Best Alternatives to Box for Founders in 2025

Box has long been a trusted enterprise choice for secure file storage and collaboration, particularly in heavily regulated industries like healthcare, finance, and legal services. With robust compliance certifications (HIPAA, FINRA, SOC 2), advanced security controls, and extensive integration capabilities, Box serves large organizations well.

However, in 2025, founders—especially those running startups, raising capital, or managing investor relations—are discovering that Box's enterprise-focused approach creates friction for their specific needs. Founders don't need complex admin panels designed for IT departments; they need platforms that help them move fast, impress investors, and gain insights into stakeholder engagement.

The challenge with Box for founders:

• Enterprise complexity: Features and interfaces designed for large IT departments, not small founding teams
• Limited analytics: Basic access logs don't reveal how investors or partners engage with documents
• Generic presentation: Lacks the branded, professional presentation founders need for investor communications
• Cost structure: Enterprise pricing tiers with features most startups don't need
• Slow iteration: Built for stability over speed; founders need to pivot quickly
• Missing AI capabilities: Minimal automation or intelligent organization features

Founders need solutions that streamline workflows, impress investors with branded data rooms, provide engagement analytics to guide fundraising strategy, and integrate AI-powered organization to save precious time. Here are the best alternatives to Box for founders in 2025—with one platform purpose-built for this exact use case.

1. Peony - Best Overall for Founders

Website: https://peony.ink

Peony is the #1 Box alternative for founders in 2025, purpose-built for the specific needs of startup founders, entrepreneurs, and small teams raising capital or managing high-stakes business relationships.

Why founders choose Peony over Box:

Founder-Specific Features

AI-powered file organization that eliminates manual work:

• Automatically structures pitch decks, financials, legal documents, and product materials
• Learns your organization's patterns and suggests improvements
• Handles complex fundraising materials in minutes, not hours
• No need to spend days creating folder hierarchies

Branded data rooms designed for investor impressions:

• Custom logos, colors, and professional layouts automatically applied
• Create investor-ready presentations without design skills
• Professional URL structures that build trust
• White-label options to remove third-party branding

Engagement analytics that guide fundraising strategy:

• See exactly which pages of your pitch deck investors spend time on
• Identify hot prospects vs tire-kickers based on engagement patterns
• Know when to follow up based on viewing behavior
• Analytics are the future of data rooms

Speed and simplicity founders need:

• Set up a professional data room in under 10 minutes
• No complex permissions or admin training required
• Mobile-optimized for reviewing on the go
• Update links without breaking URLs sent to investors

Security without complexity:

• Screenshot protection to prevent unauthorized sharing
• Dynamic watermarks with investor name and timestamp
• Two-factor authentication without IT department setup
• Link expiry and access revocation with one click

Founder-friendly pricing:

• Transparent pricing without hidden enterprise tiers
• No per-user fees that penalize team growth
• Unlimited links without arbitrary restrictions
• Affordable for seed-stage startups

Why it matters: While Box optimizes for enterprise IT departments managing thousands of employees, Peony optimizes for founders managing dozens of investor relationships. Every feature is designed for speed, simplicity, and the specific workflows of fundraising and stakeholder management.

For founders who need to move fast, raise capital successfully, and build trust with stakeholders, Peony delivers an unmatched combination of intelligence, professionalism, and simplicity.

2. Google Drive - Best for Internal Collaboration

Website: https://drive.google.com

Google Drive remains the go-to choice for internal team collaboration, especially for founders already using Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Meet).

Founder-friendly aspects:

• Free 15GB tier perfect for bootstrapped startups
• Real-time collaboration on documents everyone knows how to use
• Seamless integration with Gmail makes sharing effortless
• Mobile apps work excellently for on-the-go founders
• Google Docs/Sheets/Slides eliminate version control headaches

Limitations for founder use cases:

• Minimal analytics—you won't know if investors viewed your deck or ignored it
• Generic presentation—sharing a Google Drive folder doesn't impress investors
• Password protecting folders isn't intuitive
• Consumer-grade security insufficient for sensitive fundraising materials
• No branding options for professional investor presentations

Best for: Internal team documents, collaborative editing, everyday productivity

Not ideal for: Investor data rooms, fundraising materials, external stakeholder presentations

For more options, see our best Google Drive alternatives for founders.

