FREE Sync Google Drive with Dropbox in 5 Methods [Automatic & Manual]

Quick Navigation:

• Why Sync Google Drive and Dropbox?
• Focus: What is the Advantage of Dropbox over Google Drive?
• How to Sync Google Drive and Dropbox?
• 1 Automated Google Drive to Dropbox Sync Solution
• 4 Manual Google Drive to Dropbox Sync Solutions
• Wrap Things Up
• FAQs

Why Sync Google Drive and Dropbox?

Google Drive and Dropbox are two of the most widely used cloud storage platforms, each offering unique strengths in terms of storage capacity, performance, pricing, and ecosystem integration. While some users prefer one over the other, many actually use both services simultaneously to take advantage of their complementary features.

In order to give you a better understanding of the differences between Dropbox and Google Drive services, here is a simple comparison for your reference.

Focus: What is the Advantage of Dropbox over Google Drive?

Although both platforms are powerful, Dropbox has several key advantages that make it especially attractive for users who need efficient file management and faster syncing:

1. Faster and more efficient sync technology

Dropbox uses block-level sync, meaning it only updates the changed parts of a file instead of re-uploading the entire document. This makes syncing significantly faster, especially for large files or frequent edits.

2. Better performance for large file workflows

For users handling heavy media files, design projects, or collaborative workspaces, Dropbox tends to deliver smoother and more stable performance compared to Google Drive.

3. Stronger file versioning and recovery

Dropbox offers robust version history and recovery options, allowing users to restore previous file versions easily, which is especially useful in professional environments.

4. Wider system compatibility

Dropbox supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and integrates well with a large number of third-party productivity tools, making it more flexible in cross-platform environments.

5. More reliable file synchronization consistency

Dropbox is often praised for its consistency in syncing changes across devices without conflicts, reducing the risk of file duplication or version mismatch.

How to Sync Google Drive and Dropbox?

To sync files or folders from Google Drive and Dropbox, there are generally two approaches: an automated sync solution and a manual method. Keep reading and choose a proper one for your requirements and situation.

1 Automated Google Drive to Dropbox Sync Solution

A true synchronization method allows two-way or real-time syncing, meaning any changes made in one cloud will automatically reflect in the other. One popular tool for this is MultCloud, which allows you to add up to 40 clouds into one platform for centralized management and sync files from one cloud to another in one click.

[Guide] How to Set up two-way Google Drive Dropbox Sync?

Next, you'll learn how to use MultCloud to sync Google Drive to Dropbox in 4 simple steps.

Step 1. Create One MultCloud Account

Create a MultCloud account freely and sign in. If you already have a MultCloud account, you can directly click "Log in".

Step 2. Add Dropbox and Google Drive to MultCloud

Add your Google Drive account by clicking Add Cloud. And then, add a Dropbox account in MultCloud.

Step 3. Sync Google Drive to Dropbox with "Cloud Sync"

Click "Cloud Sync" to enter the following window.

Step 4. Apply Google Drive with Dropbox Sync Task

Click the "FROM" section to add Google Drive as the source and click the "TO" section to add Dropbox as the destination. Then, click "Switch to two-way Sync" and  "Sync Now" to sync Google Drive with Dropbox directly.

★Click "Options", you could choose others sync modes:

For "One-way Sync", you can choose from Simple Sync, Mirror Sync, Move Sync, Cumulative Sync, Update Sync, Incremental Sync, and Full Backup Sync.

If you need to sync both directories bidirectionally (including additions, modifications, and deletions), choose "Two-way Sync".

If you want to sync automatically when any changes occur, "Real Time Sync" is a good choice.

You could specify the files that you need to exclude or include by setting the "Filter" option while syncing Google Drive to Dropbox. Unlock all advanced features, including Schedule, 10 sync modes, and Filter, as well as the faster sync speed.

After the syncing process is complete, you can click on "Task List" to manage your sync task.

4 Manual Google Drive to Dropbox Sync Solution

If you prefer not to use third-party tools, you can still sync files manually. However, it’s important to note that these methods are not true “sync”, instead they are one-time transfers. In other words, changes made after the transfer will not be reflected in the target drive unless you initiate the migration again.

Method 1. Download and Reupload via Web Browser

The first traditional way to sync between Google Drive and Dropbox is to use the "Download" and "Upload" method. So, you need to download files you need from Google Drive to your local drive first, then upload them manually to the destination Dropbox account. Following the below steps to complete the operation.

Step 1. Sign in to your Google Drive account.
Step 2. Select the files or folders you want to download, select the "Download" button from the drop-down window, and wait for the process to complete.

Step 3. Sign in to your Dropbox account, click the "Upload Files" button, and select files downloaded to your local drive to upload them to your Dropbox account.

After downloading the folders to your PC, they will be converted to the corresponding filename.zip files. If you want to upload folders directly to your Dropbox account, then you need to extract them first

Method 2. Drag and Drop via App

Another manual way to sync files between Google Drive and Dropbox is by using both desktop apps and simply dragging and dropping files between them. This method requires you to install both Google Drive for Desktop and Dropbox desktop app on your computer.

