FILE STORAGE & SYNC

Polybase vs Dropbox

Dropbox syncs files. Polybase gives your team a living workspace where documents, conversations, tasks, and video calls exist together. Stop emailing Dropbox links and start truly collaborating.

POLYBASE
Polybase integrates file sharing and collaborative documents directly into your team channels
DROPBOX
FILE STORAGE & SYNC
Feature
11+
Migrate from Dropbox
5
Polybase
Dropbox
POLYBASE

One workspace. Every surface.

Polybase integrates file sharing and collaborative documents directly into your team channels. Files attach to conversations, documents are edited in real-time alongside chat, and everything is searchable across one unified index. No folder permissions, no sharing links, no separate sync client.

Unified · Extensible · Yours
DROPBOX

Powerful. But alone.

Dropbox pioneered cloud file sync and remains popular for simple file storage and sharing. Dropbox Paper added document collaboration, but it never gained mainstream adoption. The core offering — syncing files across devices — doesn't address the broader collaboration needs of modern teams who need chat, tasks, and video alongside their documents.

FILE STORAGE & SYNC
Comparison

Feature Comparison.

See exactly what you get with Polybase compared to Dropbox.

Feature
Polybase
Dropbox
File Storage & Sync
Real-Time Document Editing
Dropbox Paper (limited)
Integrated Team Chat
HD Video Calls
Task Management
File Search
Desktop Folder Sync
AI Document Assistance
Dropbox Dash
Self-Hosted Deployment
Team Admin Controls
Roles & channel admins
Business plans
Collaboration Features
Full workspace
Files only
Migration

Migrate from Dropbox.

Switching is easier than you think. Follow these steps and your team will be up and running in minutes.

5 steps
  1. 01

    Download Important Files from Dropbox

    Use Dropbox's desktop client or web interface to download files your team actively needs. Focus on project documents, shared assets, and reference materials rather than old archives.

  2. 02

    Create Polybase Workspace & Channels

    Set up your Polybase workspace with channels organized by project or team. Each channel becomes a home for files, documents, discussions, and tasks related to that project.

  3. 03

    Upload Files to Relevant Channels

    Upload your important files to the appropriate Polybase channels. Team members automatically inherit access based on channel membership — no individual sharing settings to manage.

  4. 04

    Convert Key Docs to Polybase Documents

    For documents that need ongoing collaboration (specs, wikis, notes), recreate them using Polybase's rich text editor. This transforms static files into living, collaborative documents connected to your team's conversations.

  5. 05

    Cancel Dropbox Subscription

    Once your team is collaborating in Polybase — chatting, sharing files, managing tasks, and co-editing documents — you can cancel Dropbox. All your storage and collaboration needs are covered in one platform.

Why Polybase

What Polybase Adds.

Polybase doesn't just replace Dropbox — it gives you capabilities Dropbox can't.

01

Files With Conversation Context

Dropbox files float in folders with no connection to discussions. In Polybase, every file is shared within a channel conversation — the context of why it was shared, who discussed it, and what decisions were made is always attached.

02

More Than Just File Storage

Dropbox stores files. Polybase is a complete workspace with chat, video, tasks, and documents. You don't just share files — you collaborate on them in context with your entire team.

03

No Sharing Link Management

Dropbox requires creating and managing sharing links with careful permission settings. Polybase's channel-based access means files are automatically available to the right people without any sharing configuration.

04

Real Collaborative Documents

Dropbox Paper was an afterthought. Polybase's document editor is a first-class citizen — block-based editing with mentions and rich embeds, seamlessly integrated with your workspace.

05

AI-Powered Knowledge Discovery

Polybase AI agents can search across your files, documents, chat history, and tasks to answer questions and surface relevant information. Dropbox Dash provides file search but can't understand your conversations or task context.

06

Self-Host Your Data

Dropbox stores all data on their cloud infrastructure. Polybase can be self-hosted, giving organizations full control over their data storage, access policies, and compliance requirements.

FAQ

Questions, answered.

Common questions about switching from Dropbox to Polybase.

01Does Polybase replace Dropbox for desktop file sync?
Polybase is workspace-focused rather than filesystem-focused. If you need automatic desktop folder sync (like Dropbox's selective sync), Polybase works differently — files are uploaded to and accessed from workspace channels. For teams that primarily share files within the context of team collaboration, Polybase's approach is more productive. For personal file backup, you might keep a small Dropbox plan.
02How does Polybase handle large files?
Polybase supports file uploads within your storage plan, or unlimited when self-hosted on your own storage. Files are stored securely and accessible to channel members. For very large media files or design assets, Polybase handles them within the same channel-based workflow.
03Can external partners access files in Polybase?
Guest access for external collaborators is on our roadmap. Currently, you can share files via download links. For teams that need to share files with external partners regularly, you might maintain a minimal Dropbox setup for that specific use case while using Polybase for internal collaboration.
04Does Polybase work offline?
Polybase is realtime-first; offline editing is not supported today. Cached content can still be read in the desktop app, and new messages and updates sync once you reconnect. For dedicated offline file sync (like Dropbox's selective sync), Dropbox is still a better fit.
Ready to switch

Ready to ditch Dropbox?

Join thousands of teams who made the switch. Try Polybase free — no credit card required.