The pCloud Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about pCloud in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
pCloud
The Insider’s Guide
Swiss cloud storage sold by subscription or one-time payment
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among file storage and sync services, read from pCloud’s own pages.
Made by pCloud International AG · checked Oct 5, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from pCloud’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on pCloud’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 5, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.6
GPA, above 4 of the 17 other file storage and sync services we grade
pCloud is a cloud storage service from a Swiss company, with apps that mount storage as a virtual drive, back up folders and share files. Individual plans come in 500 GB, 2 TB and 10 TB sizes and can be paid monthly, yearly or once as a lifetime purchase. Users choose whether their files are kept in a European or a US data center, and client-side encryption is sold as an add-on.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about pCloud, taken from its own pages and our grades.
On a computer it turns up as an extra drive, so you drag files in like any folder, and on a phone one switch backs up your photos.
- 1
Best for paying once for cloud storage, not every month
If you want private files as standard, look elsewhere.
- 2
Paid plans start at $4.17 a month when paid by the year
As its pricing page puts it: $4.99 per month, or $49.99 billed yearly.
- 3
There is a free plan
Free account with up to 10 GB of storage.
- 4
It runs on 6 platforms
Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android, with a browser extension too.
- 5
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.
- 6
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.
- 7
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.
- 8
A 2.6 GPA, above 4 of 17
That is against the other file storage and sync services we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
To replace pCloud you would be making files kept in step across devices without losing one. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
pCloud at a glance
- Pricing
- Free plan, from $4.99 per month, or $49.99 billed yearly
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- 30-day free trial of pCloud Business; other paid plans carry a 14-day money-back guarantee
- Runs on
- Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
- Made by
- pCloud International AG, since 2013
- Category
- File Storage & Sync
- Our grade
- 2.6 GPA, good
- Store rating
- 4.7 on the App Store, 8,183 ratings
The report card
Best for paying once for cloud storage, not every month
pCloud is cloud storage you rent from $4.99 a month or buy once as a lifetime plan, with apps for every system, Linux included. Encryption only you can unlock is a $49.99-a-year add-on covering one folder, the free plan starts at 2 GB rather than 10, idle free accounts are deleted after 12 months, and lifetime prices are a bet that pCloud stays in business. If you want private files as standard, look elsewhere.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | C | 500 GB is $4.99 a month, which is exactly this category's middle price, and 2 TB is $9.99, where its dearest tenth starts. The lifetime plans are a long bet: $499 for 2 TB is five years of the subscription up front. And the Crypto folder is another $49.99 a year. |
| Free plan and trial | C | Up to 10 GB with no card, but read that "up to": you start on 2 GB and earn the rest with a tutorial and invites. pCloud's terms also say a free account left idle for 12 months is deleted, files and all. |
| Features | C | The basics: a drive that uses no laptop space, phone photo backup, imports from other clouds, 30 days of old versions, a media player and pCloud Docs. Encryption only you can unlock is a separate $49.99 add-on, and it covers one folder. |
| Ease of use | B | 4.67 from about 8,200 App Store ratings, a shade under the 4.7 the top of this category manages. On a computer it turns up as an extra drive, so you drag files in like any folder, and on a phone one switch backs up your photos. |
| Platforms and integrations | A | Web, Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone and Android, plus a browser add-on. It pulls files in from Dropbox, Google Drive, Google Photos, OneDrive and Facebook, and there's a documented API for developers. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who pCloud is for
- Fits if you'd rather pay once than every month, and plan to stay for years
- Works for Linux users, who get the same desktop drive as Windows and Mac
Who it is not for
- Not for you if you want files only you can unlock as standard, since that's a $49.99-a-year add-on for one folder
- Tight if you're staying free, because you start with 2 GB and earn your way to 10
- Skip it if you'd park photos on a free account and forget it, as idle ones are deleted after 12 months
- Skip it if you share folders across the Atlantic, as both accounts must be in the same region, and moving costs $19.99
- Watch out: lifetime prices are shown as promotions, refunds end after 14 days, and Family plans are lifetime only
Good to know
Good for
- 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
Worth knowing
- 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.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$4.17
A month to start, paid by the year. There is a free plan too
pCloud has a free plan. Paid plans start at $4.99 per month, or $49.99 billed yearly.
