The best European cloud storage providers

In the current geopolitical climate, keeping your data under European jurisdiction (GDPR) and away from the US Cloud Act is a strategic move.

This article breaks down the leading European cloud storage providers: Proton Drive, pCloud, Internxt, Icedrive, Tresorit, and Filen. Each of these cloud providers show themselves as legitimate alternatives to big tech. We will explore their strengths and weaknesses in terms of privacy, pricing, file sharing, and media handling.

Here’s a quick overview before we dive in:

Provider	Country	E2EE*	Lifetime plans	Free
Proton Drive	Switzerland	Yes	No	5GB
pCloud	Switzerland	No (Add-on)	Yes	10GB
Internxt	Spain	Yes	Yes	1GB
Icedrive	United Kingdom	Yes (Crypto folder)	No	10GB
Tresorit	Switzerland	Yes	No	14 days trial
Filen	Germany	Yes	Occasionally	10GB

*End-to-end encryption

Proton Drive – The Privacy ecosystem powerhouse

Origin: Switzerland
Encryption: End-to-End (Zero-Knowledge) by default

Privacy & security

Proton Drive has become the standard for out-of-the-box privacy. Your files, metadata, and even folder structures are encrypted on your device before they ever leave your computer. Being headquartered in Switzerland, it benefits from some of the strictest privacy laws globally, shielding you from both US and EU surveillance requests.

Pricing

Proton offers a 5GB free plan. Their paid plans are more expensive but comes with a full eco-system of products:

Plan	Storage	Price	Link
Proton Plus	200GB	€3.99	Get 40% off
Proton Unlimited	500GB	€9.99	Get 30% off
Proton Duo	2TB	€14.99	Explore
Proton Family	3TB	€23.99	Explore

File Sharing

Sharing is robust and secure. You can generate password-protected links with expiration dates. Recently, Proton introduced direct sharing via email addresses, allowing you to assign “viewer” or “editor” roles. This is a massive win for collaboration without compromising the zero-knowledge model.

Media & photo backup

The Proton Drive Android app features automatic photo backup that encrypts both the image content and metadata before upload. While it lacks the “smart” AI tagging of Google Photos (by design, to preserve privacy), it offers a clean, chronological grid view and seamless offline access. I’ve tested the upload speed and it matches pCloud, one of their closest rivals.

Verdict

The best all-rounder for privacy-first users who want a cohesive ecosystem.

For more information view my in-depth Proton Drive vs pCloud comparison.

pCloud – The media streamer

Origin: Switzerland
Encryption: Server-side by default. Zero-Knowledge is a paid Encryption add-on.

Privacy & security

pCloud is Swiss and GDPR-compliant, however, it requires a paid on to be fully end-to-end encrypted. Without the Encryption add-on, pCloud can technically view your files if compelled.

Pricing

pCloud is known for their reasonable pricing and lifetime deals, which is rarely seen in the cloud market:

• Standard Plans: Affordable monthly or annual subscriptions.
• Crypto Add-on: An extra cost on top of the base plan.
• Lifetime: Often sold as a one-time payment for 500GB, 2 TB or 10TB.

File Sharing

Sharing is fast and frictionless, on your desktop you simply right click and select “Share link”. You can set passwords and expiration dates easily. Collaborating is similarly easy, just share a folder and it becomes available to any number of people you invite. You can also set a cover photo and image for the folder – a great feature for photographers and client projects.

Media & photo backup

This is pCloud’s killer feature. Their mobile app offers excellent automatic photo backup and allows you to stream video and audio files directly from the cloud without downloading them first. This makes it a favorite for creators who need to review footage on the go.

Verdict

Great for media-heavy workflows and lifetime deal hunters, but you must pay for the Crypto add-on to match the privacy of the others.

Internxt – Decentralized storage

Origin: Spain
Encryption: End-to-End (Zero-Knowledge)

Privacy & security

Internxt takes a different architectural approach with decentralization. The encrypted files are stored in a network of servers rather than a centralized server location. It’s also open-source, adding a layer of transparency.

Pricing

Internxt is among the more expensive options and offer plans in 3 sizes: 1TB, 3TB or 5TB as either annual plans or lifetime. It is possible to stack the lifetime plans though, with a maximum of 100TB.

File Sharing

Sharing is straightforward with password-protected links. However, because of the decentralized nature, the user experience can sometimes feel a bit less polished than Proton or pCloud.

