Encrypted Dropbox variant SpiderOak increases storage limits

SpiderOak, a competitor to Dropbox that is completely encrypted unlike that service, has adjusted its subscriptions. Users can now get 1 terabyte of storage for $12 a month, putting SpiderOak more in Dropbox’s favor in terms of pricing.

Until now, SpiderOak’s 100 gigabytes of storage cost $10 a month, but that subscription has now been scrapped. Those who want to upgrade pay 7 dollars per month for 30 gigabytes of storage or 12 dollars per month for 1 terabyte of storage, which is the equivalent of 10.50 euros per month. The subscription with 5 terabytes of storage costs $25 per month. Users can still opt for a free plan with 2 gigabytes of storage.

SpiderOak offers roughly the same functionality as Google Drive, Dropbox and OneDrive, with an important difference: the key used to encrypt data is not stored on the server, but is the password of the user. As a result, SpiderOak cannot access user files, provided they only log in via the desktop client. When users log in via the website or the mobile app, the password is kept in the memory of the SpiderOak servers for a short time.

With the new subscriptions, SpiderOak is still slightly more expensive than its competitors, but the difference has become smaller. Dropbox asks 10 euros per month for 1 terabyte of storage; Google asks 10 dollars a month for the same amount, converted 8.70 euros. However, at those services, employees can access user files, for example if requested by the police. In contrast, Dropbox and Google Drive offer automatic photo backup via their smartphone apps; SpiderOak does not offer that.