Box Product Guide
What do users really think about Box? This product guide was created utilizing real, vetted user reviews and will help you get to the nitty-gritty details about where Box performs well, and where it may have room for improvement.
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Throughout the guide below, there are links directly to reviews. Select the reviewers most relevant to you, and those links will be highlighted in blue.
Table of Contents
Collaboration and Sharing
File Sharing and Collaboration
Users generally praise Box for its efficient file sharing and collaboration features. The real-time collaboration capabilities have been highlighted as a significant advantage, allowing team members to work together seamlessly from different locations. However, some users have reported occasional issues with file syncing, leading to outdated versions being worked on unintentionally. Despite this, Box is widely regarded as a reliable platform for securely sharing and collaborating on files, particularly in research teams and projects where data protection is paramount. The ease of organizing files into folders and the ability to track version history have been commended by users, enhancing the overall collaborative experience. Additionally, the platform’s user-friendly interface and straightforward sharing options make it a preferred choice for many users when it comes to sharing information and collaborating with colleagues both within and outside their organizations. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Box is great for secure file sharing and collaboration. However, it’s not an appropriate solution to be used as an end-point back-up solution.” – Partner in Sales, Staffing & Recruiting, 1-10 employees
“Box is great for communication. Helps getting approvals from team via sending and sharing design files. It has good sharing options to share files with other colleagues.” – Team Lead in Information Technology, Information Technology & Services, 11-50 employees
“Box helps to find everything in one place. It is one of the best tools for a big project that you can purchase.” – Engineer in Engineering, Information Technology & Services, 201-500 employees
“Box is used by my organization to store and share files. It is use across the whole organization. Using Box helps us with many business problems, specifically keeping track of important documents and sharing information across all departments within the organization.” – Analyst in Finance and Accounting, Renewables & Environment, 201-500 employees
Document Management and Organization
Users generally praise Box for its document management and organization capabilities. Reviewers highlight the ease of sharing and organizing documents within Box, emphasizing its user-friendly interface and efficient file management features. The ability to collaborate on documents in real-time and organize files into folders is particularly appreciated by users. Some users mention that Box has helped streamline their document management processes and improve overall organization within their teams. Despite a few minor suggestions for improvement, such as enhancing the intuitiveness of the platform, users overall find Box to be a reliable tool for managing and organizing documents effectively. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Box has had an overall positive effect on our content management objective. Box Sync and Box Drive, in particular, have had a positive ROI in terms of time resources by enabling easy content management and team collaboration without having to constantly log in to a web-based file management system.” – Analyst in Research & Development, Research, 5001-10,000 employees
“Box is great for document sharing, collaboration and overall document organization. Box is great if you need a secure place to keep documents. Box Notes are extremely helpful – my employee and I have multiple Box notes sections where we keep all our notes for reoccurring meetings.” – Manager in Human Resources, Marketing & Advertising, 501-1000 employees
“Box is not always very intuitive. Sometimes you can lose track of how you got to a certain folder. Access and sharing outside of the organization is sometimes difficult.” – Project Manager in Other, Hospital & Health Care, 10,001+ employees
Storage and Security
Secure Storage Solutions
Users consistently highlight Box’s secure storage solutions as a standout feature, commending its strong emphasis on data security and encryption. The platform’s ability to safeguard sensitive information and provide a safe environment for storing files is widely appreciated by reviewers. Additionally, users value Box’s commitment to maintaining a solid and robust cloud backup tool, ensuring that their important data remains secure and protected. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Box provides me and my colleagues in my organization, with top grade file security and end to end data protection for data we share within the Box platform. The aforementioned is obviously the major reason we deployed Box.” – Employee in Engineering, Financial Services, 1001-5000 employees
“Box is ideal if you are sharing sensitive information (such as patient information that should be protected under HIPAA) with another party and the safety of the information is important.” – Manager in Other, Marketing & Advertising, 51-200 employees
“Box has been a great find for us over the years in dealing with other cloud storage software. It has all the amazing features to become the top-notch product in the market.” – Engineer in Information Technology, Semiconductors, 10,001+ employees
Cloud-Based Access and Sync
