Icedrive vs Jottacloud (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 12, 2026, Icedrive and Jottacloud share a 2.4 GPA, both have a free plan and their prices can't be set side by side, so the choice depends on which platforms you need.
Checked Nov 9, 2026 and Nov 12, 2026 · graded Nov 9, 2026 and Nov 12, 2026 by ToolGPA
They get the same grade on all five counts.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
Icedrive
Cloud storage with a mountable drive and client-side encryption
Jottacloud
Norwegian cloud storage and backup for all your devices
Which one is for you
Pick Icedrive if
- Fits if you want cloud files to show up as a drive, not get copied onto your disk
- Works for people who'd rather pay once, with lifetime plans of 500 GB or 2 TB
Look elsewhere if
- Tight if you're staying free: no desktop sync, file versions or encryption, and idle accounts may be removed after 12 months
- Skip it if you need to share encrypted files, as anything in the encrypted area can't be shared
- Not for you if you want to pay monthly for a small plan, as the 100 GB Starter is yearly only, with 2 sync devices and 14 days of versions
- Watch out: the 30% off the first year or 80% off the first month only covers new customers' first bill, and lifetime plans start at $229
- Not for you if you rely on WebDAV or an API: WebDAV is off for new users and no API is listed
Pick Jottacloud if
- Fits if you want one plan to back up a family of 5
- Works for people who prefer a Norwegian provider
Look elsewhere if
- Tight if you're staying free: 5 GB doesn't go far
- Skip it if you run Linux, as the download page lists no Linux app
- Watch out: prices show in Norwegian kroner, with USD 11.99 for Unlimited given in the description
- Watch out: unlimited upload speed is gradually reduced after 5 TB, and Business prices exclude VAT
How we grade them
| 2.4GPAIcedriveFair | 2.4GPAJottacloudFair | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | CStarter is $2.99 a month for 100 GB, but only billed yearly at $35.88. That's between this category's cheaper quarter at $1.99 and its middle at $4.75. Pro is $8.99 a month yearly for 2 TB, or $10.99 monthly. The lifetime route costs more up front: $229 once for 500 GB. | CHome 1 TB is NOK 79 a month, which the page's own description gives as USD 6.99 for 5 users, right at the category's $6.95 middle. |
| Free plan and trial | C10 GB free with the virtual drive, the web and phone apps and public links, but the walls come fast: no desktop sync, no file versions, no client-side encryption and no password on a link. Leave the account idle a year and it may be removed. | C5 GB free for 1 user with device backup, and you'll pass that soon. |
| Features | CThe storage basics plus the mounted drive, with Twofish encryption, sync and 14 to 90 days of versions on paid plans. The listing's own gaps keep it here: files in the encrypted area can't be shared at all, and WebDAV was switched off for new users and is being phased out. | CSync and backup with plans up to unlimited, but the download page lists no Linux app and unlimited upload slows after 5 TB. |
| Ease of use | BNo store rating on record, but nothing to set up either: install the desktop app and your storage turns up as a drive in Explorer or Finder, where files open in your usual apps without syncing first. | BNo store rating on record, but you install it and it starts backing up. |
| Platforms and integrations | BEvery device is covered, web, Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone and Android, with an AppImage and a command-line client for Linux. What's missing is everything else: no integrations, no API, and WebDAV on the way out. | BWeb, Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android apps, but no integrations are listed. |
| Best for | cloud storage that shows up as an extra drive | Norwegian-hosted cloud backup for the family |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: Icedrive and Jottacloud. How we grade
Where they differ
- Icedrive is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Icedrive can be bought with a one-time purchase.
At a glance
| Icedrive | Jottacloud | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan | Free plan |
| Starts at | $2.99 per month, billed yearly at $35.88, for Starter | NOK 79 per month for Home 1 TB (NOK 790 billed yearly) |
| Free plan | 10 GB of storage with the virtual drive, web and mobile apps and public links. No desktop sync, file versioning or client-side encryption. | 5 GB of storage for 1 user, with device backup and email and chat support. |
| Free trial | None listed | None listed |
| Web | ||
| macOS | ||
| Windows | ||
| Linux | ||
| iOS | ||
| Android | ||
| Made by | Ice Privacy LTD | Jotta Group AS |
| Price read from | icedrive.net | jottacloud.com |
| Checked | Nov 9, 2026 | Nov 12, 2026 |
Worth knowing
Icedrive
- Client-side, zero-knowledge encryption is limited to paid plans, and files stored in the encrypted area cannot be shared.
- The Free plan has 10 GB and no desktop sync, file versions, link passwords or user-to-user sharing. Free accounts inactive for 12 months may be removed.
- WebDAV was disabled for new users on 15 April 2026 and is being phased out for existing users.
- Starter, the 100 GB plan, is sold on yearly billing only, with 2 sync devices and 14 days of file versions.
Jottacloud
- Prices are displayed in Norwegian kroner; the page's own description gives USD 11.99 per month for Unlimited and USD 6.99 for Home 1 TB.
- Unlimited upload speed is gradually reduced after 5 TB; Pro plans are the ones with maximum speed.
- Business prices are shown excluding VAT.
- The download page lists no Linux app.
Key features
Icedrive
- Virtual drive
- The desktop app mounts cloud storage as a drive on Windows, macOS and Linux, so files open in native applications without being synced to disk first. It is included on every plan, Free among them.
