A VPN, or virtual private network, encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a server in a location you choose. Your ISP, network operator, and the websites you visit see that server's IP address, not yours.

That single mechanism covers every VPN use case: keeping your browsing history from your internet provider, securing a connection on public Wi-Fi, accessing a company network remotely, and reducing location-based tracking.

This guide covers how VPNs work at the protocol level, what they actually hide from your ISP and from the sites you visit, and the criteria that separate a provider worth trusting from one relying on marketing copy.

The provider comparisons include NordVPN, ExpressVPN, ProtonVPN, Mullvad, and Internxt VPN, a privacy-first option that combines VPN with encrypted cloud storage.

What Is a VPN?

The name breaks down into three words that each describe something specific. "Virtual" means the private network is software-defined, not a physical dedicated line. "Private" refers to encryption: the contents of your traffic are unreadable to anyone without the decryption key. "Network" refers to the fact that you are connecting through a managed infrastructure of servers, not directly with the websites you visit.

VPNs were originally built for businesses. Employees working remotely needed a way to access internal company systems over the public internet without exposing those systems to anyone on the network between them. That use case still accounts for a large share of VPN usage today. The consumer version works on the same technical principles, with the VPN provider's server acting as the secure exit point instead of a corporate network gateway.

How Does a VPN Work?

A VPN works by creating an encrypted tunnel between your device and a server the VPN provider operates. Your traffic travels through that tunnel, exits from the server, and reaches the internet from there. The steps below explain what that process looks like at the packet level and which protocol handles it.

The encryption tunnel: what actually happens to your traffic

When you connect to a VPN, your device and the VPN server perform a handshake to establish a shared encryption key. From that point, every packet of data leaving your device is encrypted before it leaves, wrapped inside a new packet addressed to the VPN server, and sent across the public internet. When it arrives at the server, it is decrypted and forwarded to its actual destination. The response from that destination follows the same path in reverse.

This produces two practical changes. First, your traffic is unreadable in transit: anyone intercepting a packet between your device and the VPN server sees encrypted data, not content. Second, the destination server sees the VPN server's IP address as the origin of the request, not your device's address.

Reputable VPNs use AES-256 for symmetric encryption, the same standard used by financial institutions and government agencies for sensitive data. The key exchange that sets up the session uses either TLS or the Noise Protocol, depending on the protocol in use, so the shared key is never transmitted across the network in a readable form.

VPN protocols: WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 compared

The protocol determines how the encrypted tunnel is established and maintained. Different protocols make different trade-offs between speed, security, and stability across network changes.

WireGuard is the current standard for most consumer VPN use. Its codebase is roughly 4,000 lines compared to OpenVPN's 100,000+, which means less surface area for vulnerabilities and faster independent audits. It uses the Noise Protocol for key exchange and ChaCha20 for encryption, and it re-establishes connections faster than older protocols when switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data.

OpenVPN has been the privacy benchmark for over a decade. It is open-source, extensively audited, and supports both UDP and TCP transport. The trade-off is speed: it runs in user space rather than the kernel, which adds overhead and makes it noticeably slower than WireGuard on most connections. The choice between WireGuard and OpenVPN comes down to whether speed or maximum auditability is the priority for your use case.

IKEv2/IPsec is built into most mobile operating systems natively, which makes it fast to connect and reliable when switching networks. It reconnects automatically after a dropped connection. The limitation is that IKEv2 is not open-source in its most common implementations, which makes independent code audits harder.

Proprietary protocols like ExpressVPN's Lightway and NordVPN's NordLynx (built on WireGuard) are designed for speed and are backed by their respective independent audits, but their closed-source components cannot be publicly verified the same way WireGuard or OpenVPN can.

What Is a VPN Used For?

Five use cases account for most consumer VPN usage. Some involve genuine security benefits; others are more about convenience. Knowing which category your situation falls into helps you decide how much to spend and which provider fits.

Protecting traffic on public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi networks in airports, hotels, and cafes are unsecured by default, meaning anyone on the same network can potentially intercept unencrypted traffic. A VPN encrypts everything leaving your device before it reaches the router, so even if someone intercepts a packet, they see only ciphertext.

This is the clearest security case for a VPN: the threat is well-documented, the protection is direct, and any reputable paid provider covers it. If you primarily use a browser on public networks, a VPN browser extension is a lightweight alternative to a full desktop app, though a full client offers broader coverage across all apps on the device.

Keeping your browsing history from your ISP

Without a VPN, your ISPcan see every domain you visit, how long you spend there, and when. In many countries they are legally permitted to store and sell that data to advertisers, or hand it to authorities without a warrant. A VPN routes your traffic through its own server first, so your ISP sees only that you connected to the VPN and nothing beyond it.

The trade-off is that your VPN provider now occupies the position your ISP previously held, which is exactly why no-logs audits exist and why the audit record of the provider you choose matters more than their marketing copy.

Remote work and accessing company networks

Corporate VPNs create a private tunnel from an employee's device into a company's internal network, making a remote connection behave as if the device were physically inside the office. This was the original purpose of VPN technology.

Consumer VPNs work on the same technical principles, though they connect to the provider's servers rather than a private corporate gateway. For employees using a company-issued VPN client, setup is managed by IT. For freelancers, contractors, or teams in regulated industries such as healthcare, legal, or finance, a provider with documented audit credentials and GDPR compliance offers a more auditable record than one whose infrastructure has not been independently reviewed.

Avoiding geographic restrictions

Websites and streaming services use IP addresses to determine a visitor's location and restrict content accordingly. A VPN replaces your visible IP address with the server's, so connecting through a server in another country makes you appear to be located there.

Note that streaming platforms actively detect and block known VPN server addresses, and success rates vary by provider and by server. Whether a given VPN reliably unblocks a specific service depends entirely on the provider. Check their official documentation for confirmed support rather than assuming it works.

Reducing targeted advertising based on your location

Advertisers use IP addresses as one signal among many to build location profiles and serve targeted ads. A VPN changes your visible IP address, which disrupts that signal, but it does not block all tracking.

For more complete protection against ad tracking, a VPN works alongside a privacy-focused browser and a DNS-level ad blocker rather than as a standalone solution.

What Does a VPN Actually Hide?

A VPN changes who can see your traffic, not whether your traffic can be seen at all.

What your ISP can and cannot see

With a VPN active, your ISP can see that you connected to a VPN server, the IP address of that server, the volume of data transferred, and the timing of that connection. What they cannot see is anything beyond the VPN server: the domains you visited, the content of pages you loaded, your search queries, or anything you sent or received. From the ISP's perspective, all your internet activity collapses into a single encrypted connection to one address.

This matters for anyone whose ISP operates under laws that permit traffic logging, data sales to advertisers, or disclosure to authorities without a warrant. It does not change what the websites you visit can see on their end.

What the website you're visiting can see

The website you visit sees the IP address of the VPN server, not your real one. Everything else remains visible: your browser type, operating system, screen resolution, installed fonts, and any other signals that contribute to a browser fingerprint. If you are logged into an account, the site knows exactly who you are regardless of which IP address the connection came from. Cookies set before you turned on the VPN persist after you turn it on.

A VPN changes your IP address. It does not change your browser identity, your account sessions, or your behaviour on the site. Using a VPN as an anonymity tool on sites where you have an active account does not work. Those two things cannot coexist. A VPN is one layer of hiding your IP address, not a complete identity shield.

Types of VPN

Not all VPNs serve the same purpose. The three main categories differ in who operates them and what they are protecting.

Personal VPNs are the consumer product most people mean when they say "VPN." You install an app, connect to a server the provider operates, and your traffic exits from there. The provider is responsible for the infrastructure, the no-logs policy, and the audit.

Remote access VPNs connect an individual device to a private corporate network. Most companies issue these to employees who work remotely. The traffic exits onto the company network rather than the public internet, and the company's IT team controls the configuration.

Site-to-site VPNs connect two entire networks rather than one device to a network, typically linking offices in different locations so they operate as a single internal network. This category is outside the scope of what consumer VPN services provide.

The rest of this article covers personal VPNs.

How to Choose a VPN

Key points:

• Jurisdiction affects legal exposure, but architecture determines what data actually exists to disclose
• Open-source clients allow independent code review; closed-source clients require trust
• Protocol support determines speed, security, and auditability trade-offs
• Price differences are large enough to matter, but the cheapest option is rarely the most transparent

Where is the provider based and what does that mean?

A VPN provider is subject to the laws of the country they operate in. The Five Eyes (US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand), Nine Eyes, and Fourteen Eyes are intelligence-sharing treaties that create legal frameworks for cross-border data requests. Providers based in treaty member countries can be compelled to cooperate with requests from any member government.

Switzerland sits outside all three treaties and requires a local court order for data disclosure. Panama and the British Virgin Islands have no data retention laws. Spain is a Fourteen Eyes member but is bound by GDPR, which places strict data minimisation obligations on any service operating there.

Jurisdiction matters less when the provider's architecture makes retention impossible regardless. It matters most when two providers have equivalent privacy design and you are choosing between them on legal exposure alone.

What does the provider actually store by design?

Every major VPN claims a no-logs policy. The more precise question is what their architecture makes technically possible to retain, not what their policy says they choose not to.

A log-minimisation policy means the provider could retain data but chooses not to. A zero-knowledge architecture means the service is built so that connection metadata is not collected in a form the provider can reconstruct or disclose. The latter is a structural constraint rather than a policy decision. Providers that implement zero-knowledge design at the VPN level offer a different level of assurance than providers who simply promise not to look.

ProtonVPN is built on zero-knowledge principles and has been independently audited by Securitum annually since 2022. Internxt VPN states a no-logs policy and publishes open-source clients, but its VPN architecture has not been independently audited at the time of writing. Mullvad goes further operationally: it requires no email address at signup and accepts cash payment, minimising the personal information the provider holds from the start.

Can you read the code yourself?

An open-source VPN client means the code running on your device is publicly available for independent review. Anyone can inspect how encryption is implemented, what data the app transmits, and whether the client behaves consistently with the provider's stated policy. Closed-source clients require trust in the provider's word.

Open-source code is not the same as a completed independent audit, but it is the condition that makes a meaningful audit possible at all.

What does the plan actually include?

VPN plans vary on server coverage, simultaneous device limits, bundled tools, and whether the VPN is sold as a standalone product or included with other services.

Internxt VPN is included in all paid Internxt plans (Essential 1TB, Premium 3TB, and Ultimate 5TB) rather than sold as a standalone product. It is the only provider in this table that bundles VPN with secure cloud storage under a single plan.

VPN Limitations: What a VPN Does Not Do

A VPN has one function. It encrypts the connection between your device and a server and replaces your IP address at the destination. Everything outside that scope is not covered, and several common assumptions about what a VPN protects against are incorrect.

A VPN does not make you anonymous. Anonymity requires that no party in the chain can connect your activity to your identity. A VPN removes your ISP from that chain but replaces them with the VPN provider. If the provider keeps logs, or if you use the VPN while logged into accounts, your identity is not hidden. Reducing who can see your traffic is not the same as removing the ability to identify you.

A VPN does not protect against malware. If you download malicious software, a VPN does nothing to prevent it executing on your device or transmitting data from it. Encrypted malware traffic is still malware traffic. A VPN encrypts the path to the server, it has no visibility into what is running locally on your device.

A VPN does not stop tracking via cookies, fingerprinting, or logged-in accounts. Websites identify users through browser fingerprints, persistent cookies, and account sessions regardless of which IP address the connection comes from. Advertising networks that use cross-site tracking do not rely on IP addresses alone. Changing your IP address disrupts one signal out of many.

A VPN will reduce your connection speed. Every VPN adds latency because your traffic is encrypted, routed through an additional server, and decrypted before it reaches its destination. The impact depends on protocol (WireGuard introduces less overhead than OpenVPN), server distance, and current server load. For most browsing the difference is small. For latency-sensitive use cases like competitive gaming or real-time video calls, it can be noticeable enough to matter.

A VPN does not protect against phishing. A fraudulent site designed to look like your bank is equally dangerous with or without a VPN active. The VPN encrypts the connection to the site; it does not evaluate whether the site itself is legitimate.

A VPN is only as trustworthy as its provider. If a provider retains logs regardless of their stated policy, or their infrastructure is compromised, the protection fails at the source. Open-source clients and independent audits are the structural response to this concern. ProtonVPN and Mullvad have both completed audits by named security firms. Internxt VPN publishes open-source clients on GitHub, which means anyone can inspect what data the app transmits and how encryption is implemented. The code is readable regardless of whether a formal audit has been completed.

On the question of whether to keep a VPN on all the time: there is no security downside to leaving it running continuously, but the speed reduction is constant when you do. A reasonable approach is to keep it active on untrusted networks (public Wi-Fi, shared connections) and turn it off on trusted home networks when the latency overhead is not worth the marginal privacy gain. That decision depends on your threat model, not on a general rule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a VPN hide your IP address?

Yes, a VPN replaces your visible IP address with the IP address of the VPN server you connect through. Websites, advertisers, and network observers see the server's location and address, not your device's.

Can my internet provider see what I do when I use a VPN?

With a VPN active, your ISP can see that you connected to a VPN server but cannot see the websites you visit or the content of your traffic. Everything beyond the VPN server is encrypted and invisible to your internet provider.

Should I use a VPN?

A VPN is worth using if you regularly connect to public Wi-Fi, want to keep your browsing history from your ISP, or work remotely with access to sensitive systems. If your main goal is accessing content from another region, check whether the specific provider supports that service before subscribing, as not all VPNs reliably unblock streaming platforms.

Can a VPN provider be forced to hand over my data?

A provider operating in a jurisdiction that receives a valid legal request may be compelled to cooperate. A provider with a no-logs architecture has nothing to hand over regardless. Internxt VPN states that no browsing logs or connection metadata are retained, and operates under GDPR, which places strict data minimisation obligations on what can be collected in the first place.

What is a VPN kill switch?

A kill switch automatically cuts your internet connection if the VPN drops, preventing your real IP address and unencrypted traffic from being exposed during the disconnection gap. It matters most on untrusted networks where a brief VPN failure without a kill switch would expose your activity to whoever is monitoring that network.

Is it safe to use a VPN based in a Fourteen Eyes country?

Fourteen Eyes membership means a government can legally request data from services operating in that country. A provider with a strict no-logs policy has nothing material to hand over. Internxt VPN operates under Spanish law and GDPR, both of which impose data minimisation obligations, and states that no browsing logs or connection metadata are retained.

What devices can I use Internxt VPN on?

Internxt VPN works as a Chrome extension and can be used on Windows and macOS desktop devices. There is no standalone mobile app, so it does not cover iOS or Android devices.

Which countries can I connect to with Internxt VPN?

Internxt VPN covers up to five server countries, but access is plan-gated. Free and Essential plans include France only. Premium plans add Germany, Poland, and Canada. The Ultimate plan includes all five: France, Germany, Poland, Canada, and the UK. If you need servers outside these locations, a provider with a larger network is a better fit.

Is Internxt VPN free?

Internxt VPN is available as a free Chrome extension with access to one server country (France). Paid Internxt plans unlock additional countries and unlimited speeds.

Making the right call

The VPN industry has a trust problem. Dozens of providers sell privacy without being able to prove it, and most people never check. The difference between a provider worth paying for and one that is not usually comes down to two things: whether an independent firm has verified the no-logs claim, and whether the client code is readable by anyone who wants to look. Those two filters cut the market down considerably.

What is left is a short list of providers with different trade-offs. Internxt VPN sits among them — open-source, GDPR-based, bundled with encrypted cloud storage, and honest about where it currently stands on independent verification. For a product still building its audit record, that transparency is itself a signal worth noting.

Degoo is a risky cloud storage if you want to store important files in the cloud, with many users reporting files being deleted from their accounts without reason.

This, on top of an ad-based free plan, means Degoo isn't the best cloud storage for privacy, and this article will explain why by covering the following topics:

• Is Degoo safe?
• Security, privacy, encryption
• Free cloud storage
• Pricing and features
• Best Degoo alternative

Table of contents

• Is Degoo free?
• Degoo pricing
• Internxt vs Degoo lifetime cloud storage
• Is Degoo safe for personal files?
• Is Degoo private?
• What is the best alternative to Degoo?
• Related articles
• Frequently asked questions

Is Degoo free?

Yes, Degoo offers 100 GB of free storage with some restrictions and requirements attached to a free account.

If you sign up for a free account, you must be aware of the following:

• Account activity: You must log in to your account at least once every 90 days; your account will be deleted, and your files will be lost unless you store additional backups in the cloud.
• Ads: Free plans will have ads enabled and appearing in their accounts.
• Device limits: With a free account, you can only connect a maximum of three devices
• Upload limit: File uploads are restricted to a maximum of 512 MB
• No zero-knowledge encryption: Your files may be viewed by Degoo and deleted if they suspect a violation of its terms and conditions

Internxt vs Degoo free storage: Internxt offers 1 GB of free cloud storage, but without any restrictions on the number of devices, file uploads, and Internxt will not delete your account due to inactivity.

If you want free cloud storage with zero-knowledge encryption as an extra backup option for your files, you can try Internxt for free by signing up via the website.

How to get more Degoo storage

Degoo offers the chance to add more free cloud storage to your account; it has the same restrictions, but if you run out of storage on its free plan, you can earn up to 5 GB for each referral, with the chance to get up to 500 GB of free storage.

Internxt vs Degoo referral: Although Internxt doesn’t offer the chance to get more free storage, if you have a paid plan, you can refer friends to Internxt. With your unique referral link, they get 85% off, and you can earn up to €100 per referral, paid directly into your PayPal account.

Degoo pricing

Degoo offers monthly and annual plans for 500 GB and 5 TB plans at the following prices.

Pro

The pro plan offers 500 GB of cloud storage at a cost of €2.99/month or €29/year, which includes:

• 10 devices
• Access to the web app
• 20 GB referral bonus
• 100% encrypted communication
• Files stored forever
• Enhanced storage replication
• No ads
• Zero-knowledge encryption

Ultimate

The Ultimate plan is Degoo’s highest paid plan, offering 5 TB of storage for $9.99/ month or $99.99 a year, and includes:

• Unlimited devices
• Access to the web app
• 20 GB referral bonus
• 100% encrypted communication
• Files stored forever
• Enhanced storage replication
• No ads
• Zero-knowledge encryption
• Photo storage maximizer

Does Degoo offer lifetime plans?

Yes, Degoo offers 5 TB lifetime storage on its website, costing $99.99, so if you prefer a one-time payment cloud storage plan and avoid annual or monthly renewal costs, lifetime cloud storage plans like Degoo’s may be of interest to you.

Internxt vs Degoo lifetime cloud storage

Internxt also offers lifetime cloud storage accounts, but the biggest difference and advantage over Degoo, Dropbox, and other cloud companies is Internxt’s emphasis on and value of online privacy.

Whereas Degoo only offers basic cloud storage features, Internxt goes beyond by offering a full privacy product suite, so you no longer need to rely on major corporations to store your files.

Instead, you can switch to an Internxt lifetime plan to get up to 5TB of storage (with the option to add more storage if your cloud storage is full) and get access to the following features, depending on whether you choose an Essential, Premium, or Ultimate plan.

Internxt also offers lifetime storage via Stacksocial of up to 100TB.

Although this doesn't offer all the additional features offered on the Internxt website, it offers more lifetime storage, and you can always upgrade your plan to get the extra features.

Is Degoo safe for personal files?

Degoo offers AES-256 end-to-end encryption, the industry standard encryption for files. For paid plans, there is the option to enable zero-knowledge encryption.

However, if you’re wondering is Degoo safe for your account, personal information, or sensitive files, there are some important points to keep in mind.

• No independent security audit: Degoo’s security and how it handles your account have not been independently audited, so you have to trust Degoo when it says it keeps your files secure.
• Not open source: As well as not being audited, Degoo’s source code is kept hidden, meaning there is no way to verify that your encrypted files are safe, your passwords are hidden, or if there are vulnerabilities in Degoo's platform or potential backdoors that could give Degoo access to your data.
• No two-factor authentication: Another major concern for Degoo is that it doesn’t offer two-factor authentication, a vital feature for protecting your accounts. Without it, your passwords and accounts are much more vulnerable to hackers, dictionary attacks, and unauthorized access to your cloud storage.

Internxt vs Degoo safety

Internxt is the first encrypted cloud storage service with post-quantum and zero-knowledge encryption, ensuring that only you can access your files.

Although Degoo now offers zero-knowledge encryption, it is only available for paid accounts, and while it offers a generous amount of free storage, there is the risk that Degoo could delete your files without notice.

Internxt is also fully open source, so its platform and products, such as VPN, Mail, and Meet, can be independently verified to ensure there are no security vulnerabilities and no unauthorized means to access your data.

To ensure Internxt gives you the best security and privacy for your cloud storage, it has also been successfully independently audited twice by Securitum, which has also audited companies like Proton.

Internxt vs Degoo safety summary

Is Degoo private?

Outside of the paid zero-knowledge encryption, Degoo was founded in Sweden, so it follows GDPR standards when handling your data, which includes:

• Collecting only the data necessary for specific, legitimate purposes
• Allowing you to access, correct, or delete your personal data
• Storing data only for as long as necessary
• Protecting your data with appropriate security measures
• Notifying you in case of a data breach when required
• Not sharing your data without a valid legal basis
• Allowing you to object to or restrict certain types of processing

Outside of this, however, Degoo’s data centers are in the US, meaning:

• Your data can be stored or processed in the US
• US laws can apply, including things like government access requests
• This includes laws such as the CLOUD Act, which allows US authorities to request data from companies under US jurisdiction

With the free plan, Degoo uses ads on its platform, which can negatively impact your privacy in the following ways:

• Tracking behavior: Ads track how you use the app (what you click, upload patterns, usage time, device data).
• User profiling: This profiling of your data can be used to show targeted ads in your profile
• Use of identifiers: Ads often rely on things like cookies, device IDs, and IP addresses to recognize you across sessions.Data sharing: Third parties (advertising partners, analytics providers), meaning your data leaves Degoo’s direct control and increases the risk of a data breach.

