Proton Drive offers encrypted cloud storage through Proton’s services, and the 200GB Plus plan includes full end-to-end encryption for every item stored in the service. In order to encrypt files, user devices scramble their data before it reaches servers at Proton. No one at Proton has access to the data stored in these files, including anyone who might break into Proton’s servers, so the data stays protected from unauthorized access. Proton Drive also offers secure document and file sharing, a secure way to store photos in an album format, and access to Proton Docs and Proton Sheets to create new documents or edit existing ones while maintaining the same level of security. Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and the web, and all versions include desktop syncing to ensure the most recent version of your work is accessible on whichever platform you’re using.
Head over to Proton to get Proton Drive Plus and its 200GB of encrypted storage for $1 for your first month, or take 40% off if you’d rather pay for a year up front.
An affordable alternative to Google Drive that can encrypt your content
Most cloud providers encrypt your files, meaning the files are locked while they reside on their servers, but the provider holds the key. This way, the provider can scan your images, search your documents, and provide access to someone upon request. End-to-end encryption works differently, since the encryption occurs on your device and the key is never transmitted off of it. When you upload files to Proton’s servers, Proton can’t view them.
The difference between end-to-end encryption and cloud-based encryption means many items individuals didn’t consider until now will become apparent. Your passport scans, tax returns, medical records, and family photographs are uploaded to cloud-based systems and have previously been used for both AI training and targeted advertising by various companies. According to Proton, these files belong to you, and end-to-end encryption supports that claim rather than a policy that may change in the future.
When sharing photos via albums, you can limit the album to certain individuals. Instead of sending a batch of vacation photos to an entire family list, only the intended recipients will receive them, and likewise, only the intended recipient will be able to open an encrypted link you send.
Proton Docs and Proton Sheets are designed to work together. Documents and spreadsheets can be created and edited in real time, and none of that activity leaves an encrypted environment. With most privacy-first storage options, you have to export a file to edit it elsewhere.
Proton was started in 2014 by scientists who met at CERN; it’s based in Switzerland and owned by a non-profit foundation rather than shareholders seeking ad revenue. That structure is why privacy is the default setting instead of an upgrade. For $1, you get 200GB of Proton Drive Plus for the first month, and the 40% discount applies if you commit to a year instead.