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MEGA

Name: MEGA
Availability: InStock
Rating: 74.0 (1 reviews)

Zero-knowledge encrypted

with generous free tier and open-source clients

Privacy score 74 Free Technical: Beginner

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MEGA offers a privacy-conscious alternative in the

space, with a stronger focus on data protection than many mainstream tools.

Web Android iOS Desktop

Who is this for?

✓ Good for you if:

• You want zero-knowledge
Cryptographic transform providing confidentiality.
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with a generous free storage tier
• You prefer open-source client applications for
Practice of providing clear, accurate disclosures and user-facing explanations of data flows.
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• You need end-to-end encrypted chat and video calls
• You want user-controlled
Cryptographic transform providing confidentiality.
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keys (password-based)
• You need
Remote object/file storage service with access control, durability, and often integrated sharing.
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with strong
Cryptographic transform providing confidentiality.
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⚠ Think twice if:

• You need the highest privacy standards (MEGA has some
Automatic collection of operational and usage signals from clients to a service.
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)
• You want completely anonymous storage (requires email)
• You need self-hosting or complete infrastructure control
• You want fully open-source server code (clients are
Software with publicly available source code under an open license; enables review and reuse.
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)
• You need offline-first file access

Overview

MEGA is a cloud storage

service that provides end-to-end encryption for files. The service encrypts files on the user's device before uploading them to servers, ensuring that only the user can access their files. MEGA includes features like file storage, file sharing, and synchronization across devices. MEGA is available for web, Android, iOS, and desktop platforms. The service offers both free and paid plans, with paid plans providing more storage. MEGA is based in New Zealand and operates under New Zealand privacy laws. The service is particularly useful for users who want encrypted cloud storage with a generous free tier.

Privacy highlight

End-to-end encrypted

from New Zealand. Strong , generous free tier. Secure file storage.

Quick facts

Country:: 🇳🇿 New Zealand
Pricing:: Free
Platform:: Web, Android, iOS, Desktop
Technical:: Beginner
It's like whispering a secret that only your friend can hear — not even the phone or app knows what you said. Read full definition :: Yes
Automatic collection of operational and usage signals from clients to a service. Read full definition :: Basic telemetry
Software with publicly available source code under an open license; enables review and reuse. Read full definition :: No
Open-source status:: Closed source
Operational practice of hosting and administering services under your own control. Read full definition :: No
Right enabling individuals to receive and transmit their data in a structured, machine-readable format. Read full definition :: Yes

Key features

Secure
Remote object/file storage service with access control, durability, and often integrated sharing.
Read full definition
for your files and
Secondary copies of data for restoration; must be protected (encryption, access control) and tested regularly.
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.

Security & encryption Click to expand

It's like whispering a secret that only your friend can hear — not even the phone or app knows what you said. Read full definition: Yes
Encryption protocols: AES-256,
Cryptographic protocol for secure transport.
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,
HTTP over TLS with certificate-based authentication.
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Lifecycle control for cryptographic keys. Read full definition: MEGA uses
It's like whispering a secret that only your friend can hear — not even the phone or app knows what you said.
Read full definition
with keys generated and stored on user devices.
Cryptographic transform providing confidentiality.
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keys are derived from user passwords and are never transmitted to servers in plaintext. MEGA uses client-side
Cryptographic transform providing confidentiality.
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, meaning files are encrypted on the device before upload. MEGA does not have access to
Cryptographic transform providing confidentiality.
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keys as they never leave user devices. The service supports secure
Secondary copy of data for recovery; must be secured, tested, and lifecycle-managed.
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and recovery through encrypted key
Secondary copies of data for restoration; must be protected (encryption, access control) and tested regularly.
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.
Offline support: No

Telemetry & tracking Click to expand

Automatic collection of operational and usage signals from clients to a service. Read full definition: Basic telemetry
Behavioral data collection for profiling and attribution. Read full definition: No
Retention of IP addresses and related metadata. Read full definition: Ip minimal
Automatic collection of operational and usage signals from clients to a service. Read full definition: MEGA collects minimal
Automatic collection of operational and usage signals from clients to a service.
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data for service operation. The service collects basic usage statistics including app version and platform. MEGA does not collect file content, user identifiers, or personal information.
Automatic collection of operational and usage signals from clients to a service.
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data is anonymized and aggregated. Users can disable
Automatic collection of operational and usage signals from clients to a service.
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through settings.

Jurisdiction & compliance Click to expand

Geographic location of data storage and, sometimes, processing within specific regions. Read full definition: MEGA is developed by MEGA Limited, which is based in New Zealand. The service operates servers in New Zealand and other countries. MEGA operates under New Zealand privacy laws. Encrypted files are stored on servers in various locations.
Storage duration for data, defined by policy, law, and operational needs. Read full definition: MEGA retains encrypted files on servers for service operation. The service retains minimal
Ancillary data describing communications/events (e.g., timestamps, identifiers, routing).
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for account management. MEGA does not retain unencrypted files - all files are encrypted end-to-end. The service retains account information until account deletion. Users can delete their accounts and all associated data at any time. The service operates under New Zealand privacy laws.
Legal frameworks: List applicable frameworks once confirmed (e.g., GDPR, CCPA, LGPD).
Revenue sources: Subscription, Freemium

Editorial signals Click to expand

Composite metric summarizing privacy characteristics based on a scoring model. Read full definition: 74
Trust score: 82
Trust breakdown (0–10): Encryption: 95, Audits: 80, Open source: 50, Telemetry: 85, Jurisdiction: 85, Transparency: 80, Trackers: 95
Editorial notes: Usability: 90, Performance: 85, Family friendly: 90

User experience Click to expand

Signup requirements: email
Onboarding difficulty (1-5): 1
Accessibility features: Add technical accessibility details after testing.

Backup & portability Click to expand

Right enabling individuals to receive and transmit their data in a structured, machine-readable format. Read full definition: Yes
Migration tools: Import from other cloud services, Data export tools
Processes and factors used to re-establish account access after loss of credentials. Read full definition: Account recovery via email, Encrypted backup recovery

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MEGA

Who is this for?

✓ Good for you if:

⚠ Think twice if:

Overview

Quick facts

Key features

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