Tresorit vs Proton Drive: Which Encrypted Cloud Storage is Right for Your Business?

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Why Compare These Two?

When business owners ask about encrypted cloud storage, Tresorit and Proton Drive are consistently mentioned. Both services offer end-to-end encryption, zero-knowledge architecture, and strong privacy protections under Swiss law. The question isn't whether they're secure—they both are. The question is which one fits your specific needs and budget.

We work with businesses across Miami that handle sensitive information. Some need the detailed access controls and audit logs that Tresorit provides. Others want the simplicity and affordability of Proton Drive without sacrificing security. Let's break down the real differences so you can make an informed decision.

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Security Architecture: Where They're Similar

Both platforms start with the same fundamental security approach. Files are encrypted on your device before they're uploaded. Your encryption keys stay with you—not on their servers. This means neither Tresorit nor Proton can access your files, even if they wanted to or were compelled by legal order. This zero-knowledge architecture is a cornerstone of a security-first infrastructure strategy for businesses handling sensitive information.

Tresorit has been around since 2011 and has extensive security credentials:

• Multiple independent security audits (Computest, Ernst & Young)
• ISO 27001 certification
• Digital Trust Label from Swiss Digital Initiative

Proton Drive, launched more recently by the team behind ProtonMail and ProtonVPN:

• ISO 27001 certification
• SOC 2 Type II audits completed
• Web application audited by Securitum (2021)

For practical purposes, both services provide equivalent security for your data. The encryption is solid, the architecture is sound, and both companies have proven track records. When evaluating encrypted storage as part of your broader business cybersecurity strategy, the differences lie in features, usability, and compliance capabilities rather than fundamental security strength.

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Pricing and Storage: The Cost Difference

This is where the comparison gets interesting. Proton Drive costs significantly less, but Tresorit includes features that justify the premium for certain use cases.

Proton Drive Business Pricing

For businesses, Proton offers Drive Professional at $7.99 per user per month (currently on sale from $9.99). This plan includes:

• 1TB of storage per user
• Minimum of 2 users required
• 365-day file version history
• Online document editor
• End-to-end encryption
• Compliance with data protection regulations

The Proton Business Suite costs $12.99 per user per month (on sale from $14.99) and offers better value for most businesses. This plan includes everything in Drive Professional plus:

• Encrypted email
• Calendar
• VPN for secure network access
• Password manager
• 10-year file version history (vs 365-day limit)

Tresorit Business Pricing

Tresorit Business costs $19 per user per month (billed annually):

• Minimum of 3 users required
• 6TB of shared storage (not per-user)
• Maximum file size of 15GB
• Encrypted file sharing and version history
• Audit logs
• Custom branding
• Data residency options (EU or US)
• Microsoft, Google, and Okta integrations

For solopreneurs, Tresorit Professional costs $27.49/month for a single user with 4TB storage.

Enterprise customers get custom pricing with flexible user counts, storage amounts, 20GB max file size, and dedicated support.

What This Means for Real Businesses

The pricing models differ fundamentally. Proton allocates storage per user (1TB each), while Tresorit provides a shared pool (6TB total for the team). For a 3-person team, Proton gives you 3TB total, while Tresorit provides 6TB shared.

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Collaboration Features and File Sharing

This is where Tresorit shows its enterprise focus.

Tresorit Collaboration

• Secure links with granular control: view-only, download limits, password protection, expiration dates
• Detailed permission management for team members and external partners
• File request feature: Collect files from external parties without requiring them to create an account
• Ideal for legal firms, accounting practices, and businesses regularly exchanging sensitive client documents

Proton Drive Collaboration

• Secure file sharing through email invites or shareable links
• Password protection and expiration dates for shared links
• Revoke access at any time
• Works well for straightforward sharing scenarios
• Less granular permission control than Tresorit

Document Editing

Proton recently added Proton Docs, their secure document editor with real-time editing and maintained end-to-end encryption.

Tresorit integrates with Microsoft 365, including email encryption for Outlook and file sharing within Teams channels—important for businesses invested in Microsoft's ecosystem.

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Compliance and Regulatory Requirements

Both services meet GDPR requirements and offer HIPAA compliance with Business Associate Agreements. Understanding these compliance requirements helps determine which platform best fits your regulatory needs.

HIPAA Compliance

Tresorit signs Business Associate Agreements with customers on Business or Enterprise plans (3+ users). Their end-to-end encryption means even compromised servers can't expose data—satisfying HIPAA's breach notification requirements.

Proton also provides BAAs to business customers. Contact legal@proton.ch with subject "HIPAA BAA" for a signed agreement. ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type II provide additional compliance assurance.

Key Difference: Data Residency

Tresorit offers data residency options—choose between EU or US data centers. This matters for organizations with specific data sovereignty requirements.

Proton stores all data in Switzerland, benefiting from strong privacy laws but offering less geographic flexibility.

Audit Logs and Administrative Controls

Tresorit provides:

• Detailed audit logs showing who accessed which files and when
• Essential for compliance reporting and security incident investigation
• Centralized admin dashboard for users, permissions, and data access

Proton Drive provides:

• Audit logs and access controls to track file access
• Administrative panel for user management and 2FA enforcement
• Covers basic compliance needs but less comprehensive than Tresorit

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Platform Support and Performance

Tresorit

• Native apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
• Fast sync performance—no complaints from client deployments
• 99.9% uptime SLA (and delivers on it)

Proton Drive

• Apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
• Linux support added (newer than Tresorit's mature client)
• Web interface works well across browsers
• Solid performance, though younger infrastructure

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Integration and Ecosystem

Tresorit positions itself as a standalone cloud storage solution with specific Microsoft 365 integrations. Need encrypted email? Use their Email Gateway feature with existing email services.

