iCloud Drive — best for Apple users; built into macOS, E2EE with Advanced Data Protection, 5 GB free.
Google Drive — best for collaboration; 15 GB free, real-time editing in Docs and Sheets.
pCloud — best for lifetime pricing; pay once for 500 GB instead of subscribing monthly.
Proton Drive — best for privacy; zero-knowledge E2EE by default, Swiss-based, 5 GB free.
MEGA — best free tier with encryption; 20 GB free with end-to-end encryption built in.
Microsoft OneDrive — best for Microsoft 365 users; 1 TB included with your existing subscription.
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Quick answer: The best Dropbox alternatives for Mac are iCloud Drive for Apple-native integration, pCloud for lifetime pricing without monthly subscriptions, Proton Drive for maximum privacy, and Google Drive for collaboration. If you use multiple cloud services, CloudMounter on Setapp mounts them all as native Finder drives so you don't need separate sync apps.
I was one of those people who saved their treasured files on Dropbox at the peak of its popularity. But then, over time, as it became popular to take 20 different pictures of the same sunset and my work involved dealing with large files, the 2 GB of free storage space didn't cut it for me.
I started looking for an alternative and found the best one for my needs and workflow. I put together this guide of the best Dropbox alternatives for Mac, in case you're dealing with the same problem.
The best Dropbox alternatives for Mac at a glance
Here's a quick overview before we dive into the details:
Option
Best for
Free storage
Zero-knowledge encryption
Mac compatibility
Price*
iCloud Drive
Apple users who want built-in cloud storage
5 GB
Yes (with Advanced Data Protection)
Built into macOS
Free, then $0.99/month for 50 GB
Google Drive
Collaboration with Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides
The most common reasons Mac users switch away from Dropbox are the 2 GB free-tier cap, subscription pricing that feels steep compared to alternatives, and the lack of zero-knowledge encryption by default. The app has a fast and reliable sync engine, and it works with more third-party apps than any competitor. It's been operating since 2008 with no major controversies. But these perks are the standard with every storage software on the market today.
One of the reasons why people might be looking for an alternative is the free plan. Dropbox has been offering 2 GB of free storage for a decade, while many of the best cloud storage apps offer more. For instance, iCloud Drive and OneDrive have 5 GB for free, pCloud and Icedrive 10 GB, and Google Drive 15 GB.
The cost is another factor. At the moment of writing, Dropbox Plus costs $11.99 per month for 2 TB of storage. To compare, pCloud offers the same storage space, but it also has a lifetime plan. If you plan to use cloud storage for years, buying it once can cost less than paying a monthly subscription for around three years.
Users also care more about privacy these days. Dropbox encrypts your files, but it's not a zero-knowledge service. This means Dropbox can technically access your files, and its terms allow content scanning in some situations. Competitors like Proton Drive and MEGA have end-to-end, zero-knowledge encryption.
And some users may just be tired of being subscribed to apps they barely use, or need a place to store their personal files for free.
Detailed reviews of each Dropbox alternative
Now, let’s look at the best Dropbox alternatives for Mac, what they do better than Dropbox, and where they fall short, along with their pricing plans.
iCloud Drive: Best Mac-native Dropbox alternative
iCloud Drive is the best Dropbox alternative if you want a Mac-native experience. It's built into macOS, so you don't have to install anything. Everything syncs automatically across all of your devices, like Mac, iPhone, and iPad, through the Continuity feature. If you're looking for more services that work well with Apple's ecosystem, you can also explore the best iCloud alternatives for Mac.
If you turn on Advanced Data Protection, your files will be protected with end-to-end encryption, and not even Apple will be able to access them.
One drawback is sharing. Sharing files between Apple devices is smooth, but sending files to Windows or Android users is not.
Pricing (at the time of writing): 5 GB free. Paid iCloud+ plans start at $0.99/month for 50 GB and go up to $59.99/month for 12 TB.
Google Drive: Best for collaboration
Google Drive is the best alternative for people who are working collaboratively. It comes with 15 GB of free storage, which is way more than what Dropbox offers. The Mac app, Drive for desktop, has improved over the years and lets you automatically back up folders from your computer to your Google Drive.
One tradeoff is privacy. Google Drive uses server-side encryption, and not zero-knowledge. Other than that, it's a great option for students and remote teams who collaborate remotely.
Pricing (at the time of writing): 15 GB free. Paid plans start at $1.99/month for 100 GB.
pCloud: Best lifetime pricing Dropbox alternative
What makes pCloud different than other alternatives on the list is lifetime pricing. For example, you can buy 500 GB for $199 once and never pay for that storage again. Compared to paying for Dropbox year after year, the lifetime plan can pay for itself in a little over three years. The Mac app integrates with Finder through pCloud Drive, so that you can stream files on demand instead of storing everything locally.
One limitation is privacy. If you want to get end-to-end encryption, you need to buy it as an add-on called pCloud Crypto.
