Proton intros cross platform & secure Proton Drive for Macs

by Jonny Evans · November 23, 2023

If you or your colleagues work on multiple platforms and seek a highly secure cloud-based data storage and service that hasn’t had a big recent price hike, then you should take a look at this. Switzerland’s Proton has introduced Drive for macOS, a secure end-to-end encrypted cloud storage solution for Apple users. The company’s other products include Proton Mail, Proton VPN, Proton Drive, and Proton Pass.

What is Proton Drive?

It claims its new Proton Drive application offers Apple desktop users secure and encrypted access to Proton Drive cloud storage. Using the application, users can sync their data between their device and a Proton Drive account. It’s also a cross-platform solution, Proton Drive for Windows was introduced in summer 2023. The service is also available to Android and iOS, making it a true cross-platform solution.

The application’s end-to-end encryption means files stored in Proton Drive are fully encrypted before they are uploaded, meaning that not even Proton can access these files. The combination of encryption and cloud gives customers the best of both world’s accompanied by a high degree of privacy.

Synced files appear in the Proton Drive folder on your hard drive. But unlike other files on your computer, these files are synced on-demand, meaning they don’t take up any space on your computer until you need them. A small cloud icon next to the file or folder name makes it easy to see which files are on the cloud and which are available locally.

What does Proton Drive provide?

Seamless synchronization across devices: The new Proton Drive for macOS ensures that your files and folders are always up-to-date across all your devices. Any changes made to your files on your Mac will be automatically reflected on your other devices that have Proton Drive installed.
Offline access to files: Proton Drive for macOS provides offline access to your files, allowing you to access, edit, and save your work even when you’re not connected to the internet. Once you’re back online, Proton Drive will automatically sync the changes, ensuring your files are always up-to-date.
Version history: Proton Drive provides a comprehensive version history for each file and they can be accessed via the web portal, allowing you to track changes and revert back to previous versions when necessary.
Free, Encrypted File Storage for Everyone: A free 1GB tier of the service is available. This provides some free storage with all files fully encrypted, ensuring that your data remains private and secure. Otherwise, prices are 200GB, €3.99/m, 500GB €9.99/m and 3TB €23.99/m. The latter two options also support file-sharing and full access to Proton’s other apps, including VPN, Mail, Calendar, and Pass.
Security and encryption features: All files stored on Proton Drive are fully end-to-end encrypted, including metadata, meaning that no one – not even Proton – can access them without consent. This privacy extends across both Windows and Mac.

What Proton said

Anant Vijay Singh, Product Lead for Proton Drive, said:

“With the launch of Proton Drive for macOS, we are fulfilling our pledge to provide secure and private cloud storage accessible to everyone, across all major platforms. This isn’t merely an extension of our product line; it’s a reflection of Proton’s unwavering commitment to transforming the way people manage and safeguard their digital lives. In an age where privacy often feels compromised, we’re proud to offer a solution that puts control firmly in the hands of the user.”