Best cloud storage services with CLI for Linux Lite: (Tutorial)

Introduction

Linux Lite users often seek reliable, secure and easy-to-manage cloud storage solutions with command-line interfaces (CLI). Whether you need end-to-end encryption, large free quotas or seamless integration, this guide covers the top services—pCloud, MEGA, Proton Drive, Filen, Tresorit, Icedrive—and adds Dropbox, Nextcloud and Backblaze B2. We compare them, explain how to install and use each CLI client, highlight common pitfalls and suggest which one fits your workflow on Linux Lite.

Comparison Table

Service	Free Storage	Paid Plans	CLI Tool	Encryption	Link
pCloud	10 GB ( up to 20 GB bonus)	Premium 500 GB, Premium Plus 2 TB	pcloudcc	Server-side (optional client-side with Crypto)	pcloud.com
MEGA	20 GB	Pro Lite 400 GB, Pro I 2 TB	mega-cmd	Client-side end-to-end	mega.io
Proton Drive	1 GB	Plus 200 GB, Unlimited	rclone (protondrive)	Client-side end-to-end	proton.me/drive
Filen	10 GB	Up to 2 TB	rclone (filen)	Client-side end-to-end	filen.io
Tresorit	3 GB	Solo 500 GB, Teams	rclone (tresorit)	Client-side end-to-end	tresorit.com
Icedrive	10 GB	Pro 150 GB, Pro 1 TB	icedrive-linux	Client-side end-to-end	icedrive.net
Dropbox	2 GB	Plus 2 TB, Family	dropbox-cli / rclone	Server-side	dropbox.com
Nextcloud	Self-hosted	Self-hosted	rclone / webdav	Your choice	nextcloud.com
Backblaze B2	None (pay as you go)	Pay per GB	b2 CLI / rclone	Server-side	backblaze.com/b2

Service Details and CLI Usage

pCloud

pCloud offers generous free storage and a native Linux CLI client pcloudcc. Encryption is server-side by default for zero-knowledge you can add pCloud Crypto (paid).

Installation

sudo apt update
sudo apt install pcloudcc

Configuration

pcloudcc -u your-email@example.com -p YourPassword --daemon

Common Commands

# Mount cloud drive
pcloudcc --mountpoint ~/pcloud

# Upload a file
pcloudcc --upload /path/to/localfile /remote/path

# Download a file
pcloudcc --download /remote/path/file /local/path

Typical Problems

• Daemon won’t start—check ~/.config/pcloudcc/log reinstall if corrupted.
• Mount stale—unmount with fusermount -u ~/pcloud then remount.

MEGA

MEGA provides end-to-end encrypted storage with mega-cmd, a powerful CLI shell.

Installation

sudo apt update
sudo apt install snapd
sudo snap install mega-cc

Basic Usage

# Open MEGA shell
mega

# Login
login your-email@example.com YourPassword

# Upload
put /local/file /Root/remote-folder/

# Download
get /Root/remote-folder/file /local/dest/

Common Issues

• “API error: EARGS” – wrong path syntax.
• Sync stuck – restart mega-sync service.

Proton Drive

Proton Drive is privacy-focused with client-side encryption. Official CLI is not yet released, but you can use rclone (protondrive backend).

Installation

sudo apt update
sudo apt install rclone

Configuration

rclone config
# Choose n for new remote
# Type protondrive, follow OAuth flow

Usage

# List files
rclone ls protondrive:

# Copy local to remote
rclone copy /local/path protondrive:/Backup

# Mount as FUSE
rclone mount protondrive: ~/ProtonDrive --daemon

Common Issues

• Authentication loop—ensure default browser can open OAuth URL.

Filen

Filen offers a privacy-focused service with end-to-end encryption. Access via rclone (filen backend).

Installation Configuration

sudo apt update
sudo apt install rclone
rclone config
# Create new remote, choose filen
# Enter API Key from your Filen dashboard

Usage

rclone sync ~/Documents filen:DocumentsBackup

Common Issues

• API key invalid—regenerate in Filen web portal.

Tresorit

Tresorit is enterprise-grade with zero-knowledge encryption. Use via rclone (tresorit backend).

Installation Configuration

sudo apt update
sudo apt install rclone
rclone config
# Choose tresorit
# Follow prompts to retrieve security token

Usage

# Sync folder
rclone sync ~/Media tresorit:MediaArchive

Common Issues

• Token expiry—reauthorize every 6 months.

Icedrive

Icedrive offers a user-friendly interface with encrypted storage. Official CLI icedrive-linux mounts via FUSE.

Installation

wget https://download.icedrive.net/icedrive-linux.sh
bash icedrive-linux.sh

Usage

# Authenticate
icedrive-linux login your-email@example.com

# Mount at ~/Icedrive
icedrive-linux mount ~/Icedrive

# Upload
cp file ~/Icedrive/

Common Issues

• Mount fails—install FUSE: sudo apt install fuse.

Dropbox

Dropbox CLI tools include the official Python script (dropbox) or rclone.

Installation

sudo apt update
sudo apt install python3-pip
pip3 install dropbox-cli

Usage

dropbox start -i
dropbox status
dropbox upload local.txt /remote/

Common Issues

• “Not a Dropbox folder”—ensure you ran dropbox start -i.

Nextcloud (Self-hosted)

Nextcloud gives full control. Access via WebDAV or rclone.

Installation Configuration

sudo apt install rclone
rclone config
# Choose webdav
# URL: https://your.nextcloud.server/remote.php/webdav
# User/pass as set up

Usage

rclone sync ~/Photos webdav:PhotosBackup

Common Issues

• SSL errors—install CA certs: sudo apt install ca-certificates.

Backblaze B2

Backblaze B2 is cost-effective pay-as-you-go. Use official b2 CLI or rclone.

Installation

wget -O b2 https://s3.us-west-001.backblazeb2.com/b2-tools/b2-linux-amd64
chmod  x b2
sudo mv b2 /usr/local/bin/

Configuration

b2 authorize-account YOUR_ACCOUNT_ID YOUR_APP_KEY

Usage

# Create bucket
b2 create-bucket mybucket allPublic

# Upload file
b2 upload-file mybucket local.txt remote.txt

Common Issues

• Network timeouts—use --maxUploadStreams=4 to throttle.

Which One to Choose?

• If you want maximum free storage and an official client: choose MEGA or pCloud.
• If privacy is paramount: Proton Drive, Filen or Tresorit with client-side encryption.
• If you host your own server: Nextcloud gives full control and unlimited storage (depending on your hardware).
• For low-cost, pay-as-you-go archive: Backblaze B2.
• If you need simple consumer sync: Dropbox or Icedrive.

Conclusion

Linux Lite users have a rich ecosystem of CLI-driven cloud storage services. Evaluate your budget, storage needs and security requirements. Follow the installation and troubleshooting steps above to integrate your chosen service seamlessly into your workflow. Happy syncing!