Proton Drive Plus

Back up files into an encrypted user-owned store and expose simple share links

NOT REALLY · consider alternatives
price $5.68/mo per seatsubscription / year $68.16estimated build time closest consolation build: one sittingreplaced by 0 people

A consolation build is possible, but the paid product's decisive value sits outside a solo rebuild. For Proton Drive Plus, back up files into an encrypted user-owned store and expose simple share links. The hard boundary is end-to-end encryption, proton identity, mobile apps, recovery, and privacy operations, plus reliability, durability, and cross-device sync.

Build verification: not recorded. How we judge buildability

What you give up

  • end-to-end encryption, Proton identity, mobile apps, recovery, and privacy operations
  • global sync network
  • battle-tested conflict resolution
  • ransomware recovery guarantees
  • mobile clients and support

Why people still pay

People still pay for Proton Drive Plus because storage subscriptions sell confidence that files will still exist after a lost device, bad sync, or provider incident. The recurring cost buys chunking, encryption, conflict detection, versions, garbage collection, bandwidth, restore drills, monitoring, billing, and disaster recovery, not just the visible interface.

Your build guide

The stack, security requirements, and agent rules for a focused replacement.

Before you start

  • user-owned server or S3-compatible bucket
  • PostgreSQL
  • MinIO or object storage
  • desktop filesystem permissions
  • backup key stored offline
01
Use Next.js 15, TypeScript, PostgreSQL, MinIO, and a Tauri 2 sync client.
02
Store version metadata, tombstones, device identifiers, and integrity checks in PostgreSQL.
03
Interface for this file sync, sharing and backup workflow: a desktop window with source import, a work list, and result export.
engineering roadmap

Implementation plan

1

Phase 1, architecture and data

Use Next.js 15, TypeScript, PostgreSQL, MinIO, and a Tauri 2 sync client. Store version metadata, tombstones, device identifiers, and integrity checks in PostgreSQL.

2

Phase 2, implement

Add file history, point-in-time restore, key export, storage usage, and scheduled restore tests.

3

Phase 3, implement

Back up files into a user-owned object store, encrypt them client-side, track versions, restore on demand, and expose simple share links.

4

Phase 4, review and output

Back up files into an encrypted user-owned store and expose simple share links. Add file history, point-in-time restore, key export, storage usage, and scheduled restore tests.

5

Phase 5, recovery and acceptance

Provide upload and restore queues with pause, retry, bandwidth limits, and resumable transfers. Verify this invariant with a saved fixture: An invalid input or interrupted operation must retain the source and show a recoverable state; exported records must reload with the same IDs. State the practical limit: end-to-end encryption, Proton identity, mobile apps, recovery, and privacy operations.

the pro prompt
Build me a focused file sync, sharing and backup workflow for the personal core of Proton Drive Plus. Requirements:

- Use Next.js 15, TypeScript, PostgreSQL, MinIO, and a Tauri 2 sync client. Store version metadata, tombstones, device identifiers, and integrity checks in PostgreSQL.
- Paid product context: Back up files into an encrypted user-owned store and expose simple share links. Build only this DIY scope: Back up files into a user-owned object store, encrypt them client-side, track versions, restore on demand, and expose simple share links.
- Add file history, point-in-time restore, key export, storage usage, and scheduled restore tests.
- Back up files into a user-owned object store, encrypt them client-side, track versions, restore on demand, and expose simple share links.
- Back up files into an encrypted user-owned store and expose simple share links.
- Use a desktop window with source import, a work list, and result export. Required input or access: user-owned server or S3-compatible bucket; MinIO or object storage.
- Recovery: Provide upload and restore queues with pause, retry, bandwidth limits, and resumable transfers.
- Acceptance: with one labelled sample, show the input, saved intermediate state, and exported result; verify this invariant: An invalid input or interrupted operation must retain the source and show a recoverable state; exported records must reload with the same IDs.
- Out of scope: end-to-end encryption, Proton identity, mobile apps, recovery, and privacy operations; global sync network. Keep this a personal, inspectable workflow.
- Include a README with setup, a sample input, required keys or permissions, data location, and the supported scope.

