The Proton Drive Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Proton Drive in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Proton Drive
The Insider’s Guide
End-to-end encrypted cloud storage from the maker of Proton Mail
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among file storage and sync services, read from Proton Drive’s own pages.
Made by Proton AG · checked Oct 5, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Proton Drive’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Proton Drive’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 5, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.6
GPA, above 4 of the 17 other file storage and sync services we grade
Proton Drive is an end-to-end encrypted cloud storage service based in Switzerland. Files are encrypted before upload, and Proton says it cannot read them. It includes photo backup, link sharing with passwords and expiry dates, and encrypted document and spreadsheet editors. The free plan has 5 GB, and larger plans are sold alone or bundled with Proton Mail, VPN and Pass.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about Proton Drive, taken from its own pages and our grades.
- 1
Best for private files and documents nobody else can read
Proton Drive encrypts your files before upload, and Proton says it can't read them; encrypted documents and spreadsheets come even on the free plan.
- 2
Paid plans start at $3.99 a month
As its pricing page puts it: $3.99 per month, billed yearly.
- 3
There is a free plan
Proton Free: 5 GB of end-to-end encrypted storage for files, photos and documents, including the online document and spreadsheet editor.
- 4
It runs on 5 platforms
Web, Windows, macOS, iOS and Android.
- 5
End-to-end encryption
Files are encrypted before they are uploaded. Proton states that only the owner and the people they share with can open them, and that Proton itself cannot.
- 6
Sharing controls
Files, photos, documents and spreadsheets are shared by link, with password protection, expiry dates and the ability to revoke access at any time.
- 7
Proton Docs and Sheets
Encrypted document and spreadsheet editors with real-time collaboration are built into Drive, and the editor is included on the free plan.
- 8
A 2.6 GPA, above 4 of 17
That is against the other file storage and sync services we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
To replace Proton Drive you would be making files kept in step across devices without losing one. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
Proton Drive at a glance
- Pricing
- Free plan, from $3.99 per month, billed yearly
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
- Made by
- Proton AG
- Category
- File Storage & Sync
- Our grade
- 2.6 GPA, good
- Store rating
- 4.1 on the App Store, 1,197 ratings
The report card
Best for private files and documents nobody else can read
Proton Drive encrypts your files before upload, and Proton says it can't read them; encrypted documents and spreadsheets come even on the free plan. Free is 5 GB, past 200 GB you have to buy a bundle with Proton's mail and VPN, Linux gets no sync app, and the phone app averages 4.11, the lowest of the rated storage apps here.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | B | Drive Plus is $3.99 a month billed yearly for 200 GB, which puts it just inside this category's cheapest quarter, and $4.99 if you pay monthly. Google wants $2.99 for the same 200 GB unencrypted. More room only comes bundled: Unlimited is $9.99 for 500 GB with VPN, Mail and Pass. |
| Free plan and trial | C | 5 GB free, with the same end-to-end encryption and the Docs and Sheets editors included. It's still 5 GB, though, and a phone backing up photos will hit it inside a month. No trial of the paid plans is listed. |
| Features | B | It covers the job: encryption on everything, links with passwords and expiry you can revoke, automatic photo backup, desktop sync and old versions recoverable for up to 10 years, plus encrypted Docs and Sheets two people can edit at once. Nothing core is absent on the platforms it supports. |
| Ease of use | C | 4.11 from about 1,200 App Store ratings, the weakest score of any storage app here with a rating worth counting, where Dropbox, Box and OneDrive all sit at 4.6 or better. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | Web, Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android covers most people, but Linux gets a command-line client and the website instead of a sync app. The things it joins up with are all Proton's own, Mail, VPN, Pass and Calendar, with no outside integrations or API listed. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Proton Drive is for
- Fits if you want storage that even the company running it can't read
- Works for people who already pay for Proton Mail, VPN or Pass and can bundle storage with Unlimited
Who it is not for
- Tight if you're staying free, because 5 GB fills up fast with photos
- Skip it if you're on Linux and want a folder that syncs, as you get a command-line client instead
- Pricey if you want lots of space and nothing else, since past 200 GB it's bundles only, from $9.99 for 500 GB
- Watch out: the low prices need yearly billing, and Drive Plus is $4.99 a month paid monthly
- Not for you if you want it to plug into other apps, as only Proton's own products are listed and no API
Good to know
Good for
- People who want encrypted storage under Swiss jurisdiction
- Proton Mail, VPN or Pass users who can bundle storage with Unlimited
- Private collaboration on documents and spreadsheets
Worth knowing
- The free plan is limited to 5 GB.
- Desktop sync apps exist for Windows and macOS only; Linux users get a command-line client and the web app.
