Sync vs Filen
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Sync
Securely store, access, and share your files with end-to-end encryption. This cloud storage solution allows you to sync data across all your devices and collaborate with others through shared folders. Protect your sensitive information with robust privacy features.
- 5 GB free secure cloud storage
- Access files from any device
- Secure file sharing via links
- Collaborate with shared folders
- End-to-end encryption
- Access controls
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Sync’s encrypted cloud storage keeps your files safe, secure and private. Access your files from all of your computers and devices easily, and share your files securely with anyone. Features: * Get 5 GB of secure cloud storage free * Access files stored on any computer or device, from your phone or tablet * Upload your photos and videos to Sync * Send large files easily with links * Collaborate and share with teams through shared folders * Protect your files with built-in encryption and access controls How Sync protects your privacy: Sync's end-to-end encrypted cloud storage ensures that only you can access your data. We can't read your files - nor would we want to - ensuring that your documents, photos and videos are safeguarded from unauthorized access. We'd love your feedback! Contact us using the support link below.
Filen
Securely store photos, videos, and documents with military-grade encryption. Access files on any device, share them easily, and enjoy features like offline access and encrypted notes. Offers a free tier with 10 GB storage.
- 10 GB free storage
- Unlimited pro storage
- Secure client-side encryption
- Offline file access
- Cross-device file access
- Encrypted notes and chats
- Automatic camera upload
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Filen is everything you need for storing your photos, videos and documents secure and encrypted in the cloud. Get 10 GB storage for free when you create an account. Features: - Get 10 GB when you create an account - Get unlimited storage with our pro offerings - Easily share files with family, friends and colleagues, even if they are not Filen users - Military grade client sided AES 256 bit encryption, your files truly belong to you - only you - Make files available offline for easy access wherever, whenever - Stream and preview your photos, documents, images and audio files straight from the cloud - Access your files on every device - Encrypted notes - Encrypted chats - Clean, easy to use interface for easy file management - Dark mode available for those who work at night or just love the darker look! - Automatic camera upload - Share target - Files app integration Terms of service: https://filen.io/terms Privacy policy: https://filen.io/privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: Sync at free against Filen's freemium. Sync also leads on rating (4.1 vs 3.8) and ratings volume (805 vs 123). Filen's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs monthly). On price, review sentiment, 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Sync holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sync has 805 ratings behind it against 123, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Sync's written reviews are positive against 48% of Filen's.
Sync ships an update monthly, Filen fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Sync | Filen |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.1 (805 ratings) — better | 3.8 (123 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 50.2% of reviews — better | 47.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 805 — better | 123 |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 53 MB | 103 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Sync.com Inc. | Filen Cloud Dienste UG (haftungsbeschraenkt) |
Customer experience
Sync
Filen
User reviews
Sync
From 805 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 User-friendly
- 🔒 Secure cloud storage
- 💡 Great value for the price
- 🚀 Fast and reliable
- 🇨🇦 Canadian-based company
Room to improve
- 🐛 Crashes and bugs
- 🔍 Lack of search functionality
- 🚧 Outdated and basic UI
- 🔻 Slow upload/download speeds
- 📂 Limited file management options
Filen
From 123 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🔒 End-to-end encryption and privacy-focused design
- 💰 Affordable pricing with generous storage tiers
- 🌍 Open-source and transparent service
- 🚀 Fast upload/download speeds
- 👍 Clean and intuitive UI design
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent app crashes during uploads
- 📸 Photo/video upload failures and inconsistencies
- 🔄 Auto-upload feature unreliable and incomplete
- ⚠️ Data loss issues in Notes feature
- 🔐 Thumbnail cache exposed in Files app (security concern)
Bugs and requests
Sync
Reported bugs
5 issues- Unreliable camera roll backup
- Inconsistent file sync across devices
- Frequent app crashes and freezes
- Inability to access offline files
- Sync issues when switching devices
Requested features
5 requests- Improved iOS app integration with Files app
- Video playback and streaming support
- Bulk file management (rename, move, delete)
- Advanced sharing options and controls
- Better background sync for photos/videos
Filen
Reported bugs
18 issues- App crashes when uploading photos/videos
- Music pauses when app is minimized
- Photo upload stuck at specific file counts (e.g., 42 photos)
- Notes lose data during sync
- Note type conversion deletes text content
Show 13 moreShow fewer
- Video thumbnails not displaying correctly
- Cannot open audio files in app
- App stuck on opening screen
- Login credentials not working on iOS despite working elsewhere
- Upload progress not visible in latest update
- File upload stalls at 'finishing' stage
- Camera upload fails with VPN enabled
- Rich text editor loses data on sync
- Share public link toggle does nothing
- Media not found error when uploading images
- App unable to load albums page
- Password reset link not sending
- Automatic account deletion after inactivity
Requested features
12 requests- Video streaming/playback within app
- Read-only file mode option
- Back-sync feature (delete from phone, delete from cloud)
- Multi-select file upload capability
- iPad split-screen view support
Show 7 moreShow fewer
- Shared folder system like Dropbox/Google Drive
- Album-to-folder mapping for camera uploads
- iOS Files app integration/mounting
- Audio file playback within app
- Dark mode following system settings
- Magnetic link download support
- Better gallery navigation and filtering
In-app purchases
Sync
No in-app purchases
Filen
No in-app purchases
