The 7 Best GDPR-Certified European Online Storage Solutions
4 min read
Online storage has become indispensable in our digital daily lives, with Google Drive reaching over a billion users and Dropbox approaching 600 million users by 2025. Given this explosive growth, we observe that companies, more than ever, need to store substantial amounts of data and facilitate remote work. Indeed, the cloud computing segment continues to grow in Europe and worldwide. However, not all services are equal, particularly regarding security and GDPR compliance. Among European solutions, Drime stands out distinctly with its 20 GB of free space, making it one of the most generous offerings in the market, on par with MEGA. This French solution provides a complete ecosystem for teamwork and document management while implementing AES 256-bit encryption, considered the highest standard in security measures. In this article, we have tested and compared the best GDPR-certified European online storage solutions. Our goal is to help you choose the service that perfectly meets your needs, whether you're looking for free cloud storage for personal use or a secure solution for your business.
Drime
Drime, a French online storage solution, distinguishes itself in the European digital landscape through its innovative approach that goes well beyond simple cloud storage. This collaborative platform offers a comprehensive ecosystem enabling users to manage, edit, and share files securely from a single unified space.
Drime Features
Unlike traditional online storage solutions, Drime intelligently combines multiple tools within a unified environment. The platform enables users to modify PDF files directly in their browser without requiring any downloads. You can add or remove content, merge documents, and reorganize pages with remarkable ease and simplicity.
For content creators, Drime offers particularly useful integrated editing tools. You have the ability to crop, draw, and resize your images, as well as trim and rotate your videos without relying on third-party applications. These media editing capabilities allow you to enhance both images and videos directly within your browser, eliminating the need to install additional software.
Furthermore, customizable workspaces represent a major advantage of Drime. These spaces enable you to centralize your projects with granular access permissions, making them ideal for team coordination. Multiple team members can work simultaneously on documents to maximize efficiency.
Additionally, Drime's sharing system is remarkably flexible and powerful. Users can share their work with a single click, allowing even those without a Drime account to preview and comment on files. This simplicity greatly facilitates collaboration with external clients or partners.
Another notable strength is the precise feedback system that allows you to add contextualized comments directly on documents, images, and videos. Moreover, the native electronic signature functionality (Drime Sign) is intuitively integrated into the interface, eliminating the need for cumbersome switching between different platforms.
Drime Security
Security stands as a fundamental pillar of Drime. All data is protected by military-grade AES 256-bit encryption, making any hacking attempts practically impossible. This technology is so robust that it would theoretically take billions of years to compromise a protected file using current technologies.
Additionally, your files are stored in European data centers certified with ISO 27001, 27017, 27018, and 27701 standards, ensuring complete compliance with GDPR regulations. This approach also adheres to other international standards including SOC 1-2-3, HIPAA, HDS, and PCI DSS.
To further enhance security, Drime implements SSL/TLS-HTTPS encryption for data transmission and DDoS protection shields to guarantee constant and secure access to your data. Furthermore, your data is distributed across clusters with triple replication for each file or folder, ensuring availability even in the event of hardware failures.
For ultra-sensitive files, Drime offers "Drime Vault," a feature that encrypts your files directly on your device before they leave it. This end-to-end encryption means that even Drime cannot access these files, as the company never stores your password or decryption key.
Limitations of Drime's Free Plan
Despite its numerous advantages, Drime's free plan has some limitations to consider. While generous with its 20 GB of free storage without time constraints, it includes certain restrictions compared to paid plans.
First, the file versioning system is limited to 30 days for free users, compared to 90-120 days for premium subscriptions. Additionally, electronic signature requests are capped at 3 per month in the free version.
Moreover, the free plan allows a maximum of 5 members or workspaces, which may be insufficient for larger teams. Finally, certain advanced features such as password-protected links and custom expiration dates are exclusive to paid plans.
Drime Pricing
To address the diverse needs of its users, Drime offers a range of flexible and competitive pricing plans:
Free Plan: 20 GB of storage space, perfect for getting started.
Starter: 500 GB at $2.39 per month with annual commitment or $2.99 with monthly billing
Essentials/Plus: 2 TB at $4.40 per month with annual commitment or $5.50 with monthly billing
Professional: 3 TB at $8.79 per month with annual commitment or $10.99 with monthly billing
Advanced: 6 TB at $15.99 per month with annual commitment or $19.99 with monthly billing
Enterprise: Customized solutions available upon request for specific business needs
In terms of value for money, Drime stands out with a cost of just $2.20 per TB per month, compared to $5.53 for Dropbox and $4.17 for Google Drive. This competitive pricing, combined with the comprehensive features offered, positions Drime as a serious alternative to American cloud storage giants.
All paid plans include secure sharing capabilities, with additional features like unlimited electronic signatures available in higher-tier plans. The entry-level Starter plan serves as an excellent starting point for individual users with moderate storage needs.
pCloud
Based in Switzerland, pCloud is a cloud storage solution renowned for its reliability and GDPR compliance. With over 20 million users worldwide, this service offers robust features and a unique "lifetime" pricing approach that sets it apart from its competitors.
pCloud Features
pCloud distinguishes itself through its versatility and cross-platform accessibility. The desktop application pCloud Drive creates a secure virtual drive on your computer, enabling you to store, sync, and access your files without consuming local hard drive space. This solution, compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems, delivers a seamless and user-friendly experience.
For mobile users, the Android and iOS applications offer essential features such as automatic upload of photos and videos, freeing up valuable space on your smartphone. Additionally, files marked as favorites remain accessible even offline, a significant advantage for professionals who are frequently on the move.
The service incorporates built-in media players that allow you to view or listen to your media content directly from the cloud without requiring external applications. You can even create custom playlists to organize your music collection and access it instantly from any device.
