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Most buyers should pick Filen.
Choose Filen for a lower listed entry price, broader app coverage (including desktop, mobile, web and CLI), and extras such as notes, chats and a network drive. Choose Proton Drive if you want encrypted file and photo storage inside Proton’s wider service bundle, or need a published 5 GB free tier. Compare carefully: Filen’s price is in euros, while Proton’s listed $3.99 annual-billed option is Mail Plus, not standalone Drive pricing.
01Side by side
| Filen | Proton Drive | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | €1.99/month; annual price not published | $3.99/month annual-billed Mail Plus; no standalone Drive price |
| Free plan | Free plan; storage amount not published | Free plan; up to 5 GB Drive storage |
| Best for | Individual storage with syncing, notes and chats | Encrypted file and photo storage across Proton services |
| Core strength | Sync modes, network drive, encrypted notes and chats | Encrypted file and photo storage, plus secure sharing |
| Learning curve | Review ease score: 6.5/10; no learning-curve data | Review ease score: 5.5/10; no learning-curve data |
| Apps & integrations | Web, desktop, mobile, CLI; integrations not listed | Access on any device; named integrations not listed |
| Team/seat costs | Individual plans; seat limits and team pricing not published | Listed plans cover one user; team pricing not listed |
| Support | Review support score: 5/10 | Review support score: 5/10 |
Filen Choose Filen if
- Choose Filen if you want syncing plus a network drive.
- Choose Filen if encrypted notes and chats matter.
- Choose Filen if you need web, desktop, mobile and CLI apps.
Proton Drive Choose Proton Drive if
- Choose Proton Drive if you want a published 5 GB free tier.
- Choose Proton Drive if you store both files and photos.
- Choose Proton Drive if you already want Proton’s service bundle.
02Pricing compared
Filen’s listed entry plan is Pro I at €1.99 per month for 200 GiB. Pro II is €3.99 for 500 GiB, Pro III is €8.99 for 2 TiB, and Pro X is €39.99 for 10 TiB. The pricing page also shows an annual billing option, but does not publish annual prices. Filen has a free plan, though its storage allowance is not specified here.
Proton lists a free tier with up to 5 GB of Drive storage. Its $3.99-per-month annual-billed option is Mail Plus, with 15 GB of Drive storage—not standalone Drive pricing. The $9.99 annual-billed Unlimited plan includes 500 GB. Proton also lists higher month-to-month prices: $4.99 for Mail Plus and $12.99 for Unlimited. These prices are in different currencies, so compare the storage and bundle, not just the number.
03Features and depth
Both services offer end-to-end encrypted file storage and sharing. Filen’s feature set extends beyond files: it lists syncing across devices with five sync modes, a network drive with Smart Sync, encrypted notes, and encrypted chats. Its notes support rich text, code, Markdown, and checklists. The apps cover web, desktop, mobile, and CLI, and paid plans list unlimited bandwidth and uploads alongside client-side encryption.
Proton Drive focuses on encrypted files and photos, with access across devices and secure sharing. Proton says its encryption prevents access to data without permission. The published plan details also include an online document editor and spreadsheets, but those are part of Proton’s listed plans rather than a standalone Drive price. If you want a storage tool with notes, chats, or a network-drive feature, Filen lists more of those extras. If photo storage and Proton’s wider service bundle matter more, Proton is the closer fit.
04Ease of use and learning curve
Filen offers access through web, desktop, mobile, and CLI apps, which gives users several ways to work with files. Its five sync modes and Smart Sync network drive add options, but may require choosing a setup that fits your workflow. The published review rates Filen’s ease of use 6.5 out of 10.
Proton says files are accessible on any device, but the published material does not list a comparable app-by-app breakdown or explain setup steps. Its review gives ease of use 5.5 out of 10. Those scores are directional, not a guarantee of how either service will feel for your devices or habits. Check app availability and sync requirements before moving your main file library.
Questions people ask
Which is cheaper, Filen or Proton Drive?
Filen’s lowest listed paid plan is €1.99 per month for 200 GiB. Proton’s $3.99 annual-billed option is Mail Plus, which includes 15 GB of Drive storage, not a standalone Drive plan. The prices use different currencies and bundles, so there is no direct like-for-like price.
Does Filen or Proton Drive have a free plan?
Both list a free plan. Proton’s comparison table specifies up to 5 GB of Drive storage for its free tier. The published Filen pricing details confirm a free plan but do not publish its storage allowance, so check Filen’s current pricing page before comparing free capacity.
Does Proton offer standalone Drive pricing?
The pricing information available here does not list a standalone Proton Drive price. It lists Proton plans that include Drive storage: Mail Plus at $3.99 per month when billed annually includes 15 GB, while Unlimited at $9.99 annually billed includes 500 GB.
Which service has more features beyond encrypted storage?
Filen lists syncing with five modes, a network drive, encrypted notes, and encrypted chats, alongside web, desktop, mobile, and CLI apps. Proton Drive highlights encrypted files and photos, secure sharing, and access across devices. Choose based on which of those listed tools you expect to use.