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GarnerDocs vs shared folders.

Dropbox file requests, Google Drive shared folders and OneDrive file requests all receive files, and you may already pay for one. Here's what a folder doesn't know, and when it's still the better choice.

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Facts checked 20 October 2026 · Reviewed every six months

Shared folders

checks.xlsxBankPayslips

Willow & Co in chase

Brightside which? —

Meridian twice? chase

GarnerDocs

Example · sample data

Our take

For one file, or one batch, once, a shared folder is enough. For several named documents from each client, and the chasing, use GarnerDocs.

The short version: four differences.

What changes when each document is a checklist item.

Which file is which

Shared folders: One folder of files to sort through
GarnerDocs: Each document is its own item

Knowing what's missing

Shared folders: Someone checks the folder against a list
GarnerDocs: Each request's progress on one page

Chasing

Shared folders: You write each reminder
GarnerDocs: Reminders on a schedule, listing only what's missing

A wrong file

Shared folders: Two uploads to tell apart
GarnerDocs: A replacement request, with earlier versions kept

Which fits you

Pick the one that fits how you work.

Choose GarnerDocs if…

You need several named documents from each client.
You want to see what's missing without opening folders.
You'd rather reminders did the chasing.
You want client files deleted on a schedule.

Start your free trial

From $39 a month, or $390 a year · 14 days free

Use a shared folder if…

You need one file, or one batch, once.
Your client is sending very large files.
You want the files kept in your own storage long term.
You already pay for storage and don't want another tool.

Use a shared folder if…

Side by side

Every stage, compared.

What each approach does at every stage of collecting documents from a client.

GarnerDocs compared with Dropbox file requests, Google Drive shared folders and OneDrive file requests
What you need	GarnerDocsFrom $39 a month, or $390 a year	Dropbox file requestsIncluded in every plan	Google Drive shared foldersIncluded with Drive	OneDrive file requestsWork or school accounts
Asking
A checklist of documents	Yes. Each document is its own item, from a template	No. One title and description per request	No. One folder	No. One description of the files you want
What your client needs	Yes. A link. No account or password	Yes. A link. No account; may be asked for a name and email	A Google Account, or a code by email if your Workspace allows visitors	Yes. A link. No account; asked for a name if not signed in
What your client can see	Yes. Only their own request	Yes. The folder stays private by default	No. Editors can open, edit, delete or move every file in the folder	Yes. Upload only. Not the folder, or who else uploaded
Which plans have it	Every plan	Every plan, including the free Basic plan	Any account; visitors only on Workspace	Work or school accounts, if an admin allows it. Not OneDrive for home
Chasing
Knowing what's missing	Yes. Each request's progress on one page	No. You check the folder	No. You check the folder	No. You check the folder
Due dates	Yes. A due date on each request	Yes. On Professional, Essentials and team plans	Not stated publicly	Not stated publicly
Reminders	Yes. On a schedule you set, listing only what's missing. They stop once nothing is outstanding	A deadline reminder email is mentioned; timing not stated publicly	Not stated publicly	Not stated publicly
Reviewing
When files arrive	Yes. In the app, and by email or a daily digest	Yes. An email for each upload	No. Not among Drive's listed notification types	Yes. An email for each upload
Approving files	Yes. Approve each file, or several at once	Not stated publicly	On Enterprise and Education Plus accounts	Not stated publicly
A wrong file	Yes. Ask for a replacement with a note. Earlier versions kept	Your client uploads again; you receive both	Not stated publicly	Not stated publicly
Your branding	Yes. Logo and accent colour on Growth and Pro	Yes. On Professional, Essentials and some team plans	Not stated publicly	Not stated publicly
Keeping files
Where files end up	Yes. Under the client, request and document	One folder, with optional naming rules	One shared folder	One folder; names start with the uploader's
File size	Up to 25 MB per file	Yes. 2 GB per file, or 250 GB on Professional and team plans	Not covered in the pages we checked	Not covered in the pages we checked
Files deleted on a schedule	Yes. After 30, 90, 180 or 365 days, and the client's link closes	No. None described	No. None described	No. None described
Keeping files long term	No. Deleted when your retention period ends	Yes. As long as you keep them	Yes. As long as you keep them	Yes. As long as you keep them
Cost
Price	From $39 a month, or $390 a year, with a 14-day free trial	Yes. Included in every Dropbox plan	Yes. Included with Google Drive	Yes. Included with work or school OneDrive

