---
id: bridge-devices.is-collab-sync-like-icloud-drive-or-dropbox
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/is-collab-sync-like-icloud-drive-or-dropbox
category: "Bridge & your devices"
subcategory: "Collab Sync"
question: "Is Collab Sync like iCloud Drive or Dropbox?"
alt_questions:
  - "Collab Sync vs Dropbox"
  - "Sync two Macs without iCloud"
  - "Do I need a cloud account for Collab Sync?"
  - "Collab Sync without cloud storage"
  - "Replace cloud sync between my Macs"
short_answer: "It keeps a folder the same on two Macs like a cloud sync does, but nothing goes to a server — files travel straight between the Macs over Bridge. Both Macs need Storage Studio, and they catch up whenever they can reach each other."
tags: ["collab sync", "comparison", "cloud"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/what-is-collab-sync", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/what-if-the-other-mac-is-asleep-during-collab-sync"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Is Collab Sync like iCloud Drive or Dropbox?

It does a similar job — keeping a folder the same on two Macs — but without any cloud. Your files go straight from one Mac to the other over the Bridge link, and nothing is stored on a server, so there's no cloud storage space to buy for it.

The difference: cloud services keep a copy online that any device can reach. Collab Sync needs both Macs to run Storage Studio and catches up when they can reach each other.

- [What is Collab Sync?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/what-is-collab-sync)
- [iCloud questions](https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/)