Media & photo backup

Internxt offers photo backup, but the experience is functional rather than “premium.” It lacks the advanced media streaming features of pCloud or the seamless integration of Proton.

Verdict

Ideal for tech enthusiasts who believe in the decentralized web and want a truely private option.

Icedrive – The speed & simplicity specialist

Origin: United Kingdom (GDPR compliant)
Encryption: End-to-End (Zero-Knowledge)

Privacy & security

Icedrive uses a modern encryption standard (Twofish) and offers zero-knowledge encryption when using their “Crypto” folder. They are transparent about their security practices and have a clean, modern interface that appeals to users who want privacy without the “hacker” aesthetic.

Pricing

Icedrive has the lowest prices and a very decent free plan with 10GB of storage. Their plans include 2TB, 4TB and 6TB of storage.

File Sharing

Sharing is simple and effective. You can generate secure links with password protection and expiration dates. The interface is intuitive, making it easy to share large files quickly.

Media & photo backup

Icedrive has a very polished mobile app for photo backup. It’s fast, reliable, and handles large batches of images well. Like Proton, it respects privacy by not scanning your photos for ads or training AI, but it offers a smooth, Google Photos-like experience. Video streaming is supported, though not as robust as pCloud’s dedicated player.

Verdict

A fantastic choice for users who want a modern, fast, and private cloud experience with a great mobile app.

Tresorit – The Enterprise Fortress

Origin: Switzerland
Encryption: End-to-End (Zero-Knowledge)

Privacy & security

Tresorit is the “corporate” choice. It’s built for businesses that need to comply with strict regulations like HIPAA, GDPR, and ISO 27001. The security is top-tier, with advanced threat protection and granular access controls. Perfect for a business handling sensitive client data.

Pricing

Tresorit is among the most expensive option:

• Plans: Premium pricing, starting at €9.99/month per user for an essential plan and scaling up for enterprise features.
• Value: You are paying for compliance, support, and enterprise-grade security.

File Sharing

Sharing is highly controlled. You can set detailed permissions (view, edit, comment) and track who accesses what. It’s designed for secure collaboration within teams and with external clients.

Media & photo backup

Tresorit handles media files securely, but it’s not optimized for media consumption. There’s no built-in video streaming player, and the photo backup is functional but lacks the “smart” features of consumer apps. It’s a storage solution, not a media hub.

Verdict

The best choice for businesses and professionals who need enterprise compliance and don’t mind paying a premium for it.

Filen – Affordable and open-source

Origin: Germany
Encryption: End-to-End (Zero-Knowledge)

Privacy & security

Filen is a German-based, open-source provider that takes privacy seriously. Everything is encrypted client-side, and the code is auditable. It’s a great option for those who want to support open-source software while keeping their data safe.

Pricing

Filen is the most affordable option out of the bunch just after Icedrive.

• Free: Get an extra 10GB on top of the standard 10GB for free by using this link.
• Plans: Extremely cheap, often offering 2TB for €9.99/year.
• Value: Unbeatable for budget-conscious users who still want zero-knowledge encryption.

File sharing

Sharing is secure with password-protected links. The interface is clean and straightforward, though it may lack some of the advanced collaboration features of Tresorit or Proton Drive.

Media & photo backup

Filen offers photo backup, but it’s a newer feature and feels a bit more basic compared to pCloud or Icedrive. It’s functional for archiving, but if you’re a creator who needs to frequently review and stream media, you might find it lacking in polish.

Verdict

Perfect for the budget-conscious privacy advocate who wants open-source software and doesn’t need advanced media features.

Final verdict: Which fits your needs?

The choice in the end comes down to your preferences:

• For the best all-rounder: Proton Drive. It balances privacy, pricing, and features perfectly. The photo backup is solid, and the ecosystem integration is a huge plus.
• For media creators: pCloud (with Crypto enabled). If you need to stream video previews and want a slick photo backup experience, it’s hard to beat, provided you pay for the encryption add-on.
• For budget and open source: Filen or Icedrive. If you want to save money without compromising on privacy, these are excellent choices.
• For decentralization enthusiasts: Internxt. If you want a truly distributed architecture, Internxt is your best choice.
• For Enterprise Compliance: Tresorit. If you’re dealing with highly sensitive client data and need strict compliance, the extra cost is justified.

Each of these providers offers a viable alternative to US tech companies, keeping your data safe under European jurisdiction. The best choice ultimately depends on your specific use-case and budget.