Alternatives to Dropbox
Encrypted cloud storage with a European legal framework, client-side encryption and lifetime licenses. Compare pricing, storage capacity and privacy features for Dropbox migrators.
Context
Dropbox compared to European cloud providers
Dropbox, Inc. is a US company headquartered in San Francisco, which subjects it to the CLOUD Act and the Stored Communications Act. US authorities can compel the disclosure of data even when it is stored in EU data centers (e.g. Frankfurt). European hosting does not change the legal accessibility.
Dropbox does not use end-to-end encryption by default. Files are encrypted in transit (TLS) and at rest (AES-256), but Dropbox holds the keys. This enables server-side file search, preview and OCR, and means Dropbox staff and, under subpoena, US authorities can in principle access contents. End-to-end encryption is only available in paid Dropbox Advanced and only since 2024.
Historically, in 2011 Dropbox had a security incident in which accounts were accessible without a password for four hours; in 2016 some 68 million credentials from a 2012 breach were published on the dark web. The security model rests on the infrastructure of a single US company.
European providers such as pCloud (Switzerland) and Koofr (Slovenia) have a legal seat in the EU or in an adequacy-decision country, optional client-side encryption (pCloud Crypto), lifetime licenses without a subscription lock-in, and transparent server locations. The switch is technically simple, as both providers support drag-and-drop import and desktop sync.
European alternatives
10 alternatives in detail
Proton Drive
Switzerland
Cloud storage with zero-knowledge architecture and EU data centers
- End-to-end encryption of all files
- Open source and audited
- Servers located in Switzerland
Free (1 GB) · Mail Plus from €3.99/mo · Unlimited from €9.99/mo
pCloud
Switzerland
Cloud storage with one-time payment and EU server locations
- Lifetime plans: pay once, use indefinitely
- Optional EU server location selectable
- Client-side encryption with pCloud Crypto
From 4.99 €/month · Lifetime 500 GB one-time 199 € · 2 TB one-time 399 €
Internxt
Spain
Decentralized cloud storage with open-source architecture
- Zero-knowledge encryption, no one but the user has access
- Open source and externally audited
- Decentralized storage architecture
Free (1 GB) · 200 GB from 4.49 €/month · 2 TB from 9.99 €/month · Lifetime plans available
kDrive
Switzerland
Swiss cloud storage with GDPR-compliant privacy and collaborative features.
- Data centres exclusively in Switzerland
- Real-time collaborative editing of office documents
- No sale of user data to third parties
Free (35 GB via kSuite) · From €4.99/month (3 TB)
Crypt.ee
Estonia
End-to-end encrypted cloud storage for documents and photos from Estonia
- Client-side encryption, no one but the user reads their data
- Even metadata (filenames, tags) is encrypted
- Documents, photos and notebooks in one tool
Free (100 MB) / from €3/mo (10 GB)
Tresorit
Hungary / Switzerland
Enterprise cloud storage with zero-knowledge encryption
- Zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption
- File sharing with password protection and expiry date
- GDPR-compliant, HIPAA-ready
Personal from 12 €/month · Business on request · 14-day free trial
Filen
Germany
End-to-end encrypted cloud storage from Germany
- End-to-end encryption, zero-knowledge
- Open source, all apps available on GitHub
- Integrated encrypted notes (Filen Notes)
Free (10 GB) · 200 GB from 1.99 €/month · 2 TB from 8.99 €/month (lifetime plans sold out since 12/2025)
Jottacloud
Norway
Platform-independent cloud storage from Norway
- Unlimited storage in the Unlimited plan
- Servers exclusively in Norway
- Automatic photo backup
Free (5 GB) · Unlimited from 11.90 €/month (annual) · Home 1 TB from 5.75 €/month (annual)
Nextcloud
Germany
Self-hosted collaboration suite with complete control
- 100% open source & self-hosted
- Full data sovereignty
- Calendar, contacts, video chat included
Free (open source, self-hosted) · Managed hosting from approx. 3 €/month via third-party providers
Koofr
Slovenia
Cloud storage from Slovenia with connections to existing clouds
- Connects Dropbox, Google Drive and OneDrive under one EU umbrella
- Servers in Slovenia and Germany, no data transfer to the US
- No advertising, no user tracking
Free (10 GB) · 25 GB from €0.50/month · 100 GB from €2/month · 1 TB from €10/month
Frequently asked questions
Can I transfer my Dropbox data easily?
What is the advantage of lifetime plans?
Which providers offer end-to-end encryption?
Are the alternatives suitable for businesses?
Are the providers GDPR compliant?
Compare more
More comparisons
Compare European alternatives to other US products
