Dropbox is one of the most widely used file synchronisation and cloud storage services.

One problem with using it within a family is that shared files count against the storage quota of each participating account. So it wasn't practical for one person in a family to use a paid account and be the custodian of (say) the shared photo album, with everyone else using free accounts. Buying paid accounts for everyone in the family quickly becomes expensive.

So the company has introduced Dropbox Family to allow up to six people to use a single plan.

2TB of storage is shared between all participants. Each person can store their own files privately, but there's also the Family Room folder for shared files.

The plan includes the Dropbox Passwords password manager for Windows, macOS, iOS and Android (so there's no excuse for using weak passwords), and Dropbox Vault for storing individual's sensitive files (with the option of granting emergency access to one other family member).

Dropbox's usual computer backup and mobile photos backup features are also included, along with the recently introduced ability to transfer photos and videos from Facebook.

The price – $31.89 per month, but $26.94 if paid annually – is less than twice that of a Dropbox Plus account that provides one user with 2TB of storage ($18.69 a month, but $15.39 if paid annually) and includes Passwords and Vault.