Internxt vs Degoo privacy

Internxt is based in Valencia, Spain, and your data is protected by GDPR and is stored in multiple European data centers.

Internxt also doesn’t collect or share your data with third parties, and offers a free, secure VPN, for maximum protection against data breaches, with premium versions also available.

Internxt vs Degoo privacy summary

What is the best alternative to Degoo?

Internxt is the best alternative to Degoo as it offers full zero-knowledge and post-quantum encryption, combined with Antivirus, VPN, Meet, Mail, Photos, and more.

With an Internxt annual or lifetime plan, you get everything you need to get encrypted cloud storage and the best products to protect your privacy online.

On top of that, Internxt offers peace of mind that your files are safe, as nobody can view your files, so there is no risk of deletion or handing files to authorities. And with GDPR and multiple compliance and security audits, Internxt is a trustworthy and secure cloud storage solution for your data and files.

You can get the best price on all Internxt plans, with 85% off, by following the link below and starting your journey to full online privacy.

Internxt vs Degoo summary

Below you can find a summary of all the benefits of Internxt vs Degoo, helping you decide which solution is best for you and discover is Degoo safe for your files.

Related articles

• Alternative to Degoo
• Cloud storage with zero-knowledge encryption
• Best cloud storage

Frequently asked questions

Is Degoo safe?

Degoo can be partially safe for basic storage, but not fully reliable for important or sensitive data. It uses large cloud providers and standard security practices, but accounts can be suspended, and service guarantees are weak, meaning you can lose access unexpectedly.

Degoo does not include 2FA for its accounts, greatly increasing the risk of your account being targeted by hackers.

What encryption does Degoo use?

Degoo uses AES-256 encryption for stored files and TLS/SSL for data transfer. It also offers an optional “Top Secret” mode with zero-knowledge encryption, where only the user’s passphrase can decrypt files, and Degoo itself cannot access those files.

Can Degoo access my files?

Yes, in most normal cases. For standard storage, Degoo manages encryption keys and can technically access or process your data for service operation, policy enforcement, or legal compliance.

In “Top Secret” zero-knowledge mode, they cannot access the contents of your files, but you lose password recovery if you forget your key

Does Degoo use ads?

Yes, the free version includes ads. Ads are used to support the free storage model.

Can you lose your data on Degoo?

Yes, users have reported account terminations or access loss, and the terms of service limit Degoo’s liability for data loss.

If you need a cloud storage system for backing up multiple computers, IDrive is a popular option due to its backup features, flexibility, and price.

Throughout this article, we will cover IDrive’s product, including:

• Features
• Pricing
• Enterprise cloud storage
• Is IDrive safe
• Alternatives to IDrive

By the end of the article, you will have all the information you need about IDrive cloud, and whether it is the right cloud service to meet your needs.

Table of contents

• What is IDrive?
• Features and pricing
• Is IDrive safe?
• Is IDrive secure?
• Is IDrive private?
• Alternative to IDrive
• Related articles
• Frequently asked questions

What is IDrive?

iDrive is a cloud storage and backup service that provides solutions for individuals, small businesses, and enterprises.

iDrive doesn’t necessarily offer traditional cloud storage; instead, it focuses on subscriptions that offer continuous or scheduled backups, remote access to stored files, file sharing with others, synchronization between devices, and versioning, which allows users to restore previous versions of files.

Features and pricing

Device backups

IDrive offers backups for PCs, Macs, Linux, and mobile. If you have data stored on physical hard drives or SSDs, these can also be backed up to your IDrive account.

IDrive also offers automated backups for your accounts if you have a subscription for any of the following cloud services:

• Microsoft Office 365: automated backups for Office 365 personal and business accounts.
• Google Workspace: 3 daily automated backups and direct cloud recoveries for Google Workspace accounts to protect against accidental deletion or ransomware.
• Dropbox: Automated backups for personal or business Dropbox accounts.
• Box: Automated backups, granular or full-service recovery, and snapshot restores for your Box account.

Cloud Drive

Another separate feature of IDrive is a dedicated cloud platform to sync, backup, and edit Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files.

It also offers file sharing with the option to edit the access rights, and even prevent access whenever necessary.

IDrive Office

IDrive Office is included with IDrive’s Cloud Drive, which allows you to work with Microsoft Office‑format files directly in the cloud.

Once edits are made, the browser automatically saves back to Cloud Drive, so your files stay up to date and accessible from any device connected to your account. The feature supports common Office file formats like .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx, and lets you preview files before editing or sharing them.

IDrive BMR

IDrive BMR (Bare-metal Disaster Recovery) offers ransomware protection for businesses by creating full image backups of computers, servers, and virtual machines to a local BMR device.

Should something go wrong with your files, you can restore files or even whole systems from the backup device. This process is managed via the IDrive web interface, where you can schedule, monitor, or recover your backups.

360 enterprise backup

IDrive 360 is an enterprise backup solution for businesses and managed service providers that protects computers, servers, virtual machines, and cloud applications.

The platform provides centralized management through web-based backup and management consoles, where administrators can configure backup plans, monitor devices, manage user access, and deploy the software at scale using tools like GPO, Intune, Jamf, or NinjaOne.

It also offers immutable backups to prevent accidental changes to backed-up files to help businesses and enterprises meet compliance requirements.

IDrive pricing

IDrive currently offers 3 subscription plans: monthly, annually, and biannually, which are broken down into 5 tiers and a free plan of 10Gb.

IDrive pricing plans are broken down into the following payment plans:

Basic

• Free 10GB storage

IDrive personal

• 5TB, $11.99/month/one user/multiple computers
• 10TB, $17.99/month/one user/multiple computers
• 20TB, $29.99/month/one user/multiple computers
• 50TB, $59.99/month/one user/multiple computers
• 100TB, $119.99/month/one user/multiple computers

IDrive Team

• 5TB, $6.99/month/5 users/5 computers
• 10TB, $13.99/month/10 users/10 computers
• 25TB, $34.99/month/25 users/25 computers
• 30TB, $71.99/month/30 users/30 computers
• 35TB, $84.99/month/35 users/35 computers
• 40TB, $95.99/month/40 users/40 computers

IDrive business

• 1.25TB, $59.99/month/ Unlimited users, multiple computers and servers, Exchange/ SQL / NAS devices
• 2.5TB, $95.99/month/ Unlimited users, multiple computers and servers, Exchange/ SQL / NAS devices
• 5TB, $179.99/month/ Unlimited users, multiple computers and servers, Exchange/ SQL / NAS devices
• 12.5TB, $359.99/month/ Unlimited users, multiple computers and servers, Exchange/ SQL / NAS devices
• 25TB, $707.99/month/ Unlimited users, multiple computers and servers, Exchange/ SQL / NAS devices
• 50TB, $1391.99/month/ Unlimited users, multiple computers and servers, Exchange/ SQL / NAS devices

IDrive vs Internxt pricing

Internxt offers annual or lifetime plans, with no restrictions on the number of devices you can access your account from.

If we compare an Internxt Ultimate annual plan of €72, compared to IDrive’s 5TB plan of €143.88, by choosing Internxt, you could save 50% by choosing Internxt and get access to:

• VPN
• Antivirus
• Secure file sharing and collaboration
• Zero-knowledge and post-quantum encryption
• File versioning
• NAS, Rclone, WebDAV support
• Cleaner
• Meet
• Mail
• Photos

You can also avoid the cost of subscriptions completely by choosing a lifetime account.

To get an exclusive 85% discount on any plan, visit the link below to find out more about Internxt vs IDrive, and choose the perfect plan for you.

When to choose Internxt: If you want lifetime storage or more affordable annual plans with zero-knowledge and post-quantum encryption, and a full privacy product suite to protect your data online

When to choose IDrive: If you need enterprise or unlimited storage for multiple users, and immutable backups.

Is IDrive safe?

Yes, IDrive is safe as it takes numerous measures to protect your data in the cloud, including:

• File versioning keeps multiple past copies of your files. If a file gets corrupted, overwritten, or changed by mistake, you can go back to an earlier version instead of losing it.
• Snapshots of your data at specific points in time, as they cannot be changed later, they can’t be damaged or deleted, meaning you have a reliable copy of your data to recover.
• Trash recovery for deleted backups so you can recover files when necessary after a certain period.
• Automatic and incremental backups, meaning it regularly saves changes to files without the need to perform a full backup every time.

All these features ensure your data is kept safe and accessible, significantly reducing the risk of data loss.

Internxt vs IDrive safety

Internxt offers file versioning, backups, and password-protected file sharing to keep your data safe. It also stores files across multiple data centers for increased redundancy and data protection.

Any files deleted from the cloud are also kept in the trash and can be recovered in case you need to reassess accidentally deleted files.

Is IDrive secure?

When considering your cloud storage options, safety and security are similar, but both serve different needs to protect your files. As we mentioned previously, safety measures ensure your files can’t be lost and can be recovered.

Security, on the other hand, protects your data from unauthorized access or cyberattacks. For IDrive, they have the following security features:

• IDrive encrypts your files during transfer and while stored on IDrive’s servers with 256-bit AES encryption, which is an industry-standard method for protecting information.
• Data is transmitted over secure, encrypted connections such as HTTPS or TLS, protecting it from interception while being uploaded or downloaded.
• Access controls and authentication, such as permission-based access, account authentication, and logging of access activity for tracking and auditing, to prevent unauthorized access to accounts or confidential files.
• GDPR and SOC 2 type 2 compliance to meet European data protection standards and international data transfer standards.

Internxt vs IDrive security

Internxt is based in Europe, so your data security is regulated by the GDPR to ensure you have maximum control over your personal data.

It also uses AES-256 combined with Kyber 512 post-quantum encryption that encrypts files directly on your device, keeping your files secure from hackers and cyberattacks. Thanks to this advanced security, nobody but you can view your files.

Unlike IDrive, Internxt is fully open source, so the security of its platform can be constantly evaluated and verified by security experts to ensure no security flaws or backdoors to your personal data.

All Internxt plans include HIPAA, SOC 2, and ISO 27001 compliance, ensuring it follows current security protocols and data protection for all enterprise and business types.

Is IDrive private?

Combined with security and safety, IDrive’s privacy features focus on giving you control over your data and ensuring that only you can decide how it is accessed and used.

• You can create a private encryption key that only you know, so no one else, including IDrive, can read your files. The company cannot use your data for its own purposes, and you remain the sole owner of all information stored.
• Only authorized personnel can handle data for support or maintenance, and their access is monitored and limited to what is necessary.
• Immutable backups ensured files are not changed or deleted without the necessary access permissions.
• IDrive allows you to control access to and the sharing of your files. You can generate private links to share files with others and set permissions such as view-only access or expiration dates, so shared data is only accessible to parties that are strictly necessary.

Internxt vs IDrive privacy

Internxt offers full zero-knowledge encryption as the default for all plans, without the need to set this up yourself, and without the risk of anybody but you accessing your files.

It also includes encrypted backups to protect your files from data loss or ransomware, to ensure you can always recover your files whenever necessary. Internxt also allows you to control the privacy of your shared files with password protection and access logs for business plans.

With Internxt’s mission for greater online privacy, all paid plans include many features to ensure maximum privacy outside of your cloud storage plan.

The full features can be found below, and you can get 85% off all plans by checking out our best cloud storage prices on our website.

Alternative to IDrive

For the best alternative to IDrive at an affordable cost with a full product suite to help you switch from Big Tech Companies such as Google Drive or Dropbox, Internxt Drive is the best choice.

Internxt goes beyond cloud storage, offering advanced products such as Internxt Meet, Mail, and VPN to ensure your data and privacy have the best protection from data breaches possible.

It also offers Internxt S3 object storage, which offers affordable pay-as-you-go pricing at just €7/TB/month with no data transfer fees, making it the perfect option for large businesses or enterprises.

IDrive vs Internxt Overview

Related articles

• IDrive review
• Alternatives to IDrive
• About S3 object storage
• Is Degoo safe?

Frequently asked questions

Is IDrive safe?

Yes, IDrive is safe as it offers backup, file versioning, encryption, and other security protocols to secure your files and data.

Is IDrive open source?

No, IDrive is not open source, so any potential security or safety vulnerabilities cannot be viewed by external experts, and its platform cannot be fully verified as secure. However, IDrive is ISO and SOC 2 compliant as part of a security audit.

Does IDrive use zero-knowledge encryption?

IDrive does not include zero-knowledge encryption as the default encryption for plans, so it could potentially view your plans unless you set up zero-knowledge encryption.

What is the best IDrive alternative?

Internxt is the best IDrive alternative with post-quantum and zero-knowledge encryption, S3 plans, and a wide range of privacy products and tools to give you maximum security and protection online.

For those looking for Unlimited storage, there are a few options available, and one of the most popular ones is Sync.com.

However, before making your decision to trust a cloud storage with your personal or business files, you should ask yourself about the security, safety, and privacy of the platform.

For this, we can help make your decision easier by exploring Sync.com and covering the following topics:

• Is Cloud Sync safe?
• Pricing and features
• Security and privacy
• Best sync alternative

Table of contents

• About Sync cloud storage
• Is Sync Cloud secure?
• Is Sync Cloud private?
• Is Sync Cloud safe?
• What is the best alternative to Sync?
• Which alternative to Sync should you choose?
• Related articles
• Frequently asked questions

About Sync cloud storage

Sync cloud storage is based in Canada and has been in the cloud storage market since 2011.

The company provides online storage for individuals and businesses to securely save, access, and share their files across multiple devices.

Like Internxt, Sync focuses on privacy and security, using end-to-end and zero-knowledge encryption so that only the user can access their data, making it different from big tech companies like Google or Dropbox, who can access your files.

Sync offers personal file storage, while businesses rely on it for collaboration, document sharing, and protecting sensitive information.

Before we cover the topic of is cloud sync safe, we will look at what free and paid storage plans it offers.

Is Sync.com free?

Yes, you can use sync for free. When you sign up, you get 5GB of free cloud storage, which comes with certain features and restrictions.

With a free plan, you get access to:

• 5GB storage
• End-to-end encryption
• 5GB data transfer per month
• File versioning (30 days)
• File syncing and backups
• Password-protected file sharing

For more features, you can upgrade to a monthly or annual account. More details on these paid plans can be found below.

Features and pricing

Sync cloud storage breaks down its pricing into individual and business plans, each with different storage and features depending on your needs.

For Individuals

Personal:

1TB, $16/month or $144/year

Top features:

• End-to-end encrypted storage
• 1TB basic sharing
• 60-day file recovery

Pro Solo:

5TB: $32/month or $540/year

Top features:

• Unlimited storage
• Unlimited sharing
• 365-Day file recovery
• Custom branding
• Phone support
• Admin delegation

Pro Solo Unlimited

Unlimited storage - contact sales for pricing.

• Minimum 100 users
• Custom requirements
• Account manager
• Training options

Sync also offers a free trial for personal use.

This includes all the features of a free plan, but with 150GB of storage that you can try for free for 30 days and $4/month thereafter.

For teams

Pro Teams Standard

1TB: $8/month or $216/year

Top features:

• 1 TB secure storage
• 1 TB sharing
• 180-Day file recovery
• Administrator account

Pro Teams+ Unlimited

Unlimited storage: $18/month or $540/year

Enterprise

Unlimited storage - contact sales for pricing.

Top features:

• Minimum 100 users
• Custom requirements
• Account manager
• Training options

Is Sync Cloud secure?

Sync Cloud has security features included in its free plan to ensure your account is protected. It also includes other security features for paid plans, should you need extra security for your team or personal files.

However, Sync is not open source. This is a major drawback for users who care about security and privacy, as Sync’s platform cannot be verified for its security, so you have to trust the company that it protects your data.

Free security features

• Zero-knowledge encryption: Sync cannot access your files, as everything is encrypted on your device. This differs from other companies, such as Google Drive, and other companies like Icedrive or pCloud, where zero-knowledge encryption is a paid feature.
• Two-factor authentication: 2FA reduces the risk of your account being breached if your password has leaked online or someone attempts to hack your account.
• Password-protected sharing: Shared links can be locked with a password so only approved users can access them. However, there are restrictions on the number of downloads and transfers.
• Remote device and session control: Log out devices or sessions if you suspect someone else has access.

Paid features

• Extended file versioning and recovery: Increases the recovery window of changed files to several months, giving stronger protection against accidental changes or deletion.
• Account rewind: Allows you to restore your entire account to an earlier state after incidents like ransomware or accidental deletion.
• Administrative controls for teams: Enable role-based access and user management to control who can access what to avoid unauthorized access to sensitive files.
• Compliance support: Sync is based in Canada, so it mostly follows Canadian regulations, but if you’re from Europe, then GDPR regulations apply. Sync also has SOC and HIPAA compliance, with the latter being a paid feature.

Advantages:

• Free zero-knowledge encryption
• Includes basic security for free plans

Disadvantages:

• Advanced security features are locked behind a paid plan.
• Security features are limited to cloud storage only.
• Cannot verify security claims, as Sync is not open source.

Internxt vs Sync security

With Internxt, you get zero-knowledge encryption for all plans, but the added security of Internxt’s encryption is that it includes post-quantum encryption.

This advanced encryption is the best and most secure encryption available, as it future-proofs your files against future cybersecurity threats, which could break current encryption protocols.

Internxt is also fully open source and has been independently security audited to ensure maximum transparency and trust in the platform’s security.

The NIST recommends that companies switch to PQE by 2035, so by choosing Internxt, you get the best, most secure, and private encryption available.

Other security features include:

• 2FA: Add more security to your accounts.
• Password-protected file sharing: share and encrypt files securely.
• Password backup key: Ensure you can access your accounts in case you forget your password.
• GDPR, HIPAA, and SOC 2 compliance: security and data protection for all data types and businesses.

Extra features:

• Antivirus: Protect your device from malware
• VPN: Encrypt and secure your internet connection
• File versioning: Restore files to previous versions to protect against data loss
• Cleaner: Delete duplicate and junk files to increase device performance
• Meet: Host encrypted and private video calls
• Mail: Send private and encrypted emails
• Photos: Automatic syncing and photo backups

Who wins? Internxt has more secure encryption and a more advanced product suite designed to protect all aspects of your online privacy outside of cloud storage.

Internxt has also been independently audited twice by Securitum to verify the security of its platform and ensure your data has the updated security protocols necessary to protect your data.

Is Sync Cloud private?

In terms of privacy, Sync has the following features to protect your privacy online

• Minimal data collection: Sync collects only what is required for account creation and service operation, not extra personal data.
• No user profiling: Sync does not track your activity for advertising or analytics purposes.
• Anonymous account metadata: File names, folder structures, and other metadata are encrypted or handled in ways that reduce personal identification.

Internxt vs Sync privacy

Internxt’s mission for increased online privacy is reflected in its product suite, encryption, and how it handles your data.

• Internxt protects your data with GDPR compliance, and only collects the necessary data to create your account, and does not monitor or track your data.
• All data is encrypted on your device, meaning nobody except you can view your files.

Internxt also includes several free tools dedicated to increasing your online privacy, which include:

• Temporary email: Protect your personal email from unwanted spam.
• Password generator and checker: Ensure your passwords are strong and protected from hackers.
• Dark Web Monitor: Check if your personal information has leaked online.
• Metadata remover: Delete hidden information from files, such as author names, editing history, location data, and other embedded details that could reveal personal or sensitive information.

Who wins? Internxt and Sync both have the same values of privacy for your files, with limited data collection. Internxt takes the edge as it offers more free tools to give you extra privacy online.

Is Sync Cloud safe?

If you’re wondering is Cloud Sync safe for your personal files, Sync includes the following safety features to protect your accounts, data, and cloud storage.

• Anti‑brute‑force protections: Sync monitors login attempts and limits repeated failures to prevent automated tools from guessing passwords.
• Account lockout and recovery safeguards: Unusual activity may trigger additional verification steps or limit access until identity is confirmed, helping prevent account takeover.
• Shared link safety controls: Shared links can be revoked or disabled at any time to cut access if a link was shared incorrectly or compromised.

Internxt vs Sync safety

For your account safety, Internxt follows the following safety measures:

• Device protection and optimization: Malware protection and Cleaner ensure your device is protected from cyberattacks and phishing attempts, and keep your device clean from junk or duplicate files.
• Accidental deletion protection: File recovery and version history allow restoring earlier versions or recovering deleted items within the configured window.
• Shared link safety controls: Shared links can be revoked or disabled at any time to cut access if a link was shared incorrectly or compromised.
• Advanced session management: real-time login notifications and detailed remote session monitoring (client, OS, IP, location, last active time). (Business plans)
• Session monitoring: Track who has signed in, uploaded, or modified files, giving you total control and ensuring data security across your team. (Business plans)

Who wins? Both Sync and Internxt place a strong emphasis on account safety, but if you want additional protection for your device, Internxt’s Antivirus and Device Cleaner gives you better device safety.

That being said, both have advanced safety controls for individual and business plans, so you don’t have to worry about device safety.

What is the best alternative to Sync?

Now that we have covered is Cloud Sync safe, you may be wondering if there is a better, more affordable alternative to Sync.

Internxt is the best alternative to Sync thanks to its post-quantum encryption, advanced product suite, and advanced cloud management features not offered by Sync, such as WebDAV, rclone, and NAS support.

Below, we will compare both services, including features and pricing, so you can choose the best option to protect your privacy online.

Internxt vs Sync

To check out the full features of Internxt’s plans, you can get 85% off any annual or lifetime plan from the link below.

Which alternative to Sync should you choose?

For a full privacy suite and the first cloud storage with post-quantum encryption, Internxt is the best choice for security, privacy, and safety.

Internxt also offers more affordable and expanded products to Sync, offering the following savings if you choose a 1TB annual plan with Internxt:

• Internxt first year €24
• Sync first year €108
• Savings with Internxt: 77.78%

Interxt also offers lifetime plans, with 1TB plans starting from €380. By investing in a lifetime plan with Internxt, you would get the following return on your investment when compared with Sync’s 1TB annual plan.

