Comparison

Semaphor vs Proton Drive

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Semaphor

This app offers secure team communication and collaboration with end-to-end encryption and private blockchain technology. It provides features like direct messaging, file sharing, and project-specific channels for real-time teamwork.

Highlights
  • End-to-end encryption
  • Secure file sharing
  • Private direct messaging
  • Unlimited project channels
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Native offline mode
Features
Read full description

Semaphor combines the best features of collaboration apps and encrypted messaging apps. Your team can work together through team messages, direct messages, and file sharing. Semaphor is secured by the power of private blockchain and end-to-end encryption. Semaphor brings you and your team: › End-to-end encryption to protect every file and conversation › Fast file uploads › Secure file sharing › Private direct messaging › Unlimited, project-specific channels › Real-time communication and collaboration › Password-less account creation › Native offline mode › Mobile and desktop friendly › Enterprise and LDAP ready › Supports bots and integrations › HIPAA/FINRA/FIRPA compliant › Reviewable source code To find out more about Semaphor, visit our website or send us an email. We always welcome your feedback and suggestions. ----- Subscriptions: - Basic: Free 30-day conversation history - Standard: Unlimited conversation history and access to Standard channels. $8.99/month - Pro: Unlimited conversation history and access to Pro channels. Team admin pays for all team members. $8.99/user/month - Payments will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. - Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. - Your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal. - Subscriptions may be managed by you and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the your Account Settings after purchase. ----- By installing this app you agree to SpiderOak's: Privacy Policy, https://spideroak.com/policy/privacy-policy Term of Use, https://spideroak.com/policy/terms-of-use Service Agreement, https://spideroak.com/policy/service-agreement

About

Proton Drive

Securely store and back up your files and photos with end-to-end encryption. Access your content across devices, share securely with password protection, and enjoy peace of mind with Swiss privacy laws. Offers free storage with upgrade options.

Highlights
  • End-to-end encrypted storage
  • Automatic photo and video backup
  • Secure link sharing with passwords
  • PIN/biometric protection
  • Offline file access
  • File version history
Features
Read full description

Proton Drive provides private and secure storage for your files and photos. With Proton Drive you can protect important documents, automatically back up cherished memories, and access your content across devices. All Proton Drive accounts come with 5 GB of free storage and you can upgrade to up to 1 TB of storage at any time. Trusted by over 100 million users, Proton Drive gives you an end-to-end encrypted vault where only you—and the people you choose—can access your files and photos. Proton Drive features: - Secure storage - Get 5 GB of free encrypted cloud storage with no file size limits. - Share content using secure links with password and expiration settings. - Keep your files and photos safe with PIN or biometric protection. - Access important files and photos even if your device is lost or damaged. Easy to use - Automatically back up photos and videos in their original quality. - Securely organize your cherished memories into albums. - Rename, move, and delete your personal files securely within the app. - Create, edit and collaborate on docs. - View your important files and memories – even when offline. - Restore files with version history. Advanced privacy - Stay private with end-to-end encryption – even Proton can’t view your content. - Secure your metadata, including filenames, sizes, and modification dates. - Protect your content with Swiss privacy laws, the strongest in the world. - Trust in our open-source code that is public and verified by experts. Secure up to 5 GB of free storage for your personal files, photos, and videos with Proton Drive.  Stay ahead with our releases and updates by connecting with us! - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/protonprivacy - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/protonprivacy/ - X/Twitter: https://x.com/ProtonDrive - Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/ProtonDrive/ Terms of Service: https://proton.me/legal/terms Privacy Policy: https://proton.me/legal/privacy

Screenshots

Semaphor3 screens
Proton Drive4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Proton Drive at 4.1 against Semaphor's 3.5. Proton Drive also leads on ratings volume (1.2K vs 15) and review sentiment (37% vs 15%). Semaphor's advantage is iOS requirement (10.0 vs 16.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Semaphor sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $8.99 per month and Proton Drive sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Proton Drive holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Proton Drive has 1.2K ratings behind it against 15, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 15% of Semaphor's written reviews are positive against 37% of Proton Drive's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Semaphor ships an update every 3 weeks, Proton Drive fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Semaphor versus Proton Drive: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSemaphorProton Drive
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (15 ratings)4.1 (1.2K ratings) — better
Positive reviews15.4% of reviews37.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings151.2K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS10.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB235 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSpiderOak, Inc.Proton AG

Customer experience

Semaphor

All ratings15 ratings
Positive60.0%
Neutral6.7%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive15.4%
Neutral38.5%
Negative46.2%

Proton Drive

All ratings1,188 ratings
Positive74.3%
Neutral8.8%
Negative16.8%
Written reviews905 reviews
Positive37.0%
Neutral21.9%
Negative41.1%

Bugs and requests

Semaphor

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Proton Drive

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Frequent crashes and errors
  • Inconsistent file syncing across devices
  • Unable to access files uploaded from desktop
  • Issues with offline file access

Requested features

4 requests
  • Automatic photo/video backup
  • Ability to edit documents within the app
  • Seamless integration with other apps for file sharing
  • Linux desktop client

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Semaphor

Subscriptions1
  • Personal Plan Monthly$8.991 Month
9 purchases

Proton Drive

Subscriptions7
  • Drive Lite 1 month$0.991 Month
  • Drive Plus 1 month$4.991 Month
  • Drive Plus 1 TB (1 month)$9.991 Month
Show 4 more
  • Proton Unlimited 1 month$14.991 Month
  • Drive Plus 1 year$47.901 Year
  • Drive Plus 1 TB (1 year)$95.991 Year
  • Proton Unlimited 1 year$119.001 Year
One-time2
  • Drive Plus$59.99
  • Proton Unlimited$149.99

Questions

Is Semaphor free?
Semaphor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Proton Drive free?
Proton Drive is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Semaphor or Proton Drive?
Proton Drive is rated higher. Semaphor averages 3.5 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while Proton Drive averages 4.1 from 1.2K ratings.
Do Semaphor or Proton Drive have ads?
Neither Semaphor nor Proton Drive shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Semaphor or Proton Drive?
Semaphor ships an update every 3 weeks, and Proton Drive fortnightly. Most recently, Semaphor was updated on October 7, 2026 and Proton Drive on October 16, 2026.

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