Furthermore, pCloud simplifies the sharing of large files through customizable links. This feature enables even those without a pCloud account to access shared documents. The platform also provides practical options such as folder compression, image resizing, and customization of sharing links.
pCloud Security
Security stands as a major strength of pCloud. Being Switzerland-based, the company adheres to Swiss privacy protection legislation, which is among the most stringent worldwide. The data centers, located in Luxembourg for European users, are certified SSAE 18 SOC 2 Type II and meet the highest standards of physical and technical security.
All stored files benefit from 256-bit AES encryption during and after transfer. Additionally, pCloud implements TLS/SSL channel protection when transferring information between your device and their servers. To enhance this security further, at least five copies of each file are maintained across three different servers within a highly secure storage zone.
For sensitive data, pCloud offers pCloud Encryption, a client-side encryption option. This additional feature encrypts your files before they leave your device, ensuring that no third party, not even pCloud, can access them. This "zero-knowledge" principle guarantees absolute confidentiality of your most important information.
The platform also provides two-factor authentication, adding an extra layer of protection to your account. Additionally, pCloud is certified with ISO 27001:2013 and ISO 9001:2015 for its information security and quality management systems.
Limitations of pCloud's Free Plan
pCloud's free plan starts with 2 GB of space, expandable up to 10 GB by completing certain actions like verifying your email or downloading the mobile app. However, this generosity comes with some restrictions.
First, monthly traffic for shared links is limited in the free version. Moreover, certain advanced features like pCloud Encryption are not included and require a separate purchase. Similarly, file history is more limited compared to paid plans.
Nevertheless, unlike other free services, pCloud doesn't impose any time limit on its free offering, making it a viable option for long-term storage with modest needs.
pCloud Pricing
pCloud's uniqueness lies in its distinctive pricing model that offers "Lifetime" plans alongside traditional subscriptions. These plans provide service access for 99 years with a one-time payment.
Here are the main pricing options:
Premium Plan: 500 GB at €199 lifetime or €49.99 annually
Premium Plus Plan: 2 TB at €399 lifetime or €99.99 annually
Ultra Plan: 10 TB at €1,190 lifetime
pCloud also offers Family plans that allow sharing space between 5 users, with each user having their own independent account. This option proves particularly cost-effective for families or small teams looking to centralize their storage needs.
It's worth noting that the pCloud Encryption service, which provides client-side encryption, is typically sold separately at €39 per year or €103 for lifetime access. However, promotional offers sometimes include this option in the main subscription packages.
Ultimately, pCloud positions itself as a serious alternative to American cloud storage giants, striking a thoughtful balance between security, functionality, and flexible pricing.
Internxt
Originating from Spain, Internxt positions itself as a cloud storage provider firmly focused on privacy. This European solution leverages decentralized architecture and cutting-edge encryption to attract users concerned about protecting their personal data.
Features of Internxt
Internxt offers a streamlined user experience with several complementary services. The main service, Internxt Drive, enables file storage and synchronization across different devices. The intuitive interface makes document organization simple with folder management capabilities and accessibility from any internet-connected device.
Additionally, Internxt Photos service provides automatic smartphone image synchronization, freeing up space on your mobile device. The platform also supports WebDAV and Rclone for more advanced users.
Additionally, Internxt Send enables secure sharing of large files through sharing links. You can even set a maximum download limit for each shared link. However, unlike Drime which offers integrated editing tools for PDFs, images, and videos, Internxt primarily focuses on storage and sharing capabilities.
To facilitate easy access to your data, applications are available across multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. Synchronization between these different devices allows you to access your documents even in offline mode.
Security of Internxt
Security stands as Internxt's major strength. The service employs AES-256 bit zero-knowledge encryption, ensuring that only the user can access their data. All files are encrypted before leaving your device, making it impossible to decrypt them without authorization, even by the company itself.
A distinctive feature of Internxt lies in its file sharding technique. This method splits your encrypted documents into multiple fragments that are then distributed across different servers. Consequently, no server ever contains a complete file, only an encrypted fragment that only you can decrypt.
Furthermore, Internxt is among the first services to implement post-quantum cryptography, providing protection designed to withstand potential future attacks from quantum computers. This forward-thinking approach demonstrates a long-term commitment to data security.
Transparency also serves as a fundamental pillar of Internxt's philosophy. All source code is publicly accessible on GitHub, allowing anyone to examine and verify its security. Additionally, the service has been independently audited by Securitum, a European company specializing in penetration testing.
Finally, Internxt fully complies with GDPR provisions, including the right to privacy, information, and erasure. The data centers operate with 92% renewable energy, aligning with an eco-friendly approach.
Limitations of Internxt's free offer
Despite its qualities, Internxt's free offering comes with significant limitations. The most restrictive is the storage space limited to just 1 GB, which is twenty times less than the 20 GB offered free by Drime. This severe restriction represents a considerable disadvantage, particularly for storing photos and videos.
Historically, Internxt offered up to 10 GB through various promotions but has recently reduced this offer to 1 GB for all users. According to Internxt's official communications, this decision aligns with their strategy to build a more sustainable business.
However, unlike other services such as pCloud that delete inactive accounts after 12 months, Internxt doesn't appear to implement any inactivity deletion policy.
Internxt Pricing
To meet the needs of users requiring more space, Internxt offers several paid plans:
Essential: 1 TB storage with VPN limited to 1 location
Premium: 3 TB with VPN for 3 locations and integrated antivirus
Ultimate: 5 TB with VPN for 5 locations and additional services
These packages also include features like automatic backups and antivirus protection. However, they generally remain more expensive than Drime's offerings, which provides 500 GB for just €2.99 per month or 2 TB for €5.50 monthly.
According to some sources, Internxt also offers lifetime plans accessible through a one-time payment, providing up to 10 TB of storage. However, this option isn't clearly highlighted on their official website, and prices seem to fluctuate based on promotional periods.
