What to Check when Choosing Cloud Storage

It can be challenging to navigate the crowded landscape of cloud storage providers. Alongside the well-established heavyweights, there are countless smaller players. We have already seen some of these providers go out of business, taking users’ data with them.

Koofr, a privacy-oriented European cloud storage is here to stay.

The key question is: how can we choose a cloud storage provider wisely and reduce the risk of the same thing happening to us?

1. The safety and security of your data

With cloud storage, you are entrusting your most valuable data to someone else, with the expectation that they will keep it safe. It’s important to carefully evaluate the safety and security measures of your chosen cloud storage provider upfront.

A major focus of our service is to provide a trustworthy and secure environment for storing your files. Essentially, we worry about your files so you don’t have to, while also giving you additional safety features and steps you can take to further protect your data.

Read more about: How to keep your Koofr account safe and secure.

Data Security and Encryption

Remember, not all encryption is the same. Encryption in transit protects your data while it is travelling between your device and the cloud, ensuring that no one can intercept it along the way. Encryption at rest secures your files while they are stored on the provider’s servers, so that even if someone gained access to the infrastructure, your data would remain protected. A good provider should always offer both.

Note: Koofr prioritises data encryption at all times, safeguarding your files whether they are being uploaded, downloaded, or stored.

Read more about: The Importance of Encryption in Cloud Storage.

For users who want an extra layer of protection, we also offer Koofr Vault—a strong, open-source, client-side encryption solution.

User Authentication

Even with strong encryption, your account security depends on proper authentication. Multi-factor authentication is non-negotiable—it ensures that even if someone steals your password, they cannot access your files without an additional verification step.

Note: To go a step further, Koofr sends a confirmation code via email whenever you log in from a new device. This extra safeguard provides users with peace of mind and an added layer of protection.

Read more about Two-Factor Authentication in Koofr on our website.

2. The privacy aspects of your data

We are living in a time where privacy is becoming a luxury. Companies are constantly trying to gain insights into their users, their behaviour, and their preferences. These insights are used for optimising user experience, personalisation, profiling, targeted marketing, and other commercial purposes. And most of the time, they gain these insights through online tracking. If you are a privacy-oriented user, that might not sit well with you.

True respect for your privacy means respecting your digital space as well. That’s why the best cloud storage providers steer clear of tracking or monetising you. Look for those that guarantee no cookies, no spam, no ads, and no user tracking. With these principles, you can be confident that your cloud storage provider isn’t monetising your data.

We can proudly say that Koofr is a privacy-focused company that does not track its users in any way.

Read more about our views on privacy and online tracking in our blogpost: Online tracking and why Koofr doesn't do it.

But technical safeguards are only part of the story. A good cloud storage provider also needs strong privacy policies and compliance with data protection regulations. Choosing a provider based in a country with strict privacy laws is an important safeguard.

Koofr. Because privacy matters.

With Koofr, all of your data is stored in the European Union, and thus, we are bound to comply with the EU’s strict data privacy and security laws.

More details can be found in our Privacy Policy .

3. The Features That Mean a Lot to You

Cloud storage isn’t just about keeping your files safe and private—it’s also about making your digital life easier and more convenient. The right provider should give you tools that simplify sharing, organising, and working with your data.

At Koofr, we’ve built a set of features designed to give you flexibility, security, and control over your files. Here are just some of them:

• Easy sharing – Share files and folders quickly and securely with your Koofr account.
• WebDAV & rclone support– Advanced users can integrate Koofr into existing workflows with ease.
• Connect your existing cloud storage accounts - like Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive - and manage everything in one place.
• Automatic mobile backup – Back up photos and videos from your phone without lifting a finger.
• Two-way sync – Keep files synced between your computer and the cloud.
• File recovery – Restore accidentally deleted files from Koofr's Deleted files during your account's retention period.
• Koofr Vault – Strong, open-source client-side encryption for your extra-valuable files.
• Save your media files from Instagram and Facebook directly to Koofr.
• Office integration – Open, edit, and collaborate on documents right from your Koofr.
• Koofr's Image editor – Make quick edits to your pictures without ever leaving Koofr.
• Koofr's Extra tools – Explore advanced tools and integrations for power users.
• Labels – Organise your files with a customizable color labelling system.

Note: Some of these features are only available to paying users.

Read more on the Koofr features and check out our changelog to keep up with updates.

4. Pricing Models and Storage Space

When choosing a provider, you should consider how much space you actually need and how much it will cost you. Many providers offer both monthly and yearly subscriptions. A yearly plan often comes with a discount and ensures you don’t have to worry about monthly renewals.

Check out our video: How much storage space do you really need and assess your space needs.

Note: At Koofr, we only offer yearly subscriptions because we do not store any personal user information other than your login information (like your credit card). On top of that, we also reward long-term users with a loyalty discount.

Keep in mind that your storage needs today might not be the same tomorrow. That’s why it’s important to choose a provider that makes it easy to upgrade to a bigger plan as your data grows. Koofr offers simple and flexible upgrade options whenever you need more space. Check out our pricing and choose a suitable plan for yourself.

5. Quality of Customer Support

When choosing a cloud storage provider, users often focus on features, pricing, or privacy and security, but overlook one crucial factor - customer support.

No matter how intuitive a service is, sooner or later, you may run into a problem or have a question. In those moments, the quality and accessibility of customer support can make all the difference.

Remember that no service is perfect. Problems and bugs are bound to appear from time to time. But when issues do occur, it’s reassuring to know you can rely on quick assistance to solve them. Before committing to a provider, make sure you understand how they handle customer support.

At Koofr, we believe support should be reasonably fast and helpful. That’s why we offer multiple ways to get help when you need it most:

• In-app Help and Support Center – Get assistance directly from within the Koofr app through the In-app Help Center.
• Koofr’s FAQ pages – Consult our help pages for troubleshooting tips and FAQs.
• Koofr's Blog - Explore our blogposts for step-by-step guides, useful tips, and interesting hacks.
• Join our Reddit Community – Join the growing Koofr community on Reddit, where both fellow users and our support team can help you quickly solve your issues.

Share your insights, join our Reddit community.

This multi-layered approach ensures that you can always find the right level of help—whether you prefer to troubleshoot on your own, learn from the community, or talk directly to our support team.

In conclusion, there are a lot of things to consider when choosing a cloud storage provider. The correct one for you needs to check all of the mentioned boxes, and many others. It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or an advanced user - it is always best to go into the decision about your cloud storage provider prepared and informed, so you can make the right choice for yourself and your data.

Choosing the right provider is about more than just space—it’s about finding a service that keeps your files secure, respects your privacy, makes your life easier with user-friendly features, and grows with you through flexible pricing and upgrades. By carefully evaluating these criteria you can ensure that your data is safe and accessible whenever you need it.

At Koofr, we check all of these boxes. We combine robust security, strict privacy standards, and a set of unique, easy-to-use features with cost-effective plans designed to fit your needs.

Koofr. A safe home for your files.

Try Koofr today and experience cloud storage—your way.

Editor's Note: This post was first published in 2019. We've updated and enhanced the content to improve clarity and detail. Whether you're revisiting or reading it for the first time, we hope this improved version offers an even better experience.

Want to talk to us? Join our growing Reddit community!