Start with who holds the encryption keys and how your team shares files. Privacy-first storage services replace your cloud drive, an encryption layer protects files on storage you already use, and enterprise file sharing platforms add admin controls and client exchange. Treat every security or compliance promise as the vendor's claim and check it yourself.
Who holds the keys to your files? It's the question that matters most when you leave Tresorit, which sells end-to-end encrypted cloud storage and file exchange for businesses. Below are nine alternatives in no particular order, grouped first by shape, then compared in a table and listed alphabetically.
Storage service, encryption layer or file exchange platform
Privacy-first storage services. Internxt, Filen, NordLocker, Jottacloud and Cubbit replace your cloud drive outright. Each makes its own privacy pitch: encryption and audited open-source software, a private vault, hosting in Norway, or a choice of which regions your data sits in. They suit individuals, professionals and smaller teams who want privacy built into the storage itself.
An encryption layer. Cryptomator doesn't store anything. It encrypts files and file names before they reach Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive and similar services, so you can keep the storage you've got and add encryption on top.
Enterprise file sharing platforms. FileCloud, ShareFile and Zoho WorkDrive are built for organisations. They focus on sharing, sync, client exchange, approvals and admin control, with security as part of a wider business platform rather than the whole product.
Nine options in one table
| Tool | Shape | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Cryptomator | Encryption layer | Encrypting files before they reach existing storage |
| Cubbit | Geo-distributed S3 storage | Choosing which regions your data lives in |
| FileCloud | Enterprise file sharing | Private, public or hybrid file sharing and sync |
| Filen | End-to-end encrypted storage | Starting small with encrypted storage |
| Internxt | Encrypted cloud storage | Files kept inside a wider privacy suite |
| Jottacloud | Norwegian cloud storage | Keeping files and backups in Norway |
| NordLocker | Encrypted private vault | A private vault across web, desktop and mobile |
| ShareFile | Client file exchange | Exchanging documents and signatures with clients |
| Zoho WorkDrive | Team content collaboration | Teams sharing large files with workflows |
Security claims you'll need to check yourself
Tresorit's page leans on zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption and compliance. The vendors below make their own versions of those claims: zero-knowledge encryption, open-source code, audits, sovereignty and help with regulations. None of those can be verified from a homepage, and this guide doesn't vouch for any of them.
The tools also differ in shape far more than their marketing suggests. An encrypted storage service holds your data, an encryption layer protects data held somewhere else, and an enterprise file exchange platform manages how files move between people. Those are three different jobs, and a claim that's true for one shape may mean little for another.
So before moving a team, check four things on each shortlist: admin controls, how sharing works with people outside the business, whether there are audit logs, and who holds the keys. If the vendor holds them, it can in principle reach your files. If only you do, losing them can mean losing access for good.
The full list, A to Z
Alphabetical, in no particular order of preference. Every security, privacy or compliance statement below is the vendor's own claim.
Cryptomator
Best for: People keeping files on Dropbox, Google Drive or OneDrive who want files and file names encrypted first; vendor claim: no backdoors, thanks to open source.
Cubbit
Best for: Organisations wanting S3-compatible, multi-region storage where they choose where data lives; vendor claim: sovereign and geo-resilient by design.
FileCloud
Best for: Enterprises needing file sharing, sync and backup across private, public or hybrid cloud; vendor claim: it helps with HIPAA, GDPR and other rules.
Filen
Best for: Individuals and small teams starting with free space on end-to-end encrypted storage with open-source apps; vendor claim: no other party can access your information.
Internxt
Best for: Privacy-focused users wanting encrypted storage with a wider privacy suite and open-source, audited software; vendor claim: zero-knowledge and post-quantum encryption.
Jottacloud
Best for: Businesses that want cloud storage and backup hosted in Norway; vendor claim: protected by strict European privacy laws.
NordLocker
Best for: Professionals wanting an encrypted private vault to secure, back up and reach files on web, desktop and mobile; vendor claim: privacy comes first.
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ShareFile
Best for: Client-facing firms handling secure file sharing, collaboration, e-signature and approvals; vendor claim: from first request to final archive in one platform.
Zoho WorkDrive
Best for: Teams storing, sharing and managing files of any size, with workflow automation in what the vendor calls one secure AI-powered platform.
Advice for businesses handling sensitive files
Match the tool to how your files move, not just how they're stored. If most of your sensitive work is internal, a privacy-first storage service or an encryption layer over your current drive may be enough. If you exchange documents with clients every day, an enterprise platform with sharing controls and audit trails will save you headaches.
Don't take compliance on trust. If you work under health, legal or financial rules, requirements vary by country and sector, so check them with your regulator or adviser and ask each vendor for the documents that back up its claims. For wider shortlists, see my guides to cloud storage for business and Nextcloud alternatives.
Planning the move without losing access
Moving encrypted files is slower than moving ordinary ones, because files often have to be decrypted on the way out and encrypted again on the way in. Start with one team or one client folder, check that sharing links, permissions and folder structures came across, and keep the old service running until everyone has confirmed they can open what they need.
Write down where recovery keys and admin accounts are kept before you switch anything off. It's the step people skip, and it's the one that hurts most if a key goes missing.
Do you make secure file storage or sharing software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
Want your tool on this list? Featured spots and reviews here are paid partnerships. Here's how to partner with me.
Frequently asked questions
What does zero-knowledge encryption mean?
It describes a setup where the provider says it can't read your files because only you hold the keys. It's a vendor's claim, so check how each provider explains it.
Can I add encryption to the cloud storage I already use?
Yes. Encryption layers encrypt files on your device before they sync to an existing cloud drive, so you keep your current storage.
Is encrypted storage enough for regulated data?
Not on its own. Health, legal and financial rules vary by country and sector, so check your obligations with your regulator or adviser.
What happens if I lose my encryption key?
With some services, nobody can recover your files without it. Store recovery keys safely and check each provider's recovery options before you move.
Should a small business pick consumer or enterprise file sharing?
It depends on how many people share files and whether you need admin controls and audit logs. Small teams sharing with clients often need more control than they expect.
Does data location matter for cloud storage?
It can, especially for businesses with data protection duties. Some providers let you choose the region where your data is stored.
