MEGA vs pCloud

MEGA

• People who want encrypted storage with a 20 GB free tier
• Linux users: official packages cover Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch and others
• Large personal archives, with individual plans of up to 20 TB

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

MEGA

• Prices are set and charged in euros; amounts shown in other currencies on the site are estimates.
• Downloads count against a transfer quota, which is limited on the free plan and 1 TB a month on Pro Lite.
• Business and Pro Flexi are usage-based, starting from €15.00 per month for a 3 TB base. Business needs at least 3 users.
• The Essential plan is shown only with yearly charging on the pricing page.

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.

MEGA

Zero-knowledge encryption

Data is encrypted before it leaves the device, and MEGA says only the owner and the people they authorize hold the keys needed to read it.

Sync and backup

The desktop app for Windows, macOS and Linux syncs folders and backs up a computer to MEGA, replicating changes as they happen.

Sharing with link controls

Files and folders can be shared with people who have no MEGA account, with read-only or full access. Links can carry a password or an expiry date.

File versioning and Rewind

Every plan keeps up to 100 versions of a file. Rewind goes back up to 60 days on paid plans and is view-only for up to 30 days on the free plan.

Chat and meetings

Private messaging and video calls are built in. Free accounts are limited to 1-hour calls with up to 100 participants; paid plans remove both limits.

Bundled VPN, passwords and S4

Paid plans include MEGA VPN and the MEGA Pass password manager, and plans from Pro Lite up add S3-compatible object storage.

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.

MEGA

• Free€0

  20 GB of storage, a limited transfer quota, 100 file versions and view-only Rewind for up to 30 days.

• Essential€3.33

  per month, charged yearly

  200 GB of storage and 2.4 TB of transfer over the year, with MEGA VPN, MEGA Pass and unrestricted chat and meetings.

• Pro Lite€4.99

  per month, or €5.00 per month charged yearly

  750 GB of storage and 1 TB of transfer a month, plus object storage, MEGA VPN and MEGA Pass.

• Pro I€9.99

  per month, or €8.33 per month charged yearly

  3 TB of storage and 3 TB of transfer a month, plus object storage, MEGA VPN and MEGA Pass.

• Pro II€19.99

  per month, or €16.67 per month charged yearly

  10 TB of storage and 10 TB of transfer a month, with the same extras as Pro I.

• Pro III€29.99

  per month, or €25.00 per month charged yearly

  20 TB of storage and 20 TB of transfer a month, with the same extras as Pro I.

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.

MEGA

• Annual discount

  Save up to 17% with yearly billing

  MEGA's pricing page advertises up to 17% off for yearly billing: Pro I drops from €9.99 to €8.33 a month, Pro II from €19.99 to €16.67 and Pro III from €29.99 to €25.00.

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.