Box vs Google Drive: Which Cloud Storage Tool Is Better in 2026?
Box
From $15Google Drive
From $6Quick verdict
Overall pick: Tie
Google Drive starts at $6 per seat versus Box at $15 per seat, making it the lower-cost option per user. Box adds password-protected and expiring links, which Google Drive lacks, and is positioned for regulated enterprises and HIPAA and finance compliance. Buyers who need link-level access controls should weigh Box's higher per-seat price against that feature; buyers standardized on Google Workspace and focused on co-authoring get the lower entry price with Google Drive.
- Google Drive's entry plan ($6) is 60% cheaper than Box's ($15).
- Both offer a free plan, so you can test them side by side at no cost.
- Only Box offers: password-protected & expiring links.
Cost calculator
| Tool | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| Box · per user | $75.00 | $900 |
| Google Drive · per user | $30.00 | $360 |
Based on entry-level paid plans. Prices change, so check the vendor before you buy.
Which one should you choose?
| If you need… | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer with a tight per-seat budget | Google Drive | Google Drive starts at $6 per seat versus Box at $15 per seat. |
| Buyer needing password-protected and expiring share links | Box | Box supports password-protected and expiring links; Google Drive does not. |
| Regulated enterprise with HIPAA and finance compliance needs | Box | Box lists regulated enterprises and HIPAA and finance compliance as its best-fit uses, and both tools offer enterprise compliance. |
| Team doing real-time document co-authoring inside Google Workspace | Google Drive | Google Drive is positioned for Google Workspace users and real-time document co-authoring, and both tools support real-time co-editing. |
| Buyer comparing core storage and collaboration features | Tie | Both tools offer file versioning, large file sharing, real-time collaboration, enterprise compliance, smart sync, and API access. |
Feature comparison: Box vs Google Drive
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | ✅ | ✅ |
| Starting price | $15 /user/mo | $6 /user/mo |
| Client-side zero-knowledge encryption | — | — |
| File version history & recovery (30+ days) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Large file transfer (100GB+ / link) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Real-time document co-editing & preview | ✅ | ✅ |
| HIPAA, GDPR & SOC2 compliance | ✅ | ✅ |
| Password-protected & expiring links | ✅ | — |
| Smart on-demand selective sync | ✅ | ✅ |
| REST API & enterprise cloud integrations | ✅ | ✅ |
Highlighted rows are where the tools differ.
Pros and cons
Box
- Includes password-protected and expiring links, which Google Drive does not offer.
- Covers file versioning, large file sharing, real-time co-editing, enterprise compliance, smart sync, and API access.
- Positioned for regulated enterprises and HIPAA and finance compliance.
- Starts at $15 per seat, higher than Google Drive's $6 per seat.
- Does not offer client-side zero-knowledge encryption.
Google Drive
- Starts at $6 per seat, lower than Box's $15 per seat.
- Covers file versioning, large file sharing, real-time co-editing, enterprise compliance, smart sync, and API access.
- Positioned for Google Workspace users and real-time document co-authoring.
- Does not offer password-protected and expiring links.
- Does not offer client-side zero-knowledge encryption.
Which tool would you pick for your stack?
Cast your vote to see real-time peer recommendations from other software buyers.
At a glance
Enterprise Content Cloud with advanced governance, unlimited storage, and Shield security.
Founded 2005 · From $15 · 7/8 tracked features
Best for: regulated enterprises, HIPAA & finance compliance
See Box alternatives →Cloud storage and seamless real-time document collaboration integrated into Google Workspace.
Founded 2012 · From $6 · 6/8 tracked features
Best for: Google Workspace users, real-time document co-authoring
See Google Drive alternatives →FAQ
Is Box cheaper than Google Drive?
No. Box starts at $15 per seat, while Google Drive starts at $6 per seat.
Do both tools offer password-protected links?
No. Box offers password-protected and expiring links; Google Drive does not.
Do both tools support real-time document co-editing?
Yes. Both Box and Google Drive list real-time document co-editing and preview.
Do Box and Google Drive offer free plans?
Yes. Both tools offer a free plan.
Which tool offers client-side zero-knowledge encryption?
Neither. Box and Google Drive both list zero-knowledge encryption as not supported.
Related comparisons
Data last reviewed: pending verification. All Cloud Storage tools →