NordLocker
A subsidiary of Nord Security, the company behind NordVPN, NordLocker offers an online storage service primarily focused on security and data privacy. This service combines file encryption and cloud storage in a single, user-friendly solution.
NordLocker Features
NordLocker stands out for its ease of use with a drag-and-drop interface that allows any user to secure their files without requiring technical expertise. The application creates encrypted folders called "Lockers" where you can store your sensitive documents.
Unlike Drime, which offers integrated editing tools for PDFs and media, NordLocker focuses primarily on secure storage and sharing. The service provides cross-device synchronization, allowing you to access your files from any platform: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, or directly through a web browser.
Moreover, NordLocker gives you the flexibility to store your files locally on your device, exclusively in the cloud, or both simultaneously. This versatility meets the needs of users who want to access their documents even without an internet connection.
For file sharing, NordLocker offers multiple options. You can share encrypted file copies through a secure link or share an entire "Locker" directly with other NordLocker users. However, this approach remains less versatile than Drime's, which allows even non-account holders to preview and comment on shared files.
NordLocker Security
Security is undoubtedly NordLocker's strongest feature. The service employs a zero-knowledge architecture, ensuring that you are the only person who knows what's stored in your digital vault. Even the NordLocker team cannot access your data.
End-to-end encryption is implemented using several robust algorithms: AES-256, xChaCha20-Poly1305, and Ed25519. These standards are used by governments and sensitive organizations to protect their confidential information.
Furthermore, NordLocker offers multi-factor authentication providing advanced protection through one-time backup codes, authentication apps, or third-party security keys. This feature significantly enhances your account security.
For European users' peace of mind, NordLocker's servers are located in Luxembourg, a country subject to GDPR. This ensures personal data protection compliant with European regulations.
Limitations of NordLocker's Free Plan
Despite its numerous security advantages, NordLocker's free plan has significant limitations. The most restrictive is the storage space limited to just 3 GB, nearly seven times less than the 20 GB offered free by Drime.
Additionally, file access in the free version is limited to a single device, considerably reducing usage flexibility. However, end-to-end encryption remains available without limitation, even for free users.
Another notable restriction is that file management remains basic in the free plan, and group sharing is not available. These limitations can be problematic for users wanting to collaborate with multiple people.
NordLocker Pricing
NordLocker offers various subscription plans for individuals and businesses:
Free Version: 3 GB of cloud storage with unlimited encryption and email support
Personal: 500 GB at $2.99/month with annual commitment or $7.99/month without commitment
Personal Plus: 2 TB at $6.99/month with annual commitment or $19.99/month without commitment
Business: 500 GB at $8.99/month per user with 24/7 priority support
Business Plus: 2 TB at $14.99/month per user with the same features
All paid plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. However, compared to Drime, which offers 2 TB for just $5.50/month, NordLocker appears as a more expensive option for equivalent storage space.
Ultimately, NordLocker is a solution particularly suited for users prioritizing maximum security for their sensitive data. However, those seeking better value for money and advanced collaborative features will likely turn to alternatives like Drime.
MEGA
Founded in 2013 and based in New Zealand, MEGA has quickly established itself with over 300 million users thanks to its approach focused on data privacy.
MEGA Features
MEGA centralizes cloud storage, file sharing, and online communication in a unified interface. The platform enables users to store files without size limitations and access them in real-time from any device. Unlike Drime, which offers integrated editing tools for PDFs and media files, MEGA primarily focuses on storage and sharing capabilities.
Users can create file request folders to receive documents from external parties. MEGAchat provides encrypted text, voice, and video communications, though it's less intuitive compared to Drime's comprehensive collaborative experience.
MEGA Security
MEGA's strongest feature lies in its zero-knowledge encryption system. Data is encrypted on the device before being transmitted to servers, making it impossible for MEGA or third parties to access the content. Each item has a unique decryption key, and two-factor authentication further enhances this protection.
MEGA claims GDPR compliance for all users, regardless of their location. However, vulnerabilities identified in its encryption architecture in 2022 have partially challenged its promise of complete confidentiality.
MEGA Free Plan Limitations
The free plan includes 20 GB of space, matching Drime's offering, but with significant restrictions. Free users face IP-based transfer quota limitations and reduced download speeds. Additionally, features such as password protection for shared links, custom expiration dates, and version history beyond 30 days are unavailable.
MEGA Pricing
MEGA offers several subscription plans:
Pro I: €9.99/month for 2 TB of storage and transfer
Pro II: €19.99/month for 8 TB
Pro III: €29.99/month for 16 TB
Pro Flexi: €15/month for 3 TB, with €2.50 per additional TB
MEGA charges €1.56 per TB per month (with annual Pro III subscription), compared to €2.20 at Drime. However, the absence of economical plans for storage needs under 2 TB makes Drime more accessible with its Starter plan at €2.99/month for 500 GB.
Icedrive
Launched in the United Kingdom in 2019, Icedrive has quickly distinguished itself in the online storage landscape through its innovative approach and clean interface. This relatively new solution focuses on visual simplicity and high-level security to attract users.
Icedrive Features
Icedrive's uniqueness lies in its virtual drive technology that transforms your cloud storage into a virtual hard drive. This technology enables users to access and modify files directly from the cloud without using local disk space. The intuitive interface facilitates file navigation and management from any device through applications available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
Additionally, Icedrive offers document, image, and video preview directly through its online interface without requiring downloads. The service also maintains previous file versions for 180 days, though this duration is less than the 120 days offered by Drime in its professional plans.
Icedrive Security
Icedrive stands out by utilizing the Twofish encryption algorithm with 256-bit keys, rather than the commonly used AES standard. This approach is considered more secure as it's less familiar to potential attackers, adding an extra layer of protection.
