Best GDPR-Compliant Cloud Storage for Data Protection

Since 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has ensured that cloud companies process EU user data fairly and transparently. It grants professional industries and privacy-focused users full control over what happens to their data. Not all companies are equal, though. In this article, we share the best GDPR-compliant cloud storage services.

The best cloud storage services operating within the European Union must comply with the GDPR. However, the best of the best extend these regulations to their global user base, even though it’s not mandatory. We’ll highlight which ones these are, as well as other worthwhile features they offer consumers.

Cloudwards’ Choice: Sync.com

Cloudwards’ Choice: Sync.com

Dan is an experienced technical writer specializing in cloud technology, project management and productivity.

I recommend Sync.com because, in addition to being a secure cloud storage solution, it extends GDPR protection to its global user base. It uses industry-leading protocols to encrypt data and offers client-side encryption across all plans. The platform is also one of the best for clearly outlining what happens with my data, giving me full peace of mind.

What Is GDPR Compliance in Cloud Security?

GDPR compliance in cloud security refers to companies ensuring that user data is processed according to the current legal standards laid out in the GDPR. This means using industry-standard encryption, offering data access controls to users, and providing clear and transparent details on how the service provider stores and handles user data.

Check out our full “What is GDPR?” guide for further details on these regulations.

The 5 Best GDPR-Compliant Cloud Storage Services

Service:	Free Storage	Best Price	Server Locations	End-to-End Encryption	Online Collaboration	Advanced Sharing	Security
	5GB	$4.80 per month (one-year plan)	Canada		Microsoft Office		AES-256, TLS
	10GB	$8.33 per month (one-year plan)	U.S., EU*		No		AES-256,  TLS/SSL
	1GB	$4.29 per month (one-year plan)	EU		No		AES-256,  TLS/SSL
	3GB	$11.99 per month (one-year plan)	U.S., U.K., UAE, Brazil, France, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Singapore, Switzerland, Netherlands		No		AES-256, TLS
	20GB	$22.80 per month (one-month plan)	EU, Asia, Canada		No		AES-128,  TLS/SSL

Sync.com is primed for both personal and business users, offering generous storage options across its plans. On top of GDPR compliance, the security controls also support HIPPA. Client-side encryption means even Sync.com’s employees can’t access personal data, and it’s one of the few services to offer this level of privacy for free users.

If you’re looking for clear and concise data-processing agreements from your cloud storage provider, Sync.com is the winner. We rate it so highly because the service goes above and beyond to ensure customers can provide minimal data to sign up and to help them understand what happens with their data. As far as privacy policies go, it’s one of the best.

Sync.com Hands-On Testing

The platform has recently undergone a design facelift. It now feels more in line with modern standards, presenting a clean user interface that comes to life with vibrant blues. Jumping from one feature to another was straightforward during testing, and we particularly enjoyed viewing images and watching videos directly on the platform.

Notes From the Lab: Sync.com Speed Test Results

	1st Attempt*	2nd Attempt*	Average*	Average**
Upload	0:09:43	0:09:51	0:09:47	0:09:36
Download	0:11:48	0:12:04	0:11:56	0:10:56

Speed is certainly an area in which Sync.com is lacking. This is often a consequence of having secure and private infrastructure, but to be honest, other providers have found ways to be both secure and fast. In Sync.com’s defense, it is improving, but it has a way to go before competing with the fastest cloud storage services.

Notes From the Lab: Sync.com Security Analysis

Encryption Type	Encryption Protocols Used
Encryption at rest	AES 256-bit
Encryption in transit	TLS/SSL

Security is one of Sync.com’s key strengths. Its practices are SOC audited and certified, and to our knowledge the platform has yet to suffer any major data breaches, so you can use it with the utmost confidence. Users can control access when sharing files, and add password protection and expiration links to files and folders for more security.

Sync.com Pricing & Value

The 5GB free plan isn’t among the most generous, but paid plans offer some of the best value. The 2TB plan for $4.80 a month is cheaper than the likes of Google Drive and pCloud, and there are good rates on unlimited storage as well. For more information on the service and pricing, check out our Sync.com review.

