Best cloud storage services with CLI for Recalbox: (Guide)

Introduction

Recalbox is a popular Linux-based distribution that transforms your single-board computer or PC into a vintage game console. To safeguard ROMs, saves and configuration files, integrating cloud storage with a command-line interface (CLI) can streamline backups and synchronization. This article explores the best cloud storage providers offering Linux CLI tools compatible with Recalbox, compares their features, and provides step-by-step usage examples and troubleshooting tips.

Top Recommendations for Recalbox

pCloud – reliable, zero-knowledge encryption option
MEGA – generous free tier and official CLI (mega-cmd)
Proton Drive – privacy-focused, end-to-end encryption
Filen – community-driven, Swiss-hosted with CLI
Tresorit – enterprise-grade security
Icedrive – modern UI with CLI support
Dropbox – mature ecosystem, official CLI
Rclone – universal CLI tool for dozens of backends

Comparison Table

Service	Link	Free Tier	Storage	CLI Tool	Encryption	Official CLI
pCloud	pcloud.com	10 GB	Up to 2 TB paid	pcloudcc	At-rest optional zero-knowledge	Yes
MEGA	mega.nz/cmd	20 GB	Up to 16 TB paid	mega-cmd	End-to-end	Yes
Proton Drive	proton.me/drive	1 GB	Up to 500 GB paid	protondrive-cli	End-to-end	No (community)
Filen	filen.io	10 GB	Up to 5 TB paid	filen-cli	End-to-end	Yes
Tresorit	tresorit.com	3 GB	Up to 2 TB paid	tresorit-cli	End-to-end	Yes
Icedrive	icedrive.net	10 GB	Up to 5 TB paid	icedrive-cli	End-to-end	Yes
Dropbox	dropbox.com	2 GB	Up to 3 TB paid	dropbox-cli	In-transit at-rest	Yes
Rclone	rclone.org	Varies by backend	Varies	rclone	Optional client-side	Yes

How to Use Each CLI on Recalbox

pCloud

pCloud offers pcloudcc, a daemon that mounts your pCloud space as a virtual drive.

Installation Login

# Download pCloud CLI
wget https://download.pcloud.com/pcloudcc/pcloudcc.zip
unzip pcloudcc.zip  sudo mv pcloudcc /usr/local/bin/
# Authenticate
pcloudcc -u your-email@example.com -p YourPassword

Mount Sync

# Mount at /mnt/pcloud
mkdir -p /mnt/pcloud
pcloudcc -m /mnt/pcloud
# Rsync your Recalbox folder
rsync -avh /recalbox/share/roms/ /mnt/pcloud/roms_backup/

Typical Problems:

“FUSE not found”: install fuse and libfuse2.
Mount fails on reboot: add pcloudcc -m /mnt/pcloud to /etc/rc.local.

MEGA (mega-cmd)

MEGA’s official CLI mega-cmd supports chat, sync and streaming.

Install Login

# Debian/Ubuntu-based
sudo apt install mega-cmd
# Start the daemon
mega-cmd 
# Login
mega-login your-email@example.com YourPassword

Sync Example

# Sync local to remote
mega-sync /recalbox/share/roms/ /Backups/RecalboxROMs

Common Issues:

“SSL errors”: ensure system date/time are correct.
Stuck sync: run mega-sync --remove then re-add.

Proton Drive (community CLI)

Proton Drive CLI is an unofficial tool maintained in open source. Use with caution.

Install Configure

# Clone repository
git clone https://github.com/proton-labs/protondrive-cli.git
cd protondrive-cli
pip3 install --user .
# Login
protondrive login

Upload Download

protondrive upload /recalbox/share/roms game-backup/
protondrive download game-backup/ /mnt/localbackup/

Watch Out For:

API rate limits: pace bulk transfers.
Incomplete feature set: encryption management on client.

Filen

Filen offers filen-cli with end-to-end encryption.

Setup Sync

# Install via AUR or manual .deb
sudo apt install filen-cli
# Login
filen-cli login
# Sync a folder
filen-cli sync --src /recalbox/share/roms --dest Filen/RecalboxROMs

Tips:

Keychain prompts missing? Export FILEN_CLI_NO_AUTOPROMPT=1.

Tresorit

Tresorit’s CLI tresorit-cli requires a business or enterprise plan.

Authentication Backup

# Download installer script
curl -O https://download.tresorit.com/linux/tresorit-cli.sh
bash tresorit-cli.sh install
# Login
tresorit-cli login
# Create a tresor
tresorit-cli create --name Recalbox
# Upload
tresorit-cli upload Recalbox /recalbox/share/roms

Notes:

Ensure your user in group tresorit.

Icedrive

Icedrive provides icedrive-cli for Linux.

Installation Sync

# Download binary
wget https://github.com/Icedrive/icedrive-cli/releases/download/v1.2.0/icedrive-linux
chmod  x icedrive-linux
sudo mv icedrive-linux /usr/local/bin/icedrive
# Login
icedrive login
# Sync
icedrive sync /recalbox/share/roms :/RecalboxROMs

Dropbox

Dropbox CLI integrates with system tray but also supports headless mode.

Install Link

# Install
sudo apt install python3-gpg dropbox
# Start daemon
dropbox start -i
# Link account via generated URL
dropbox link
# Sync target folder
rsync -avh /recalbox/share/roms/ ~/Dropbox/RecalboxROMs/

Rclone

Rclone is a multi-cloud sync tool that supports all major providers via a unified CLI.

Configuration Usage

# Install
curl https://rclone.org/install.sh  sudo bash
# Configure new remote
rclone config
# Example: sync to Google Drive remote named gd
rclone sync /recalbox/share/roms/ gd:RecalboxROMs -P

Advantages:

Single tool for all clouds
Client-side encryption via rclone crypt

Which One to Choose?

For most Recalbox users seeking a balance of free storage and ease of use, MEGA stands out with 20 GB and an official CLI. If privacy is paramount, pCloud (with optional zero-knowledge) or Proton Drive are ideal. Enterprises or pros with high security needs may lean toward Tresorit. For a multi-service setup or if you already use Google Drive, Rclone offers unmatched flexibility.

Conclusion

Integrating cloud storage into Recalbox via CLI ensures your game libraries and saves are safe, versioned, and accessible from anywhere. Evaluate your priorities—storage capacity, security, cost—and choose the provider whose CLI features best fit your workflow. With the step-by-step examples above, getting started on Recalbox is straightforward. Happy gaming and safe backing up!