10 Reasons Why I Switched from OneDrive to Ente Photos for Good

Backing up photos and videos is something most people think about only after losing something they can't get back. Local storage remains the most secure option—as long as files are encrypted and the storage medium is under your control. But local storage fails when you need quick access to a file on the go, like pulling up a specific photo while traveling. Big tech players like Google Photos and Microsoft OneDrive fill that gap, and for a while, OneDrive was my go-to. However, seeing how aggressively Microsoft has pushed its Copilot offering across its product lineup made me question: 'It won't be long before some new Copilot-powered feature is rolled out that messes around with images and videos.' That's why I started searching for alternatives. Initially, Proton Drive looked promising, but I wanted something outside the Proton ecosystem, so I ended up on Ente Photos. Here are the 10 key things you need to know about my migration and why I'm never going back.

1. Local Storage Is Secure but Impractical

Local storage is the gold standard for security because you control the encryption and physical access. But it doesn't help when you're away from home and need a file immediately. That's where cloud services come in, but they come with trade-offs. I valued the convenience of accessing my photos anywhere, so I relied on OneDrive—until I realized the cost of that convenience was my privacy.

2. Microsoft's Copilot Push Was the Final Straw

Microsoft has been integrating its Copilot AI across Office, Windows, and OneDrive. While AI features can be useful, I became uneasy about how they might interact with my personal media. The thought of Copilot scanning my photos for metadata, facial recognition, or content analysis—without explicit opt-in—felt like an intrusion. I decided to move before any such feature rolled out that could "mess around" with my images.

3. Searching for a Privacy-First Alternative

I first considered Proton Drive, which offers end-to-end encryption and a generous free tier. But I wanted to avoid tying all my privacy tools to one provider. Ente Photos stood out as an independent, open-source service focused solely on photo storage. Founded in 2020, Ente's mission is to help people preserve memories with privacy, without treating data as a resource to be mined.

4. What Is Ente Photos? An Open-Source, E2E Encrypted Haven

Ente Photos is an open-source, end-to-end encrypted photo storage service. Their mascot is Ducky, a friendly duck. Beyond photos, they offer Ente Auth (a two-factor authentication app that backs up your 2FA secrets securely) and Ente Locker (for sensitive documents). I spoke with founder Vishnu Mohandas in 2024, and he emphasized building a privacy-respecting alternative to Google Photos and iCloud Photos. After months, I finally tried it—and it delivered.

5. The Slow, Frustrating Download from OneDrive

Before moving, I had to extract my 200+ GB of files from OneDrive. Microsoft's web version compresses folders into ZIPs before downloading, which is painfully slow for large amounts. I had to install the OneDrive client on Windows 11 and configure it to keep local copies. That sped things up, but it still took several hours. I separated photos and videos for migration, storing the rest on an external hard drive.

6. Migrating to Ente: A Simple Upload Process

I already had an Ente account, so I logged in and selected the 200 GB paid plan, which costs ₹4,788 annually (USD/EUR elsewhere). The upload process via their web or mobile app was straightforward—drag and drop, with client-side encryption before transmission. I liked that I could pause and resume without losing progress. The free tier offers 10 GB, but I needed more space.

7. Pricing That's Transparent and Fair

Ente's pricing is simple: 200 GB for about $60/year (or equivalent), with larger plans available. Compared to OneDrive's 1 TB for $70/year with Microsoft 365, Ente might seem a bit less value per gigabyte. But you get true end-to-end encryption, no AI scanning, and an open-source codebase. For me, the privacy premium is worth it. Note that local currency conversion rates apply.

8. No Hidden AI Features Messing with Photos

With Ente, what you upload stays exactly as you took it. There are optional features like smart tagging or face grouping, but they run locally on your device and never upload unencrypted data. This peace of mind is why I left OneDrive—Microsoft could enable AI analysis without clear consent. Ente's encryption ensures only I hold the keys.

9. Additional Services: Auth and Locker

Ente provides more than photo storage. Ente Auth backs up your two-factor authentication secrets in an encrypted format across devices—useful if you lose your phone. Ente Locker securely stores sensitive files like IDs or contracts. This integrated ecosystem adds value without lock-in, as all services are independent and open-source.

10. Final Verdict: Why I'm Not Going Back

The move from OneDrive to Ente Photos took some initial effort—slow downloads and manual organization—but the result is a private, encrypted, and future-proof photo library. I no longer worry about my data being mined for training AI or selling ads. Ente's transparency, open-source nature, and founder's vision for digital privacy convinced me. If you value your memories and want to keep them truly yours, consider making the same switch.

In conclusion, moving away from big tech doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. With services like Ente Photos, you can regain control over your personal media without sacrificing convenience. The initial migration may be tedious, but the long-term benefits—privacy, security, and peace of mind—are worth every bit of effort. Whether you have 10 GB or 200 GB, start with the free tier and see how it fits your workflow. You might just find, as I did, that you never look back.