Proton Proton Drive: customer experiences
Reviewers report that Proton Drive has received mixed feedback, with a clear imbalance between negative and positive mentions, 1,207 negative versus 843 positive across 2,532 total references. The overall sentiment has trended downward over time, particularly from mid-2025 onward, with average ratings dropping from 3.4 stars in October 2025 to a low of 2.78 stars in August 2026. While many users appreciate Proton Drive’s strong privacy focus and secure encryption, recurring complaints about performance, usability, and missing features have eroded satisfaction. The service’s reputation appears to have declined despite some improvements noted in later updates, suggesting that new users may be encountering persistent issues that outweigh recent fixes.
What customers praise
Many users highlight Proton Drive’s privacy protections as a major strength. They appreciate that encryption keys are generated locally, meaning Proton cannot access user data, which offers peace of mind compared to other cloud services. Some users specifically mention switching from Google Drive after being falsely flagged, valuing the freedom to store files without fear of content review. The service is also praised for being free and reliable in terms of data security, with several reviewers calling it the best cloud app they’ve used.
What customers said:
- „Very good privacy“
„Very good privacy“
Original„muy buena privacidad“
- „after got falsely flagged by Google Drive“
- „Best Cloud App!“
Common complaints
Users frequently report poor performance, especially with loading times and syncing. Many describe thumbnails taking minutes to appear, files uploading slowly even on good connections, and the app becoming unresponsive during basic tasks. The lack of essential features like file search, folder size display, and preview support for common document types is a consistent pain point. Also, some users have experienced issues with account management, including duplicate payments and difficulties with password recovery.
What customers said:
- „Waiting up to 5 minutes for the thumbnails to load is getting to the unusable point.“
- „Why is there no file information shown on folders?“
- „There is no file search system.“
How it has changed over time
The service’s rating has declined steadily since late 2025, with a notable drop to 2.78 stars in August 2026. While some users noted improvements after a recent update, such as faster file loading, these gains were not enough to reverse the overall negative trend. The frequency of complaints about syncing, search, and file previews has remained high across multiple months, suggesting that core issues have not been resolved. The drop in ratings coincides with increased user activity, indicating that more people are encountering problems as adoption grows.
What customers said:
- „Much faster after last update“
- „the lack of the above makes it very unfriendly and frustrating to use.“
- „Please add a file search system.“
Practical takeaways
If privacy is your top priority, Proton Drive remains a strong option, especially for users who value end-to-end encryption and control over their data. However, those needing fast performance, reliable syncing, or advanced file management features may find it frustrating. The lack of file search, preview support, and slow loading times make it less suitable for heavy daily use. Users should be cautious about account setup and payment processes, as some have reported duplicate charges. For now, it’s best suited for light use or users willing to tolerate performance issues for the sake of security.
What customers said:
- „I'm happy that I found Proton Drive“
- „Slow on WiFi or mobile.“
- „This service is 100% the weakest one only because of the speed it loads and downloads…“
„This service is 100% the weakest one only because of the speed it loads and downloads content at.“
Over time
Data as table
| Month | Avg. rating | Count |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-09 | 3.17 | 109 |
| 2025-10 | 3.40 | 175 |
| 2025-11 | 3.37 | 114 |
| 2025-12 | 3.09 | 143 |
| 2026-01 | 2.96 | 157 |
| 2026-02 | 3.08 | 154 |
| 2026-03 | 3.11 | 149 |
| 2026-04 | 3.23 | 150 |
| 2026-05 | 2.94 | 189 |
| 2026-06 | 3.08 | 183 |
| 2026-07 | 3.12 | 178 |
| 2026-08 | 2.78 | 59 |
Sentiment over time
Data as table
| Month | Positive | Neutral | Negative | Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-09 | 31% | 25% | 44% | 109 |
| 2025-10 | 45% | 12% | 43% | 175 |
| 2025-11 | 34% | 24% | 42% | 114 |
| 2025-12 | 35% | 15% | 50% | 143 |
| 2026-01 | 35% | 18% | 47% | 157 |
| 2026-02 | 34% | 14% | 52% | 154 |
| 2026-03 | 34% | 15% | 52% | 149 |
| 2026-04 | 35% | 26% | 39% | 150 |
| 2026-05 | 33% | 15% | 52% | 189 |
| 2026-06 | 31% | 17% | 52% | 183 |
| 2026-07 | 39% | 15% | 46% | 171 |
| 2026-08 | 28% | 14% | 58% | 36 |
Customer voices
Short excerpts - full reviews are available at the original source.
„I really don't know what I could use the 2tb for if I can't use the storage for movies“
„This app requires access to all my photos and videos to back them up.“
„I can't just click "add" and select the specific photos I want.“
„it's a bummer that drive do not have a preview of documents, it's kind of necessary“
„Love this app, use it for alll sorts of stuff from work to sharing memes.“
„I find it very positive that Proton Drive offers the option to share folders and files with a password.“
„Pity, I'd love to get away from Google Drive.“
„there were "10 minutes of free storage"“
What Reddit users discuss
Below are extracts from Reddit which discuss Proton Drive in more detail - each linked to the original thread.
„As the more technical person in my family I've been tasked with finding a family photo storage solution.“
„i moved to Proton Drive“
„How I trust proton that my files are safe then others could storage provider ...“
„It's priced similarly to Google Drive“
„is Proton drive a good choice?“
Cite this page
Citatio (2026). Proton Proton Drive: customer reviews 2026. Retrieved 18 August 2026 from https://citatio.ai/proton-reviews/products/proton-drive/
Data verifiable via our public audit log: Methodology · Transparency