Hex Citadel
Hex Citadel: A privacy-focused self-hosted storage option for technical teams comfortable managing infrastructure. Ranked #16 of 30 in Secure Cloud Storage by our editors (7.2/10); pricing: Free plan; best for technical users wanting open self-hosted storage.
At a glance
- Editor score7.2 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forTechnical users wanting open self-hosted storage
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Zero-knowledge encryptionYes
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Client-side AES-256-GCM encryption with zero-knowledge architecture
- Docker deployment with S3-compatible storage and PostgreSQL support
- Free Self-Hosted plan includes all features and unlimited storage on your hardware
Where it doesn't
- Mobile support is deferred until after version 1.0
- The project is in active development
- Hosted deployment is announced as coming soon
Our verdict on Hex Citadel
Hex Citadel is an open-source cloud file synchronization service for people and organizations that want control over their storage infrastructure. It is aimed at technical users who can operate a self-hosted environment and want client-side encryption, open-source code, and direct control over storage. Access is available through the web and a macOS desktop client, while mobile support is deferred until after version 1.0.
Its strongest distinction is the combination of privacy architecture and deployment flexibility. Files are encrypted on the client with AES-256-GCM before upload, and the zero-knowledge server architecture is designed to keep the server from holding readable file contents. Docker deployment, PostgreSQL support, and S3-compatible backends—including MinIO and AWS S3—let organizations align the service with existing infrastructure. Synchronization uses Rabin chunking and zstd compression, while full data export and standard file formats support portability.
The Self-Hosted plan includes all features, unlimited users, unlimited storage on your hardware, end-to-end encryption, full source code access, and community support at no charge. The Hosted plan is intended for organizations that prefer managed infrastructure, automatic updates and backups, end-to-end encryption, priority support, and no server management. That makes Hex Citadel a strong fit for technical teams prioritizing control and privacy over broad client coverage or a fully established product lifecycle. Teams that require mobile access now, or prefer a mature hosted service with immediate availability, should consider alternatives.
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Hex Citadel pricing
All 2 Hex Citadel plans and prices →
Hex Citadel fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Zero-knowledge encryption | Yes |
| Included storage | Not verified |
| File version history | Not verified |
| Sharing controls | Not verified |
| Client platforms | Desktop |
| Data jurisdiction | Other |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web, macOS |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 4 integrations: S3-compatible storage, MinIO, AWS S3, PostgreSQL |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | citadel.hex.pro |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
Hex Citadel integrations
Hex Citadel lists 4 integrations on its own site.
- S3-compatible storage
- MinIO
- AWS S3
- PostgreSQL
Alternatives to Hex Citadel
- FilenPrivacy-focused cloud storage with broad platform coverage and low-cost paid tiers.9.4
- MEGAA broad storage suite with user-controlled encryption, sharing controls, backups, and business tools.9.2
- Proton DriveA privacy-focused storage service with business controls and broad device support.9.0
See all Hex Citadel alternatives →
Also Ranked In
Hex Citadel is ranked in 2 of our directories.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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