ShareFile vs Dropbox Detailed Comparison 2025
File sharing online has become the new norm since the rise of remote work, but it is also a valuable feature for personal, business, or enterprise use.
Two of the most popular companies offering this service are ShareFile and Dropbox.
If you’re considering these two to meet your file-sharing or cloud storage needs, this Dropbox vs ShareFile article will cover everything you need to know, and whether you should consider an alternative that offers more online privacy and protection against data breaches.
Table of contents
- ShareFile vs Dropbox summary
- Dropbox vs ShareFile features comparison
- ShareFile vs Dropbox pricing
- Dropbox vs ShareFile pricing
- ShareFile vs Dropbox use cases
- Alternative to ShareFile and Dropbox
- Why choose an alternative to ShareFile and Dropbox
- Internxt
- Related articles
ShareFile vs Dropbox summary
First, we will give you a general idea of Sharefile vs Dropbox and what they offer.
ShareFile
ShareFile offers secure document workflow and file sharing software for businesses and clients.
Key tools include:
- Client portals,
- Information request forms,
- E-signature integration
- Project organization through nested folders
- Client Hub
SharePoint also offers Virtual Data Rooms (VDRs) to provide businesses and teams with a secure space for confidential files, as these rooms offer advanced features for confidential documents.
| Owner | Citrix Systems |
|---|---|
| Release date | 2005 |
| User base | 40+ million |
| Use | Secure file-sharing, cloud storage solution, virtual data room |
| Deployment | Cloud, on-premise, hybrid |
| Operating systems | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| System requirements |
◆ Windows 10 or later ◆ Windows Server 2012 R2 or later ◆ NET 4.7.1 Framework for Windows ◆ macOS 10.15 or later ◆ Android 7.0 (Nougat) or later ◆ iOS 14 or later |
Dropbox
Dropbox offers secure file storage and collaboration software for businesses and teams, and owns the second largest market share after Google Workspace, at 18.61%.
Key tools include:
- Shared folders for team collaboration
- File requests for collecting documents
- Integrated e-signature tools
- Project organization through smart folder structures
All these features make Dropbox a popular cloud storage option for businesses.
| Owner | Citrix Systems |
|---|---|
| Release date | 2005 |
| User base | 40+ million |
| Use | Secure file-sharing, cloud storage solution, virtual data room |
| Deployment | Cloud, on-premise, hybrid |
| Operating systems | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| System requirements |
◆ Windows 10 or later ◆ Windows Server 2012 R2 or later ◆ NET 4.7.1 Framework for Windows ◆ macOS 10.15 or later ◆ Android 7.0 (Nougat) or later ◆ iOS 14 or later |
Dropbox vs ShareFile features comparison
Next, we will compare the features of Sharebox vs Dropbox so you can get an overall idea of what each service offers and how they are similar or different.
File sharing
| Category | Features | Sharefile | Dropbox |
|---|---|---|---|
| File storage | Data storage type | Pooled | Pooled |
| Max storage capacity | Unlimited | 1,000 TB | |
| Maximum file size limit when uploading | 100 GB | 2 TB for Desktop app | |
| File transfer limit | 100 GB | 250 GB | |
| Synced files and folders | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| File storage | Data backup | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Document management
| Category | Features | Sharefile | Dropbox |
|---|---|---|---|
| Document management | Drag-and-drop document handling | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Automatic index numbering | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| File backup | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Version history limit | Unlimited | 1 year | |
| File preview | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Real-time editing | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Create new file | ❌ | ✔️ | |
| Full-text search | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Document redaction | ❌ | ❌ | |
| Viewable file formats | 15 | 65+ |
Collaboration
| Category | Features | ShareFile | Dropbox |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collaboration | Shared links | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| e-Signature | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| PDF editing | ❌ | ✔️ | |
| Built-in task workflows | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Task workflows via integration | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Notifications and updates | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| File requests | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Built-in comments and attachments | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Q&A section | ✔️ | ❌ |

