FileCloud vs Egnyte
When it comes to Enterprise File Sharing & Sync (EFSS) solutions, we think FileCloud is the superior solution, offering hyper-security, compliance options, and collaboration tools within easy to understand pricing structures. We’ve written several competitor blogs (read our comparisons here for Open Text and Nextcloud). In this blog post, we're focusing on Egnyte.
FileCloud vs Egnyte Deployment & Infrastructure Integration
Egnyte focuses on cloud solutions, which is a great option for many companies. Unlike other cloud service providers, it does have a hybrid solution, with features similar to FileCloud’s ServerSync and ServerLink for file synchronization with Windows servers and site replication.
However, Egnyte doesn’t offer an on-premises solution. Want to use Egnyte but also want to keep your data behind your own firewalls? There is no option currently available beyond Egnyte's cloud file server. For organizations looking to maximize control over data, especially for those in highly regulated industries or operating in countries with strict data residency requirements, the option to self-host data on internal infrastructure is vital.
FileCloud Online vs Egnyte
Enterprises can leverage FileCloud as a cloud-hosted solution, deployed to meet data residency requirements, with robust security and compliance features available at the Essentials tier. Deployed as a cloud file server, FileCloud Online can be deployed within a preferred region, with a simple pricing structure that makes scaling and mass deployment easy. This is especially true when compared with Egnyte's granular pricing tiers, which can make scaling and upgrading a more difficult business decision to consider and execute.
FileCloud Server vs Egnyte
Enterprises looking to move to the cloud and evaluating solutions like Egnyte may realize that a cloud-only or hybrid environment won't be enough to secure sensitive data within certain regulatory or business use requirements. FileCloud's ability to offer cloud-hosted, hybrid, or self-hosted solutions makes it easy for enterprises to achieve cloud-like IT infrastructure without compromising on network security.
Admin Controls
FileCloud provides comprehensive administrative controls at the Essentials tier that many competitors reserve for premium plans. The Essentials tier with FileCloud has a full-featured admin dashboard, with options to configure Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), group and user policy management, and account transfer capabilities. This ensures administrators can fine-tune users, groups, accounts, and data across the environment.
Compared to Egnyte, FileCloud offers full-scale audit trail and reporting capabilities at the Essentials tier. Admins can track user and file activity and export logs to comply with regulations, strengthen security, and gain business insights. Admins can also create policies to safeguard user access and authentication, extending across AD/LDAP integration, Single-Sign On (SSO), and Two-factor Authentication (2FA) for primary licenses and external accounts.
Authentication Integrations (SSO/SAML, 2FA)
With how many passwords and logins that employees now have, it can be a huge time-saver to have SSO. This tool streamlines multiple user credentials into one and enables easier access across systems. 2FA for full user and external accounts within policy settings, along with Single Sign-On and SAML support are available in FileCloud's Advanced tier; Egnyte requires an additional add-on purchase, driving up costs considerably.
Multi-layered EFSS Security
FileCloud's security model is built around content and metadata. Built-in, enterprise-grade encryption secures data at rest and in transit, with additional layers of protection including ransomware protection and anti-virus/malware scanning. The heuristic file content scanning blocks ransomware to prevent data loss and protect business operations, and automated backups ensure that data can be recovered. (Ransomware, antivirus, and endpoint backup are available as add-ons with Egnyte or with higher enterprise tiers.)
For organizations with stringent data protection requirements, FileCloud's metadata management can be configured to create tags for custom business use cases and information, such as Personal Identifiable Information (PII), Protected Health Information (PHI), Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and other sensitive data types. With specific metadata, admins can create a robust system to identify and secure sensitive data across all files and folders, enabling better data governance.
Compliance & Governance
FileCloud provides integrated compliance dashboards for ITAR, HIPAA, GDPR, NIST, and other regulatory frameworks. This centralized dashboard that connect security, admin, and content governance tools with regulatory requirements. FileCloud can also be configured for additional regulations, such as CMMC, NIST 800-53, FINRA, CJIS, and GxP+, with specific compliance checklists and white papers.