Users generally praise Box for its efficient cloud-based access and sync capabilities. The consensus among reviewers is that Box’s cloud storage and file syncing features are reliable and user-friendly. While some users have reported minor issues with syncing larger files or experiencing occasional delays, overall, Box’s cloud-based access and sync functionality is seen as a valuable asset for securely storing and accessing files across different devices and locations. The ability to easily sync files to the cloud and access them from anywhere has been highlighted as a key benefit by users, contributing to improved workflow efficiency and collaboration within teams. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Bigger files take much time to sync to the server; No option to re-order sync management; More filters per column to get a particular file” – Administrator in Professional Services, Civic & Social Organization, 51-200 employees
“I have noticed that the larger the file size is the more time it will take to sync plus at some point you might not be able to sync without a premium version; When you initially install this product you will first have to move all the files that you want to sync which is very time-consuming.” – Administrative Assistant in Finance and Accounting, Computer Software, 10,001+ employees
“Box Sync and Box Drive, in particular, have had a positive ROI in terms of time resources by enabling easy content management and team collaboration without having to constantly log in to a web-based file management system.” – Analyst in Research & Development, Research, 5001-10,000 employees
Data Security and Compliance
Users generally believe that Box excels in data security and compliance features. Reviewers consistently praise Box for its robust access permissions, audit trails, and security measures that ensure content protection. The platform’s encryption technology and activity logs provide a reliable security framework, helping organizations stay compliant with regulations. Despite some concerns about HIPAA compliance for certain contract levels or user sizes, users appreciate Box’s priority on security and data integrity. The platform’s ability to maintain version control and data integrity, along with its secure access levels, make it a preferred choice for organizations prioritizing data security and compliance. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Box is a great option for file storage, file sharing, data collaboration works. For official works, we use Box without any hassle, it provides me the choice to control the access of files to individuals. It makes it very easy and intuitive to use-much like using a windows folder structure. Also has the benefit of powerful search functions.” – Executive in Research & Development, Market Research, 51-200 employees
“Box is well suited to data security, version control and as a data repository. Also has good integrations with other apps. The big unknown is BoxSign – this could be a game changer.” – Manager in Finance and Accounting, Computer & Network Security, 501-1000 employees
“Our organization has been using Box for about 5 years now. We use it across the entire organization though not consistently, unfortunately. The biggest drawback to using it more often and more frequently is the ease with which documents can be edited at the same time by multiple users in Google Docs, for example. The ability to control who shares documents with whom is the biggest plus for us.” – C-Level Executive in Finance and Accounting, Health, Wellness and Fitness, 11-50 employees
Tools and Integration
Editing and Version Control
Users generally praise Box for its editing and version control capabilities. The consensus among reviewers is that Box offers a reliable platform for managing document versions and facilitating editing processes. Users appreciate the ability to track version history, ensuring easy access to previous iterations of files. While some users suggest improvements in online editing features, overall, Box is commended for its efficient handling of document revisions and version control. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Online editing need to improve more; The online file format is different from downloaded one.” – Consultant in Information Technology, Management Consulting, 51-200 employees
“I have noticed that the larger the file size is the more time it will take to sync plus at some point you might not be able to sync without a premium version.” – Administrative Assistant in Finance and Accounting, Computer Software, 10,001+ employees
“CONS: Live Document; Multiple users editing at the same time.” – Engineer in Engineering, Construction, 1001-5000 employees
Integration with Other Platforms
User opinions on Box’s integration with other platforms are diverse. While some users appreciate the smooth integration with third-party business applications, others express a desire for better integration with specific platforms like Slack and Outlook. The ability to open, edit, and save files without leaving Box is seen as a positive feature, yet some users note that integration with certain tools could be improved. Additionally, there are mentions of Box being well-suited for various applications, indicating a general satisfaction with its integration capabilities. However, there are also comments about areas where integration could be enhanced, such as with Windows users of O365. Ultimately, the consensus is that Box offers solid integration with external platforms, but there is room for further optimization to meet the diverse needs of users across different ecosystems. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Integration with Slack would be great.” – Paraprofessional in Information Technology, Information Technology & Services, 51-200 employees
“Box is well suited for pretty much all applications. I cannot think of one where it is not useful.” – Project Manager in Other, Construction, 5001-10,000 employees
“CONS: Data transfer with link to any user is not available like Dropbox and pricing is a little higher compared to Google Drive and lacks more features as a collaboration tool.” – Executive in Research & Development, Market Research, 51-200 employees
