The best alternatives to Dropbox
Dropbox’s 2 GB free tier feels like a teaser once you start sharing anything larger than a PDF. Sync slows to a crawl with folders over 10 000 files, and the moment you hit the paywall the price per terabyte jumps, while the data itself still lives on US servers. For EU teams that means Patriot Act risk and GDPR headaches every time a client asks where their files are processed. The alternatives below keep everything inside the EEA or Switzerland, so the only surprise is how much more storage you get for the same budget.
European alternatives
Frequently asked questions
Why switch from Dropbox to a European alternative?
Dropbox stores data on US servers, which means it falls under the CLOUD Act and can be accessed by US authorities. For EU businesses, this creates GDPR compliance risks and potential conflicts with client contracts. European alternatives like pCloud or Tresorit process data exclusively in the EU/EEA or Switzerland, avoiding these legal uncertainties. They also tend to offer more storage for the same price and often include zero-knowledge encryption, so the provider cannot access your files.
How do I migrate my files from Dropbox to a European provider?
Most European alternatives offer a desktop client that can sync directly with Dropbox. Install the new client, link your Dropbox account, and select the folders you want to transfer, this keeps file structures intact. For large datasets, some providers (like pCloud) offer a one-time import service where you ship a hard drive. Before deleting anything from Dropbox, verify the sync is complete and check file permissions, especially if you use shared folders.
Are European Dropbox alternatives more expensive?
Not necessarily. Dropbox charges per-user pricing for 2 TB (individual plan). pCloud offers 2 TB with günstige monatliche Preise (lifetime plans are also available), and Infomaniak kDrive includes 2 TB for günstige Pro-Nutzer-Preise with Swiss hosting. The difference is often in the free tier: European providers typically start at more storage, compared to Dropbox’s smaller free plan. For teams, some alternatives bundle more storage per user or include features like built-in document editing that Dropbox only offers in higher tiers.
Which European alternative is best for zero-knowledge encryption?
Tresorit and Proton Drive both offer zero-knowledge encryption, meaning only you hold the encryption keys. Tresorit is based in Switzerland and focuses on business use with granular permission controls, while Proton Drive is part of the Proton ecosystem (email, calendar) and integrates well for users already on Proton Mail. pCloud also offers client-side encryption as an add-on, but it’s not enabled by default.
Can I keep using Dropbox Paper or Docs with a European alternative?
No, Dropbox Paper is proprietary and only works within Dropbox. European alternatives typically integrate with third-party editors like OnlyOffice, Collabora, or Microsoft 365. Nextcloud, for example, bundles OnlyOffice for real-time document editing, while pCloud and kDrive offer previews and basic editing but rely on external apps for full collaboration. If you need built-in document editing, check whether the alternative supports your preferred office suite.
What’s the best European Dropbox alternative for teams?
For teams, Tresorit and Nextcloud are the most common choices. Tresorit is a Swiss zero-knowledge provider with granular sharing controls, audit logs, and compliance certifications (ISO 27001, HIPAA). Nextcloud is open-source and self-hostable, which gives full control over data location and integrations, popular with public sector and regulated industries. Both scale from small teams to enterprises, but Tresorit is simpler to deploy, while Nextcloud requires more setup.