For paid subscriptions, Icedrive provides zero-knowledge encryption where files are encrypted on the device before being transmitted to servers. This means even Icedrive cannot access your data. The service is fully GDPR-compliant and offers tools for downloading or deleting your personal information.
Limitations of Icedrive's Free Plan
Icedrive's free plan includes 10 GB of storage space, which remains generous compared to some competitors, though it's half of Drime's 20 GB offering. However, this free version comes with significant limitations: monthly bandwidth restricted to 50 GB, absence of client-side encryption, and limited sharing capabilities.
Icedrive Pricing
Icedrive offers three main plans with monthly, annual, or lifetime billing options:
Lite: €3.99/month (annual) for 100 GB
Pro I: €5.99/month (annual) for 1 TB
Pro III: €10.99/month (annual) for 3 TB
Unlike Drime, which focuses on flexible subscriptions, Icedrive differentiates itself with one-time payment lifetime offers. While all paid plans include client-side encryption, they generally remain more expensive than Drime for equivalent storage space.
kDrive
Developed by Swiss hosting provider Infomaniak, kDrive has established itself as an ideal collaborative online storage solution for both individuals and professionals. This service offers a comprehensive cloud ecosystem that fully complies with GDPR and Swiss data protection legislation.
kDrive Features
kDrive distinguishes itself through its ability to synchronize files across different devices using dedicated applications for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. Additionally, the service supports WebDAV protocol, enabling synchronization with Synology NAS or Qnap cloud systems.
For collaborative work, kDrive integrates the OnlyOffice suite, allowing users to create and edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations directly online. However, unlike Drime which offers advanced PDF and media editing tools, kDrive takes a more traditional approach to storage.
The intuitive interface simplifies file management with a keyword search function for quick document retrieval. Furthermore, selective folder synchronization allows users to customize which elements synchronize between devices.
kDrive Security
Security is a major advantage of kDrive, with data exclusively stored in TIER 3+ datacenters in Switzerland. These facilities ensure high availability and redundancy for critical components.
Files benefit from AES 128-bit encryption with a unique key for each kDrive space. Moreover, all data is systematically replicated across at least three locations in multiple datacenters. Two-factor authentication enhances this protection through the kAuth application.
Limitations of kDrive's Free Plan
The free version of kDrive offers 15GB of storage space, which is less than Drime's 20GB offering. However, it comes with several limitations: users can create only 25 sharing links without advanced settings (duration, password protection), version history is restricted to 30 versions within a 30-day period, and deleted items are retained in the trash for just 30 days.
kDrive Pricing
kDrive features three main subscription plans:
Solo: 2TB at $4.99/month (annual commitment) for a single user
Team: 3TB at $10/month (expandable to 18TB) for up to 6 users
Pro: 6TB at $6.66/month per user (expandable to 106TB) with a minimum of 3 users
Longer commitments offer additional savings: 15% discount for 2-year plans and 20% for 3-year subscriptions. While competitive, these rates are higher than Drime's offering of 2TB at just $5.50/month, which includes advanced editing tools and 90-day file history.
Conclusion
The exploration of various European cloud storage solutions compliant with GDPR reveals a rich and diverse ecosystem. After thorough analysis, Drime clearly stands out as the most balanced and comprehensive option among the seven services examined.
First, Drime's free offering with its 20GB of space significantly outperforms most competitors - only MEGA offers equivalent volume but with significant bandwidth limitations. Additionally, Drime's collaborative features, particularly integrated PDF and media editing, represent a considerable advantage that few rival services can match.
Security remains a crucial criterion when choosing an online storage solution. Drime also excels in this area with its AES 256-bit encryption and full GDPR compliance. The Drime Vault option adds an extra layer of protection for your most sensitive files through end-to-end encryption.
Meanwhile, pCloud distinguishes itself with its unique lifetime payment model, while Internxt and NordLocker focus on a decentralized architecture and zero-knowledge approach. MEGA offers good value for money for large volumes, Icedrive appeals with its clean interface, and kDrive provides robust office integration.
However, these alternatives often present significant limitations: restricted free offerings, limited collaborative features, or higher prices for comparable space. For example, despite its reputation, NordLocker only offers 3GB free compared to Drime's 20GB, and its 2TB plan costs €6.99/month versus only €5.50 with Drime.
The final choice will obviously depend on your specific needs. Users prioritizing collaboration and document editing will find their match with Drime. Those preferring one-time payment will turn to pCloud, while the most demanding in terms of privacy will appreciate Internxt or NordLocker.
Your online storage ultimately represents much more than a simple backup space – it's a daily working environment. Drime's unique combination of generous free offering, rich functionality, security, and competitive pricing undoubtedly makes it the most versatile solution for the majority of European users concerned about protecting their data.
FAQs
Q1. What is GDPR and why is it important for online storage?
GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) is a European regulation designed to protect users' personal data. For online storage, it ensures that your information is processed securely and confidentially by service providers.
Q2. What's the difference between standard encryption and end-to-end encryption?
Standard encryption protects your data during transfer and storage, but the service provider can access it. End-to-end encryption ensures that only you can decrypt your data, with even the provider having no access.
Q3. Why do some services offer "lifetime" plans and are they really beneficial?
Lifetime plans provide unlimited access to the service for a one-time payment. They can be advantageous for long-term users, but it's important to consider the provider's longevity and potential future service limitations.
Q4. How do you choose between free online storage and a paid service?
The choice depends on your storage space needs, functionality requirements, and security concerns. Free offerings typically suit basic personal use, while paid services provide more space, advanced features, and enhanced security guarantees.
Q5. Why is server location important for an online storage service?
Server location is crucial for legal compliance and data protection. Servers located in Europe generally ensure better GDPR compliance and can offer reduced latency times for European users.