Step 1. Install and set up Google Drive for Desktop on your computer. Once installed, your Google Drive will appear as a virtual drive (e.g., "Google Drive (G:)" on Windows or under "Locations" on Mac).

Step 2. Install and set up the Dropbox desktop app. Your Dropbox folder will appear in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).

Step 3. Open two windows side by side: one showing your Google Drive virtual drive, and the other showing your Dropbox folder.

Step 4. Select the files or folders you want to sync from Google Drive, then drag and drop them into the Dropbox folder. Alternatively, you can copy and paste.

Step 5. Wait for the files to finish copying. The time required depends on the file size and your internet speed.

Unlike the browser method, this approach does not require downloading ZIP files or extracting them. Files remain in their original format and folder structure. You can monitor the transfer progress directly in the file explorer.

Method 3. Apply "Import from Google Drive" Feature in Dropbox

Dropbox provides a built-in feature that allows you to import files directly from Google Drive without downloading them to your local computer first. This method is more convenient than the previous two because it transfers files directly from one cloud to another.

Step 1. Log in to your Dropbox account using a web browser. Click the "Upload" or "+New" button located at the top of the file list. From the dropdown menu, select "Import from Google Drive" .

Step 2. A pop-up window will appear asking you to sign in to your Google Drive account if you haven't already. Grant the necessary permissions for Dropbox to access your Google Drive files.

Step 3. Select the files or folders you want to import from Google Drive. You can browse through your Google Drive structure directly within the pop-up window.

Step 4. Click the "Select" button. Choose whether to keep the full folder structure and whether to overwrite existing files with the same name. Once confirmed, you can click on "Upload" button.

Step 5. Then Dropbox will begin copying the selected items into your Dropbox account. Wait for the import to complete.

Method 4. Google Takeout from Google Drive to Dropbox

Another way to transfer files from Google Drive to Dropbox is by using Google Takeout-Google's official data export tool. It creates an archive of your selected Google data (including Drive files) and can deliver it directly to your Dropbox account.

Step 1. Go to takeout.google.com and sign in to your Google account.

Step 2. On the "Select data to include" page, click Deselect all to clear the default selections. Scroll down to Drive and check the box next to it.

Step 3. Scroll to the bottom and click "Next step".

Step 4. Under "Delivery method", select Add to Dropbox from the dropdown menu

Step 5. Click "Create export". If you selected Dropbox as the delivery method, you will be redirected to authorize Google to access your Dropbox account. Follow the prompts to link your accounts.

Wait for the export to complete. Depending on the amount of data, this process can take hours or even days. Google will send a confirmation email when your data is ready.

Wrap Things Up

Following any way above can help you sync Google Drive with Dropbox easily. If you prefer real-time sync or two-way syncfrom Google Drive to Dropbox, MultCloud is a better choice. Apart from the cloud sync feature, it also include "Cloud Transfer", "Cloud Backup", "Remote Upload (directly download the file from its link and upload it to the target cloud service)", etc. to meet your different demands.

FAQs

How to Migrate and Continuously Sync Google Drive to Dropbox?

To migrate and continuously sync Google Drive to Dropbox, you need a third‑party tool that supports two‑way or one‑way real‑time synchronization, such as MultCloud's Cloud Sync feature. Manual methods (download/reupload, drag & drop, Google Takeout) only provide one‑time transfers, not continuous sync.

How do I Connect Dropbox to Google Drive?

You can connect Dropbox to Google Drive using a third‑party sync tool like MultCloud (add both cloud drives and authorize access, and then you can transfer, sync or back up files from Dropbox to Google Drive or Google Drive to Dropbox.

Can I Drag and Drop folders into Google Drive?

Yes. You can drag and drop folders into Google Drive using the Google Drive for Desktop app (folders appear in File Explorer/Finder). Simply open each folder in a separate window and drag the data from one to the other.

How do I Move All Google Photos to Dropbox?

You can move Google Photos to Dropbox by:

• Using Google Takeout and exporting only Google Photos data.
• Installing both Google Drive for Desktop and Dropbox desktop app, then dragging the Google Photos folder (found in your Google Drive virtual drive) into Dropbox.
• Using a third-party tool like MultCloud's Cloud Transfer for direct cloud to cloud movement.

How to Link Two Cloud Storage for File Transfer?

To link two cloud storages (e.g., Google Drive and Dropbox) for file transfer, the most convenient way is to take advantage of MultCloud. With it, you can add multiple cloud drives to a single dashboard, authorize access once, and then transfer files directly between clouds without downloading or re-uploading.

Will I Lose My Files if I Cancel My Dropbox Subscription?

No. If you cancel your Dropbox subscription, files stored on Dropbox will not be deleted immediately. You will have access to your files. However, you’ll be limited to 2 GB of storage space. If you exceed the storage limit, Dropbox may prevent you from adding new files and stop syncing files to your devices. So, it is always recommended back up Dropbox files to hard drive or another cloud before canceling a paid subscription to avoid any risk of loss.