NordLocker
Private storage and backup
A good fit when the main job is encrypting, backing up, sharing, and accessing files you already control.
A private cloud drive, divided by design.
Store and sync your complete file collection without putting it all behind one privacy boundary. Photon Vault lets you create independent client-side encrypted Vaults for personal files, clients, projects, teams, and family data then map each one to its own local folder or data set with Vault Sync.
PhotonFile
Private cloud drive with isolated Vaults
Keep everything in one private cloud drive while each Vault remains an independent privacy boundary for the files you choose to isolate.
Secure client upload
Outsiders stay outside
Vault Intake gives clients an upload surface, not a locker key or workspace view.
Bi-directional workflow
Your cloud drive should not be one giant privacy boundary.
Photon Vault is built for the files you use every day, not just a few documents you set aside. Photon Transfer moves files. Photon Vault keeps them. Vault Intake can collect files into the right Vault without giving clients, vendors, or partners a workspace view.
Intake without exposure
Vault Intake is not a shared-folder workaround.
Vault Intake gives clients, vendors, partners, and contractors a focused upload page. They can submit files and notes into the right Vault workflow without browsing Vault contents, seeing unrelated projects, managing workspace settings, or turning an upload link into team access.
From locker to operations platform
Give clients an upload surface, not a locker key.
NordLocker-style legacy storage
- Legacy private cloud storage.
- Local encryption before legacy cloud sync.
- Backup and access across devices.
- Secure sharing positioned around stored files.
PhotonFile
- Vault Intake for inbound files.
- Relay for live outbound handoff.
- Private cloud drive for the complete file collection.
- Independent Vault privacy boundaries and per-Vault sync.
- Completion-gated File Passes.
- Owner-powered team collaboration.
Compare by operational pain
| Operational pain | NordLocker-style legacy encrypted storage | PhotonFile |
|---|---|---|
| Protect files you already have | Core strength. | Store the complete collection across independent Vaults. |
| Send a huge file once | Storage and share workflow. | Relay or File Pass. |
| Receive confidential files from clients | Depends on current sharing and intake capabilities. | Vault Intake ingress. |
| Keep senders outside workspace | Not the primary product story. | Sender gets upload page, not Vault view. |
| Team collaboration | Plan details vary. | Eligible teams run under owner plan. |
| Sync boundaries | Legacy cloud storage and sync model. | Vault Sync maps each Vault's files to its own local folder or data set. |
Where PhotonFile wins
- Vault Intake: dedicated ingress for secure client upload without workspace exposure.
- Relay: live secure file transfer when both sides are ready now.
- Photon Vault: a private cloud drive for your complete collection, divided into independent client-side encrypted Vaults.
- No per-seat team tax: eligible team workspaces run under the owner plan.
- File Passes: completion-gated large file transfer for occasional oversized sends.
When NordLocker may still fit better
NordLocker is a good fit when the main job is encrypting, backing up, and accessing files you already control.
PhotonFile is the better fit when you want a private cloud drive with isolated Vaults, plus secure intake, live transfer, and deliberate team sharing.
Choose the PhotonFile workflow
Need a cloud drive with isolated Vaults and real intake?
Photon Transfer moves files. Photon Vault keeps them separately, wherever you choose the privacy boundary.