Asking

A checklist of documents

GarnerDocs: Yes. Each document is its own item, from a template
Dropbox file requests: No. One title and description per request
Google Drive shared folders: No. One folder
OneDrive file requests: No. One description of the files you want

What your client needs

GarnerDocs: Yes. A link. No account or password
Dropbox file requests: Yes. A link. No account; may be asked for a name and email
Google Drive shared folders: A Google Account, or a code by email if your Workspace allows visitors
OneDrive file requests: Yes. A link. No account; asked for a name if not signed in

What your client can see

GarnerDocs: Yes. Only their own request
Dropbox file requests: Yes. The folder stays private by default
Google Drive shared folders: No. Editors can open, edit, delete or move every file in the folder
OneDrive file requests: Yes. Upload only. Not the folder, or who else uploaded

Which plans have it

GarnerDocs: Every plan
Dropbox file requests: Every plan, including the free Basic plan
Google Drive shared folders: Any account; visitors only on Workspace
OneDrive file requests: Work or school accounts, if an admin allows it. Not OneDrive for home

Chasing

Knowing what's missing

GarnerDocs: Yes. Each request's progress on one page
Dropbox file requests: No. You check the folder
Google Drive shared folders: No. You check the folder
OneDrive file requests: No. You check the folder

Due dates

GarnerDocs: Yes. A due date on each request
Dropbox file requests: Yes. On Professional, Essentials and team plans
Google Drive shared folders: Not stated publicly
OneDrive file requests: Not stated publicly

Reminders

GarnerDocs: Yes. On a schedule you set, listing only what's missing. They stop once nothing is outstanding
Dropbox file requests: A deadline reminder email is mentioned; timing not stated publicly
Google Drive shared folders: Not stated publicly
OneDrive file requests: Not stated publicly

Reviewing

When files arrive

GarnerDocs: Yes. In the app, and by email or a daily digest
Dropbox file requests: Yes. An email for each upload
Google Drive shared folders: No. Not among Drive's listed notification types
OneDrive file requests: Yes. An email for each upload

Approving files

GarnerDocs: Yes. Approve each file, or several at once
Dropbox file requests: Not stated publicly
Google Drive shared folders: On Enterprise and Education Plus accounts
OneDrive file requests: Not stated publicly

A wrong file

GarnerDocs: Yes. Ask for a replacement with a note. Earlier versions kept
Dropbox file requests: Your client uploads again; you receive both
Google Drive shared folders: Not stated publicly
OneDrive file requests: Not stated publicly

Your branding

GarnerDocs: Yes. Logo and accent colour on Growth and Pro
Dropbox file requests: Yes. On Professional, Essentials and some team plans
Google Drive shared folders: Not stated publicly
OneDrive file requests: Not stated publicly

Keeping files

Where files end up

GarnerDocs: Yes. Under the client, request and document
Dropbox file requests: One folder, with optional naming rules
Google Drive shared folders: One shared folder
OneDrive file requests: One folder; names start with the uploader's

File size

GarnerDocs: Up to 25 MB per file
Dropbox file requests: Yes. 2 GB per file, or 250 GB on Professional and team plans
Google Drive shared folders: Not covered in the pages we checked
OneDrive file requests: Not covered in the pages we checked

Files deleted on a schedule

GarnerDocs: Yes. After 30, 90, 180 or 365 days, and the client's link closes
Dropbox file requests: No. None described
Google Drive shared folders: No. None described
OneDrive file requests: No. None described

Keeping files long term

GarnerDocs: No. Deleted when your retention period ends
Dropbox file requests: Yes. As long as you keep them
Google Drive shared folders: Yes. As long as you keep them
OneDrive file requests: Yes. As long as you keep them

Cost

Price

GarnerDocs: From $39 a month, or $390 a year, with a 14-day free trial
Dropbox file requests: Yes. Included in every Dropbox plan
Google Drive shared folders: Yes. Included with Google Drive
OneDrive file requests: Yes. Included with work or school OneDrive

See the difference

What a folder can't do for you.

Chasing

See what's missing, without opening folders.

Each document is its own item, so progress shows on one page. Reminders list only what's still missing, and stop once nothing is outstanding.

How automatic reminders work

Reviewing

A wrong file? Ask for a replacement.

Approve each file, or ask for a replacement with a note your client sees next to that document. Earlier versions stay in the history.

Ask a client for a replacement file

Keeping files

Collected here, then deleted on time.

Files are deleted when your retention period of 30, 90, 180 or 365 days ends, and the link closes.