3. Microsoft OneDrive - Best for Microsoft Teams

Website: https://onedrive.microsoft.com

OneDrive integrates tightly with Microsoft 365, making it a natural choice for startups standardized on Microsoft tools.

Founder-friendly aspects:

• Included with Microsoft 365 subscriptions (no extra cost)
• Excellent desktop integration on Windows
• Strong enterprise security and compliance (when you need it)
• Real-time co-authoring in Office apps
• Personal Vault feature for sensitive files

Limitations for founder use cases:

• No engagement analytics for shared documents
• Interface can feel enterprise-heavy, not startup-nimble
• Limited branding and customization for external sharing
• Overkill features most seed-stage startups don't need
• No purpose-built fundraising or investor relation features

Best for: Startups already using Microsoft 365, Windows-first teams

Not ideal for: Mac-heavy teams, investor-facing data rooms, engagement tracking

See alternatives to Microsoft OneDrive for other options.

4. Dropbox - Best for Simple Syncing

Website: https://dropbox.com

Dropbox pioneered modern cloud storage and remains reliable for its core function: syncing files across devices.

Founder-friendly aspects:

• Incredibly simple setup and use—no learning curve
• Reliable, fast syncing across all platforms
• Dropbox Paper for lightweight collaborative docs
• Good mobile apps for accessing files anywhere
• DocSend features available (at additional cost)

Limitations for founder use cases:

• DocSend (their analytics product) requires separate subscription
• More expensive than alternatives for similar storage
• Basic analytics unless you pay extra for DocSend
• Limited customization and branding options
• Feature development has slowed since acquisition era

Best for: Teams prioritizing simplicity and reliability

Not ideal for: Budget-conscious early-stage startups, those needing advanced analytics

Explore file sharing alternatives to Dropbox and Dropbox alternatives for founders.

5. pCloud - Best for Lifetime Storage

Website: https://pcloud.com

pCloud stands out with lifetime storage plans—pay once, never again—appealing to cost-conscious founders.

Founder-friendly aspects:

• Lifetime plans ($199-$399 one-time) eliminate recurring costs
• Built-in encryption (pCloud Crypto add-on)
• Generous storage amounts (500GB-2TB)
• Excellent value for early-stage startups watching cash burn
• Clean, simple interface

Limitations for founder use cases:

• No analytics or engagement tracking
• Minimal business-specific features
• Not designed for investor presentations
• Basic sharing capabilities
• Unknown brand to many investors (less trust than established names)

Best for: Bootstrapped founders minimizing recurring costs, long-term personal storage

Not ideal for: Investor relations, professional presentations, need for analytics

6. Sync.com - Best for Privacy-Conscious Founders

Website: https://sync.com

Sync.com focuses on privacy with end-to-end encryption and zero-knowledge architecture.

Founder-friendly aspects:

• End-to-end encryption by default (no add-on required)
• Compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, PIPEDA
• Canadian company (data sovereignty options)
• Reasonable pricing ($8/month for 2TB)
• Good for privacy-sensitive industries

Limitations for founder use cases:

• Basic feature set focused on security over functionality
• No engagement analytics or insights
• Limited sharing customization
• Not optimized for investor presentations
• Smaller ecosystem and integration options

Best for: Healthcare, legal, or privacy-sensitive startups; Canadian companies

Not ideal for: Teams needing collaboration features, engagement tracking

7. Tresorit - Best for Maximum Security

Website: https://tresorit.com

Tresorit delivers Swiss-grade security with zero-knowledge encryption, serving highly regulated industries.

Founder-friendly aspects:

• Zero-knowledge encryption (Tresorit can't access your data)
• Swiss data protection laws
• GDPR, HIPAA compliant
• Excellent security for healthcare, legal, finance startups
• Good enterprise features as you scale

Limitations for founder use cases:

• Premium pricing ($12.50-$24/user/month)
• Overkill security for most early-stage needs
• No analytics or engagement tracking
• Learning curve vs simpler tools
• Not optimized for investor presentations

Best for: Healthcare, legal, financial services startups; highly regulated industries

Not ideal for: Most early-stage startups, those on tight budgets

8. Zoho WorkDrive - Best for Zoho Ecosystem

Website: https://workdrive.zoho.com

Zoho WorkDrive integrates seamlessly with Zoho's comprehensive business suite.