Online storage has become indispensable in our digital daily lives, with Google Drive reaching over a billion users and Dropbox approaching 600 million users by 2025. Given this explosive growth, we observe that companies, more than ever, need to store substantial amounts of data and facilitate remote work. Indeed, the cloud computing segment continues to grow in Europe and worldwide. However, not all services are equal, particularly regarding security and GDPR compliance. Among European solutions, Drime stands out distinctly with its 20 GB of free space, making it one of the most generous offerings in the market, on par with MEGA. This French solution provides a complete ecosystem for teamwork and document management while implementing AES 256-bit encryption, considered the highest standard in security measures. In this article, we have tested and compared the best GDPR-certified European online storage solutions. Our goal is to help you choose the service that perfectly meets your needs, whether you're looking for free cloud storage for personal use or a secure solution for your business.
Drime
Drime, a French online storage solution, distinguishes itself in the European digital landscape through its innovative approach that goes well beyond simple cloud storage. This collaborative platform offers a comprehensive ecosystem enabling users to manage, edit, and share files securely from a single unified space.
Drime Features
Unlike traditional online storage solutions, Drime intelligently combines multiple tools within a unified environment. The platform enables users to modify PDF files directly in their browser without requiring any downloads. You can add or remove content, merge documents, and reorganize pages with remarkable ease and simplicity.
For content creators, Drime offers particularly useful integrated editing tools. You have the ability to crop, draw, and resize your images, as well as trim and rotate your videos without relying on third-party applications. These media editing capabilities allow you to enhance both images and videos directly within your browser, eliminating the need to install additional software.
Furthermore, customizable workspaces represent a major advantage of Drime. These spaces enable you to centralize your projects with granular access permissions, making them ideal for team coordination. Multiple team members can work simultaneously on documents to maximize efficiency.
Additionally, Drime's sharing system is remarkably flexible and powerful. Users can share their work with a single click, allowing even those without a Drime account to preview and comment on files. This simplicity greatly facilitates collaboration with external clients or partners.
Another notable strength is the precise feedback system that allows you to add contextualized comments directly on documents, images, and videos. Moreover, the native electronic signature functionality (Drime Sign) is intuitively integrated into the interface, eliminating the need for cumbersome switching between different platforms.
Drime Security
Security stands as a fundamental pillar of Drime. All data is protected by military-grade AES 256-bit encryption, making any hacking attempts practically impossible. This technology is so robust that it would theoretically take billions of years to compromise a protected file using current technologies.
Additionally, your files are stored in European data centers certified with ISO 27001, 27017, 27018, and 27701 standards, ensuring complete compliance with GDPR regulations. This approach also adheres to other international standards including SOC 1-2-3, HIPAA, HDS, and PCI DSS.
To further enhance security, Drime implements SSL/TLS-HTTPS encryption for data transmission and DDoS protection shields to guarantee constant and secure access to your data. Furthermore, your data is distributed across clusters with triple replication for each file or folder, ensuring availability even in the event of hardware failures.
For ultra-sensitive files, Drime offers "Drime Vault," a feature that encrypts your files directly on your device before they leave it. This end-to-end encryption means that even Drime cannot access these files, as the company never stores your password or decryption key.
Limitations of Drime's Free Plan
Despite its numerous advantages, Drime's free plan has some limitations to consider. While generous with its 20 GB of free storage without time constraints, it includes certain restrictions compared to paid plans.
First, the file versioning system is limited to 30 days for free users, compared to 90-120 days for premium subscriptions. Additionally, electronic signature requests are capped at 3 per month in the free version.
Moreover, the free plan allows a maximum of 5 members or workspaces, which may be insufficient for larger teams. Finally, certain advanced features such as password-protected links and custom expiration dates are exclusive to paid plans.
Drime Pricing
To address the diverse needs of its users, Drime offers a range of flexible and competitive pricing plans:
Free Plan: 20 GB of storage space, perfect for getting started.
Starter: 500 GB at $2.39 per month with annual commitment or $2.99 with monthly billing
Essentials/Plus: 2 TB at $4.40 per month with annual commitment or $5.50 with monthly billing
Professional: 3 TB at $8.79 per month with annual commitment or $10.99 with monthly billing
Advanced: 6 TB at $15.99 per month with annual commitment or $19.99 with monthly billing
Enterprise: Customized solutions available upon request for specific business needs
In terms of value for money, Drime stands out with a cost of just $2.20 per TB per month, compared to $5.53 for Dropbox and $4.17 for Google Drive. This competitive pricing, combined with the comprehensive features offered, positions Drime as a serious alternative to American cloud storage giants.
All paid plans include secure sharing capabilities, with additional features like unlimited electronic signatures available in higher-tier plans. The entry-level Starter plan serves as an excellent starting point for individual users with moderate storage needs.
pCloud
Based in Switzerland, pCloud is a cloud storage solution renowned for its reliability and GDPR compliance. With over 20 million users worldwide, this service offers robust features and a unique "lifetime" pricing approach that sets it apart from its competitors.
pCloud Features
pCloud distinguishes itself through its versatility and cross-platform accessibility. The desktop application pCloud Drive creates a secure virtual drive on your computer, enabling you to store, sync, and access your files without consuming local hard drive space. This solution, compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems, delivers a seamless and user-friendly experience.
For mobile users, the Android and iOS applications offer essential features such as automatic upload of photos and videos, freeing up valuable space on your smartphone. Additionally, files marked as favorites remain accessible even offline, a significant advantage for professionals who are frequently on the move.
The service incorporates built-in media players that allow you to view or listen to your media content directly from the cloud without requiring external applications. You can even create custom playlists to organize your music collection and access it instantly from any device.
