📁 Cloud storage & office Privacy ★★★★★
Filen
Zero-knowledge encrypted drive, based in Germany
Overview
Filen is a client-side encrypted cloud storage service. Official pages say “Made in Germany,” “No credit card required,” and “Get started for free.”
The free tier is 10 GiB. Monthly and annual sizes and prices were confirmed on the official pricing page. Official FAQ: Lifetime plans have been removed from the lineup for an indefinite period.
It can replace Google Drive for file storage and sharing. Do not expect Google Docs–style co-editing.
Scores
Privacy 5/5
Ease of use 4/5
Features 3/5
Value 4/5
Google Drive / Docs — comparison
Google Drive is stronger at search and office integration. Filen emphasizes zero-knowledge encryption and a Germany-based offering, so the provider is not supposed to be able to read your files.
Pros
- ✓ Official materials describe zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption and a Germany-based offering
- ✓ Official pages say you can start without a credit card
- ✓ Monthly capacity tiers are listed clearly on the official pricing page
Cons & caveats
- − Official FAQ: Lifetime plans have been removed from the lineup for an indefinite period
- − Office-document co-editing is weaker than a dedicated office suite
- − If jurisdiction is the reason you switch, re-check the official terms and locations
Best for
- People looking for a German-jurisdiction, zero-knowledge drive
- People who want to start from official monthly prices
- People who prefer not to enter a card just to try the service
Not ideal for
- Teams that need Google Docs–class co-editing
- Buyers who want a Lifetime plan (not currently sold, per official FAQ)
Specs
- Pricing
- Free + paid — Official prices (confirmed 2026-11-11): free tier is 10 GiB. Monthly: Pro I 200 GiB 1.99€, Pro II 500 GiB 3.99€, Pro III 2 TiB 8.99€, Pro X 10 TiB 39.99€. Annual (Annually tab and official embedded data): Pro I 19.99€, Pro II 39.99€, Pro III 89.99€, Pro X 399.99€. Embedded data also lists Starter annually at 100 GiB for 11.99€. Plans are stackable. Official FAQ: Lifetime plans have been removed from the lineup for an indefinite period. Prices are described as including transaction fees and taxes, with no hidden fees. Source: https://filen.io/pricing
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Data location
- Germany (officially described as Made in Germany).
- Platforms
- Web · Windows · macOS · Linux · Android · iOS
Zero-knowledge encryptionMade in GermanyNo credit card requiredPublished monthly prices
Migration from Google Drive / Docs
- 1 Export files with Google Takeout or a Drive download
- 2 Create a Filen account and upload via the official app or web client
- 3 Review sharing permissions and re-share only with people who still need access
Setup steps
- 1 Create an account at https://filen.io/
- 2 Place a test folder in the official app or web client
- 3 Enable 2FA
- 4 Re-check official pricing before you subscribe