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Bucketeer

Comparison, November 2026

Bucketeer and ExpanDrive compared

ExpanDrive by Files.com mounts cloud storage and servers as drives on macOS, Windows and Linux, using Apple's File Provider on the Mac, and includes a file browser. Its official pages list S3, Backblaze B2, Wasabi and consumer clouds, but not Azure Blob Storage. Bucketeer is a Mac app for S3 and Azure Blob Storage with Finder drives, sync jobs and client-side encryption.

. Written by . Sources

The short answer

  • Choose ExpanDrive if you need cloud drives on Windows and Linux too, or for Google Drive, OneDrive, SharePoint, Dropbox and Box next to S3.
  • Choose Bucketeer if you work with S3 and Azure Blob Storage on a Mac and need sync jobs, watch folders and client-side encryption.
  • Both use Apple's File Provider for Finder drives and both create presigned S3 links.

Bucketeer and ExpanDrive side by side

As of November 2026. ExpanDrive from its vendor's official pages (see sources), Bucketeer from its documentation. Not documented means the vendor's pages do not say, not that the feature is missing.
BucketeerExpanDrive
Type of productNative Mac app for object storage: browser, transfers, Finder drives and sync in one appApp that mounts cloud storage and servers as drives, with a file browser
PlatformsMac only, macOS 14 or later (Mount as Drive needs macOS 14.1)macOS 11 or later, Windows and Linux
Where to get itMac App Store onlyDirect download; the Mac App Store is not mentioned
Pricing modelApp from the Mac App Store; Bucketeer Pro is a one-time in-app purchase, no subscriptionNo licence needed for personal use and for organisations with up to 10 users or devices; business plans are subscriptions
Amazon S3 and S3-compatible storageAmazon S3, presets for Cloudflare R2, Backblaze B2, Wasabi, DigitalOcean Spaces, Storj and Civo, plus any S3 endpoint such as MinIOAmazon S3 and S3-compatible services; own connectors for Backblaze B2, Wasabi, IDrive e2 and Google Cloud Storage
Azure Blob StorageYes, with its own Azure backendNot documented; not among the listed integrations
FTP, SFTP, WebDAV and other servicesNo, object storage onlyYes, among them Google Drive, OneDrive, SharePoint, Dropbox, Box, Nextcloud, SFTP, FTP and WebDAV
Storage in FinderYes, Mount as Drive through the File Provider extension (Bucketeer Pro); not for encrypted bucketsYes, through Apple's File Provider, without a kernel extension
SyncSync jobs that copy, move or mirror bucket to bucket across providers or folder to bucket; by hand, at launch, on a schedule or on folder change; watch folders (Bucketeer Pro)Files stream on demand; Offline Access uploads changes after reconnecting; folder sync is not documented
Editing in other appsOpen and Open With; every save is uploaded, a conflict copy is made if the server version changedFiles on the drive open in any app and save back directly
Client-side encryptionAES-256-GCM per bucket on the Mac, key in the macOS KeychainNo; the vendor's own comparison page names TLS in transit only
Share linksS3 presigned URLs and Azure SAS linksPre-signed URLs for S3 and provider share links
Object versionsList, restore and delete object versionsYes, restore previous S3 versions
Metadata and headersHTTP headers, user metadata and tags; storage class shown; auto-tagging rulesStorage class can be viewed; editing metadata is not documented
AutomationShortcuts and Siri actions, bucketeer:// deep links, Spotlight for object namesCommand-line tool exfs, documented for the Server Edition on Windows and Linux

Where ExpanDrive is ahead

  • Windows and Linux next to the Mac.
  • Consumer and business clouds: Google Drive, OneDrive, SharePoint, Dropbox and Box.
  • Read-only connections and a start folder per connection.
  • No licence needed for personal use and small organisations.

Where Bucketeer is ahead

  • Azure Blob Storage with its own backend.
  • Sync jobs and watch folders, also across providers.
  • Client-side encryption per bucket before data leaves the Mac.
  • Metadata and tags editing, auto-tagging rules and a bucket dashboard.
  • Mac App Store distribution with Family Sharing for Bucketeer Pro.
Settings, Encryption tab with keys registered for two buckets
Screenshots show demo data.

Frequently asked questions

Is Bucketeer an ExpanDrive alternative on the Mac?

For S3 and Azure Blob Storage, yes, with sync jobs and client-side encryption on top. ExpanDrive covers Windows, Linux and consumer clouds that Bucketeer does not.

Does ExpanDrive encrypt files on the client?

Not according to its vendor, whose comparison page names TLS in transit only. Bucketeer encrypts on the Mac with AES-256-GCM per bucket.

Does ExpanDrive support Azure Blob Storage?

Azure Blob Storage is not among the integrations ExpanDrive lists on its official pages. Bucketeer supports it.

Sources

Statements about ExpanDrive come from the vendor's own pages listed here, read in November 2026. Statements about Bucketeer come from the app's documentation.

  1. ExpanDrive, product page (expandrive.com)
  2. ExpanDrive for Mac
  3. ExpanDrive, download
  4. ExpanDrive, Amazon S3 integration
  5. ExpanDrive, comparison with CloudMounter (vendor page)
  6. ExpanDrive docs, system requirements
  7. ExpanDrive docs, how ExpanDrive works
  8. ExpanDrive docs, Amazon S3
  9. ExpanDrive docs, pricing and licences
  10. ExpanDrive docs, Server Edition command line
  11. Bucketeer features on this site

ExpanDrive is a trademark of its owner and is offered by Files.com. The name is used here only to identify the product. Bucketeer and DigitalFreedom Global LLC are not affiliated with Files.com, and Files.com has not reviewed or endorsed this page.

If a statement here is out of date, write to hello@digitalfreedom.co.za and we will check it and correct the page.