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Tarsnap VS Dropbox

Compare Tarsnap VS Dropbox and see what are their differences

Tarsnap logo Tarsnap

Tarsnap is a secure online backup system for UNIX

Dropbox logo Dropbox

Online Sync and File Sharing
  • Tarsnap Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-02
  • Dropbox Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-05

Tarsnap features and specs

  • Security
    Tarsnap encrypts data on the client-side using strong encryption practices before it is uploaded to the cloud, ensuring that no unencrypted data is ever stored on their servers.
  • Deduplication
    It implements an effective deduplication strategy to only store unique data, potentially reducing backup sizes and saving on storage costs.
  • Incremental Backups
    Supports incremental backups, which means only new or changed data is uploaded after the initial backup, saving bandwidth and time.
  • Cross-Platform
    Tarsnap is available for multiple operating systems, including various Unix-like systems, making it versatile for different environments.
  • Open Source Client
    Tarsnap's client code is open-source, allowing users to review and modify the source code to meet their specific needs or security requirements.

Possible disadvantages of Tarsnap

  • Complexity
    The setup and operation require command-line skills, which can be intimidating for users who are not technically inclined or prefer graphical interfaces.
  • Pricing
    Tarsnap charges based on data and bandwidth usage, which can become costly over time for users with large data storage or frequent backup needs.
  • Documentation
    While thorough, some users find the documentation to be complex and challenging to navigate, making it harder to get started quickly.
  • No Native Windows Support
    It does not natively support Windows, though workarounds exist, this can be a limitation for users who operate primarily on Windows systems.
  • Manual Configuration
    Lacks an automated or guided setup wizard, requiring users to manually configure settings which can lead to user error if not carefully handled.

Dropbox features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Dropbox offers a user-friendly interface that makes file sharing, syncing, and storage simple for users of any technical skill level.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Dropbox supports multiple operating systems including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, making it accessible from almost any device.
  • Collaboration Features
    The service includes features like shared folders, file comments, and real-time collaboration on documents, which are ideal for team projects.
  • File Versioning
    Dropbox maintains previous versions of files, allowing users to recover older versions if needed, which is helpful in case of accidental deletions or edits.
  • Third-Party Integrations
    The platform integrates seamlessly with various third-party apps such as Microsoft Office, Slack, and Trello, enhancing its utility in workflow management.
  • Strong Security Measures
    Dropbox offers robust encryption both at rest and in transit, along with two-factor authentication to secure user data.

Possible disadvantages of Dropbox

  • Cost
    Dropbox can be expensive, especially for businesses or advanced individual users who require more storage than what is available in the free plan.
  • Privacy Concerns
    There have been concerns around Dropbox's privacy policies and data handling practices, which might not be ideal for users particularly concerned about privacy.
  • Storage Limits
    The free version of Dropbox offers limited storage capacity (only up to 2GB), which may not be sufficient for users with extensive storage needs.
  • Sync Performance Issues
    Some users have reported issues with the speed and reliability of file syncing, which can be disruptive, especially for large files or bulk uploads.
  • File Size Restrictions
    There are file size limitations for both free and certain paid plans, which may be inconvenient for users who need to store or share particularly large files.
  • Limited Offline Access
    While Dropbox allows files to be made available offline, the process is not always straightforward and can lead to accessibility issues when internet access is not available.

Tarsnap videos

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Dropbox videos

Dropbox Update 2019 - Is it Worth It?

More videos:

  • Tutorial - Dropbox API / JavaScript ES6 Tutorial - Expense Organizer
  • Tutorial - How To Build With Dropbox Webinar October 2020 | Dropbox API | Dropbox
  • Review - Everything You Need to Know: The NEW Dropbox 📦
  • Review - Dropbox Paper: Full Review (2019)
  • Review - Dropbox Review: Best Cloud Storage for File Sharing?
  • Review - Dropbox vs Google Drive vs OneDrive: The Ultimate Cloud Storage Showdown
  • Review - 2021 Best Cloud Storage | Dropbox vs OneDrive vs Google Drive vs iCloud vs Box vs Mega

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Tarsnap and Dropbox)
File Sharing
5 5%
95% 95
Cloud Storage
2 2%
98% 98
File Management
100 100%
0% 0
Encrypted Cloud Storage
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Tarsnap and Dropbox

Tarsnap Reviews

We have no reviews of Tarsnap yet.
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Dropbox Reviews

  1. good cloud service

    It's much more convenient than GoogleDrive. I frequently use it to share my projects on freelance platforms. This is reliable cloud storage with many features