Furthermore, pCloud simplifies the sharing of large files through customizable links. This feature enables even those without a pCloud account to access shared documents. The platform also provides practical options such as folder compression, image resizing, and customization of sharing links.
pCloud Security
Security stands as a major strength of pCloud. Being Switzerland-based, the company adheres to Swiss privacy protection legislation, which is among the most stringent worldwide. The data centers, located in Luxembourg for European users, are certified SSAE 18 SOC 2 Type II and meet the highest standards of physical and technical security.
All stored files benefit from 256-bit AES encryption during and after transfer. Additionally, pCloud implements TLS/SSL channel protection when transferring information between your device and their servers. To enhance this security further, at least five copies of each file are maintained across three different servers within a highly secure storage zone.
For sensitive data, pCloud offers pCloud Encryption, a client-side encryption option. This additional feature encrypts your files before they leave your device, ensuring that no third party, not even pCloud, can access them. This "zero-knowledge" principle guarantees absolute confidentiality of your most important information.
The platform also provides two-factor authentication, adding an extra layer of protection to your account. Additionally, pCloud is certified with ISO 27001:2013 and ISO 9001:2015 for its information security and quality management systems.
Limitations of pCloud's Free Plan
pCloud's free plan starts with 2 GB of space, expandable up to 10 GB by completing certain actions like verifying your email or downloading the mobile app. However, this generosity comes with some restrictions.
First, monthly traffic for shared links is limited in the free version. Moreover, certain advanced features like pCloud Encryption are not included and require a separate purchase. Similarly, file history is more limited compared to paid plans.
Nevertheless, unlike other free services, pCloud doesn't impose any time limit on its free offering, making it a viable option for long-term storage with modest needs.
pCloud Pricing
pCloud's uniqueness lies in its distinctive pricing model that offers "Lifetime" plans alongside traditional subscriptions. These plans provide service access for 99 years with a one-time payment.
Here are the main pricing options:
Premium Plan: 500 GB at €199 lifetime or €49.99 annually
Premium Plus Plan: 2 TB at €399 lifetime or €99.99 annually
Ultra Plan: 10 TB at €1,190 lifetime
pCloud also offers Family plans that allow sharing space between 5 users, with each user having their own independent account. This option proves particularly cost-effective for families or small teams looking to centralize their storage needs.
It's worth noting that the pCloud Encryption service, which provides client-side encryption, is typically sold separately at €39 per year or €103 for lifetime access. However, promotional offers sometimes include this option in the main subscription packages.
Ultimately, pCloud positions itself as a serious alternative to American cloud storage giants, striking a thoughtful balance between security, functionality, and flexible pricing.
Internxt
Originating from Spain, Internxt positions itself as a cloud storage provider firmly focused on privacy. This European solution leverages decentralized architecture and cutting-edge encryption to attract users concerned about protecting their personal data.
Features of Internxt
Internxt offers a streamlined user experience with several complementary services. The main service, Internxt Drive, enables file storage and synchronization across different devices. The intuitive interface makes document organization simple with folder management capabilities and accessibility from any internet-connected device.
Additionally, Internxt Photos service provides automatic smartphone image synchronization, freeing up space on your mobile device. The platform also supports WebDAV and Rclone for more advanced users.
Additionally, Internxt Send enables secure sharing of large files through sharing links. You can even set a maximum download limit for each shared link. However, unlike Drime which offers integrated editing tools for PDFs, images, and videos, Internxt primarily focuses on storage and sharing capabilities.
To facilitate easy access to your data, applications are available across multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. Synchronization between these different devices allows you to access your documents even in offline mode.
Security of Internxt
Security stands as Internxt's major strength. The service employs AES-256 bit zero-knowledge encryption, ensuring that only the user can access their data. All files are encrypted before leaving your device, making it impossible to decrypt them without authorization, even by the company itself.
A distinctive feature of Internxt lies in its file sharding technique. This method splits your encrypted documents into multiple fragments that are then distributed across different servers. Consequently, no server ever contains a complete file, only an encrypted fragment that only you can decrypt.
Furthermore, Internxt is among the first services to implement post-quantum cryptography, providing protection designed to withstand potential future attacks from quantum computers. This forward-thinking approach demonstrates a long-term commitment to data security.
Transparency also serves as a fundamental pillar of Internxt's philosophy. All source code is publicly accessible on GitHub, allowing anyone to examine and verify its security. Additionally, the service has been independently audited by Securitum, a European company specializing in penetration testing.
Finally, Internxt fully complies with GDPR provisions, including the right to privacy, information, and erasure. The data centers operate with 92% renewable energy, aligning with an eco-friendly approach.
Limitations of Internxt's free offer
Despite its qualities, Internxt's free offering comes with significant limitations. The most restrictive is the storage space limited to just 1 GB, which is twenty times less than the 20 GB offered free by Drime. This severe restriction represents a considerable disadvantage, particularly for storing photos and videos.
Historically, Internxt offered up to 10 GB through various promotions but has recently reduced this offer to 1 GB for all users. According to Internxt's official communications, this decision aligns with their strategy to build a more sustainable business.
However, unlike other services such as pCloud that delete inactive accounts after 12 months, Internxt doesn't appear to implement any inactivity deletion policy.
Internxt Pricing
To meet the needs of users requiring more space, Internxt offers several paid plans:
Essential: 1 TB storage with VPN limited to 1 location
Premium: 3 TB with VPN for 3 locations and integrated antivirus
Ultimate: 5 TB with VPN for 5 locations and additional services
These packages also include features like automatic backups and antivirus protection. However, they generally remain more expensive than Drime's offerings, which provides 500 GB for just €2.99 per month or 2 TB for €5.50 monthly.
According to some sources, Internxt also offers lifetime plans accessible through a one-time payment, providing up to 10 TB of storage. However, this option isn't clearly highlighted on their official website, and prices seem to fluctuate based on promotional periods.
