Filen vs Google Drive
Last updated October 2026
Looking for a European alternative to Google Drive? Here's how Filen compares, on EU hosting, GDPR and what it does.
Our pick for a European buyer: Filen. We weight data residency, GDPR and EU jurisdiction above everything else — that is the constraint this directory exists to solve.
What it is
Open-source, zero-knowledge cloud storage hosted exclusively in the EU, developed in Germany.
Cloud storage and file synchronization service for teams and individuals.
Headquarters
🇩🇪 DE
🇺🇸 US
EU data residency
Yes, for all customers
Available on some plansEU data residency available on request for Google Workspace Enterprise plans.
DSGVO / GDPR
Yes
Yes
Certifications
No
ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 27701
Price from
€1.99/mo
$6/user/mo
Free plan
Yes
No
Open Source
Yes
No
Integrations
TypeScript SDK, Rust SDK, Go SDK, CLI (Unix-like systems), WebDAV protocol +2
Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Gmail, Meet, etc.), Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Office (via plugins), Trello +5
Where each one wins
Filen
Strengths
- +Zero-knowledge, end-to-end client-side encryption ensures files are encrypted before upload and only the user holds decryption keys
- +Affordable pricing with lifetime plans and competitive paid options
- +Modern, clean, and intuitive user interface resembling familiar file explorers for easy navigation
- +Customizable sync profiles with one-way and two-way sync options for specific folders
- +Responsive and helpful customer support addressing issues promptly
- +Generous free plan offering 10GB of storage, expandable via referrals
- +Cross-platform availability with functional apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, web, and CLI
- +File preview and playback support for multiple file types, including videos and documents, directly in the browser
Limitations
- −Sync reliability issues, including files disappearing, unexpected deletions, and sync inconsistencies
- −Slow download speeds, particularly for large folders, which often hang or fail
- −Lack of advanced collaboration tools, third-party integrations, and WebDAV/API support
Google Drive
Strengths
- +Seamless integration with Google Workspace apps
- +Real-time collaboration features are highly effective
- +Strong security and compliance measures
- +Generous storage allowances on higher-tier plans
Limitations
- −Limited offline functionality compared to desktop apps
- −Can be expensive for large teams
- −Learning curve for advanced features
- −Privacy concerns due to data processing in the US
Data residency & compliance
Filen
Google Drive
EU data residency
Yes, for all customers
Available on some plansEU data residency available on request for Google Workspace Enterprise plans.
Transfer mechanism
Not required — data stays in the EU
Standard Contractual Clauses
Certifications
No
ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 27701
Pricing
Filen
- Free Free forever10 GiB storage · No credit card required · All core features included
- Pro I €1.99 per month200 GiB storage · Unlimited bandwidth and uploads · Network drive and Smart Sync
- Pro II €3.99 per month500 GiB storage · All Pro I features included
- Pro III €8.99 per month2 TiB storage · All Pro I features included
- Pro X €39.99 per month10 TiB storage · Stackable plans (e.g., 2x Pro X for 20 TiB) · All Pro I features included
All paid plans include every feature; no hidden fees. Prices refer to monthly billing.
Google Drive
- Business Starter $6 per user/month30 GB cloud storage per user · Business email through Gmail · Security and management controls
- Business Standard $12 per user/month2 TB cloud storage per user · Cloud Search functionality · Enhanced security and management controls
- Business Plus $18 per user/month5 TB cloud storage per user · Advanced security, compliance, and management controls · eDiscovery and retention policies
- Enterprise On request per user/monthCustomizable storage (up to 30 TB per user) · Advanced security, compliance, and management controls · Data loss prevention (DLP)
Pricing varies by plan and region. Enterprise plan requires custom quote. Billed annually.
Features
Filen
- Security & Privacy
- Zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption (AES 256-bit), Client-side encryption: provider has no access to data, Fully GDPR-compliant, hosted in Germany, Open-source applications for transparency
- File Management & Access
- Flexible list and grid views for file overview, Network drive feature: access cloud storage like a local hard disk (Smart Sync), Five sync modes for cross-device backup and syncing, Unlimited uploads and bandwidth, no speed restrictions
- Collaboration
- Unlimited encrypted notes with rich text, code, markdown, and checklists, Share notes with other users for secure collaboration, End-to-end encrypted chats for communication and file sharing
- Developer & Advanced Tools
- TypeScript, Rust, and Go SDKs for developers, Fully-featured CLI for Unix-like command management, Network drive mounting on Windows, macOS, and Linux, WebDAV and S3 protocol support with encryption-compatible self-hosting
- Usability & Support
- Intuitive design for beginners and IT professionals, 24/7 customer support, No speed limits on uploads or downloads
Google Drive
- Storage and Collaboration
- Store and share files securely in the cloud, Real-time co-editing of documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, Version history and file recovery, Granular sharing permissions (view, comment, edit)
- Security and Compliance
- Two-factor authentication (2FA) and SSO support, Encryption of data at rest and in transit, Compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, and other regulations, Data loss prevention (DLP) for sensitive content
- Productivity and Integration
- Search across all files with powerful OCR and text recognition, Automated workflows with Google Apps Script, Third-party app integrations (Slack, Zoom, etc.), AI-powered features like Smart Reply and grammar suggestions