Leaving iCloud? Here's everything you need
Compare 4 EU alternatives side-by-side. Find the right fit based on migration difficulty, pricing, and privacy features.
Your data may be subject to US surveillance laws
iCloud is headquartered in the US. Under the CLOUD Act and FISA Section 702, US authorities can access your data without your knowledge. Switch to an EU alternative to keep your data protected under GDPR.
All EU Alternatives at a Glance
| Alternative | Country | Pricing | Difficulty | Time Estimate | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Proton DriveRecommended Proton Drive is a robust cloud storage service designed to meet the needs of individuals and businesses seeking secure and reliable file hosting. Based in Switzerland, Proton Drive ensures that your data is stored under some of the world's strictest privacy laws. This service is particularly beneficial for users within the European Union, as it guarantees EU-hosted data storage, aligning with GDPR compliance and data sovereignty requirements. Key features of Proton Drive include end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only you have access to your files, and seamless file sharing capabilities that maintain privacy. The platform is ideal for privacy-conscious users, businesses handling sensitive information, and anyone looking to store their data within the EU. Proton Drive offers a transparent pricing model with various plans to accommodate different storage needs, making it accessible for both personal and professional use. By choosing Proton Drive, users benefit from the peace of mind that their data is protected by Swiss privacy laws and hosted within the EU, ensuring compliance with GDPR standards. | 🇨🇭Switzerland | Free plan available | Medium | 2-4 hours | |
pCloud pCloud is a file hosting service from Switzerland with good prices and with apps for many platforms. | 🇨🇭Switzerland | Free plan available | Medium | 2-4 hours | |
Tresorit Tresorit is a Swiss-Hungarian end-to-end encrypted cloud storage and collaboration platform founded in 2011 by Istvan Lam, Szilveszter Szebeni, and Gyorgy Szilagyi. Headquartered in Zurich and acquired by Swiss Post in 2021 (while remaining independently operated), Tresorit uses zero-knowledge RSA-4096 encryption — meaning even Tresorit staff cannot access your files. The platform serves businesses that handle sensitive data: legal firms, healthcare, finance, and government. Beyond basic cloud storage, Tresorit offers secure data rooms (Tresorit Engage), electronic signatures (eSign), and email encryption. Pricing starts with a free Basic plan, with paid plans from around EUR11/month for individuals and EUR14/user/month for business teams. | 🇨🇭Switzerland | Free plan available | Medium | 2-4 hours | |
Internxt Internxt is a European cloud storage service that prioritizes privacy and security, offering a robust platform for storing and sharing files with peace of mind. Utilizing end-to-end encryption, Internxt ensures that your files remain confidential, accessible only to you, and never shared with third parties. The service is fully GDPR compliant, with data centers located within the EU, providing users with the assurance of data sovereignty and adherence to strict privacy regulations. Key features include zero-knowledge file access, meaning even Internxt cannot view your files, and cross-platform file synchronization, allowing seamless access across multiple devices. Users can securely share files through encrypted links and benefit from version history to track changes. Internxt is ideal for individuals and businesses that value privacy and need reliable, secure cloud storage. While specific pricing details are not mentioned, Internxt typically offers a range of plans to accommodate different storage needs, ensuring flexibility and affordability. With a focus on privacy and compliance, Internxt stands out as a trustworthy choice for secure cloud storage. | 🇪🇸Spain | Free plan available | Medium | 2-4 hours |
Our Top Picks
Best for Privacy
Tresorit is a Swiss-Hungarian end-to-end encrypted cloud storage and collaboration platform founded in 2011 by Istvan Lam, Szilveszter Szebeni, and Gyorgy Szilagyi. Headquartered in Zurich and acquired by Swiss Post in 2021 (while remaining independently operated), Tresorit uses zero-knowledge RSA-4096 encryption — meaning even Tresorit staff cannot access your files. The platform serves businesses that handle sensitive data: legal firms, healthcare, finance, and government. Beyond basic cloud storage, Tresorit offers secure data rooms (Tresorit Engage), electronic signatures (eSign), and email encryption. Pricing starts with a free Basic plan, with paid plans from around EUR11/month for individuals and EUR14/user/month for business teams.
Certifications:
Best Free Option
Proton Drive is a robust cloud storage service designed to meet the needs of individuals and businesses seeking secure and reliable file hosting. Based in Switzerland, Proton Drive ensures that your data is stored under some of the world's strictest privacy laws. This service is particularly beneficial for users within the European Union, as it guarantees EU-hosted data storage, aligning with GDPR compliance and data sovereignty requirements. Key features of Proton Drive include end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only you have access to your files, and seamless file sharing capabilities that maintain privacy. The platform is ideal for privacy-conscious users, businesses handling sensitive information, and anyone looking to store their data within the EU. Proton Drive offers a transparent pricing model with various plans to accommodate different storage needs, making it accessible for both personal and professional use. By choosing Proton Drive, users benefit from the peace of mind that their data is protected by Swiss privacy laws and hosted within the EU, ensuring compliance with GDPR standards.
- GDPR-compliant: Ensures EU data protection standards.
- Swiss hosting: Strong privacy laws protect user data.
- Open Source: Transparent code for security audits.
Migration difficulty data is being enriched for these alternatives.
