Filen vs Hetzner Storage

Detailed side-by-side comparison

Filen

Free

Filen is a zero-knowledge, end-to-end encrypted cloud storage service that prioritizes user privacy by encrypting all files locally on your device before upload. It offers cross-platform support with open-source client applications and GDPR-compliant EU data centers, making it ideal for privacy-conscious individuals and businesses.

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Hetzner Storage

From $3.81/mo

Hetzner Storage Box is a cost-effective cloud storage solution that provides multiple access protocols including SFTP, WebDAV, and rsync, primarily targeting developers and technical users. With data centers in Germany and Finland, it offers generous storage capacity at extremely competitive pricing but requires users to implement their own encryption at rest.

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Feature Comparison

Feature	Filen	Hetzner Storage
Encryption	Zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption with client-side encryption before upload, ensuring only the user can access their data	Encrypted data transfer supported, but no built-in encryption at rest—users must implement their own encryption solution
Access Protocols	WebDAV support plus native apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android with user-friendly interfaces	Multiple protocols including SFTP, SCP, WebDAV, Samba/CIFS, and rsync for flexible technical integration
File Recovery	File versioning and recovery features built into the platform for easy restoration of previous versions	Automatic snapshots for data recovery, plus compatibility with BorgBackup and Restic for advanced backup strategies
Storage Capacity	Starts with 10GB free tier, with paid plans offering higher capacities focused on individual and small business needs	Generous storage options ranging up to 20TB, designed for large-scale storage requirements at minimal cost
User Interface	Consumer-friendly applications with intuitive interfaces, secure file sharing with password protection, and collaboration features	Technical interface requiring command-line or protocol knowledge, SSH access for advanced management, suited for developers
Data Center Locations	EU-based data centers with GDPR compliance, specific locations not extensively detailed	Data centers exclusively in Germany and Finland, providing strong European privacy standards but limited geographic distribution

Pricing Comparison

Filen offers a generous free tier starting at $0/month with 10GB storage, making it accessible for casual users, while paid plans remain affordable for privacy-focused cloud storage. Hetzner Storage starts at $3.81/month with no free tier but provides extremely competitive pricing for large storage capacities, offering exceptional value per gigabyte for users with significant storage needs.

Verdict

Choose Filen if...

Choose Filen if you prioritize privacy and security with automatic end-to-end encryption, need user-friendly applications across devices, or want a free tier to start with minimal technical setup required.

Choose Hetzner Storage if...

Choose Hetzner Storage if you're a developer or technical user comfortable with command-line tools, need large storage capacities at rock-bottom prices, or require flexible protocol support for backup and integration workflows.

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Cloud Storage

Pros & Cons

Filen

Pros

+ Strong privacy focus with client-side encryption
+ Generous free tier with 10GB storage
+ Affordable pricing compared to competitors
+ Open-source client applications for transparency

Cons

- Smaller company with less brand recognition
- Limited third-party integrations compared to mainstream providers
- Fewer collaboration features than enterprise solutions

Hetzner Storage

Pros

+ Extremely competitive pricing compared to major cloud providers
+ Generous storage capacity options up to 20TB
+ Multiple protocol support for flexible integration
+ Reliable European data centers with strong privacy standards

Cons

- Limited to European data center locations only
- Basic feature set without advanced cloud storage capabilities
- No built-in encryption at rest (user must implement)