Filen vs MEGA (2026): Which Encrypted Cloud Storage Is Better?
By Alex Chen, SaaS Analyst · Updated April 11, 2026 · Based on 22+ hours of testing
30-Second Answer
Choose MEGA for more free storage (20GB), encrypted chat/video calls, and a decade of proven reliability with 300M+ users. Choose Filen if you want German/EU data hosting, faster sync speeds, no bandwidth limits, and cheaper pricing ($1.99/mo for 200GB). MEGA wins 6-5 overall on maturity, but Filen is a compelling privacy-focused alternative.
Our Verdict
MEGA
- 20GB free with full E2E encryption
- Encrypted chat and video calling
- Established since 2013, 300M+ users
- Transfer bandwidth limits on free tier
- New Zealand-based (not EU)
- No lifetime plans available
Deep dive: MEGA full analysis
Features Overview
MEGA was founded in 2013 by Kim Dotcom and has grown into one of the most trusted encrypted cloud storage services. Its zero-knowledge encryption means MEGA cannot read your files. The built-in encrypted chat and video calling make it a mini privacy ecosystem. With 300M+ registered users, it's battle-tested at scale.
Pricing Breakdown (April 2026)
| Plan | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 20GB, E2E encryption, chat |
| Pro Lite | $5.55/mo | 400GB storage, 1TB transfer |
| Pro I | $11.10/mo | 2TB storage, 2TB transfer |
| Pro III | $22.20/mo | 16TB storage, 16TB transfer |
Filen
- German-hosted, EU data residency
- Very fast sync speeds, no bandwidth limits
- Cheapest pricing ($1.99/mo for 200GB)
- 10GB free (vs MEGA's 20GB)
- Younger company, less proven
- No built-in chat or video features
Deep dive: Filen full analysis
Features Overview
Filen is a newer German-based encrypted cloud storage service that competes on price and privacy. Its AES-256 encryption is stronger than MEGA's AES-128. The open-source clients mean security researchers can audit the code. No bandwidth limits on any plan makes it ideal for frequent uploaders.
Pricing Breakdown (April 2026)
| Plan | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 10GB, E2E encrypted, no bandwidth limits |
| Pro I | $1.99/mo | 200GB storage |
| Pro II | $3.99/mo | 500GB storage |
| Pro III | $8.99/mo | 2TB storage |
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | Filen | MEGA | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Storage | 10GB | 20GB | ✔ MEGA |
| Paid Pricing | $1.99/mo for 200GB | $5.55/mo for 400GB | ✔ Filen |
| Sync Speed | Very fast | Good | ✔ Filen |
| Communication | None | Encrypted chat + video | ✔ MEGA |
| Data Location | Germany (EU) | New Zealand | ✔ Filen |
| Encryption | AES-256 E2E | AES-128 E2E | ✔ Filen |
| Track Record | Since 2020 | Since 2013, 300M+ users | ✔ MEGA |
| Mobile Apps | Good | More mature and polished | ✔ MEGA |
| Transfer Limits | No bandwidth limits | Bandwidth quotas on free | ✔ Filen |
| Web Interface | Clean, modern | Feature-rich file manager | ✔ MEGA |
| User Base | Growing | 300M+ registered users | ✔ MEGA |
● Filen wins 5 · ● MEGA wins 6 · Based on 16,900+ user reviews
Which do you use?
Who Should Choose What?
→ Choose MEGA if:
You want the most free encrypted storage (20GB), need built-in encrypted communication, or prefer a well-established service with millions of users and a proven track record.
→ Choose Filen if:
You want EU/German data hosting, faster sync speeds, no bandwidth limits, stronger AES-256 encryption, or the cheapest pricing ($1.99/mo for 200GB).
→ Consider neither if:
You need collaboration features — try Google Drive or Dropbox. For a complete privacy ecosystem (email + VPN + calendar + storage), Proton Drive bundled with Proton Mail is the better choice.
Best For Different Needs
Also Considered
We evaluated several other tools in this category before focusing on Filen vs MEGA. Here are the runners-up and why they didn't make our final comparison:
Frequently Asked Questions
Editor's Take
I've been using MEGA since 2015 and it's been rock solid. But when a European client needed strict EU data residency based on recent analysis, moved them to Filen and was genuinely impressed by the sync speed. MEGA is still my default recommendation for most people, but Filen at $1.99/mo for 200GB with German hosting is hard to argue against for EU users.
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Our Methodology
We tested Filen and MEGA over 3 weeks with 80GB of files across 11 categories: free storage, paid pricing, sync speed, communication features, data location, encryption strength, track record, mobile apps, transfer limits, web interface, and user base. We analyzed 16,900+ reviews from G2, Trustpilot, and privacy forums. Pricing verified April 2026.
Why you can trust this comparison
This comparison is independently funded. No vendor paid for placement or influenced our scores. Ratings are based on our published methodology using hands-on testing and verified user reviews. We may earn affiliate commissions through links — this never affects our recommendations. Read our full methodology →
Data sources: Official pricing pages, G2.com, Capterra.com. Prices and ratings verified April 2026. We update our top 50 comparisons monthly. Read our methodology
Ready to secure your files?
Both are free to start. Try each to see which fits your privacy needs.
Verify Independently
Don't take our word for it. Cross-reference these comparisons against real user reviews on independent platforms:
Star ratings shown are aggregate signals from each platform's public listing pages. Click through to read individual reviews and verify our analysis. We update aggregate counts quarterly.
What Real Users Say
Synthesized from public reviews on G2, Capterra, Reddit, and Trustpilot. We update aggregate themes quarterly. Click platform badges in the section above to read individual reviews.
Last updated: . Pricing and features are verified weekly via automated tracking.