What is the difference between Box and MEGA?

Box is best for Enterprises needing secure file sharing and collaboration, while MEGA is best for Users wanting encrypted cloud storage with generous free tier. Box starts at $15/user/mo and MEGA starts at Free.

Is Box or MEGA cheaper?

Box starts at $15/user/mo with a free tier. MEGA starts at Free with a free tier.

Is there a free alternative to MEGA?

Both Box and MEGA offer free tiers.

Box vs MEGA

Box is enterprise cloud content management with advanced security, compliance, and workflow automation, while MEGA is end-to-end encrypted cloud storage with 20GB free and zero-knowledge encryption. The biggest difference up front: MEGA is free, while Box starts at $15/user/mo. Box is built for enterprises needing secure file sharing and collaboration, whereas MEGA targets users wanting encrypted cloud storage with generous free tier.

At a glance

	Box	MEGA
Best for	Enterprises needing secure file sharing and collaboration	Users wanting encrypted cloud storage with generous free tier
Starting price	$15/user/mo	Free
Free tier	✓	✓
Open source	—	—
Free tier available	✓	✓
Open source	—	—
20GB Free	—	✓
Chat	—	✓
Compliance	✓	—
E2E Encryption	—	✓
Enterprise Security	✓	—
File Sharing	—	✓
Integrations	✓	—
Workflows	✓	—

Box

Strengths

Includes Enterprise Security as a core feature, purpose-built for file storage workflows
Includes Workflows as a core feature, purpose-built for file storage workflows
10 GB free for individuals — generous enough for most small teams to get real work done
Established product with 21+ years on the market and a mature ecosystem

Weaknesses

Free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade
Enterprise-focused design means the interface can feel heavy for smaller teams
Syncing large folders can be slow and occasionally causes file conflicts
Overkill for freelancers or small teams who need something lightweight

Try Box → Full review

MEGA

Strengths

End-to-end encryption by default — messages are unreadable even to the server operator
Includes 20GB Free as a core feature, purpose-built for file storage workflows
20 GB free — generous enough for most small teams to get real work done
Established product with 13+ years on the market and a mature ecosystem

Weaknesses

Free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade
Fewer built-in features means you may need additional tools to cover gaps
Syncing large folders can be slow and occasionally causes file conflicts
Limited team/admin features if your organization eventually scales up

Try MEGA → Full review

The bottom line

Pricing: MEGA is completely free (20 GB free), which makes it the obvious pick if budget is the top concern. Box starts at $15/user/mo, but 10 GB free for individuals. That cost buys you a more polished or feature-rich experience, so it comes down to whether the extras justify the spend.

Feature gaps: Box offers Compliance, Enterprise Security and Integrations that MEGA lacks. MEGA brings 20GB Free, Chat and E2E Encryption that Box does not have.

Team fit: Box is geared toward enterprise teams, while MEGA is aimed at individual users and small setups. Pick the one that matches where your team is today and where it is headed — migrating tools later is always painful.

Where each tool shines: Box's biggest strengths are: includes enterprise security as a core feature, purpose-built for file storage workflows. includes workflows as a core feature, purpose-built for file storage workflows. MEGA's biggest strengths are: end-to-end encryption by default — messages are unreadable even to the server operator. includes 20gb free as a core feature, purpose-built for file storage workflows.

Watch out for: With Box, users commonly note that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade. With MEGA, the main complaint is that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade.

Choose Box if...

You need a tool built for enterprises needing secure file sharing and collaboration
You specifically need Compliance and Enterprise Security
You care about includes workflows as a core feature, purpose-built for file storage workflows
Your team size fits the enterprise profile Box is designed for
The free tier works for you: 10 gb free for individuals

Choose MEGA if...

You need a tool built for users wanting encrypted cloud storage with generous free tier
Budget is a hard constraint — MEGA is free, Box is not
You specifically need 20GB Free and Chat
You care about includes 20gb free as a core feature, purpose-built for file storage workflows
Your team size fits the individuals profile MEGA is designed for