Filen

Overview

Filen brings encrypted cloud storage together with syncing, notes, chats and developer tools. It suits people who want private file access across desktop and mobile, especially developers and security-conscious users. Its breadth is a strength, but the free account’s inactivity rule makes it a poor place to leave a long-term archive unattended.

Filen encrypts data on the client with AES-GCM 256-bit encryption and uses zero-knowledge technology; it says its file encryption is quantum resistant. The company says its apps are open source under AGPL v3, and that its headquarters and servers are in Germany, in Tier III-IV ISO27001-certified colocation data centers. Filen also says it is GDPR compliant and offers 24/7 customer support.

Key features

• Storage and syncing: Smart Sync, five sync modes, network-drive access, file sharing and file versioning make Filen more than a place to upload files. Versioning is useful when files change, while the range of sync options may suit people managing files across devices. The feature set is substantial, though storage capacity—not a change in core features—is the main distinction between paid tiers.
• Notes and chats: Encrypted notes support rich text, code, Markdown and checklists; chats are end-to-end encrypted. Both are included without a stated usage cap on paid plans, making Filen useful to people who want these tools alongside storage rather than in separate services.
• Developer access: TypeScript, Rust and Go SDKs, a documented API and a command-line interface give developers ways to work with the service programmatically. The CLI and desktop client can also run local WebDAV and S3-compatible mirror servers, a practical addition for users building around those interfaces.
• Mobile: The iOS and Android apps support encrypted camera uploads, offline files, notes, chats and notifications, so mobile use extends beyond viewing stored files.

Pricing

Filen has a 10 GB free account and four monthly paid plans. The paid tiers include unlimited bandwidth and uploads, client-side encryption, zero-knowledge technology, syncing, a network drive, file sharing, unlimited notes and unlimited chats; they differ chiefly in storage capacity.

• Free account — free: 10 GB. It is suitable for trying the service or keeping a modest amount of active data, but Filen deletes data from inactive free accounts after three months of inactivity and sends reminder emails beforehand. That makes it unsuitable as a set-and-forget backup.
• Pro I — €1.99 a month (billed monthly): 200 GiB. The entry paid tier fits an individual who needs more room than the free account and wants the full paid feature set.
• Pro II — €3.99 a month (billed monthly): 500 GiB. Choose it when 200 GiB is too tight but a multi-terabyte tier would be unnecessary.
• Pro III — €8.99 a month (billed monthly): 2 TiB. This is the more suitable step for a larger personal library or substantial working files.
• Pro X — €39.99 a month (billed monthly): 10 TiB. It is aimed at users with a very large storage requirement; the sharp jump in monthly cost makes it difficult to justify unless that capacity matters.

All paid plans are billed monthly, and no seat quotas are given. The free plan is much smaller than even the lowest paid tier and carries the inactivity deletion rule; paid plans scale storage while retaining the same listed core features.

Platforms

Filen supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android and the web, and provides an API. Broad desktop and mobile coverage makes it a practical option for people who move between operating systems. Its listed device platforms do not include a dedicated app for every possible device type, so check that your own setup is covered before relying on it.

Who it's for

Filen is a strong fit for individuals and professionals who put privacy first but still want syncing, file sharing and a network drive. Developers gain SDKs, an API, a CLI and local WebDAV and S3-compatible mirror servers. Its notes, chats and mobile features also suit people who prefer several encrypted tools in one service. It is less compelling for anyone needing a dependable free archive that can sit untouched, or for users who do not need its privacy and developer features and would rather pay only for storage.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Client-side, zero-knowledge encryption is central to the service, with AES-GCM 256-bit encryption and Filen’s stated quantum resistance.
• Pro: Sync, network-drive access, versioning, encrypted notes and chats combine several useful capabilities in one account.
• Pro: SDKs in three languages, a documented API and CLI provide concrete options for developer workflows.
• Con: Free-account data is deleted after three months of inactivity, so the free tier requires ongoing attention.
• Con: The 10 TiB plan costs €39.99 a month, a substantial commitment for users who need less capacity.

Alternatives

Internxt Drive is worth considering if publicly available code and an external audit are priorities; its free plan has 1 GB of encrypted storage. Cryptee may suit readers who want open-source software and cryptography that can be reviewed independently, though its free plan is only 100 MB. Ente Photos is an option for a photo-focused choice, with a 10 GB free plan and a 50 GB Starter plan at $2.49 a month. Plient offers a 5 GB free plan for one user, with WebDAV, CLI and a 30-day version history; it also supports self-hosting.

Scramble Cloud has a 10 GB free plan for one user, with unlimited file size, bandwidth and file links. PigCloud also offers 10 GB free, with specific daily upload, speed, version and concurrent-upload limits. Proton Drive is another freemium storage option, with a 5 GB free plan and a 200 GB Drive Plus plan. MEGA may be preferable if 20 GB of free storage is the main draw; its listed Pro I plan includes 3 TB of storage and 3 TB of transfer.

Browse more options in Secure Cloud Storage or Cloud Storage Services.

Verdict

Choose Filen if private cloud storage is the priority and you want syncing, notes, chats and developer access in the same service. Its strongest case is the combination of zero-knowledge encryption and unusually broad tools across desktop and mobile. Look elsewhere if you need a free account for files that may go untouched for months, or if you need a lower-cost way to store very large volumes.