Comparison

Proton Drive vs SANDISK

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

Head to head
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

About

SANDISK

Easily back up, manage, and protect your digital content. Organize files, free up space by transferring to compatible storage, and secure important memories with password protection.

Highlights
  • Organize files with an intuitive interface
  • Browse photos and videos in timeline or grid views
  • Free up space by transferring files
  • Automatic backup of photos, videos, and contacts
  • Secure files with encryption and password protection
  • View storage insights for connected devices
Read full description

The SANDISK® app is a powerful, easy-to-use app that helps you back up, manage, and protect your digital content.1 Whether you're freeing up space, organizing files, or helping safeguard your memories with password protection, the SANDISK app gives you complete control over your photos, videos, contacts, and more. This app replaces the legacy iXpand® Drive app for iOS. Please use this app for all future use with supported storage devices. The SANDISK app was previously called SANDISK Memory Zone™. Use the app with compatible SANDISK® drives (sold separately). It’s easy to back up, transfer, and manage your photos, videos, and contacts, between your iPhone and your computer. To learn more about all products compatible with the SANDISK app, go to our support page: https://support-en.sandisk.com/app/answers/detailweb/a_id/52065 Key Features Organize Your Files Browse, move, copy, or delete files with a clean, intuitive interface that puts you in control of your content. Media Timeline & Grid Views Navigate your photos and videos in a timeline or immersive grid layout to quickly find and relive your memories. Free Up Space Quickly transfer files from your iPhone to a compatible storage device, so you can make room for what matters most. Automatic Backup2 Set it once and your photos, videos, and contacts will automatically back up2 when your device is connected. Help secure Your Files Add an extra layer of protection with encryption and password-secured storage for your most important content. Storage Insights Easily view available, used, and total space on your connected device—no more guessing. Explore More Discover tools and services that help you do more with your content—from AI enhancements to creative utilities. Support: Please visit Sandisk support at: https://shop.sandisk.com/support Third-Party Notices: https://downloads.sandisk.com/downloads/temp/sandisk-memory-zone-ios.txt Company Info http://www.sandisk.com Legal 1. iOS 15 or higher required for the SANDISK app. 2. SANDISK app required. Available for download from the App Store. iOS 15 or higher required. Set up automatic backup within app settings. Terms and conditions apply. For more information on Sandisk’s Vulnerability Disclosure Policy, please visit: https://shop.sandisk.com/support/product-security/vulnerability-disclosure-policy SANDISK, the SANDISK logo, iXpand, and Memory Zone are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sandisk Corporation or its affiliates in the US and/or other countries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. Product specifications subject to change without notice. Pictures shown may vary from actual products. © 2026 Sandisk Corporation or its affiliates. All rights reserved.

Screenshots

Proton Drive4 screens
SANDISK4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: SANDISK at 4.7 against Proton Drive's 4.1. SANDISK also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 9) and ratings volume (24K vs 1.3K). Proton Drive's advantage is review sentiment (37% vs 21%). On price, update cadence, ads and chart position 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. Proton Drive sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. SANDISK asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SANDISK holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SANDISK has 24K ratings behind it against 1.3K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 37% of Proton Drive's written reviews are positive against 21% of SANDISK's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Proton Drive ships an update fortnightly, SANDISK every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 30, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Proton Drive versus SANDISK: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterProton DriveSANDISK
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (1.3K ratings)4.7 (24K ratings) — better
Positive reviews37.0% of reviews — better21.3% of reviews
Number of ratings1.3K24K — better
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#204#134 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size235 MB80 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperProton AGSanDisk

Customer experience

Proton Drive

All ratings1,261 ratings
Positive75.3%
Neutral8.4%
Negative16.3%
Written reviews909 reviews
Positive37.0%
Neutral21.8%
Negative41.3%

SANDISK

All ratings23,507 ratings
Positive92.4%
Neutral2.9%
Negative4.8%
Written reviews1,009 reviews
Positive21.3%
Neutral6.0%
Negative72.6%

User reviews

Proton Drive

From 1.3K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and efficient
  • 🔒 Secure and private
  • 👍 Simple and intuitive UI
  • 💡 Integrated with iOS Files app

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy and unreliable
  • 🔋 High battery consumption
  • 📥 Slow upload/download speeds
  • 🗂️ Lacking key features like search and sorting

SANDISK

From 24K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great for photo backups
  • 🚀 Seamless experience
  • 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly
  • 👍 Helpful for managing storage
  • 💡 Explore feature with partner integrations

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Doesn't recognize USB drives on newer iPhones
  • 🐛 Buggy and glitchy
  • 🐛 Unstable and disconnects during backups
  • 👎 Lacks key features from previous app
  • 👎 Complicated and confusing to use

Bugs and 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

SANDISK

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App doesn't recognize iXpand drives on iPhone 16
  • Frequent error messages and failed backups
  • Incompatible with older iOS versions and devices
  • Photos and videos not displaying properly

Requested features

5 requests
  • Allow manual selection of files to transfer
  • Bring back date-based photo organization
  • Add option to delete photos from phone after backup
  • Improve search and sorting capabilities
  • Restore private/secure folder functionality

In-app purchases

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
None

SANDISK

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Proton Drive free?
Proton Drive is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SANDISK free?
SANDISK is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Proton Drive or SANDISK?
SANDISK is rated higher. Proton Drive averages 4.1 out of 5 from 1.3K ratings, while SANDISK averages 4.7 from 24K ratings.
Do Proton Drive or SANDISK have ads?
Neither Proton Drive nor SANDISK shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Proton Drive or SANDISK?
Proton Drive ships an update fortnightly, and SANDISK every 3 weeks. Most recently, Proton Drive was updated on October 30, 2026 and SANDISK on October 30, 2026.
Which is more popular, Proton Drive or SANDISK?
Proton Drive currently peaks at #204 in the App Store charts, and SANDISK at #134. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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