How to Sync Dropbox to Google Drive: 3 Methods That Actually Work

If you use both Dropbox and Google Drive, at some point you will want files to move between them — whether a client shares a folder in Dropbox and you work entirely out of Drive, or you are migrating from one service to the other. The good news is that syncing Dropbox to Google Drive does not require any paid tools. This guide walks through three methods, from the simplest manual approach to a free web tool that handles large migrations automatically.

Why People Sync Dropbox and Google Drive

Dropbox and Google Drive each have genuine strengths. Dropbox is fast, reliable across desktop clients, and integrates well with third-party apps like Zoom and Slack. Google Drive gives you 15GB of free storage, connects directly to Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, and syncs seamlessly across Android devices. Many professionals use both at once — which is where the syncing need comes from.

Common reasons to move files between the two: a team collaboration that started on one platform is moving to the other, you want to consolidate storage to reduce costs, or you received shared Dropbox files you need to work on in Google Workspace. All three methods below handle these cases, depending on how much data you are moving.

Method 1: Manual Download and Re-Upload

This method works best for small batches of files — a folder or two, not an entire account. It requires no extra tools or accounts.

1. Open Dropbox in your browser and navigate to the folder you want to transfer.
2. Select the files or folder, then click Download. Dropbox will zip folders automatically.
3. Save the zip file to your computer and extract it.
4. Open Google Drive in your browser and click New then File upload or Folder upload.
5. Select the extracted files and upload them to your chosen Drive location.

The limitation is obvious: this is tedious for anything beyond a few gigabytes, and it does not set up ongoing sync. For one-time transfers of large amounts, use Method 3 instead.

Method 2: Desktop Sync Apps Side by Side

If you have both the Dropbox desktop app and Google Drive for Desktop installed on your computer, you can move files using your file explorer — the same way you would move any local folder.

1. Install Dropbox desktop app and Google Drive for Desktop if you have not already done so.
2. Both services create local folders on your computer — Dropbox in your home directory, Google Drive under a mounted drive letter.
3. Open your file explorer and locate the Dropbox folder.
4. Drag and drop files or folders from the Dropbox folder into the Google Drive folder.
5. Both apps sync the changes to their respective cloud services automatically.

This approach is fast and straightforward for moderate amounts of data. The trade-off is that you need enough local disk space to hold the files being moved, since both desktop clients download content locally before syncing.

Method 3: MultCloud (Best for Large or Ongoing Transfers)

MultCloud is a free web-based service that connects directly to cloud storage accounts without downloading files to your computer. Files move server-to-server, so local disk space and upload bandwidth are not factors. The free tier allows up to 5GB of transfers per month, which covers most one-time migrations.

How to Use MultCloud to Sync Dropbox to Google Drive

1. Go to MultCloud and create a free account using your email.
2. Click Add Cloud and select Dropbox. Grant MultCloud permission to access your Dropbox account.
3. Click Add Cloud again and select Google Drive. Grant access to your Google account.
4. Navigate to Cloud Transfer in the left sidebar.
5. Set Dropbox (or a specific folder within it) as the source and Google Drive as the destination.
6. Click Transfer Now. MultCloud will move the files server-to-server without downloading them to your machine.

For ongoing sync rather than a one-time transfer, MultCloud also offers a Cloud Sync option that keeps the two services in sync automatically. The free tier limits sync frequency, but it works well for light use.

Choosing the Right Method

For a handful of files: use Method 1. For regular access to both services on the same machine: use Method 2. For large migrations, automated transfers, or situations where you cannot use desktop apps: use Method 3. MultCloud is the right answer for most people because it is free, fast, and does not require local storage. It also supports Google Workspace, OneDrive, Box, and Amazon S3, so it is useful well beyond just the Dropbox-to-Drive use case.

If you use a Chromebook, Method 3 is your only reliable option since desktop sync apps do not work on ChromeOS.

Frequently Asked Questions About Syncing Dropbox to Google Drive

Can I sync Dropbox and Google Drive automatically for free?

Yes, using MultCloud’s free tier. The free plan allows up to 5GB of transfers per month and supports scheduled sync between Dropbox and Google Drive. For higher volumes, MultCloud offers paid plans starting at around $3 per month.

Will my Dropbox sharing permissions transfer to Google Drive?

No. Sharing permissions are not preserved during transfers. Dropbox and Google Drive use entirely different permission systems, so you will need to manually re-share files or folders in Google Drive after the migration. Tools like CloudFuze and Cloudiway can handle permission mapping automatically, but they are paid enterprise tools.

What happens to Dropbox Paper documents during a transfer?

Dropbox Paper documents are not standard files — they are stored in a proprietary format and do not export cleanly to Google Drive. You will need to manually export each Paper document as a PDF or Word file before transferring. Alternatively, you can copy the content into a Google Doc directly.

Is there a file size limit when transferring between Dropbox and Google Drive?

Google Drive imposes a 750GB daily upload limit per account. Dropbox’s web interface limits individual file downloads to 20GB per file. For large migrations above these limits, using MultCloud’s desktop transfer feature or Dropbox’s export tool avoids hitting web-based caps. Most personal transfers fall well under these limits.

Do I need a paid plan on either service to sync them?

No. Both Dropbox and Google Drive offer free tiers that work with all three methods described above. Dropbox’s free plan includes 2GB of storage. Google Drive’s free tier provides 15GB shared across Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos. MultCloud’s free tier supports up to 5GB of transfers per month, which is sufficient for most one-time migrations.