Best European Cloud Storage in 2023 [EU Servers & GDPR]

Best European Cloud Storage in 2023: Cloud Storage Services With EU Data Centers

Choosing a cloud storage service with data centers based in the EU means your data remains protected under the GDPR. Some governments, such as those associated with the five eyes alliance, can access your data with little you can do to stop it. Choosing one of the best European cloud storage providers on our list will keep your data private.

What Makes The Best European Cloud Storage?

Cloud storage providers with data centers in the EU are the primary consideration for this list, which is different from a company with headquarters in an EU country. We’ll also consider other important cloud features such as speed, file sync and sharing. Of course, security features, including zero-knowledge encryption, weigh heavily in our evaluations.

With the restriction to focus on European cloud services, you might see a cloud provider that isn’t on our list of the best cloud storage. However, all our picks here have EU data centers, which means your folders and files enjoy some of the best privacy laws in the world. Here’s a quick overview of our five choices:

pCloud — Strong privacy and security combined with great cloud features
Icedrive — Good encryption and strong privacy; pleasing UI
Jottacloud — Cloud backup and storage in one service
MEGA — Robust 20GB free cloud storage account; includes zero-knowledge
Koofr — Basic cloud features; connects to other cloud accounts

Our list of the best European cloud storage providers includes pCloud, Icedrive, Jottacloud, MEGA and Koofr for European customers. pCloud tops our list with its excellent combination of privacy, security and features. However, you’ll need to choose the right data region to keep your data in the EU. Icedrive has strong privacy and security with a sleek UI.

Jottacloud, MEGA and Koofr all have EU data centers and offer a solid combination of security and cloud features. Jottacloud provides backup and storage services. MEGA offers a generous free account, while Koofr lets you connect to other cloud providers such as Google Drive and OneDrive.

Final Thoughts

One reason to choose a European cloud storage provider is to take advantage of privacy laws that govern where your data lives. The EU has some of the best privacy laws in the world and remains committed to protecting your data and personal privacy.

All the cloud providers we list — pCloud, Icedrive, Jottacloud, MEGA and Koofr — have data centers in the EU. Choosing one of the options for your cloud storage needs will ensure you have the best privacy laws protecting your data.

Do you have an account with one of these cloud storage services? Does a cloud storage company with EU data centers matter to you? How important is private encryption on your account? Let us know in the comments section below. Thanks for reading our article.

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In another blog I read about pCloud, based in Switzerland. So why is pCloud not on your list?
Kind regards, Rob
1. Cloudwards.net – Writer, Former Chief Editor
  
  Because their data centers aren’t in Switzerland, but in the U.S.
There is no any privacy guarantee for Tresorit as this use for storage Microsoft an US company as the CLOUD Act amends the Stored Communications Act (SCA) of 1986 to allow federal law enforcement to compel U.S.-based technology companies via warrant or subpoena to provide requested data stored on servers regardless of whether the data are stored in the U.S. or on foreign soil.
1. Cloudwards.net – Writer, Former Chief Editor
  
  You’re wrong, actually. Not only are you misinterpreting the CLOUD laws, even if Tresorit were served with a warrant, there’s nothing to hand over as all your files are encrypted and the password is zero-knowledge. The NSA is good, but even they can’t decrypt that hash.
Why is Boxcryptor not on the list? Aren’t they Germany based?
1. Cloudwards.net – Writer, Former Chief Editor
  
  It’s not a cloud storage provider, just a tool used in cloud storage. We have a review on it https://www.cloudwards.net/boxcryptor/.
Thanks very much for this useful review. I live in Europe and was searching for safer alternatives to the american giants.
If data is stored on a server located in EU, this means the data is protected under GDPR or can still be accessed by US government institutions under CLOUD Act? This is in case it’s a US company, such as Dropbox.
1. Cloudwards.net – Writer, Former Chief Editor
  
  Technically, no, but it is a bit of a gray area. There are no good precedents as of yet.
There seems to be a lot of talk about the location of data so let’s be clear about this: Location is irrelevant seen from the US authorities point of view. All US companies are subject to US legislation which clearly states that they have to hand over data they can access and they are not allowed to tell the data owner. This is the infamous Section 215 which, although officially expired June 1st 2020, is still in effect. GDPR, Safe Harbor, Privacy Shield, CLOUD Act is all smoke and mirrors. Non-US ownership (of any kind) and encryption is what counts.
It’s now official – from June 2020 pCloud has servers in EU, Luxembourg. They are COMPLETELY independent, not connected to a network with the US-based servers.
1. Cloudwards.net – Writer, Former Chief Editor
  
  Yes, indeed, we covered the news here: https://www.cloudwards.net/pcloud-eu-server/