Internxt is best for: Private cloud storage with a combination of zero-knowledge and post-quantum encryption, NAS and rclone support, and a full privacy product suite at the most affordable prices.

Sync is best for: Individuals or teams looking for unlimited cloud storage.

Related articles

• Sync review
• Sync alternative
• Unlimited cloud storage providers

Frequently asked questions

Is Sync Cloud safe?

Yes, cloud sync can be safe if the service uses strong security measures such as end-to-end encryption, secure data centers, and two-factor authentication. However, safety also depends on using strong passwords and keeping your devices secure.

What’s the best alternative to Sync.com?

Internxt is the best open-source and zero-knowledge encrypted cloud storage and an alternative to Sync. Internxt prices are up to 77% cheaper, and it offers a number of products and free tools to give you maximum protection online.

How much does Sync.com cost?

Sync.com offers a free plan with 5GB and paid plans that start at €108 per year for 1TB. With Internxt, you can get the same amount of storage, with even more features, for just €24/year.

Is Sync.com open source?

No, Sync.com is not open source; its software and clients are proprietary, meaning you have to trust the security of the platform, and there are no backdoors to your data.

Dropbox has six storage plans in 2026. Personal plans start at $9.99/month for 2 TB. Business plans start at $15/user/month and require a minimum of three users. The free tier gives you 2 GB, which is not enough for most people

What makes Dropbox storage prices confusing is mostly the plan structure. Dropbox renamed several tiers over the past two years without a lot of noise about it, so a lot of comparisons floating around online still use the old names and wrong prices.

Below you'll find current pricing for every plan, what each one actually includes, and how Dropbox stacks up against other safe cloud storage options on price, storage, and security.

Dropbox Storage Prices at a Glance (2026)

Business plans (Standard and Advanced) use pooled storage, meaning the total is shared across all users rather than allocated per person. Annual billing saves roughly 15 to 20 percent compared to monthly across all paid plans. If you're considering Standard or Advanced, budget for the three-user minimum even if you only need two seats.

Dropbox also changed its plan names in recent years. Essentials is now Professional, Business is now Standard, and Business Plus is now Advanced. Prices shifted with the renames, so anything you read before 2024 is likely quoting outdated numbers.

Dropbox Personal Plans

Basic (Free)

Basic gives you 2 GB of storage, access on up to three devices, and 30 days of version history. No credit card required, no expiry date. It is a permanent free tier, not a trial.

The 2 GB limit is the main issue. That covers a few hundred documents or a handful of photos, but not much else. For context, Google Drive gives you 15 GB free and OneDrive gives you 5 GB. Basic makes sense if you want to test how Dropbox works before paying for anything, but most people run out of space quickly and end up upgrading or leaving.

Plus

Plus costs $9.99/month billed annually, or $11.99/month billed monthly. You get 2 TB of storage for one user, unlimited devices, 30-day version history, and file transfers up to 50 GB.

The jump from 2 GB to 2 TB is the whole reason to pay for Plus. At $9.99/month it covers a full laptop backup, a photo library, work documents, and still leaves room. The price matches Google One's 2 TB plan exactly, so if you are already in the Google ecosystem that is probably the easier choice. If you prefer Dropbox's sync reliability and desktop client, Plus is solid value at that price point.

What Plus does not include: branded sharing links, password-protected links, longer version history, or any of the client-facing features. Those are Professional.

Professional

Professional costs $16.58/month billed annually, or $19.99/month billed monthly. Storage goes up to 3 TB, version history extends to 180 days, and file transfers go up to 100 GB per transfer.

The extra features on Professional are aimed at people who share work with clients. You get branded sharing links, password protection on shared files, custom watermarks, and Dropbox Showcase, which lets you present work in a clean client-facing layout. None of that matters if you are just backing up personal files, which is why Plus exists. But for a freelancer or consultant sending deliverables to clients regularly, the presentation tools are genuinely useful.

The price difference between Plus and Professional is about $7/month annually. Whether that is worth it comes down to whether you use the client-facing features. If you do not, Plus is enough.

Dropbox Business Plans

Standard

Standard costs $15/user/month billed annually, or $18/user/month billed monthly. Minimum three users. Storage is 5 TB pooled across the team, and version history extends to 180 days.

For a three-person team that is $45/month annually, or about $1.67 TB per user on the storage side. That covers most document-heavy teams without issues. Teams doing a lot of video or large file work will feel the 5 TB limit faster.

Standard adds the basics you need to manage a team: a shared team folder, an admin console, user management, and real-time document collaboration. It does not include advanced security controls, extended audit logs, or HIPAA compliance. If those matter, you are looking at Advanced.

One thing to know before signing up: the three-user minimum is firm. If you only need two seats, you are still paying for three.

Advanced

Advanced costs $24/user/month billed annually, or $30/user/month billed monthly. Storage starts at 15 TB pooled and grows with active licenses. Version history extends to one full year.

The gap between Standard and Advanced is mostly about admin controls and security features. Advanced adds tiered admin roles, detailed audit logs, remote device wipe, device approvals, and fine-grained sharing permissions.

For teams handling sensitive data or working in regulated industries, these are the features that make Dropbox usable from a compliance standpoint.
Advanced is also where HIPAA compliance becomes available. Dropbox will sign a Business Associate Agreement at this tier, which is required for any organization storing or sharing Protected Health Information. That is not available on Standard, Professional, or Plus.

For a three-person team, Advanced runs $72/month annually. For a 10-person team, $240/month. The per-user cost adds up fast, which is worth factoring in when comparing against alternatives.

Enterprise

Enterprise is custom priced. You contact Dropbox sales, they put together a quote based on user count, storage needs, compliance requirements, and support level.

Enterprise adds single sign-on integration, a dedicated account manager, custom security configurations, and options for on-demand support. It is designed for organizations with 100 or more users, specific regulatory requirements, or IT teams that need deeper control over how Dropbox is deployed across the organization.

If you are at this stage, pricing will come down to negotiation. Multi-year contracts and large user counts both create room to go below list price, according to procurement data from Vendr.

Is Dropbox Free?

Dropbox does have a free plan. Basic is permanent, requires no credit card, and gives you 2 GB of storage. That sounds reasonable until you start actually using it — a few large documents or a folder of photos and you are already pushing the limit.

Dropbox also offers a 30-day free trial on Plus and Professional. You get full access to everything on the paid plan during the trial, and you can cancel before the 30 days are up without being charged. No free trial is available for Standard, Advanced, or Enterprise.

If you want to test Dropbox before paying, the trial is the better option. Basic's 2 GB limit makes it hard to evaluate Dropbox as an actual storage solution. For a full breakdown of how Dropbox's free tier compares to other providers, see this free cloud storage comparison.

On the storage comparison: Google Drive gives you 15 GB free, OneDrive gives you 5 GB, and iCloud gives you 5 GB. Dropbox's 2 GB free tier is the lowest among the major providers. That has been the case for years and Dropbox has not changed it, likely because the free tier is designed to funnel users toward paid plans rather than compete on free storage.

One thing that used to work and no longer does: Dropbox previously let you earn extra free storage by referring friends and completing setup tasks. Those programs are no longer active on current accounts.

Dropbox Security: What Do You Get for the Price?

Encryption and data access

Dropbox encrypts files at rest with AES-256 and uses TLS in transit. That covers the standard threat model: someone trying to intercept your files in transit or access Dropbox's servers directly.

What it does not cover is Dropbox itself. Dropbox uses server-side encryption, which means Dropbox holds the encryption keys. Technically, that gives Dropbox access to your file contents, and it means Dropbox can comply with legal requests for your data. This is standard practice across most major cloud storage providers, not something specific to Dropbox. Google Drive and OneDrive work the same way.

For most use cases, that is fine. The practical risk of Dropbox employees accessing your files is low, and Dropbox's privacy policy restricts internal access. But if you are storing sensitive business data, legal documents, or anything subject to strict privacy requirements, the key ownership question matters.

Compliance certifications

Dropbox holds ISO 27001 certification, which covers its information security management practices. SOC 2 Type II compliance is also in place across its infrastructure.

HIPAA coverage requires Advanced or Enterprise. Teams on Standard, Professional, or Plus cannot get a Business Associate Agreement from Dropbox, which rules out those plans for any work involving Protected Health Information. Enterprises with more demanding storage or compliance requirements can also look at Internxt object storage as for hot cloud storage and immediate access to large data sets.

How Dropbox compares on security

Dropbox encrypts your files after you upload them, using keys that Dropbox controls. Internxt encrypts files on your device before they leave it, using keys that never reach Internxt's servers.

That means Internxt cannot access your file contents even if compelled to, which is what zero-knowledge encryption means in practice.

Internxt's second security audit in 2025 verifies the security of its infrastructure and the protection of your data against hackers and other cybersecurity attacks.

For most Dropbox users, server-side encryption is sufficient. For healthcare teams, legal professionals, or anyone storing data with strict confidentiality requirements, the difference in encryption model is worth understanding before committing to a plan.

Dropbox Pricing vs. Alternatives

Dropbox is not the only option, and for many use cases it is not the cheapest one either. Here is how Dropbox storage prices compare against the main alternatives on price, free storage, and key differentiators.

Google Drive is the strongest option if you are already in the Google ecosystem. The 15 GB free tier is the most generous of the four, the 2 TB price matches Dropbox exactly, and Google Docs collaboration is genuinely hard to match. The trade-off is that Google holds your encryption keys and monetizes usage data.

OneDrive is the obvious choice for anyone on Microsoft 365. The 1 TB plan comes bundled with a Microsoft 365 Personal subscription ($6.99/month), which also includes Word, Excel, and the rest of the Office suite. If you are paying for Microsoft 365 anyway, you are already paying for OneDrive.

Dropbox's advantage is its dedicated sync engine and the breadth of its third-party integrations. If your workflow depends on apps that connect to Dropbox specifically, that matters more than the price comparison.

Internxt sits at the lower end of the pricing range while offering features that the others restrict to higher tiers or do not offer at all. No upsell required for compliance — every Internxt plan qualifies, not just the business tiers. The annual plans run €24/year for 1 TB (Essential), €48/year for 3 TB (Premium), and €72/year for 5 TB (Ultimate). All three include post-quantum encryption and zero-knowledge encryption as standard, not as an add-on.

Zero-knowledge means Internxt has no technical ability to read your files, something none of the other three providers can say. That privacy comes with a trade-off though — fewer collaboration features and a much smaller app ecosystem than Dropbox or Google Drive.

If price per GB is the main factor in your decision, this cheap cloud storage guide covers the lowest-cost options across all major providers.

Which Dropbox Plan Is Right for You?

Best for individuals: Plus

If you need cloud backup and file access across multiple devices for personal use, Plus at $9.99/month covers most of it. You get 2 TB, which is enough for a full laptop backup plus a photo library, and the desktop sync client works well. The main limitation is the 30-day version history. If you need to recover something from more than a month ago, it is gone.

Best for freelancers: Professional

Professional makes sense if you share work with clients regularly. The branded sharing links, password protection, and Dropbox Showcase are the features that justify the extra $6.59/month over Plus. The 180-day version history is also a meaningful upgrade if you work on long-running projects. If client delivery is not part of your work, the $9.99/month Plus plan covers the rest.

Best for small teams: Standard

Standard at $15/user/month works for teams of three to fifteen people doing regular document collaboration. The shared team folders and admin console are the core reasons to be here. Keep in mind the plan requires at least three seats, so a two-person team still pays for three.

Best for larger teams: Advanced

Advanced is worth the jump to $24/user/month when you need a full audit trail, remote device wipe, or your industry has data compliance requirements. The one-year version history is also a practical difference for teams working on multi-month projects. If none of those apply, Standard is enough.

When to look at something else

Dropbox does not work well for every situation. Some cases where another option is the better call:

If your team handles regulated data but you are not ready to pay Advanced prices, Dropbox locks that door until you do. Internxt does not make that distinction across its plans.

If privacy is the core requirement and you need zero-knowledge encryption, Dropbox's server-side model means Dropbox holds the keys to your files. That is standard for most cloud providers, but it is a meaningful difference if you are storing sensitive data or need a dedicated cloud backup solution with stronger privacy guarantees.

If you are already paying for Microsoft 365, OneDrive is bundled in at no extra cost. Paying for Dropbox on top of that rarely makes sense unless your workflow specifically depends on Dropbox integrations.

If the free tier matters, Dropbox gives you the least of any major provider at 2 GB. Both Google Drive and OneDrive start you off with several times more storage at no cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dropbox Right For You?

The personal and business tiers are where the real decision happens. Individuals are picking between Plus ($9.99/month for 2 TB) and Professional ($16.58/month for 3 TB with client tools). Teams are picking between Standard ($15/user/month) and Advanced ($24/user/month), with version history length, admin controls, and compliance access being the main differences.

Dropbox is a solid choice for teams built around its integration ecosystem or for individuals who want a reliable desktop sync client. Compliance features require the Advanced plan, zero-knowledge encryption is not available at any tier, and the free plan is the weakest of the major providers.

If Dropbox doesn’t feel right or you want a Dropbox alternative with a bit stronger security and a stronger commitment to privacy, you might want to think about Internxt.

Whatever service you decide is right for your cloud storage needs is totally up to you. Find one that checks all your boxes and does right by your data.

WhatsApp encrypts every photo you send using the Signal Protocol, so the contents of your messages are protected in transit. WhatsApp itself cannot read them. For most users, that's sufficient.

The issue isn't the encryption. It's everything around it. WhatsApp collects metadata on every message you send (who you contacted, when, from which device, and how often) and shares that data with Meta.

Once a photo reaches the recipient's phone, WhatsApp's encryption ends entirely: the photo can be screenshotted, forwarded, or exposed if that device is compromised. And WhatsApp's cloud backups are not end-to-end encrypted by default, meaning photos backed up to Google Drive or iCloud sit outside the Signal Protocol's protection.

Whether WhatsApp is safe enough depends on what you're sending and to whom. This article covers exactly where WhatsApp's protection holds, where it doesn't, and when it makes sense to use a secure cloud storage alternative instead.

Table of contents

• Is WhatsApp safe for sending private photos in 2026?
  • How WhatsApp encrypts your photos
  • What has gone wrong in the past
  • What WhatsApp encryption does not protect
  • The endpoint risk: what happens after the photo arrives
• WhatsApp's privacy concerns: what Meta collects
  • Metadata WhatsApp shares with Meta
  • How Meta uses your WhatsApp data
• How to make WhatsApp safer for sending private photos
  • Enable end-to-end encrypted backups
  • Use View Once for sensitive images
  • Additional privacy settings to enable
• Secure alternatives for sending private photos
  • How the alternatives compare
  • Internxt Drive and Send
  • Signal and Threema
• Frequently Asked Questions

Is WhatsApp safe for sending private photos in 2026?

How WhatsApp encrypts your photos

WhatsApp uses the Signal Protocol for end-to-end encryption, the same open-source protocol used by Signal itself and independently audited by multiple security researchers. When you send a photo, it is encrypted on your device using AES-256 before it travels across the network. The recipient's device holds the only decryption key. WhatsApp's servers relay the encrypted data but cannot read it.

The Signal Protocol's source code is publicly available and has been reviewed in multiple independent security audits. WhatsApp's implementation has held up to scrutiny.

WhatsApp's client app is proprietary, meaning its full source code is not publicly auditable. The underlying encryption protocol it uses is open-source. These are two separate things. What you can verify is the protocol; what you have to trust is that WhatsApp's implementation does not deviate from it.

What has gone wrong in the past

WhatsApp's encryption has not been the source of its major security incidents. The vulnerabilities have been elsewhere:

In 2023, a database of 487 million WhatsApp phone numbers was posted on a hacking forum. The exposed data was phone numbers, not message content or photos. The breach enabled phishing and smishing attacks (see our breakdown of WhatsApp scams for the most common patterns) but was not a failure of end-to-end encryption.

In 2024, security researchers identified that WhatsApp assigns persistent identity keys to linked devices that vary by platform: Android uses a 32-character ID, iPhone a 20-character prefix with four additional characters, and Windows an 18-character ID. These differences allow an attacker who has already compromised network traffic to identify a user's operating system, which can assist in targeting platform-specific malware. The photo content itself was not exposed.

What WhatsApp encryption does not protect

End-to-end encryption protects your photos while they are moving between devices. It does not protect:

Metadata. WhatsApp logs a detailed record of your communication activity and shares it with Meta. This includes account details, device identifiers, usage patterns, and contact information. The full breakdown is in the Meta privacy section below.

Cloud backups. If you back up WhatsApp to Google Drive or iCloud, those backups are not end-to-end encrypted by default. The backup sits on Google's or Apple's servers under their encryption, not WhatsApp's Signal Protocol. To encrypt your backup, you have to enable it manually in Settings. Most users have not done this.

The recipient's device. Once a photo arrives, it is decrypted and stored in plaintext on the recipient's phone. What happens next is covered in the endpoint risk section below.

The endpoint risk: what happens after the photo arrives

End-to-end encryption is a transit protection. The moment a photo lands on the recipient's phone, it is decrypted and stored as a normal file. From that point, the security of your photo depends entirely on the recipient and their device, not on WhatsApp.

The recipient can forward your photo without your knowledge. WhatsApp has no mechanism to prevent this. Once a photo is delivered, the recipient controls it completely.

View Once does not prevent screenshotting. WhatsApp's View Once feature deletes a photo after it has been opened once, but the recipient can take a screenshot during that viewing window. WhatsApp does not block or notify you when this happens on most Android and older iOS versions.

A compromised recipient device exposes your photos. If the recipient's phone has spyware or stalkerware installed, an attacker can read decrypted photos directly from WhatsApp's local storage. This is the same attack vector used in high-profile WhatsApp surveillance cases involving the NSO Group's Pegasus spyware.

Unlocked phones create physical access risk. If the recipient leaves their phone unlocked or shares it with others, anyone with physical access can open WhatsApp and view your photos.

Automatic media saving sends photos to the camera roll. By default on many Android devices, WhatsApp saves incoming photos to the device gallery. This means your photo may appear in shared photo libraries, cloud syncs, or app thumbnails outside of WhatsApp's interface.

WhatsApp's encryption does its job in transit. What happens to the photo after delivery depends on the recipient, their device, and their habits.

WhatsApp's privacy concerns: what Meta collects

Metadata WhatsApp shares with Meta

WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption protects the content of your messages and photos. It does not protect the data generated by using the app. WhatsApp collects and shares the following with Meta when sending private photos:

• Account information: Your phone number, profile name, profile photo, status message, and last-seen timestamp.

• Device information: Hardware model, operating system, battery level, signal strength, browser, mobile network, and device identifiers including IP address.

• Usage information: How often you use the app, which features you use, and your activity log.

• Connection information: Mobile operator, ISP, language, time zone, and the phone numbers and WhatsApp user IDs of contacts you have interacted with.

• Diagnostic data: Crash logs and performance data from the app

The key point is that WhatsApp knows who you communicate with and when, even though it cannot read what you say. For most personal use, this is an acceptable trade-off.

For anyone whose communication patterns are sensitive (professionals handling confidential matters, or people in high-risk personal situations), metadata exposure is a genuine concern regardless of message encryption.

How Meta uses your WhatsApp data

Since 2016, WhatsApp has shared user data across Meta's family of apps. Meta uses this data to:

• Target advertising across Facebook, Instagram, and Meta's advertising network
• Build interest and demographic profiles linked to your account
• Improve product recommendations and content ranking across Meta platforms
• Comply with law enforcement requests, which can include metadata records

WhatsApp's privacy policy is transparent about this. Meta does not read your messages or see your photos. It does know the full shape of your communications: who, when, and how often.

If you are in the European Economic Area, GDPR restrictions limit some of the data sharing between WhatsApp and other Meta services. Users outside the EEA operate under a broader data sharing arrangement.

How to make WhatsApp safer for sending private photos

Enable end-to-end encrypted backups

These settings do not change WhatsApp's metadata collection, but they do reduce the risks associated with backups, device access, and photo retention.

Enable end-to-end encrypted backups

WhatsApp backups sent to Google Drive or iCloud are not covered by the Signal Protocol by default. To encrypt your backup:

1. Open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup
2. Tap End-to-end encrypted backup
3. Tap Turn on and follow the prompts to set a password or generate a 64-digit encryption key
4. Tap Create to apply

Keep your password or encryption key stored securely. WhatsApp cannot recover an encrypted backup if you lose this. Once enabled, your backup is encrypted before it leaves your device and cannot be read by Google, Apple, or WhatsApp.

Use View Once for sensitive images

View Once sends a photo that is deleted from the chat after the recipient opens it once. To use it:

1. Open a chat and tap the camera or attachment icon to select a photo
2. Before sending, tap the 1 icon next to the send button
3. Send the photo. It disappears from the chat after the recipient views it

Important limitation: View Once does not block screenshotting on most Android devices and older iOS versions. The recipient can capture the image during the viewing window. Use View Once to reduce persistent storage, not as a guarantee against the recipient saving the photo.

Additional privacy settings to enable

Disable automatic media saving. By default, WhatsApp saves incoming photos to your device gallery. To turn this off, go to Settings > Chats and disable Save to Camera Roll (iOS) or Media Visibility (Android). Ask recipients to do the same.

Enable two-step verification. This adds a PIN requirement when registering your WhatsApp number on a new device, reducing the risk of account takeover. Go to Settings > Account > Two-step verification.

Review linked devices. If you use WhatsApp Web or desktop, any linked device has access to your messages. Go to Settings > Linked Devices and remove any sessions you do not recognise or actively use.

Enable disappearing messages. For ongoing conversations where you share sensitive photos, disappearing messages automatically deletes messages after 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days. This limits how long photos persist on both devices.

Secure alternatives for sending private photos

Three alternatives are worth considering depending on your needs: Signal and Threema for private messaging, and Internxt Drive and Send for share photos securely or are looking to get more privacy online.

