Security and audits10 of 31
Apps and sync20 of 20
Recovery and sharing22 of 22
Price and plans17 of 27
cloud storage service · pCloud
pCloud
Cloud storage with a virtual drive, lifetime plans and a paid encryption add-on.
In short
- Premium gives 500 GB for €49.99 a year; Premium Plus gives 2 TB for €99.99 a year1.
- Lifetime plans are sold as a one-time payment, and the Family plan (up to 5 members) is available as lifetime only2,11.
- Zero-knowledge encryption is a paid add-on that protects a separate Crypto folder, not all files4.
- Paid plans keep deleted and earlier file versions for 30 days; the paid Extended File History add-on raises that to 365 days3.
- A 14-day money-back guarantee is in the terms11.
pCloud suits people who prefer to pay once for a lifetime plan or want a virtual drive that keeps files in the cloud2,9. Paid yearly plans start at €49.99 for 500 GB1. The catch: end-to-end encryption costs extra and covers only the Crypto folder, and researchers reported attacks on that encryption in 20244,13.
Best for: People who want a one-time lifetime plan or a virtual drive instead of a monthly subscription.
Where the points come from
Security and audits 10 of 31 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| End-to-end encryption | optionpCloud Encryption is a paid add-on that encrypts a Crypto folder on your device; other files are not covered4,5. | 5 / 10 |
| Independent security test since 2024 | Not publishedNot found on the vendor's pages5. | 0 / 6 |
| SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001 | YesThe security page lists ISO 27001:2013 ISMS and QMS under Certifications; it names no certification body or date5. | 5 / 5 |
| Open-source apps | Not publishedNot published on the vendor's GitHub page, which shows no licence for its client repositories12. | 0 / 3 |
| Security key for two-factor sign-in | Not publishedNot found on the vendor's pages5. | 0 / 4 |
| Public bug bounty | Not publishedNot found on the vendor's pages5. | 0 / 3 |
Apps and sync 20 of 20 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Apps | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, AndroidThe download page lists official apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android6. | 10 / 10 |
| Files on demand in Windows | YespCloud Drive creates a virtual drive; files stay in the cloud and are available on demand unless kept offline9. | 6 / 6 |
| Choose which folders sync | YesThe Sync feature creates a local copy of selected cloud folders on Windows10. | 4 / 4 |
Recovery and sharing 22 of 22 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| File version and deleted-file history | 365Paid plans keep trash and revisions 30 days; the Extended File History add-on, open to any plan, extends this to one year3. | 6 / 6 |
| Restore the whole account | YesRewind shows your account at a chosen date and time and restores entire folders or single files3. | 4 / 4 |
| Password-protected share links | YesPassword protection for share links is available to Premium users7. | 4 / 4 |
| Edit documents in the browser | YesThe web app has built-in document editing; the help article does not list file types8. | 4 / 4 |
| Plan for five or more people | YesThe Family plan covers up to 5 members, each with a private account, and is sold as lifetime only2. | 4 / 4 |
Price and plans 17 of 27 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan with 5 GB or more | YesThe free plan starts at 2 GB and reaches up to 10 GB after the beginner tutorial or inviting friends2. | 5 / 5 |
| Cheapest paid plan with 100 GB or more | $4.66/moPremium 500 GB at €49.99 a year, divided by 12; euro price only1. Converted at €1 = $1.118615. | 4 / 8 |
| Cheapest paid plan with 1 TB or more | $9.32/moPremium Plus 2 TB at €99.99 a year, divided by 12; euro price only. Lifetime plans are not counted1. Converted at €1 = $1.118615. | 2 / 8 |
| One-time lifetime plan | YesThe plans page has a Lifetime option; the help centre lists lifetime plans and the terms define them1,2,11. | 3 / 3 |
| Refund period of 14 days or more | YesThe terms give a 14 calendar day money-back guarantee on a written request; promotional purchases may be declined11. | 3 / 3 |
The rule behind each line: how we score cloud storage services.
Plans and prices
As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.
| Plan | Price as listed | Per month | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic (free)1 person | Free2 | $0 | 2 GB at sign-up, up to 10 GB after the beginner tutorial or inviting friends |
| Premium1 person | €49.99/year1 | – | 500 GB |
| Premium Plus1 person | €99.99/year1 | – | 2 TB |
| Ultra1 person | €299.99/year1 | – | 10 TB |
| FamilyUp to 5 members | €749 one-time (2 TB)2,14 | – | Lifetime only; 2 TB €749, 10 TB €1,849, each paid once [14] |
The plans page shows euro prices only. Each yearly card shows two figures, such as €59.88 and €49.99; we score the lower one1.
Strengths
- Lifetime plans are sold, and the Family plan covers up to 5 members, each with a private account2.
- pCloud Drive creates a virtual drive, and chosen cloud folders can be kept as a synced local copy9,10.
- Rewind restores whole folders or single files as they were at a chosen date and time3.
- Password-protected share links and built-in document editing are available7,8.
- A 14-day money-back guarantee is written into the terms11.
Limits
- End-to-end encryption is a paid add-on for a Crypto folder; other files are not covered4.
- Only euro prices are shown, and password-protected links are limited to Premium users1,7.
- Paid plans keep earlier versions for 30 days; 365 days needs the Extended File History add-on3.
- ETH Zurich researchers reported attacks on pCloud's encryption in 202413.
Concerns on record
- ETH Zurich researchers published six attacks on pCloud's encryption in 2024; their site says that, as of 10 October 2024, pCloud had not replied to contact attempts made from 23 April 202413.
Other cloud storage services
- 1
Proton DrivePeople who want every file encrypted by default and open-source apps73/100$3.99/mocheapest paid plan with 100 GB or more - 3
FilenPeople who want every file end-to-end encrypted, open-source apps and a low entry price59/100$1.12/mocheapest paid plan with 100 GB or more - 4
iCloud DrivePeople who mainly use iPhone and Mac and want a Windows PC to reach the same files59/100$2.99/mocheapest paid plan with 100 GB or more - 5
KoofrPeople who want a 10 GB free plan and small paid plans, and will use Vault for private files58/100$1.83/mocheapest paid plan with 100 GB or more
pCloud vs Proton Drive · pCloud vs Filen · All 10 cloud storage services
Sources
- pCloud plans and pricing, pCloud. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Plan Details, pCloud Help Center. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- File Recovery and History: Trash, Revisions, Rewind, Extended File History, pCloud Help Center. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- pCloud Encryption, pCloud. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- pCloud security, pCloud. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Download pCloud apps, pCloud. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Shared Links, pCloud Help Center. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- File Editing, pCloud Help Center. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- pCloud Drive vs (pCloud) Sync, pCloud Help Center. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Offline Access, pCloud Help Center. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- pCloud terms and conditions, pCloud. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- pcloudcom, GitHub. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Research findings on end-to-end encrypted cloud storage, ETH Zurich researchers. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- pCloud Family Plan, pCloud. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Euro foreign exchange reference rates: US dollar, European Central Bank. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Website: www.pcloud.com · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with pCloud.