![]() | |
Original author(s) | Andy Yen |
---|---|
Developer(s) | Proton Technologies |
Initial release | November 16, 2020 (paid beta) June 2021 (free beta) |
Repository | |
Written in | TypeScript |
Website | proton![]() |
Proton Drive is an end-to-end encrypted, cloud-based file storage and synchronization service developed by Proton AG. [1] Proton Drive enables storing files in the cloud, synchronizing files across devices, and sharing files securely. It is accessible through a web application, desktop applications for Windows and macOS, and mobile applications for Android and iOS. [2]
Proton Drive's development began in 2019, supported by a grant from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program. A beta version of the Proton Drive service was launched to paid Proton subscribers on November 16, 2020, and opened to non-paid users in June 2021. [3] [4]
In October 2021, the Proton Drive web app underwent an independent security audit by Securitum. During August and September 2022, Proton Drive Android and iOS apps were also independently audited by Securitum. [5] [6]
The service exited beta and launched publicly via web app on September 22, 2022, followed by the release of iOS and Android apps on December 7, 2022. [7] [8] [9] [10]
The source code for the Android and iOS apps was open-sourced on March 2, 2023, along with the publication of the security audits. [11] [12] [13] [14]
On 16 May 2023, Proton Drive launched a version control feature that allows users to restore older versions of their files, [15] [16] and launched a Windows app on July 12, 2023. [17] [18] [19] A desktop app for macOS was released on November 23, 2023. [20] [21] A photo backup feature for Android was added on December 7, 2023. [22] [23] [24]
On February 20, 2024, Proton Drive increased the storage limits for its free plan from 1GB to 5GB.
On July 3rd, 2024, Proton released Docs in Proton Drive, an end-to-end encrypted, real-time collaborative, document editor feature [25] [26] [27] .
Proton Drive received mixed reviews upon launch. Reviewers noted the low storage limits and lack of features but also noted the high level of security. Cloudwards commented, "the size of a free account (up to 1GB) combined with basic sharing and no collaboration make Proton Drive feel light on features. What you trade in productivity, however, you more than make up for in security and privacy". [28]
PCMag remarked, "If security and privacy are your main concern in a cloud storage app, Proton Drive is the best choice. But that peace of mind comes at a price." [29]
Subsequent releases and feature updates improved its reception. Following the release of the macOS desktop app, Boy Genius Report wrote, "Proton Drive is the app that might make me finally switch over from Google." [30] Android Police noted, "Proton Drive is finally becoming a viable alternative to Google Drive" after the Windows app launch. [15] In February 2024, PCMag rated Proton Drive the best cloud storage provider for privacy and security. [31] Proton Drive is one of only three cloud storage providers recommended by Privacy Guides. [32]
The following tables compare general and technical information for a number of notable webmail providers who offer a web interface in English.
MediaFire is a file hosting, file synchronization, and cloud storage service based in Shenandoah, Texas, United States. Founded in June 2006 by Derek Labian and Tom Langridge, the company provides client software for Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, BlackBerry 10, and web browsers. MediaFire has 43 million registered users and attracted 1.3 billion unique visitors to its domains in 2012.
This is a comparison of online backup services.
Style Jukebox was a hi-fi high-resolution audio cloud music streaming and storage player for the Windows, iOS, Android and Windows Phone platforms. A Web Player was also available for Mac, Windows and Linux.
Google Drive is a file-hosting service and synchronization service developed by Google. Launched on April 24, 2012, Google Drive allows users to store files in the cloud, synchronize files across devices, and share files. In addition to a web interface, Google Drive offers apps with offline capabilities for Windows and macOS computers, and Android and iOS smartphones and tablets. Google Drive encompasses Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides, which are a part of the Google Docs Editors office suite that permits collaborative editing of documents, spreadsheets, presentations, drawings, forms, and more. Files created and edited through the Google Docs suite are saved in Google Drive.
Yandex.Disk is a cloud service created by Yandex that lets users store files on “cloud” servers and share them with others online. The service is based on syncing data between different devices. Yandex.Disk was launched in English in June 2012.