Detailed Comparison of Each Alternative
Proton Drive is a robust cloud storage service designed to meet the needs of individuals and businesses seeking secure and reliable file hosting. Based in Switzerland, Proton Drive ensures that your data is stored under some of the world's strictest privacy laws. This service is particularly beneficial for users within the European Union, as it guarantees EU-hosted data storage, aligning with GDPR compliance and data sovereignty requirements. Key features of Proton Drive include end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only you have access to your files, and seamless file sharing capabilities that maintain privacy. The platform is ideal for privacy-conscious users, businesses handling sensitive information, and anyone looking to store their data within the EU. Proton Drive offers a transparent pricing model with various plans to accommodate different storage needs, making it accessible for both personal and professional use. By choosing Proton Drive, users benefit from the peace of mind that their data is protected by Swiss privacy laws and hosted within the EU, ensuring compliance with GDPR standards.
Advantages
- GDPR-compliant: Ensures EU data protection standards.
- Swiss hosting: Strong privacy laws protect user data.
- Open Source: Transparent code for security audits.
- E2E Encryption: All files are encrypted end-to-end.
Trade-offs
- No automatic photo backup: Manual uploads needed.
- Missing Find My iPhone: No device tracking feature.
- Migration pain: Transferring data can be complex.
pCloud is a file hosting service from Switzerland with good prices and with apps for many platforms.
Advantages
- EU-hosted data centers ensure GDPR compliance.
- Client-side encryption offers enhanced data security.
- Lifetime storage plans eliminate recurring fees.
- Social media backup feature not available in iCloud.
Trade-offs
- Migration from iCloud may be time-consuming.
- No native integration with Apple ecosystem.
- Learning curve for new interface and features.
Tresorit is a Swiss-Hungarian end-to-end encrypted cloud storage and collaboration platform founded in 2011 by Istvan Lam, Szilveszter Szebeni, and Gyorgy Szilagyi. Headquartered in Zurich and acquired by Swiss Post in 2021 (while remaining independently operated), Tresorit uses zero-knowledge RSA-4096 encryption — meaning even Tresorit staff cannot access your files. The platform serves businesses that handle sensitive data: legal firms, healthcare, finance, and government. Beyond basic cloud storage, Tresorit offers secure data rooms (Tresorit Engage), electronic signatures (eSign), and email encryption. Pricing starts with a free Basic plan, with paid plans from around EUR11/month for individuals and EUR14/user/month for business teams.
Advantages
- Zero-knowledge encryption ensures only you can access your files.
- ISO 27001:2022 certification guarantees high security standards.
- GDPR compliance ensures data protection in the EU.
- Granular access controls with link expiration and password protection.
Trade-offs
- Migration from iCloud to Tresorit can be time-consuming.
- Lacks native integration with Apple ecosystem like Find My iPhone.
- Learning curve due to different interface and features.
Internxt is a European cloud storage service that prioritizes privacy and security, offering a robust platform for storing and sharing files with peace of mind. Utilizing end-to-end encryption, Internxt ensures that your files remain confidential, accessible only to you, and never shared with third parties. The service is fully GDPR compliant, with data centers located within the EU, providing users with the assurance of data sovereignty and adherence to strict privacy regulations. Key features include zero-knowledge file access, meaning even Internxt cannot view your files, and cross-platform file synchronization, allowing seamless access across multiple devices. Users can securely share files through encrypted links and benefit from version history to track changes. Internxt is ideal for individuals and businesses that value privacy and need reliable, secure cloud storage. While specific pricing details are not mentioned, Internxt typically offers a range of plans to accommodate different storage needs, ensuring flexibility and affordability. With a focus on privacy and compliance, Internxt stands out as a trustworthy choice for secure cloud storage.
Advantages
- End-to-end encryption ensures file privacy.
- GDPR compliance guarantees data protection.
- EU-based servers reduce latency for EU users.
- Open source allows for transparency and trust.
Trade-offs
- Migration from iCloud can be time-consuming.
- Lacks integration with Apple ecosystem features.
- Learning curve for users unfamiliar with Internxt.
Before You Switch
Export your data from iCloud before you start the migration. This ensures you have a backup and makes the transition smoother.
General Data Export Steps
- 1Log into your iCloud account and navigate to Settings or Privacy.
- 2Look for "Download your data", "Export", or "Data portability" options.
- 3Select all data you want to export and choose a standard format (ZIP, CSV, JSON).
- 4Wait for the export to complete — large accounts may take hours or days.
- 5Download and verify the export before proceeding with migration.
Under GDPR Article 20, you have the right to data portability. iCloud is required to provide your data in a structured, commonly used format upon request.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best EU alternatives to iCloud?
There are 4 European alternatives to iCloud. Proton Drive, pCloud, Tresorit are among the top-rated options. All are GDPR-compliant and store your data in European data centers.
How long does it take to switch from iCloud?
Migration time varies by alternative. Most migrations can be completed in under an hour with our step-by-step guides. We provide detailed migration guides for each alternative.
Can I export my data from iCloud?
Yes, most services including iCloud allow you to export your data. Check the settings or privacy section of your iCloud account for data export options. GDPR also grants you the right to data portability.
Is switching from iCloud to an EU alternative safe?
Yes, switching is safe when done correctly. We recommend: 1) Export your data from iCloud first, 2) Set up the new EU service, 3) Import your data, 4) Run both services in parallel for a transition period, 5) Update any linked accounts or integrations, and 6) Cancel your iCloud subscription only after verifying everything works.
Why should I switch from iCloud to an EU alternative?
EU alternatives provide stronger privacy protection under GDPR, keep your data in European data centers, and are not subject to US surveillance laws like the CLOUD Act or FISA Section 702. By switching, you gain true data sovereignty and support European tech innovation.