Sync.com vs Proton Drive
Two zero knowledge clouds that cannot read your files. One sells storage, the other sells a whole privacy suite.
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Sync.com
Zero-knowledge privacy that behaves like a normal cloud drive.
Proton Drive
Swiss zero-knowledge storage from the Proton Mail people.
| Feature | Sync.com | Proton Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 4.5 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Price | From $6/mo | From $9.99/mo |
| Renews at | $144/yr | n/a |
| Free plan | ||
| Best for | Private storage without friction | Privacy-first users |
| Category | Encrypted & private | Encrypted & private |
| Provider | Sync.com Inc. | Proton AG |
| Visit Sync.com | Visit Proton Drive |
Our verdict
Sync.com wins if you only want storage and Proton Drive wins if you want the rest of the suite with it. Sync.com Personal 1 TB costs $6 a month, $72 for the first year and $144 a year after that, and scores 4.5. Proton Unlimited is $9.99 a month, $119.88 a year, and scores 4.4.
In the first year that is $47.88 more at Proton, and the storage it buys is smaller. From the second year Sync.com costs $24.12 a year more. The reason to pay for Proton is that Proton Unlimited is not a storage plan. It includes Proton Mail, VPN, calendar and password manager under the same subscription.
If you were going to pay for any two of those separately, the maths flips immediately. Both are zero knowledge, meaning the provider cannot read your files, and both have free tiers to try first. The honest downside of Sync.com is the ecosystem.
It does storage and sharing well and nothing else, and the desktop app is plainer than the competition. The honest downside of Proton Drive is that the storage component is the youngest part of the suite and still behind on features like selective sync and third party integrations.
Want 1 TB of private storage and nothing more? Sync.com, and save $47.88 in the first year. Already paying for a VPN or a private mailbox? Proton Unlimited, and cancel the other subscription.
“The encrypted all-rounder. Zero-knowledge by default, generous versioning, fair prices, and none of the usual privacy tax on usability. For most people who want their files private without thinking about it, this is the one.”Editorial team, on Sync.com
“The privacy ecosystem play. Zero-knowledge encryption by default, Swiss jurisdiction, and it comes bundled with the best private email and a top-tier VPN. Still younger and leaner on features than the veterans, but maturing fast.”Editorial team, on Proton Drive
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Sync.com or Proton Drive?
Sync.com in the first year, Proton Drive after that. Sync.com Personal 1 TB is $6 a month, $72 for the first year, and renews at $144 a year. Proton Unlimited is $9.99 a month, $119.88 a year, for 500 GB. Proton bundles mail, VPN, calendar and a password manager into that price, so compare it against what you already pay for those.
Can either provider read my files?
No. Both use zero knowledge encryption, which means the keys stay on your side and the provider stores data it cannot open. The practical consequence is the same at both. Lose your password and the recovery options are limited, because there is no back door for support to use either.
Can I try them before paying?
Yes, both have a free tier. That is the sensible way to settle this, because the difference people actually notice is the desktop app and how sync behaves with the folders they really use. A week of ordinary work tells you more than any feature table.
NordLocker vs Proton Drive vs Sync.com: which offers the best personal file storage value?
Sync.com. Personal 1 TB is $72 for the first year and $144 a year after that, scores 4.5 here and keeps up to 180 days of versions on its larger plans. NordLocker gives more space, $83.88 for the first year for 2 TB and $179.88 a year at renewal, but it is a vault with basic sharing, not a full drive. Proton Unlimited, $119.88 a year for 500 GB, only pays off with the wider suite. All three are zero knowledge.