Disclaimer: When you use these services, you are trusting them to keep your data secure and private. They encrypt your data, so it is secure while traveling across the internet and also secure while it is sitting on their servers. But because they encrypt your data for you, they can decrypt it if they so wish. Or if they are ordered to by the local government. Or if some powerful intelligence agency “convinces” them that it is in their best interest to do so.
Tresorit.
| Service | Tresorit |
| Based in | Switzerland |
| Free Version | Yes |
| Price | $10.42/mo; 200 GB |
| Website | Tresorit.com |
Tresorit is a premium cloud storage service that features end-to-end (zero knowledge) encryption of your data, along with a full set of business-oriented features.
+ Pros
- End-to-end encrypted with AES-256, TLS;
- Based in Switzerland, a privacy-friendly jurisdiction;
- GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA, TISAX, FINRA, ITAR compliant;
- Supports 2FA;
- Secure file exchange feature with external users;
- Gmail and Outlook integration;
- 3 GB storage (free plan); 500 GB – 2,500 GB (paid plans);
- 24/7 support;
- Telephone, email, live chat support.
– Cons
- Paid versions are expensive;
- Complicated to use.
MEGA Cloud Storage.
| Service | MEGA |
| Based in | New Zealand |
| Free Version | Yes |
| Price | $5.45/mo; 400 GB |
| Website | mega.nz |
When people talk about privacy-oriented cloud storage services, the name MEGA is sure to come up. This New Zealand-based service offers end-to-end (E2E) encryption that not even MEGA themselves can read, a generous free account, sync clients for any device (or devices) you are likely to have, and much more. E2E encryption is a necessity in days like this where no one, not even allied nations, is secure against spying by ultra-powerful organizations like the NSA.
+ Pros
End-to-end encrypted with AES-128, TLS;
GDPR-compliant for all users worldwide;
Supports 2FA;
Free and paid plans;
No data stored in United States;
Transparent source code;
Massive amounts of storage available;
File versioning;
Annual transparency reports.
– Cons
Not open source;
Confusing free plan;
Limited collaboration features;
No live chat or phone support;
No published third-party audits or testing.
Sync.com.
| Service | Sync.com |
| Based in | Canada |
| Free Version | Yes |
| Price | $96/yr; 2 TB |
| Website | Sync.com |
Sync.com is one of the leading secure cloud storage services. It offers excellent security and privacy with its end-to-end (zero knowledge) encrypted network, along with large amounts of storage and bandwidth. At the same time, it has some limitations that may make it unsuitable for certain applications.
+ Pros
End-to-end encrypted with AES-256, RSA-2048, and TLS;
HIPAA, GDPR, PIPEDA compliant;
Supports 2FA;
5 GB storage (free plan); 2 TB – unlimited (paid plans);
Unlimited version tracking and restoration;
Unlimited file sizes;
Unlimited upload/download quota.
– Cons
No Linux desktop client;
Limited sync folder options;
No monthly billing plans;
No integration with third-party products.
Nextcloud.
| Service | Nextcloud |
| Based in | N/A |
| Free Version | Yes |
| Price | N/A |
| Website | Nextcloud.com/ |
Nextcloud is an incredibly flexible suite of cloud storage software. You can configure it in many ways, and integrate it with over one hundred third-party apps.
+ Pros
FOSS (Free and Open-Source Software);
Self-hosted and third-party hosted data options;
HIPAA and GDPR-compliant;
Supports 2FA;
Integrated personal information management;
Optional integration with third-party apps;
Optional version tracking;
Nextcloud Hub for in-house collaboration;
Regular and Enterprise version.
– Cons
End-to-end encryption not fully implemented yet;
Company-authorized, third-party scanning of your system.
IDrive.
| Service | IDrive |
| Based in | United States |
| Free Version | Yes |
| Price | $4.37/mo; 2 TB |
| Website | www.idrive.com |
IDrive has received numerous recommendations over the years. And this popular cloud storage certainly has some excellent features. But this is a competitive industry, and things change fast.
Before you hand over your hard-earned money for an IDrive subscription, you’ll want to read on to see what we think of this service today. (Hint: it’s not the best we’ve reviewed!)
+ Pros
AES 256 encryption;
Optional end-to-end encryption;
Automatic, limited version tracking;
Compliant with GDPR and numerous other standards;
Fully-featured desktop client;
2FA support.
– Cons
Based in the United States (a bad privacy jurisdiction);
Data stored in the United States;
Browser interface exposes your Private Encryption Key;
No file sharing if you use the most secure mode;
Slow file transfer speeds (especially compared to the competition).
pCloud.
| Service | pCloud |
| Based in | Switzerland |
| Free Version | Yes |
| Price | $4.99/mo; 500 GB |
| Website | www.pCloud.com |
+ Pros
Free 14-day trial & 10 GB free storage;
Optional end-to-end encryption with pCloud Crypto;
Includes 30-day version tracking;
Optional Extended File History (EFH) tracks 360 days of file versions;
GDPR-compliant;
Drag-and-drop backup;
Company based in Switzerland;
Supports both encrypted and unencrypted files in the same account;
Can sync unencrypted data with Facebook and other services;
Drag and drop backup folder (pCloud Drive);
Customizable sharing links;
Built-in media player.
– Cons
Free version is limited;
Data may be stored in the United States;
Not all features are available for encrypted data;
Extra charge for pCloud Crypto and Extended File History (EFH).
SpiderOak.
| Service | SpiderOak |
| Based in | United States |
| Free Version | 21-day free trial |
| Price | $6/mo 150 GB |
| Website | SpiderOak.com/one/ |
+ Pros
End-to-end encryption;
“No Knowledge” (zero knowledge) design;
Automatic, unlimited version tracking;
HIPAA and GDPR-compliant;
Drag-and-drop backup through Hive.
– Cons
Mobile apps have been eliminated;
Not open-source software;
Based in the United States;
Browser interface breaks No Knowledge;
No file previews;
No 2FA support for new users;
Higher prices than many competitors.
NordLocker.
| Service | NordLocker |
| Based in | Panama |
| Free Version | Yes |
| Price | $3.99/mo; 500 GB |
| Website | NordLocker.com |
NordLocker took a challenge to revise and turn round existing cloud storage practices. Encrypting files first and uploading them to the cloud of the same provider helps to avoid the involvement of third-party vendors. All that can be done with a single move of drag and drop.
With 3 GB of cloud storage now included in the Free NordLocker plan, and 500 GB included in the paid Premium plan, NordLocker is positioned to go head-to-head with the leading cloud storage services, rather than just relying on them for storage.
+ Pros
Clean, drag-and-drop design;
Strong, end-to-end (zero-knowledge) encryption;
Cloud and desktop encrypted file storage;
Same platform and cross-platform sync;
No file size or type restrictions;
HIPAA and GDPR-compliant;
Free, Premium, and Business plans available;
Open, edit, and save files directly in lockers;
New, lower price;
Numerous payment options;
30 days, money-back guarantee.
– Cons
No Linux or mobile clients (yet).
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