iCloud vs Dropbox: Why Both Are Terrible Choices [AVOID]

Comparing iCloud vs Dropbox is like choosing between getting punched in the face or kicked in the stomach. Both hurt, one just charges you more for the ice pack.

What you’re actually choosing between:

• iCloud: 5GB free (unchanged since 2011, that’s 14 years), constant “storage full” notifications designed to push you into paying
• Dropbox: 2GB free (even more PATHETIC), hacked THREE TIMES (2012, 2022, 2024), $11.99/month for 2TB

Commission disclosure:

• iCloud, Dropbox: $0 (not recommended, not part of their affiliate programs)
• pCloud, Icedrive, Sync.com: Affiliate commissions (actually recommended)

Ranked by value and security, not commission. Verify claims using linked sources.

This comparison shows why both iCloud and Dropbox are poor choices in 2025, and what you should actually use instead.

⚡ Quick Comparison: iCloud vs Dropbox

Real winner: Neither. Use pCloud ($199 lifetime) or Sync.com ($8/mo with encryption) instead.

Why iCloud Is a Terrible Choice

1. The 5GB Free Tier Scam (Unchanged Since 2011)

The problem: Apple has offered 5GB free iCloud storage since June 2011. That’s 14 years without an increase.

Why it’s a scam:

• iPhone photos are now 12-48MP (3-12MB per photo)
• 5GB = ~400-1600 photos depending on quality
• Average iPhone user takes 20-50 photos per week
• You’ll hit 5GB in 2-8 weeks of normal usage

The designed behavior:

1. You buy an iPhone with 128GB+ storage
2. iCloud auto-backup is enabled by default
3. You hit 5GB limit within weeks
4. Constant “iCloud Storage Full” notifications
5. You’re pushed to pay $0.99/month (then $2.99, then $9.99)

9to5Mac called Apple out: “It’s time for Apple to rethink its iCloud storage tiers.”

In my opinion, this is intentional dark pattern design. Apple could offer lots more free storage (like they do in some markets), but the 5GB limit is a revenue driver.

2. The “Storage Full” Notification Spam

The user experience:

“I keep getting daily repeated messages from Apple that iCloud storage is full” - Apple Community user

The scam within the scam:

• Real Apple notifications look identical to phishing scams
• Massive phishing campaigns exploit “storage full” fears
• Users can’t tell real from fake anymore
• Apple Community forums filled with complaints

Source: Trend Micro iCloud Storage Scam report

3. Terrible Cross-Platform Support

The Apple ecosystem lock-in:

• Windows: iCloud for Windows is slow, buggy, limited functionality
• Android: Web-only access, no app, manual uploads
• Linux: Not supported at all

What this means: If you ever leave Apple’s ecosystem, your iCloud files are hostage. You can’t easily migrate to Windows/Android without downloading everything via web browser.

4. No Zero-Knowledge Encryption

The privacy problem:

• Apple can access 100% of your iCloud files
• Apple scans photos for CSAM (Child Sexual Abuse Material)
• Subject to US jurisdiction and legal requests
• No option for client-side encryption

What this means: Your files aren’t truly private. Apple has the keys and can (and does) access your data.

5. iCloud Pricing Is a Forever Tax

5-year cost (2TB plan):

• Year 1: $119.88
• Year 2: $119.88
• Year 3: $119.88
• Year 4: $119.88
• Year 5: $119.88
• Total: $599.40

The alternative: pCloud lifetime 2TB costs $399 ONE TIME. After 3.5 years, you’ve paid more for iCloud than pCloud lifetime.

Verdict: iCloud is designed to extract monthly payments forever. The 5GB free tier is bait to get you paying.

Why Dropbox Is Even Worse

1. Hacked THREE TIMES

The security disasters:

2012: 68 Million Accounts Compromised

• Massive breach exposed 68 million user accounts
• Email addresses and passwords stolen
• Dropbox claimed it was “limited,” reality was much worse
• Source: Bitdefender investigation

2022: GitHub Repository Breach

• Hackers accessed 130 Dropbox code repositories
• “Few thousand names and email addresses” of employees, customers, sales leads exposed
• Phishing attack on employee credentials

April 2024: Dropbox Sign Breach

• Hacker breached Dropbox Sign (eSignature service)
• Exposed: names, emails, phone numbers, hashed passwords, API keys, OAuth tokens, MFA methods
• Affected: ALL Dropbox Sign users
• Source: SecurityWeek coverage

Read more: Dropbox Has Been Hacked Three Times

In my opinion, three breaches is a pattern, not bad luck. If you’re trusting Dropbox with sensitive files, you’re asking for trouble.

2. Pathetic 2GB Free Tier

The problem:

• Dropbox offers 2GB free (half of iCloud’s already-pathetic 5GB)
• 2GB = approximately 200-600 photos depending on quality
• You’ll hit the limit in days, not weeks

The upgrade trap: Dropbox immediately tries to upsell you to:

• Plus: $11.99/month for 2TB
• That’s $143.88/year
• That’s 20% more expensive than iCloud for the same storage

The math:

Verdict: Dropbox gives you less free storage AND charges more for paid plans. Worst of both worlds.

