Tarkle vs Filen: branded client sharing or encrypted sync
Filen is encrypted storage with sync. Tarkle sends branded files, portals and file requests to clients.
Tarkle vs Filen comes down to what you do with files. Filen is better if you want encrypted storage that syncs across your own devices. Tarkle is better if you send files to clients and want them on your brand, behind a password or a portal, with a record of when they were viewed and downloaded.
We make Tarkle, so read this as one vendor's view and check the sources. Filen facts come from Filen's own pages, read in 2026. Tarkle facts come from our live plans and product.
What Filen is
Filen is a cloud storage service from Filen Cloud Dienste UG in Recklinghausen, Germany. Its core design is client-side encryption, based on AES-256 (Filen about page). Filen states that its company and all its servers are in Germany.
Filen says that, as the provider, it has no access to the content of shared files (Filen post, November 2024). Filen's code is licensed under AGPL 3.0 (Filen roadmap). Its desktop app syncs your computer with the cloud, and Filen also offers a network drive (desktop apps).
What Filen offers
Filen's pricing page lists Pro I (200 GiB) to Pro X (10 TiB). Each one lists syncing, a network drive, file sharing and client-side encryption (Filen pricing). Check prices on each pricing page.
To share with someone outside Filen, you make a public link. You can set it to view only, give it an expiry and add a password (Filen sharing docs). In November 2024 Filen said the public link feature would be available exclusively for Pro users.
Filen's roadmap says free storage eligibility was updated for new accounts for security reasons.
What Tarkle does
Tarkle is a cloud storage and file-sharing platform for freelancers, agencies and client-facing businesses. You send files and folders with one link (share files by link). On a public link, the person downloading needs no account (Tarkle pricing).
Free includes a custom domain and custom branding (Tarkle pricing), and "Powered by Tarkle" stays on Free. On Pro you can turn that line off. On Agency you can replace it with your own name, once White label is switched on for an active Agency organization.
You decide who can open a transfer. You can require a password, an email address to download, an expiry date or a one-time link. On each transfer, Activity lists when it was created, when it was last viewed and when its files were last downloaded.
A file request collects files into the folder you choose, through one link you send.
On Pro and Agency, the client portal is a branded place where each client signs in with their email, sees only what you shared with them and sends files back. A client needs portal access first: in the contact's actions menu, turn Portal access on (client portal help).
On Pro and Agency, you can charge for access to a transfer through your own Stripe account. Connect Stripe in Settings > Integrations, then turn on paid transfers in Settings. Free also lets you import files from Dropbox or Google Drive (Tarkle pricing).
The Agency plan includes 20 workspaces for your clients. It has 6 TB of cloud storage shared across them. It also includes a client provisioning portal and a 100% white-label platform. Files are protected in transit and at rest.
Filen vs Tarkle
Tarkle | Filen | |
|---|---|---|
Built for | Sending and collecting files with clients | Private encrypted storage and sync |
Free plan | 5 GB, 1 GB per upload, 1 workspace | Not stated on the pages we read. Public links for Pro users, announced November 2024 |
Paid plans | Pro $29 a month ($19 a month yearly), 3 TB, 200 GB per upload. Agency $59 a month ($49 a month yearly), 6 TB | Pro I (200 GiB) to Pro X (10 TiB), on filen.io/pricing |
Encryption | Protected in transit and at rest | Client-side encryption, AES-256 |
Link protection | Password, email to download, expiry, one-time link | Password, expiry, view only |
Client portal | Pro and Agency | Not listed on the pages we read |
File requests | Yes, into a folder you choose | Not listed on the pages we read |
Opens and downloads | Last viewed and last downloaded shown per transfer | Not described on the pages we read |
Payments before download | Pro and Agency, through your own Stripe account | Not listed on the pages we read |
Sync and apps | Not described in Tarkle's product description | Desktop sync, network drive, apps |
Data location | Europe, US, Asia-Pacific or Oceania | Germany |
Filen prices and features are as published on filen.io in 2026. Tarkle prices are from the Tarkle pricing page.
To compare fairly, open both pricing pages and check the storage, the upload size and the sharing options you need.
Who should choose Filen
Choose Filen if encryption is your first priority. Filen describes client-side encryption as its design. Tarkle describes file protection as in transit and at rest. Choose Filen also if you want a synced folder on your laptop, a network drive or a phone app.
Filen suits one person or a small circle who store and share their own files. It is a fair pick for a lawyer or consultant who sends a few sensitive files now and then and wants encrypted storage above all. Filen's roadmap says "Dedicated Business and Family plans are expected to follow after the core platform foundation".
Who should choose Tarkle
Choose Tarkle if you want to send files to clients and collect files back. Each point below is a job, not a feature list.
Send files on your name. Free includes a custom domain and custom branding. Powered by Tarkle stays on Free. On Pro you can turn that line off, and on Agency you can replace it with your own name.
Give each client a place. The client portal is a branded place where each client signs in with their email and sees only what you shared with them. There is no password to set up.
Control who opens a link. Use a password, an email address to download, an expiry or a one-time link, depending on how sensitive the file is.
Know when it was opened. Activity on each transfer shows when it was last viewed.
Get files back. File requests collect uploads into the folder you choose.
Get paid first. On Pro and Agency, you can charge for access to a transfer through your own Stripe account.
Send big files. Free supports uploads and transfers up to 1 GB each. Pro and Agency support files up to 200 GB.
Tarkle covers the client side of the job: sending files, collecting files back and a client portal. If client-side encryption is the main need, Filen is the better fit. For an agency, the Agency plan adds 20 workspaces for your clients. A free workspace lets you send a real transfer and see what the recipient gets. Start for free.
Switching from Filen to Tarkle
Filen encrypts files on your device, so there is no direct import. You move files by downloading them from Filen and uploading them to Tarkle.
Download the files you want to share with clients from Filen to your computer.
Create a free workspace, then add your branding in its settings.
Upload the files into a folder, pick them, get one link and send it.
For repeat clients on Pro and Agency, open the contact's page and turn on Portal access in the contact's actions menu.
Tarkle vs Filen: questions people ask
Is Filen good for sending files to clients?
Filen can share a public link with a password and an expiry. The Filen pages we read list no branding, client portal or file requests, so it is a thin fit for sending work to clients.
Does Tarkle encrypt files like Filen?
Tarkle describes its protection as files protected in transit and at rest, with passwords and access controls on shares. If client-side encryption matters most, choose Filen.
Does Filen have a free plan?
Filen's roadmap says it updated free storage eligibility for new accounts for security reasons. Filen said in November 2024 that public links would be exclusively for Pro users. Tarkle Free gives 5 GB, 1 GB per upload and sharing with passwords.
Can Tarkle sync folders like Filen?
Tarkle's own description covers storing files securely, sharing them professionally, hosting audio and video, and managing client brand assets in one place. That description does not mention folder sync. Filen's desktop app syncs your computer with the cloud.
Where does Filen store files?
Filen states that its company and all its servers are in Germany. Tarkle lets a workspace use storage in Europe, the US, Asia-Pacific or Oceania.
Which is cheaper?
Compare current prices on Filen's pricing page and on Tarkle's pricing page. Tarkle's Pro costs $29 a month, or $19 a month billed yearly, and includes 3 TB, the fully branded client portal and uploads up to 200 GB.
Can clients upload files without an account?
A file request collects files into the folder you choose, through the link you send. Clients in the client portal sign in with their email once you turn on portal access for them.
Next step
Try one real delivery. Send a transfer from a free workspace and see what the recipient gets.