$ open in your agent (prompt prefilled, you press enter), copy the prompt or copy AGENTS.md · generated from this app's build plan

share on X ↗

Alternatives to building your own

PeergosEnd-to-end encrypted sync and secret links, with a smaller ecosystem and a stranger architecture.2.4kaug 2026open source↗

no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real

Proton Drive Plus pricing

planmonthlyannual (per mo)what you get
proton free$0/user$0/user2 GB storage initially; up to 5 GB after completing onboarding actions.
drive plus$5.68/user$4.54/user200 GB storage; 10-year file-version recovery.Vendor publishes €4.99 monthly or €3.99/month on annual billing; converted at €1 = $1.1380.
proton unlimited$14.78/user$11.37/user500 GB shared across Proton services for 1 user.Vendor publishes €12.99 monthly or €9.99/month on annual billing; converted at the cited ECB rate.
proton duo$22.75$17.062 TB shared by 2 users.Vendor publishes €19.99 monthly or €14.99/month on annual billing; converted at the cited ECB rate.
proton family$34.13$27.303 TB shared by up to 6 users.Vendor publishes €29.99 monthly or €23.99/month on annual billing; converted at the cited ECB rate.

free tier2 GB initially, expandable to 5 GB by completing onboarding actions

billingmonthly + annual; prices converted from official EUR figures using the cited ECB reference rate

hidden costsThere is no Drive-only metered storage overage. Once storage is exhausted, the user must delete data or upgrade to a larger Proton bundle. Refund eligibility is generally limited to the first 30 days and subject to Proton's terms.

pricing sources checked 2026-08-11 · pricing source ↗

Questions about Proton Drive Plus

Can you build your own Proton Drive Plus with AI?

A full replacement is not the recommended project. A consolation build is possible, but the paid product's decisive value sits outside a solo rebuild. For Proton Drive Plus, back up files into an encrypted user-owned store and expose simple share links. The hard boundary is end-to-end encryption, proton identity, mobile apps, recovery, and privacy operations, plus reliability, durability, and cross-device sync.

What does the Proton Drive Plus build prompt cover?

The prompt starts with this scope: Back up files into a user-owned object store, encrypt them client-side, track versions, restore on demand, and expose simple share links. Full-product capabilities excluded from the comparison include: end-to-end encryption, Proton identity, mobile apps, recovery, and privacy operations; global sync network; battle-tested conflict resolution. Follow the implementation plan and its prerequisites before expanding the build.

How do I use the prompt, AGENTS.md and agent skills?

Start with the Proton Drive Plus prerequisites and stack, then copy the prompt into your coding agent. Save the project rules as AGENTS.md in the project root. Linked skills are optional packages or source instructions for specific tasks; review their current contents and install only those matching the chosen stack. A skill does not supply API credentials or verify the finished app.

How long will this Proton Drive Plus project take?

The catalogue estimate is closest consolation build: one sitting for the limited scope. Setup, integration approvals, debugging, deployment and ongoing maintenance can add time. This is an estimate, not a delivery guarantee.

What would I give up by replacing Proton Drive Plus?

end-to-end encryption, Proton identity, mobile apps, recovery, and privacy operations; global sync network; battle-tested conflict resolution; ransomware recovery guarantees; mobile clients and support. People still pay for Proton Drive Plus because storage subscriptions sell confidence that files will still exist after a lost device, bad sync, or provider incident. The recurring cost buys chunking, encryption, conflict detection, versions, garbage collection, bandwidth, restore drills, monitoring, billing, and disaster recovery, not just the visible interface.

What price is this guide comparing against?

The recorded Drive Plus plan is $5.68/mo per seat (monthly per user), checked 2026-08-11. Check the linked pricing source before buying. Building your own also has hosting, API and maintenance costs; the recorded amount is not a guaranteed saving.

What can I use instead of building Proton Drive Plus?

Peergos: End-to-end encrypted sync and secret links, with a smaller ecosystem and a stranger architecture. Check each option's license, hosting needs and feature limits.

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