Internxt Drive

For sharing private photos where you need the strongest available privacy guarantees, the most secure cloud storage is the right tool rather than a messaging app.

Internxt Drive uses zero-knowledge encryption: files are encrypted on your device before upload, and the decryption keys never leave your device. Internxt's servers store only ciphertext. The provider has no technical ability to read your photos, hand them to a third party, or produce readable content in response to a legal request.

This architecture has been independently verified by Securitum in a 2024 security audit, which confirmed the zero-knowledge implementation. Internxt is also ISO 27001:2022 certified and HIPAA compliant, making it suitable for sensitive personal files, healthcare records, and legal documents.

For a full comparison of privacy-focused cloud storage for photos, including how Internxt compares to Google Photos, iCloud, and OneDrive, that article covers the detail.

All paid plans include post-quantum encryption, two-factor authentication, password-protected file sharing, and computer backup. Plans start at €24/year for 1TB.

When you share a file from Internxt Drive, you control access completely: share via secure link or email invitation, set a password, set an expiry date, or revoke access at any time from the dashboard.

Internxt Send

The second option to share photos privately is Internxt Send, a secure alternative to WeTransfer.

Send is a free service allowing you to send a large amount of photos, with a limit of up to 5GB of files for free. It uses the same end-to-end encryption as all of Internxt’s products, and you can choose to send your files via a secure link or email.

Internxt also offers a free file compressor tool; with it, you can compress video, photos, or documents without compromising your privacy. No sign-up or credit card is required, so you can use this tool as much as you like.

Internxt also offers a free file compressor tool; with it, you can compress video, photos, or documents without compromising your privacy. No sign-up or credit card is required, so you can use this tool as much as you like.

Signal and Threema

If WhatsApp's metadata collection or Meta's ownership is a dealbreaker, two messaging apps provide stronger privacy without sacrificing usability.

Signal

Signal is the benchmark for private messaging. It uses the same Signal Protocol as WhatsApp for end-to-end encryption, but differs significantly in what it collects outside of message content.

Signal's data collection is minimal by design. The only personal information Signal stores is your phone number and the last date you connected to the service. It does not log who you message, when, or how often. Message content, photos, attachments, and call data are never accessible to Signal's servers. The full client and protocol are open-source and have been independently audited.

Key privacy features relevant to photo sharing:

• Note to Self: Store photos privately on your own device via Signal without sending them to anyone
• View Once: Photos and videos that disappear after being viewed once
• Screen security: Prevents Signal from appearing in the app switcher, reducing accidental exposure
• Disappearing messages: Configurable from 30 seconds to 4 weeks
• Incognito keyboard: Prevents keyboard apps from logging what you type

Signal's trade-off is network effect. It only works with contacts who also use Signal. For everyday photo sharing with family and friends already on WhatsApp, switching has a friction cost. For a broader comparison of private messaging options, see our guide to secure messenger apps.

Threema

Threema takes privacy further than Signal in one specific way: it does not require a phone number or email address to register. When you create a Threema account, you are assigned a randomly generated eight-character ID. Your account is not linked to any personal identifier by default.

Threema is based in Switzerland and stores minimal server-side data. Messages are deleted from Threema's servers immediately after delivery. The app has been independently audited by Cure53 (2023), and both the client and server code are open-source.

Threema costs €3.99 as a one-time purchase and has a smaller user base than Signal or WhatsApp. It is the right choice when the requirement is communicating without linking an account to a phone number: journalists, activists, or anyone who needs that separation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is WhatsApp safe for sending private photos?

Yes, for most uses. The encryption is solid, but the risks are backups (not end-to-end encrypted by default), metadata shared with Meta, and what happens to the photo once it's on the recipient's device. If any of those matter, Internxt Drive is built around zero-knowledge encryption where none of those gaps exist.

Can Meta see my WhatsApp photos?

No, but Meta can see the metadata: who you contacted, when, how often, and from which device. That data is shared across Meta's platforms and used for advertising.

What encryption does WhatsApp use?

WhatsApp uses the Signal Protocol with AES-256 encryption. The protocol is open-source and independently audited; the WhatsApp client app itself is proprietary.

Is my WhatsApp backup encrypted?

Not by default. Go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup > End-to-end encrypted backup to enable it. If you want backups that are zero-knowledge by default without manual setup, Internxt Drive encrypts everything on your device before upload.

Is Signal safer than WhatsApp for sending photos?

The encryption is identical: both use the Signal Protocol. Signal's advantage is metadata: it collects only your phone number and last connection date, while WhatsApp shares a much broader data set with Meta.

Can someone hack my WhatsApp photos?

Not through the encryption. No known attack has broken the Signal Protocol. Real-world incidents target the endpoint (spyware on the device) or the account (SIM swapping), not the encryption itself.

What is the safest app to send private photos?

For messaging, Signal. For storing or sharing files where the provider should have zero access, Internxt Drive uses zero-knowledge encryption independently audited by Securitum, and Internxt Send handles one-off transfers for free with no account required.

Does WhatsApp share data with Facebook?

Yes. Since 2016, WhatsApp shares metadata with Meta's family of apps, including Facebook and Instagram, but not message content or photos. EEA users have additional GDPR protections that limit some of this sharing.

Switching to a life of privacy for photo sharing and messaging

Most people asking this question are fine using WhatsApp. Turn on encrypted backups, disable auto media saving, and be honest with yourself about whether you trust the person on the other end. Those three things matter more than the encryption.

The Meta data sharing is the real reason to consider switching. Signal solves that without asking you to change how you message people. It works the same way, your contacts just need to have it installed.

If you're storing or sharing photos that genuinely cannot be seen by anyone else (medical images, legal documents, anything sensitive), Internxt Drive is built for that.

Whichever messaging apps you choose, combine them with Internxt Drive, Send, and VPN for a fully private experience online. And if you want to check whether your data from past breaches is already exposed, Internxt's dark web monitor scans for it.

Most people end up with a photo storage service the same way they end up with a dentist: whatever was closest and easiest. Google Photos is already on Android. iCloud is already on iPhone. OneDrive comes with Microsoft 365. Amazon bundles unlimited photo storage into Prime. None of them are bad, but none of them made you read the fine print either.

The fine print is access. Google, Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon all hold the encryption keys to your photos. Google says so in its privacy policy and uses the content to improve AI products. The others are quieter about it, but the architecture is the same across all four. For most personal photo libraries that is a reasonable arrangement. For sensitive material it is not.

This comparison covers cloud storage for photos such as Internxt, Google Photos, iCloud, OneDrive, and Amazon Photos, plus Backblaze for anyone whose main concern is backup rather than browsing.

Table of contents

Quick Comparison: Cloud Storage for Photos at a Glance

Pricing and storage

Google, iCloud, and OneDrive all draw from a single shared quota. Photos, email, and documents compete for the same space. Amazon Photos is the exception for Prime members: photos do not count toward any storage cap, though videos do. Internxt bills in euros, so the dollar figure shifts slightly with exchange rates.

Privacy and security

Internxt

Storage and pricing

Plans run €24/yr for 1TB, €48/yr for 3TB, and €72/yr for 5TB. The free tier is 1GB. Internxt bills in euros, so the figure shifts slightly with exchange rates. For a detailed breakdown, see the lifetime plans comparison or go straight to Internxt plans and pricing.

Privacy and security

Internxt encrypts your files on your device before they are uploaded. The keys never reach Internxt's servers, so Internxt cannot read your photos. Securitum, a European penetration testing firm, verified that architecture in an independent audit in 2024. The code is open source on GitHub, so anyone can check the implementation.

The service runs on European servers and holds ISO 27001:2022 certification, HIPAA compliance, and GDPR compliance. Internxt is also the first cloud storage provider to deploy post-quantum encryption across all plans, which protects against future attacks from quantum computers on data stored today. Other zero-knowledge alternatives include Proton Drive and ente.io, though neither offers the same storage tiers or holds HIPAA compliance with an independent third-party audit.

Strengths

Apps are available on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android. The Linux app is notable because no other service in this comparison supports it. Sharing uses password-protected links with optional expiry dates. There is no AI photo search, no face grouping, no auto-generated albums, because building those features would require reading the files.

Limitations

The 1GB free tier is not enough for evaluation and the photo browsing experience is straightforward rather than polished. Internxt is built as secure cloud storage for files and sync — it handles photos well but doesn't organize them. It is not a photo management app in the way Google Photos is. If you want smart albums and facial recognition, Google Photos is a better fit.

If you want the files stored somewhere the provider cannot reach, Internxt is the only option on this list that can deliver that — or browse safe cloud storage for other privacy-focused alternatives.

Google Photos

Storage and pricing

Google Photos storage runs on Google One and shares a quota with Gmail and Drive. You start with 15GB free. A few years of phone backups and a busy inbox will burn through it. Paid plans run from 100GB at $1.99/mo to 2TB at $9.99/mo. A lot of people end up upgrading to keep email working, not because they filled up on photos.

Privacy and data practices

Google's privacy policy is direct that your content improves AI and ad products. Google holds the encryption keys and the AI search is built on reading the files. For a holiday album that trade is easy to accept. For medical photos, legal documents, or anything genuinely private, it is a different calculation.

Strengths

The search is the best of any photo app. Type a person's name, a location, or a rough date and it finds the right photos. Face grouping, auto-collages, and memory videos run without setup. On Android, photos back up in the background and you rarely have to open the app at all.

Limitations

Migrating out is harder than it looks. Google Takeout exports the files, but face groups, shared albums, and years of organized memories do not move with them. The shared quota with Gmail and Drive means a busy inbox competes with your photo library for the same storage cap — a distinction the Google Photos vs Google Drive comparison covers in full.

iCloud Photos

Storage and pricing

iCloud gives you 5GB free, which runs out fast. A few hundred photos and you are shopping for more storage. The full breakdown of iCloud storage plans starts at 50GB for $0.99/mo, then 200GB for $2.99/mo, then 2TB for $9.99/mo. The 50GB tier at $0.99/mo is the lowest entry price of any paid plan in this comparison.

Privacy and data practices

Apple does not use your photos for advertising, but standard iCloud gives Apple technical access to files, as it holds the encryption keys. There is an exception: Advanced Data Protection, added in 2022, enables genuine end-to-end encryption for iCloud Photos. It is off by default, requires setting up account recovery before enabling, and most users never turn it on.

Strengths

On Apple hardware it is seamless. Photos taken on your iPhone appear on your Mac and iPad without touching anything. Live Photos, burst sequences, and edits all sync correctly. Shared Albums work well for families. If everyone in your household is on Apple devices, there is little reason to look elsewhere.

Limitations

Outside Apple hardware things get awkward fast. The Windows app works but feels like an afterthought. There is no Android app at all. Advanced Data Protection — the feature that makes iCloud genuinely private — requires manual setup that most users skip. For anyone choosing between ecosystems, the iCloud vs Google Drive breakdown covers the differences in detail.

OneDrive

Storage and pricing

OneDrive comes with Microsoft 365, which most Windows users already pay for. The Personal plan at $6.99/mo includes 1TB of storage alongside Word, Excel, and Outlook. For existing Microsoft 365 subscribers, there is no additional cost to use it for photos. The storage and the Office apps share a single subscription — the photo storage is effectively free if you are already paying for the software.

Privacy and data practices

Microsoft holds the encryption keys and scans content for policy violations including CSAM. Your photos are not used for advertising. There is no zero-knowledge option and no independent security audit.

Strengths

Camera roll backup runs automatically on iOS and Android with no configuration. For anyone already inside Microsoft 365, the 1TB is included at no extra cost. The deep Windows integration means photos backed up from a phone appear in File Explorer on Windows 11 without installing anything extra. For a full side-by-side with Apple's alternative, see OneDrive vs iCloud.

Limitations
OneDrive is cloud storage that also accepts photos, not a dedicated photo management tool. Search covers rough date and category filters but does not identify faces or recognize specific scenes the way Google Photos does. People not already paying for Microsoft 365 have no strong reason to start just for photo storage.

Amazon Photos

Storage and pricing

Prime members get unlimited photo storage included with their subscription. Most people who have Prime are not using it, which means they are paying another service for storage they already have. Without Prime, the free tier is 5GB. Paid standalone plans run from 100GB at $1.99/mo to 2TB at $6.99/mo.

Privacy and data practices

Amazon holds the encryption keys and reviews content for policy violations. The company says photo data is not used for advertising, but it has the technical ability to access the files. There is no zero-knowledge option and no independent security audit.

Strengths

For Prime members, unlimited photo storage at no additional cost is a genuinely strong value. The app backs up automatically on iOS and Android. Family Vault lets you pool storage with up to five other people on the same Prime account. RAW files are stored without compression, which makes it a reasonable secondary archive for photographers on Prime who do not want to pay for dedicated storage.

Limitations

Video is handled differently from photos. Files count against a 5GB cap, the same as any standard free tier. Amazon Photos works well for archiving still photos and less well as a full camera roll backup, since phones shoot video constantly and that fills the cap quickly. Most people who use Amazon Photos pair it with another service that handles video.

Backblaze

Backblaze is not a photo storage service. It backs up your entire computer for $9/mo with no storage cap. Photos are included because they are on your hard drive, not because Backblaze does anything specific with them.
There is no photo browsing, no album organization, no mobile camera roll backup, no sharing. Restoring files means downloading a zip archive or paying to have a hard drive shipped to you.

Serious photographers often run it alongside a primary service: Google Photos or Internxt for day-to-day access, Backblaze as an offsite copy of the full archive. At $9/mo for unlimited storage it is the cheapest way to keep a copy of your library somewhere physically separate from your home.

Cloud Storage for Photographers

RAW files average 25–80MB each depending on your camera. A serious shoot can run 10GB in an afternoon. Most casual photo storage services were not designed with that in mind.

Google Photos compresses by default. To store originals you need to set storage quality to Original and accept that your quota fills faster. Amazon Photos preserves RAW files for Prime members without compression, which is why photographers with Prime tend to use it as a secondary archive. Internxt stores files exactly as uploaded with no server-side processing, supports up to 5TB, and works with any file format including RAW. For photographers who also need HIPAA compliance for client work, it is the only option on this list that covers both.

Many photographers run a three-location setup: one copy on a local hard drive, one in a primary cloud service for access, and one in Backblaze as a disaster recovery copy. Unlimited storage at $9/mo makes the math easy. If you also need to deliver large batches to clients, see the guide on sending a large amount of photos.

Which Cloud Storage for Photos Is Right for You?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the best cloud storage for pictures?

Internxt is the best for privacy, Google Photos for search and organization, iCloud for Apple users, and Amazon Photos for Prime members who mostly store photos. The right answer depends on whether you prioritize features or control over your files.

What is the best way to store photos long term?

Three copies: one on your device, one in cloud storage, one offsite backup. For offsite, Backblaze covers unlimited storage at $9/mo.

Do Amazon Prime members get free photo storage?

Yes, Prime includes unlimited photo storage through Amazon Photos at no additional cost. Videos count against a standard 5GB cap.

Where can I store all my photos without paying?

Google Photos gives you 15GB free shared across Gmail, Drive, and Photos. Internxt offers 1GB of free encrypted storage with no ads and no data collection.

Which cloud storage for photos is the most private?

Internxt. Files are encrypted on your device before upload and Internxt never holds the decryption keys, verified by Securitum in 2024.

What are the best Google Photos alternatives?

For privacy, Internxt and Proton Drive both use zero-knowledge encryption so the provider cannot access your files. For Apple users, iCloud Photos is the most seamless switch. For unlimited storage without a subscription, Amazon Photos covers photos at no extra cost for Prime members. Each trades Google's search and AI organization features for something Google Photos does not offer.

Why should I not use Google Photos?

For most people Google Photos is a reasonable choice — it is free up to 15GB, works automatically, and has the best search of any photo app. The case against it is access: Google holds the encryption keys and its systems read your photos to power search and AI features. Google's privacy policy confirms this content is used to improve products. If you store sensitive material — medical records, legal documents, private correspondence as images — a service where the provider cannot read the files is a more appropriate choice.

Can Google access my Google Photos?

Yes. Google holds the encryption keys and its systems read your photos to power search and AI features, which its privacy policy states is used to improve products and inform ad targeting.

Is iCloud Photos safe for sensitive photos?

Apple does not use photos for advertising, but standard iCloud still gives Apple technical access to files. Advanced Data Protection enables end-to-end encryption but must be manually turned on.

What is the difference between cloud backup and cloud photo storage?

Cloud photo storage is designed for access: browsing, searching, sharing from any device. Cloud backup is designed for recovery if something goes wrong.

Which is better for photos, Google Drive or Google Photos?

Google Photos has dedicated search, face grouping, and sharing features built for images. Both draw from the same Google One storage quota.

Finding the right home for your photos

You probably already have a photo service. Google Photos came with your phone, iCloud keeps asking you to upgrade, OneDrive showed up when you installed Office. Most people never chose one — it just happened.

That is fine for a holiday album. It gets more complicated when the photos are medical, legal, or anything you would not hand to a stranger. The difference between these services is not marketing language, it is who holds the keys.

Pick the one that fits how you actually use it. If that changes, the files are yours to move.

Looking for an alternative to Google or other big tech companies?

What you need is a service with zero-knowledge encryption, and a mission to protect your data, not profit from it.

But what options do you have?

Two of the best alternatives to big tech you may consider for private cloud storage, plus email, VPN, and more, are Internxt and Proton Drive.

To learn more about these privacy-focused companies, we will examine the following:

• Is Proton safe?
• Features and pricing of Proton Drive
• Is Proton secure and private
• Internxt vs Proton

By the end of this article, you will know which service is best for full privacy of your files, data, and device, and finally be able to degoogle your life and take control of your data.

Table of contents

• What is Proton Drive?
• Is Proton Drive free?
• Is Proton Drive safe?
• Is Proton Drive secure?
• Is Proton Drive private?
• Proton Drive alternative
• Internxt vs Proton Drive
• Switch to Internxt for 85% off
• Related articles
• Frequently asked questions

What is Proton Drive?

Proton Drive is part of the Proton suite, offering cloud storage to securely store, access, and share files online.

Like Internxt, it focuses on a private alternative to big tech such as Google, OneDrive, or Dropbox by encrypting your files end-to-end, meaning only you can access the content.

Files can be organized, shared with others via secure links, and accessed from multiple devices while keeping your data private.

Is Proton Drive free?

Yes, when you sign up for a Proton Drive account, you get 2GB of free cloud storage, with the chance to unlock up to 5GB.

You can unlock the extra 3GB of free storage by following extra steps, giving you an extra 1GB for each step completed.

1. Upload a file or folder to Proton Drive.
2. Create a shareable link for a file or folder.
3. Add a recovery method to your account (like setting up account recovery).

But is Proton Drive safe for free accounts? Unlike other providers such as pCloud Icedrive, Proton Drive doesn’t charge extra for its zero-knowledge encryption, so nobody but you can view your files.

For paid plans, details on pricing, storage, and features can be found below.

Pricing

Proton Drive paid plans offer the following storage plans for monthly and annual plans:

• Drive Plus: 200GB/€4.99 per month or €47.88 annually
• Proton Unlimited: 500GB/€12.99 per month or €119.88 annually
• Proton Duo: 2TB/€19.99 per month or €179.88 annually

No lifetime plans are available with Proton, so if you’re looking for a similar product suite of VPN, Meet, and Mail for plans up to 5TB, you may want to consider an Internxt lifetime plan.

Features

With a free Proton Drive account, you get up to encrypted cloud storage and an online document and spreadsheet editor. For extra features, you can upgrade to the following plans:

Unlimited

• Recover previous file versions
• Up to 15 custom email addresses
• Ultra-fast and private VPN
• Encrypted password manager
• Advanced account protection

Duo

Includes everything in the previous plans plus:

• 2TB of storage
• Can be shared with up to 2 users
• Up to 30 custom email addresses

If you want to know is Proton Drive safe for your files, we will investigate its safety, security, and privacy features next.

Is Proton Drive safe?

Yes, Proton Drive is safe for your files and has the following safety features to protect your accounts and cloud storage:

1. Malicious file detection: Scan shared files before downloading to check for malware that could harm your device.
2. File versioning: Older versions of edited files are saved, so if you overwrite something or make a mistake, you can restore a previous version so you don’t lose your work.
3. File sharing: add a password to a shared link, set an expiration date so access ends automatically, and disable the link at any time for full control over shared files.

Is Proton Drive secure?

Yes, Proton Drive is secure; it uses the OpenPGP standard with a combination of symmetric and asymmetric encryption.

File contents are encrypted with AES 256, and the encryption keys are protected using elliptic curve cryptography, such as Curve25519, along with Ed25519 for signatures and SHA 256 for hashing.

Other advanced security features are available for Proton Unlimited and Duo accounts, with advanced account protection. Aside from 2FA, this adds an extra layer of security to your account.

Advanced account protection, called Proton Sentinel, is designed to add more security to your accounts by protecting them against targeted account takeovers by:

• Monitoring login attempts using automated systems and human review
• Blocking or challenging suspicious logins, even if the correct password is used
• Providing a detailed tracking of account activity

Is Proton Drive private?

For privacy, Proton Drive follows Swiss privacy laws and offers zero-knowledge encryption for all accounts to ensure nobody but you can access your files. Proton cannot read your files as it uses zero-knowledge encryption, which uses a combination of:

• OpenPGP standards
• AES‑256 for symmetric encryption
• Curve25519 for public key encryption
• Ed25519 for digital signatures
• SHA‑256 for hashing

Proton follows the same zero-knowledge policies as Internxt, but does not have post-quantum encryption for its products, so this current encryption may soon become outdated unless it is updated.

Many people also wonder is Proton safe due to new reports about the data it can or cannot hand over to Swiss authorities, leading many people to wonder what data is private.

According to its website, law enforcement must contact Proton’s legal team when making a request.

Proton has worked with law enforcement as recently as March 2026, when Proton Mail handed the FBI payment data that identified an anonymous protester.

