tech from europe
vsOneDrive

Filen vs OneDrive

Last updated October 2026

Looking for a European alternative to OneDrive? 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.

Filen
OneDrive
What it is
Open-source, zero-knowledge cloud storage hosted exclusively in the EU, developed in Germany.
Cloud storage and file sharing for businesses integrated with Microsoft 365.
Headquarters
🇩🇪 DE
🇺🇸 US
EU data residency
Yes, for all customers
Available on some plansEU data residency is available for eligible plans via Multi-Geo or customer request.
DSGVO / GDPR
Yes
Yes
Certifications
No
ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II
Price from
€1.99/mo
$5/user/mo
Free plan
Yes
No
Open Source
Yes
No
Ratings
TRUSTPILOT 4.2/5 (109)
No
Integrations
TypeScript SDK, Rust SDK, Go SDK, CLI (Unix-like systems), WebDAV protocol +2
Microsoft 365 Suite, SharePoint, Teams, Power Automate, Third-party apps via connectors

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

OneDrive

Strengths

  • +Seamless integration with Microsoft ecosystem
  • +Strong security and compliance features
  • +Reliable sync across devices
  • +Generous storage limits

Limitations

  • −Complex admin settings for granular controls
  • −Costs can escalate with add-ons
  • −Limited customization for non-Microsoft workflows
  • −Multi-Geo residency requires higher-tier plans

Data residency & compliance

Filen
OneDrive
EU data residency
Yes, for all customers
Available on some plansEU data residency is available for eligible plans via Multi-Geo or customer request.
Transfer mechanism
Not required — data stays in the EU
Standard Contractual Clauses
DPA
not established
Published →
Sub-processors
not established
Listed →
Certifications
No
ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II

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.

OneDrive

  • OneDrive for Business (Plan 1) $5 user/month1 TB storage per user · Billed annually
  • OneDrive for Business (Plan 2) $10 user/monthUnlimited storage per user · Billed annually
  • Microsoft 365 Business Basic $6 user/monthIncludes OneDrive + web/ mobile Office apps · Billed annually

Pricing varies by region and plan; enterprise agreements may offer custom terms.

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

OneDrive

Storage and Collaboration
Secure file storage with versioning, Real-time co-authoring in Office apps, Access controls and permissions, Mobile and desktop sync
Security and Compliance
Encryption at rest and in transit, GDPR compliance tools, Data loss prevention (DLP), Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
Integration
Seamless integration with Microsoft 365 apps, Embedding in SharePoint and Teams, Third-party app connectors, Automation via Power Automate
See Filen →More OneDrive alternatives