More plans

Pro Teams Standard

• Price includes 3 users
• 1TB

Pro Teams+ Unlimited

• Monthly price for 1 user (3 users minimum)
  Yearly price for 3 users
• Unlimited GB

Enterprise

• Minimum 100 users, custom requirements, account manager, training options

pCloud is very forthright about its GDPR compliance, offering users a detailed guide of its GDPR journey. It’s also one of the best cloud storage services for breaking down how, as a data controller, it processes and protects data in line with current regulations. It’s one of the few services to be this transparent and one reason to trust it with your files.

In regards to the product, pCloud is excellent. The media playback for video is one of the best we’ve tested, and you can build playlists for your music files as well. You can pay extra for a client-side encrypted folder, but be aware that any files you store outside of the folder won’t have the same level of privacy.

pCloud Hands-On Testing

pCloud’s UI has seen a lot of improvements of late. It has a clean, glass-like feel to it. There’s a dedicated audio tab, which isn’t common. We really like this feature because we can play our tunes and get to work at the same time. The mobile app is especially great for music and is comparable to a dedicated MP3 player.

Notes From the Lab: pCloud Speed Test Results

	1st Attempt*	2nd Attempt*	Average*	Average**
Upload	0:07:02	0:07:10	0:07:06	0:02:06
Download	0:06:50	0:06:53	0:06:52	0:02:33

pCloud’s numbers are great. Speeds were up and down, but it still crossed the finish line in excellent time. The platform does have slightly higher CPU usage than other services, putting it in the mid-range, but light multitasking was still more than manageable.

Notes From the Lab: pCloud Security Analysis

Encryption Type	Encryption Protocols Used
Encryption at rest	AES 256-bit
Encryption in transit	TLS/SSL

pCloud stores your files across three data servers, ensuring maximum protection. It also meets ISO 27001 standards, the global benchmark for data security. In other words, your data is safe with pCloud, and we don’t have any concerns about security or privacy.

pCloud Pricing & Value

You can try pCloud with its 10GB free plan, which is pretty much the market average. Annual plans are in line with the market average as well. pCloud stands out as one of the few services to offer lifetime plans, which offer huge discounts for lifetime storage. Learn more in our pCloud review.

3. Internxt — Best Cloud Storage for Advanced Security

Internxt is making waves due its futuristic security protocols. It’s one of the first solutions to offer post-quantum encryption, meaning it will be fully prepared for man-in-the-middle attacks once advanced quantum computing comes into the mainstream. Of course, it’s also GDPR compliant, and one of its reps told us that this extends to its global user base.

On top of its standard cloud storage functionality, Internxt lets you run scheduled backups of folders on your desktop computers. It’s not quite as feature dense as the best online backup services, but it certainly helps ensure your files remain up to date in the cloud. You can also manage your connected devices via the web app and access your backups.

Internxt Hands-On Testing

Internxt opts for a basic user interface, verging on barebones. This is great for all experience levels, as you can jump through features quickly without feeling overwhelmed. The same is true for running backups on your desktop. Simply select the folders, input how often you want to run a backup and you’re good to go.

Notes From the Lab: Internxt Speed Test Results

	1st Attempt*	2nd Attempt*	Average*	Average**
Upload	0:07:02	0:07:10	0:07:06	0:02:06
Download	0:06:50	0:06:53	0:06:52	0:02:33

Internxt’s numbers are decent but have room for improvement. It’s not quite in the “fastest” bracket, and performance is up and down. Speeds were not stable, and we noticed slower performance for larger files. That said, it’s far from being slow, and its current speeds shouldn’t be a deal-breaker for most users.

Notes From the Lab: Internxt Security Analysis

Encryption Type	Encryption Protocols Used
Encryption at rest	AES 256-bit
Encryption in transit	TLS

Internxt has all the main players: two-factor authentication (2FA), industry-standard encryption and data duplication for redundancy. It’s also an open-source service, so we can verify any claims it makes regarding its protocols. Spoiler: It works as advertised. 

Internxt Pricing & Value

Your first year with Internxt will be insanely cheap. Don’t get too comfy, though — the 87% discount is gone in year two, and Internxt is slightly more expensive than other services in this selection. That said, you can get 87% off its lifetime plans and never have to pay again. Learn more in our Internxt review.

