Ente is an end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) photo storage app that provides a secure way to backup your photos. Open-source apps are available for every platform, automatically backing up and syncing your photos across devices with E2EE. These apps focus on complete privacy while ensuring a great user experience for reliving your memories.
Proton Drive is part of Proton's suite of privacy-focused services, offering encrypted cloud storage for all files. It aims to provide a secure alternative to mainstream cloud storage solutions.
Both services prioritize user privacy and security, employing E2EE to ensure that only the user can access their data. However, they differ in their approach, features, and overall user experience. This comparison aims to highlight these differences to help you choose the solution that best fits your needs.
Comparison
July 17, 2024
| Feature | Ente Photos | Proton Drive Photos |
|---|---|---|
| End-to-end encryption (E2EE) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Encryption Details | ✅ Architecture Document | ✅ PGP-based encryption, AES-256 for symmetric encryption, RSA for asymmetric encryption |
| Recovery Options | ✅ Recovery Key | ✅ Recovery email, Recovery phone number, Recovery phrase, Device-based recovery |
| Authentication | ✅ Multi-step process with one-time tokens and encrypted auth tokens | ✅ Password-based with optional two-factor authentication |
| Open Source | ✅ Built in the open, code available for audit | 🟡 Client code published, server not open source |
| Data Center Locations | ✅ Multiple locations in EU (Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt) | ✅ Switzerland-based |
| Legal Framework | ✅ Operates under EU data protection laws (GDPR compliant) | ✅ Benefits from Swiss privacy laws |
| Albums | ✅ Available | 🔴 Not available |
| Live Photos | ✅ Supported | 🔴 Not supported |
| Family Plans | ✅ Available | 🟡 Available on select plans |
| Image Editor | ✅ Available | 🔴 Not available |
| Video Editor | ✅ Available | 🔴 Not available |
| Collage Maker | ✅ Available | 🔴 Not available |
| Widgets | ✅ Available | 🔴 Not available |
| Cast | ✅ Available | 🔴 Not available |
| Favorites | ✅ Available | 🔴 Not available |
| Map View | ✅ Available | 🔴 Not available |
| Location Tags | ✅ Available | 🔴 Not available |
| Album Sharing | ✅ Available, with E2EE | ✅ Available, with E2EE |
| Link Sharing | ✅ Available, with E2EE | ✅ Available, with E2EE |
| Collaboration | ✅ Available, with E2EE | 🔴 Not available |
| Collect Photos | ✅ Available, without an account, E2EE | 🔴 Not available |
| AI Features | ✅ Available | 🔴 Not available |
| Album Operations | ✅ Supports pinning, archiving, locking, sorting | 🔴 Not available |
| Ability to free up device space | ✅ Available | 🟡 Limited |
| Ability to detect duplicates | ✅ Available | 🔴 Not available |
| Cross-Platform | ✅ Available on Android, iOS, web, desktop (Linux, Mac, Windows) | 🟡 Available on Android, iOS, web, desktop (Mac, Windows) |
| Discoverability | ✅ Easy to rediscover your best moments | 🔴 Not available |
| Data Durability | ✅ 3 copies in 3 locations | 🟡 No published replication strategy |
| Data Export | ✅ Easy, with a single click and a dedicated CLI | 🟡 Not very easy |
| Data Import | ✅ One-click import from Google Takeout and other service providers | 🟡 Basic support for data exported from other service providers |
| Audit status | ✅ Cryptography audit report available | ✅ Penetration test report available |
| Bundled services | 🔴 None, pure focus on Photos | ✅ Mail, Calendar, Drive, VPN, and more |
| Free Tier | 5 GB free storage - Free Trial | 5 GB free storage - Free Forever |
| Pricing | Ente Pricing Page | Proton Drive Pricing Page |
| Face Recognition | 🟡 Work in Progress | 🔴 Not available |
| Video Support | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Backup Options | ✅ Continuous, Automatic (everywhere) | 🟡 Manual, automatic (mobile only) |
| Two-Factor Authentication | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Legend:
- ✅ Feature available
- 🟡 Feature partially available or with limitations
- 🔴 Feature not available
Summary
In comparing Ente Photos and Proton Drive Photos, several key differences and similarities emerge:
Encryption and Security: Both services offer robust end-to-end encryption, but with different implementations:
- Ente uses a system of Master Keys, Collection Keys, and File Keys, with keys never leaving the device unencrypted.
- Proton Drive uses a PGP-based encryption model with Share Keys and Node Keys, generated client-side and sent encrypted.
Open Source Approach:
- Ente is fully open-source, built in the open.
- Proton Drive has published its client code, but the server remains closed source.
Data Storage and Legal Framework:
- Ente replicates data across multiple EU locations, operating under EU data protection laws (GDPR compliant).
- Proton Drive is Switzerland-based, benefiting from Swiss privacy laws.
Feature Set: Ente Photos offers a more comprehensive set of photo-specific features, including AI capabilities, basic image and video editing, collage making, advanced organization tools, and support for formats like Live Photos. In contrast, Proton Drive offers general file backups with fewer photo-specific features.
Platform Availability: Both services are cross-platform, but Ente Photos has broader support, including Linux desktop apps.
Focus: Ente is solely focused on photo storage and management, while Proton Drive Photos is part of a larger ecosystem of privacy-focused services.
Account Recovery and Security:
- Ente uses a Recovery Key system for account recovery.
- Proton Drive offers multiple recovery options including recovery email, recovery phone number, recovery phrase, and device-based recovery. This provides users with more flexibility in how they secure and recover their accounts.
- Both services emphasize the importance of setting up recovery methods to prevent data loss in case of forgotten passwords.
Both services demonstrate a strong commitment to user privacy and data security, with sophisticated encryption models and transparency in their security practices. The choice between them may come down to specific preferences in feature set or integration with other services in their respective ecosystems.
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