- The lowest prices require yearly billing. Drive Plus costs $4.99 a month when billed monthly.
- Individual storage above 200 GB comes only through the Unlimited, Duo and Family bundles, which include other Proton products.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$3.99
A month to start. There is a free plan too
Proton Drive has a free plan. Paid plans start at $3.99 per month, billed yearly.
Proton Free
$0
5 GB of storage for files, photos and documents, with the online document and spreadsheet editor.
Drive Plus
$3.99
per month, billed yearly at $47.88 ($4.99 billed monthly)
200 GB of storage and 10 years to recover previous file versions.
Proton Unlimited
$9.99
per month, billed yearly at $119.88 ($12.99 billed monthly)
500 GB of storage plus Proton VPN, Proton Mail, Proton Calendar and Proton Pass.
Proton Duo
$14.99
per month, billed yearly at $179.88 ($19.99 billed monthly)
2 TB of storage for up to 2 users, with everything in Unlimited and advanced account protection.
Proton Family
$23.99
per month, billed yearly ($29.99 billed monthly)
3 TB of storage for up to 6 users, with the Proton premium products that are included in Duo.
Drive Professional
$7.99
per user / month, billed yearly ($9.99 billed monthly)
Team plan with 1 TB per user, user access management, and sync across devices and users.
The free plan
Proton Free: 5 GB of end-to-end encrypted storage for files, photos and documents, including the online document and spreadsheet editor.
Read from proton.me on Oct 5, 2026.
Ways to pay less
Annual discount
20% to 25% off with yearly billing
Billed yearly, Drive Plus is $3.99 a month instead of $4.99 (20% off), Proton Unlimited is $9.99 instead of $12.99 (23% off) and Proton Duo is $14.99 instead of $19.99 (25% off).
Stated on proton.me
What the app costs elsewhere
Each country’s App Store price for “Drive Plus 1 month”, against $4.99 in the United States, in dollars at the day’s rate. The four cheapest and the four dearest of 11.
| Country | Price there | In dollars | Against the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey | ₺124,99 | $2.54 | 49% less |
| Indonesia | Rp 50ribu | $2.80 | 44% less |
| India | ₹ 280 | $2.89 | 42% less |
| Philippines | ₱ 189.00 | $3.01 | 40% less |
| Canada | $6.29 | $4.42 | 11% less |
| United Kingdom | £4.09 | $5.41 | 8% more |
| Germany | 4,99 € | $5.59 | 12% more |
| Australia | $8.19 | $5.72 | 15% more |
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
5
Places it runs: Web, macOS, Windows, iOS and Android
End-to-end encrypted cloud storage from the maker of Proton Mail. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, end-to-end encrypted, real-time collaboration, documents, spreadsheets, file sync, file sharing.
Nothing core is absent on the platforms it supports.
- End-to-end encryption
- Files are encrypted before they are uploaded. Proton states that only the owner and the people they share with can open them, and that Proton itself cannot.
- Sharing controls
- Files, photos, documents and spreadsheets are shared by link, with password protection, expiry dates and the ability to revoke access at any time.
- Proton Docs and Sheets
- Encrypted document and spreadsheet editors with real-time collaboration are built into Drive, and the editor is included on the free plan.
- Photo backup
- The mobile apps back up photos automatically and support collaborative albums for sharing them.
- Desktop sync
- Desktop apps for Windows and macOS sync files between the computer and the cloud. A command-line client is offered for Linux, macOS and Windows.
- Long version history
- Paid plans from Drive Plus allow previous versions of a file to be recovered for up to 10 years.
Where it runs
- Web
- macOS
- Windows
- iOS
- Android
What it works with
- Proton Mail
- Proton VPN
- Proton Pass
- Proton Calendar
- Proton Docs
- Proton Sheets
Proton Drive is made by Proton AG.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
4/17
Other file storage and sync services it is graded above
Proton Drive's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 4 of the 17 other file storage and sync services we grade, and level with 3.
It stands best on value for money (B, above 8 of 17) and worst on free plan and trial (C, above 0).
Its paid plans start at $3.99 a month, against a middle price of $4.17 for the category: 7 of the 16 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.7 out of 4. 6 tools score higher and cost less.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 18 file storage and sync services we grade, cut by the letter each got. Proton Drive’s own letter is outlined.
- BValue for moneyAbove 8 of 17
- CFree plan and trialAbove 0 of 17
- BFeaturesAbove 7 of 17
- CEase of useAbove 2 of 17
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 2 of 17
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 18 file storage and sync services. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Proton Drive is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
To replace Proton Drive you would be making files kept in step across devices without losing one. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
That makes this kind of software worth paying for, not this one in particular: 10 of the 17 other file storage and sync services grade higher. It costs $47.88 a year. Proton Drive is open source, so there is a third way: take its code and run it yourself.
