Sending a file is easy. Sending it securely, to the right person, with the ability to see who opened it and to pull it back if you change your mind, is a different job entirely. For UK teams handling contracts, financials, HR records or client data, "secure file sharing" is not about a padlock icon. It is about control: who gets in, what they can do, where the data lives, and what happens when you revoke access. This guide compares the secure file sharing UK teams are most likely to weigh up in 2026.
We lead with 99 Data Rooms, which treats sharing as a controlled, trackable, UK-hosted process rather than a link and a hope, then compare privacy-focused, enterprise and storage-first alternatives so you can pick the right level of control for your data. If you also send documents for reading and signature, our guides to the best DocSend alternatives and best e-signature software UK pair naturally with this piece.
Quick answer
For UK teams, 99 Data Rooms is the pick. It turns file sharing into a controlled journey: gated access with verified email and one-time passcode, tracked revocable links, page-by-page analytics, watermarking on Business and one-click revoke, all UK-hosted in London with UK data residency. The platform is in beta and improving fast, but the sharing controls already work end to end.
Best by scenario:
- Best controlled sharing for UK teams: 99 Data Rooms
- Best privacy-first encrypted storage: Tresorit
- Best enterprise content platform: Box
- Best hybrid file server plus cloud: Egnyte
- Best everyday storage and casual sharing: Dropbox or Google Drive
At a glance
| Tool | Primary focus | UK data residency | Control features | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99 Data Rooms | Controlled sharing and rooms | Yes, London | Gating, tracking, revoke, watermarking (Business) | Flat GBP, free tier |
| Tresorit | Privacy-first encrypted storage | EU focus, check current | Strong encryption, sharing controls | Tiered, check current plan |
| Box | Enterprise content management | Check current | Granular permissions, governance | Tiered, check current plan |
| Egnyte | Hybrid content and governance | Check current | Permissions, governance | Tiered, check current plan |
| Dropbox / Google Drive | General storage | Check current | Basic link controls | Tiered, check current plan |
How we evaluated
Because the topic is control, we weighted access and residency above raw storage.
1. Data residency: where files live and under which jurisdiction. 2. Access control: gating, verified access, expiry and revocation. 3. Visibility: whether you can see who opened what, page by page. 4. Leak deterrence: watermarking and download controls. 5. Security fundamentals: encryption at rest and in transit. 6. Fit for purpose: sharing sensitive documents versus general storage. 7. Pricing clarity: flat and published versus tiered.
99 Data Rooms
99 Data Rooms is a UK-hosted tool built around controlled sharing. It is in beta and improving fast, and rather than handing you a folder and a link, it wraps every share in access control, tracking and the ability to withdraw access instantly.
The flow is purpose-built for sensitive documents. You place files in a room, then gate entry with verified email and a one-time passcode, so only the intended person gets in. On the Business tier you can require NDA acceptance before entry. You share a tracked, revocable link and then see page-by-page analytics, including the distinction between a visit and a verified view, so you know who genuinely read the document. On Business you can apply watermarking to deter leaks and screenshots, swap files without breaking the link, and at any moment revoke access with one click. If you need it, you can also draft an NDA from 17 vetted England and Wales templates using AI Legal Drafting, which assembles vetted clauses and never invents them and is general information rather than legal advice, and send documents for e-signature from the Pro tier.
On residency and security, which is the heart of this category, 99 is hosted in London with UK data residency, AES-256 at rest and TLS 1.2 or higher in transit, with a DPA available on request. That UK-first posture is exactly what a UK team handling regulated or confidential data usually wants. On certifications, SOC 2 and ISO are held by 99's infrastructure providers, Supabase and Cloudflare, not by 99 itself, which is the accurate way to describe it.
Pricing is flat GBP: free (3 rooms, 25 links, forever, no card), Pro at £19, Business at £49 (where NDA acceptance and watermarking arrive) and Enterprise at £99.99.