Proton Drive is part of a complete privacy-focused ecosystem. The Proton Business Suite includes:

• Encrypted email
• Calendar
• VPN
• Password management
• Cloud storage

For businesses wanting comprehensive privacy protection, this bundled approach provides significant value—you're getting an entire secure productivity suite.

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When to Choose Tresorit

Tresorit makes sense for organizations needing advanced collaboration features and granular control:

Real-World Example

We recently worked with a law firm in Coral Gables handling sensitive business acquisitions. They needed to share documents with multiple parties under strict confidentiality—some partners could only view, others could download but not share further. Tresorit's permission controls let them manage these complex requirements without creating separate document sets for each access level.

Try Tresorit Free for 14 Days

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When to Choose Proton Drive

Proton Drive excels when you prioritize affordability, simplicity, and ecosystem integration:

Real-World Example

A marketing agency we consult with in Miami Beach uses Proton Business Suite. They're a six-person team handling client campaign materials—sensitive but not regulated data. They wanted to move away from Google Workspace due to privacy concerns. For $77.94 monthly ($12.99 per user), they get encrypted email, storage, VPN, and password management. Cost-effective and covers all their privacy needs.

Try Proton Drive Free

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Storage Migration Considerations

Moving data from Google Drive, Dropbox, or Microsoft OneDrive to encrypted storage requires careful planning. Both Tresorit and Proton provide straightforward upload processes, but neither offers automated migration tools from other cloud services.

Tresorit: Mature sync clients handle bulk uploads efficiently. Create a "tresor" (secure folder), point it at existing data, and let it sync. Reliable for moving hundreds of gigabytes.

Proton Drive: Sync functionality works well but is newer. Smooth for migrations under 100GB; larger migrations might take longer.

Migration Tip

Start with a small test migration. Upload a few folders, test sharing with colleagues, and ensure the workflow matches your needs before moving everything. Both services offer free trials—Tresorit for 14 days and Proton's free tier. Use them.

For businesses wanting data entirely on-premises, a local NAS solution like Synology offers another encrypted storage alternative that keeps files within your physical control.

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Support and Documentation

Tresorit

• Comprehensive documentation and email support for all users
• Phone support for Enterprise customers (meaningful when you need immediate help)
• Extensive, regularly updated knowledge base

Proton

• Email support for all users, priority support for business customers
• Growing documentation (not as comprehensive as Tresorit)
• Active community forums
• No phone support on most plans

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Decision Framework

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Quick Comparison Table

Feature	Tresorit Business	Proton Drive Professional
Price per user/month	$19	$7.99
Minimum users	3	2
Storage model	6TB shared pool	1TB per user
Max file size	15GB	25GB
Version history	Yes	365 days
Audit logs	Detailed	Basic
Data residency	EU or US	Switzerland only
Microsoft 365 integration	Yes	No
Ecosystem	Standalone	Full suite available
HIPAA BAA	Yes	Yes
Phone support	Enterprise only	No

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can either service access my files?

No. Both Tresorit and Proton Drive use zero-knowledge encryption. Your files are encrypted on your device before upload. Neither company has access to your encryption keys, so they cannot decrypt your files even if legally compelled to do so.

What happens if I forget my password?

With zero-knowledge encryption, neither service can reset your password or recover your files if you forget your credentials. You'll lose access to your data. Both services strongly recommend storing your recovery key securely when you create your account.

Do both services work on mobile devices?

Yes. Both offer iOS and Android apps with offline access to synced files. Tresorit's mobile apps are more mature with additional features, while Proton Drive's mobile experience is newer but functional.

Can I share files with people who don't use the service?

Yes. Both services let you create secure, password-protected sharing links. Recipients can view or download files without creating an account. Files remain encrypted during transmission.

Which service is faster for syncing large files?

Both deliver solid performance. Tresorit has been optimized longer and handles large file syncs efficiently. Proton Drive performs well but may be slightly slower on initial large uploads, as its infrastructure is newer.

Are there file size limits?

Yes. Tresorit Business supports files up to 15GB (Professional 10GB, Enterprise 20GB). Proton Drive supports files up to 25GB on paid plans, with smaller limits on free accounts.

Can I use either service for website backups?

Yes, both work for encrypted backups. However, dedicated backup solutions might be more efficient for automated website backups. These encrypted storage services work better for active file storage and sharing.

Do both services support two-factor authentication?

Yes. Both Tresorit and Proton Drive support two-factor authentication for additional account security. This is essential for protecting access to your encrypted storage.

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The Bottom Line

Neither service is universally better:

Tresorit excels for organizations needing enterprise-grade collaboration tools, detailed permission controls, and comprehensive audit capabilities. The higher price reflects features that matter for regulated industries and larger teams with complex workflows.

Proton Drive delivers strong security at accessible prices, particularly valuable for small teams and privacy-conscious businesses. The bundled ecosystem approach—combining email, storage, VPN, and calendar—provides comprehensive privacy protection without enterprise pricing.

For most small businesses (under 10 people) with straightforward storage needs, Proton Drive offers better value.

For regulated industries, teams needing shared storage pools over 3TB, or organizations requiring granular access controls, Tresorit justifies its premium.

The Best Approach

Try both. Use Proton's free tier and Tresorit's 14-day trial to test the interfaces, upload some files, and share documents with colleagues. The right choice becomes clear when you actually use the platforms in your workflow.

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Related Resources

• Tresorit Review: Secure Cloud Storage – In-depth Tresorit analysis
• Proton Business Suite Review – Complete Proton ecosystem
• Best Cybersecurity Software for Small Business – Security tools overview
• Security Compliance Guide – Understanding compliance
• Synology NAS Review – On-premises alternative
• iDrive Business Review – Backup-focused option
• Cybersecurity Services – Professional support