Filen review

Filen is a younger service that has earned attention among privacy users by making its apps open source. It describes itself as built around zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption, with client-side AES 256-bit encryption, and says neither Filen nor any other agency can access stored files. New accounts get 10 GB free. Beyond basic storage, Filen offers a network drive with Smart Sync, five sync modes for backup or two-way sync, encrypted notes with markdown and checklists, and end-to-end encrypted chats. Filen says it does not restrict transfer speeds and that every feature and full encryption are included in each plan's price. Apps cover the web, desktop, mobile and a command line. The caveats are maturity and transparency on our side: some App Store reviews mention camera upload failures, and the pricing page rendered without a readable USD price from our location, so pricing is pending.

Who it is for

Tech-savvy users who want open-source clients, a network drive and low prices.

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• Zero-knowledge, client-side AES 256-bit encryption
• 10 GB free when you create an account
• Network drive with Smart Sync and five sync modes
• Encrypted notes and end-to-end encrypted chats
• Apps for web, desktop, mobile and a CLI, all open source

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: All apps are open source
• Strength: Every feature and full encryption are included in each price
• Strength: No upload or download speed limits
• Weakness: Some App Store reviewers report camera upload problems
• Weakness: The pricing page is script-rendered and showed no USD price to us
• Weakness: Smaller company than the market leaders

Key facts

• Free storage: 10 GB
• Encryption: Client-side AES 256-bit
• Sync modes: 5
• Apps: Web, desktop, mobile, CLI

Where it ranks

Filen is No. 5 in our Best Encrypted Cloud Storage verdict.