Proton Drive vs Sync.com: two zero-knowledge drives, one is worth more.
Both use zero-knowledge encryption by default. Both are legitimately private. They differ on ecosystem, bundling, and price per TB. If encryption is your buying criterion, this is the head-to-head that matters. Prices checked August 27, 2026.
The short answer
✓ Prices checked August 27, 2026
| Provider | Free | Entry paid | 2 TB class | Family | Encryption | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proton Drive | 5 GB | $3.99/mo (Drive Plus 200 GB, yearly) | $14.99/mo (Duo 2 TB, 2 users, includes VPN) | $23.99/mo (Family 3 TB, 6 users) | Zero-knowledge by default | Higher tiers bundle VPN + Mail; Swiss privacy |
| Sync.com | 5 GB | $3.50/mo (Personal 150 GB, annual) | Solo 5 TB $14/mo (annual) | Team plans only, no family tier | Zero-knowledge by default (whole account) | Privacy pick; slower transfers reported vs Dropbox |
When Proton Drive wins
You want the whole Proton bundle. Proton Unlimited at $9.99/month (yearly) gives you 500 GB of Drive storage plus Proton VPN, Proton Mail, and Proton Calendar under one account. Proton Duo doubles that to 2 TB across two users at $14.99/month. If you were going to buy a privacy-VPN anyway, Proton Drive is basically free with the bundle.
When Sync.com wins
You want the cheapest zero-knowledge cloud storage and don’t need a VPN or private email. Sync.com Personal at $3.50/month for 150 GB is the cheapest legitimate zero-knowledge plan in the category. Sync’s file-sharing controls are also more granular than Proton’s (password-protected links, download limits, expiry dates), which matters if you share sensitive files with clients.
Where they tie
Both use end-to-end encryption by default. Both are audited and legitimately private. Both have real desktop and mobile clients. Both are based in privacy-friendly jurisdictions (Sync in Canada, Proton in Switzerland). Neither can hand over readable data even if compelled.
The bottom line
Whole-stack privacy user (VPN + Mail + Drive + Calendar): Proton, and take the bundle. Storage-only privacy user: Sync.com, and pay less. Both are correct choices; they answer different jobs.
Common questions
Is Proton Drive as private as Sync.com?
Both use zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption by default. Both are audited. Both are based in privacy-friendly legal jurisdictions. On the encryption itself, they’re peers. On the bundled products (Proton includes VPN, Mail, Calendar), Proton adds value Sync doesn’t offer.
Which is cheaper for 2 TB?
Proton Duo (2 users, 2 TB total, includes VPN + Mail) is $14.99/month yearly. Sync.com’s closest tier is Solo 5 TB at $14/month yearly, which gives you 2.5x more space for the same money but no VPN or Mail bundle. If you don’t need the Proton bundle, Sync’s per-TB math wins.
Can I share files with people who don’t use Proton or Sync?
Yes. Both create shareable links that anyone can open in a browser without a Proton or Sync account. The recipient doesn’t need to install anything. Encryption is preserved on the wire; the receiver decrypts in-browser via the shared key.
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