Encrypted storage

Mega

Mega is the easy-to-recommend "lots of free space, encrypted" product.

Website

mega.io

KYC

optional KYC — Email at signup; large free tier. Identity is not verified.

Status

active

Fiat on-ramp

no

Payment

card

Jurisdiction

New Zealand (operator-disclosed)

Founded

2013

Open source

no

Custodial

yes

Last verified

Jan 1, 2026

Sources

2

Overview

Strengths

• Large free tier (historically 20 GB).
• End-to-end encrypted at rest.

Caveats

• Closed-source clients; encryption claims have been independently disputed in academic papers (UoLondon attack on Mega's key handling, 2022).
• New Zealand jurisdiction.
• Founder context (Kim Dotcom) is widely commented on; treat the operator history as relevant context.
• Facts need re-verification by operator (last seeded 2026-01).

Verdict

Mega is the easy-to-recommend "lots of free space, encrypted" product. The 2022 cryptography analysis is the dominant caveat; the issues were addressed by Mega in subsequent updates. Useful for low-stakes encrypted storage; not a substitute for Tresorit/Filen-style audited products in high-stakes uses.

FAQ

Does Mega require KYC?

Mega has optional KYC; you can use the service without it for the basic flow. Email at signup; large free tier. Identity is not verified.

What payment methods does Mega accept?

Mega accepts: card.

Where is Mega based?

Operating jurisdiction listed as New Zealand (operator-disclosed). This is best-known information; corporate structure can be opaque.

Sources

1. Mega security · accessed Jan 1, 2026
2. Mega cryptography analysis (academic) · accessed Jan 1, 2026

Mentioned in

Alternatives to Mega

• Cryptee optional kyc · Estonia
• CryptPad none kyc · France
• Disroot none kyc · Netherlands
• Filen optional kyc · Germany
• Internxt optional kyc · Spain
• OnionShare none kyc · independent

Entry last verified Jan 1, 2026. Notice an error? Send it via the contact form.