While this leads to debates about privacy vs anonymity, if you want to keep your payments private when signing up for a cloud storage, then the best option is to pay with cryptocurrency, which you can use to pay for any Internxt lifetime plan.

So while Proton Drive is private, for true anonymity, you would have to take extra steps to ensure none of your data can be tracked.

Proton Drive alternative

If you are looking for end-to-end and zero-knowledge cloud storage, plus a wide range of products to improve your online privacy, Internxt Drive and its paid plans offer everything you need to stay safe online.

Internxt vs Proton Drive

Overview

Features

While Internxt and Proton Drive share similar features, Internxt is the first cloud storage with post-quantum encryption, ensuring your files are protected against future threats of quantum computers, which could break current encryption used by Proton and other cloud storage services.

Plus, Internxt has additional features in Drive not available with Proton, such as:

• Automatic trash deletion,
• Encrypted backups
• Device cleaner to remove junk files
• Antivirus to protect your device from malware

Other features include:

• VPN
• 2FA
• Password-protected file sharing
• Invite, share, and collaborate
• Meet
• Mail
• Automatic photo syncing and backups with Photos (Coming soon)

So if you want maximum protection online, plus features to maximize your device performance and protection from malware, Internxt offers a more fleshed-out product suite alongside Drive to meet your needs.

Lifetime vs subscription

Internxt offers 5TB of maximum storage compared with Proton’s 2TB. If you want even more storage, Internxt offers lifetime plans with a focus on cloud storage for up to 100TB with StackSocial, which you can upgrade to get all the features of Internxt for life.

Therefore, if you choose any Internxt plan, you can avoid recurring or increased subscription costs and make the following savings.

Plus, if you want true anonymity, you can keep your payment details private by purchasing an Internxt lifetime plan with any of our cryptocurrency payment options.

The full features and storage of Internxt plans can be viewed below.

Accessibility

One of the main restrictions of Proton Drive is that it is not available on Linux. Internxt, on the other hand, is available for Linux, Windows, Mac, and Mobile.

For advanced file management, Internxt also offers CLI, WebDAV, NAS, and native rclone support, so you can connect and manage your files from anywhere to sync and backup your files without restrictions.

Security and encryption

If you want cloud storage with zero-knowledge encryption, both Proton and Internxt offer this for all plans without paying extra for it, as is the case with Icedrive and pCloud.

For post-quantum encrypted storage and file sharing, Internxt is the only cloud storage so far to offer this advanced encryption to protect against future cybersecurity threats and hacking attacks.

Storage

As Internxt offers lifetime plans, you can stack your storage to ensure you never run out, and don’t have to worry about managing your files in different clouds. With a maximum limit of 100TB, Internxt offers you all the storage you need compared to Proton’s maximum of 2TB.

Compliance and auditing

Both Internxt and Proton have been audited by a leading security testing company, Securitum, ensuring that your files are secure, private, and protected from hackers.

Both are open source and comply with ISO 27001, SOC 2, and GDPR. Internxt is also HIPAA compliant, offering protection for healthcare providers against data breaches.

Industry trust

Internxt is trusted by thousands of user to protect the privacy of their files and digital lives. It is also the official cloud provider of Levante football club, and has been recognized by companies such as Deloitte as one of the top 50 fastest-growing companies.

By investing in an Internxt plan, you get full security, compliance, and privacy, and join a company with a mission to ensure a safer internet based on privacy and freedom from big tech companies profiting from your data.

Switch to Internxt for 85% off

For more information on the topic of is Proton safe, and for a comparison of Internxt vs Proton, visit our website below, where you can get a massive 85% discount on all plans.

Related articles

• Proton vs Google Drive
• Alternative to Proton Drive
• Cloud storage with zero-knowledge encryption
• Is Degoo safe

Frequently asked questions

Is Proton safe?

Yes, Proton Drive includes zero-knowledge encryption for your files to ensure only you can read them.

What encryption does Proton use?

Proton uses end-to-end encryption and zero-knowledge encryption. Emails are encrypted using the OpenPGP standard with elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) keys. Files are encrypted on your device before upload

What is the best Proton alternative?

Internxt is the best alternative to Proton Drive. It offers post-quantum encryption, Meet, Mail, and an extensive privacy suite to protect your privacy and device online, with additional cloud storage management features such as native rclone and NAS support.

Encrypted cloud storage falls into two categories. Most services — Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and Box — encrypt your files on their servers and hold the decryption keys, so the company can technically access what you store.

A smaller group, including Internxt, Tresorit, and Sync.com, encrypt files on your device before upload, using keys only you control. The provider receives data it cannot read, and cannot hand anything over even under legal order.

Internxt is the strongest pick in the second category: your files are encrypted before they leave your device and an independent security firm confirmed this in 2024, it meets healthcare data protection requirements (HIPAA), and it holds international security certification (ISO 27001:2022).

This guide covers Internxt alongside 10 other services across both categories, compared on encryption architecture, pricing, compliance, and practical use cases.

Quick comparison: encrypted cloud storage in 2026

The most important column below is whether the company can read your files, the real difference between "encrypted" and "actually private."

What is encrypted cloud storage?

When you upload a file to the cloud, it gets scrambled into unreadable data before sitting on a server. Without the right key to unscramble it, the file is useless to anyone who intercepts it. The part most people miss is who holds that key.

Encrypted cloud storage stores your data on remote servers and protects it from unauthorized access by transforming the plain text (your file) into cipher text. This encrypted format makes it unreadable to hackers.

Standard encryption vs. zero-knowledge encryption

Most cloud services encrypt your files but keep a copy of the key themselves. Google, Dropbox, and Microsoft can technically unscramble your files if required to. Their security keeps outside attackers away, but the ability to access your data exists.

Zero-knowledge encryption works differently: your files are encrypted on your own device before they ever leave it. The company receives already-scrambled data and never holds your decryption key. Even under a legal order, they have nothing readable to hand over.

Standard encryption works for most people. If your concern is a server breach, standard encryption stops that. Zero-knowledge goes further and protects your files from the company itself. This matters for medical records, legal documents, and anything you would not want a third party to ever access.

Encryption standards explained

AES-256 is the current industry standard, used by governments, banks, and every service on this list except MEGA, which uses AES-128. The 256-bit key length makes brute-force attacks computationally infeasible with current hardware.

TLS protects files in transit from your device to the server. Internxt uses TLS 1.3, the most recent version. Post-quantum encryption is designed to withstand attacks from future quantum computers. Internxt is the only service on this list with it deployed as a default across all plans.

The 11 best encrypted cloud storage services in 2026

1. Internxt

Internxt is a privacy-focused cloud storage service built in Valencia, Spain, with data centers in Europe. It encrypts your files on your device before upload, meaning Internxt has no technical ability to read what you store, independently verified by Securitum in a 2024 Securitum security audit. The code is open source on GitHub, so anyone can verify how the encryption works.

It is the only service on this list with post-quantum encryption deployed as a default on all plans.

Security: AES-256 client-side encryption before upload, transferred over TLS 1.3. ISO 27001:2022 certified, HIPAA compliant with BAA available, and GDPR-aligned through European data centers. The 2024 Securitum audit independently confirms the zero-knowledge architecture works as described.

Features: Available on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. Supports WebDAV, Rclone, and NAS for home server and multi-platform integrations. Encrypted file sharing with password protection and expiry dates. Automatic backups on paid plans. Business plans include team management and per-member storage allocation.

Pricing:

• Free: 1 GB
• Annual plans from €12/year (1 TB, introductory rate)
• Lifetime plans from €190 one-time (1 TB). Plans can be stacked and are payable via cryptocurrency or Klarna installments
• Business Standard: €6.99/user/month (1 TB per user)
• Business Pro: €8.99/user/month (2 TB per user)

Pick this if you want verified zero-knowledge encryption, HIPAA compliance, and post-quantum encryption in a single plan.

2. Google Drive

Google Drive is the default cloud storage for billions of people and the easiest option if you live inside the Google ecosystem. Its real-time collaboration supports up to 100 simultaneous editors, the strongest of any service on this list.

Security: AES-256 at rest, TLS in transit. Google holds the encryption keys and can technically read your files if required by law or their terms of service. This is disclosed openly in Google's privacy policy. No zero-knowledge option available on any plan. HIPAA compliance requires a Google Workspace subscription and a signed BAA.

Features: Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Meet built in. 15 GB free across Gmail and Photos. Gemini AI integration on higher plans. Offline access across every platform and browser.

Pricing:

• Free: 15 GB
• 100 GB for $1.99/month
• 2 TB for $9.99/month
• Google AI Pro (2 TB + Gemini): $19.99/month

Pick this if collaboration and Google ecosystem integration matter more than privacy. For sensitive documents you would not want Google to ever be able to access, a zero-knowledge service is the correct choice.

3. Tresorit

Tresorit offers encrypted cloud storage and other features to prioritize security, privacy, and compliance in document management and email communication.

Tresorit is a Swiss-founded encrypted cloud storage service with a strong record in enterprise security. Founded in 2011, it serves law firms, healthcare organizations, and financial teams that cannot afford data exposure. Beyond file storage, it covers encrypted data rooms, e-signature workflows, and encrypted email attachments via Microsoft Outlook.

Security: Zero-knowledge encryption on all paid plans. ISO 27001 certified, HIPAA compliant with BAA available. EU data centers. Closed source, so the implementation cannot be independently audited the way Internxt or Filen can.

Features: Encrypted sharing links with expiry and access controls, version history, remote device wipe. Microsoft Outlook integration for encrypted email attachments. eIDAS-compliant electronic signatures for EU legal workflows.

Pricing:

• Free: 3 GB
• Personal Lite from $4.75/month
• Business plans from $19/user/month (billed annually)
• 14-day free trial

Pick this if you run a business that handles sensitive client documents and needs a legally compliant e-signature workflow, or works in a regulated industry. The compliance features justify the higher cost for professional use.

4. pCLoud

pCloud is a cloud storage solution offering robust file access and backup capabilities across devices and secure file-sharing services. Additionally, it provides the option to enhance security with pCloud Pass, a paid add-on for password management.

Furthermore, pCloud is not open source, meaning its source code is not publicly accessible for independent review or modification, leaving many wondering is pCloud safe for private files.

Security: Standard server-side encryption by default, meaning pCloud holds the keys and can technically access your files. Zero-knowledge encryption requires the pCloud Crypto add-on, a separate add-on: $3.99/month billed annually (~$48/year) or $150 as a lifetime purchase. Not open source. Despite marketing that references Swiss privacy standards, it operates under Bulgarian jurisdiction.

Features: Apps for all major platforms including a desktop virtual drive. Built-in media player for music and video. pCloud Transfer for large file sends. Lifetime plans for 500 GB and 2 TB.

Pricing:

• Free: 10 GB
• Premium 500 GB from $4.17/month (billed annually)
• Premium Plus 2 TB from $8.33/month (billed annually)
• Lifetime plans from $199 one-time (500 GB)
• Crypto add-on: ~$49.99 one-time

Pick this if you want lifetime pricing and a polished media experience and are fine adding the Crypto add-on separately. Not the right choice if you want zero-knowledge privacy included without an extra step.

5. Icedrive

Icedrive is an encrypted cloud storage provider distinguished by its use of Twofish encryption, offering strong security measures for storing and accessing files.

Icedrive is a Welsh cloud storage service built around a clean interface and a drive-mounting feature that makes your cloud storage appear as a local drive on your computer.

Security: Uses Twofish encryption rather than AES-256. Twofish is secure but slower and less widely tested in practice. Zero-knowledge encryption applies only to a single designated folder on paid plans. The rest of your storage is not zero-knowledge. No independent security audits published. No ISO 27001 or HIPAA compliance. Based in Wales, so GDPR applies.

Features: Desktop drive mounting is the headline feature. Media streaming for photos and videos. Apps for Windows, macOS, and mobile. No Linux desktop app. No real-time collaboration.

Pricing:

• Free: 10 GB (no zero-knowledge)
• Lite: 100 GB for $2.99/month
• Pro I: 1 TB for $4.92/month (billed annually)
• Pro III: 3 TB for $9.92/month (billed annually)
• Lifetime plans available

Pick this if you want affordable storage with a polished interface and drive-mounting. The encryption limitations make it unsuitable if full account-wide zero-knowledge protection is a requirement.

6. Nextcloud

Unlike mainstream providers, Nextcloud allows users to host their cloud storage, privately giving them complete control over their data.

Nextcloud is different from everything else on this list. There is no company holding your files. You download the software and run it on your own server. You own the hardware, the data, and the configuration entirely.

Security: Supports AES-256 server-side encryption and client-side encryption via a separate app. Encryption is not enabled by default. You configure it yourself. Security depends on how well you maintain your server. Two-factor authentication, audit logging, and brute-force protection available. Fully open source.

Features: Nextcloud Files for storage and sync, Talk for encrypted video and messaging, Groupware for calendar and contacts, and Office for collaborative document editing. Runs on Linux servers. Extensive app ecosystem.

Pricing:

• Community edition: Free (you cover server costs)
• Enterprise support from €36/user/year

Pick this if you are technically confident enough to run your own server and want total data sovereignty. Not practical for most individuals.

7. Box

Box is an enterprise content management platform built for team collaboration, workflow automation, and compliance in large organizations, not personal use.

Security: AES-256 at rest, TLS in transit. HIPAA compliant with BAA available. ISO 27001 certified. Box does not offer zero-knowledge encryption by default. Box KeySafe, an enterprise add-on, allows customer-managed keys (closer to zero-knowledge) but requires contacting sales for pricing.

Security features include multifactor authentication, file access controls, and trusted device verification. Box Keysafe offers end-to-end encryption with user-controlled encryption keys for those requiring heightened security, although specific pricing details require contacting Box sales.

Box.com is well-suited for businesses needing centralized content management and secure collaboration tools. However, individual users or those seeking simpler storage solutions may find other alternatives more suitable.

Box pricing

• Individual: Free (single user)
• Personal Pro: 100GB, €12 per month (single user)
• Business Starter: 100GB, €6 per user/month (min 3 users)

Sync

Sync is an encrypted cloud storage and collaboration platform prioritizing privacy and security. Since 2011, Sync offers a zero-knowledge encrypted service, ensuring that only the user has access to their data.

Security features include AES-256 encryption for data at rest and in transit, along with additional safeguards like Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) and local drive encryption, which are valuable features to secure your files.

Sync cloud storage also provides backup capabilities with up to 365-day file history retention, protecting against data loss from accidental deletion or cyberattacks.

Sync supports file syncing and sharing across Windows, Mac, and mobile platforms, but it lacks Linux support. Collaboration features allow users to manage permissions, share files securely with external parties, and utilize an admin console for team management.

However, Sync's apps are not open-source, which limits transparency compared to fully open-source alternatives. Despite this, Sync adheres to global privacy laws and does not collect or sell user data, maintaining a strong commitment to user privacy.

Sync is ideal for individuals and businesses seeking robust security measures and privacy assurances in their cloud storage and collaboration tools. Exploring alternatives may be advisable for those prioritizing open-source solutions for maximum transparency.

Sync pricing

• Free: 5GB storage
• PRO, Solo Basic: 2TB storage, $96 billed annually / $8 per month
• PRO, Solo professional: 6TB storage, $240 billed annually / $24 per month

MEGA

MEGA, launched in 2013, emerged as a significant player in cloud storage, succeeding Megaupload with a robust zero-knowledge, end-to-end encrypted service. It offers a range of features including free and paid plans, synchronization, and compatibility across Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS platforms.

In addition to its core storage capabilities, MEGA also incorporates advanced features like encrypted chat and video call functionalities, enhancing its utility as a collaborative platform. Moreover, MEGA supports object storage, allowing users to manage and store unstructured data efficiently within its ecosystem.

Despite its popularity, MEGA has faced criticism, notably from its founder Kim Dotcom, who expressed distrust after leaving the company. Security concerns heightened with revelations of fundamental encryption flaws in June 2022.

Researchers identified vulnerabilities such as RSA key recovery, plaintext recovery, framing attacks, integrity attacks, and GaP-Bleichenbacher attacks, undermining its security claims and leaving many users wondering is MEGA safe for their files.

In response to these vulnerabilities, users concerned about the security of what they are storing in the cloud may wish to seek more secure and private alternatives.

For users prioritizing security and seeking dependable cloud storage alternatives to MEGA, Internxt provides a compelling solution and MEGA alternative alternative with comprehensive privacy and robust encryption measures.

MEGA pricing

• 2TB: €9.99
• 8TB: €19.99
• 16TB: 29.99

Filen

Filen, founded in 2020 in Recklinghausen, Germany, is a cloud storage service committed to offering users complete privacy through zero-knowledge and end-to-end encryption technologies.

Filen implements client-side encryption, ensuring that data is encrypted on the user's device before transmission, thereby preventing Filen from accessing unencrypted data.

Filen supports file syncing and backup across Windows, MacOS, Linux, and mobile platforms. Users can share files securely via encrypted links, with options to set passwords, expiration dates, and download permissions.

Five sync modes provide flexibility depending on user needs, from two-way syncing to cloud or local backups.

In conclusion, Filen presents a robust option for users prioritizing data security and privacy, particularly within the EU regulatory framework.

However, potential users should consider an alternative to Filen if they want more advanced encryption, and a more complete product suite to protect their privacy online.

Filen pricing

• Pro I, 200 GB, $1.99, monthly
• Pro II, 500 GB, $3.99, monthly
• Pro III, 2TB, 8.99, monthly

Koofr

Koofr, a cloud storage service from Slovenia, allows users to store files, videos, and photos across various web platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android. However, Koofr lacks robust privacy measures such as zero-knowledge encryption on free accounts, potentially compromising user data security.

The platform supports document collaboration and integrates with Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive for seamless file migration. Koofr's upload and download speeds have been noted to be slightly slower than those of other providers.

Additionally, free accounts receive autogenerated weak passwords for file sharing, raising security concerns when sharing files securely online.

Pricing includes a free tier with limited storage and paid plans starting from €1.67 per month for 25 GB up to €8.33 per month for 250 GB.

While Koofr offers accessibility and basic functionalities, users prioritizing privacy and stronger security measures may prefer alternatives with more comprehensive encryption and password protection features at no additional cost.

For an alternative to Koofr with an exclusive discount, visit our website below.

Finding the right encrypted cloud storage for your privacy

As we have found out, choosing the proper encrypted cloud storage requires the following features:

• Open source
• Security audited
• Zero-knowledge encryption (included for free)
• End-to-end encryption

In this case, Internxt is the encrypted cloud storage that ticks all the boxes if you value your privacy. With affordable subscriptions, lifetime plans, and the best security, Internxt is the only cloud storage solution to keep your files in complete privacy. Try Internxt for free today

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• Secure cloud storage services
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• Is Degoo safe?

If you’re tired of big tech cloud companies profiting from your data, fortunately, you have a variety of options available to make the switch from Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud, and others.

From cloud companies like Internxt, which was founded as a secure and private alternative to Google Drive, to Icedrive, a cloud storage company from the UK, you may be considering which option is best for you.

But, is Icedrive safe?

When choosing any cloud provider, you must know as much as possible about the company before trusting it with your data and files.

To help you understand, we will cover the following about the cloud company Icedrive

• Is Icedrive safe, secure, and private?
• What features does it offer?
• Pricing
• Is Icedrive encryption secure and private
• What Icedrive alternatives are available?

By the end of this article, you will learn more about Icedrive, including the positives, negatives, and whether it's the right cloud storage for you if you value the privacy of your files.

Table of contents

• What is Icedrive?
• Is Icedrive free?
• Is Icedrive safe?
• Is Icedrive secure?
• Is Icedrive private?
• What is the best Icedrive alternative?
• Internxt vs Icedrive
• Switch to Internxt for 85% off
• Related articles
• Frequently asked questions

What is Icedrive?

Icedrive is a cloud storage company based in the UK offering online storage, syncing, backups, and file sharing.

It’s available on Windows, Mac, Linux, web, and mobile, so you can access your files from anywhere.

Icedrive’s main focus is cloud storage and doesn’t offer other products or features to protect your privacy online outside of this, unlike other companies such as Internxt.

Icedrive has been around since 2019, so it has a track record for a decent amount of time in a competitive market.

But if you’re wondering is Icedrive safe, then we will investigate this in more detail next as we take a look at its features, encryption, and other features it does or doesn’t offer.

Is Icedrive free?

Yes, Icedrive is free to use; it offers 10GB of free cloud storage, which has some restrictions regarding file versions and advanced sharing options.

The biggest restriction, however, is that free plans do not include zero-knowledge encryption.

This is a feature only available with paid Icedrive plans, so Icedrive could theoretically view your files in the cloud, making it a less private option than other cloud storage providers with zero-knowledge encryption for all plans.

If you want more features and client-side encryption, then you would need to get an Icedrive paid plan, for which you can get more information below.

Icedrive pricing

Icedrive offers monthly or annual subscriptions of 2, 4, and 6 terabytes at the following prices:

Monthly

• Pro: €5.99/month
• Pro Plus: €8.99/month
• Pro Max: €14.99/month

Annual

• Pro: €59/year
• Pro Plus: €89/year
• Pro Max: €149/year

Icedrive also offers lifetime plans, but they offer less storage, with a maximum of 1TB cloud storage, and you can stack these to add more storage in the future if necessary.

Icedrive lifetime plans

• Basic: €89
• Personal: €189
• Personal +: €279

The plan you have with Icedrive determines the features you get, which we will look at next.

Icedrive features

With a paid Icedrive plan, you can access the following features:

• Zero-knowledge encryption
• File versions (up to 90 days for up to 100 versions)
• File sharing with password protection and expiry dates
• Media streaming
• Standard / Priority support (email)

Icedrive Docs is also advertised as coming soon on its website, but more information about this, such as an expected release date, can’t be found anywhere else.

In the meantime, however, Icedrive currently offers basic cloud storage features, which may be enough for cloud storage for personal use and as an extra backup option for your current cloud storage plan.

