Ever wondered where your data goes when it floats up to the cloud? While convenience is king in today’s digital age, sometimes you end up giving up more than you realize. The right answer for you depends on what you’re doing with your data. Be it archiving, sharing, collaborating, or streaming. Each of these uses requires differing solutions. Whether you’d rather get your hands dirty or spend a few dollars is also a relevant factor to consider.
Cloud-based
Cryptomator🔒
If you’re not yet ready to leave G-Drive, you can still keep your data private while they’re holding it for you. Cryptomator encrypts your data before uploading to the cloud. This way, your chosen cloud storage provider can’t scan the contents of your data.
Downsides? No file previews for media files and you can’t collaborate on office documents. But, as with everything, it’s about finding the right balance for you.
pCloud
pCloud is not open-source.
Prefer a managed solution? pCloud is a good option. It prides itself on top-notch security and gives you 10GB for free to test it out. Their big selling point is their competitive lifetime plans. They also recently started offering a password manager.
Unlike most alternatives, pCloud doesn’t encrypt your data by default. Zero-knowledge E2EE is an optional add-on. They also have strict rules about what kind of data you can host with them. I’m not just talking about obvious rules like copyrighted or otherwise illegal content. Even work content isn’t permitted on personal accounts.
2024 Update:
I have decided to remove pCloud from this list due to many reports of sketchy behavior. First, not being open-source. Second, the lack of encryption by default. Third, having to pay for encryption. Fourth, even with encryption paid, it only encrypts a specific folder, not all of your storage. Fifth, accounts are terminated due to vague claims of “copyright infringement”, including lifetime subscriptions. Sixth, these terminations cannot be contested. Seventh, the fact that they scan your data at all is a very bad look in terms of privacy.
Zoho Workspace
Zoho is not open-source.
For a drop-in replacement, Zoho’s back with their Workdrive. While they don’t offer a free plan, their pricing is very competitive. Zoho designs their tools around sharing and collaboration. Plus, you get dozens of integrations and services under the Zoho umbrella.
Filebase⛓️
Don’t want to build your own server and also don’t trust clouds? Try the blockchain. Filebase is an affordable blockchain storage solution. It even pleases AWS users with S3 support.
Filebase uses Sia’s blockchain on a proprietary caching layer to decrease response times. The Sia backend supports zero-knowledge E2EE, and is also highly redundant. It splits uploaded files into 30 fragments and spread across the world. Each fragment sits on a different Sia user’s device. You only need 10 of those fragments to access the full file, making it very robust against data loss. Even separating the required fragments from the duplicates isn’t doable without encryption keys.
Filebase comes with 5GB free and charges only $5 a month for 1TB of storage.
Update 2023:
Filebase broke up with Sia.
IceDrive
IceDrive is not open-source.
Focused on privacy and using the latest encryption algorithms? IceDrive is a compelling option. The affordable plans make it even sweeter, including lifetime plans. It also has desktop, mobile, and web clients so you can use it no matter what device you’re on.
Their free plan offers 10GB and doesn’t include most of the security features.
2024 Update:
Lifetime plans are no longer available. Many users have reported technical issues with IceDrive that even result in loss of data. ⚠️
Koofr (Aggregator)
Koofr is a little bit different from the rest. Sure, it also offers cloud storage. But it also integrates all your other cloud storages bringing them together in one place. It also boasts reasonably-priced plans and a suite of sharing/access controls. It’s also one of the few options on this list that support Rclone.
FOSS Cloud
Filen
Filen is one of the most affordable options on this list. And yes, they offer lifetime plans as well. Their 10GB free plan includes all their security features, unlike some alternatives here. Oh, did I mention they accept cryptocurrency? And they have dedicated clients for every platform.
Blazed Cloud
Blazed Cloud is a rather new entrant here. It’s a Cloudflare-based cloud backup provider focused on minimalism and ease of use. Their free plan comes with 15GB and they support mobile sync. This makes it effectively a Google Photos alternative.
Unlimited Cloud ☁
Jottacloud
Looking for a trust–worthy cloud storage solution? Jottacloud is a solid and affordable choice. They’re based in Norway – a great jurisdiction for those who care about privacy.
What sets it apart? The unlimited plan for personal use. Aside from throttling of upload speeds after 5TB, there no data cap. That said, Family and business plans do have data caps. Additionally, Jottacloud supports Rclone for easy Linux backups.
Open Drive
Open Drive is not open-source.
OpenDrive, like Jottacloud, offers an unlimited plan with Rclone support. What sets Open Drive apart is that it allows for up to four users on the same account. It also only begins to throttle at 10TB. The exact throttling mechanisms also differ. One immediately drops the upload speed substantially, the other gradually steps it down.
Backblaze
If a backup solution is all you’re after, Backblaze probably does that better than anyone. For a flat monthly fee of $9/PC (with discounts on annual and biannual plans) they keep all your files safe off-site. This rate includes management tools, restoration, automation, and even multi-user management. No storage limits, no bandwidth limits, no throttling. Just straight backup.
Self-hosted
Who should you trust with your data? Well, the best answer is always yourself.
You must buy your own storage with these options, but it’s a one-time cost that’s yours forever.
Nextcloud
Nextcloud is on many of my other DeGoogle lists. File management and permission–based sharing is actually Nextcloud’s core task. It allows you to keep your files safe on your server(s) while accessing them from any device anywhere in the world. Sharing files is also easy – just send a link through NextCloud. The breadth of available add-ons allows it to flexibly tackle different needs as well.
You can read more about Nextcloud on the privacy-friendly groupware alternatives to G-Suite list.
File Browser
File Browser is just that. A file browser. Think of it as a light-weight version of Nextcloud without the bells and whistles. It also has a nifty little time-based sharing system with expiring access links.
Seafile
Somewhere between Nextcloud and File Browser lies Seafile. Seafile has a lot of paywalled features that further extend its functionality. For those who want a little more features and capability without becoming overwhelming. And like Nextcloud, it also has native mobile apps.
Jellyfish
Think of Jellyfish as an open-source hardware version of Plex, on your own storage at home. They build professional-grade storage servers designed from the ground up for serving video with no latency. Jellyfish is a popular NAS setup among video editors because it saves you time and money by organizing your media files on easily upgradable hardware that you own. It also supports high speed networking to enable multiple editors to work off of it at the same time.
They’re not cheap though, with prices starting at $10,000. The price may shock you, but it’s not that much more expensive than building your own. You get perfectly compatible and optimized prebuilt hardware in a small attractive package, plus support.
Synology DMS
Synology DiskManagementSystem has been a staple in the NAS space for a long time. Storage and backup are their bread and butter. Their DSM software is just as advanced as Nextcloud if not even more so. Aside from a focus on speed and security, this operating system has a dozen official apps for all needs.
If that isn’t enough and you want your offline backup, Synology also sells hardware backup. That’s lifetime storage that you physically own.
Syncthing
Syncthing is very different from everything else here. It’s a simple continuous sync tool that you can set up to automatically sync your data. Be it to a different hard drive, a friend’s computer, your server, or wherever you choose to keep your data backed up. It’s also E2EE with a password of your choosing.