What is the difference between Box and Sync.com?

Box is best for Enterprises needing secure file sharing and collaboration, while Sync.com is best for Users wanting zero-knowledge encrypted storage. Box starts at $15/user/mo and Sync.com starts at Free.

Is Box or Sync.com cheaper?

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

Is there a free alternative to Sync.com?

Both Box and Sync.com offer free tiers.

Box vs Sync.com

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

At a glance

	Box	Sync.com
Best for	Enterprises needing secure file sharing and collaboration	Users wanting zero-knowledge encrypted storage
Starting price	$15/user/mo	Free
Free tier	✓	✓
Open source	—	—
Free tier available	✓	✓
Open source	—	—
Compliance	✓	—
E2E Encryption	—	✓
Enterprise Security	✓	—
File Sync	—	✓
Integrations	✓	—
Sharing	—	✓
Workflows	✓	—
Zero Knowledge	—	✓

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

Sync.com

Strengths

Includes Zero Knowledge as a core feature, purpose-built for file storage workflows
End-to-end encryption by default — messages are unreadable even to the server operator
5 GB free — generous enough for most small teams to get real work done
Established product with 15+ 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 Sync.com → Full review

The bottom line

Pricing: Sync.com is completely free (5 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 Sync.com lacks. Sync.com brings E2E Encryption, File Sync and Sharing that Box does not have.

Team fit: Box is geared toward enterprise teams, while Sync.com 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. Sync.com's biggest strengths are: includes zero knowledge as a core feature, purpose-built for file storage workflows. end-to-end encryption by default — messages are unreadable even to the server operator.

Watch out for: With Box, users commonly note that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade. With Sync.com, 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 Sync.com if...

You need a tool built for users wanting zero-knowledge encrypted storage
Budget is a hard constraint — Sync.com is free, Box is not
You specifically need E2E Encryption and File Sync
You care about end-to-end encryption by default — messages are unreadable even to the server operator
Your team size fits the individuals profile Sync.com is designed for