Permafiles

Permafiles is managed Nextcloud storage that pairs file sync with family photo sharing and collaboration tools. It suits UK and EU households that want shared storage without maintaining a server. Its appeal is breadth at low monthly prices; the free 5 GB allowance is too small for most growing photo libraries.

Overview

Permafiles puts photos, videos and ordinary files in one managed service. Shared albums and folders can restrict who accesses, edits or downloads content, while shared links can use passwords and expiry dates. Those controls make it a sensible option for families sharing selectively, rather than treating a public link as the default.

The service runs on Nextcloud, so storage comes with online office editing and calls as well. Permafiles says its servers are hosted in Germany and customer files sit on third-party S3-compatible storage in the UK. Daily offsite backups and full restores within a couple of hours after a complete server failure are useful safeguards, though they are not a substitute for a second copy of irreplaceable files.

Key features

• Family photo and video storage: Shared albums, folder permissions and video backup suit households consolidating media and files. The free 5 GB plan is a useful trial of the service, not much space for a substantial archive.
• Office and calls: Nextcloud Office supports document, spreadsheet and presentation editing; Nextcloud Talk supports calls with up to 10 people. That combination adds household and small-group utility, but photo-only users may be paying for capabilities they do not need.
• Email integration: Nextcloud Mail can connect to Gmail and other providers over IMAP and SMTP, extending the service beyond storage without replacing those accounts.
• Security and sharing controls: Permafiles describes HTTPS/TLS, two-factor authentication, brute-force and antivirus protection, plus optional end-to-end encryption for supported folders and use cases. The encryption option is conditional, so it should not be mistaken for blanket end-to-end encryption across all files.
• Recovery and durability: The company says it makes daily offsite backups, with full server restoration possible within a couple of hours after a complete failure. Its plans page describes high-performance storage and S3 storage designed for 99.999999999% annual data durability.

Pricing

Permafiles is freemium, and every listed paid tier includes managed Nextcloud, Talk, Office, daily offsite backups and antivirus protection. The main difference is storage capacity, so the right tier depends on the size of the family archive rather than access to different tools.

The free tier has the same core tools but only 5 GB, so it is best treated as an entry point. Tiny is the least expensive paid step at £1.99/month; larger tiers add space rather than a different feature set. No seat limits or trial period are part of these plan terms.

Platforms

Permafiles supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web and Windows. Nextcloud sync clients are listed for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, making it suitable for households mixing desktop and mobile devices.

Who it's for

Permafiles is strongest for UK and EU households that want shared family photos, videos and everyday files in a managed Nextcloud service, with office tools and calls included. It is less compelling for someone seeking only a dedicated photo library, or anyone needing a large archive at no cost: 5 GB fills quickly once video is involved.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Permission controls, password options and link expiry offer practical ways to share family media without making every link unrestricted.
• Pro: All listed tiers include Office, Talk, backups and antivirus, so moving up for more space does not mean losing the service's broader toolkit.
• Pro: UK file storage and Germany-hosted infrastructure align with the company's UK and EU focus.
• Con: The free 5 GB quota is limited for photo and video backup.
• Con: Optional end-to-end encryption applies only to supported folders and use cases, rather than universally.
• Con: Office and calls may be unnecessary extras for users who only want photo storage.

Alternatives

IDrive is worth considering for readers who want a freemium storage alternative with a free plan and a range of desktop and mobile platforms.

Ente Photos is a photo-focused alternative with a 10 GB free plan; choose it if a larger free allowance matters more than Permafiles' Nextcloud office and calling bundle.

PhotoPrism offers a self-hosted community plan with unlimited storage and instances. It is the better fit for users prepared to host their own service rather than pay for managed storage.

Amazon Photos may suit readers already using Amazon's ecosystem: its free plan shares 5 GB across photos and videos, while its Prime benefit includes unlimited full-resolution photo storage.

Cryptee is another freemium option for readers who prioritize software and cryptography that are open source and independently reviewable.

Stingle Photos is an alternative for readers who want open-source photo software under GPLv3, with self-hosted support among its platforms.

Flickr is suited to readers who prefer a photo-and-video upload service; its free tier allows 1,000 public uploads and shows ads.

Noodle Gallery is a free self-hosted option for people willing to run it on hardware they provide, with no storage cap.

For more options, browse Photo Storage Services.

Verdict

Permafiles is a strong fit for UK and EU families who want managed storage with controlled photo sharing, video backup and useful Nextcloud collaboration tools under one subscription. Choose it for that combination and its clear storage ladder; look elsewhere if your priority is a generous free photo archive or photo-only simplicity.