Founder-friendly aspects:

• Excellent value if you're using Zoho CRM, Books, etc.
• Affordable pricing ($2.50-$4/user/month)
• Team folder structure designed for collaboration
• Good mobile apps
• Unified Zoho ecosystem reduces tool sprawl

Limitations for founder use cases:

• Only valuable if you're committed to Zoho ecosystem
• Limited mindshare (investors may be unfamiliar)
• Basic analytics and insights
• Not designed for investor presentations
• Fewer integrations outside Zoho products

Best for: Startups already using multiple Zoho products

Not ideal for: Teams not in Zoho ecosystem, need for engagement analytics

9. Citrix ShareFile - Best for Professional Services

Website: https://sharefile.com

ShareFile targets professional services (law, accounting, consulting) with compliance and workflow features.

Founder-friendly aspects:

• Built-in e-signatures (useful for contracts)
• Strong compliance features (FINRA, HIPAA)
• Client portal functionality
• Good for founders in professional services
• Secure file requests and delivery

Limitations for founder use cases:

• Enterprise pricing starting at $10/user/month
• Designed for established firms, not early-stage startups
• Complex setup and administration
• Overkill features for most startup needs
• No fundraising-specific features

Best for: Legal, accounting, consulting startups; professional services

Not ideal for: Most tech startups, those needing investor analytics

10. Notion - Best for All-in-One Workspace

Website: https://notion.so

While not a pure file storage tool, Notion combines docs, databases, and file storage in one collaborative workspace.

Founder-friendly aspects:

• All-in-one solution (reduces tool sprawl)
• Excellent for internal knowledge management
• Beautiful, flexible interface founders love
• Strong community and templates
• Free for small teams

Limitations for founder use cases:

• Not designed for external investor sharing
• No engagement analytics for shared pages
• Files are attachments, not first-class objects
• Not optimized for large file storage
• Sharing externally can be clunky

Best for: Internal team collaboration, knowledge management, lightweight needs

Not ideal for: Investor data rooms, large file storage, external stakeholder management

Comparison Table: Box Alternatives for Founders

What Founders Actually Need (That Box Doesn't Provide)

Based on conversations with hundreds of founders, here's what matters most:

1. Investor Engagement Insights

The problem: You share your deck with 20 investors. Who's actually interested? Who just glanced? Who spent 10 minutes on your financials?

Box provides: Basic "file was accessed" logs

What founders need: Page-level analytics showing exactly which sections each investor reviewed and for how long

Why it matters: Helps prioritize follow-ups and tailor conversations based on what each investor cared about most

2. Professional Presentation

The problem: First impressions matter enormously when raising capital. A generic file sharing link doesn't inspire confidence.

Box provides: Functional but generic folder sharing

What founders need: Branded data rooms with custom logos, colors, and professional layouts that reflect company quality

Why it matters: Signals operational sophistication and attention to detail—exactly what investors look for

3. Speed and Simplicity

The problem: Founders wear 10 hats. They don't have time to become IT admins.

Box provides: Enterprise features requiring significant setup and training

What founders need: Tools that work perfectly in under 10 minutes without reading documentation

Why it matters: Time spent configuring file sharing is time not spent building product or talking to customers

4. Security Without Complexity

The problem: Pitch decks contain sensitive information, but founders aren't security experts.

Box provides: Robust security requiring technical knowledge to configure properly

What founders need: One-click screenshot protection, automatic watermarks, and simple access controls

Why it matters: Prevents leaks without requiring security expertise

5. Cost-Effective Scaling

The problem: Per-user pricing penalizes team growth. Enterprise tiers include features startups don't need.

