets we even do work on those, and need access to the work at the office, or access to the work on the smartphones and tablets from the office. We also need to be able to share work and files with colleagues or peers. File sharing with wires and disks is hard and cumbersome. E-mail clients usually have a file size limit. Also, how to share your works with a co-worker or collaborator who is physically away from you, in another city or another country?

In all these instances, the answer is cloud storage. Cloud storage allows a user to save data and files on external servers. These external servers are managed by a hosting company, such as Dropbox, Box and Google Drive. Each company has different services that it provides for its users, but commonly they usually all allow the users to store data and files, as well as share those files with others.

Google Drive is a file storage and synchronization service by Google, which makes it trusted and used by millions of people all over the world. Google Drvie offers 15 GB of user storage, which is shared over Google Drive, Gmail, and Google+ Photos. In addition to cloud storage, Google Drive also includes the usage of Google Docs, Sheets and Slides, as well as an office suite of productivity applications.

Dropbox has garnered a lot of publicity lately and has gotten quite popular in its usage. Dropbox provides 2 GB of storage for free, but allows users to expand their storage by 500 MB more for each friend referral they give. Dropbox also recently reduced the cost of paid plans to match those of Google Drive.

Box is another file storage service that started small, but is constantly growing. Box, which was previously known as Box.net, provides 10 GB of free storage. However, Box has a tie-up with Sony Xperia and HP Spectre 13, the users of which get 50 GB from the get go. Like all other cloud storage services, Box also has numerous paid plans for both personal and business usage.

Comparison between Dropbox, Box and Google Drive:

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