Software · head to head
GitHub Desktop vs Dropbox
The short version
- Each has a real cost: GitHub Desktop available for Windows and macOS only, with no Linux build; Dropbox the free Basic plan gives 2 GB of storage
- They diverge on capability: GitHub Desktop covers Visual Git interface, Dropbox covers File synchronization.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which GitHub Desktop and Dropbox actually diverge.
| Attribute | GitHub Desktop | Dropbox |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | free | freemium |
| Platforms | Windows, Macos | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web |
| Founded | 2008 | 2007 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in GitHub Desktop
- Visual Git interface
- GitHub integration
- Branch management
- Pull request workflow
- Commit history
- Merge conflict resolution
- Repository cloning
- Collaboration tools
Only in Dropbox
- File synchronization
- Cloud storage
- File sharing
- Version history
- Offline access
- Microsoft Office
- Google Workspace
- Slack
Both cover
- Windows support
- Macos support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
GitHub Desktop
- Git repository managementnot Dropbox
- Open source contributionsnot Dropbox
- Code collaborationnot Dropbox
- Version controlnot Dropbox
- Team developmentnot Dropbox
Dropbox
- File backupnot GitHub Desktop
- Team collaborationnot GitHub Desktop
- Content sharingnot GitHub Desktop
- Remote worknot GitHub Desktop
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
GitHub Desktop
- Available for Windows and macOS only, with no Linux build
Dropbox
- The free Basic plan gives 2 GB of storage
- Version history is 30 days on Plus, 180 days on Standard and 1 year on Advanced
- File transfers are capped at 50 GB on Plus and 100 GB on the team plans
- The Advanced team plan requires a minimum of 3 users at $24 per user per month
- eSignature requests are limited to 3 per month on Plus and Standard
Pricing, plan by plan
GitHub Desktop
Free- FreeFree
- Git repository management
- GitHub integration
- Visual diff tools
Dropbox
Free- BasicFree
- 2 GB storage
- File sync
- Mobile apps
- Plus$9.99/month
- 2 TB storage
- Offline access
- Remote device wipe
Which should you pick?
Choose GitHub Desktop if
- You need visual git interface.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos.
- You also want github integration.
Choose Dropbox if
- You need file synchronization.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
- You also want cloud storage.
Questions people ask
- Is GitHub Desktop or Dropbox better?
- Neither clearly leads. GitHub Desktop starts at Free and Dropbox at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, GitHub Desktop or Dropbox?
- GitHub Desktop starts at Free and Dropbox at Free.
- Does GitHub Desktop or Dropbox run on more platforms?
- GitHub Desktop runs on Windows, Macos. Dropbox runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
- Can I use GitHub Desktop for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is GitHub Desktop best used for?
- GitHub Desktop is most often used for git repository management, open source contributions, code collaboration, version control. Of those, git repository management and open source contributions are not what Dropbox is typically brought in for.
- What can GitHub Desktop do that Dropbox cannot?
- GitHub Desktop covers Visual Git interface, GitHub integration, Branch management, Pull request workflow. Dropbox covers File synchronization, Cloud storage, File sharing, Version history. Both handle Windows support, Macos support.