Dropbox → Google Drive, Simplified: Transfer, Sync & Schedule with RcloneView
Bring your files closer to where your team collaborates. Move content from Dropbox to Google Drive in a clean, point-and-click workflow—no CLI required.
Introduction — Why consolidate from Dropbox to Google Drive?
Many teams begin in Dropbox for its quick, reliable sync and broad integrations. Over time, they adopt Google Drive to take advantage of Google Docs/Sheets/Slides and Workspace collaboration, sharing, and search. Consolidating into Google Drive reduces context-switching and gives you unified permissions and governance.
Understanding Dropbox (at a glance)
- Fast, dependable sync across devices; wide app ecosystem.
- File size limits vary by upload method (web vs. desktop app). Dropbox states up to 375 GB via the website and up to 2 TB per item via the desktop app. Dropbox Help Center
Understanding Google Drive (at a glance)
- Deep Workspace integration (Docs/Sheets/Slides), powerful sharing and search.
- Google documents a maximum file size of 5 TB (non-Docs formats), and Drive’s API imposes 750 GB/day upload & copy quota per user. Plan large moves accordingly. Google Help Google for Developers
Quick comparison
| Area | Dropbox | Google Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Ecosystem fit | Neutral / cross-platform | Tight integration with Google Workspace |
| Large files (per-item) | Website: ~375 GB; Desktop: up to 2 TB | Up to 5 TB per item (non-Docs formats) |
| Operational note | Method-dependent limits (web/desktop) | API: 750 GB/day per user (uploads/copies) |
Sources: Dropbox Help Center; Google Help & Google for Developers
Reasons to switch from Dropbox to Google Drive
- Collaboration where work happens — real-time co-editing in Docs/Sheets/Slides.
- Consolidation — one identity and policy plane across Gmail, Calendar, and Drive.
- Operational planning — migrate with awareness of provider limits to avoid failed jobs.
Good news: rclone supports both Dropbox and Google Drive, and RcloneView brings that power to a friendly GUI. No terminal required.
Manage & Sync All Clouds in One Place
RcloneView is a cross-platform GUI for rclone. Compare folders, transfer or sync files, and automate multi-cloud workflows with a clean, visual interface.
- One-click jobs: Copy · Sync · Compare
- Schedulers & history for reliable automation
- Works with Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, S3, WebDAV, SFTP and more
Free core features. Plus automations available.
Step 1 — Preparation
Before you begin:
- Map the scope — decide which folders move vs. remain archived.
- Check Drive capacity — ensure enough storage in your Google account/Workspace.
- Mind large files — plan for items nearing Dropbox’s per-item limits and Drive’s daily 750 GB API quota.
- Choose the strategy — one-time migration, staged cutover, or ongoing sync for hybrid workflows.
Step 2 — Connect Dropbox & Google Drive in RcloneView
RcloneView wraps rclone config in a guided, click-through experience:
- Open RcloneView → click
+ New Remote - Choose Dropbox → complete OAuth sign-in → name it (e.g.,
MyDropbox) - Choose Google Drive → sign in with your Google account → name it (e.g.,
MyGoogleDrive) - Confirm both remotes appear side-by-side in the Explorer pane
🔍 Helpful guides:
- Auto Login (Google Drive, Dropbox) — quick setup with OAuth in RcloneView. RcloneView
- Add & Manage Remotes — where to find the New Remote dialog and Remote Manager. RcloneView
Step 3 — Execute the transfer
RcloneView offers three straightforward approaches. Start small, then scale.
A) Drag & Drop (manual, ad-hoc)
- Open Dropbox on one side and Google Drive on the other, then drag folders/files across.
- Ideal for quick moves and spot checks.
👉 See more: Copying Files using Drag and Drop
B) Compare & Copy (preview changes)
- Run Compare to see new/changed items before copying; reduce surprises and retries.
👉 See more: Compare and Manage Files
C) Sync & Scheduled Jobs (automate)
- Use Sync to mirror selected Dropbox folders into Google Drive.
- Dry-run first, then save the task as a reusable Job; add a schedule for nightly/weekly runs.
👉 See more:
Pro tips
- Break very large migrations into batches; respect per-item and per-day limits to avoid interruptions.
- Keep source folders read-only during cutover to prevent drift.
- Need share links? rclone supports generating public links on supported backends (advanced).
Conclusion — Recap & extra pointers
- Why move: collaborate where your team works (Google Workspace), unify sharing and policy, and simplify daily workflows.
- How: RcloneView connects Dropbox & Google Drive, then lets you Drag & Drop, Compare, or Sync—with scheduling for hands-off upkeep.
- Plan around limits: know Dropbox’s upload caps and Drive’s 5 TB per-file / 750 GB/day guidance.
FAQs
Q. Can RcloneView handle very large files?
A. Yes—rclone supports chunked/streamed transfers. Just keep items within each provider’s limits (Dropbox web vs. desktop; Google Drive 5 TB per item and 750 GB/day via API).
Q. Do I need command-line skills?
A. No. RcloneView is a full GUI on top of rclone’s Dropbox and Google Drive backends.
Q. Can I automate recurring transfers?
A. Absolutely—save your Sync as a Job and schedule it in RcloneView’s Job Manager.
Ready to streamline your move from Dropbox to Google Drive?
Supported Cloud Providers