Mobile Access and Management
Users generally praise Box for its robust mobile access and management capabilities. The consensus among reviewers is that Box’s mobile app provides a seamless experience for accessing and managing files on the go. While some users have highlighted minor issues such as the need for improvements in the mobile app’s user-friendliness and occasional crashes, overall, Box is commended for enabling efficient file access and management from mobile devices. The ability to access important files without the need to carry a work laptop everywhere has been particularly appreciated by users. Despite some drawbacks, Box’s mobile access and management features are seen as valuable assets for enhancing productivity and facilitating work flexibility. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Daily scenarios, such as saving and editing work files that I work on.” – Engineer in Research & Development, Biotechnology, 5001-10,000 employees
“Mobile app crash and editing is a difficulty we face.” – Consultant in Information Technology, Information Technology & Services, 10,001+ employees
“Box is a great storage backup with the added feature of recognizing multiple file types.” – C-Level Executive in Corporate, Broadcast Media, 1-10 employees
Management and Productivity
Project and Team Workspace
User consensus seems to be that Box’s project and team workspace capabilities are highly valued. Reviewers appreciate how Box streamlines project management processes, enhances collaboration among team members, and facilitates efficient sharing of project files. The platform’s ability to centralize project-related documents and provide a structured workspace for teams to work together effectively is consistently praised by users. Additionally, the ease of accessing and updating project files in real-time contributes to improved productivity and project outcomes. Despite some minor concerns about specific features like analytics for file viewing and integrations with project management tools, overall sentiment towards Box’s project and team workspace functionality remains positive. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Box is a secure place to store project files online and other documents so that teams access this information quickly and in the latest version. I drag and drop files directly into Box to save them and share with colleagues through a link that I can set permissions on to limit document access from authorized people.” – Program Manager in Product Management, Telecommunications, 10,001+ employees
“Box is great for more sensitive materials and large file sizes. It’s very comparable to Google Drive, which I use free. It can be nice to have the different customizations and settings on Box, but not sure if it would be my go-to file-sharing workspace.” – Manager in Marketing, Utilities, 51-200 employees
Efficiency and Productivity Tools
Users consistently praise Box for its efficiency and productivity tools, noting significant improvements in their work processes. The platform’s ability to streamline tasks, automate workflows, and ensure quick access to files has led to a noticeable increase in productivity for many organizations. Users appreciate how Box helps them save time, stay organized, and prevent data loss, ultimately contributing to a more efficient and effective work environment. The general sentiment is that Box’s efficiency and productivity tools play a key role in driving positive outcomes for users. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Productivity improvements.; Ensuring accuracy of materials accessible to all.; Providing efficiency for storing and sharing.” – Project Manager in Other, Hospital & Health Care, 10,001+ employees
“Increased efficiency; Improved risk mitigation significantly” – Professional in Professional Services, Financial Services, 1-10 employees
User and Access Management
User feedback on Box’s user and access management functionalities is generally positive, with many users highlighting the platform’s robust access permissions and secure access to information across departments and with external parties. The ease of creating secure and collaborative workspaces with external parties has been particularly praised, enabling faster communication and improved service delivery to clients. Additionally, the platform’s integration with existing cloud-based services has been commended for enhancing workflow efficiency and facilitating immediate teamwork, even on mobile devices. Despite some minor concerns about the speed of access and options for granting permissions to external users, overall sentiment leans towards Box being a reliable and user-friendly solution for managing user access and permissions effectively. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Box offers robust access permissions and audit trails to ensure we protect our content; Easy and secure access to information on any device across departments and with external parties; Enables immediate teamwork even on our phones; Increases employee mobility.” – Professional in Professional Services, Insurance, 1001-5000 employees
“Box is good for managing the files to be shared with teammates or clients. It allows downloading files with a simple click from the provided link. Has easy-to-use navigation throughout the interface and website. The user-friendliness is great for Box.” – Paraprofessional in Information Technology, Information Technology & Services, 51-200 employees
“Box on web browser is not intuitive.; Box does not make it convenient to share files with non-Box users.” – Employee in Marketing, Retail, 501-1000 employees
File Handling and Transfer
Large File Handling
