Yes, Dropbox is free. Dropbox Basic is a free account for one person with 2 GB of storage, file sync, shared links and 30 days of file recovery, but you can only connect up to three devices to it.
Dropbox is one of those tools most business owners have used at some point, usually because a client sent a link. If you're wondering whether you can keep using it without signing up for anything, the short answer is yes. The longer answer is that the free plan is small, and the device limit catches people out more than the storage does.
What Dropbox Basic includes
Dropbox's own Basic page lists these as the plan highlights:
- 2 GB of storage for one person.
- Automatic backup of your computer files.
- Up to three connected devices, such as a laptop, a phone and a tablet.
- File recovery and version history going back 30 days, so you can restore a deleted file or roll back a change.
- Shared links for any file, which people can open without a Dropbox account.
- Previews of over 175 file types on the web and in the mobile app.
You can use it on Windows, Mac and Linux through the desktop app, on iOS and Android, or in any browser at dropbox.com.
Dropbox Basic vs Dropbox Plus
| Feature | Basic (free) | Plus |
|---|---|---|
| People | 1 | 1 |
| Storage | 2 GB | 2 TB |
| Devices | Up to 3 | Unlimited |
| Restore deleted files | 30 days | 30 days |
| Version history | 30 days | 30 days |
| Shared links | Yes | Yes |
| Large file transfers | Not listed | Up to 50 GB |
Plus is the personal step up. The team plans go further with longer recovery windows, admin controls and team folders, but none of that is on Basic.
The three-device limit nobody mentions
Here's the thing that trips people up. Dropbox Basic connects to a maximum of three devices. That sounds like plenty until you count your work laptop, your home computer, your phone and your tablet. Once you hit the limit, you'll need to unlink a device before you can add a new one.
The browser doesn't count the same way, because you can sign in at dropbox.com from anywhere and get to everything you've stored. So if you only need occasional access from a fourth machine, the web version is your workaround.
The other catch is space. 2 GB disappears fast if you turn on automatic photo and video uploads from your phone. If your plan is to back up your camera roll, Basic won't last long.
How to get more free Dropbox space
Dropbox gives you a way to grow Basic without upgrading. According to its help centre, Basic accounts get 500 MB of extra space for each friend who signs up through your referral and installs Dropbox, up to 16 GB in total. The friend gets an extra 500 MB too.
- Sign in at dropbox.com and open your account settings.
- Find the referral option and copy your link, or invite people by email.
- Ask the person to sign up through that link and install the desktop app.
- Check your referral status in your account to see the space you've picked up.
Dropbox team accounts can't send referrals, so this only works on personal accounts.
Getting the most out of a 2 GB account
Treat Basic as a working folder, not an archive. Keep live client files, contracts and the documents you share often, and move finished projects somewhere else. Use online-only files on your computer so documents stay in the cloud without filling your hard drive.
If you're new to it, my guide on how to use Dropbox walks through the basics, and this one shows how to share a Dropbox folder with a client or a freelancer.
Who Dropbox Basic suits
Basic works well if you mainly need to send and receive files, share a folder with a client or keep a handful of key documents in sync between two or three devices. Recipients don't need an account to open a shared link, which makes it handy for client work.
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It's a poor fit if you want to back up a whole computer or a phone full of video, or if your team needs shared folders with admin controls. That's where the storage and device limits start to bite.
Is a free Dropbox account secure?
Dropbox says it protects files in transit between its apps and its servers, and at rest. Basic accounts also get two-step verification and an account security page where you can see your linked devices, active web sessions and the third-party apps that can get into your account.
It's worth turning on two-step verification on day one, especially if you keep client contracts or financial documents in there. And check that security page now and again. With a three-device limit, it's also the quickest way to spot an old laptop or phone you've forgotten is still linked, so you can free up a slot.
What the team plans add
If you're thinking about Dropbox for a small team rather than just yourself, the plans page shows the gap clearly. Standard starts at 3 TB for the team and keeps deleted files for 180 days. Advanced starts at 15 TB and keeps them for a year. Both add team folders, password-protected files and admin controls. None of that is on Basic, which is built for one person.
My verdict: Dropbox is free and Basic is a decent little file-sharing account, but it's tiny. Use it for sharing and syncing your working files, watch that three-device limit, and pick up the referral space early if you know you'll need more.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dropbox free to use?
Yes. Dropbox Basic is a free plan for one person with 2 GB of storage, file sync, shared links and 30 days of file recovery and version history.
How many devices can I use with Dropbox Basic?
Dropbox Basic lets you connect up to three devices. You can still sign in at dropbox.com in a browser to get to your files from other computers.
How much free storage does Dropbox give you?
Dropbox Basic includes 2 GB. You can add 500 MB for each friend who joins through your referral, up to 16 GB in total on a Basic account.
Do people need a Dropbox account to open my shared links?
No. Dropbox says recipients can click a shared link to view and download the file without having a Dropbox account.
Can I recover deleted files on Dropbox Basic?
Yes. You can restore anything you've deleted in the past 30 days from dropbox.com, and roll a file back to any version saved in that time.