NordLocker
A subsidiary of Nord Security, the company behind NordVPN, NordLocker offers an online storage service primarily focused on security and data privacy. This service combines file encryption and cloud storage in a single, user-friendly solution.
NordLocker Features
NordLocker stands out for its ease of use with a drag-and-drop interface that allows any user to secure their files without requiring technical expertise. The application creates encrypted folders called "Lockers" where you can store your sensitive documents.
Unlike Drime, which offers integrated editing tools for PDFs and media, NordLocker focuses primarily on secure storage and sharing. The service provides cross-device synchronization, allowing you to access your files from any platform: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, or directly through a web browser.
Moreover, NordLocker gives you the flexibility to store your files locally on your device, exclusively in the cloud, or both simultaneously. This versatility meets the needs of users who want to access their documents even without an internet connection.
For file sharing, NordLocker offers multiple options. You can share encrypted file copies through a secure link or share an entire "Locker" directly with other NordLocker users. However, this approach remains less versatile than Drime's, which allows even non-account holders to preview and comment on shared files.
NordLocker Security
Security is undoubtedly NordLocker's strongest feature. The service employs a zero-knowledge architecture, ensuring that you are the only person who knows what's stored in your digital vault. Even the NordLocker team cannot access your data.
End-to-end encryption is implemented using several robust algorithms: AES-256, xChaCha20-Poly1305, and Ed25519. These standards are used by governments and sensitive organizations to protect their confidential information.
Furthermore, NordLocker offers multi-factor authentication providing advanced protection through one-time backup codes, authentication apps, or third-party security keys. This feature significantly enhances your account security.
For European users' peace of mind, NordLocker's servers are located in Luxembourg, a country subject to GDPR. This ensures personal data protection compliant with European regulations.
Limitations of NordLocker's Free Plan
Despite its numerous security advantages, NordLocker's free plan has significant limitations. The most restrictive is the storage space limited to just 3 GB, nearly seven times less than the 20 GB offered free by Drime.
Additionally, file access in the free version is limited to a single device, considerably reducing usage flexibility. However, end-to-end encryption remains available without limitation, even for free users.
Another notable restriction is that file management remains basic in the free plan, and group sharing is not available. These limitations can be problematic for users wanting to collaborate with multiple people.
NordLocker Pricing
NordLocker offers various subscription plans for individuals and businesses:
Free Version: 3 GB of cloud storage with unlimited encryption and email support
Personal: 500 GB at $2.99/month with annual commitment or $7.99/month without commitment
Personal Plus: 2 TB at $6.99/month with annual commitment or $19.99/month without commitment
Business: 500 GB at $8.99/month per user with 24/7 priority support
Business Plus: 2 TB at $14.99/month per user with the same features
All paid plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. However, compared to Drime, which offers 2 TB for just $5.50/month, NordLocker appears as a more expensive option for equivalent storage space.
Ultimately, NordLocker is a solution particularly suited for users prioritizing maximum security for their sensitive data. However, those seeking better value for money and advanced collaborative features will likely turn to alternatives like Drime.
MEGA
Founded in 2013 and based in New Zealand, MEGA has quickly established itself with over 300 million users thanks to its approach focused on data privacy.
MEGA Features
MEGA centralizes cloud storage, file sharing, and online communication in a unified interface. The platform enables users to store files without size limitations and access them in real-time from any device. Unlike Drime, which offers integrated editing tools for PDFs and media files, MEGA primarily focuses on storage and sharing capabilities.
Users can create file request folders to receive documents from external parties. MEGAchat provides encrypted text, voice, and video communications, though it's less intuitive compared to Drime's comprehensive collaborative experience.
MEGA Security
MEGA's strongest feature lies in its zero-knowledge encryption system. Data is encrypted on the device before being transmitted to servers, making it impossible for MEGA or third parties to access the content. Each item has a unique decryption key, and two-factor authentication further enhances this protection.
MEGA claims GDPR compliance for all users, regardless of their location. However, vulnerabilities identified in its encryption architecture in 2022 have partially challenged its promise of complete confidentiality.
MEGA Free Plan Limitations
The free plan includes 20 GB of space, matching Drime's offering, but with significant restrictions. Free users face IP-based transfer quota limitations and reduced download speeds. Additionally, features such as password protection for shared links, custom expiration dates, and version history beyond 30 days are unavailable.
MEGA Pricing
MEGA offers several subscription plans:
Pro I: €9.99/month for 2 TB of storage and transfer
Pro II: €19.99/month for 8 TB
Pro III: €29.99/month for 16 TB
Pro Flexi: €15/month for 3 TB, with €2.50 per additional TB
MEGA charges €1.56 per TB per month (with annual Pro III subscription), compared to €2.20 at Drime. However, the absence of economical plans for storage needs under 2 TB makes Drime more accessible with its Starter plan at €2.99/month for 500 GB.
Icedrive
Launched in the United Kingdom in 2019, Icedrive has quickly distinguished itself in the online storage landscape through its innovative approach and clean interface. This relatively new solution focuses on visual simplicity and high-level security to attract users.
Icedrive Features
Icedrive's uniqueness lies in its virtual drive technology that transforms your cloud storage into a virtual hard drive. This technology enables users to access and modify files directly from the cloud without using local disk space. The intuitive interface facilitates file navigation and management from any device through applications available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
Additionally, Icedrive offers document, image, and video preview directly through its online interface without requiring downloads. The service also maintains previous file versions for 180 days, though this duration is less than the 120 days offered by Drime in its professional plans.
Icedrive Security
Icedrive stands out by utilizing the Twofish encryption algorithm with 256-bit keys, rather than the commonly used AES standard. This approach is considered more secure as it's less familiar to potential attackers, adding an extra layer of protection.
