Choosing the best privacy-related applications isn’t something to ignore. We have covered different types of apps that can help you communicate, browse, pay, and store data securely and privately. These apps are not meant to stand alone but to be combined to create protection in depth. In other words, the more layers of security and privacy you have, the better.
But there’s another type of privacy-related app you need: encrypted storage apps. These are apps that allow you to store your files online or offline in a secure and private way. Unlike regular storage methods, such as hard drives, flash drives, or cloud services, which can expose your files to data breaches, theft, loss, or corruption, encrypted storage apps use various methods to protect your files from unauthorized access or modification.
Top 5 Encrypted Storage Apps
There are many encrypted storage apps available on the market, but not all of them are equally secure or reliable. Some may have weak encryption algorithms, some may collect metadata or personal information from you, some may have backdoors or vulnerabilities that could expose your files, and some may be owned or influenced by companies or countries that do not respect your privacy rights. To help you choose the best encrypted storage app for your needs, I have reviewed five popular apps: IceDrive, Sync.com, pCloud, iDrive, and Tresorit. I have evaluated them based on their security features, privacy policies, usability, functionality, and compatibility. Here is a summary of each app:
1. IceDrive
IceDrive is a cloud storage service that allows you to store and sync your files online or offline across multiple devices. It also allows you to share and collaborate on your files with others. It uses strong encryption protocols and features such as zero-knowledge encryption (encrypt your files with a key that only you know), client-side encryption (encrypt your files before uploading them), two-factor authentication (verify your identity), file versioning (restore previous versions of your files), and IceDrive servers (process payments securely) to ensure your security and privacy. It does not collect any personal information or metadata from you. It also offers features such as IceDrive Web (access your files on any browser), IceDrive Desktop (mount your cloud drive as a virtual drive on your computer), IceDrive Portable (run IceDrive from a USB stick), IceDrive Mobile (access your files on your phone), and IceDrive Media Player (stream your media files). IceDrive is free for up to 10 GB of storage; it charges fees for additional storage or plans. It is available for Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Android, iOS, and web browsers.
2. Sync.com
Sync.com is a cloud storage service that allows you to store and sync your files online or offline across multiple devices. It also allows you to share and collaborate on your files with others. It uses strong encryption protocols and features such as end-to-end encryption (protect your files from anyone else), client-side encryption (encrypt your files before uploading them), two-factor authentication (verify your identity), file recovery (restore deleted or corrupted files), version history (track changes to your files), and Sync.com servers (process payments securely) to ensure your security and privacy. It does not collect any personal information or metadata from you. It also offers features such as Sync.com Web Panel (access your files on any browser), Sync.com Desktop App (sync your files with your computer), Sync.com Mobile App (access your files on your phone), Sync.com Vault (store sensitive files in a secure folder), and Sync.com Teams (manage teams and files). Sync.com is free for up to 5 GB of storage; it charges fees for additional storage or plans. It is available for Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Android, iOS, and web browsers.
3. pCloud
pCloud is a cloud storage service that allows you to store and sync your files online or offline across multiple devices. It also allows you to share and collaborate on your files with others. It uses strong encryption protocols and features such as TLS/SSL encryption (secure your data in transit), client-side encryption (encrypt your files before uploading them), two-factor authentication (verify your identity), file recovery (restore deleted or corrupted files), version history (track changes to your files), and pCloud servers (process payments securely) to ensure your security and privacy. However, it also collects some of your personal information and metadata, such as your name, email address, phone number, IP address, device information, location information, file information, usage information, cookies, web beacons, and other online identifiers. It may also share some of your data with third parties for advertising or marketing purposes. Therefore, you should read its privacy policy carefully before using it. It also offers features such as pCloud Web (access your files on any browser), pCloud Drive (sync your files with your computer), pCloud Mobile (access your files on your phone), pCloud Crypto (encrypt your files with a password), pCloud Rewind (restore previous versions of your files), and pCloud Business (manage teams and files). pCloud is free for up to 10 GB of storage; it charges fees for additional storage or plans. It is available for Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Android, iOS, and web browsers.
4. iDrive
iDrive is a cloud backup service that allows you to backup and restore your files online or offline across multiple devices. It also allows you to share and collaborate on your files with others. It uses strong encryption protocols and features such as 256-bit AES encryption (secure your data at rest and in transit), private key encryption (encrypt your data with a key that only you know), two-factor authentication (verify your identity), file recovery (restore deleted or corrupted files), version history (track changes to your files), and iDrive servers (process payments securely) to ensure your security and privacy. It does not collect any personal information or metadata from you. It also offers features such as iDrive Web (access your files on any browser), iDrive Desktop (backup and restore your files on your computer), iDrive Mobile (backup and restore your files on your phone), iDrive Express (ship a physical drive to backup or restore large amounts of data), iDrive Smart Docs (scan and store documents), and iDrive Business (manage teams and files). iDrive is free for up to 5 GB of storage; it charges fees for additional storage or plans. It is available for Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Android, iOS, and web browsers.
5. Tresorit
Tresorit is a cloud storage service that allows you to store and sync your files online or offline across multiple devices. It also allows you to share and collaborate on your files with others. It uses strong encryption protocols and features such as end-to-end encryption (protect your files from anyone else), client-side encryption (encrypt your files before uploading them), zero-knowledge architecture (prevent data access by third parties), two-factor authentication (verify your identity), file recovery (restore deleted or corrupted files), version history (track changes to your files), and Tresorit servers (process payments securely) to ensure your security and privacy. It does not collect any personal information or metadata from you. It also offers features such as Tresorit Web Access (access your files on any browser), Tresorit Desktop App (sync your files with your computer), Tresorit Mobile App (access your files on your phone), Tresorit Drive (mount your cloud drive as a virtual drive on your computer), Tresorit Send (send large files securely), and Tresorit Business (manage teams and files). Tresorit is not free; it charges fees for different plans with different features and prices. It is available for Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Android, iOS, and web browsers.
Popular vs. Secure
Some apps you’re likely more familiar with, such as Dropbox, Google Drive, and iCloud, are not fully encrypted storage apps. They may offer some security and privacy features but also collect and store your personal information and metadata. They may also share some of your data with third parties for advertising or marketing purposes. Therefore, when using these apps, you should read their privacy policies carefully. You should also consider using other apps that offer more encryption and security, such as IceDrive, Sync.com, pCloud, iDrive, or Tresorit.
Remember, your privacy is your right and your responsibility. Stay safe and stay private!
