Proton Drive
Free tier Our pickEnd-to-end encrypted storage that comes free with a Proton account — the zero-thought option if mail already lives there.
Cloud storage: replace Google Drive
7 private options, our pick first. Every download link goes straight to the source — F-Droid, the developer's GitHub releases (one tap into Obtainium), the Play listing you can install anonymously through Aurora Store, or the official site. None of these are affiliate links. Updated October 2026.
These Google Drive alternatives suit people who want their files, scans and phone backups stored somewhere that can't read them. On Android you can pick an encrypted cloud like Proton Drive or Filen, run Nextcloud on your own server, or skip the cloud and sync devices directly with Syncthing-Fork.
The main trade-off is that encryption limits what the server can do for you, such as searching inside your documents. A private setup in 2026 can still replace Drive for most people. It just asks you to keep your password and recovery details safe.
Filen
Free tierCheap encrypted storage from Germany with proper desktop sync.
Nextcloud
Self-hostYour own Google Drive on your own server — files, sync, sharing, and a whole app ecosystem.
Syncthing-Fork
FreeNo cloud at all: syncs folders directly between your own devices. The official Android app was retired in 2024; this maintained fork carries on.
Cryptomator
PaidEncrypts files before they reach any cloud — keep Dropbox or OneDrive, take away their ability to read it. One-time licence on Android.
Seafile
Self-hostFast self-hosted file sync, lighter than Nextcloud if files are all you need.
Internxt
Free tierEncrypted cloud storage from Spain with lifetime plans. Newer than Proton, younger track record.
How to switch from Google Drive
- Start with Google Takeout and export Drive. Takeout converts Docs, Sheets and Slides into Office formats by default, so check the format options before you start a large export.
- Install the new service's Android app and sign in. Proton Drive uses your Proton account, Nextcloud needs your server address, and Syncthing-Fork pairs devices by their device ID.
- Upload the extracted Takeout folders from a computer rather than the phone. Desktop sync clients handle thousands of files better, and you can compare folder sizes when the upload finishes.
- If you relied on Drive for phone backups, turn on camera or folder upload in the new app where it offers one. Check that new files appear on another device before trusting it.
- Re-share anything other people use. Links to Google Drive files stop working once you delete the files, so send new links to anyone who depends on them.
- Leave Google Drive untouched for a month. When nothing turns out to be missing, delete the files there and remove the Drive app from the phone.
Cloud storage questions
Can I still edit my Google Docs files after leaving Drive?
Yes, once they are converted. Takeout exports Docs, Sheets and Slides as Word, Excel and PowerPoint files, which Collabora Office, OnlyOffice and LibreOffice can open. Complex formatting can shift during conversion, and Google-only features such as Apps Script automations don't come along. Open your most important documents right after the export to check them.
What happens if I lose the password to an encrypted drive?
With end-to-end encrypted storage, the provider can't read your files, which also means it can't simply hand them back. Services like Proton Drive and Filen offer recovery options such as a recovery phrase or an exported key. Set one up on the first day and store it with your passwords. Without it, a reset can leave old files unreadable.
Do I need a server to use Syncthing-Fork?
No. Syncthing-Fork syncs folders directly between your own devices, such as a phone and a laptop, with no company server holding the files. The catch is that at least two devices need to be on and reachable for sync to happen. It is a sync tool, not a backup, so deletions sync too unless you turn on file versioning.