Introduction
Box and OneDrive for Business lead the enterprise cloud storage market, both enabling secure file sharing, collaboration, and remote access to business documents. Their platforms balance storage capacity, strong user management, and integration with critical business workflows. This comparison focuses on how Box and OneDrive serve organizations seeking secure, scalable, and compliant solutions for file sharing and collaboration.
- Box emphasizes granular permission controls, robust compliance, and workflow automation.
- OneDrive stands out for its deep Microsoft 365 integration and strong feature set for Windows/Office-centric teams.
- Both platforms meet key enterprise compliance needs, including HIPAA and GDPR.
- File upload sizes and storage allowances differ depending on your business needs.
| Feature | How Box handles it | How OneDrive handles it | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| File upload limit | 15GB per file (business plan) | 250GB per file | OneDrive (large files) |
| Storage limits | Unlimited (higher-tier business plans) | 1TB/user (basic); unlimited on some plans | Box (high storage needs) |
| Pricing (starting) | ~$5/user/month (business) | $5/user/month (business) | Tie |
| Microsoft 365 integration | Available | Deep, native | OneDrive (Office workflows) |
| File sharing & permissions | Granular controls, workflow automation | Standard sharing, strong with Microsoft 365 | Box (complex permissions) |
| User management | Extensive admin controls | Strong admin controls via Microsoft ecosystem | Box (granularity), OneDrive (Microsoft orgs) |
| Encryption at rest | Not publicly specified | Not publicly specified | Not publicly specified |
| GDPR compliance | Yes | Yes | Tie |
| HIPAA compliance | Yes | Yes | Tie |
| Audit logs | Extensive | Not publicly specified | Box |
| Ransomware detection | Not publicly specified | Yes | OneDrive |
Pricing and Plans
Box Business plans start at approximately $5 per user per month, scaling up for enterprise features. OneDrive also starts at $5 per user per month for business plans. Higher-tier Box plans provide unlimited storage, advanced compliance, and workflow options.
OneDrive becomes more cost-effective if your organization licenses Microsoft 365, as it is bundled with Office apps and services. For standalone storage costs, both offer competitive entry-level pricing and volume discounts at scale.
Storage Limits and File Upload Sizes
Box supports up to 15GB per file upload on business plans, and offers unlimited total storage for higher-tier business customers. OneDrive permits file uploads up to 250GB each—advantageous for teams handling large media or CAD files. OneDrive’s storage per user starts at 1TB for basic business plans and increases to unlimited on select enterprise tiers.
For organizations with very high storage volume needs, Box’s unlimited storage may be more attractive. Teams needing to upload very large individual files will find OneDrive better suited.
Security and Compliance Features
Box meets strict security and compliance standards including HIPAA, FedRAMP, FINRA, and ISO 27018. Its advanced security suite includes granular permission controls and extensive audit logs, making it a strong option for regulated or security-conscious organizations.
OneDrive is compliant with ISO 27001, HIPAA, and GDPR. It leverages Microsoft’s security infrastructure, including ransomware detection and file restore features, which can help organizations recover from malware attacks or accidental deletions.
File Sharing and Collaboration Capabilities
Box is designed for advanced collaboration, with granular permissions, secure external sharing, workflow automation, and sophisticated file activity tracking. This suits teams with complex collaboration needs or those working with outside partners.
OneDrive’s greatest strength is its Microsoft 365 integration. It supports real-time in-browser editing with Office apps and is tightly integrated with Windows, making it familiar for employees in Microsoft environments. Collaboration is streamlined for users working within Office or Teams.
User Management and Administration
Box gives admins extensive control over user permissions, access levels, file activity, and workflow integrations. It’s particularly strong for organizations with complicated user hierarchies or multiple departments requiring custom access policies.
OneDrive offers robust user management capabilities through Microsoft’s centralized admin tools, allowing integration with Active Directory and Microsoft’s compliance center. This is valuable if your organization is already consolidated on Microsoft’s ecosystem.
Encryption and Data Protection
Box and OneDrive both offer enterprise-grade security controls, but neither publicly specifies details for encryption at rest and in transit in the available sources. Box’s security features include advanced permissioning and audit tracking. OneDrive provides ransomware detection and file recovery tools as part of its security suite.
Regulatory Compliance for Businesses
Box is compliant with HIPAA, FedRAMP, FINRA, and international standards like ISO 27018, making it suitable for healthcare, finance, and highly regulated sectors. OneDrive is compliant with HIPAA, GDPR, and ISO 27001, and is appropriate for businesses needing international or health-data regulatory compliance.
Both support key compliance requirements, but Box lists more U.S.-centric and industry-specific certifications.
Choosing the Right Solution for Your Business
When choosing between Box and OneDrive, prioritize deep Microsoft 365 integration and large-file upload support if your organization uses Office apps or has complex file types. OneDrive delivers strong value for Windows-first environments and offers helpful ransomware protection tools.
If your business needs unlimited storage, fine-tuned admin controls, strict audit tracking, and advanced workflow automation, Box Business is a better fit—especially for compliance-driven industries. Consider how much value you’ll gain from platform-specific integrations and user management.
Conclusion
Box and OneDrive for Business both offer established, secure, and compliant cloud storage. Choose Box if you require advanced collaboration controls or high storage volume. Opt for OneDrive if tight Microsoft 365 integration and file size flexibility matter most. Both support key compliance standards, with some differences in administrative depth and workflow focus.
Which is better for business file storage: Box or OneDrive?
Box is better for complex collaboration, unlimited storage, and strict compliance. OneDrive is ideal for Microsoft 365 users needing large file support and simple licensing.
How do Box and OneDrive compare in terms of security features?
Both offer strong enterprise security. Box emphasizes granular controls and audit logs; OneDrive includes ransomware detection and leverages Microsoft’s security platform.
Does Box integrate with Microsoft 365 as seamlessly as OneDrive?
Box supports Microsoft 365 integration but is less tightly woven than OneDrive, which is natively embedded with Office and Windows.
What are the biggest differences between Box and OneDrive?
Box offers more granular permissions, unlimited storage with certain plans, and workflow automation. OneDrive provides deeper Office integration, higher per-file upload limits, and bundled value for Microsoft 365 users.
Is Box or OneDrive more compliant with enterprise security standards?
Both meet major compliance needs (HIPAA, GDPR). Box meets additional US regulatory standards like FedRAMP and FINRA, which may matter for some industries.
How does pricing for Box compare to OneDrive for large organizations?
Both start near $5/user/month. For organizations already on Microsoft 365, OneDrive can be more cost-effective, as storage is included in the subscription.
Can I migrate files easily from Box to OneDrive?
Not publicly specified. Migration between Box and OneDrive often requires third-party tools or vendor assistance.
Which has better user management and access controls: Box or OneDrive?
Box offers more granular and customizable admin controls out of the box. OneDrive relies on Microsoft’s admin center, which is comprehensive for organizations on Microsoft 365.