Best cloud storage services with CLI for Trisquel GNU/Linux: (Tutorial)

Introduction

Trisquel GNU/Linux is a fully libre distribution endorsed by the Free Software Foundation. Without proprietary drivers or closed-source daemons, users on Trisquel often prefer command-line tools for cloud storage to maintain full control and automate workflows. This article reviews the best cloud storage services that offer a robust CLI on Linux, with a focus on compatibility with Trisquel.

Top Recommended Cloud Storage Services

• pCloud – Switzerland-based, client-side encryption, long-term pricing.
• MEGA – Generous 20 GB free, end-to-end encryption, CLI via megacmd.
• Proton Drive – Zero-knowledge, privacy-focused, upcoming official CLI and rclone backend.
• Filen – Decentralized IPFS backend, pay-as-you-go, encryption at rest.
• Tresorit – Enterprise-grade end-to-end encryption, official CLI.
• Icedrive – Modern UI, twofish encryption, official CLI binary.
• Dropbox – Ubiquitous, many third-party CLI wrappers best used via rclone.
• Google Drive – Massive ecosystem, accessible via rclone or gdrive script.
• rclone – Universal CLI for 40 backends (S3, OneDrive, Backblaze B2, etc.).

Comparison Table

Which One to Choose?

• Security-First: pCloud (with Crypto) or Tresorit for true zero-knowledge.
• Generous Free Space: MEGA (20 GB) or Icedrive (10 GB).
• Privacy-Focused: Proton Drive (FSF-approved clients in beta).
• Maximum Flexibility: rclone to plug into any S3, Backblaze B2, Dropbox, Google Drive, Filen, etc.
• Libre Philosophy: Favor services with open-source tooling be mindful of proprietary binaries on Trisquel.

CLI Usage and Examples

1. pCloud (pcloudcc)

Install the official pCloud CLI:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install pcloudcc
# Or download .deb from pcloud.com and install via dpkg

Login and mount:

pcloudcc --mount /mnt/pcloud
# or
pcloudcc --login your@email.com
pcloudcc --sync /local/folder /remote/folder

2. MEGA (megacmd)

Install MEGAcmd:

sudo apt-get install megacmd

Usage examples:

mega-login youremail password
mega-ls /
mega-put /home/user/file.txt /backup/
mega-get /backup/file.txt /home/user/
mega-sync /home/user/photos /Photos

3. Proton Drive (via rclone)

Use rclone’s Proton Drive backend (requires rclone ≥ 1.60):

sudo apt-get install rclone
rclone config
# Choose new remote, name it proton, select protondrive
# Follow interactive OAuth flow
rclone ls proton:
rclone mount proton: ~/ProtonDrive

4. Filen (via rclone)

Filen supports rclone out of the box:

rclone config
# New remote filen, backend filen
# Supply API credentials from your Filen dashboard
rclone copy ~/Documents filen:DocsBackup

5. Tresorit (tresorit-cli)

Install and authenticate Tresorit CLI:

# Download from https://tresorit.com/downloads
tar -xvf tresorit-cli-linux.tar.gz
cd tresorit-cli
sudo ./installer.sh
tresorit-cli login
# To sync a folder:
tresorit-cli sync --source ~/MyProject --target Tresorit/MyProject

6. Icedrive (icedrive CLI)

Download the official Icedrive binary:

wget https://icedrive.net/download/cli/linux/icedrive
chmod  x icedrive
# Authenticate
./icedrive login
# Mount or upload
./icedrive mount /mnt/ice
./icedrive upload ~/file.txt /MyDrive/

7. Dropbox Google Drive (via rclone)

General rclone setup for widely-used services:

rclone config
# For Dropbox: choose dropbox, follow OAuth.
# For Google Drive: choose drive, follow OAuth.
rclone ls dropbox:
rclone copy ~/Photos drive:Backup/Photos

Typical Problems Troubleshooting

• FUSE mount errors: install fuse and run as non-root or add user to fuse group.
• Authentication failures: ensure your system clock is correct, browser-based OAuth redirects may require xdg-open support.
• Rate-limit or 429 errors (rclone): add --tpslimit or --transfers 1 flags to slow down.
• Binary compatibility: proprietary CLIs may not be updated for older glibc consider AppImage or building from source if available.
• Firewall/Proxy: set HTTP_PROXY and HTTPS_PROXY environment variables if behind corporate proxy.

Conclusion

For Trisquel GNU/Linux, the ideal cloud-CLI solution balances free software principles, encryption, and usability. rclone stands out for its universality and libre nature, while dedicated clients like pCloud, megacmd and tresorit-cli deliver optimized experiences. Evaluate your priorities—privacy, free tier size, FSF compliance—and pick the service (or combination) that best fits your workflow.