In 2022, we launched Proton Drive with a clear mission: to provide you with a secure way to store personal and professional files, free from data exploitation for profit.
Over the past two years, Proton Drive has expanded to become the most secure way to automatically back up your photos and, more recently, the only online document editor that allows you to create documents and collaborate with others with real-time edits, comments, and suggestions — all while keeping your data fully end-to-end encrypted.
Looking ahead, we’re aiming to further accelerate the development of our secure cloud storage and collaborative document editor to deliver an experience that is as powerful as popular alternatives — with privacy guaranteed. Here’s a look back at what we accomplished so far this year, along with a preview of what’s coming in this winter.
Recent milestones on our journey to a private internet
In the past few months, Proton Drive has reached new milestones in our commitment to privacy, transparency, and creating a true alternative to Big Tech cloud storage solutions.
We recently made every Proton Drive app fully open source so anyone can examine, audit, and confirm that they operate exactly as we say.
We also introduced Drive for Business, crafted specifically for teams and professionals who work in compliance-heavy industries like finance, healthcare, and law. Now, you can securely collaborate with partners inside and outside your organization, simplifying your ability to comply with rigorous data regulations such as HIPAA, CPPA, and GDPR.
Among these developments, we have continued rolling out new features and performance improvements across every platform — Web, Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS — to enhance your experience and ensure Proton Drive continues to secure your life online, no matter where or how you access it.
What’s next on Proton Drive’s product roadmap
Public documents and folders
Soon, even those without a Proton account will be able to step into a world of secure collaboration. Soon, you will be able to:
- Create encrypted documents that anybody can view and edit, providing public collaboration to go with the private collaboration that is already possible today.
- Create public folders where anybody with the link will be able to upload files they would like to share with you.
We’re also continuing to roll out features that make it easier to collaborate on the go. When somebody shares a file with you, it appears under a new Shared with me section, which is now available on both web, Android and Windows – and soon on iOS and macOS.
Improved collaboration in Proton Docs
This winter, we’re making it simpler to streamline secure collaboration with Docs in Proton Drive. Upcoming updates will make it possible to:
- Receive email notifications for comments, replies, and suggestions – keeping you in the loop at every step.
- @mention someone in a document to assign tasks or highlight key information.
We’re also introducing new formatting tools like find and replace, line-spacing adjustments, and customizable default fonts to streamline your workflow.
Last but definitely not least, we’ll be rolling out a Proton Docs homescreen, where you’ll be able to view all recent documents in one place and jump right into your work without first navigating through Proton Drive.
Better organize files and folders
As Proton Drive becomes more full featured, complexity is also increasing. Today, you might have to manage files across My Files, Computers, and Shared with me sections. We will be rolling out new copy and move options which will work seamless across all 3 spaces.
We’re also adding a splash of color to Proton Drive. With the ability to change the color of your folders, you’ll be able to color-code folders to organize work projects or personal files – simplifying the process of finding what you need when you need it.
Experience a brand new Proton Drive on macOS
Over the coming months, we’ll be overhauling the Proton Drive for macOS app to enhance performance and offer you a smoother workflow by focusing on the following four areas:
Enhanced performance: We’re making significant under-the-hood improvements to give you a smoother and more efficient syncing process with faster upload and download speeds. Say goodbye to frustrating wait times and hello to increased productivity.
Sync folders from macOS to Proton Drive: Just like on our Windows app, you’ll be able to sync folders from your macOS device to Proton Drive. This makes it easier than ever to back up important files and ensure your data is always protected across devices.
View file syncing status: You’ll be able to monitor the sync status of individual files to see which items are up-to-date and accessible across your devices, ensuring you always have the latest versions at your fingertips.
Enjoy seamless cross-platform compatibility: Access folders synced from other computers, including Windows devices. This means you can effortlessly manage your files across all your devices, regardless of the operating system.
Organize your favorite photos with Albums
It will soon be easier than ever to sort and store your cherished photos. With the introduction of Albums to both web and mobile, you’ll be able to create dedicated collections for vacations, family gatherings, and more. New performance enhancements will make uploading and browsing your photos faster than ever, helping you revisit those moments in no time.
Proton Drive for Linux
We value your feedback and recognize the Drive community’s desire for a dedicated Linux app. Currently, the few Linux developers we have are working on Proton VPN. In many countries, our VPN is the only one that works, so we must prioritize supporting our many VPN users facing bans and censorship around the world. We’re currently hiring more Linux developers(nieuw venster) to support this urgent mission and, when possible, these developers will turn their attention to Drive. One thing we are doing to move Drive for Linux forward is building a software development kit (SDK), so that members of the community can contribute to this journey, too.
Thank you for building a private internet with Proton
As we continue to innovate and expand Proton Drive, our mission remains clear: to provide secure, private, and user-friendly cloud storage that empowers you to protect your personal and professional files. Thank you for being a part of our journey and for trusting Proton Drive with your files and memories. Your commitment fuels our dedication to building a more private and secure internet for everyone.
This Black Friday, you can save up to 60% on the full suite of Proton’s privacy-focused tools — including VPN, email, and password management. With Proton Unlimited, you can enjoy all the benefits of our secure ecosystem and ensure that your digital life stays private, no matter where you are.
