European cloud storage compared

Who has access to your files?

Proton Drive and Tresorit encrypt every file on your device before upload. Both say this leaves them no way to open what you store. pCloud does the same only for files in its Crypto folder, a paid add-on at €49.99 a year. Other files get pCloud's standard encryption in transit and at rest.

Nextcloud lets you pick folders to encrypt on your device. On your own server, no storage company holds your files at all.

There's a catch, though. With end-to-end encryption, nobody gets your files back for you if you lose your password and your recovery details. Set up the recovery options before you upload anything important.

Where is the company, and where do the files sit?

Only one storage service on this page has its head office in an EU member state: Nextcloud, from Stuttgart, Germany. Proton, pCloud and Tresorit are Swiss companies.

The data centres differ too. Proton says its servers are in Switzerland and Germany. Tresorit keeps files in Microsoft Azure data centres in Ireland by default. pCloud asks you to choose the EU (Luxembourg) or the US at sign-up. Pick the EU, because a later move costs a one-time fee. With Nextcloud, your files sit wherever you or your host run the server.

How much free storage do you need?

Google Drive gives you 15 GB free, shared with Gmail and Google Photos. None of the services here match that. pCloud comes closest with up to 10 GB. Proton Drive starts at 2 GB and grows to 5 GB after three setup steps. Tresorit's free Basic plan has 3 GB, with files up to 500 MB on two devices. Nextcloud's partner hosts give 2 to 5 GB.

If your Drive holds more, compare the paid plans. On a yearly plan, €3.99 a month buys 200 GB at Proton or 50 GB at Tresorit. pCloud charges €4.99 a month for 500 GB, or €99.99 a year for 2 TB.

Do you edit documents in the browser?

If you work in Google Docs every day, check the editors before you move. Proton has its own editors for documents and spreadsheets, and lists none for presentations. pCloud's paid plans include editors for documents, spreadsheets and presentations. Nextcloud comes with Nextcloud Office for editing documents together. Tresorit lists office editing on its Professional plan, at €23.99 a month billed yearly.

Do you want to run your own server?

Nextcloud is the only option here you install yourself. The software is free and open source. Next to your files, you get calendar, contacts, video calls and office editing in one place.

You need some server know-how to keep Nextcloud running. If you don't have that, a partner host runs Nextcloud for you. Nextcloud GmbH doesn't sell hosting itself, so the price depends on the host you pick.