How long files are kept

What a file request does well

A Dropbox or OneDrive file request is quick to set up. You choose a folder, copy a link and send it. Your client uploads without making an account, and you get an email when files arrive. Dropbox takes files of 2 GB or more, depending on your plan, and you may already pay for the storage.

A Google Drive shared folder works differently. Your client needs a Google Account to add files, unless your Workspace administrator allows visitors, who confirm a code sent by email. Adding files takes edit access, and an editor can open, edit, delete or move every file in the folder, so each client needs a folder of their own.

What a folder doesn't know

A folder receives files. It doesn't know which file is the bank statement and which is last year's payslip, or that two of the eight documents you asked for are still missing. It doesn't chase anyone. Someone checks the folder against a list and writes the reminder. With forty clients and ten documents each, that becomes someone's job.

A wrong file is just another file, and a folder keeps everything until someone deletes it: right for records, less so for IDs nobody needs any more.

Use a shared folder if…

You need one file, or one batch, once. There's nothing to set up, and it comes with storage you already have.

If you want one system for collection, storage, e-signatures and client accounts, an all-in-one suite may suit you better.

Using both

Collect and review in GarnerDocs, then download the approved files, or a request's files as one ZIP, into the folder where you keep records.

Plans start at $39 a month, or $390 a year, for 20 active requests on Starter, and every new workspace starts with a 14-day free trial. See pricing.

Questions

Can I use GarnerDocs and a shared folder together?

Yes, but separately: GarnerDocs doesn't connect to Dropbox, Google Drive or OneDrive. Collect and review in GarnerDocs, then download the approved files into your folder.

Do my clients need an account?

Not for GarnerDocs: each request has its own private link, and there's no password. Dropbox and OneDrive file requests don't need an account either. Adding files to a Google Drive folder needs a Google Account, unless your Workspace administrator allows visitors.

What if a client needs to send a very large file?

Each file in GarnerDocs can be up to 25 MB, and your client sees that limit before uploading. For a long video or a large archive, use a Dropbox file request, which accepts 2 GB or more per file depending on the plan.

Does GarnerDocs keep my files long term?

No. Files are deleted when your retention period of 30, 90, 180 or 365 days ends, with warnings before it happens. Keep your long-term records in your own storage, which can be the folder you use today.

How we checked

GarnerDocs features are checked against the product, and prices come from our pricing page. Facts last checked 20 October 2026. We review this page every six months.

Sources, checked on 20 October 2026

Dropbox Help: Create a file requestUploaders need no Dropbox account; every plan has file requests; 2 GB or 250 GB file limits by plan; deadlines on Professional, Essentials and team plans; an email for each upload; naming conventions.
Dropbox Help: How to upload to a Dropbox file requestWhat the uploader sees and is asked for; uploading again after a wrong file sends both files; a reminder email for invited people when there's a deadline.
Dropbox Help: Custom branding for shared links or file requestsLogo and background on Professional, Essentials and team admins' plans; not for file requests on Standard and Business.
Dropbox plansBasic is free, with 2 GB of storage.
Google Drive Help: Share and manage access to files and foldersEditors can add, open, edit, delete or move any file in a shared folder; anyone with a link can only view.
Google Drive Help: Share documents with visitorsPeople without a Google Account can upload only as visitors, if the organisation allows it, into shared drive folders, after a code sent by email, for 7 days at a time.
Google Drive Help: Get approvals on filesApprovals on Enterprise and Education Plus accounts only.
Google Drive Help: Get Google Drive notificationsThe notification types: new shares, mentions and access requests.
Microsoft Support: Create a file requestUploaders don't need OneDrive and can only upload; a name is asked for when not signed in; one folder with a name prefix; an email for each upload; an admin must turn it on; not in OneDrive for home.

Dropbox, Google Drive and OneDrive are trademarks of their owners. This comparison is based on public information checked on 20 October 2026; tell us if something has changed.

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GarnerDocs vs shared folders.

The short version: four differences.

Which file is which

Knowing what's missing

Chasing

A wrong file

Pick the one that fits how you work.

Choose GarnerDocs if…

Use a shared folder if…

Every stage, compared.

Asking

Chasing

Reviewing

Keeping files

Cost

What a folder can't do for you.

See what's missing, without opening folders.

A wrong file? Ask for a replacement.

Collected here, then deleted on time.

What a file request does well

What a folder doesn't know

Use a shared folder if…

Using both

Questions

How we checked

Sources, checked on 20 October 2026

Spend less time chasing. More time doing the work that matters.

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