Filen vs Syncthing
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
Filen
End-to-end encrypted cloud storage from Germany with open source apps
Where they differ
- Filen starts at €11.99 per year for 100 GiB, or €1.99 per month for 200 GiB. Syncthing is free.
- Only Filen lists a web app.
- Only Filen lists iOS and Android apps.
- Filen is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Filen also covers notes and file sharing.
At a glance
| Filen | Syncthing | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan | Free |
| Starts at | €11.99 per year for 100 GiB, or €1.99 per month for 200 GiB | Free |
| Free plan | 10 GiB of storage with encryption and every feature included. Data on free accounts is deleted after 3 months without a login. | Syncthing is free software with no paid plans. The project's servers and development grants are funded by donations. |
| Free trial | None listed | None listed |
| Web | ||
| macOS | ||
| Windows | ||
| Linux | ||
| iOS | ||
| Android | ||
| Made by | Filen Cloud Dienste UG (haftungsbeschränkt) | The Syncthing Foundation |
| Price read from | filen.io | syncthing.net |
| Checked | Oct 5, 2026 | Oct 5, 2026 |
Who each one suits
Filen
- People who want every file end-to-end encrypted, on the free plan too
- Users who prefer open source clients and storage hosted in Germany
- Developers and sysadmins who want a CLI, SDKs and a documented API
- Linux users: the desktop app ships as .deb, .rpm and AppImage
Syncthing
- Syncing folders between your own computers without a cloud provider
- Privacy-minded users who want open source software
- Keeping a desktop in sync with a home server for backup
Worth knowing
Filen
- Prices are listed in euros only; Filen says taxes and transaction fees are included in them.
- Free accounts lose their data after 3 months without a login, following reminder emails.
- Lifetime plans are no longer sold: the pricing FAQ says they were removed for an indefinite period.
- WebDAV and S3 access require a server that the user hosts through the desktop app or CLI, because files are encrypted on the device.
Syncthing
- There is no cloud storage: files live only on your devices, and devices exchange data only when they are online at the same time.
- The Syncthing team says it has no plans to officially support iOS; a separate open source iOS app incorporates Syncthing.
- The base download is a command-line daemon with a web interface. Tray icons and file browser integration come from separate downloads.
- Support is through the community forum; commercial support is sold by a separate company, Kastelo.
Key features
Filen
- Zero-knowledge encryption by default
- Files are encrypted on the device with AES 256-bit before upload, and Filen states that it cannot access them. Encryption is part of every plan, the free one included.
- Sync and network drive
- Desktop apps for Windows, macOS and Linux sync folders in five modes, with one-way and two-way among them, and can mount the cloud as a network drive in the file explorer.
- Encrypted sharing
- Files and folders are shared with other Filen users or through public links, and the shared content stays encrypted. Earlier versions of files can be restored from version history.
- Notes and chats
- Encrypted notes support rich text, markdown, checklists and code and can be edited with other users in real time. Encrypted chats carry messages and files between Filen users.
- Open source apps and developer tools
- Filen says all of its apps are open source. Developers get a documented API, TypeScript, Rust and Go SDKs, and a CLI that can run a local WebDAV or S3 server.
- Mobile camera upload
- The iOS and Android apps upload photos and videos from selected albums automatically, with optional compression, and can keep chosen files available offline.
Syncthing
- Continuous synchronization
- Folders are kept in sync between two or more computers in real time. You can sync as many folders as you need, with other people or only between your own devices.
- No central server
- Data is never stored anywhere other than on your own computers, so there is no cloud account or third-party server holding the files.
- Encrypted, authenticated connections
- All communication is secured with TLS and perfect forward secrecy. Each device has a cryptographic certificate, and only devices you explicitly allow can connect.
- Browser-based interface
- Syncthing is configured and monitored through a responsive web interface served by the program and opened in a browser.
- Works over LAN and Internet
- Devices find each other by ID without IP addresses or advanced configuration. UPnP is used where available, and relays carry traffic when no direct connection is possible.
- Open protocol and source
- The sync protocol is a documented specification and all source code is public, with development and bug reports open for anyone to read.
Plans
Filen
Free€0
10 GiB with encryption and every feature included. Data is deleted after 3 months without a login.
Starter€11.99
per year, billed annually
100 GiB of storage, offered on annual billing only.
Pro I€1.99
per month, or €19.99 billed annually
200 GiB with unlimited bandwidth, syncing, network drive, file sharing, and unlimited notes and chats.
Pro II€3.99
per month, or €39.99 billed annually
500 GiB of storage with the same features as Pro I.
Pro III€8.99
per month, or €89.99 billed annually
2 TiB of storage with the same features as Pro I.
Pro X€39.99
per month, or €399.99 billed annually
10 TiB of storage. Plans stack on one account, so two Pro X plans give 20 TiB, with no upper limit.
Syncthing
SyncthingFree
The full program for every supported operating system, with source code available on GitHub.
Ways to pay less
Filen
- Annual discount
About 16% lower with annual billing
Annual prices of €19.99, €39.99, €89.99 and €399.99 compare with €23.88, €47.88, €107.88 and €479.88 for twelve monthly payments on Pro I, Pro II, Pro III and Pro X.
Syncthing
No public discounts listed.
