MEGA — An end-to-end encrypted cloud storage service offering 20GB free, with paid Pro plans adding more storage and bandwidth, used by tens of millions since launching in 2013.
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MEGA in 20 seconds
Best for: privacy-conscious individuals and small teams wanting client-side encrypted cloud storage
Pricing: Free tier includes 20GB of storage; paid Pro and Business tiers scale storage and bandwidth together at prices not independently verified.
- MEGA's free tier includes 20GB of base storage.
- MEGA applies end-to-end, zero-knowledge encryption client-side by default on every tier, including free.
- MEGA was founded by Kim Dotcom in 2013 as a successor to Megaupload.
- MEGA published its client-side source code in 2016 for independent security auditing.
- MEGA is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and via the web.
Limitations: No provider-side password/key recovery, so losing credentials can mean permanent data loss.; Free-tier bonus storage above the 20GB base is time-limited.; Paid tiers bundle storage and bandwidth together, which can force an upgrade for bandwidth alone.
Top alternatives: Google Drive, Dropbox, pCloud, Proton Drive, Sync.com — full list
What is MEGA?
MEGA is a cloud storage and file-hosting service distinguished by end-to-end encryption applied client-side, so files are encrypted before they leave the user's device and MEGA's servers store only ciphertext it cannot decrypt. Beyond storage, MEGA offers file sync across devices, link-based file sharing, a built-in chat and video-calling feature (MEGAchat), and browser extensions for direct in-browser encryption of uploads. The service published its client-side source code in 2016 so security researchers could independently audit its cryptographic implementation, a response to early vulnerability findings shortly after its 2013 launch. MEGA's free tier includes a base allotment of storage with additional bonus storage available for a limited time through referrals and mobile app installation achievements. Paid Pro plans bundle storage and transfer/bandwidth quotas together rather than selling them separately, scaling from a smaller "Pro Lite" tier up through higher-capacity tiers, and a separate Business plan adds per-user pricing, centralized admin, and higher storage pools for teams. MEGA is available as native apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, as well as through the web and browser extensions.
MEGA is a cloud storage and file-sharing service built around end-to-end ("zero-knowledge") encryption, meaning files are encrypted and decrypted on the user's device so MEGA itself cannot view uploaded content. It offers a free tier with 20GB of base storage (plus limited-time bonus storage from referrals and app installs), and paid Pro plans that scale storage and transfer bandwidth together, along with a Business tier for teams. MEGA is built for privacy-conscious individuals and teams who want client-side encrypted file storage and sharing rather than a provider that can access file contents server-side, and it's available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, plus browser access and browser extensions. Founded by Kim Dotcom in 2013 as a successor to Megaupload, MEGA published its client source code in 2016 to allow independent verification of its encryption implementation.
Standout feature: End-to-end, zero-knowledge encryption applied client-side by default on all tiers, including the free plan, rather than encryption being a paid add-on as with many mainstream cloud storage providers.
Biggest weakness: Because encryption keys live only with the user, losing your password or recovery key means permanently losing access to your own files with no provider-side recovery, and the free tier's bonus storage above the 20GB base is time-limited rather than permanent.
Pros
- End-to-end encryption is standard on every tier, including the free plan, not gated behind a paid upgrade.
- 20GB of free base storage is generous compared to most mainstream cloud storage competitors.
- Published client-side source code in 2016 for independent security auditing.
- Native apps across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, plus browser-based access.
Cons
- Zero-knowledge encryption means MEGA cannot recover a lost password or key on the user's behalf, risking permanent data loss.
- Free-tier bonus storage beyond the 20GB base is time-limited and can expire, unlike a flat permanent free allotment.
- Paid Pro tiers bundle storage and bandwidth together, which can push users to a higher, costlier tier just to get more transfer quota even if they don't need more storage.
- MEGA's history (founded by Kim Dotcom as a Megaupload successor) has drawn scrutiny that makes some enterprise buyers cautious despite the technical encryption model.
MEGA pricing
Free
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | 20GB base storage, with additional limited-time bonus storage available through referrals and mobile app installation achievements. |
| Pro Lite | Custom | Entry paid tier bundling increased storage and transfer quota together; exact current storage/price, not independently verified. |
| Pro I / Pro II / Pro III | Custom | Higher paid tiers scaling storage and transfer bandwidth together; exact current storage/price, not independently verified. |
| Business | Custom | Per-user team pricing with centralized administration and larger pooled storage; exact current price, not independently verified. |
What reviewers say
No third-party review scores on file yet.