Security
| Category | Features | ShareFile | Dropbox |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security | 256-bit data encryption | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Customer-managed encryption keys | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Two-factor authentication | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Single-sign on (SSO) | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Session timeout | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| IP restrictions | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Zero knowledge encryption | ❌ | ❌ | |
| User roles | 8+ roles | 3 roles | |
| File and folder permissions | 7 permissions | 3 permissions | |
| File and folder password protection | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Watermarking | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| IRM security | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Remote wipe | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Compliance
| Category | Features | ShareFile | Dropbox |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compliance | ISO 27701 | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| HIPAA | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| PCI DSS v3.2.1 | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| SOC 1 | ❌ | ✔️ | |
| SOC 2 | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| SOC 3 | ❌ | ✔️ | |
| GDPR | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| CSA | ❌ | ✔️ | |
| NIST 800-171 | ❌ | ✔️ | |
| FEDRA | ❌ | ✔️ | |
| COPPA | ❌ | ✔️ |
ShareFile vs Dropbox pricing
Now that we know the main features, it’s time to consider ShareFile vs Dropbox pricing, which you can compare from the tables below.
| ShareFile plan | Price | Users |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced | $17.60/user/month | Min 3 users |
| Premium | $27.50/user/month | Min 3 users |
| Industry advantage | $45.83/user/month | Min 3 users |
| Virtual data room | $75.00/user/month | Min 5 users |
Dropbox vs ShareFile pricing
| Dropbox Plan | Details | Users |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 2GB | 1 user |
| Plus – Personal | $9.99/month, 2TB of storage | 1 user |
| Professional – Professionals | $16.58/month, 3TB | 1 user |
| Standard – Teams | $15/user/month, 5TB | Multiple users |
| Advanced – Companies | $24/user/month, 15TB | 3+ users |
ShareFile vs Dropbox use cases
ShareFile may meet your needs if you need access to the following features:
- Secure file sharing and document collaboration for business use
- Secure and compliant space for confidential documents
- E-signatures, forms, and requests
- Advanced permissions
- Virtual data rooms
- Activity tracking and analytics
- Watermarking, NDA enforcement
You should use Dropbox for personal use or if you’re in a small or medium-sized business team.
- 15TB of storage for your team
- File branding
- PDF editing and signatures
- Password-protected file sharing
- Tiered admin management
- Compliance tracking
- Advanced key management
Alternative to ShareFile and Dropbox
How to choose an alternative
Choosing an alternative to Big Tech companies may seem like a bit of a risk, but there are many services available that offer the same cloud storage, file sharing, and more at an affordable cost, with a focus on your privacy.

If you are therefore looking for an alternative to Big Tech services such as ShareFile, Dropbox, OneDrive, or more, you should consider the following:
- Security: For maximum privacy, choose a service with zero-knowledge encryption, as Dropbox and other providers manage encryption keys on their servers.
- Transparency: Choose open-source and audited software to ensure no companies have a backdoor to your data, and that there are no security vulnerabilities.
- Cost: If Dropbox or ShareFile is out of your budget, then there are cheaper alternatives available.
- Compliance: Choose a cloud storage that is compliant with regulations that protect and handle your data.
- Data center locations: If the location of your data is important to you, you may want to choose a provider outside the US, as they may have laws and regulations that could give government or law enforcement access to your files.
Why choose an alternative to ShareFile and Dropbox
Lack of private encryption
As we briefly covered in our ShareFile vs Dropbox security section, both platforms offer end-to-end encryption, but keys are managed by the provider rather than on your device.
Without zero-knowledge encryption, your files are not totally private due to:
- The service provider can access your files and data.
- Files may be scanned for analytics or targeted advertising.
- Data could be exposed in case of a breach or government request.
- Third-party integrations may have access to your information.
- Your privacy depends on the provider’s security practices, not just your own.
Therefore, choosing a cloud storage cloud storage with zero-knowledge encryption is crucial to encrypt and secure your files and privacy by default, without paying extra or using third-party tools.
Data breaches
Both Dropbox and ShareFile have experienced data breaches in the past.
ShareFile was exposed to breaches in 2019, 2022, and 2023, where the service was affected by repeated security issues, including unauthorized access to internal networks, exploitation of system vulnerabilities, and bugs that allowed attackers to upload files and execute code.
Dropbox also experienced many data breaches, including the biggest cloud storage data breach, which exposed millions of user passwords and unauthorized handling of user data.
Control over your data
One of the best ways to take control over your data when choosing file sharing or cloud storage providers is by choosing an open-source and GDPR compliant cloud provider.
Open source providers allow you to verify how your information is handled and ensure there are no hidden tracking or data collection practices, as all their source code is available via the platform’s GitHub.
With GDPR compliance, this guarantees that your files are processed according to strict privacy rules, including user consent, the right to access, and the right to be forgotten.
Internxt
Internxt is a secure end-to-end encrypted cloud storage for personal use, small and medium-sized businesses, and enterprises with its S3 storage solution.

Internxt is the first cloud storage with post-quantum and zero-knowledge encryption, so the privacy of your files is guaranteed, offering you the best protection against data breaches.
All paid Internxt plans include access to Antivirus, VPN, and backups. For additional privacy, you can choose the Ultimate package, which includes everything Internxt has to offer:
- 5TB encrypted storage
- Post-quantum encryption
- Zero-knowledge encryption
- Two-factor authentication
- Back up your computer
- Password-protected file sharing
- Invite, share & collaborate
- File versioning
- CLI & WebDAV support
- NAS & Rclone support
- Encrypted VPN
- Antivirus
- Cleaner
- Meet
Internxt’s current discount offers this plan at €36 for the first year, or €390 for lifetime plans, which you can pay for with either crypto or Klarna.
Internxt is also fully open-source and independently audited, and is compliant with:
To get started with Internxt and to learn more about our mission for a more private, ethical internet, visit our website, start a free account, or choose from any of our plans to start your journey to greater online privacy.

Related articles