But is Icedrive safe for your files if it doesn’t have zero-knowledge encryption for free plans?

Is Icedrive safe?

Icedrive uses encryption at rest and when files are uploaded via the internet (TLS) to protect your files when they are sent and stored in the cloud.

Icedrive also complies with GDPR, ISO 27001, and data is stored in Tier III data centers for increased redundancy to ensure you can access your files and have uptime of up to 99.982%.

Is Icedrive secure?

To secure your accounts, Icedrive offers two-factor authentication, password protection, and link expiration for shared files.

Regarding encryption, Icedrive uses Twofish 256 encryption rather than the industry standard AES-256. This secures all files in the cloud in the same way as AES encryption, but has some drawbacks, which include:

Slower performance: AES encryption instructions are built into our computer processors, so our devices can encrypt files much more quickly. Twofish encryption does not have this, and the process takes longer and uses up more CPU as a result.

Less standard adoption: Fewer protocols, libraries, and hardware implementations use Twofish. As a result, this method of encryption has not been as extensively tested in comparison to AES encryption, which could result in more bugs or potential vulnerabilities that could risk user data.

Furthermore, Icedrive has not been audited for its security, nor is it open source, so the encryption and security methods can not be verified, and it is impossible to know how secure Icedrive is without external verification from security experts.

If you want guaranteed security and encryption, Internxt is fully open source and independently audited.

Therefore, if you want full security but still want free cloud storage, you may want to consider an Icedrive alternative, such as Internxt.

Is Icedrive private?

Icedrive claims on its website that its website does not include ads, tracking, or data selling. So this is another advantage over other small companies like Terabox which includes ads in its free plans, or even better than larger companies, such as Dropbox, which has a track record of sharing user data.

Icedrive has reduced privacy on its free plans, as these do not include zero-knowledge encryption, so Icedrive is not private if you’re on a limited free plan.

Even if you pay for an Icedrive account, you will get this extra encrypted folder, but the lack of independent audits of its encryption code and no open‑source code to verify means the lack of transparency makes it harder to fully trust privacy claims.

What is the best Icedrive alternative?

For the most advanced encryption, cloud storage features, and products designed to give you maximum online privacy, Internxt is the best Icedrive alternative.

It offers affordable subscription or lifetime plans of up to 100TB (via stacksocial), offering more storage and the chance to upgrade your plan to get all the features of Internxt, so you never run out of cloud storage again.

Internxt vs Icedrive

Internxt vs Icedrive overview

Pricing

Internxt annual prices start at €2 a month, and even though Icedrive offers more storage, it still works out cheaper, plus you get extra features included in this plan, such as:

• Encrypted backups
• VPN
• Antivirus
• Password-protected file sharing
• Video streaming
• Post-quantum and zero-knowledge encryption

For lifetime plans, Internxt offers 5x the storage of Icedrive, with 5TB of storage, which you can also stack to give you more storage whenever you need more online space for your files.

Below, you can find all the features of Internxt plans, and you can view more information on our website, where you can purchase your plan via multiple payment methods, including cryptocurrency or by splitting the cost with Klarna.

Therefore, with a one-time payment with an Internxt plan, you get the best and most private encryption, and all the products you need to maintain your privacy online.

You can get an exclusive 85% discount via the link below to find out more on the topic of is Icedrive safe and more information about Internxt vs Icedrive.

Security

Internxt uses AES-256 combined with Kyber-512 post-quantum encryption to encrypt and secure your files directly on your device for full end-to-end encryption.

To secure your accounts, you can enable 2FA and download a backup key for your account in case you forget your password, assuring you can always access your files.

For extra security regarding your files, all files are stored in multiple European data centers for increased redundancy, ensuring you can always access your files even in the case of natural disasters.

Internxt has an up time of 99.99999999999%. With this high amount of uptime, you files remain secure and always accessible.

Encryption

Internxt includes zero-knowledge and post-quantum encryption for all free and paid plans. The encryption happens on your device and protects your files during transit, when they are stored in the cloud, or when you share them with others.

All the keys are managed on your device, and only you have access to them. This offers the best privacy for your files available and ensures only you can access your files, not even Internxt can access your encrypted files.

Storage

For subscriptions, Internxt offers up to 5TB, while Icedrive offers 6TB. However, an Ultimate plan comes with everything Internxt has to offer, including:

• VPN
• Cleaner,
• Meet,
• File versioning
• CLI, WebDAV, NAS, rclone support
• Mail & Photos (coming soon)

For a lifetime plan, Icedrive offers up to 1TB, whereas Internxt offers 5TB.

You can stack Icedrive plans, so if you wanted 5TB, this would cost you €1,395 compared to an Internxt Ultimate plan of €780, making a 5TB Internxt lifetime plan up to 43.45% cheaper and with a wider range of online privacy features.

Internxt also offers up to 100TB of storage with StackSocial, although they do not include the features of an Internxt plan, they are the best option if you want the basics of cloud storage and management for a large amount of videos or other files.

Accessibility

Icedrive offers support for Windows, Mac, Linux, and mobile, as does Internxt.

Internxt offers more advanced cloud management with support for NAS, CLI, WebDAV, rclone, and native rclone support, giving you everything you need to manage your cloud, regardless of your OS.

Transparency

Internxt offers full transparency to align with its mission of online privacy and protection for everyone.

The code for all of Internxt’s apps and services is available on GitHub, so anybody can check and verify Internxt’s encryption, data protection, and platform security.

Internxt’s code has been independently audited by the leading company Securitum, verifying the security of its platform to ensure you get the best combination of security and privacy.

Compliance

No matter the industry, or whether you use the cloud for personal or business use, Internxt complies with multiple bodies to ensure all data is handled securely.

Internxt is based in Spain, and follows GDPR, but it also complies with:

• ISO 27001
• HIPAA
• SOC 2

So no matter the industry or data, Internxt ensures it’s kept secure against data breaches.

Industry trust

Internxt is the trusted cloud provider of Levante UD, helping this historic club secure its data and files in the cloud.

Partnering with Levante helps unite technology and sport and highlights Internxt's growing influence in the European tech landscape while showing our dedication to providing security across all industries and use cases.

Switch to Internxt for 85% off

To get the best Icedrive alternative, and to learn more about Internxt, claim your exclusive discount for 85% off all plans, and get the best deals and products to protect your online privacy.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Icedrive safe for personal and private files?

Yes, Icedrive uses Twofish encryption and TLS protocols to keep your files safe. If you want more privacy, however, then you may want to consider cloud storage with more features and privacy-focused encryption like Internxt Drive.

Does Icedrive have zero-knowledge encryption?

Yes, but only on paid plans and only for files placed in the encrypted folder. The free plan does not include zero-knowledge encryption. Files stored there are only protected with standard encryption in transit and at rest, which means the service can technically access them.

Is Icedrive open source?

No. The apps and encryption implementation are not fully open source, which means outside researchers cannot easily inspect the code.

Is Icedrive safe for files stored outside the encrypted folder?

No. Files stored outside the encrypted area are still encrypted during transfer and while stored on servers, but Icedrive technically has access to them.

Is Twofish encryption secure?

Yes. Twofish is a well-known symmetric cipher and was a finalist in the competition that selected the AES standard. However, it may soon become outdated as companies shift to post-quantum encryption like that used at Internxt.

Google Photos is a popular app by Google to store, share, sync, and backup your photos, albums, and keep your memories in the cloud.

Like Google Drive and its lack of privacy features, many are wondering whether Google Photos and privacy are possible with a Photos account.

This article will help you answer this question by investigating:

• Photos vs Google Drive
• Photos features, pricing
• Google Photos and privacy
• The best privacy alternative to Google Photos

By the end, you won’t have to worry about companies spying on your photos or data again, as Internxt has everything you need to store your photos and more, with maximum privacy, security, and control.

Table of contents

• What is Google Photos?
• Is Google Photos free?
• Difference between Google Photos and Google Drive
• Is Google Photos safe?
• Google Photos and privacy concerns
• Store your photos with maximum privacy with Internxt
• Internxt vs Google Drive overview
• Related articles
• Frequently asked questions

What is Google Photos?

Google Photos is a cloud storage for photos service that’s part of the Google ecosystem. It lets you store, organize, edit, and share photos and videos.

Google Photos was released on May 28, 2015, allowing you to automatically back up your media from your phone or computer, so you can access it from any device signed into your Google account.

Is Google Photos free?

Yes, Google Photos is free to download and use. It lets you store up to 15GB of photos, which, depending on the size and format of your photos, is enough for:

• High-quality JPEG (~3 MB each): ~5,000 photos
• Full-resolution RAW (~25 MB each): ~600 photos
• Medium-resolution JPEG (~1 MB each): ~15,000 photos
• Small/resized photos (~500 KB each): ~30,000 photos

However, this free storage applies across the rest of Google’s services, so your Gmail and Google Drive storage will also take up this storage. If you need more storage, monthly or annual subscriptions are available with a Google One plan.

Difference between Google Photos and Google Drive

Google Photos is for media management with smart organization and editing for photos, while Google Drive is for general file storage and collaboration.

When to use Google Photos: to store, organize, and manage photos and videos. It is ideal if you want automatic backups, AI-powered search by people, places, or objects, quick editing tools, and features like albums, collages, and memories.

When to use Google Drive: Use it when you need general cloud storage for all file types, such as documents, spreadsheets, PDFs, images, and videos. It is best for folder-based organization, file syncing, offline access, and sharing or live collaboration with others.

Google Photos features

Google Drive features

Is Google Photos safe?

Google Photos, Drive, and its other services use several security protocols to secure your data, but it still lacks the technology needed if you want to store photos in the cloud privately.

Below are the features, technology, and protocols you should be aware of when considering Google Photos and privacy concerns.

Encryption

Google Photos, Drive, and its other services use AES-256 encryption and TLS protocols to protect your photos as they are transferred and stored in the cloud.

This is the industry-standard encryption and security required to protect files from hackers or data breaches.

Despite this encryption, Google, like many other companies, does not use zero-knowledge encryption, so Google and its employees can see your data, photos, emails, and other types of information when you use its services.

Internxt, on the other hand, uses post-quantum combined with zero-knowledge encryption to offer end-to-end encryption and maximum privacy to ensure only you can see your data, and nobody else, even Internxt, can view it.

Google has shown it doesn’t value the privacy of its customers’ data, as shown by the millions it has paid in the past due to GDPR and privacy law violations.

A past vulnerability in 2019 with Google Takeout (the service that allows you to download all your Google data) caused users to receive videos from other people’s Google Photos libraries, exposing private content to unintended recipients and raising serious privacy concerns about data segregation in Google’s export systems.

Security

To secure your accounts, you can enable Two-Factor Authentication to add extra security to your password.

Other security features include:

• Locked Folder: Move sensitive photos and videos into a PIN-protected folder on your mobile that doesn’t appear in the main feed or search results.
• Private sharing controls: You can share individual photos, albums, or links with specific people, and revoke access at any time.
• Phishing and malware protection: Google’s systems scan for known threats and warn users if a link or file could be unsafe.

So while Google may be secure, Google Photos and privacy features are lacking in comparison to other privacy-focused companies, like Internxt.

Google Photos and privacy concerns

Scanning your photos

When you upload photos to Google, they contain metadata that contains information related to:

• Timestamps of the date and hour the photo was taken
• Location
• Device information

But it doesn’t stop there, Google also integrates AI features such as facial recognition and other activity-based personalization to organize your library to show your most viewed albums, and organize photos based on people, places, friends, family, pets, or certain events.

How to prevent this:

1. Use Internxt's free Metadata remover if you store photos in Google to delete the added information from your photos.
2. Your Google Account button → Photos settings → Preferences. This will stop future AI organization of your photos, but Google still has data on how it was used in the past.

Photos used for AI training

Google has combined its Gemini AI model into photos to allow you to search through your photo history using prompts with its Ask Photos feature.

For example, searching for “Paris Trip”  will find your photos that best match the context and content.

While it is not clear how far this AI feature analyzes or uses your content, it likely combines with Gemini’s privacy policy, where humans can monitor your Gemini chats to provide extra training for its AI model.

How to prevent this: Turn off the Ask Photos feature by going to  Photos settings > Preferences > Gemini features in Photos.

Unverified security

Google is not open source; therefore, Google Photos and privacy features, such as how it protects your data, secures your accounts, and encrypts your files is hidden from public view.

This means it's impossible to verify any of the Google Photos and privacy features designed to protect your data; instead, you have to trust Google when it comes to how they protect your data and files.

How to prevent this: switch to open source software and European tech companies like Internxt. Everything is open source and verifiable via the Internxt GitHub page.

Internxt has also successfully passed two independent security audits, verifying the security of its platform for your data and files.

Account deletion and potential legal consequences

As Google can access your data and photos, it can also take action if it decides you go against its terms and conditions, even if you haven’t.

One example happened to a Father from Houston, Texas, in 2021. The father took a screenshot of his child for the doctor to more easily diagnose the condition. Google flagged the images as potential child abuse during automated scanning and notified the police.

The father was clear of any wrongdoing, but Google still disabled his entire Google account, deleting years of emails, contacts, and files.

In 2024, an Indian engineer lost access to his Gmail, Google Drive, and photos after Google’s AI content scanning flagged a photo of him as a young child. Attempts to get back his accounts proved unsuccessful after contacting Google.

How to prevent this: Use cloud storage with zero-knowledge encryption that automatically encrypts photos before they are uploaded to the cloud to prevent unauthorized content scanning by AI.

Store your photos with maximum privacy with Internxt

For a fully private alternative to Google Photos, and other Google products such as Google Meet, Drive, and Gemini, Internxt Drive offers zero-knowledge and post-quantum encryption for all its products.

Nobody can view your files, not Internxt, so if you want maximum privacy for your photos and data, Internxt is the best solution to protect your files and secure your online privacy.

Drive

Internxt Drive launched post-quantum encrypted cloud storage in 2025, making it the first cloud storage with the most advanced and private encryption possible, and it’s available for all plans.

With Drive, you can store, sync, and back up your photos in total privacy with up to 5TB plans available. If you buy a lifetime plan, you also get the option to stack these plans for more storage.

With 5TB, you can store hundreds of thousands of photos, but it can also serve as your main storage for all file types, and you can even stream videos on the web platform.

You can also share photos securely with Drive, secure them with a password, and revoke access whenever you need, all protected with our zero-knowledge encryption.

Aside from cloud storage for Photos, Internxt paid plans include everything you need to keep your files protected and secure with:

• Encrypted backups
• 2FA
• Password-protected file sharing
• File versioning
• WebDAV, NAS, Rclone support

And that’s just for cloud storage, with Internxt, you get a full product suite, and get the best privacy online.

Below, you can find all the features of our Essential, Premium, and Ultimate plans, available from just €2.00/month on our website.

Photos (coming soon)

Internxt will soon release the best private alternative to Google Photos later this year with Internxt Photos.

Photos will be available for all Ultimate plans, allowing you to automatically back up and sync your photos.

With Internxt Photos, all your photos are protected with ZKE, and is free from AI scanning of your photos, giving you a secure and private platform to keep your memories safe.

Meet

Internxt Meet is a private video calling platform and an alternative to Google Meet to host meetings with friends, family, or colleagues in total privacy.

Your videos and chats are kept totally private, so you can host calls knowing that whatever you share or talk about in the call is between you and your participants.

Mail (coming soon)

Ultimate plans will also include Internxt Mail, a private, encrypted email service where you can send emails in total privacy, where nobody but you and your recipients can read its contents.

With Mail, you can switch from Gmail and other big tech companies that scan your emails, messages, and attachments, and switch to Internxt for the best privacy suite.

AI

Internxt has also recently launched Internxt AI, a European and privacy-focused chat assistant and alternative to Gemini, where all your chats are encrypted and never used to train its AI model.

If you’re uncomfortable about how Gemini AI uses your data or having your messages read and monitored by humans, then use Internxt AI, a fully private AI chat assistant that you can use for free.

More features

Aside from Internxt Drive, Internxt has an abundance of free tools available to everyone to ensure accounts stay safe, devices remain protected, and your online privacy is the best it can be.

On our website, you can use the following free tools to meet your privacy needs:

• Temporary email: Protect your email from spam
• File Virus Scanner: Scan files to protect your device from malware
• Password Generator: Create strong passwords or passphrases
• Password Checker: Ensure your passwords are protected from hackers
• Dark Web Monitor: Check if your email or other data has leaked online

Combine these with your Internxt Drive account, and you don’t have to worry about Google or other big tech companies like Google, Dropbox, or others profiting or spying on you online anymore.

Join Internxt for 87% off with our special offer below!

Internxt vs Google Drive overview

Internxt vs Google

Related articles

• Is Google Drive safe
• iCloud vs Google Drive
• Google Photos vs iCloud
• Alternative to Google Photos

Frequently asked questions

What data does Google Photos collect?

Google Photos collects photos, videos, metadata like location and device information, and usage data to organize and improve its services.

Can Google see my photos?

Yes, Google’s systems can access your photos for features like automatic organization, search, and personalized suggestions.

Google will also scan for content that may violate its terms and conditions, and delete accounts if they suspect any violations of these terms.

Is Google Photos encrypted?

Photos are encrypted in transit and at rest on Google servers. However, Google holds the encryption keys, so it can technically access your data.

What is the best Google Photos alternative?

Internxt Drive and Internxt Photos (coming soon) are the best alternatives to Google Drive and Google Photos, as they use post-quantum and zero-knowledge encryption so nobody but you can access your files.

Internxt includes a full online privacy suite, too, giving you maximum security and privacy online.

Dropbox was one of the first cloud storage companies to provide online storage, backups, and sharing for people looking to store their files online.

It has since grown its product to include more features, and offers cloud storage for personal to enterprise use.

However, Dropbox has a past of security breaches, data leaks, password leaks, and sharing data without user consent.

We go into details about these incidents and the following topics within this article:

• Is Dropbox secure in 2026?
• Is Dropbox safe for personal, confidential, or sensitive information?
• Dropbox features and pricing
• The best alternative to Dropbox for privacy

Table of contents

• What is Dropbox?
• Does Dropbox offer free storage?
• What’s included in a Dropbox plan?
• Dropbox vs Internxt pricing
• What is a cheap Dropbox alternative?
• Does Dropbox encrypt your files?
• Is Dropbox secure for private files?
• Is Dropbox secure for personal data?
• What is the best alternative to Dropbox for security and privacy?
• Internxt vs Dropbox overview
• Related articles
• Frequently asked questions

What is Dropbox?

Dropbox offers cloud storage for Windows, Mac, and mobile devices, with options to sync, backup, and share files with others.

Dropbox was launched in 2008 and has since extended its cloud storage offering to video editing, e-document signing, and Artificial Intelligence features.

Dropbox offers personal, business, and enterprise storage, so it is designed to meet various cloud storage needs.

Does Dropbox offer free storage?

Yes, Dropbox offers 2GB of free storage with its Dropbox Basic plan. It is available on Windows, Mac, Web, iOS, and Android, and comes with the following features:

• Back up and sync your files
• File restoration for up to 30 days
• Version history for up to 30 days
• Shared links
• File previews

While Dropbox doesn’t offer the most free cloud storage compared to others, it’s been around since 2007, making it one of the first companies to offer cloud storage.

What is a free Dropbox plan suitable for? With 2GB of free storage, this is enough as an extra backup for your important photos and medium-sized videos.

You may want to be careful with the types of files you store in Dropbox, however, as it doesn’t include zero-knowledge encryption, like Internxt or Proton Drive, so free or even paid plans are not suitable for highly sensitive or confidential files, so you may want to consider a more private Dropbox alternative.

What’s included in a Dropbox plan?

If you want more features or storage, you can upgrade your free 2GB Dropbox plan to get storage up to 15TB for 3+ users. Monthly or annual plans are available, and all the features of Dropbox are included with its advanced plan (€21.50/user/month or €18/user/year).

Other cloud storage features include

Dropbox pricing

Dropbox vs Internxt pricing

If you don’t want to add to your growing subscriptions, Internxt offers lifetime plans for a one-time payment for Essential, Premium, and Ultimate plans with Antivirus, VPN, Meet, Mail, and more.

If you want a cheap cloud storage alternative to Dropbox, Internxt also offers annual plans that start at the equivalent of €2/month, but you can get an even greater discount - 87% off all plans, and get a detailed comparison of Internxt vs Dropbox by following the link below.

Below are the features and Internxt pricing for annual and lifetime plans.

What is a cheap Dropbox alternative?

Based on the 5TB plans, you can get the following savings if you choose an Internxt Ultimate annual plan.

• Internxt Annual Ultimate: 5TB, 1 user, €72/year, equivalent to €6/month
• Dropbox Standard: 3TB, 1 user, €19.99/ month, equivalent to €239.88 a year.
• Savings with Internxt: €239.88 − €72 = €167.88, saving you 70% a year with 2TB more storage.

If you choose an Ultimate lifetime plan with Internxt, you will pay a one-time charge of €780.

Compared to the Dropbox Standard plan of €198.96, meaning you will get your return on investment by year 4, and after 5 years, you will have saved €214.80 and more as shown in the table below.

Therefore, if you want a more affordable alternative to Dropbox, Internxt offers more storage at a cheaper cost, with advanced features designed to protect your privacy online.

Does Dropbox encrypt your files?

Yes, Dropbox encrypts your files using AES-256 encryption, the same encryption used by Google Drive, OneDrive, and others.

Like these companies, Dropbox encrypts files on Dropbox servers and manages the encryption keys for these files, so it is not zero-knowledge encryption, which is generally preferred by users who value privacy.

Because Dropbox holds the keys, its employees could decrypt your files or give access to law enforcement if required.

True end-to-end encryption requires that only the user holds the keys, so the provider can never access the file content. Dropbox does not do this, but Internxt does.

Internxt Drive post-quantum encryption offers enhanced privacy, as the encryption happens directly on your device, so nobody can access it but you.

Internxt is the first cloud provider to encrypt your files with PQE, offering maximum security, privacy, and protection against future cybersecurity threats.

