Filen vs Microsoft OneDrive

Filen is a zero-knowledge encrypted cloud storage service from Germany. Files are encrypted on your device before upload, so the company cannot read them, and data is stored in German data centers under EU privacy law. It positions itself as a cheaper alternative to established privacy-focused providers while offering the core features of a modern cloud drive.

Filen provides desktop sync clients for Windows, macOS and Linux, mobile apps with camera upload, a web drive, encrypted sharing links with passwords and expiry dates, file versioning and a network drive mode. Its client software is open source, which lets security-minded users inspect how encryption works. Pricing starts with a free plan of 10 GB, followed by low-cost monthly or yearly plans that can be stacked on one account; the lifetime plans it once sold have been removed from the lineup.

Filen fits individuals and freelancers who want private storage on a budget, especially Linux users who are poorly served by larger providers. It is a young company with a small team, so collaboration features, admin controls and support are limited compared with business products, and some users report variable sync performance with very large folders. Proton Drive offers a broader privacy ecosystem, pCloud and Internxt sell lifetime plans, and Tresorit is the stronger choice for businesses that need compliance and team administration.

Microsoft OneDrive is Microsoft's cloud storage, sync and file-sharing service. It launched in 2007 as Windows Live Folders, became SkyDrive and was renamed OneDrive in 2014, and it is built into Windows and Microsoft 365. Its core job is to keep files backed up and in sync across devices, share them with links and permissions, and act as the storage layer under Office and Teams.

Features include Files On-Demand, automatic backup of the Desktop, Documents and Pictures folders, Personal Vault, version history, ransomware detection and recovery, camera upload and co-authoring in Office apps, and Copilot can summarize files. Home users get a free 5 GB tier, Microsoft 365 Basic with 100 GB, and Personal, Family and Premium plans with 1 TB per person plus Office apps. Businesses get OneDrive through Microsoft 365 Business plans with 1 TB per user.

OneDrive fits Windows users and organizations already paying for Microsoft 365, where it costs nothing extra. It is less polished on Mac, has no official Linux client, sharing settings can confuse outside guests, and storage jumps from 100 GB straight to 1 TB. Google Drive is the natural choice for Google Workspace teams, Dropbox has the smoothest cross-platform sync, and Box offers stronger governance for regulated firms.

Pricing shifted in 2025 and 2026. Microsoft 365 Personal rose to $9.99 a month in January 2025 with Copilot added, standalone OneDrive for Business plans stopped being sold to new customers in mid-2026 ahead of end of life in January 2027, and Business Basic rose from $6 to $7 per user on July 1, 2026.