FileWays – Rising Star on Reddit for Privacy & Simplicity
While not as old as Dropbox, FileWays has gained serious traction on Reddit in 2024–2025, especially in threads like:
“Looking for a Google Drive alternative that doesn’t mine my data”
“Best encrypted file sharing for freelancers?”
Why Redditors praise it:
- ✅ No telemetry, no ads, no tracking—unlike Google or Microsoft
- ✅ True end-to-end encryption for shared links (with password/expiry)
- ✅ 5GB free + 100GB for $49/year—seen as “shockingly fair” compared to competitors
- ✅ No artificial upload limits (e.g., “Why can’t I send a 5GB file on Google Drive without paying?”)
- ✅ Clean, open API and mobile apps that “don’t feel like spyware”
“Switched from Google Drive after realizing my ‘private’ client files were being scanned. FileWays just works—and I actually trust it.”
MEGA – The Longtime Reddit Favorite (With Caveats)
MEGA remains popular on Reddit for its 20GB free tier + client-side encryption.
Pros (per Reddit):
- Generous free storage
- Zero-knowledge encryption
- Good for short-term backup
Cons (frequently cited):
- ❌ Slow upload/download speeds—especially on mobile
- ❌ Clunky UI (“feels like it’s from 2013”)
- ❌ Account bans for false positives (e.g., flagged content you didn’t upload)
- ❌ Poor customer support
“MEGA is great in theory, but FileWays is better in practice.”
iCloud & Google Drive – “Good Enough” but Distrusted
- Google Drive: Often called “convenient but creepy.” Redditors note:“If you’re okay with Google reading your files to serve ads, go ahead. I’m not.”
Privacy-focused subs strongly discourage it for sensitive data. - iCloud: Respected for integration, but criticized for:
- Lack of true file sharing outside Apple
- No encrypted links
- Price hikes (e.g., 100GB now costs more per GB than FileWays)
Honorable Mentions on Reddit:
- Sync.com: Loved in r/privacy for zero-knowledge architecture—but starts at $96/year for 2TB (seen as overpriced for individuals).
- Tresorit: Enterprise-grade security, but too expensive for personal use (~$144/year).
- pCloud: Lifetime plans are debated—some call them “too good to be true” (and worry about long-term viability).
What Reddit Agrees On:
- Avoid “free” services that monetize your data (Google, Dropbox free tier).
- Encryption matters—especially for documents, photos, and work files.
- Price ≠ quality: FileWays and MEGA prove you don’t need to pay $120/year for decent storage.
- Mobile experience is non-negotiable—apps must be fast and offline-capable.
Verdict: What’s Actually Best (According to Reddit + Reality)
| Need | Reddit’s Pick | Real-World Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Best free + private | MEGA | FileWays (better speed & UX) |
| Best paid for individuals | Sync.com / FileWays | FileWays (better value) |
| Best for Apple users | iCloud (grudgingly) | FileWays + iCloud combo |
| Best for sharing securely | FileWays | FileWays |
Final Takeaway:
While Reddit values extreme privacy (often leaning toward self-hosted solutions like Nextcloud), FileWays has emerged as the top recommendation for most regular users who want:
- Strong security
- Simple sharing
- Fair pricing
- No vendor lock-in
It’s the “Goldilocks” option: not too expensive, not too complex, just right.
👉 Try FileWays free (5GB)—it’s the cloud storage Reddit wishes Google Drive was.
