Dropbox File Request is simple: share a link, people upload to your Dropbox. FileDrop (getfiledrop.com) adds a layer on top: branded upload forms with Google Drive integration. Both collect files, but they serve different needs.
Dropbox File Request
How it works: Built into Dropbox. Create a request, get a link. Uploads go to a folder in your Dropbox.
Strengths: - Dead simple to set up (2 clicks) - Uploaders don't need a Dropbox account - Files land directly in your existing Dropbox folder structure
Weaknesses: - 2 GB storage on free plan - No branding — page says "Dropbox" - No metadata collection (can't ask for name, email, project code) - No resumable uploads - No password protection - Can't organize uploads into sub-folders automatically
FileDrop
How it works: Separate service that creates branded upload forms. Files go to Google Drive. Has form fields for metadata alongside file uploads.
Strengths: - Branded upload pages with your logo - Form fields for context (name, department, project code) - Google Drive integration with auto-organized folders - Separate submission folders per response - Google Sheets tracking
Weaknesses: - Requires account setup and configuration - Google Drive dependent — files must go to Drive - Free plan has limits on submissions and storage - More complex to set up than a simple link - No resumable uploads for large files
The simpler alternative
If you don't need Google Drive routing or form fields — just "send me the files" — both Dropbox and FileDrop are more complex than necessary.
getfiles.app sits in between: simpler than FileDrop, more capable than Dropbox File Request.
- Create an upload page in 10 seconds (no configuration)
- File checklists — specify which files you need
- Custom branding — your logo and colors
- Resumable uploads — large files don't restart on connection drops
- Password protection
- No cloud storage configuration — download as ZIP
- Free, no account needed
Three-way comparison
| Feature | Dropbox Request | FileDrop | getfiles.app |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setup time | 2 clicks | 10-20 min | 10 seconds |
| Uploader needs account | No | No | No |
| Cloud storage integration | Dropbox | Google Drive | ZIP download |
| Custom branding | No | Yes | Yes |
| Form/metadata fields | No | Yes | Name + email |
| File checklist | No | No | Yes |
| Resumable uploads | No | No | Yes |
| Password protection | No | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-organize folders | No | Yes | N/A |
| Price | Free (2 GB) | Freemium | Free |
Which to choose
Dropbox File Request: You use Dropbox daily, need something in 2 clicks, and collect small files occasionally.
FileDrop: You need branded forms with metadata fields routed to Google Drive, and you're willing to spend time configuring it.
getfiles.app: You want something fast and free with more features than Dropbox but without the configuration overhead of FileDrop.
→ getfiles.app — the middle ground. Free, 10 seconds, no setup.