Reviewers express varied opinions regarding Box’s handling of large files. Some users appreciate the ease of sharing large files without overloading email systems, while others find the file size limitations and the need for a premium version to sync very large files to be drawbacks. The time-consuming process of moving all files for syncing and occasional crashes when syncing a large amount of data are also mentioned as challenges by users. Additionally, concerns about the platform becoming slow when dealing with large files and the dependency on pricing for storage allocation are highlighted. Despite some positive feedback on the ease of uploading, replacing, and sharing large files, there are consistent calls for improvements in handling large files efficiently within the Box platform. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“I have noticed that the larger the file size is the more time it will take to sync plus at some point you might not be able to sync without a premium version.” – Administrative Assistant in Finance and Accounting, Computer Software, 10,001+ employees
“Very large files cannot be synced unless you get a premium version. This is a bit of a drag, as I use many large, important datasets.” – Employee in Research & Development, Higher Education, 5001-10,000 employees
“Positive – Making it easy to share large files without having to use email, which would overwhelm the system significantly and force the organization to manage email space constantly.” – Analyst in Other, Hospitality, 10,001+ employees
File Transfer and Download Capabilities
Users generally praise Box for its efficient file transfer and download functionalities. The consensus among reviewers is that Box excels in providing a smooth and user-friendly experience when it comes to transferring and downloading files. Many users appreciate the ease with which they can share and access files, highlighting the platform’s quick upload and download times. Despite some occasional issues with speed, particularly during uploads, users find Box to be a reliable solution for managing file transfers securely. The platform’s ability to facilitate easy access to saved files from any device and its robust security features contribute to users’ confidence in using Box for their file transfer needs. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“File transfer can be slow at times, particularly on uploads.” – Manager in Information Technology, Computer & Network Security, 1001-5000 employees
“During uploading feels like it’s slower, by comparing other similar service providers it’s definitely slower.” – Executive in Research & Development, Market Research, 51-200 employees
“Box fulfilled communication needs and the ability to share multiple file types with project teams and vendors outside the company.” – Manager in Marketing, Biotechnology, 501-1000 employees
“Box is very useful to share the file across the clients & team mates in an easy way and we can store so much in the cloud in different folders and easy to share the cloud version.” – Consultant in Information Technology, Management Consulting, 51-200 employees
Backup and Recovery Solutions
Users generally praise Box’s backup and recovery solutions for their reliability and ease of use. They appreciate the platform’s ability to securely store and backup important data, ensuring that files are easily accessible and protected from potential loss. Some users have noted occasional issues with selective file backups rather than complete folders, which can be a minor inconvenience. However, overall, the sentiment towards Box’s backup and recovery solutions remains positive, with users valuing the platform’s contribution to data security and accessibility. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
“I faced this problem a very few times that the backup was only being performed of some selected files rather than complete folders.” – Engineer in Information Technology, Information Technology & Services, 10,001+ employees
“Box Sync is particularly useful for backing up your most important documents.” – C-Level Executive in Corporate, Broadcast Media, 1-10 employees
“Not great for using as a backup. When I needed it to, it could only do selective file management, not entire folders.” – Employee in Information Technology, Hospital & Health Care, 51-200 employees
External Sharing and Compliance
External Sharing Options
User feedback on Box’s external sharing options is generally positive, with many users highlighting its effectiveness in securely sharing files with external parties. The ability to control access permissions and track file activities has been praised for enhancing collaboration with external users. However, some users have expressed concerns about the speed of access and the complexity of granting permissions to external parties. Despite these minor drawbacks, Box’s external sharing options are seen as a valuable feature for facilitating communication and collaboration with external stakeholders. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Box is not as well suited for being a share space for external information. Sharing info from Box with external clients or to anyone outside the organization is often cumbersome and requires access approvals, ability to access specific links, etc. There are simpler ways to provide info out externally that you can utilize.” – Project Manager in Other, Hospital & Health Care, 10,001+ employees
“Box has empowered employees to easily create secure and collaborative workspaces with external parties. It encouraged tighter collaboration between employees and it is now possible to upload files and communicate faster with clients, improving the level of service provided to the clients.” – Professional in Professional Services, Insurance, 1001-5000 employees
“Box is very useful if you need to share a file with multiple users. Let’s say your organization has more than 5000 employees, which can make it hard to share things over email. In addition, you can easily control what could be shared and what should not be shared with external parties in Box.” – Analyst in Corporate, Retail, 1001-5000 employees
Pricing and Subscription Options
