pCloud vs Sync.com

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

Sync.com

• Teams that need encrypted storage with HIPAA, GDPR and PIPEDA compliance
• Sharing client files with passwords, expiry dates and download limits
• People who want file history of up to 365 days

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.

Sync.com

• The free account is limited to 5 GB.
• Advertised prices are 50% off for the first year only; plans then renew at the regular prices listed here.
• Team plans require at least 3 users. Teams 10TB costs $15 per user / month billed annually, and Enterprise starts at 100 users.
• Access is listed for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and web browsers; no Linux app is mentioned.

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.

Sync.com

End-to-end encryption

Files are stored end-to-end encrypted on every plan. Sync states that only the account holder has access to them and that the company cannot see them.

File history and recovery

Previous and deleted versions of a file can be previewed and restored for 90, 180 or 365 days, depending on the plan.

Advanced share controls

Shared links can be read-only or preview-only and can carry passwords, expiry dates and download limits, with notifications when a file is viewed.

CloudFiles and Vault

CloudFiles provides files-on-demand inside Windows File Explorer and Mac Finder, and Vault archives files in the cloud only to free up local space.

File requests and team folders

Request files from several people without showing them what others sent, and collaborate with internal and external users in shared team folders.

Team administration

Team plans add a multi-user admin console and centralized billing. Teams 2TB and Teams 10TB add role-based access control and admin delegation.

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.

Sync.com

• Free$0

  5 GB of secure storage on a free account.

• Personal 1TB$12

  per month, billed annually ($16 billed monthly)

  1 TB of storage for one user, with advanced sharing and 90-day file history.

• Solo 5TB$28

  per month, billed annually ($32 billed monthly)

  5 TB of storage for one user, with custom branding and 180-day file history.

• Personal Unlimited$45

  per month, billed annually ($54 billed monthly)

  Unlimited storage for one user with 365-day file recovery. Upload speed management may apply beyond 10 TB.

• Teams 1TB$6

  per user / month, billed annually ($8 billed monthly)

  1 TB per user with an administrator account and 180-day file history. 3-user minimum.

• Teams 2TB$9

  per user / month, billed annually ($12 billed monthly)

  2 TB per user with custom branding, role-based access control and admin delegation. 3-user minimum.

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.

Sync.com

• Annual discount

  Save up to 25% with annual billing

  The pricing pages state a saving of up to 25% for annual billing. Personal 1TB is $12 a month billed annually against $16 billed monthly.

• Other savings

  50% off the first year

  Both pricing pages advertise 50% off for one year on individual and team plans. The promotional price applies to the first year, after which plans renew at the regular price.