If you need strict permissions, audit trails, and compliance for handling regulated data like legal, healthcare, or financial documents, Box is built for that level of control and traceability. It's also the pick if you care about automating document-centric workflows like approvals or onboarding, because that's baked in.
If you just want simple file storage without the overhead of compliance features or workflow automation, Box is overkill. In that case, Google Drive is the easier, lighter choice.
So if you work in a regulated industry or need tight control and workflow automation, go with Box. For everyone else who just wants straightforward storage, Google Drive is the clear pick.