Box provides: Enterprise pricing starting at $15-$47/user/month

What founders need: Affordable plans optimized for small teams with transparent pricing

Why it matters: Early-stage startups must manage burn rate carefully

Industry-Specific Recommendations

Different types of founders have different needs:

For SaaS Founders

Primary needs: Investor data rooms, product documentation, customer case studies Best options: Peony (investor relations), Google Drive (internal collaboration), Notion (product docs) Key features: Analytics, branding, fast iteration

For Hardware Founders

Primary needs: Large CAD files, supplier documents, manufacturing specs Best options: Peony (investor relations), Dropbox (large files), Google Drive (internal docs) Key features: Large file support, external stakeholder sharing

For Biotech Founders

Primary needs: Scientific data, IP documentation, regulatory files Best options: Peony (investor relations), Tresorit (highly sensitive data), Box (if required by partners) Key features: Security, compliance, large file support Related: Biotech data rooms, Biotech accelerators

For Fintech Founders

Primary needs: Compliance documentation, investor materials, financial data Best options: Peony (investor relations), Tresorit or Sync.com (regulated data) Key features: Compliance, security, audit trails

For Consumer Product Founders

Primary needs: Product photos/videos, pitch materials, manufacturing docs Best options: Peony (investor relations), Dropbox or Google Drive (large media files) Key features: Large file support, easy sharing, analytics Related: Consumer tech investors

Making the Switch From Box

If you're currently using Box and considering alternatives:

Step 1: Identify Pain Points

What specifically isn't working with Box?

• Too complex for your team size?
• Missing analytics you need for fundraising?
• Cost too high for features you actually use?
• Lacking branding for investor presentations?
• Takes too long to set up and manage?

Step 2: Evaluate Alternatives for Your Use Case

Different founders need different solutions:

• Active fundraising? Prioritize Peony for engagement analytics
• Internal collaboration only? Google Drive or Notion may suffice
• Privacy-sensitive industry? Consider Tresorit or Sync.com
• Budget-conscious? Look at pCloud lifetime plans or Google Drive free tier

Step 3: Pilot with Important Use Case

Test with something that matters:

• Current fundraising round
• Important client presentation
• Board meeting materials

Don't start by migrating everything—validate the solution works for your highest-priority needs first.

Step 4: Migrate Systematically

• Export important files from Box (download or use migration tools)
• Organize in new system (let AI do this if available)
• Update bookmarks and links
• Communicate changes to team and stakeholders
• Cancel Box subscription only after confirming everything works

Step 5: Train Team

Even simple tools benefit from brief training:

• Show key features relevant to each role
• Highlight differences from Box
• Share best practices
• Designate a point person for questions

Common Mistakes When Leaving Box

Avoid these pitfalls:

Mistake 1: Choosing Based on Features You Won't Use

Enterprise features sound impressive but add complexity. Choose tools optimized for your current stage, not your aspirational future state.

Mistake 2: Ignoring the Investor Experience

If you're fundraising, the investor experience matters more than internal features. A tool that delights your team but confuses investors is the wrong choice.

Mistake 3: Underestimating Migration Effort

Switching file storage tools touches everything. Plan for this to take longer than expected and have overlap period with both systems running.

Mistake 4: Forgetting About Integrations

If Box integrates with other tools you use (CRM, project management, etc.), ensure alternatives offer similar connectivity or workarounds exist.

Mistake 5: Not Testing with Actual Stakeholders

Your co-founder might love a new tool, but will your board members and investors find it intuitive? Test with actual external users before fully committing.

The Verdict: Best Box Alternative for Founders

After analyzing needs across hundreds of founders:

For fundraising and investor relations: Peony is the clear winner. Purpose-built for this use case with analytics, branding, and AI organization that Box simply doesn't offer.

For internal collaboration: Google Drive for Google users, OneDrive for Microsoft users. Both work well and are likely already included in your productivity suite.

For maximum security: Tresorit or Sync.com for regulated industries where security justifies the cost and complexity.

For budget-conscious bootstrappers: pCloud lifetime plans or Google Drive free tier for basic needs.

For professional services: ShareFile if you're in law, accounting, or consulting and need built-in e-signatures and client portals.

The bottom line: Founders in 2025 need more than enterprise cloud storage—they need platforms that support growth, professionalism, and trust with external stakeholders. While Box serves large enterprises well, Peony stands out as the top Box alternative for founders, offering AI-driven organization, branded data rooms, and engagement analytics that give startups a clear competitive edge in fundraising and investor relations.

Ready to move beyond Box? Try Peony and discover why thousands of founders choose it for their most important business relationships.

Related Resources

• Why Startups Need Data Rooms for Fundraising Success
• What Makes a Data Room Investor-Ready
• How Startups Can Close Rounds Faster
• Founder's Guide to Securing Your Pitch Deck
• Top Startup Accelerators Worldwide
• Investor-Friendly Data Rooms: Best Practices