You may have been using tools like Google Drive or Dropbox for years without ever really making a conscious choice. They’re easy to start with, widely integrated, and often become the default simply because they’re already there.
As more people become more aware of how some (American) cloud providers handle data, and what that can mean for your privacy, more and more people start exploring alternatives. Questions around secure cloud storage, European hosting and digital sovereignty are becoming more relevant. You might want clearer insight into where your data is stored, or simply feel less comfortable being tied into a large cloud ecosystem dominated by Big Tech.
In this guide, we explore a range of cloud storage alternatives, focusing on privacy-first services, European providers and self-hosted options like Nextcloud hosting. The goal is to help you understand which direction makes the most sense for your needs.
| Provider | Hosting Region | End-to-End Encryption | Self-Hosting | Free Tier | Best For |
| Proton | Switzerland | Yes | No | Yes (1 GB) | Privacy-first individuals |
| Sync.com | Canada | Yes | No | Yes (5 GB) | Privacy + collaboration |
| pCloud | Switzerland / US | Optional | No | Yes (10 GB) | Lifetime plans, media storage |
| Icedrive | UK | Yes | No | Yes (10 GB) | Simple, affordable storage |
| Nextcloud | Self-hosted / managed | Configurable | Yes | Open source | Full control, team use |
| The Good Cloud | Netherlands | Optional | Managed | Yes (2GB) | European sovereignty, managed Nextcloud |
Use this as a starting point. Each provider is covered in more detail below.
More people are exploring alternatives to mainstream cloud storage. Not because these services suddenly stopped working well, but because awareness around privacy and the way large technology platforms handle user data is growing.
Users often start looking into alternatives for several practical reasons.
Data location:
Large cloud providers frequently host data across global infrastructure. For organisations or professionals seeking European cloud storage, this can be a concrete reason to explore other options.
Reduced dependency on large ecosystems:
Tools like Google Drive or OneDrive are part of broader platforms. While convenient, this can also make switching providers more complex over time.
Privacy architecture:
Some cloud services collect usage data or tie storage to advertising-based business models. Privacy-oriented alternatives often choose encryption-first approaches or open-source foundations.
Compliance and regulation:
Teams operating under GDPR or sector-specific rules may need to clearly demonstrate where data is stored and how it is protected.
For many organisations and individuals, digital sovereignty also plays an important role. This refers to keeping cloud services, data storage and infrastructure under the control of European providers and European legislation.
In practice, this means that your data is not automatically subject to foreign laws or access requests — something that can happen with some US-based cloud providers. For teams and users who want clearer visibility into where their data is stored and who can access it, digital sovereignty is therefore becoming increasingly important.
You can read more about this shift in our article on why more people are switching to European tech. If you want to better understand how cloud providers (falsely) position themselves as a sovereign alternative, we explore this in our article on so-called Sovereignty Washing.
When privacy is a key motivation for switching, these providers often appear on shortlists.
For users looking for secure cloud storage without technical complexity, Proton Drive is often a natural starting point.
Often considered a practical Google Drive alternative for privacy-conscious users.
For users looking for secure cloud storage with clear European data jurisdiction and minimal technical overhead, it offers a balance between control and usability.
Relevant for users who value long-term pricing options and straightforward file access.
An option for users seeking a simple privacy-leaning alternative.
European data sovereignty is becoming a more concrete requirement — not just for regulated industries, but for any organisation that wants clarity over where its data sits and who governs it.
The key questions in this category are:
Among the providers on this page, Proton Drive and pCloud have strong European credentials. For teams that specifically need European ownership alongside European hosting, the options narrow further.
The Good Cloud sits in a distinct position here. It provides managed Nextcloud hosting on European infrastructure, operated under European ownership. It’s not a proprietary platform — it’s built on open-source software, hosted in Europe, and designed around data control rather than ecosystem convenience. For individuals or organisations that want European data jurisdiction without managing their own servers, it offers a practical middle ground.
Self-hosting provides the highest level of control over data and infrastructure. Users can decide where files are stored, how access is configured and which integrations are used. For individuals, however, this can require more technical knowledge.
Self-hosting gives you the highest level of control:
The trade-off is that you take on responsibility for setup, maintenance and security.
Not everyone wants to run their own infrastructure. Managed Nextcloud solutions offer a ready-to-use alternative that combines the flexibility of open-source cloud platforms with the simplicity of a fully hosted service.
The Good Cloud offers managed Nextcloud hosting on European servers. You get the openness and feature depth of Nextcloud, hosted and maintained for you, on infrastructure that stays within European jurisdiction. It suits teams and individuals who want sovereignty over their data but prefer not to manage the technical side themselves.
When comparing different cloud storage alternatives, it helps to ask yourself a few practical questions.
Is privacy your main priority? Look for services that offer default end-to-end encryption or privacy-focused European providers.
Is European jurisdiction important to you? Limit your shortlist to providers with both hosting and ownership based in Europe.
Do you want maximum control or flexibility? Self-hosted solutions such as Nextcloud offer a high level of freedom, but usually require more technical involvement.
Are you looking for control without complexity? Managed solutions like The Good Cloud combine privacy-focused infrastructure with ease of use.
Are you working individually, with family, or as part of a team? Consider collaboration features and how well the service scales with your needs.
Answering these questions often makes it clearer which direction fits best.
If you are currently using a specific cloud service such as Google Drive, OneDrive or Dropbox, it can also help to compare alternatives in that context before making a decision.
Is European cloud storage better for GDPR compliance? Hosting data in Europe means it falls under GDPR jurisdiction, which gives users clearer rights and organisations more defined obligations. For teams with European compliance requirements, hosting location is an important factor.
What is the difference between end-to-end encryption and standard encryption?
With end-to-end encryption, only the user has access to the encryption keys. Standard encryption may still allow provider-level access.
Can I migrate from Google Drive or Dropbox without losing data? Yes. Most providers support standard file formats and offer import workflows. For personal use, the process is straightforward. For teams, it’s worth mapping out the transition — particularly around shared folders and collaborative documents.
What is managed Nextcloud hosting? Nextcloud is open-source software you can run on your own server. Managed hosting means a provider installs, maintains and runs Nextcloud on your behalf, on their infrastructure. You get the flexibility and openness of Nextcloud without the operational responsibility.
What is a sovereign cloud? A sovereign cloud refers to cloud services where data is hosted and managed under the control of a specific region or organisation, for example within Europe. The goal is to reduce dependency on foreign cloud platforms and provide clearer oversight of legislation, privacy and data access.
