Dropbox vs iCloud Sync

[Herb]

OK folks, I know this has been covered before but I would like more up-to-date recommendations. I have 2 (M series) Macs and use the most versions for everything including Reunion 14 and MacOS 26. Currently, I use Dropbox to sync between Macs and have a fast (500Mbps, fiber) Internet connection

Syncing using Dropbox can be quite “touchy” and I have issues at irregular intervals where the syncing process has not been done correctly. This is almost certainly my fault, but I try to be very careful.

Previously, I had used iCloud for sync and remember that it could be, at times, quite slow. That was the main reason that I reverted back to Dropbox. Now, in my elder years (83), speed doesn’t seem quite so important to me and I wonder if a change back to iCloud might give me a more stable and reliable sync. I vaguely think I remember that (when I was using iCloud) I was not able to even open Reunion unless the sync process had completed in iCloud. If that memory is correct, it has a lot of appeal since it might, essentially, protect me from myself.

Your thoughts?

[Bob White]

My experience using iCloud is that it is much faster than Dropbox. But.... so what! It's not really an issue if one method takes 1 minute and the other 1.5 minutes!

Also, I have not had any kind of problems. I recently terminated my Dropbox account. The only reason that I originally started Dropbox was to use ReunionTouch when it was first introduced.

I don't specifically know but I am thinking that iCloud syncing takes place during the user's lack of activity (just like automatic saving). The Leister folks might share that technical detail.

[Kathy C]

I haven't had much luck syncing with either Dropbox or iCloud, unfortunately. I have followed the directions completely. It syncs once SOMETIMES but that isn't even a for sure. I'm using a MacBook Air M2 with OS26 and the current version of Reunion. I'm trying to sync my file to my iPhone and iPad, both using iOS26 and current ReunionTouch. I only want to have my files on these devices for reference only when I'm away from my computer. I do allow plenty of time for iCloud to sync and then to get the file on my devices, even overnight! I have resorted to having to delete the file on my devices and re-downloading it from iCloud to get the current file on my devices when I want it available to me. It's very frustrating that Reunion doesn't have a more reliable, easy to use sync option for those syncing to devices or other computers! As long as Reunion has been around, this should have been fixed a long time ago. It would be a great addition to this wonderful app! (And I'm sure there are plenty of folks where it works seamlessly for them, lol..... I'd like to know their secret.)

Kathy

[bigfoot4]

Ditto on the sync issues. I still use dropbox ( free plan with bonus space), I had it before reunion started using it. I have not ventured into iCloud as Apple makes a lot of changes without notifying you. Using M1 iMac and M1 MacBook Air and iPhone 16 Pro, OS 15.7.1 and iOS 18.7.1, I am not jumping into the OS 26 yet. I have had issues on iPhone where I had to delete the family file and redownload it. It seems to work almost flawlessly when I have the file open on the iPhone as I work on the iMac, the changes come thru almost immediately.

[Willie Davis]

I have used Dropbox for years and have had no issues. I think the reason is that I keep my master file on Dropbox and back it up on a portable hard drive. Keeping the main file on Dropbox (along with my media folder) works smoothly. Instead of starting the program and opening the file I start in Dropbox and click on the master file and it starts the program. I do have problems if I start with the program first and attempt to open the file.

[SGilbert]

I have used Dropbox for years and have had no issues. I think the reason is that I keep my master file on Dropbox and back it up on a portable hard drive. Keeping the main file on Dropbox (along with my media folder) works smoothly. Instead of starting the program and opening the file I start in Dropbox and click on the master file and it starts the program. I do have problems if I start with the program first and attempt to open the file.

THIS is why we need a 'Like' button.

[DrJJWMac]

Just to note in defense of Reunion, syncing issues are the bane of apps that develop cross-platform (macOS + iOS + iPadOS) apps. You either rely on the good graces of syncing in third party clouds (iCloud, DropBox, Google ...) or you build your own data storage center. OmniFocus is an example app taking the latter approach. All apps taking the approach using third party clouds always end up with folks on their Forums trading tips and tricks (and venting) about how to overcome the unreliability of syncing. The suggestion to double click on the database in the cloud folder to call Reunion to open it rather than to start Reunion and then open the database is likely the best advice all around.

[Bob White]

......... syncing issues are the bane of apps that develop cross-platform (macOS + iOS + iPadOS) apps. You either rely on the good graces of syncing in third party clouds (iCloud, DropBox, Google ...) or you build your own data storage center. ...........

iCloud is not third party. It is purely Apple. Like any other syncing scheme, it's not perfect. However, I have probably three dozen apps that use iCloud and most of the apps are third party. My experience is that, across all of these apps, iCloud syncing works flawlessly about 99.9% of the time. To be fair, during the maybe 10 years that I also used Dropbox, I very rarely had any sync problems.

[DrJJWMac]

iCloud is not third party.

In retrospect, perhaps a better term from Reunion's perspective for iCloud as a sync service is as a second party app. Others are third party apps.

The strict comparison I am making is between OmniFocus that has developed their own sync system fully within their app versus other apps that depend on plugging in to sync services offered for them by another agency, including iCloud. I make the comparison only in polite defense to those who might question why Leister Productions cannot on their own solve any and all sync issues for Reunion, perhaps even the proposed 0.1% edge cases, to give a perfect sync experience all the time, every time.

Otherwise, we fully agree. With any sync service, as the saying goes ... YMMV.