VPN alternative

The fast, headache-free VPN alternative

You don't need a VPN provider: Dropbox lets you share files securely inside and outside your corporate network without wasting time on slow, complicated VPN setups.

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VPN file sharing is a pain

Let’s be honest: configuring VPN servers—not to mention the ongoing training and maintenance—can be a huge undertaking, draining IT resources and money. So why use a VPN service? VPNs are a private, encrypted tunnel through the internet between you and your company’s network that let you have secure remote access to your company file server.

But part of the hassle for you is having to sign in with a special app every time, followed by a steady stream of frustration in the form of trouble connecting and reconnecting, interference with other network resources, and slow connections. We have a better way.

Dropbox: File sharing made user-friendly

Connecting to a file server via VPN is a multi-step process that can be irritating for even the most tech savvy of users. But Dropbox only requires a one-time installation and sign-in. Accessing files shared by team members is as easy as navigating through folders through our apps.

For a superior VPN solution, switching to Dropbox means a better, easier, more streamlined experience all around. Using Dropbox is as simple as saving files to a folder, and it minimizes the need for training and end user support. Our “user-first” design approach to admin tools means you’ll spend less time configuring software—and have more time for important, strategic projects.

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Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems

Any time you join a folder shared by someone inside or outside your team, the files will automatically appear in the Dropbox folder on your computer.

Web

Sign in at dropbox.com from any computer to access your files from anywhere.

Mobile devices using iOS and Android

Share, preview, and comment on files from your phone or tablet with our mobile app.

Dropbox: File sharing made simple

With VPN file storage, sharing inside your company is difficult enough, but sharing outside your company can be downright impossible. File sharing with Dropbox, on the other hand, is as easy as clicking “Share” or copying and pasting a link. There’s no need to create accounts for every person who needs access to a file or folder. And Dropbox shared links stay up to date with the latest versions of your files.

A dropdown in a file that shows the list of people who have access to the file, as well as their permission levels

No special software or VPN clients required

Anyone can access shared links—and even preview files and add comments—from any web browser.

User-friendly permissions control

End users can easily grant and revoke access, and add password protection and expiration dates to shared links, without complicated command-line tools.

No “file in use” errors

If multiple users access the same file at the same time, Dropbox preserves each person’s changes in a separate copy so nobody overwrites someone else’s hard work.

A fast alternative to VPN

No matter how your VPN connection is set up, it’s bound to slow down users’ connections. Dropbox comes with several features designed to speed up file transfers.

A user selecting a .mp4 file to share via Dropbox Transfer

Delta sync

If only part of a file has changed since it was last saved to Dropbox, just the portion that's changed will sync, saving time and bandwidth.

Auto-resuming uploads

If your internet connection goes out during an upload, Dropbox will pick up in the background where it left off—speeding up large file transfers.

Online-only storage

You can save hard drive space while keeping directory listings continuously up to date for quick navigation by moving files to the cloud.

Dropbox: File sharing made secure

Security might be the top reason to use VPN technology for file sharing, but for many, it’s more trouble than it’s worth. Dropbox gives you the security you need to keep your team’s data safe.

A password and 2-step verification setting being added to a user account

Encrypted transfers

Dropbox encrypts network traffic with SSL/TLS and uses 256-bit AES encryption at rest to protect your company’s data from security risks.

Account protection

Advanced security tools including two-step verification, SSO provider integration, and remote data wipe ensure only the right people can access your team’s Dropbox accounts.

Detailed auditing

Dropbox Business team admins can track how data is shared inside and outside their companies with extensive activity auditing.

Frequently asked questions

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network (VPN) that’s used to extend a private network across a public network. VPN technology lets users to share and receive content across shared or public internet connections as if their devices were logged on to the private network. This is useful for remote workers or regional offices that need remote access to files and information from a main headquarters’ network or servers.

Yes, you can share files securely with a VPN—but it’s not a hassle-free process. VPNs can increase privacy and security, but you can’t guarantee a completely anonymous online connection. To share files securely with a VPN first requires configuring a VPN, which can be a big undertaking involving IT resources and money. Then, you’ll need to make sure you’re connected to a VPN by signing in via specific software with special access permissions. Then, after those two conditions are met can you actually share or receive the files you need.

Using Dropbox as a VPN alternative can help alleviate frustration and save resources. With Dropbox as your central content hub, there’s no need to set up a VPN or grant secure access to individual users. Instead, all you need to do is store your files in Dropbox, and you can securely and quickly share them with whomever you want—even if they don’t have a Dropbox account. Learn more about how Dropbox keeps your files secure.

Not all features are available on all Dropbox plans; compare our plans to find the version right for you.

Ready to give up on VPN file sharing?

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