    🏁 Competitors: Google Drive
    👍 Pros:    Reliable|Convenient|Easy to use
    👎 Cons:    Found none

Best Free Cloud Storage for 2024: What Cloud Storage Providers Offer the Most Free Storage?
Another big problem with Dropbox is the lack of features on the free plan. You can see the full list in the table at the end of the article, but features like the vault, smart sync, Dropbox Transfer, e-signatures, unlimited devices and offline access are all either completely missing or severely limited. You can find out more about these features in our Dropbox review.
Best Cloud Storage Services for Linux
Koofr is a cloud storage provider that’s a good option for Linux because of its Linux GUI desktop client. They have an online version, desktop and mobile versions, browser extensions, and more. The best thing about Koofr is that you can connect Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive to your Koofr account and search through all files from all accounts from Koofr.
Source: linuxstans.com
Best Top 12 MEGA Alternatives in 2024
In the world of cloud storage, there's no one-size-fits-all solution. The best MEGA alternative for you depends on your specific requirements and preferences. Whether it's Google Drive's integration, Dropbox's simplicity, or OneDrive's security, you have plenty of options to choose from. Evaluate your needs and make an informed decision to ensure your digital life is...
13 WeTransfer Alternatives (Free) in 2022
Dropbox is a file hosting service providing personal cloud, file synchronization, cloud storage, and client software. It is designed to collaborate on your projects, whether you are working alone or in a team.
Source: www.guru99.com
Best alternatives to WeTransfer of 2022
Microsoft OneDrive works like the other well-known consumer cloud storage options, the likes of Dropbox, Google Drive and iCloud: you specify the files and folders you want it to back up, and they get automatically synced with copies in the cloud, as well as all the other computers and devices where you've got OneDrive set up.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Dropbox should be more popular than Tarsnap. It has been mentiond 28 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Tarsnap mentions (3)

  • Where do you store your backups? What Provider if any?
    Tarsnap for configs and critical stuff (password database, emails). Source: almost 3 years ago
  • 3,200-Year-Old Egyptian Tablet Records Excuses for Why People Missed Work
    Someone does :) https://tarsnap.com > Tarsnap uses a prepaid model based on actual usage: > Storage: 250 picodollars / byte-month of encoded data. - Source: Hacker News / about 3 years ago
  • What's your backup strategy?
    Each server also upload their configs and « important » data (my mails and git repos) to tarsnap 3. Tarsnap storage is not as cheap as B2, so I try not to upload too much data there, but it's reliable and easy to use. It was also my first backup solution, and barely cost me 10$ a year so I keep it as a secondary backup. Source: over 3 years ago

Dropbox mentions (28)

  • Excel What if Analysis Issue
    Even better: upload an example Excel file to a file-sharing website (box.net/files, dropbox.com, onedrive.live.com, etc), and post a download link that does not require that we log in. Source: over 1 year ago
  • How to save data on Obsidian? Worried about data loss
    Note that Dropbox automatically backs up all your files. So if you delete a file, you can recover it on dropbox.com, even 6 months later. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • How long would a USB stick last in storage?
    Upload what is on that stick to a cloud based system that is not vulnerable to degradation of hardware, you can get a lot of storage for free on sites like dropbox.com, mega.nz, or icloud. You can also always make multiple backups. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Dropbox data gone
    Did you try logging into dropbox.com and checking there? Often the files remain online even if they are removed locallY. You have to log in with the same account you deleted Locally. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Author Resources: Tools and Software
    Dropbox: You absolutely NEED backups. Ideally, both physical and cloud backups, because if you only have one backup, you're not backed up. I can't even begin to tell you how many writers have lost days, weeks, or even entire novels worth of work because they failed to back up their work, then had their computer break or had some weird software snafu. Dropbox is my preferred cloud backup solution, because you can... Source: almost 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Tarsnap and Dropbox, you can also consider the following products

Box - Box offers secure content management and collaboration for individuals, teams and businesses, enabling secure file sharing and access to your files online.

Google Drive - Access and sync your files anywhere

Nubo - A self-hosted file sharing application in Haskell.

Mega - Secure File Storage and collaboration

Filecamp - Digital Asset Management & Online Proofing tools beautifully integrated, into one secure and cost-effective solution. Manage all your digital marketing assets from your own good-looking, easy-to-use spot in the cloud. Unlimited users in all plans!

Soonr - Soonr is a cloud-based document storing and file sharing system for the small and medium-size businesses.