| Google Drive |
private users, teams, Google Workspace users |
Office integration, collaboration and particularly easy use within the Google ecosystem |
🇺🇸 USA
Google LLC |
Globally distributed Google infrastructure. For regular personal accounts there is no option to select a fixed EU data region. |
US / international
US provider with global infrastructure and without a user-selectable EU storage location in the standard personal offering. |
No
Data is encrypted in transit and at rest, but not end-to-end by default. |
Consider data protection, storage needs and the strong lock-in to the Google ecosystem |
strong for users who already use Google services and collaborate on documents |
| Microsoft OneDrive |
Microsoft 365 users, Windows users, businesses |
tight integration into Office, Windows, Teams and other Microsoft services |
🇺🇸 USA
Microsoft Corporation |
Depends on account, customer and Microsoft 365 region. For eligible enterprise customers there are EU data residency arrangements. |
US EU options
US provider, but Microsoft 365 offers extensive options and commitments for regional data storage. |
No, by default |
Check the pricing model, account type and, for businesses, the specifically promised data region |
a logical choice for Microsoft-oriented workplaces and businesses using Microsoft 365 |
| Apple iCloud |
iPhone, iPad and Mac users |
very simple syncing and deep integration into the Apple ecosystem |
🇺🇸 USA
Apple Inc. |
International cloud infrastructure. A specific European storage region cannot be freely selected for a regular iCloud account. |
US / international
No freely selectable EU data region. Technical privacy can be significantly increased with Apple's Advanced Data Protection. |
Optional with ADP
With "Advanced Data Protection for iCloud" many additional data categories are end-to-end encrypted. |
Less neutral in mixed-device environments; check available storage and activation of Advanced Data Protection |
especially handy for users with multiple Apple devices |
| Dropbox |
private users, teams, project-based collaboration |
strong file synchronisation, simple sharing and mature apps |
🇺🇸 USA
Dropbox Inc. |
Storage servers among others in the USA. For eligible customers additional regions such as the EU, the UK, Japan and Australia are available. |
US regional options
European data storage is possible with certain offerings, but is not available for every plan. |
No, by default |
Check costs, business features and, for commercial use, the available data region |
proven solution for synchronisation, file storage and straightforward sharing |
| pCloud |
private users, privacy-conscious users |
file storage, synchronisation, selectable data region and optional zero-knowledge encryption |
🇨🇭 Schweiz
pCloud International AG |
Selectable:
🇱🇺 Luxembourg (EU)
or 🇺🇸 Dallas, USA |
EU region selectable
Choosing Luxembourg allows files and personal data to be stored specifically within the EU. |
Optional
Zero-knowledge / end-to-end encryption via the additional pCloud Encryption feature. |
Choose the desired data region deliberately during registration; compare additional encryption features and the pricing model |
interesting for users focused on storage, a European data location and data protection |
| Box |
businesses, teams, corporate environments |
collaboration, rights management, integrations and extensive business features |
🇺🇸 USA
Box, Inc. |
By default a US-centric infrastructure. With Box Zones eligible enterprise customers can store content in different regions. |
US Box Zones
Regional data storage is possible, but is primarily aimed at higher business and enterprise plans. |
No, by default |
Compare pricing structure, Box Zones availability, integrations and compliance requirements |
strong for professional team and enterprise use with extensive administrative requirements |
| kSuite / kDrive |
users focused on Switzerland, data protection and productivity |
cloud storage combined with office, mail and other productivity functions |
🇨🇭 Schweiz
Infomaniak Network SA |
Exclusively Switzerland
Infomaniak operates its cloud infrastructure itself in Switzerland. |
Swiss data space
Swiss company with a clearly defined Swiss data location and self-operated infrastructure. |
No classic E2E
Data is transmitted and stored securely, but kDrive is not a classic zero-knowledge cloud. |
Compare feature set, storage needs and differences between free and paid kSuite plans |
interesting as a Swiss alternative to Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 |
| Nextcloud / ownCloud |
self-hosting, businesses, data-sensitive projects |
high control, open-source foundation, extensibility and free choice of hosting environment |
🇩🇪 Deutschland
Nextcloud GmbH / ownCloud GmbH |
User-determined
Own server, own data centre or hosting provider of choice |
Location user-determined
The key advantage is control over the data location. With a German or European hoster the data can be kept there intentionally. |
Optional / configurable
Nextcloud and ownCloud offer options for client-side or end-to-end encrypted areas. |
Pay attention to administration, updates, backups, security configuration and the actual location of the chosen hoster |
especially strong for users and businesses that want maximum control over infrastructure and data handling |
| HiDrive |
private users, businesses, backup and classic file storage |
German cloud storage, simple file storage, synchronisation and various access options |
🇩🇪 Deutschland
STRATO GmbH, Berlin |
🇩🇪 Germany
STRATO operates its own high-security data centres in Germany. |
Germany / EU
German provider with a clearly defined German server location and data processing according to European data protection regulations. |
Optional / included in Business
HiDrive offers client-side end-to-end encryption; it is included in HiDrive Business plans. |
Compare plans, backup features, supported access protocols and the scope of encryption options |
practical for users who want classic file storage combined with a German server location |
