Tessil vs Proton Drive
Proton Drive is encrypted cloud storage; Tessil is a focused, no-account encrypted file transfer.
Proton Drive is an excellent end-to-end encrypted cloud drive from the Proton team in Switzerland. If you want a place to store files long-term with encrypted sync across devices, it's a strong choice - but it's storage-first, and using it means creating a Proton account.
Tessil solves a narrower problem: send this file to this person, encrypted, right now, without anyone signing up. Files are encrypted in your browser, the key rides in the link's URL fragment, and the transfer expires on your terms. No account needed to send or receive.
Both keep your data zero-knowledge. The difference is shape: a drive you live in versus a transfer you fire and forget.
| Feature | Tessil | Proton Drive |
|---|---|---|
| End-to-end encrypted | Yes | Yes |
| Key never reaches the server | Yes | Yes |
| Works without an account | Yes | No |
| Open source | Yes (AGPL-3.0) | Apps open source |
| Hosting / jurisdiction | EU (Germany + Netherlands) | Switzerland |
| Ads & third-party tracking | None | None |
| Built for | One-off encrypted transfers | Encrypted cloud storage |
| Price | Free | Free tier + paid |
| Link expiry & download limits | Yes | Yes |
| Password protection | Yes | Yes |
Proton Drive details last verified June 2026. Competitor features and pricing change often - check the provider's own site for current details.
The honest verdict
Pick Proton Drive if you want an encrypted home for your files with sync and long-term storage, and don't mind an account. Pick Tessil when you just need to hand someone a file securely without either of you signing up.
Many people use both: Proton Drive to keep things, Tessil to send them.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tessil a Proton Drive replacement?
Not exactly - Proton Drive is cloud storage, Tessil is one-off transfer. Tessil replaces the 'share a link to a file' part without requiring an account or long-term storage.
Do I need an account for Tessil like I do for Proton?
No. Tessil works fully anonymously. An account is optional and only adds a dashboard for managing transfers you create.
Are both end-to-end encrypted?
Yes. Both encrypt client-side so the service can't read your files. Tessil additionally publishes its full source under AGPL-3.0.