- Client-side Twofish encryption
- On paid plans, files and their names are encrypted on the device with the Twofish algorithm before upload. The key is generated from a passphrase and is never sent to Icedrive's servers.
- Desktop sync and file versions
- Paid plans sync folder pairs on 2, 5 or 10 devices and keep earlier versions of files for 14 days on Starter and 90 days on the Pro plans.
- Public links and sharing controls
- Every plan can create public links. Paid plans add expiry dates, download caps, preview-only mode, password protection, file requests and sharing between Icedrive users.
- Mobile apps with camera upload
- The iOS and Android apps upload camera photos and videos automatically, keep chosen files available offline and stream audio and video from the cloud.
- Lifetime plans
- 500 GB and 2 TB plans are sold for a single payment and include zero-knowledge encryption. Further lifetime plans can be stacked on an account to add storage.
Jottacloud
- Backup of all devices
- Every plan, including the free one, lists backup of all devices and an archive for files you want to keep but do not use daily.
- File and photo sharing
- Files and photos you have uploaded can be shared with a few clicks.
- Storage in Norway
- Data is stored in Norway under European privacy laws, and the company says it runs on 100% renewable energy.
- Apps and command line
- Download links cover Windows, macOS, iOS and Android apps, plus a command-line tool.
- AI photo search
- The site lists AI photo search as a product feature alongside storage and backup.
Plans
Icedrive
Free$0
10 GB with the virtual drive, web and mobile apps and public links. No desktop sync, file versions or client-side encryption.
Starter$2.99
per month, billed yearly at $35.88
100 GB with desktop sync on 2 devices and 14 days of file versions. Sold on yearly billing only.
Pro$8.99
per month, billed yearly at $107.88 ($10.99 billed monthly)
2 TB with client-side encryption, desktop sync on 5 devices, 90 days of file versions and 1 TB of public sharing a month.
Pro Extra$16.99
per month, billed yearly at $203.88 ($19.99 billed monthly)
5 TB with desktop sync on 10 devices, 90 days of file versions and 3 TB of public sharing a month.
Pro+$29.99
per month, billed yearly at $359.88 ($34.99 billed monthly)
10 TB with desktop sync on 10 devices, 90 days of file versions and 4 TB of public sharing a month.
Jottacloud
Free$0
5 GB of storage for 1 user, backup of all devices, and email and chat support.
Home 1 TBNOK 79
per month for 5 users (NOK 790 billed yearly)
1 TB shared by 5 users, with no bandwidth limitation and phone, email and chat support.
UnlimitedNOK 129
per month for 1 user (NOK 1290 billed yearly)
Unlimited storage for 1 user; upload speed is gradually reduced after 5 TB. Phone, email and chat support.
Home 5 TBNOK 159
per month for 5 users (NOK 1590 billed yearly)
5 TB shared by 5 users, with no bandwidth limitation.
Pro 10 TBNOK 299
per month for 1 user (NOK 2990 billed yearly)
10 TB, maximum speed, priority support and a commercial license. Pro goes up to 50 TB at NOK 1499 per month.
Business SmallNOK 129
per month for 2 users, excl. VAT (NOK 1548 billed yearly)
1 TB, commercial license and priority support. Medium (10 users) is NOK 179; Large (unlimited users) is NOK 459.
Ways to pay less
Icedrive
- Lifetime license
Lifetime plans for a one-time payment
Lifetime Personal (500 GB) and Lifetime Personal+ (2 TB) are shown at $229 and $499 as one-time payments, against crossed-out prices of $344 and $749, with an extra 10% off for new customers.
- Annual discount
Lower price with yearly billing
Yearly billing costs $107.88, $203.88 and $359.88 for Pro, Pro Extra and Pro+, against $131.88, $239.88 and $419.88 for twelve monthly payments.
- Other savings
New customer offer on Pro plans
The pricing page offers new customers 30% off the first year on yearly billing, or 80% off the first month on monthly billing, on the Pro, Pro Extra and Pro+ plans, with a countdown but no end date.
Jottacloud
- Annual discount
Pay yearly instead of monthly
Yearly billing is offered on every paid plan; for example Unlimited is NOK 1290 per year against NOK 129 per month.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Icedrive or Jottacloud?
As of Nov 12, 2026, Icedrive starts at $2.99 per month, billed yearly at $35.88, for Starter, and Jottacloud starts at NOK 79 per month for Home 1 TB (NOK 790 billed yearly).
Which has a free plan, Icedrive or Jottacloud?
As of Nov 12, 2026, both Icedrive and Jottacloud have a free plan.
Which platforms do Icedrive and Jottacloud run on?
As of Nov 12, 2026, only Icedrive lists a Linux app. Both list a web app and macOS, Windows, iOS and Android apps. A platform missing from a listing is one its maker's pages did not mention.
More comparisons
How this page was made
- The verdict at the top follows a fixed rule. When both tools are in the same category and either is in our top three for it, the verdict follows that ranking: the higher-placed tool is our pick. The top three weigh who each tool suits as well as its grades, so a pick can go against the GPA. Otherwise the page does not pick one and says which grades higher: the higher GPA first; on a tie, the one with a free plan, then the one that starts cheaper in dollars a month, counted the same way for both; if they are still level, what the choice depends on.
- The grades are our own, from each tool’s review or report card. The GPA is their average.
- Prices, plans and platforms come from each tool’s listing. The table above says where each price was read and when.
- The differences and the answers to the questions are worked out from those listings.