Secure cloud storage is undeniably convenient and useful. Being able to access files from any device makes collaboration a breeze. Rather than backing everything up to a USB stick, your data is seamlessly synced to the cloud. However, traditional mainstream cloud storage providers trade convenience for your privacy.

Many of these services are either entirely free or offer free tiers. As we've learned, though, nothing is free; we pay with our data. If you want the convenience and benefits of cloud storage but without the privacy invasion, check out these encrypted, secure cloud storage providers instead.

1. MEGA

MEGA is one of our list's most popular encrypted cloud storage providers. When you sign up for a MEGA account, you'll get a free 20GB of storage. MEGA takes the lead in a one-on-one cloud storage comparison because of its high security, privacy, and user-controllable end-to-end encryption.

In contrast to most other cloud storage services, it handles encryption on the user's end. This means that files, communications, and audio/video information are encrypted on the user's client system before being sent to the MEGA platform.

With its advanced web interface, MEGA includes a sync application for all major operating systems. Besides that, you can also use its mobile apps to access your files and camera uploads and communicate easily with your team on the go.

Mega.io Pricing Webpage Overview

In terms of pricing, MEGA charges around $5.17 (€4.99) per month for their starting premium tier called Pro Lite, which offers 400GB of storage and 1TB of file transfer. The most expensive tier (Pro III) costs $31.08 (€29.99) per month and includes 16TB of storage and a 16TB file transfer limit. Note that the dollar amount is merely an estimate. Since MEGA only bills account in euros, the total amount may differ in your local currency.

MEGA generates the primary encryption key for your account when you create it and enter a password. As a result, we recommend that you start using a password manager to increase your security.

2. Sync

For several years, Sync has provided cloud storage services that are pretty simple, quick, and secure. It has a slew of security features, like AES-256 bit encryption, remote wipe capability, configurable passwords, and two-factor authentication, to keep intruders from snooping on your files.

Sync's file version history feature is unmatched in terms of data loss protection. This feature enables you to preview and restore prior versions of a file, including those that have been deleted. So if you're looking for the best online storage service to securely save your media and other documents for free, Sync is a good choice.

It offers a free trial with 5GB of storage, but you're likely need more. If you're an individual, you can subscribe to their Solo Basic plan for around $96 per year or their Solo Professional plan for $240 per year.

Sync.com Pricing Schedule Overview

No doubt, Sync should be at the top of your buying list for secure cloud storage because of its private encryption, competitive pricing, well-organized support information, and cross-platform apps.

3. Tresorit

Tresorit is one of the best encrypted and secure cloud storage alternatives to Dropbox. Like MEGA, Tresorit ensures that all data is end-to-end encrypted on the client-side with AES256 encryption before being uploaded to their servers.

The service is marketed towards businesses, primarily because of its in-built collaboration tools. However, they also offer Tresorit Personal (formerly Solo), intended for individuals. This account comes with 1TB of storage, access for up to 10 devices, and offline access support for $12.36 (€11.99) per month.

Payment methods might be problematic for the privacy enthusiast, as they currently only accept PayPal and some credit cards. However, you could use a crypto credit card to pay for the service instead. Tresorit's service is also not open-source. You have to decide if you trust the company, as no one can verify their claims.

Tresorit offers desktop, web, and mobile access as you expect from a modern cloud storage provider. The Tresorit desktop software works similarly to Dropbox and Google Drive, integrating with your file manager for easy access. As a bonus, there's even native support for Linux. The mobile apps are available for Android and iOS.

If you're after the convenience and simplicity of cloud storage but with security and privacy built-in, then Tresorit is an excellent option.

4. SpiderOak One Backup

SpiderOak is widely considered one of the most secure cloud storage providers. The Edward Snowden-approved service has been around since 2007. This is reassuring as it shows that the service has longevity and shouldn't disappear without notice.

Similar to Tresorit, SpiderOak One Backup is a fully-featured Google Drive or Dropbox alternative. Its primary focus is as an end-to-end encrypted cloud backup service. However, with desktop integration and mobile access, it functions as secure encrypted storage. Rather than encouraging you to create a separate structure for your Spideroak files, you can select existing files and folders to back up.

The One Backup service is available as a subscription, ranging from $6 per month for 150GB of storage to $29 per month for up to 5TB of storage. All plans allow you to connect and access your files from an unlimited number of devices.

Moreover, it combines a complete cloud backup service with traditional cloud storage. This means you get convenient access to your data while protecting your privacy.

5. NextCloud

NextCloud is a suite of software that replicates many of the best features of other cloud storage providers. In other words, it's an industry-leading self-hosted cloud storage platform.

The good thing is that NextCloud is open-source and free to use. Like the other options on this list, it also protects your data with end-to-end encryption. It means that NextCloud doesn't have access to your stored data, so only you can access it.

As it only provides the software, you will need to choose a storage provider. But if you'd rather not trust another provider with your data, you can self-host NextCloud.

This is an excellent option for home users, especially those with Network-Attached Storage (NAS) devices. This is a good way to get the benefits of many cloud services while still controlling your data and privacy.

NextCloud App Store Webpage Overview

Moreover, it offers clients for almost all major desktop operating systems and mobile apps for Android and iOS. You can also extend NextCloud's standard functionality through software available in the NextCloud App Store.

Above all, if you're looking for something more robust, you have plenty of options, including NextCloud, Owncloud, and Seafile.

6. Internxt

Internxt combines peer-to-peer filesharing, end-to-end encryption, and the blockchain to create a decentralized cloud storage platform. The user-facing interface is similar to Dropbox, so there's no steep learning curve here. Instead, most of the significant features are behind the scenes, powering its open-source platform.

Peer-to-peer (P2P) networks rose to prominence alongside the popularity of torrents. These P2P networks store small segments of files across the network for redundancy and improved access speed. Rather than waiting for one user to share a particular file, you connect to multiple users who share small parts of a file with you to create the whole.

Internxt is available on the web and via their Android and iOS apps. When you first sign up, the company gives you 10GB of storage for free. There are three other tiers under the Individual category plan: 20GB for $0.99 (€0.99) a month, 200GB for $4.49 (€4.68) per month, and 2TB for $10.41 (€9.99) per month.

The Most Secure Cloud Storage for You

Secure cloud storage is a necessity for privacy and secured-minded consumers. While Google and Microsoft's "free" cloud-storage solutions are convenient and easy, they come with a hidden price: your privacy. They're great for those who don't mind potential data mining of their stored files, data leaks, and other ethical and security lapses.

If you want the same great benefits without the privacy downsides, one of these secure cloud options might be right for you.