What you could make
- Documents: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- Files kept in step across devices without losing one.
- A spreadsheet engine with its formulas.
- Storing and serving files for other people.
- Apps for macOS, Windows, iOS and Android that stay in step with each other.
- Several people working in it at the same moment.
- It plugs into other products, Proton Mail, Proton VPN and Proton Pass among them.
- End-to-end encryption done properly.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. Proton Drive’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Tresorit, Sync.com, MEGA, Internxt and Filen
The 5 tools Proton Drive is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.4GPA
Tresorit
Free plan · from $4.75/mo
End-to-end encrypted file storage and sharing for businesses.
- Only Tresorit lists a Linux app.
- Proton Drive is open source, according to its own site.
- Proton Drive also covers documents and spreadsheets.
- 2.4GPA
Sync.com
Free plan · from $6/mo
End-to-end encrypted cloud storage and file sharing for teams.
- Proton Drive is open source, according to its own site.
- Proton Drive also covers documents and spreadsheets.
- 3.2GPA
MEGA
Free plan · from €3.33/mo
Zero-knowledge encrypted cloud storage with a 20 GB free plan.
- Only MEGA lists a Linux app.
- Only MEGA lists a browser extension.
- Proton Drive is open source, according to its own site.
- 2.2GPA
Internxt
Free plan · from $11.99/mo
Open source, zero-knowledge cloud storage with lifetime plans.
- Only Internxt lists a Linux app.
- Internxt can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Proton Drive also covers documents, spreadsheets and file sync.
- 3.4GPA
Filen
Free plan · from €11.99/yr
End-to-end encrypted cloud storage from Germany with open source apps.
- Only Filen lists a Linux app.
- Proton Drive also covers documents and spreadsheets.
- Filen also covers notes.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
14
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Proton Drive free?
Proton Drive has a free plan. Proton Free: 5 GB of end-to-end encrypted storage for files, photos and documents, including the online document and spreadsheet editor.
How much does Proton Drive cost?
Proton Drive lists 6 plans. Proton Free: $0.
What platforms does Proton Drive work on?
Proton Drive is available on Web, Windows, macOS, iOS and Android.
Does Proton Drive offer any discounts?
Proton Drive publicly lists the following: 20% to 25% off with yearly billing.
How is Proton Drive rated?
Proton Drive's iPhone and iPad app averages 4.1 out of 5 from 1,197 ratings on the App Store in the United States, as read on Oct 5, 2026.
Does Proton Drive have a Linux app?
No Linux app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 5, 2026. Proton Drive is listed for Web, Windows, macOS, iOS and Android.
Is Proton Drive open source?
Yes. Proton Drive is open source, according to its own site.
Is Proton Drive end-to-end encrypted?
Proton Drive describes itself as end-to-end encrypted on its own site.
What does Proton Drive integrate with?
Proton Drive's listing names Proton Mail, Proton VPN, Proton Pass, Proton Calendar, Proton Docs and Proton Sheets.
Who makes Proton Drive?
Proton Drive is made by Proton AG.
What are the alternatives to Proton Drive?
The closest alternatives to Proton Drive in our directory are Tresorit, Sync.com, MEGA, Internxt and Filen.
How does Proton Drive compare with other file storage and sync services?
Proton Drive's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 4 of the 17 other file storage and sync services we grade, and level with 3.
Is Proton Drive good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Proton Drive B for value for money. Its paid plans start at $3.99 a month, against a middle price of $4.17 for the category: 7 of the 16 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of Proton Drive?
To replace Proton Drive you would be making files kept in step across devices without losing one.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Proton Drive’s own pages on Oct 5, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Proton's own pages on 5 October 2026, and its App Store rating. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-09-04.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Proton AG. Prices change, so check proton.me before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Proton Drive, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/proton-drive
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Proton Drive: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 5, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/proton-drive
Know someone choosing between file storage and sync services?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/proton-drive/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded file storage and sync services after Proton Drive, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- File Storage & Sync Insider's GuideEvery one of the 18 file storage and sync services we grade, compared
- Google Drive Insider's GuideCloud storage tied to Google Docs, Gmail and Photos3.6 GPA
- Filen Insider's GuideEnd-to-end encrypted cloud storage from Germany with open source apps3.4 GPA
- Microsoft OneDrive Insider's GuideMicrosoft's cloud storage, bundled with Microsoft 365 plans3.4 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Proton Drive’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Proton Drive is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Proton AG. Prices and plans change: check proton.me before you buy.