Is Dropbox secure for private files?

Dropbox is a secure cloud platform, but this does not make it the best cloud storage for your privacy due to:

• No zero-knowledge encryption: Dropbox manages your encryption keys, so it could access your files
• Not open source: By hiding the code on its platform, it is impossible to know about potential security vulnerabilities or if there are any backdoors to your personal data.

You could encrypt your files before uploading data to Dropbox, but this can be time-consuming for large files, so if you want zero-knowledge encryption by default, Internxt Drive is the better option to store your files in privacy.

Is Dropbox secure for personal data?

Dropbox collects quite a lot of your personal information, according to its privacy policy, this includes:

Name, email address, phone number, payment info, and physical address

Dropbox also states:

“We use technologies like cookies and pixel tags.”

Cookies can be a negative for your personal data, as they are often used to track your website activity, pages you visited, device information, and session data.

Aside from this, Dropbox has a history that demonstrates it may not be the safest, most secure, or most private option to store or share your files in the cloud, which we will look at in more detail below.

Is Dropbox secure? Past security concerns of Dropbox

Security bug

The first security incident with Dropbox occurred in 2011. A bug in the Dropbox system (which may have been avoided if it were open source) allowed anybody to access user accounts with any password, regardless of whether it was correct or not, and if they had access to the username or email.

This security issue lasted 4 hours, leaving all Dropbox accounts vulnerable during this time.

68 million passwords leaked

One year later, Dropbox usernames and passwords were stolen from other sites, leading to a major password data leak.

Despite compliance laws stating companies should notify all users of a data breach, it wasn’t until four years later, in 2016, that Dropbox revealed that 68 million users were compromised, making it one of the largest cloud storage and internet breaches in history

Personal data shared with consent

In 2018, Dropbox and Harvard worked together on a study using Dropbox users’ data without consent for research purposes. Even though the data was anonymized, it shows a lack of transparency and greatly reduces trust in Dropbox if they share your data without consent.

Phishing attack

Phishing scams target all businesses, big or small, and in 2022, a Dropbox employee fell for a phishing email. The email stole a Dropbox employee’s credentials by impersonating GitHub, allowing the attacker to steal emails and passwords from Dropbox employees.

GitHub notified Dropbox about the attack, as Dropbox was unaware that employee accounts were compromised.

What is the best alternative to Dropbox for security and privacy?

For the best security and privacy, Internxt is the best alternative to Dropbox due to its post-quantum and zero-knowledge encryption, ensuring your photos, videos, and files are protected from data breaches and hackers.

Internxt was founded in 2020 with Internxt Drive, and in the space of 5 years, it has grown its product suite to include:

• VPN
• Antivirus
• Cleaner
• Meet
• Mail
• Photos

It also includes additional security features in its cloud storage, such as 2FA, encrypted backups for ransomware protection, and file versioning to prevent data loss or accidental deletion.

If you are looking for lifetime storage at an affordable cost, then Internxt has everything you need to protect your privacy online.

So if you’re wondering is Dropbox safe enough for your privacy or data, then it may be time to choose Internxt, the best encrypted cloud storage to secure your files and data against data breaches.

Internxt vs Dropbox overview

Related articles

• Dropbox pricing
• Dropbox vs Google Drive
• Alternative to Dropbox

Frequently asked questions

Is Dropbox secure for storing files?

Yes. Dropbox uses AES 256-bit encryption for files at rest and TLS for files in transit.

Can Dropbox access my files?

As Dropbox manages the encryption keys to your files, employees can theoretically view your files or provide access to law or government agencies unless you encrypt your files before uploading them to Dropbox.

Is Dropbox safe for sensitive or personal data?

Yes, if you enable strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and use file-sharing controls. For highly sensitive data, consider additional encryption before uploading.

What is the best Dropbox alternative?

Internxt is the best encrypted cloud alternative to Dropbox, as it offers encryption to guarantee your privacy, and a wide range of privacy products included in its annual and lifetime plans to give you everything you need to stay protected online.

You have six ways to send a large amount of photos:cloud storage links, dedicated file transfer tools, email with a workaround, messaging apps, device-to-device transfer, and physical drives. Which one works best depends on how many photos you're sending, whether quality matters, and how private you need it to be.

The default options most people try first all have real limits. Email cuts off around 25MB, which is about 5 to 10 full-quality photos. Messaging apps like WhatsApp compress images automatically, so what arrives looks worse than what you sent.

The table below breaks down all six.

Quick comparison: how to send a large amount of photos

Note: Google Drive, Google Photos, and Gmail all share the same 15 GB free storage. A full inbox eats into your photo storage.

How to send a large amount of photos online

Key points:

• Cloud storage (Google Drive, Internxt Drive) is the most reliable option for bulk photo sharing — generate a link and anyone can download without needing an account
• File transfer tools like WeTransfer and Internxt Send are the fastest for one-off sends with no account required
• Email works for small batches only; the workaround is to upload to cloud storage and paste the link into the email instead
• Messaging apps compress photos unless you send them as a Document file
• For iPhone users, Apple's Mail Drop handles up to 5 GB automatically through the built-in Mail app
• For Android users, Gmail integrates with Google Drive to send files up to 10 GB via a Drive link

Cloud storage

Cloud storage works best when you need a link that stays active, when you're sending to multiple people, or when you'll be sharing large photo collections more than once.

Google Drive gives you 15 GB of free storage. Sharing a folder of photos is simple: create a folder, upload your photos, click "Share," set access to "Anyone with the link," and paste that link into an email or message. The recipient does not need a Google account to download. Google holds the encryption keys to your files, meaning they can technically access them. For most people sharing personal photos, this is an acceptable trade-off.

Google Photos is the easiest option for sharing a large batch of photos directly from your phone, especially if you are on Android or already back up photos to Google. To share a large collection: open Google Photos, tap and hold to select photos, tap the Share icon, and choose "Create link." Anyone with the link can view and download. Note that Google Photos compresses images by default — switch to "Original quality" in Settings if you need full resolution, though this counts toward your 15 GB storage limit.

If you're unsure which Google service to use for photo sharing, our Google Photos vs Google Drive breakdown covers the key differences.

Internxt Drive lets you share files of up to 10 GB via a link, free on the 1 GB free plan. The key difference is how it handles your files: everything is encrypted on your device before it reaches Internxt's servers. Internxt cannot see your photos even if legally asked to — this has been confirmed by an independent security audit by Securitum, a European cybersecurity company that also audits Proton.

Internxt holds ISO 27001:2022 certification (certificate number ACC-ISMS-2025090158) and is HIPAA compliant. Paid plans start at €18/year (€1.50/month) for 1 TB billed annually. Lifetime plans are also available as a one-time payment.

Dropbox offers 2 GB free, which fills up quickly with photos. Its main strength is collaboration and sync across devices, not large photo transfers on the free plan.

Bottom line: For most users, Google Drive or Google Photos is the most convenient option. For photographers, healthcare professionals, or anyone handling sensitive material who needs a share link that does not expose files to the provider, Internxt Drive is the right choice.

For a full breakdown of what each provider offers at no cost, see our guide to which free cloud storage plans are worth using.

File transfer tools

File transfer tools are the simplest option when you want to send a large batch of photos once, without setting up storage or sharing a folder.

WeTransfer is the most widely used option. The free plan supports up to 3 GB per transfer, no account needed, but links expire after 3 days and you're limited to 10 transfers per month. It does not use end-to-end encryption — WeTransfer can technically access files while they're on their servers.

Internxt Send is free, handles up to 5 GB per transfer (roughly 2,500 high-quality JPEGs or 250 RAW files), and has no monthly limit. Files are encrypted end-to-end before they leave your device. Links expire after 15 days. You can set a password on the link for added access control.

Smash has no file size limit on the free plan, though download speed is throttled without a paid subscription. Links stay active for 7 days.

For a one-time send where privacy matters, Internxt Send is the strongest free option. For quick casual transfers where privacy is not a concern, WeTransfer or Smash both work well.

How to email a large amount of photos

Email is the method most people try first, and it hits a wall fast. Gmail caps attachments at 25 MB. Outlook caps at 20 MB. That's roughly 5 to 10 full-quality JPEGs before the attachment is rejected.

The workaround is the same across all providers: upload the photos to cloud storage, paste the link into the email instead of attaching the files. No attachment limits, and the photos don't pass through your email provider's servers unencrypted.

On iPhone (Apple Mail — Mail Drop)

Apple's built-in Mail app includes a feature called Mail Drop that handles the upload automatically. Open the Photos app, select the photos you want to send, tap the Share icon, and choose Mail. If the total size exceeds 25 MB, Mail will prompt you to "Use Mail Drop." Tap that option. The photos are uploaded to iCloud and your recipient gets a download link valid for 30 days — no extra steps required. The recipient does not need an iCloud account to download.

On iPhone or Android (Gmail)

Gmail integrates with Google Drive for large attachments. Compose a new email and tap the attachment icon. Select "Insert from Drive" (or "Attach file" and then upload to Drive first). Once uploaded, Gmail converts the attachment to a Drive link automatically when you exceed 25 MB. The recipient gets a link to the file in Drive, not an email attachment. Note that sharing via Drive means Google holds the encryption keys and can technically access the photos.

On desktop (any provider)

1. Select all your photos and compress them into a ZIP file. JPEGs compress 10 to 30 percent; RAW files more.
2. If the ZIP is still over the attachment limit — which it will be for anything beyond 5 to 10 photos — upload it to Google Drive, Internxt Drive, or WeTransfer and copy the share link.
3. Paste the link into your email instead of attaching the file.

Corporate email accounts often have tighter incoming limits than Gmail's 25 MB, so even a small ZIP may bounce. A cloud link sidesteps that entirely.

Messaging apps

Messaging apps work for a few photos but break down quickly for large batches.

WhatsApp is the most commonly used option. If you send photos from your gallery the normal way, WhatsApp compresses them automatically — quality degrades noticeably on larger or higher-resolution images. If you send them as a "Document" instead, you can send up to 2 GB per file without compression. Most people don't know about the Document workaround. WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption for message content, but it is owned by Meta, which collects metadata (who you contacted, when, how often) even if it can't read the message content — worth reading before you share anything sensitive via WhatsApp's privacy for private photos.

Signal supports files up to 100 MB and collects significantly less metadata than WhatsApp. Better for privacy, but the 100 MB cap makes it impractical for large photo batches.

Telegram supports files up to 2 GB on the free plan (4 GB on Premium) and does not compress photos sent as documents. Worth considering for larger transfers within a group.

For more than a few dozen photos, a cloud link or file transfer tool is a cleaner solution than any messaging app — see our breakdown of apps built specifically for sharing photos if you want more options.

Device-to-device transfer

For sharing large photo collections locally — in the same room, or between your own devices — direct transfer avoids upload and download entirely.

AirDrop (Apple devices only) transfers photos wirelessly between iPhones, iPads, and Macs without size limits and without any compression. Open Photos, select the photos, tap Share, then AirDrop. The recipient accepts the transfer on their device. Range is roughly 9 meters (30 feet). Fast and free, but requires both devices to be Apple and physically nearby.

Nearby Share (Android to Android, or Android to Chromebook) works the same way. Open the file, tap Share, then Nearby Share. Works without internet.

Neither option is useful for remote sharing, but for bulk transfers between your own devices or with someone nearby, they're faster than any cloud method.

Offline options

For very large photo collections — tens of thousands of files, professional archives, or situations with no reliable internet connection — physical storage is the most reliable option.

A USB drive is cheap, fast to set up, and works on any computer. You can hand it over in person or post it. For collections under 128 GB, a standard USB covers most needs.

An external hard drive works for much larger collections, typically 1 TB or more — useful for photographers dealing with RAW files or large archives. The trade-off: hard drives are more fragile than USB drives and can fail if not used regularly.

The main limitation is obvious: someone has to physically receive it. It is not a good option for sharing remotely. For large, important collections, a good approach is both: keep the original files on a physical drive and use cloud storage for sharing and remote access.

Security and privacy comparison

Key points:

• Google Drive, Google Photos, WeTransfer, and Dropbox all use standard encryption where the provider holds the keys and can technically access your files
• Internxt uses zero-knowledge encryption — your files are locked on your device before upload, and Internxt cannot access them even if legally compelled
• This has been independently verified by Securitum, a European security firm that also audits Proton
• For most personal photo sharing, standard encryption is fine. For sensitive material — medical records, legal documents, client work — the distinction matters

Which services can actually see your photos?

Most cloud storage and file transfer services use server-side encryption. Your photos travel to their servers and are encrypted there, with the service holding the keys. This protects your files from hackers, but it means the service itself can technically access them. Google, Dropbox, and WeTransfer all work this way.

Internxt works differently. Files are encrypted on your device before upload, so Internxt never receives the key and cannot see your photos under any circumstances — including court orders. That's zero-knowledge encryption.

The "yes, technically" services are not reading your photos as a rule — their privacy policies restrict employee access. But the architectural capability exists, and legal requests can compel it. For everyday personal photos that's a reasonable trade-off. For sensitive material, it's not.

Why Internxt's security claims are independently verified

Any service can claim to be secure — Internxt's architecture has been tested by a third party.

Internxt has passed two consecutive independent security audits by Securitum, a European cybersecurity firm that also audits Proton. The 2025 audit confirmed that Internxt's zero-knowledge architecture works as described and found no critical vulnerabilities.

Internxt also holds ISO 27001:2022 certification (certificate number ACC-ISMS-2025090158), the international standard for information security management. Maintaining it requires annual external audits, documented procedures, and active risk management — not a one-time badge.

Internxt is also HIPAA compliant, which matters for healthcare workers or any regulated industry handling sensitive personal information. The code is fully open source, so anyone can inspect the encryption implementation directly rather than taking the company's word for it.

When does privacy actually matter for photo sharing?

For most people sharing holiday photos or family shots, standard encryption is adequate. The realistic threat for most users is an account getting hacked or files being intercepted in transit — and standard encryption protects against both.

Where zero-knowledge matters more: photographers sending client work before publication, anyone in healthcare or law handling sensitive files, people sharing documents that look like photos — scanned IDs, contracts, medical images — and anyone who simply doesn't want a third party to have the technical ability to read their files, whether or not they ever would.

For that group, a zero-knowledge service like Internxt is the right tool. For everything else, Google Drive and WeTransfer work fine. If you want a wider view of your options, we've compared the most secure apps for storing and sharing photos across mobile and desktop.

Best practices before you send

Remove metadata from your photos

Every photo you take contains hidden information called metadata, stored inside the file itself. This includes the GPS coordinates of where the photo was taken, the exact date and time, the camera model, and sometimes your name or username depending on your device settings.

Most people are unaware this information travels with the photo when shared. If you're sharing photos with someone you do not fully trust, or posting them online, this data can reveal more than intended.

Internxt's Metadata Remover is a free tool that strips this information from your photos before sharing. No account needed.

Check the format before you send

Not everyone can open every photo format. HEIC files, which iPhones use by default, will not open on older Android devices or Windows computers without additional software. RAW files from cameras require editing software most recipients will not have.

If you are unsure what format your recipient can handle, converting to JPEG is the safest option. Universally supported, keeps reasonable quality for most purposes, and results in smaller file sizes than PNG or RAW.

Internxt offers a free file converter that handles HEIC, JPG, PNG, and other common formats without any software to install.

Avoid compressing photos that need to stay sharp

Compressing a photo reduces file size by discarding image data. For casual sharing this is usually fine, but for professional work, client delivery, print, or anything where the recipient needs to zoom in or edit the file, compression causes visible quality loss. The same applies to scanned documents — compression can make text unreadable.

For any of that, use a service that preserves original quality on upload — Internxt Drive or Google Drive — rather than a messaging app or any service that compresses automatically.

If you need to reduce file size without excessive quality loss, Internxt's free file compressor gives you control over compression level so you can find the right balance.

Control who can access your shared link

Most cloud storage and file transfer services generate a link that anyone with it can open. Fine for friends, but worth thinking through for anything sensitive.

A few things you can do:

• Set a password on the link if the service supports it. Internxt Drive and Internxt Send both allow password-protected links.
• Check expiry. WeTransfer free links expire after 3 days. Internxt Send links expire after 15 days. Google Drive links do not expire unless revoked manually.
• Revoke access once the recipient has downloaded the files, especially if the photos contain personal or sensitive content.

Which method should you choose?

For a quick, one-off send with no account needed: WeTransfer (up to 3 GB, free, link expires in 3 days) or Internxt Send (up to 5 GB, free, end-to-end encrypted, no monthly limit). Both work without signing up. Internxt Send is the better pick if privacy matters.

For Gmail and Android users sharing casually: Google Drive or Google Photos is the most convenient option. You likely already have 15 GB free and the sharing flow is built into Gmail. Fine for everyday photos where privacy is not a concern.

For iPhone users sending a large batch via email: Use Mail Drop through the built-in Mail app. Apple handles the upload to iCloud automatically when the attachment exceeds 25 MB.

For photographers sending work to clients: You need original quality preserved and ideally access control. Internxt Drive (up to 10 GB per share link, password protection, zero-knowledge encryption) or a dedicated gallery delivery tool. WeTransfer works for smaller batches.

For healthcare, legal, or other regulated industries: Internxt Drive is the only option in this list that is HIPAA compliant and independently audited. Standard cloud storage from Google or Dropbox does not meet those requirements for sensitive health or legal information.

For sharing within a group chat casually: WhatsApp works, but send photos as a Document file to avoid automatic compression. For more than a few dozen photos, a cloud link is cleaner.
For sharing between nearby Apple devices: AirDrop is the fastest option — no upload, no compression, no size limit.

For very large collections with no internet: USB drive or external hard drive. No size limit, no service dependency, works anywhere.
For anyone who needs privacy as a default: Internxt Send or Internxt Drive. Files are locked before they leave your device, and no one else holds the key — verified by an independent Securitum security audit.

Frequently asked questions

How do I send 1,000 photos at once?

Upload the folder to a cloud service like Google Drive or Internxt Drive (up to 10 GB per share link) and send the recipient a link. Email will not work here — even zipped, the attachment limits are far too small.

How do I email a large amount of photos?

Upload your photos to a cloud service and paste the share link into the email instead of attaching files. On iPhone, Apple Mail does this automatically via Mail Drop; on Gmail (Android or iPhone), Google Drive integration handles it the same way.

How do I send 500 photos at once for free?

Internxt Send handles up to 5 GB free with no account needed, covering most batches of 500 standard JPEGs. WeTransfer (up to 3 GB) and Google Photos shared albums are also free options.

How do I send photos without losing quality?

Use a service that does not compress on upload: Internxt Drive, Google Drive (Original quality in Google Photos settings), or WeTransfer. If you are using WhatsApp, send photos as a Document file rather than from your gallery to skip automatic compression.

Is it safe to send photos via cloud storage?

Most services encrypt files in transit and at rest, but Google Drive and Dropbox hold the encryption keys and can technically access your files. Internxt uses zero-knowledge encryption where only you hold the key, independently verified by Securitum in a 2025 security audit.

Can WhatsApp send 100 photos at once?

Yes, but send them as a Document file rather than from your gallery — the gallery option triggers automatic compression that noticeably reduces quality. For large batches, a cloud link is faster and arrives at full resolution.

How do I send a large amount of photos from my iPhone?

Use Mail Drop in the built-in Mail app — select photos, share via Mail, and choose Mail Drop when prompted, which uploads to iCloud and sends a download link valid for 30 days. Google Photos shared albums and Internxt Send (up to 5 GB, free) are also solid options.

How do I send a large amount of photos from an Android phone?

Google Photos shared albums are the easiest option — select photos, tap Share, and create a link anyone can download from. Gmail integrates with Google Drive to send large batches via a Drive link automatically when attachments exceed 25 MB.

What is the best free app to send a large amount of photos?

Google Photos is the easiest for most people (Android/iPhone, free shared albums). For privacy-conscious users, Internxt Send offers up to 5 GB free with end-to-end encryption and no account required.

Why Internxt is the best choice to send a large amount of photos online

Internxt’s end-to-end and post-quantum encrypted product suite is the best choice if you’re looking for options on how to send a large amount of photos securely.

With its free tools such as Internxt Send, metadata remover, file converter, and expansive product suite, which includes a VPN, Antivirus, Meet, Mail, and more, you can get everything you need to get started with sending and storing all your files in complete privacy.

To get started with Internxt, you can join for free using your email and get 1GB of free storage, or choose from any of our annual or lifetime plans, which go up to 5TB. You can upgrade your account whenever you need to get more storage, so you never have to worry about running out of storage for your photos, videos, or anything else!

As more services, communication, and daily activities move online, the amount of personal data being collected continues to grow. So what can we do to make sure that protecting our privacy doesn’t become unmanageable?

To make the topic of online privacy easier to understand, we will break it down into the following topics:

• What is online privacy?
• Why online privacy is important
• Difference between privacy, security, and anonymity
• Common threats we face online
• Tools and methods to protect your online

By the end of this article, you will know how to take control of your privacy, secure your accounts, keep your information safe, and share this knowledge with others, so we all can enjoy more freedom online.

Table of contents

• What is online privacy?
• What is online privacy, security, and anonymity?
• Is online privacy a myth?
• Threats to your online privacy
• How Internxt protects your data and online privacy
• Related articles
• Frequently asked questions

What is online privacy?

Your online privacy is the level of protection related to your personal information when you’re connected to the internet, signed in to social media, playing video games, or using any other services online.

In general, your online privacy refers to the following:

1. Personal data protection: keeping information such as your name, email, location, and financial details from being misused in phishing or other kinds of online scams.
2. Browsing privacy: preventing websites, advertisers, or others from tracking what you do online.
3. Communication privacy: protecting emails, messages, and calls from unauthorized access.
4. Data control: having the ability to decide what information you share and who can access it.
   1.** Security measures:** using tools like encryption, secure connections, and strong passwords to protect your information.

