iCloud vs pCloud

iCloud

• People whose devices are mostly iPhone, iPad and Mac
• Automatic iPhone and iPad backups and photo libraries
• Families: any iCloud+ plan can be shared with up to five other people

pCloud

• People who prefer a one-time lifetime payment to a subscription
• Users who want to choose between EU and US data storage
• Linux users: pCloud Drive runs on Windows, macOS and Linux

iCloud

• The free tier is 5 GB, which has to cover device backups, photos and files together.
• Apple lists access through iPhone, iPad, Mac, the iCloud for Windows app and iCloud.com; no Android app is listed.
• End-to-end encryption for iCloud Drive, Photos and Backup applies only after turning on Advanced Data Protection, which is optional.
• Plans are priced per month only; the page lists no annual billing option.

pCloud

• Client-side, zero-knowledge encryption is a paid add-on and is not part of the standard storage plans.
• The free account is limited to up to 10 GB.
• Family plans, for up to 5 users, are offered only as lifetime purchases, and Business pricing is shown from 3 users.
• Lifetime prices are shown as promotions against a higher list price, so the amount charged can change.

iCloud

iCloud Drive

Files and folders are reachable from the Files app on iOS and iPadOS, the Finder on a Mac, File Explorer on Windows PCs, or iCloud.com.

iCloud Photos

Keeps high-resolution photos and videos in iCloud with space-saving versions on each device. Shared Albums accept contributions from people on Android or Windows devices.

iCloud Backup

Data on an iPhone or iPad, including apps, is backed up automatically whenever the device is connected to power and Wi-Fi.

Sharing and collaboration

Share files, folders and documents by sending a link, control who can view, edit or share the work, and see edits appear as they are made.

iCloud+ privacy features

Paid plans add Private Relay for browsing in Safari, Hide My Email for random forwarding addresses, and a custom domain for iCloud Mail.

Advanced Data Protection

An optional setting that raises the number of end-to-end encrypted data categories to 25, including iCloud Backup, Photos, Notes and iCloud Drive.

pCloud

pCloud Drive

A desktop app for Windows, macOS and Linux that makes cloud files available as if they were stored locally, without using hard drive space.

Backup and file history

The desktop app backs up folders from a computer, and backups can also be pulled from Dropbox, Google Drive, Google Photos, OneDrive and Facebook.

Sharing and shared folders

Files and folders are shared by link or through shared folders with access levels. Business adds branded links carrying a logo, cover and message.

pCloud Encryption add-on

Optional client-side, zero-knowledge encryption adds a Crypto folder to the account. It is priced separately at $49.99 billed yearly.

Choice of data region

Account holders choose whether their files are stored in a European or a US data center.

Media player, Photos and Docs

Includes an audio and video player, a photo timeline with a built-in editor, and pCloud Docs for creating and editing documents.

iCloud

• iCloud 5GB$0

  5 GB to back up data and keep it in sync across devices and iCloud.com.

• iCloud+ 50GB$0.99

  per month

  50 GB plus Private Relay, Hide My Email, Custom Email Domain and HomeKit Secure Video recordings for one camera.

• iCloud+ 200GB$2.99

  per month

  Everything in the 50GB plan, with 200 GB and HomeKit Secure Video recordings for five cameras.

• iCloud+ 2TB$9.99

  per month

  Everything in the 200GB plan, with 2 TB and HomeKit Secure Video recordings for unlimited cameras.

• iCloud+ 6TB$29.99

  per month

  Everything in the 2TB plan, with 6 TB of storage.

• iCloud+ 12TB$59.99

  per month

  Everything in the 6TB plan, with 12 TB of storage.

pCloud

• Free$0

  Up to 10 GB of storage on a free account.

• Premium 500 GB$4.99

  per month, or $49.99 billed yearly

  500 GB of storage for one person, with pCloud Photos and pCloud Docs.

• Premium Plus 2 TB$9.99

  per month, or $99.99 billed yearly

  2 TB of storage for one person, with pCloud Photos and pCloud Docs.

• Ultra 10 TB$29.99

  per month, or $299.99 billed yearly

  10 TB of storage for one person, with pCloud Photos and pCloud Docs.

• Business$9.99

  per user / month, billed monthly

  Shown as 3 users with 3 TB for $29.97 a month, with teams, access levels, activity logs and a 30-day free trial.

• Business Pro$19.98

  per user / month, billed monthly

  Shown as 3 users with 6 TB for $59.94 a month. New Business Pro accounts get 25% off, which makes it $14.98 per user.

iCloud

• Other savings

  Included in every Apple One bundle

  iCloud+ is part of all Apple One plans, which bundle it with up to five other Apple services. Apple lists Apple One at $21.95, $27.95 or $39.95 per month depending on the plan.

pCloud

• Lifetime license

  Lifetime plans for a one-time payment

  The 500 GB, 2 TB and 10 TB lifetime plans are listed at $279, $709 and $2,799. Promotional prices of $219, $499 and $1,499 were shown when checked.

• Lifetime license

  Family lifetime plans for up to 5 users

  Family 2 TB is listed at $999 and Family 10 TB at $3,499 as one-time payments. Promotional prices of $749 and $1,849 were shown when checked.

• Annual discount

  About 17% lower with yearly billing

  Yearly billing costs $49.99, $99.99 or $299.99, against $59.88, $119.88 or $359.88 for twelve monthly payments on the same plans.