Proton Drive

Proton Drive
Original author(s)Andy Yen
Developer(s)Proton AG
Initial releaseNovember 16, 2020 (paid beta)

June 2021 (free beta)

September 22, 2022
Repository
Written inTypeScript
Websiteproton.me/drive Edit this on Wikidata

Proton Drive is an end-to-end encrypted, cloud-based file storage and synchronization service developed by Proton AG.[1] Proton Drive enables storing files in the cloud, synchronizing files across devices, and sharing files securely. It is accessible through a web application, desktop applications for Windows and macOS, and mobile applications for Android and iOS.[2]

The software is open source and security is independently audited.[3]

History

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Proton Drive's development began in 2019, supported by a grant from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program. A beta version of the Proton Drive service was launched to paid Proton subscribers on November 16, 2020, and opened to non-paid users in June 2021.[4][5]

In October 2021, the Proton Drive web app underwent an independent security audit by Securitum. During August and September 2022, Proton Drive Android and iOS apps were also independently audited by Securitum.[6][7]

The service exited beta and launched publicly via web app on September 22, 2022, followed by the release of iOS and Android apps on December 7, 2022.[8][9][10][11]

The source code for the Android and iOS apps was open-sourced on March 2, 2023, along with the publication of the security audits.[12][13][14][15]

On 16 May 2023, Proton Drive launched a version control feature that allows users to restore older versions of their files,[16][17] and launched a Windows app on July 12, 2023.[18][19][20] A desktop app for macOS was released on November 23, 2023.[21][22] A photo backup feature for Android was added on December 7, 2023.[23][24][25]

On February 20, 2024, Proton Drive increased the storage limits for its free plan from 1GB to 5GB.

On July 3rd, 2024, Proton released Docs in Proton Drive, an end-to-end encrypted, real-time collaborative, document editor feature.[26][27][28] In August, the company launched Proton Drive for Business offering real-time cloud collaboration for teams.[29]

Reception

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Proton Drive received mixed reviews upon launch. Reviewers noted the low storage limits and lack of features but also noted the high level of security. Cloudwards commented, "the size of a free account (up to 1GB) combined with basic sharing and no collaboration make Proton Drive feel light on features. What you trade in productivity, however, you more than make up for in security and privacy".[30]

PCMag remarked, "If security and privacy are your main concern in a cloud storage app, Proton Drive is the best choice. But that peace of mind comes at a price."[31]

Subsequent releases and feature updates improved its reception. Following the release of the macOS desktop app, Boy Genius Report wrote, "Proton Drive is the app that might make me finally switch over from Google."[32] Android Police noted, "Proton Drive is finally becoming a viable alternative to Google Drive" after the Windows app launch.[16] In February 2024, PCMag rated Proton Drive the best cloud storage provider for privacy and security.[33]

References

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  1. ^ Perrigo/Geneva, Billy (2022-05-12). "Proton's CEO Wanted to Fight Dictatorships. Now He's Fighting Big Tech Too". TIME. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  2. ^ Singletary, Michelle (May 15, 2024). "Look to the cloud to protect the life documents saved on your computer". washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  3. ^ "Proton Drive Update: Secure Editing With Encrypted Suggesting Mode Unveiled". Lifewire. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  4. ^ "The most secure collaboration suite in the world | ProtonSuite Project | Fact Sheet | H2020". CORDIS | European Commission. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  5. ^ "Proton lanciert Google-Drive-Alternative". www.swisscybersecurity.net (in German). 2022-09-26. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  6. ^ "Securitum Proton Drive Mobile Android | PDF | Security | Computer Security". Scribd. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  7. ^ "Securitum Proton Drive Mobile IOS | PDF". Scribd. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  8. ^ "Après Protonmail, la firme genevoise Proton lance son alternative à Google Drive". www.ictjournal.ch (in French). 2022-09-26. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  9. ^ Weatherbed, Jess (2022-12-07). "Proton's encrypted cloud storage service is now a mobile app". The Verge. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  10. ^ Mathur, Chandraveer (2023-11-23). "This Google Drive competitor is now a full-fledged alternative". Android Police. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  11. ^ "Proton Drive's Secure Cloud Storage Finally Lands on Android, iOS". PCMag UK. 2022-12-07. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  12. ^ "Proton Drive". GitHub. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  13. ^ ProtonDriveApps/ios-drive, Proton Drive, 2024-06-19, retrieved 2024-06-26
  14. ^ ProtonDriveApps/android-drive, Proton Drive, 2024-06-21, retrieved 2024-06-26
  15. ^ "Proton Drive Mobile Apps Are Now Open Source". It's FOSS News. 2023-03-03. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  16. ^ a b Vonau, Manuel (2023-07-13). "Proton Drive is finally becoming a viable alternative to Google Drive". Android Police. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  17. ^ Castro, Chiara (2023-07-12). "Google Drive, watch out—Proton Drive lands on Windows". TechRadar. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  18. ^ "Proton is releasing a native encrypted file-syncing app for Windows". Engadget. 2023-07-12. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  19. ^ Heinzman, Andrew (2023-07-12). "Proton Drive Finally Gets a Windows App". How-To Geek. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  20. ^ Sawers, Paul (2023-07-12). "Proton brings its encrypted cloud storage service to desktop". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  21. ^ "Proton Drive Encrypted Cloud Storage App Now Available for Mac". MacRumors. 2023-11-23. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  22. ^ Sawers, Paul (2023-11-23). "Proton Drive encrypted cloud storage service arrives on Mac". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  23. ^ "Proton Drive Wants to Make Your Photos More Secure". Lifewire. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  24. ^ Castro, Chiara (2023-12-13). "You can now securely backup all your photos on mobile with Proton Drive". TechRadar. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  25. ^ Roth, Emma (2023-12-07). "Proton Drive is adding an encrypted photo backup feature on Android". The Verge. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  26. ^ Burgess, Matt (2024-07-03). "Proton Is Launching Encrypted Documents to Take On Google Docs". Wired. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  27. ^ Pierce, Davis (2024-07-03). "Proton just launched a privacy-focused alternative to Google Docs". The Verge. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  28. ^ Vijay, Anany (2024-07-03). "Introducing Docs in Proton Drive – Collaborative document editing that's actually private". Proton. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  29. ^ Collins, Benedict (2024-08-27). "Proton unveils Proton Drive for Business". TechRadar. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  30. ^ "Proton Drive Review 2024 [Features, Pricing, Security & More]". Cloudwards. 2024-02-01. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  31. ^ "Proton Drive Review". PCMAG. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  32. ^ Smith, Chris (2023-11-24). "Proton Drive might help me ditch Google, and it now has a Mac app". BGR. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  33. ^ "The Best Cloud Storage and File-Sharing Services for 2024". PCMAG. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
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