Best cloud storage services with CLI for Ubuntu Budgie (previously budgie-remix): (Tutorial)

Introduction

Ubuntu Budgie, formerly known as Budgie-Remix, offers a sleek and responsive desktop environment tailored for Linux enthusiasts. When it comes to cloud storage, having a robust and well-supported Command Line Interface (CLI) can significantly streamline workflows, especially for power users who prefer terminal-based operations. This article explores the top cloud storage services that offer CLI tools compatible with Ubuntu Budgie, comparing features, performance, pricing, and ease of use. Detailed installation and usage examples are provided for each service, along with common troubleshooting tips.

Top Recommended Cloud Storage Solutions for Ubuntu Budgie

• pCloud – Excellent performance, FUSE-based mounting, lifetime plans.
• MEGA – Generous free tier, end-to-end encryption, active CLI development.
• Proton Drive – Privacy-first, zero-knowledge encryption, open-source CLI tools.
• Filen – European-based, GDPR-compliant, secure file sharing, CLI support.
• Tresorit – Enterprise-grade security, zero-knowledge encryption, official Linux CLI.
• Icedrive – Modern UI, Twofish encryption, CLI via Snap/AppImage.
• Dropbox – Mature CLI support, wide integration, reliable syncing.

Comparison Table

Which One to Choose?

• Privacy-focused: Proton Drive or Filen for strict zero-knowledge encryption and Swiss/EU jurisdiction.
• Generous free storage: MEGA (20 GB) and pCloud (10 GB).
• Enterprise-grade security: Tresorit with its business-oriented plans and audit compliance.
• Ease of integration: Dropbox and pCloud for mature, well-documented CLI tools.
• Modern interface performance: Icedrive for twofish encryption via a lightweight CLI Snap.

How to Use Each Service with CLI

1. pCloud

pCloud uses pcloudcc, a FUSE-based client that mounts your drive as a virtual filesystem.

1. Install the client:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install pcloudcc
  

2. Authenticate and mount:

pcloudcc -u your-email@example.com -p YourPassword -m ~/pcloud
  

3. Access files under ~/pcloud as if local. Unmount with:

fusermount -u ~/pcloud
  

Common issues: FUSE permissions (“fusermount: mountpoint is not empty”), resolved by ensuring the mount directory is empty or running as your user.

2. MEGA (MEGAcmd)

The MEGAcmd package provides a shell and filesystem interface.

1. Install MEGAcmd:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install megacmd
  

2. Log in and sync a folder:

mega-login your-email@example.com YourPassword
mega-sync /local/folder /Root/remoteFolder
  

3. List files:

mega-ls /Root
  

Common issues: “ERR: API EOVERQUOTA” indicates you’ve hit the free tier limit consider upgrading or cleaning up files.

3. Proton Drive

An open-source CLI wrapper enables file operations via Proton’s API.

1. Install via pip:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install python3-pip
pip3 install proton-drive-cli
  

2. Authenticate:

proton-drive login
  

3. Upload and list:

proton-drive upload file.txt /
proton-drive list /
  

Common issues: Two-factor authentication may require a browser-based OTP run proton-drive login --2fa.

4. Filen

filen-cli is a community tool for Filen’s API.

1. Install:

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

2. Initialize and authenticate:

filen-cli init
filen-cli login
  

3. Upload / download:

filen-cli upload myfile.pdf /Backup/
filen-cli download /Backup/myfile.pdf .
  

Common issues: API timeouts increase retries via filen-cli --retries 5.

5. Tresorit

tresorit-cli is the official command-line client.

1. Install the Snap:

sudo snap install tresorit --classic
  

2. Log in and mount:

tresorit login
tresorit mount MyTresor ~/Tresorit
  

3. Unmount:

tresorit unmount ~/Tresorit
  

Common issues: Snap confinement errors ensure you use the --classic flag and have FUSE enabled.

6. Icedrive

Icedrive offers a Snap package and AppImage for CLI.

1. Install via Snap:

sudo snap install icedrive
  

2. Authenticate and mount:

icedrive login
icedrive mount ~/Icedrive
  

3. Unmount:

fusermount -u ~/Icedrive
  

Common issues: “permission denied” when mounting adjust Snap permissions with sudo snap connect icedrive:fuse.

7. Dropbox

Dropbox provides a headless CLI to manage syncing.

1. Install the CLI daemon:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install dropbox
  

2. Start and link your account:

dropbox start -i
dropbox link
  

3. Control sync:

dropbox status
dropbox exclude add Documents
  

Common issues: “Dropbox server not responding” restart daemon with dropbox stop dropbox start.

Conclusion

Ubuntu Budgie users have a wealth of cloud storage options that integrate seamlessly via the command line. For general use and performance, pCloud and MEGA are standout choices. Privacy advocates will appreciate Proton Drive or Filen, while enterprises can rely on Tresorit. Lightweight enthusiasts may prefer Icedrive, and those seeking mature ecosystems can continue with Dropbox. Evaluate your priorities—storage capacity, encryption model, budget—and follow the CLI installation steps above to optimize your Ubuntu Budgie setup.