Wickr is an American software company based in New York City, known for its instant messenger application with the same name. The Wickr instant messaging apps allow users to exchange end-to-end encrypted and content-expiring messages, and are designed for iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, and Linux operating systems. Wickr was acquired by Amazon Web Services (AWS) mid-2021. They discontinued the free version of the app in December 2023.
Proton Mail is a Swiss end-to-end encrypted email service founded in 2013 headquartered in Plan-les-Ouates, Switzerland. It uses client-side encryption to protect email content and user data before they are sent to Proton Mail servers, unlike other common email providers such as Gmail and Outlook.com. The service can be accessed through a webmail client, the Tor network, Windows, macOS and Linux (beta) desktop apps and iOS and Android apps.
Enpass is a cross-platform offline password management app available as a freemium software with subscription plans as also with one time payment licence.
Wire is an encrypted communication and collaboration app created by Wire Swiss. It is available for iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, and web browsers such as Firefox. Wire offers a collaboration suite featuring messenger, voice calls, video calls, conference calls, file-sharing, and external collaboration – all protected by a secure end-to-end-encryption. Wire offers three solutions built on its security technology: Wire Pro – which offers Wire's collaboration feature for businesses, Wire Enterprise – includes Wire Pro capabilities with added features for large-scale or regulated organizations, and Wire Red – the on-demand crisis collaboration suite. They also offer Wire Personal, which is a secure messaging app for personal use.
Puffin Browser is a remote browser developed by CloudMosa, an American mobile technology company founded by Shioupyn Shen.
IBM MaaS360 is a SaaS Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solution offered by IBM that manages and protects any existing endpoint including laptops, desktops, mobile devices and apps, wearables, IoT and purpose built devices and allow protected, low risk access to company resources. IBM Security MaaS360 with Watson integrates with current security platforms owned by different companies. It’s AI powered analytics removes friction by reducing actions required from the device user.
Proton VPN is a VPN service launched in 2017 and operated by the Swiss company Proton AG, the company behind the email service Proton Mail. According to its official website, Proton VPN and Proton Mail share the same management team, offices, and technical resources, and are operated from Proton's headquarters in Plan-les-Ouates, Switzerland.
Google One is a subscription service developed by Google that offers expanded cloud storage and is intended for the consumer market. Google One paid plans offer cloud storage starting at 100 gigabytes, up to a maximum of 30 terabytes, an expansion from the free Google Account storage space of 15 GB, which is shared across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos.
Bitwarden is a freemium open-source password management service that stores sensitive information, such as website credentials, in an encrypted vault. The platform offers a variety of client applications, including a web interface, desktop applications, browser extensions, mobile apps, and a command-line interface. Bitwarden offers a free US or European cloud-hosted service as well as the ability to self-host.
Microsoft 365 is a product family of productivity software, collaboration and cloud-based services owned by Microsoft. It encompasses online services such as Outlook.com, OneDrive, Microsoft Teams, programs formerly marketed under the name Microsoft Office, enterprise products and services associated with these products such as Exchange Server, SharePoint, and Viva Engage. It also covers subscription plans encompassing these products, including those that include subscription-based licenses to desktop and mobile software, and hosted email and intranet services.
Proton AG is a Swiss technology company offering privacy-focused online services. It was founded in 2014 by a group of scientists who met at CERN and created Proton Mail.
NordLocker is a file encryption software integrated with end-to-end encrypted cloud storage. It is available on Windows and macOS. NordLocker is developed by Nord Security, a company behind the NordVPN virtual private network, and is based in the UK and the Netherlands.
Skiff is an email service startup company and collaboration tool, that provides privacy-friendly end-to-end encrypted Email and Cloud services. The company's commercial strategy is focused in offering to its clients a Source-Available or Open-Source, transparent and audited Email, Calendar, and Cloud Storage services without trackers or advertisements.
Proton Pass is a password manager developed by the Swiss software company Proton AG. It stores login credentials, email aliases, credit card data, passkeys, 2FA secret keys, and notes in virtual vaults that are encrypted using 256-bit AES-GCM.