As part of FileCloud Advanced, admins can leverage Data Loss Prevention (DLP) for rule-based management of users, IP addresses, metadata, sharing, and file information, with alert and security incident reporting that provides advance warning of unauthorized access or activity. Smart classification works in conjunction with DLP to streamline, automate, and classify uploaded content with metadata tags to strengthen data security.
To gain similar features in Egnyte, enterprises would need to select the highest pricing tier, Egnyte Ultimate (several upgrades from the Essentials-equivalent Business tier).
FIPS 140-2 Compliance
If you’re interested in working with government agencies or government contractors, any system you use will need an additional layer of compliance called FIPS 140-2. FIPS 140-2 is supported by the CMVP (or Cryptography Module Validation Program), a collaboration between the Canadian and US governments (specifically the National Institute of Standards and Technology or NIST). CMVP establishes a standard for cryptographic modules, validation, and compliance.
Many EFSS solutions, including Egnyte, don’t have the option of FIPS 140-2 mode like FileCloud; it’s an intensive process to attain FIPS validation. FileCloud was granted FIPS 140-2 certification in early 2019. This rigorous process ensures that systems with FIPS 140-2 validation can protect highly sensitive and confidential government data from misuse or abuse as well as mitigate the risk of cyberattacks.
Content Management
FileCloud excels in content management, with unlimited file versioning that protects files against data loss (without using up storage space) and full-text content search capabilities. Upgrading to the Advanced tier of FileCloud unlocks OCR support for searching text in images and PDF files, plus Smart Content Classification that automates the tagging of uploaded content with metadata.
Retention policies can be set to automatically retain or archive files once certain criteria are met, easing the burden of content management. These policies can be set at different levels to modulate how files are retained, for how long, and what kinds of changes may be permitted (Admin, Legal Hold, Retention, Trash, and Archival).
Unlike Egnyte, which limits file versioning at the Business tier and restricts retention, classification, and DLP features to the Ultimate tier, FileCloud provides unlimited file versioning and manual versions of governance tools at the Essentials tier, with automated versions available within the Advanced tier, only one upgrade level up. This ensures that enterprise organizations have robust content management from day one.
Collaboration & Sharing
FileCloud and Egnyte both offer file sharing with granular controls, including view-only restrictions, upload/download limits, sharing permissions, and deletion management. Users can create public, private, and time-limited shares with password protection and expiration dates for enhanced security.
However, there are a few features available in FileCloud that aren't built into the Egnyte platform. For example, FileCloud users can share files via Zero Trust File Sharing®; they can also create QR codes to share files and folders, for mobile access and one-click PDF downloads for Office files.
Other key advantages over Egnyte include FileCloud's unlimited file size uploads (vs. Egnyte's 100 GB limit) and resumable uploads (which Egnyte doesn't offer at all).
Remote/Mobile Access
Enterprises need to be able to control who is accessing and working within the system—regardless of the device or point of access. Admins using FileCloud Essentials have access to the device management dashboard, which includes a connected device inventory. From this dashboard, admins can remotely wipe data or block users in case of suspicious activity or device loss.
Egnyte technically has this feature, but it requires upgrading to the next pricing tier.
FileCloud supports access from web browsers and mobile devices (iOS, Android), desktop sync across Windows, Mac, and Linux (Egnyte only supports Windows and Mac), and virtual drive mapping for remote file access without local storage consumption. The platform includes selective folder sync capabilities and comprehensive share analytics to optimize performance and provide visibility into usage patterns.
Egnyte vs FileCloud: Conclusion
FileCloud provides enterprise-grade functionality at the Essentials tier, while Egnyte often requires premium tiers or costly add-ons to access similar capabilities. FileCloud's approach ensures organizations can start with a robust foundation and scale without encountering feature walls or unexpected costs. We're not the only ones who think so either!
Of course, this blog just shows one of many CCPs out there. Wouldn’t it be great if there was one place where you could compare and contrast the major solutions?
Good news! FileCloud’s Competitive Matrix provides an in-depth resource to evaluate FileCloud alongside other EFSS products, based on the features you need. We think FileCloud stacks up against even the biggest competitors.
Want to learn more about how FileCloud’s hyper-secure system makes work easier? Chat with one of our solution architects or check out our on-demand demo.
Jr. Content Marketing Strategist