3. Most Expensive Cloud Storage Option

Pricing comparison (2TB storage, 5 years):

The reality: Dropbox is literally the most expensive option reviewed. You’re paying 20% more than iCloud, 80% more than pCloud lifetime, and getting hacked three times.

4. No Zero-Knowledge Encryption Either

The privacy problem:

• Dropbox can access 100% of your files
• No option for client-side encryption
• Subject to US jurisdiction
• Three breaches prove they can’t protect your data

What this means: Your files aren’t secure. If Dropbox gets hacked again (and they will), your data is exposed.

5. Only Winner: Sync Speed

The one thing Dropbox does well:

• Industry-leading sync speed (block-level syncing)
• Fastest file uploads/downloads of any cloud storage
• Excellent third-party integrations

But: Fast syncing doesn’t matter if your files get breached. You’re paying 20% more for speed while sacrificing security.

Head-to-Head: iCloud vs Dropbox

Security & Privacy Comparison

Security winner: iCloud (only because Dropbox has been breached three times).

Real talk: Neither offers real security. Both can access your files, neither has zero-knowledge encryption.

Platform Support Comparison

Platform winner: Dropbox (works everywhere, iCloud only works well on Apple devices).

Cost Comparison (5 Years, 2TB)

Cost winner: iCloud (20% cheaper than Dropbox).

But: Both lose to lifetime plans. pCloud saves you $200+ vs iCloud, $320+ vs Dropbox.

Free Tier Comparison

Free tier winner: iCloud (5GB is still pathetic, but 2.5x better than Dropbox’s 2GB).

Real talk: Both free tiers are intentionally small to force you into paying.

What You Should Actually Use Instead

Option #1: pCloud Lifetime - 8.5/10

Why it’s better than both:

• $199 for 500GB lifetime (vs $599.40 for iCloud or $719.40 for Dropbox over 5 years)
• $399 for 2TB lifetime (saves $200 vs iCloud, $320 vs Dropbox)
• Swiss jurisdiction (better privacy than US)
• No breaches (unlike Dropbox’s three)
• Works on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android (unlike iCloud)
• Optional pCloud Crypto for zero-knowledge encryption ($150 addon)

5-year cost comparison:

Verdict: pCloud destroys both iCloud and Dropbox. Pay once, own forever.

Option #2: Sync.com - 8/10

Why it’s better than both:

• Zero-knowledge encryption BY DEFAULT (unlike iCloud and Dropbox)
• Canadian jurisdiction (better privacy than US)
• No breaches
• $8/month for 2TB (cheaper than both iCloud and Dropbox)
• 5GB free (same as iCloud, better than Dropbox)

5-year cost comparison:

Verdict: Sync.com gives you better privacy (zero-knowledge encryption), better value ($480 vs $599-719), and no breaches.

Option #3: Icedrive Lifetime - 8/10

Why it’s better than both:

• Twofish encryption (more secure than AES)
• Zero-knowledge encryption included by default
• 2TB lifetime for $389-479 (cheaper than both over 5 years)
• 10GB free (better than both)
• No breaches

5-year cost comparison:

Verdict: Icedrive includes encryption by default (pCloud charges $150 extra), saves you $120-210 vs iCloud, $240-330 vs Dropbox.

Bottom Line: Both iCloud and Dropbox Lose

iCloud verdict: 4/10

• Pros: No breaches (yet), cheaper than Dropbox, works great on Apple devices
• Cons: 5GB free unchanged for 14 years, constant “storage full” spam, terrible cross-platform support, no zero-knowledge encryption
• In my opinion: Designed to extract monthly payments from Apple users who don’t know better

Dropbox verdict: 2/10

• Pros: Fast sync, works everywhere
• Cons: Hacked three times, 2GB free tier (pathetic), most expensive option ($143.88/year for 2TB), no zero-knowledge encryption
• In my opinion: Most expensive AND least secure. Avoid.

Real winner: pCloud Lifetime ($399 for 2TB)

Why: Pay once, own forever. Swiss jurisdiction, no breaches, works on all platforms, saves $200 vs iCloud and $320 vs Dropbox over 5 years. Optional encryption addon ($150) gives you zero-knowledge security that neither iCloud nor Dropbox offer. If you hate subscriptions and want actual value, pCloud destroys both options.

Runner-up: Sync.com ($8/mo for 2TB)

Why: Zero-knowledge encryption by default (free, not a $150 addon), Canadian jurisdiction, no breaches, saves $119 vs iCloud and $239 vs Dropbox over 5 years. If you want maximum privacy and don’t mind subscriptions, Sync.com is the best choice.

Bottom line: Stop comparing iCloud vs Dropbox. Both are terrible. Use pCloud or Sync.com instead.

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Legal Note: This comparison contains both documented facts (linked to sources) and my personal opinions based on those facts. Dropbox’s three breaches are documented by security researchers. iCloud’s 5GB free tier is publicly documented by Apple. All opinions about which service is “better” are clearly marked as my personal assessment.

Affiliate disclosure: I earn commissions from affiliate links to pCloud, Sync.com, and Icedrive. I make $0 from iCloud and Dropbox because they don’t have affiliate programs or I don’t recommend them. I rank by value and security, not commission.