WD My Cloud vs Dropbox: Which Is Better for Your Files?

Should you store your files locally on a WD My Cloud NAS or in the cloud with Dropbox? This is one of the most common questions people ask when setting up file storage and backup. The answer depends on how much storage you need, how you access files, your privacy concerns, and your budget. Let’s compare both solutions in detail.

Quick Comparison Overview

Cost Comparison: The Real Math

This is where the decision often becomes clear. Let’s look at the true cost of each option.

Dropbox Pricing

WD My Cloud Pricing (One-Time Purchase)

5-Year Total Cost of Ownership

For 4TB of storage over 5 years:

• Dropbox Plus (2TB): $599 + need larger plan
• Dropbox Essentials (3TB): $990
• WD My Cloud Home 4TB: $180 (one-time) + ~$25 electricity = ~$205 total

For 8TB of storage over 5 years:

• Dropbox Business: $1,080+ (and still limited)
• WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra 8TB: $350 + ~$40 electricity = ~$390 total

Bottom line: If you need more than 2TB, a NAS pays for itself within 1-2 years compared to cloud storage subscriptions.

Storage Capacity

WD My Cloud: Massive Local Storage

WD My Cloud devices offer substantial storage:

• My Cloud Home: 2TB – 8TB
• My Cloud Home Duo: 4TB – 20TB
• My Cloud EX2 Ultra: Up to 28TB (2x14TB drives)
• My Cloud PR4100: Up to 72TB (4x18TB drives)

You can also expand storage by adding USB drives to most models.

Dropbox: Tiered Cloud Storage

• Free: 2GB (barely usable)
• Plus: 2TB
• Essentials: 3TB
• Business+: “Unlimited” (with fair use limits)

For large media libraries (10TB+), Dropbox becomes impractical and expensive. A NAS is the only realistic option.

Data Privacy and Security

WD My Cloud: Your Data, Your Control

Advantages:

• Data stays physically in your home/office
• No third-party access to your files
• Not subject to cloud provider terms of service changes
• No government data requests to service providers
• You control encryption and access

Considerations:

• Physical security is your responsibility
• Need to configure security settings properly
• Firmware updates required for security patches
• WD’s cloud relay (for remote access) does route through WD servers

Dropbox: Convenience vs Privacy Trade-off

Security features:

• 256-bit AES encryption for stored files
• SSL/TLS for transfers
• Two-factor authentication
• SOC 2 compliant data centers

Privacy concerns:

• Dropbox can access your files (they hold encryption keys)
• Subject to government data requests and subpoenas
• Terms of service grant Dropbox certain rights to your content
• Data stored on servers you don’t control
• Past security breaches (2012 hack affected 68 million accounts)

For sensitive data — legal documents, financial records, personal photos — many users prefer the control of local storage.

Speed and Performance

Local Network Speed

For local use, a NAS is dramatically faster. Gigabit Ethernet (1000 Mbps) vs typical home internet (100-300 Mbps) means 3-10x faster transfers.

Remote Access Speed

When accessing files remotely, both are limited by your internet connection:

• WD My Cloud: Limited by your home’s upload speed (typically 10-50 Mbps)
• Dropbox: Downloads from Dropbox’s fast servers (often faster for remote access)

For remote access, Dropbox often provides faster downloads since their servers have better bandwidth than home internet upload speeds.

Ease of Use

Dropbox: Plug-and-Play Simplicity

• Create account, install app, done
• Files sync automatically across devices
• Web access from any browser
• Intuitive sharing with links
• No hardware to manage
• No maintenance required

WD My Cloud: Moderate Learning Curve

• Physical setup required (connecting, configuring)
• Dashboard learning curve
• Network troubleshooting sometimes needed
• Remote access requires configuration
• Firmware updates to manage
• Potential hardware failures to handle

For non-technical users, Dropbox is significantly easier. For users comfortable with basic technology, My Cloud’s learning curve is manageable.

File Sharing and Collaboration

Dropbox: Excellent for Teams

• Share files/folders via link instantly
• Set permissions (view, edit, comment)
• Real-time collaboration on documents
• Dropbox Paper for team documents
• Integration with Office 365, Google Docs, Slack
• Activity tracking and version history
• Transfer large files to non-Dropbox users

WD My Cloud: Basic Sharing

• Share via WD’s cloud links (requires WD account)
• User accounts for family/team members
• Share permissions by folder
• No real-time collaboration features
• Limited integration with other services

For team collaboration, Dropbox wins decisively. For family photo sharing or personal use, My Cloud is adequate.

Backup and Data Protection

Dropbox: Sync ≠ Backup

Important distinction: Dropbox is sync, not backup.

• If you delete a file locally, it deletes from Dropbox
• Ransomware can encrypt synced files
• 30-day version history helps but isn’t foolproof
• Accidental deletions propagate everywhere

Dropbox is great for file access, but shouldn’t be your only backup.

WD My Cloud: True Backup Destination

• Works as Time Machine destination (Mac)
• Windows File History target
• Backup jobs preserve file history
• Can backup NAS to USB or cloud
• RAID options protect against drive failure

A NAS serves as a proper backup destination, not just a sync service.

Use Case Recommendations

Choose WD My Cloud If:

• You need more than 2TB of storage
• You want to save money long-term
• Data privacy is a priority
• You have a large media library (photos, videos)
• You want a Plex media server
• You need Time Machine backup (Mac)
• You work primarily from one location
• You’re comfortable with basic network setup
• You want to avoid monthly subscriptions

Choose Dropbox If:

• You need less than 2TB of storage
• You work from multiple locations frequently
• You collaborate with others on documents
• Easy sharing is a priority
• You don’t want to manage hardware
• Simplicity is more important than cost
• You need Office/Google Docs integration
• Your files need to be accessible on any device instantly

Best of Both Worlds: Use Both

Many users benefit from combining both:

• WD My Cloud: Store large media library, full backups, sensitive files
• Dropbox: Sync working documents, share with collaborators, mobile access to key files

This gives you local storage benefits plus cloud convenience where it matters.

WD My Cloud vs Other Cloud Services

The same comparison applies to other cloud storage providers:

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary: Making Your Decision

For most families with large photo libraries or media collections, a WD My Cloud offers better value and privacy. For professionals who collaborate frequently and need seamless access from anywhere, Dropbox’s convenience is worth the subscription cost. And for many users, the best solution is using both strategically.

Related Resources

• Best WD My Cloud 2026 — Buying guide
• WD My Cloud Setup Guide — Get started
• WD My Cloud Remote Access Guide — Access from anywhere
• WD My Cloud Backup Guide — Protect your data
• WD My Cloud vs Synology — NAS comparison
• WD My Cloud vs QNAP — NAS comparison
• WD My Cloud Home Review — Entry-level NAS
• WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra Review — Best value NAS

Last Updated: February 2026