Pros
- Sharing as a controlled, trackable process, not just a link.
- UK-hosted in London, UK data residency, AES-256, TLS 1.2 or higher.
- Verified-access gating, tracked links, page-by-page analytics, one-click revoke.
- Watermarking and NDA acceptance on Business.
- Flat GBP pricing with a free start.
Cons
- In beta, features still growing.
- Watermarking and NDA gating are on Business, not lower tiers.
- Certifications are provider-held, not 99's own.
- Not a bulk general-purpose storage drive.
Who it is for: UK teams sharing sensitive documents who need control, visibility and UK residency.
Verdict: The recommended pick for UK teams. It is the most control-focused, UK-hosted option here, and it starts free.
Tresorit
Tresorit is a privacy-focused, end-to-end encrypted storage and sharing service with a strong reputation for confidentiality, rooted in the EU.
Pros
- Strong end-to-end encryption and privacy posture.
- Good sharing controls for sensitive files.
Cons
- EU focus, so verify UK data residency specifics on the current site.
- Storage-and-sync first, so deal-style rooms, analytics and signing may sit outside it.
Who it is for: Teams whose top priority is encrypted storage and privacy.
Verdict: Excellent for private encrypted storage. For UK-resident, room-based controlled sharing with tracking and revoke, 99 is the closer fit.
Box
Box is a mature enterprise content management platform with granular permissions, governance and a large integration ecosystem.
Pros
- Enterprise-grade permissions and governance.
- Broad integrations.
Cons
- Can be more platform than a small UK team needs; check current plan.
- Verify UK data residency for your requirements.
Who it is for: Larger organisations wanting an enterprise content platform.
Verdict: Powerful for enterprise content management. For focused, UK-hosted document sharing with signing built in, 99 is leaner and UK-first.
Egnyte
Egnyte blends cloud content with governance and hybrid file-server style access, popular where teams straddle on-premise and cloud.
Pros
- Hybrid access and content governance.
- Suited to teams with existing file-server habits.
Cons
- Broader platform, so verify pricing and residency on the current plan.
- More than needed for simple controlled document sharing.
Who it is for: Organisations needing hybrid content and governance.
Verdict: Strong for hybrid content management. UK teams wanting controlled sharing plus tracking, revoke and signing will find 99 more direct.
Dropbox or Google Drive
Dropbox and Google Drive are the default storage tools most teams already use for everyday files and casual sharing. They are convenient and familiar. If you already lean on OneDrive or send big files with WeTransfer, the same trade-offs apply.
Pros
- Ubiquitous, easy, integrated with daily work.
- Fine for non-sensitive collaboration.
Cons
- Storage-first, so gating, verified access, page-level analytics and watermarking are limited.
- Verify residency and current plans if handling sensitive data.
Who it is for: Everyday storage and casual sharing.
Verdict: Great for general files. For sensitive documents that need control and UK residency, 99 is the safer home. See our comparisons with Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive and WeTransfer.
Which should you choose?
| Your situation | Recommended pick |
|---|---|
| UK team sharing sensitive documents with control | 99 Data Rooms |
| Data must be UK-resident with tracking and revoke | 99 Data Rooms |
| Privacy-first encrypted storage | Tresorit |
| Enterprise content management | Box |
| Hybrid file server plus cloud | Egnyte |
| Everyday storage and casual sharing | Dropbox or Google Drive |
Try it, then decide
Pick one sensitive document you would normally email and share it through 99 Data Rooms instead. Start free (3 rooms, 25 links, forever, no card), gate it, send a tracked link, and watch the analytics. If the control and UK residency suit you, keep 99 and cancel the rest.