For paid subscriptions, Icedrive provides zero-knowledge encryption where files are encrypted on the device before being transmitted to servers. This means even Icedrive cannot access your data. The service is fully GDPR-compliant and offers tools for downloading or deleting your personal information.
Limitations of Icedrive's Free Plan
Icedrive's free plan includes 10 GB of storage space, which remains generous compared to some competitors, though it's half of Drime's 20 GB offering. However, this free version comes with significant limitations: monthly bandwidth restricted to 50 GB, absence of client-side encryption, and limited sharing capabilities.
Icedrive Pricing
Icedrive offers three main plans with monthly, annual, or lifetime billing options:
Lite: €3.99/month (annual) for 100 GB
Pro I: €5.99/month (annual) for 1 TB
Pro III: €10.99/month (annual) for 3 TB
Unlike Drime, which focuses on flexible subscriptions, Icedrive differentiates itself with one-time payment lifetime offers. While all paid plans include client-side encryption, they generally remain more expensive than Drime for equivalent storage space.
kDrive
Developed by Swiss hosting provider Infomaniak, kDrive has established itself as an ideal collaborative online storage solution for both individuals and professionals. This service offers a comprehensive cloud ecosystem that fully complies with GDPR and Swiss data protection legislation.
kDrive Features
kDrive distinguishes itself through its ability to synchronize files across different devices using dedicated applications for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. Additionally, the service supports WebDAV protocol, enabling synchronization with Synology NAS or Qnap cloud systems.
For collaborative work, kDrive integrates the OnlyOffice suite, allowing users to create and edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations directly online. However, unlike Drime which offers advanced PDF and media editing tools, kDrive takes a more traditional approach to storage.
The intuitive interface simplifies file management with a keyword search function for quick document retrieval. Furthermore, selective folder synchronization allows users to customize which elements synchronize between devices.
kDrive Security
Security is a major advantage of kDrive, with data exclusively stored in TIER 3+ datacenters in Switzerland. These facilities ensure high availability and redundancy for critical components.
Files benefit from AES 128-bit encryption with a unique key for each kDrive space. Moreover, all data is systematically replicated across at least three locations in multiple datacenters. Two-factor authentication enhances this protection through the kAuth application.
Limitations of kDrive's Free Plan
The free version of kDrive offers 15GB of storage space, which is less than Drime's 20GB offering. However, it comes with several limitations: users can create only 25 sharing links without advanced settings (duration, password protection), version history is restricted to 30 versions within a 30-day period, and deleted items are retained in the trash for just 30 days.
kDrive Pricing
kDrive features three main subscription plans:
Solo: 2TB at $4.99/month (annual commitment) for a single user
Team: 3TB at $10/month (expandable to 18TB) for up to 6 users
Pro: 6TB at $6.66/month per user (expandable to 106TB) with a minimum of 3 users
Longer commitments offer additional savings: 15% discount for 2-year plans and 20% for 3-year subscriptions. While competitive, these rates are higher than Drime's offering of 2TB at just $5.50/month, which includes advanced editing tools and 90-day file history.
Conclusion
The exploration of various European cloud storage solutions compliant with GDPR reveals a rich and diverse ecosystem. After thorough analysis, Drime clearly stands out as the most balanced and comprehensive option among the seven services examined.
First, Drime's free offering with its 20GB of space significantly outperforms most competitors - only MEGA offers equivalent volume but with significant bandwidth limitations. Additionally, Drime's collaborative features, particularly integrated PDF and media editing, represent a considerable advantage that few rival services can match.
Security remains a crucial criterion when choosing an online storage solution. Drime also excels in this area with its AES 256-bit encryption and full GDPR compliance. The Drime Vault option adds an extra layer of protection for your most sensitive files through end-to-end encryption.
Meanwhile, pCloud distinguishes itself with its unique lifetime payment model, while Internxt and NordLocker focus on a decentralized architecture and zero-knowledge approach. MEGA offers good value for money for large volumes, Icedrive appeals with its clean interface, and kDrive provides robust office integration.
However, these alternatives often present significant limitations: restricted free offerings, limited collaborative features, or higher prices for comparable space. For example, despite its reputation, NordLocker only offers 3GB free compared to Drime's 20GB, and its 2TB plan costs €6.99/month versus only €5.50 with Drime.
The final choice will obviously depend on your specific needs. Users prioritizing collaboration and document editing will find their match with Drime. Those preferring one-time payment will turn to pCloud, while the most demanding in terms of privacy will appreciate Internxt or NordLocker.
Your online storage ultimately represents much more than a simple backup space – it's a daily working environment. Drime's unique combination of generous free offering, rich functionality, security, and competitive pricing undoubtedly makes it the most versatile solution for the majority of European users concerned about protecting their data.
FAQs
Q1. What is GDPR and why is it important for online storage?
GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) is a European regulation designed to protect users' personal data. For online storage, it ensures that your information is processed securely and confidentially by service providers.
Q2. What's the difference between standard encryption and end-to-end encryption?
Standard encryption protects your data during transfer and storage, but the service provider can access it. End-to-end encryption ensures that only you can decrypt your data, with even the provider having no access.
Q3. Why do some services offer "lifetime" plans and are they really beneficial?
Lifetime plans provide unlimited access to the service for a one-time payment. They can be advantageous for long-term users, but it's important to consider the provider's longevity and potential future service limitations.
Q4. How do you choose between free online storage and a paid service?
The choice depends on your storage space needs, functionality requirements, and security concerns. Free offerings typically suit basic personal use, while paid services provide more space, advanced features, and enhanced security guarantees.
Q5. Why is server location important for an online storage service?
Server location is crucial for legal compliance and data protection. Servers located in Europe generally ensure better GDPR compliance and can offer reduced latency times for European users.
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