Is iCloud Drive a good substitute for Dropbox?

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JMPC Author

Level 1

82 points

Is iCloud Drive a good substitute for Dropbox?

Hello.

I'm on a MacBook Air - 2014 with OS X El Capitan 10.11.5 installed.

I'm an user of iCloud Drive, but I currently only use the free 5 Gbs. I would like to upgrade to 50 Gbs.

I have an iPod Nano 3rd Generation & only this MacBook Air. My question is:

Is iCloud Drive a good substitute for Dropbox, Onedrive and other 'digital storage platforms'?

Is it safe enough to store any kind of files on it? Or is it only adequate for the iLife family apps and other Apple specific files (QuickTime, Final Cut Pro...).

Can I safely store a video on any format? Safely store Microsoft Office files on it?

If I upgrade to 50 Gbs (or more) will it be worth it?! Because currently 5 Gbs is enough for me... but if I could use it the same way I use Dropbox & Onedrive, I won't hesitate upgrading.

Thank you in advance for any help you may give me.

Best regards.

MacBook Air, OS X El Capitan (10.11.5)

Posted on Jul 6, 2016 1:08 PM

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Answer 1

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Jul 6, 2016 1:16 PM in response to JMPC

It's synchronous, so no

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Answer 2

Jul 6, 2016 1:16 PM in response to JMPC

Rationale behind iCloud storage - Jan 2016 - https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7443350?answerId=29713224022#29713224022

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Answer 3

JMPC Author

Level 1

82 points

Jul 6, 2016 1:16 PM in response to Csound1

Thank you for answering.

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Answer 4

JMPC Author

Level 1

82 points

Jul 6, 2016 1:18 PM in response to Limnos

Thanks for answering.

I can assume, then, that since the only current device I have is my MacBook air... it's not 'safe enough' to substitute Dropbox for iCloud Drive.

It seems to be fine between Apple devices... but on a stand alone situation (like mine)... the upgrade isn't exactly useful.

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Answer 5

Jul 6, 2016 1:23 PM in response to JMPC

"Substitute Dropbox for iCloud Drive", or substitute iCloud Drive for Dropbox?

iCloud Drive doesn't strike me as anything useful unless you have multiple hardware. I looked at it when I set up my computer but decided there wasn't anything for me with a single computer and no igadgets. In my case I decide an external hard drive would be better and cheaper in the long run.

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Answer 6

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Jul 6, 2016 1:26 PM in response to JMPC

It offers nothing for a single device that can't be done without it Unless you use iCloud mail, in which case it offers mail). As an "off the Mac" storage solution it is no use.

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Answer 7

JMPC Author

Level 1

82 points

Jul 6, 2016 1:36 PM in response to Csound1

You definitely provided me with an answer that answered to all of my questions. Thank you so much. 🙂

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Answer 8

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Jul 6, 2016 1:38 PM in response to JMPC

You're welcome 🙂

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Answer 9

Jul 6, 2016 1:42 PM in response to Limnos

The linked discussion doesn't seem to make a distinction between iCloud and iCloud Drive. I may be completely confused on the issue but iCloud Drive does sound as if it works quite a bit like DropBox. Store any type of file and access them from pretty much anywhere. What am I missing?

iCloud Drive FAQ - Apple Support

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Answer 10

Jul 6, 2016 1:48 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

iCloud Drive works like Dropbox; it is not the same as iCloud. But a big difference is that Dropbox folders can be shared with anyone you choose, while iCloud Drive files and folders can only be shared among devices sharing the same iCloud ID.

I use both; I use iCloud Drive to share files among my 3 Macs, 2 iPads and 2 iPhones. I use Dropbox to share files among the members of my development team.

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Answer 11

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Jul 6, 2016 1:51 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

That iCloud occupies space on your Mac by default, and Dropbox does not

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Answer 12

JMPC Author

Level 1

82 points

Jul 6, 2016 1:55 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

Thank you so much for the information.

I'll keep it in mind... 🙂

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Answer 13

JMPC Author

Level 1

82 points

Jul 6, 2016 1:56 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

Thank you for the information. 😀

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Answer 14

Jul 6, 2016 6:36 PM in response to Csound1

Csound1 wrote:

That iCloud occupies space on your Mac by default, and Dropbox does not

As I use iCloud primarily for offsite back up, I don't have a big problem with that.

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Answer 15

Jul 6, 2016 6:37 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

Lawrence Finch wrote:

iCloud Drive works like Dropbox; it is not the same as iCloud. But a big difference is that Dropbox folders can be shared with anyone you choose, while iCloud Drive files and folders can only be shared among devices sharing the same iCloud ID.

I use both; I use iCloud Drive to share files among my 3 Macs, 2 iPads and 2 iPhones. I use Dropbox to share files among the members of my development team.

Thanks for the clarification!

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