However, not all websites or services you use online are private. They could be tracking your activities, viewing your files, emails, WhatsApp messages or using your data to target you with personalized advertising.

To help give users more control over their data, in Europe, the GDPR exists to make sure companies are clear about what data they collect, how they use it, and who they share it with.

It also gives people rights such as accessing their data, correcting errors, deleting data, restricting its use, and withdrawing consent.

Even so, companies like Google have paid millions in GDPR fines for the mishandling of user data. So, unfortunately, while the GDPR exists, you still have to take measures to protect your privacy.

Luckily, companies like Internxt are creating services and tools to keep your online privacy protected. Internxt Drive was developed as a private Google Drive alternative, and now extends to a range of privacy-focused products such as Antivirus, VPN, Meet, Mail, and more.

It’s important to note that when asking what is online privacy, anonymity and security are also mentioned when covering this topic, so we will explain the differences between these below, so you have a clear picture of everything you need to protect your data online.

What is online privacy, security, and anonymity?

Privacy, security, and anonymity online are all closely related but slightly different. Nevertheless, when you understand these, you will have greater control over your presence online and will understand when to protect your privacy, secure your accounts, and remain anonymous online.

First, let’s answer what is online privacy and security.

Online privacy

Online privacy is how you control and protect personal information while using the internet. It focuses on keeping data such as your name, email, location, and online activity private and deciding who can access or see it.

Example: adjusting your social media settings so that only friends can view your posts and personal information.

Online security

Online security, on the other hand, is the practice of protecting devices, networks, and data from unauthorized access, attacks, or theft. Online security often involves technical measures like cryptography, secure passwords, firewalls, and antivirus software to prevent hackers or malware from compromising your information.

Example: using two-factor authentication or biometrics to prevent someone from logging into your email account even if they know your password.

Online anonymity

Finally, anonymity is similar to online privacy and security in that it helps protect personal information and maintain safety online.

Whereas online privacy and security are about protecting your information, online anonymity is about hiding or removing your identity entirely so nothing can be linked back to you.

Example: People who need to care about their anonymity include journalists reporting sensitive information, activists or whistleblowers exposing wrongdoing, or individuals living under restrictive governments.

They will use tools like a VPN, encrypted email, or Tor browser to ensure no personal information is connected to their online activities.

Is online privacy a myth?

While it may seem that we are doomed to handing over our personal information to the companies we use or subscribe to, online privacy is possible, available to everyone, and is easy to achieve with the right methods and tools available, such as

1. Password generator: Instantly create a strong password or passphrase for your accounts
2. Temporary email: Sign up for services while keeping your personal email private and safe from spam
3. VPN: Encrypt your wifi connection and hide your IP to prevent hackers from accessing your accounts or companies from monitoring your online activity

These are all available for free with Internxt, and to realise the importance of online privacy, we must realise what threats we face online, which we will examine below.

Threats to your online privacy

Weak and reused passwords

Your passwords are your first line of defence for all your personal information, emails, bank accounts, and pretty much everything we use online. If your password is weak, hackers can easily break it using advanced software or dictionary attacks.

If you reuse your password, then hackers can access all your other accounts and easily steal your identity, finances, and more.

The top 10 most common passwords for all countries are:

• 123456
• admin
• 12345678
• 123456789
• 12345
• password
• Aa123456
• 1234567890
• Pass@123
• admin123

Weak passwords can also be information linked to you personally, such as your birthday, children’s names, etc.

To check the strength of your passwords, you can use Internxt’s Password Generator for free, and our free password and passphrase generator to ensure your accounts have the best protection available.

Combine these with two-factor authentication, and you will have the best protection for your accounts to prevent identity theft and other cyberattacks.

Unsecure browsing

Unsecured browsing, such as using public wifi without a VPN, has a major risk to your online privacy because it exposes your personal information, location, and online activities to interception or misuse.

When you visit websites without secure connections, such as sites using HTTP instead of HTTPS, the data you send, like login credentials, credit card numbers, or messages, can be captured by hackers or malicious actors on the same network.

Unsecure browsing also makes it easier for trackers, advertisers, or even cybercriminals to monitor your behavior, collect sensitive information, or inject malicious content. This compromises your privacy by revealing personal details that you may not want others to access.

Even the most popular browser, Google Chrome, comes with risks to your privacy. Chrome collects a lot of information about your browsing activity, including:

• Websites you visit
• Search queries
• Location data (if allowed)
• Device and usage information
• Third-party cookies and trackers by default, which advertisers can use to follow you across multiple sites.

With this information, companies and trackers collect detailed information about your behavior, interests, and location, which can be misused or leaked online in a data breach.

For more private browsers, check out our list of Google Chrome alternatives.

Social media

Although social media has its benefits and helps us stay connected, it encourages people to share personal information, such as photos, locations, and contact details, which can be collected, tracked, or misused.

Platforms often monitor your activity to target ads, build detailed profiles, and share data with third parties.

Even private posts or accounts can be exposed through hacks, data leaks, or platform policies, making your personal information vulnerable to misuse.

AI

Artificial Intelligence, like social media, has also become the norm in our day-to-day lives. Like social media, it also comes with risks to your personal information if you’re not careful.

Gemini AI chats are observed by employees at Google, Grok AI scans and uses your posts on Twitter / X to train its language model. Other risks of AI include:

• Data profiling
• Targeted advertising
• Surveillance
• Data leaks of AI chats

Other risks of AI recently involve creating deepfake videos or audio in AI scams targeting businesses and their employees.

For a secure and private alternative to ChatGPT, Internxt AI is a free and encrypted chatbot that doesn’t use your data and encrypts your chats on your device, so all information is kept confidential and private.

Outdated software

For your phones, tablets, laptops, and any software you have downloaded on your computer, you must check that you have the most recent software updates installed.

Outdated software could be vulnerable to security vulnerabilities patched in recent updates that hackers will use to install ransomware or other harmful spyware on your device.

How Internxt protects your data and online privacy

Internxt was founded on a mission to provide a safer internet where everyone has control over their privacy, without big tech companies profiting off our personal information.

Internxt started with its first product, a secure and encrypted cloud storage, Internxt Drive, in 2020, and has since expanded its product suite to include Antivirus, VPN, Meet, and Cleaner. Later in 2026, Internxt Photos and Mail will also be live, giving you everything you need to live a more private life online.

For more information about our values and privacy mission, you can visit our website, or keep reading to learn more about how our tools and products keep you safe online.

Post-quantum, zero-knowledge encryption

Internxt released post-quantum encryption for Drive in late 2025, making it the first cloud storage to have this most advanced encryption available.

It protects your data from future threats of quantum computers, which could theoretically decrypt current encryption methods used by other cloud storage services.

PQE, combined with zero-knowledge encryption, ensures all the files you store in Internxt Drive can only be viewed by you; nobody, not even Internxt, or any government or law agencies, can access your files.

If you’re worried about the privacy of your photos and videos in the cloud, then switch to Internxt.

Dropbox, Google, and others manage the encryption keys to your device, so unlike Internxt, their employees or law enforcement could not access your files in the cloud with these keys.

Drive also allows you to share files with the same private encryption, or you can use Internxt Send, a private WeTransfer alternative, which allows you to encrypt and send large video files, or any other files of up to 5GB for free.

Open source software

Internxt is one of the few cloud storage providers that is 100% open source. The code that develops Internxt and all its apps and products is available online for anyone to see.

By offering total transparency, anybody can check and verify that Internxt has the necessary security to protect your files, and there are no backdoors that could give anyone access to your data or files.

Independently audited

Internxt has also been security tested and independently audited by Securitum, who have audited other privacy-focused companies such as Proton and DuckDuckGo.

Internxt has been audited by Securitum twice, and both times passed the security audits to verify the platform as secure from data breaches and hackers.

Compliance

As we mentioned before, GDPR compliance is an important part of how companies protect your data and online privacy. As Internxt is based in Spain, it complies with these standards to ensure you have full control over your data.

Beyond that, Internxt also complies with SOC 2, ISO 27001, and HIPAA, so no matter what information you store with Internxt, you can feel confident that the necessary standards and security are met to keep your sensitive information protected and private.

Full privacy suite

When you buy a paid Internxt annual or lifetime plan, you get maximum privacy for your files with the most advanced encryption, and additional products to secure your accounts, protect your devices, and prevent data loss.

For Drive, additional features include:

• Backups
• File versioning
• Secure and encrypted file sharing
• Collaboration
• Video streaming

Other products include:

• Antivirus
• VPN
• Cleaner
• Meet
• Mail
• Photos

For annual and lifetime pricing, you can visit our website or check out the features of all Internxt plans below.

Aside from this, Internxt ensures online privacy is accessible for everyone, so it offers the following free tools to help you get started in protecting with a secure online experience.

• Password Generator
• Password Checkerr
• Dark Web Monitor
• File Virus Scanner
• Metadata Remover

Get started with Internxt today for free, or join from just €2.00/month and make switching to privacy easy, affordable, and convenient.

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Frequently asked questions

What is online privacy, and how to protect it?

Online privacy is the protection of your personal information, activities, and communications on the internet from being tracked, collected, or misused by others.

Why is online privacy important?

Taking measures to protect your online privacy is important because it prevents unauthorized access to your data, companies from creating profiles on how you use its services, and keeps your confidential information secure against data breaches, data loss, or cyberattacks.

What kind of information is at risk online?

Emails, first and last names, addresses, phone numbers, IP addresses, passwords, and social media posts are all at risk if you don’t take action to protect your online activities.

What are common threats to online privacy?

Common threats include data breaches, hackers, unsecured websites, tracking by advertisers, social media data collection, AI profiling, and outdated software vulnerabilities.

How can I protect my online privacy?

You can protect your privacy by using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, updating software, using secure connections, limiting personal information shared online, and using privacy-focused tools, such as zero-knowledge cloud storage, VPNs, and secure browsers.

How can you protect your privacy online is a question many are asking in the age of data breaches, increased and more advanced cyberattacks, and concerns of social media and big tech corporations collecting, monitoring, and profiting from your data.

For this reason, Internxt is rapidly becoming the go-to platform for protecting people’s data and privacy online.

Thanks to Internxt’s combination of zero-knowledge and post-quantum encrypted cloud storage, which includes an advanced privacy suite of Antivirus, VPN, Meet, Mail, more people choose Internxt to protect their privacy online.

Internxt also offers a huge catalogue of free tools to ensure online privacy is available for everyone.

Within this article, we will look at:

• How can you protect your online privacy
• Common risks to your privacy and data
• Tools, products, and advice to protect your data and privacy online.

By the end, you will have everything you need to ensure you have full control over your data, and maximum privacy.

Table of contents

• Common risks to your online privacy
• How can you protect your privacy online?
• How can you protect your privacy online in the future?
• Related articles
• Frequently asked questions

Common risks to your online privacy

Before we answer how can you protect your privacy online, it’s important to know what we are protecting ourselves from, the risks, and what to do if you find yourself in a situation where you have to take quick action to protect your accounts.

Below are the common risks we face when we go online. We cover how they work and what to do if any of these happen to you.

Data breaches

So far in 2026, the global average cost of a data breach is projected to reach approximately $4.44 million to $4.88 million per incident, with U.S. costs significantly higher at over $10 million.

A data breach is when sensitive, private, or confidential information is accessed, exposed, or stolen by unauthorized parties.

Sensitive, private, or confidential information generally covers the following:

• Full names, addresses, or phone numbers
• Email addresses and account login details
• Passwords and security questions
• Credit card numbers and bank account information
• Social security numbers or national ID numbers
• Medical records and health information
• Private messages or personal communications
• Photos or documents meant to stay private
• Business secrets, source code, or internal company data

How do data breaches happen?

• Hackers exploit software vulnerabilities to gain access to systems or databases
• Phishing attacks trick users into giving away passwords or login details
• Weak or reused passwords are guessed or cracked through automated attacks
• Malware infects devices and steals stored data or login credentials
• Insider threats where employees or contractors intentionally or accidentally leak data
• Misconfigured servers or cloud storage that are left publicly accessible
• Stolen devices that contain unencrypted sensitive information

How to prevent a data breach:

• Use strong, unique passwords and a password manager
• Enable two-factor authentication on accounts and systems
• Keep software, apps, and operating systems updated to fix security vulnerabilities
• Encrypt sensitive data on devices and during data transfers
• Train employees or users to recognize phishing emails and scams

Companies collecting your data

Many companies, such as e-commerce, social media, and more, collect data to understand user behavior, improve services, and targeted advertising.

Sometimes the data is necessary for the service to function; other times, companies collect an excessive amount of data that can be combined to create detailed profiles about you without your full awareness or control.

For example, Google Drive collects the following information about you:

• Personal information: Your name, phone number, gender, date of birth
• Your email addresses
• Where you live
• Where you work
• Your interests
• Things you search for
• Websites you visit
• Videos you watch
• Ads you click on or tap
• Your location
• Places you've visited around the world
• Device information
• IP address and cookie data
• Your YouTube search history and recently watched videos
• What you've said to the Google Assistant, including via smart speakers

How can you prevent this?

• For Google and other services, you can go into your device settings and control your privacy settings to limit app permissions
• If you use Google Drive, switch to a private alternative, like Internxt Drive, which uses zero-knowledge encryption to ensure only you can access your files.
• Use privacy-focused search engines and browsers
• Install tracker blocking extensions or tools
• Clear cookies and browsing data regularly
• Use a VPN to hide your IP address from websites
• Read privacy policies to understand how data is collected and shared
• Avoid creating accounts unless necessary and use temporary emails when possible

AI and phishing scams

AI phishing scams are fake messages, websites, or emails designed to trick people into giving away sensitive information such as passwords or payment details.

They can target businesses, but they can also target individual users and can range from impersonating a bank to try to access your account, or even impersonating people in romance scams.

Since the launch of AI, phishing has become more advanced and difficult to identify due to AI phishing scams, making it easier to target people via email or even with video calls, as AI can be used to fake images, videos, and voices of scammers.

How AI phishing scams work:

• Attackers send fake emails, texts, or messages that appear to come from banks, companies, coworkers, or friends
• Messages often create urgency or fear to push victims into acting quickly
• AI tools can analyze public information to personalize attacks based on a person’s job, interests, or online activity
• Voice cloning technology can imitate someone’s voice to request money or sensitive information over phone calls or voice messages
• Deepfake videos can imitate executives, public figures, or known contacts to manipulate trustFake websites are created to look like legitimate login pages to capture usernames, passwords, or payment details

How to prevent them:

• Do not click links or open attachments from unknown or unexpected messages
• Verify urgent requests by contacting the organization or person directly
• Check email addresses and website URLs carefully for small differences or misspellings
• Be cautious of requests for money, gift cards, passwords, or verification codes
• Use email spam filters and updated security software
• Limit the amount of personal information you share publicly online

Ransomware

Alongside phishing, ransomware is one of the most common cyberattacks, and can cost companies millions, but it also targets individual users, too.

Ransomware is a malicious software that locks, encrypts, or blocks access to a device or files and demands payment in exchange for restoring access. Once this happens, you usually get a message on your screen informing you that your device is locked and your files have been encrypted, like the example below.

To unlock your device/files, attackers usually demand payment in cryptocurrency and may threaten to delete or leak data if the ransom is not paid. Even if you pay the ransom, it’s not guaranteed that you will regain access to your files or data.

• Keep operating systems and software updated to patch security vulnerabilities
• Use reliable antivirus and anti-malware protection
• Avoid clicking suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown sources
• Regularly back up important files
• Limit user permissions so accounts do not have unnecessary access

How can you protect your privacy online?

So, while the number of risks online may leave you wondering how can you protect your privacy online against these advanced cyberattacks, luckily, there are quick and easy methods you can integrate into your online life to make protecting your privacy or anonymity online straightforward.

Check if your credentials have leaked online

The first thing you should do is check if your emails, names, phone numbers, or any other sensitive information have leaked online. In doing so, you can prevent further harm to your accounts and take measures to add more protection to your accounts.

Internxt has a free dark web monitor available exactly for this purpose. With it, you enter your email, and you will get a detailed report showing you if any of your credentials have leaked online in places such as the dark web, and how this breach occurred.

Try it for free below.

Create strong passwords

The first and most valuable piece of advice you can take or share with others is to create a strong password or passphrase for your accounts. Passwords are your first line of defence against hackers, who target weak passwords, dictionary attacks, or other advanced software.

• What makes a strong password or passphrase?
• At least 12 to 16 characters long
• A mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols
• Not based on personal information such as names, birthdays, or common words
• Not reused across multiple accounts
• Not easily guessable (uses your personal information) or found in common password lists
• Stored securely in a password manager

To make creating strong passwords or passphrases easy, Internxt has a free password generator that you can use below. Combine these with two-factor authentication for increased protection.

To check the strength of your password and find out if it is vulnerable to hackers, you can also use Internxt’s free password checker.

Use zero-knowledge cloud services

Cloud storage with zero-knowledge encryption is the number one way to protect your files, videos, and photos online, as everything is encrypted on your device.

This way, nobody but you can view or see your files, making zero-knowledge cloud storage a more private option than Google, OneDrive, or iCloud, as these hold the encryption keys to your files, and can view the contents of your accounts, or give access to law enforcement if requested.

Internxt is also the first cloud storage with post-quantum encryption, which protects against current and future cybersecurity attacks, ensuring that your online security and privacy is secure against any possible threat.

Aside from secure cloud storage, Internxt also offers a full product suite to protect your privacy online, including Antivirus, VPN, Meet, Mail, file versioning, and more.

If you’re already a Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox user, migrating your files to Internxt’s fully encrypted platform is easy, just follow the steps in our help centre below!

Internxt plans start from €1.60 per month, with lifetime plans also available. You can check the full list of features below, and visit our website to get an exclusive 87% off all plans.

Encrypt shared files

Internxt Drive also offers secure file sharing, which you can protect with a password, and revoke access whenever needed for increased control.

Internxt also offers a free file-sharing service, Internxt Send, which uses the same zero-knowledge encryption when sharing files online, to ensure sensitive and confidential documents are protected against hackers.

You can also use Internxt’s free Metadata remover for increased privacy to ensure no information is leaked when sharing files online.

Backup your files

Cloud storage backups work as insurance for your important files by creating an extra copy of your files stored in the cloud, which you can access in case of accidental data loss or ransomware.

With Internxt, you can back up your files in our Windows, Mac, or Linux apps, or via rclone, WebDAV, or NAS

Use a VPN

A VPN creates an encrypted connection between your device and a remote server before your traffic reaches the internet. This encryption prevents others hackers, internet service providers, or people on the same network from easily monitoring your activity online, or finding out your location, which is common in doxing attacks.

With Internxt VPN, you can protect your connection no matter where you are, whether you’re using your personal or public wifi. Internxt encrypts your connection, ensuring nobody can create a profile from your online data or hack your accounts.

Use an Antivirus

Phishing emails or messages often include malware, spyware, or ransomware, which can destroy your devices, cause data loss, and breach your accounts.

With Internxt Antivirus, you can run full or custom scans on your files whenever you need, and delete malware from your account.

For quick and free file scanning for suspicious files you may have received via email, you can check these with Internxt’s free file scanner below.

Use a temporary email

To keep your primary email protected against data breaches, you can use a temporary email to sign up for websites, trials, or services when you don’t want to share your personal email.

Temporary emails like Internxt’s free temp mail help reduce spam and limit how much personal information is linked to online accounts.

If you use a temporary email, be aware that once the email is no longer used, it is gone forever, so it is not recommended for important accounts.

Monitor your social media settings

If you’re an avid social media user, you should change your privacy settings to keep your profile as secure as possible, especially on Meta and X. X for example, may use Grok AI to scan and use your social media posts to train its AI model.

How to check and change your settings.

• Set profile to private
• Limit who can see your followers and following list
• Hide profile from search engines
• Turn off location sharing for posts and stories
• Disable location history if the platform tracks it
• Turn off personalized ad tracking if possible
• Review and remove third-party apps connected to your account
• Check login activity and remove unknown devices or sessions
• Limit who can send you direct messages or friend requests
• Block or restrict unknown accounts
• Limit who can see your followers and following list
• Hide profile from search engines if that option exists
• Restrict past posts to friends or approved followers

Use private browsers

Finally, private browsers are an alternative to Google Chrome as they can block ads, hide your IP, and do not track your online activity.

One popular option is Brave, which is well-liked in the privacy community due to its ad-blocking features and focus on privacy. Tor is another popular choice, but this is generally slower, and is focused more on anonymity, and may require more knowledge to ensure it works properly.

You can check out our list of Google Chrome alternatives below.

How can you protect your privacy online in the future?

While these services will give you everything you need to stay safe online, your online privacy requires constant vigilance, monitoring, and updates on new and emerging cyberthreats.

Therefore, it is crucial to update your passwords every few months, or if you suspect a breach, keep your software updated, and regularly monitor your account activity.

With Internxt, you will get a secure and encrypted cloud storage you can trust, and everything you need to stay safe online from hackers, cybercriminals, ransomware groups, and big tech companies.

Related articles

• Online privacy vs anonymity
• Improve social media privacy
• Is Google Drive safe?

Frequently asked questions

How can you protect your privacy online quickly and easily?

The quickest and easiest way to protect your privacy is to use encrypted cloud storage, private browsers, and use strong passwords and 2FA for your accounts.

Is private or incognito browsing safe for privacy?

While incognito mode hides browsing history and cookies from being saved on your device, it does not hide activity from websites, internet providers, or networks. It mainly protects local device privacy.

How can I stop companies from tracking my data?

Adjust privacy settings on social media and apps, disable personalized ads, limit data sharing permissions, remove unused apps, delete old accounts, and review third-party app access regularly.

How do I protect my data on public Wi Fi?

Avoid logging into sensitive accounts on unsecured networks. Use HTTPS websites, enable a VPN for added protection, and turn off file sharing and automatic device discovery.

How often should I review my privacy settings?

At least every few months, or whenever platforms update their policies. Regular reviews help you catch new permissions, connected apps, or data sharing changes.