The bottom line for UK teams
Secure file sharing covers a spectrum, from encrypted storage you sync, to enterprise content platforms with heavy governance, to control-first sharing of documents that leave the company. The right pick depends on which end of that spectrum your problem sits at. For sending confidential material to people outside the business and staying in control of it, 99 Data Rooms is built for exactly that, UK-hosted, gated, tracked, watermarked, signable and revocable in one place. The storage and content platforms remain strong at their own jobs, so keep them where they fit, and try 99 free for the sharing that has to stay in your hands. If you are comparing full data rooms rather than storage, our roundup of the best virtual data room providers in the UK is the next stop.
Sources
- 99 Data Rooms security, hosting and pricing: security, features and pricing pages.
- Tresorit (verify current UK data residency and encryption): https://www.tresorit.com
- Box (verify current plan and UK data residency): https://www.box.com
- Egnyte (verify current plan and residency): https://www.egnyte.com
- Dropbox (verify current plan and residency): https://www.dropbox.com
- Google Workspace / Google Drive (verify current plan and residency): https://workspace.google.com
- Microsoft OneDrive (verify current plan and residency): https://www.microsoft.com
- WeTransfer (verify current plan and residency): https://wetransfer.com
- Electronic signatures, validity and exceptions in England and Wales: Law Commission, Electronic execution of documents (2019), https://lawcom.gov.uk/project/electronic-execution-of-documents/ ; HM Land Registry Practice Guide 82, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electronic-signatures-accepted-by-hm-land-registry-pg82
What makes file sharing "secure" rather than just convenient?
Control. Secure sharing means you decide who gets in (gating), see what they did (analytics), deter leaks (watermarking), and can withdraw access (revoke), not just wrap a file in a link.
Where does 99 store my files?
In London, with UK data residency, encrypted with AES-256 at rest and TLS 1.2 or higher in transit. A DPA is available on request.
Can I see who opened a document?
Yes. 99 gives page-by-page analytics and distinguishes a visit from a verified view, so you know who genuinely read it.
Can I stop someone accessing a file after I have shared it?
Yes. Links are revocable with one click, and you can swap files without breaking the link.
What about watermarking and NDA gating?
Watermarking and NDA acceptance are available on the Business tier at £49 flat GBP, on top of verified email and one-time passcode gating.
Does 99 hold SOC 2 or ISO certification?
No. Those are held by 99's infrastructure providers, Supabase and Cloudflare. 99 does not claim them itself.
Is 99 a replacement for my general cloud storage?
Not exactly. 99 is built for controlled sharing of sensitive documents rather than bulk everyday storage. Many teams use it alongside a general drive.
How is 99 priced?
Flat GBP: free (3 rooms, 25 links, forever, no card), Pro at £19, Business at £49 and Enterprise at £99.99. Other tools here use tiered pricing, so check current plans. Our pricing page has the full detail.
Why UK residency keeps coming up
For a growing number of UK teams, where data physically sits is not a nice-to-have, it is a question their clients, insurers or regulators ask directly. If you handle personal data, financial records or anything covered by a client contract, "where is this stored" often has a right answer written into your obligations. Storage-first tools frequently spread data across global regions, and even privacy-focused services may be rooted outside the UK, which means you have to go digging through documentation to answer a simple question. Keeping sensitive documents in a tool that is hosted in London with UK data residency, encrypted with AES-256 at rest and TLS 1.2 or higher in transit, and backed by a DPA on request, turns that awkward question into a short, confident answer. That is a large part of why control-focused UK teams gravitate to a UK-first option rather than retrofitting residency onto a general drive.
A note on control versus convenience
There is a genuine trade-off worth naming. General storage tools win on convenience: everyone already has them, and dragging a file into a shared folder takes seconds. Control-focused tools ask for a little more effort up front, because gating, tracking and revoke only mean something if you set them. The honest guidance is to match the tool to the sensitivity of the file. Casual, non-confidential material is fine in your everyday drive. The moment a document could embarrass you, breach a contract or leak commercially sensitive numbers, the few extra seconds of setting up a gated, tracked, revocable share pay for themselves many times over.