Essential

• Storage + VPN (FR), Antivirus, Backup & More
• 1TB

Premium

• Storage + VPN (FR, DE, PL), Antivirus, Backup & More
• 3TB

More plans

Ultimate

• Storage + VPN (FR, DE, PL, CA, UK), Antivirus, Backup & More
• 5TB

Business Standard

• Storage + VPN (FR, DE, PL), Antivirus, Backup & More
• 1TB

Business Pro

• Storage + VPN (FR, DE, PL, CA, UK), Antivirus, Backup & More
• 2TB

4. Tresorit — Best Cloud Storage for Professional Use

Tresorit is a Swiss-based cloud company, which is relevant because, on top of GDPR compliance, it also adheres to strict Swiss privacy laws that pertain to user data. This platform really suits business users, as you also get best-in-class enforcement and security measures for e-signatures on all your business documents.

In addition to being among the best cloud storage for business, Tresorit is great for personal users as well. It has all the standard upload, sync and sharing features for everyday use, and the business tools are also available for solo professionals. Both personal and business accounts come with client-side encryption. 

Tresorit Hands-On Testing

Tresorit’s design has a very professional look and feel. Proofing documents and generating signature requests was very straightforward, and interacting with our files across web, desktop and mobile was smooth. We also like that we can integrate it with Gmail and Outlook so we can add encryption that otherwise isn’t available with either platform.

Notes From the Lab: Tresorit Speed Test Results

	1st Attempt*	2nd Attempt*	Average*	Average**
Upload	0:07:46	0:07:44	0:07:45	0:07:05
Download	0:07:44	0:07:48	0:07:46	0:02:54

When we see services that go heavy on security and privacy infrastructure, they often fall short when it comes to speed. We’re impressed to see that’s not the case here, as Tresorit is one of the fastest cloud storage services. It displayed mid-range CPU usage, though, which ideally we’d want to be a little better for a business-centric platform.

Notes From the Lab: Tresorit Security Analysis

Encryption Type	Encryption Protocols Used
Encryption at rest	AES 256-bit
Encryption in transit	TLS

Tresorit is fully compliant with ISO 27001 standards, and independent audits have confirmed this. Business plans come with a host of remote administration tools, allowing you to produce security analytics for file access and control who can access certain pieces of data within your infrastructure.

Tresorit Pricing & Value

There’s no escaping the fact Tresorit is pricey. However, we believe that if you’re a professional who wants their data stored on Swiss servers and airtight security protocols, then the added cost is worth it. As always, you’ll find the best value on the annual plans. Learn more in our Tresorit review.

5. MEGA — Best Cloud Storage for Free Users

MEGA has come a long way when it comes to security and privacy. It’s no longer subject to the same level of scrutiny, and with its client-side encryption and good track record, users all around the world now trust it. It applies GDPR requirements to all users and makes it easy for you to learn exactly which personal data it stores on its servers.

You can access media files in a single tab and manage all of your synced devices from the web app. There’s a built-in messaging tool that lets you discuss and share files with other users, which is great for client proofing if that’s part of your workflow. MEGA does have daily data download limits, but we wrote a guide to help you bypass them.

MEGA Hands-On Testing

Recent design updates have seen MEGA go from outdated to passable. It’s much better to use but still feels a little bloated. That said, we had no issues with finding a flow with its functionality, and its features worked smoothly and as advertised.

Notes From the Lab: MEGA Speed Test Results

	1st Attempt*	2nd Attempt*	Average*	Average**
Upload	0:07:08	0:07:06	0:07:07	0:05:41
Download	0:07:54	0:08:07	0:08:01	0:04:16

We have zero complaints when it comes to MEGA’s speed. Although not totally stable, speeds were consistent overall, seldom dropping below the maximum possible on our testing connection speed. It also displayed very low CPU usage throughout the full duration of our uploads and downloads.

Notes From the Lab: MEGA Security Analysis

Encryption Type	Encryption Protocols Used
Encryption at rest	AES 128-bit
Encryption in transit	TLS/SSL

You can password-protect files, set expiration dates for links and control user permissions. You’re also in full control of your recovery keys, meaning MEGA can’t recover your account if you lose your password. MEGA also makes its source code available to the public, so you can ensure its security and privacy protocols are legit.

MEGA Pricing & Value

MEGA is one of the best free cloud storage providers, offering 20GB of free space that you can upgrade to 30GB for 12 months by completing various tasks. The 2TB paid plan is more expensive than that of competitors, but its 16TB plan costs less than $2 per terabyte. Read more in our MEGA review.

