Linux Client
Proton Drive really needs the ability to sync desktop files automatically. This post focuses on a Linux client for Proton Drive.

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Filipe commented
It's very important for comunity!!
Personal, I will only buy your subscription when you have a Linux client.
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luka commented
An Unlimited user here, Linux machine is my machine of preference that I use for daily work. What do we need to do to get you to deliver us a workable solution?
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Emily commented
So, the only reason I use a storage service is for syncing photos and documents in the background without me lifting a finger. That's the bare minimum I need. Until Proton adds that for Linux, there's no way I'm paying for their storage. This feature has been in demand since Drive launched, and I've been a loyal email user for ages. I'll support them when they finally roll out their Linux client.
I'm already paying for storage elsewhere. Telling people like me to pay for a service we can't even use yet to "fund" a feature they aren't even hinting at developing is laughable.
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privacyFirst commented
I really am appalled by the amount of whining, ******** and moaning in this thread. Dammit, the Proton Drive web app is perfectly usable and works well, regardless of OS, device, or browser.
If you're really so desperate for a desktop version, then put your money where your big complaining, clamoring mouth is and buy a full Proton Unlimited subscription to help Proton realize more revenue and thereby funding for, among other things, larger/more developer teams.
Understand that at present there are still a plethora of issues in existing apps - particularly Pass, and Drive desktop Windows - that will need addressing and indeed should be addressed before even a single further app - or app version for Linux - should be seriously thought about. S**t, Proton is no Ms/Apple/Google, not even a small Canonical, and the last I've seen Proton had a grand total of ~500 employees! Congratulate them for getting all the current apps off the ground in such a relatively short time!
As a predominantly Linux user, I really don't see why a desktop Drive app would be so important or urgent. And I would certainly not like to see some kind of port of the present Windows app, which is anything but private and secure, at any point. Let Proton get that one (and presumably the macOS one) right first before tackling the many challenges a Linux version will pose.
7,000+ votes for a Linux version is shocking! As I said, put your money where your mouth is. Raise funds for Proton and buy say an average subscription of $100 each. This would raise about $700K - but bear in mind that there are considerable costs also in terms of overheads, such as the constant need to expand and upgrade hardware, pay salaries, data centre bills, and more besides, so that that $700K would not be available solely for expanding developer teams.
So hey, show some decent patience people, and let Proton get on with the real priorities.
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ldwilliams.uk commented
One get around for an app is called webapps -
It will turn any web page into a standalone 'app'
Not ideal but better than nothing. -
Anonymous commented
I think Linux users don't necessarily need a full fledged desktop client like Windows or macOS users.
Official rclone support would already take linux support a long way, because rclone integrates nicely into the whole linux eco-system.
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Eggroley commented
It's the one thing keeping me from moving all my machines to Linux.
Every single week I get frustrated that this isn't already a thing. It's just frustrating, so frustrating and I wish this wasn't so critical to me, but it is. At the very least, you could improve support for Rclone. I love being a Visionary, but waiting years for things to release to my platform of choice is just something I'm beginning to lament greatly.
7000+ votes. Let's make this happen sooner rather than later.
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Emily commented
I use their email, but as far as their bundle subscription... No thanks, not until they have a Linux client. If they want to convert this customer, they need to make a Linux client first.
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[Deleted User] commented
I know that is more difficult to develop an application like Proton Drive for Linux because there are multiple file managers and desktop environments...
But I think that partial support would be better than nothing!
I mean, they should at least try to give support for the popular ones, like GNOME/Nautilus, KDE/Dolphin and Cinnamon/Nemo. -
privacyFirst commented
@Carlo Supina - There is no problem accessing the web app of Proton Drive under Linux, working fine here even if it could do with one or two improvements. If privacy and security are what is important to you, you certainly would not want a Linux desktop app that's anything like the current Windows Drive one. In its current implementation Drive desktop sadly should be a definite 'thumbs down' for a privacy (and security) focused ecosystem.
@Proton - I know you can do much, much better - just take your time and get it right.
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Carlo Supina commented
Once linux support for drive is added. I will stop using pcloud and move completely over to Proton. Until then, this is a deal-breaker for me for file storage.
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privacyFirst commented
@Hekel - Having sometimes to run Windows, I gave Proton Drive Windows desktop app a trial to see what to expect as and when the Linux version does put in an appearance. As it is now, I would not want to run it for any length of time under Windblows. And although I would feel slightly less uncomfortable under Linux, I can't say I would really want a Linux version in the present form of the Windows app.
One of the major 'no-nos' is it stores the entire content of your Drive in the user directory, unencrypted and worse still, even accessible when you've signed out! Totally unsafe.
I'll happily stick with the web app - it's all I need, really.
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Hekel commented
This is what's keeping me away from Proton Unlimited. I love Proton mail, and the VPN now is finally usable, but I'm not willing to pay for Proton Unlimited until a Linux client for Proton Drive is available.
And to be fair, it's very frustrating to be treated as second class citizens in the Proton ecosystem, considering that the vast majority of people using Proton are privacy-conscious users, so the Linux spread is dramatically higher than for any other service out there.
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Simon Moran commented
This is almost gamebreaking for me. It doesn't even work under wine. It's remarkable that this is considered so difficult to implement.
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Anonymous commented
I am a Proton user for many years for privacy reasons - without this app I am obliged to use products which compromise my privacy. It is really a damaging mark on Proton's privacy credibility.
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Gintaras Sruogius commented
Linux app is desperately needed!!!!
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Arthur Montague commented
As many, many users have said, I desperately want to completely walk away from MS/Google cloud storage, and this is the one blocker. I'm trying to sync with Celeste, but it doesn't seem to work, and I can't get the Proton Drive App to work under Wine. Please sort something out, I'm certain if you do your subscriptions would shoot up...
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Peter commented
We've been waiting for a Linux client for two years now, but still nothing has happened, not even a beta has been announced yet. I think that's a real shame.
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João Falcão commented
I just renewed my subscription and I'm waiting for this feature
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Jared Sutton commented
I get that Linux users aren't a priority by sheer number, but if privacy is the entire purpose of Proton, then supporting the most privacy-oriented platform seems to be a foregone conclusion.
If you don't have the manpower (or money to support the manpower) to make this happen directly, then please open the API documentation so that the community can make it happen. There's already halfway decent Drive support in rclone, but that's not a full solution, if only because Photo backups aren't accessible.
I'm not the first nor the last to make this request, but if Proton isn't willing to help us with this feature directly, please help us help ourselves via API documentation.