Ethical Alternatives & Resources
Tools, services and organisations that do less harm than the default choice, in 43 categories. We’re re-checking every entry against our checklist, one category at a time.
File sharing
Tools for private file sharing, syncing and cloud storage, from encrypted cloud drives to software you run on your own devices or server. We look for end-to-end encryption or self-hosting, open-source code and owners who are open about how they make money.
Our top picks: Syncthing, open-source sync between your own devices with no cloud copy, run by a Swedish non-profit. And Nextcloud, an open-source file, calendar and office hub from Stuttgart that you host yourself or use through a provider; the company is funded by enterprise subscriptions.
How we choose: we check every tool against the 6 principles in our manifesto: who owns it and how it makes money, what it collects, how it treats people, honesty, openness and staying power. This list was last checked on 13 October 2026.
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Proton Drive
End-to-end encrypted cloud storage from Swiss Proton, 5 GB free, mostly owned by a non-profit
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Filen
German end-to-end encrypted cloud storage with open-source apps and no outside investors
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Ente Photos
End-to-end encrypted photo storage with shared family albums, 10 GB free, open source
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OpenCloud
Open-source file sync and sharing from Berlin's Heinlein Group, built by ex-ownCloud developers
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Internxt
Valencia-made encrypted cloud storage, open source and audited, 1 GB free; VC-backed
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Permanent.org
Nonprofit digital archive with no recurring fees: $10 per gigabyte, paid once, 1 GB free
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Autonomi (was SAFE Network)
Decentralised storage network built from spare drives; you pay once in its ANT crypto token
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Seafile
Fast open-source file sync to run on your own server, from a team in Singapore and China
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Sync.com
Toronto-based cloud storage with end-to-end encryption, so the company can't read your files
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Tresorit
End-to-end encrypted storage from Swiss Post's Tresorit, hosted on Microsoft Azure
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TeamDrive
Hamburg-made, end-to-end encrypted file sync for firms and associations, from €6.33
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Resilio
Closed-source peer-to-peer file sync, now part of enterprise storage firm Nasuni
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FilePizza
Free peer-to-peer file transfer in your browser, files go straight from you to the recipient
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Syncthing
Open-source sync between your own devices, no cloud copy, run by a Swedish non-profit
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Pydio
Self-hosted, open-source file sharing for organisations, now part of Berlin's Wire Group
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CryptPad
End-to-end encrypted docs, sheets, forms and kanban, open source, from France's XWiki
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Nextcloud
Stuttgart file sync and office hub; its office suite now runs on the disputed Euro-Office fork