Pricing (at the time of writing): 10 GB free. Paid plans start at $49.99/year or $199 lifetime for 500 GB, with a 2 TB lifetime plan for $399.
Proton Drive: Best privacy-first Dropbox alternative
If you value privacy over collaboration, then Proton Drive is the best Dropbox alternative for you. It protects every file with end-to-end encryption by default. There's an encrypted document editor, and you can share files through password-protected encrypted links. There's also a native Mac app, so you can sync and access your files directly from your desktop.
The limitation is that its real-time editing isn't as advanced as Dropbox Paper or Google Docs. So it's not the best fit for teams who need to work on the same documents together.
Pricing (at the time of writing): 5 GB free. Paid plans start at $4.99/month for 200 GB.
Sync.com: Best zero-knowledge with Office support
Like some of the alternatives on the list, Sync.com protects all your files with zero-knowledge encryption. But what makes it stand apart is that it supports real-time collaboration on Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files through your browser. It also has a reliable Mac app that makes it easy to sync files between your devices.
The drawback is that it doesn't offer as many features as other Dropbox alternatives. Also, it doesn't integrate with other tools as much as Dropbox. If you rely on lots of third-party apps, Dropbox still has the advantage.
This makes it a great pick for professionals and small teams that work with Microsoft Office files but don't want to compromise on privacy.
Pricing (at the time of writing): 5 GB free. Paid plans start at $8/month for 2 TB.
MEGA: Best free tier with encryption
What if you want plenty of free storage but also privacy? Then MEGA might be a good pick. The free plan gives you 20 GB of storage space, and if that's not enough, you can upgrade to the Pro plan that starts at around $5/month and gives you 400 GB of space. You'll get end-to-end encryption and a native Mac app that makes it easy to sync folders and access files from your desktop.
But its real-time editing tools are limited compared to Dropbox or Google Drive. Teams that need live editing and detailed version tracking may find MEGA too basic.
Pricing (at the time of writing): 20 GB free. Paid plans start at around $5/month for 400 GB.
Icedrive: Best UX-focused privacy alternative
Icedrive is one of the best cloud storage services for Mac if you care about design. It boasts a clean and modern design and mounts as a virtual drive in Finder, so you can access files without storing everything locally. It also uses the Twofish encryption algorithm, which is a trusted alternative to AES. It also offers lifetime plans if you prefer paying once instead of being subscribed.
The drawback is that it doesn't have the same collaboration tools or third-party integrations as Dropbox. So it's not the best option for large teams. But if your priority is storing files without worrying about privacy, then Icedrive is a no-brainer.
Pricing (at the time of writing): 10 GB free. Paid plans start at $2.99/month for 150 GB, with lifetime plans available from $99 for 512 GB.
Microsoft OneDrive: Best if you use Microsoft 365
Microsoft 365 users should consider opting for Microsoft OneDrive, as it's the easiest switch. You'll get 1 TB of OneDrive storage per user, so you may already have cloud storage without paying anything extra. OneDrive also works well with software like Word and Excel, so if your work depends on these apps, then OneDrive is a solid choice.
One downside is that the Mac app isn't the most polished or seamless. Some users have reported high CPU usage and occasional sync delays, although it has improved over the years. It also uses server-side encryption rather than zero-knowledge encryption.
Pricing (at the time of writing): 5 GB free. Microsoft 365 Personal starts at $9.99/month and includes 1 TB of OneDrive storage.
CloudMounter (Setapp): Best Mac-native multi-cloud manager
CloudMounter isn't a cloud storage service, but it lets you manage all your cloud accounts from one place. The app mounts services like Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, pCloud, Amazon S3, Backblaze B2, Box, WebDAV, and more as native drives in Finder. You won't have to download everything to your Mac, but stream files on demand, which can help you save local storage space. You can also add an extra layer of AES-256 encryption to protect sensitive folders stored in the cloud.
Freelancers and professionals who use more than one cloud storage space have the most to benefit.
One downside is that CloudMounter doesn't sync files in the background. Since it streams everything on demand, you need an internet connection to access your cloud files. If you often work offline (e.g., on flights or in areas with spotty Wi-Fi), you'll want to manually download the files you need beforehand.
Pricing (at the time of writing): CloudMounter is available through Setapp Membership (from $14.99 USD/mo + tax), which includes 270+ other Mac and iOS apps with a 7-day free trial. You can also get it as a standalone app on Setapp for $7.99 USD/month.
Other Mac tools that make any cloud storage work better
What's better than choosing the best Dropbox alternative is pairing it with the right Mac apps to make it easier to manage files.
ForkLift: move files between cloud services without downloading them first
If you're migrating off Dropbox or just juggling files across multiple cloud accounts, ForkLift is the tool that makes it painless. It's a dual-pane file manager that connects directly to FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, Amazon S3, Google Drive, and more. So instead of downloading a folder from Dropbox to your Mac and re-uploading it to pCloud, you drag it from one pane to the other and let ForkLift handle the transfer.