Users have expressed mixed sentiments regarding Box’s pricing and subscription options. While some reviewers appreciate the competitive pricing compared to market competitors and the flexibility in pricing structures, others have raised concerns about the cost, suggesting that it could be lower. Additionally, there are mentions of limitations in the pricing models, such as the need for more storage space for the price and longer free trial periods. It appears that the pricing and subscription options offered by Box are perceived differently by users, with some finding them satisfactory while others see room for improvement. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Pricing is good as per the market competitors they have. Increase the productivity due to instant file sharing options on all the devices. Data leak prevention is not an issue as they are using a lot of security for the same.” – Consultant in Information Technology, Information Technology & Services, 10,001+ employees
“I suppose pricing can always be lower. More storage space for the price. Longer free trial periods.” – Executive in Corporate, Marketing & Advertising, 1-10 employees
“Box isn’t the best for sharing sensitive files or files that need strict version control. Overall, Box offers better pricing options than Dropbox and is easier to use.” – Engineer in Engineering, Computer Software, 201-500 employees
Customization and Accessibility
Customization and User Experience
Reviewers have consistently highlighted Box’s user-friendly interface, emphasizing its ease of navigation and intuitive design. Users appreciate the simplicity of the platform, noting that it allows for efficient file management and sharing. While some users have mentioned minor drawbacks such as limited customization options, overall feedback suggests that Box offers a satisfactory user experience with its straightforward interface and reliable performance. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“There are many good things about this software but there are a few cons as well like I personally think some more content on the desktop browser for viewing purposes could have been great.” – Engineer in Engineering, Automotive, 10,001+ employees
“The Multifactor facet in the software was not too useful and it was very hectic so that needs improvement.” – Engineer in Engineering, Automotive, 10,001+ employees
“Box has a clean user-friendly interface. It has functionality to manage files upload easily.” – Paraprofessional in Information Technology, Information Technology & Services, 51-200 employees
“The user interface is extremely easy to navigate and allows less tech-savvy users to find what they’re looking for easily.” – Employee in Other, Information Technology & Services, 1001-5000 employees
Content Management Systems
Users generally praise Box’s content management capabilities for their efficiency and reliability. The platform’s robust access permissions and collaborative workspaces have been highlighted as key strengths by reviewers. Additionally, the integration with existing cloud-based services has been commended for enhancing workflow efficiency. Users appreciate Box’s user-friendly interface and the ease of accessing and managing content across different devices. The platform’s ability to handle sensitive files and large data sets effectively has also been noted as a valuable feature by users. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
“Box is one of the best Enterprise Content Management Software is out there because it is a very good storage application considered for the backing up of content. Additionally, this product is also very good and effective for sensitive files and materials that are of large sizes.” – Engineer in Information Technology, Information Technology & Services, 10,001+ employees
“Box is the perfect platform to enable secure collaboration even in mobile environments while integrating with existing applications. We deployed Box as the primary platform for managing and collaborating on content.” – Manager in Marketing, Biotechnology, 501-1000 employees
“This tool is very widely known and popular a tool that we have been using in our company in the category of Enterprise Content Management Software. One thing that I have to say about this tool is that whether you are actually on the premises of the office or you are not there, this tool will always give you the leverage to give 100% focus and dedication to your work and manage all the workflows with great concentration and efficiency.” – Executive in Other, Telecommunications, 1001-5000 employees
Application and Device Compatibility
User sentiment regarding Box’s application and device compatibility is generally positive, with users appreciating the ease of syncing files across different devices. The platform’s ability to support various devices, including mobile devices and PCs, allows for convenient access to files from anywhere. Some users have highlighted the simplicity of managing files and the efficient synchronization process, contributing to a smooth user experience. However, a few users have mentioned minor issues such as mobile app crashes and editing difficulties, indicating room for improvement in optimizing compatibility across all devices. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
“Layout is very simple so everyone can easily use this.” – Engineer in Engineering, Oil & Energy, 10,001+ employees
“Box is fantastic if you want to work on a file from multiple computers. You can use a work computer to start, go home and finish on your home computer – and if you have the cloud apps you don’t even have to download the files each time.” – Employee in Marketing, Marketing and Advertising, 1001-5000 employees
“Mobile app crash and editing is a difficulty we face.” – Consultant in Information Technology, Information Technology & Services, 10,001+ employees
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