Pro I

• File transfer: 2TB (Monthly plan) 24TB (yearly plan)
• 2TB

Pro II

• File transfer: (monthly plan) 96TB (yearly plan)
• 8TB

More plans

Pro III

• File transfer: 16TB (monthly plan) 192TB (yearly plan)
• 16TB

Business

• Price per user (minimum 3)
  3TB Transfer quota
• 100TB

(Dis)Honorable Mentions

It’s time to throw some shade on services that aren’t as expansive as other GDPR-compliant solutions. Remember, any service operating within the EU must play ball, but below are two that don’t go the extra mile.

Dropbox — GDPR Compliance for EU Users

Dropbox is perhaps the most well-known cloud storage solution. Sure, it’s secure, but it wants as much control over your data as it can possibly get away with. Hence, it’s no surprise that GDPR protection isn’t available for users outside of the EU. There’s also no client-side encryption for any users, making Dropbox one of the least private services.

Google Drive — Google Workspace GDPR Compliance for EU Users

Although it does comply with the GDPR within the EU, Google isn’t a private solution. It’s the Big Brother of data scanning, with free access to your files and even the content within your documents, spreadsheets and slides. There’s no client-side encryption, and users don’t have access to security controls like password protection for shared files.

Our Methodology: How We Tested the Best GDPR-Compliant Cloud Storage

We follow a strict testing structure when determining the best GDPR-compliant services. As a rule, all services we test are compliant with the GDPR, but some go the extra mile and have features that set them apart from the rest.

• Global infrastructure: The first detail we check when testing a service is whether it expands GDPR coverage to its global userbase. 
• Audited: We read all the security details and confirm that an independent third party (ISO and SOC regulator) has audited each recommendation to ensure the service has the right security and privacy protocols. 
• Security features: Beyond checking for compliance with the GDPR, we test to see which security features are available to users, such as 2FA and password protection for files. 
• Value: To make sure our readers don’t go broke, we look for the best value for the money and always aim to find providers that offer the best discounts on long-term plans. 
• Features and functionality: Above all, we test providers for day-to-day cloud storage features that help you back up your files. We test them extensively, ensuring that they function as advertised and actually add value for the user.

The GDPR and Cloud Storage

Although the GDPR isn’t unique to cloud storage, cloud companies are perhaps open to a different level of scrutiny, since they manage a host of personal data that goes beyond standard personal details. Below, we’ll look at how companies keep your data secure and comply with regulatory standards.

How Companies Achieve GDPR Cloud Compliance

To ensure GDPR cloud compliance, companies must keep up to date with current regulations and ensure they have the right infrastructure in place to keep data secure, private and accessible to the user. It’s important that they update their privacy policies to clearly explain how they handle data and clarify that the user is in control of their data.

Organizational Measures Needed to Protect Personal Data

Cloud companies must employ a data protection officer (DPO) with the responsibility of ensuring the organization is fully compliant with current GDPR regulations. Companies must also implement best practices for security, conduct their own internal audits and make sure that data collection is both legal and justified.

GDPR Rules Around International Data Transfers

As part of consumer data-processing agreements, companies must ensure there are no unauthorized data transfers to organizations outside of the EU. The verbiage on this can be pretty vague. However, the basic principle is that if data is internationally transferred, both companies must guarantee the same level of data protection measures.

Final Thoughts

That concludes our selection of the best GDPR-compliant cloud providers. Before signing up for a service, keep these key considerations about our top choices in mind: If you want the best cloud experience and productivity tools, Sync.com is your best bet. If you’re more into multimedia, then pCloud is a better choice.

However, you can’t go wrong with any of the options on this list. They give you full control over your encryption keys and have all the cloud features we would want in a service. Try the free plans to see which service works for you before making a financial commitment.

Which service do you use? What concerns you the most about cloud-based privacy? Would you use Google cloud storage despite the privacy concerns? Let us know in the comments. Thanks for reading!

FAQ: GDPR Cloud Storage

• Is Cloud Storage GDPR Compliant?

  All cloud storage services operating and processing personal data within the EU must be GDPR compliant. Failure to comply can result in hefty fines.

• Is Dropbox GDPR Compliant?

  Dropbox is GDPR compliant for users in the EU. However, unlike other services, it doesn’t extend GDPR protection to its global user base.

• Is AWS Compliant With GDPR?

  AWS is fully GDPR compliant and breaks down its in-house technical and organizational measures to ensure the company enforces the right protocols for user data.

• Is OneDrive GDPR Compliant?

  Yes, OneDrive is fully GDPR compliant for all users within the EU.