I used it when moving about 40 GB of project folders from Dropbox to Google Drive, and it finished in a fraction of the time it would have taken through Finder. The dual-pane layout also made it easier to spot duplicate folders I'd accumulated over years of messy syncing.
Dropshare: Send a file to anyone with a drag and a link
Dropshare solves one very specific problem: sharing files without opening a full cloud service interface. Drag a file to the Dropshare icon in your menu bar, and it uploads to Amazon S3, Backblaze B2, or your own server. Then it copies a shareable link to your clipboard automatically. You can password-protect links and set expiration dates, which is something Dropbox reserves for paid plans.
If you regularly send large files to clients or teammates and don't want to deal with Dropbox's shared folder workflow every time, Dropshare turns a five-step process into one drag.
How to migrate off Dropbox without losing anything
Migrating files is always risky. There's always the possibility of some files not moving properly, but it doesn't have to be that way. Follow these steps for a straightforward migration process:
Pause Dropbox syncing: Before you start, pause Dropbox so files don't change while they're being copied. This helps prevent missing files or sync conflicts during the migration.
Copy your files to the new cloud service: Use a tool like CloudMounter to move your Dropbox files while preserving the original folder structure. If you're comfortable with Terminal, you can also use rsync to copy files while keeping timestamps and other file attributes intact.
Don't forget Smart Sync files: If you use Dropbox Smart Sync, make sure all online-only files are downloaded to your Mac before you migrate. Files that exist only in the cloud won't be copied unless they're available locally.
Recreate shared folders and update apps: Shared Dropbox folders don't automatically transfer to another service, so you'll need to create new shared folders or links and send them to collaborators. Also, update any apps that point to your Dropbox folder, such as creative software or password managers with synced vaults.
Keep Dropbox for a few weeks: Don't uninstall Dropbox right away. Leave it installed for at least 30 days so you can confirm everything transferred correctly.
Choosing the right Dropbox alternative for your use case
Not every cloud storage service is built for the same type of user. Here's a quick way to find the best Dropbox alternative for your needs:
I'm too involved in the Apple ecosystem > Opt for iCloud Drive with Advanced Data Protection turned on.
I'm tired of monthly subscriptions > Choose pCloud and its lifetime storage plans.
I want maximum privacy with end-to-end encryption > Proton Drive is the right choice for you.
I want privacy and Microsoft Office collaboration > You can't go wrong with Sync.com.
I want a generous free plan with encryption > Look no further than MEGA.
I want to keep Dropbox but stop running the sync agent > Go with CloudMounter.
I work mostly in Google Docs and Sheets > Google Drive is a solid pick.
I already pay for Microsoft 365 > Microsoft OneDrive is a no-brainer.
Whichever service you land on, the right Mac apps can make the switch smoother. CloudMounter lets you mount any combination of cloud services as native Finder drives — no separate sync clients, no desktop clutter. ForkLift handles bulk transfers between cloud accounts in a dual-pane view that makes Finder feel outdated. And Dropshare turns file sharing into a one-drag menu bar action with automatic link generation.
The best Dropbox alternative is the one you actually switch to. These Mac tools make it happen. CloudMounter, ForkLift, and Dropshare — plus 270+ more Mac apps — free for 7 days on Setapp. Start My Free Trial. Just want CloudMounter? Get it as a standalone app from $7.99 USD/month.
FAQ
What is the best free Dropbox alternative with more storage?
If free storage is your priority, MEGA offers the most with 20 GB, followed by Google Drive with 15 GB and pCloud or Icedrive with 10 GB. All offer more free space than Dropbox's 2 GB, which makes them better choices if you don't want to pay for cloud storage right away.
Can I get lifetime cloud storage instead of paying monthly?
Yes, pCloud and Icedrive both offer lifetime plans. You can pay once instead of subscribing every month. If you plan to use the service for several years, a lifetime plan can cost less than paying for Dropbox over time.
Which Dropbox alternative has the best Mac native client?
If you mainly use Apple devices, iCloud Drive offers the most seamless Mac experience because it's built directly into macOS. If you use multiple cloud services, CloudMounter is another excellent choice. It lets you access several cloud accounts from Finder without running separate sync apps for each provider.
Is iCloud Drive a real Dropbox alternative?
Yes. iCloud Drive is an excellent Dropbox alternative for people who use Apple devices every day. It integrates deeply with macOS, supports Desktop and Documents syncing, and offers end-to-end encryption through Advanced Data Protection. Its main limitation is sharing files with people outside the Apple ecosystem.
What is the most private alternative to Dropbox?
Proton Drive is the strongest choice if privacy is your top priority. It uses end-to-end encryption by default, so only you can access your files. Based in Switzerland, it's one of the most secure cloud storage services available for Mac users.
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