Encrypted by default, not by setting.
iCloud protects your files end-to-end only once you go and switch it on. Offkeep has no other mode: every file, every account, from day one.
Offkeep vs Apple iCloud
iCloud encrypts by default only when you turn it on. Offkeep is zero-knowledge and end-to-end encrypted for every user, out of the box.
How we compare
| Feature | Offkeep | Apple iCloud |
|---|---|---|
End-to-end encryption Files are encrypted on your device before upload — no one else can read them. | Offkeep | Apple iCloudOpt-in only |
Zero-knowledge architecture The provider has no access to your encryption keys, ever. | Offkeep | Apple iCloud |
File scanning Whether the provider reads or indexes your file contents. | OffkeepNone | Apple iCloudStandard tier |
Unused space on the bill Whether allowance you never fill is still charged for. | OffkeepNo — metered by the GB | Apple iCloudYes — the whole tier |
Entry plan What it costs to get started. | Offkeep$0.90 / mo · Flex 100 GB, then $0.01/GB | Apple iCloud$0.99 / mo · 50 GB |
Storage ceiling The most you can buy on a single consumer plan. | OffkeepNone | Apple iCloudOnly up to 12 TB |
Linux support Native desktop sync client for Linux. | Offkeep | Apple iCloud |
Windows & macOS support | Offkeep | Apple iCloud |
Browser-based access Full file manager available without a native install. | Offkeep | Apple iCloud |
Open-source encryption Cryptographic implementation is publicly auditable. | Offkeep | Apple iCloud |
Where Offkeep pulls ahead
Private by default, not by request
iCloud's Advanced Data Protection is a setting buried in account options — and opt-in means most files are stored in a form Apple can access. Offkeep encrypts everything end-to-end from day one, no configuration required.
More storage for less money
Flex 100 GB is $0.90/mo — 2× the storage of iCloud's cheapest paid tier (50 GB at $0.99/mo), for less money. Thousands of photos or hundreds of documents, under a dollar a month.
Works on every platform
iCloud on Windows is an afterthought; iCloud on Linux doesn't exist. Offkeep works in any browser and has native apps for iOS and Android — no platform lock-in.
Offkeep vs iCloud FAQ
Doesn't iCloud offer end-to-end encryption now?
Apple introduced Advanced Data Protection in late 2022, which extends end-to-end encryption to most iCloud data — but it's opt-in and must be manually enabled. Standard iCloud protection still allows Apple to access your data when legally required. Offkeep is zero-knowledge and end-to-end encrypted for every user, by default, with no opt-in step.
Is Offkeep compatible with Apple devices?
Yes. Offkeep has a native iOS app, and its web app works in Safari on every Apple device. You get the same privacy guarantees on Apple hardware without being tied to the Apple ecosystem.
What happens to my existing iCloud files if I switch?
You can download your files from iCloud and upload them to Offkeep at any time — there's no migration tool required. Offkeep's web app supports bulk folder uploads.
Is Offkeep cheaper than iCloud+?
With Offkeep, 50 GB costs $0.90/mo — versus iCloud's $0.99/mo for the same allowance. You only pay for what you actually store, and end-to-end encryption is included as a baseline rather than an optional add-on.