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.
The free plan
Free account with up to 10 GB of storage.
Trying it first
30-day free trial of pCloud Business; other paid plans carry a 14-day money-back guarantee
Read from pcloud.com on Oct 5, 2026.
Ways to pay less
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.
Stated on landing.pcloud.comLifetime 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.
Stated on pcloud.comAnnual 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.
Stated on pcloud.com
What the app costs elsewhere
Each country’s App Store price for “Premium”, against $4.99 in the United States, in dollars at the day’s rate. The four cheapest and the four dearest of 11.
| Country | Price there | In dollars | Against the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey | ₺199,99 | $4.07 | 18% less |
| Philippines | ₱ 299.00 | $4.76 | about the same |
| Canada | $6.99 | $4.91 | about the same |
| Brazil | R$ 24,90 | $4.98 | about the same |
| Australia | $7.99 | $5.58 | 12% more |
| South Africa | R99.99 | $6.05 | 21% more |
| United Kingdom | £4.99 | $6.60 | 32% more |
| Germany | 5,99 € | $6.71 | 35% more |
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
7
Places it runs: Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android and Browser extension
Swiss cloud storage sold by subscription or one-time payment. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: one-time purchase, real-time collaboration, file sync, file sharing.
Web, Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone and Android, plus a browser add-on.
- 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.
Where it runs
- Web
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
- iOS
- Android
- Browser extension
What it works with
- Dropbox
- Google Drive
- Google Photos
- OneDrive
pCloud is made by pCloud International AG, and has been around since 2013.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
4/17
Other file storage and sync services it is graded above
pCloud's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 4 of the 17 other file storage and sync services we grade, and level with 3.
It stands best on platforms and integrations (A, above 7 of 17) and worst on free plan and trial (C, above 0).
Its paid plans start at $4.17 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $4.17 for the category: 8 of the 16 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 3.0 out of 4. 5 tools score higher and cost less.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 18 file storage and sync services we grade, cut by the letter each got. pCloud’s own letter is outlined.
- CValue for moneyAbove 5 of 17
- CFree plan and trialAbove 0 of 17
- CFeaturesAbove 0 of 17
- BEase of useAbove 4 of 17
- APlatforms and integrationsAbove 7 of 17
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 18 file storage and sync services. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. pCloud is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
To replace pCloud you would be making files kept in step across devices without losing one. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
That makes this kind of software worth paying for, not this one in particular: 10 of the 17 other file storage and sync services grade higher. It costs $49.99 a year.
What you could not
- Files kept in step across devices without losing one.
- Storing and serving files for other people.
- Apps for macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android that stay in step with each other.
- Several people working in it at the same moment.
- It plugs into other products, Dropbox, Google Drive and Google Photos among them.
What this rests on. pCloud’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Icedrive, Internxt, Koofr, Sync.com and MEGA
The 5 tools pCloud is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.2GPA
Icedrive
Free plan · from $9.99/mo
Cloud storage with a mountable drive and client-side encryption.
- Only pCloud lists a browser extension.
- Icedrive is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- 2.2GPA
Internxt
Free plan · from $11.99/mo
Open source, zero-knowledge cloud storage with lifetime plans.
- Only pCloud lists a browser extension.
- Internxt is open source and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- pCloud also covers file sync.
- 2.8GPA
Koofr
Free plan · from €0.50/mo
EU cloud storage that also connects Dropbox, Google Drive and OneDrive.
- pCloud can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 2.4GPA
Sync.com
Free plan · from $6/mo
End-to-end encrypted cloud storage and file sharing for teams.
- Only pCloud lists a Linux app.
- Only pCloud lists a browser extension.
- pCloud can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 3.2GPA
MEGA
Free plan · from €3.33/mo
Zero-knowledge encrypted cloud storage with a 20 GB free plan.
- pCloud can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- MEGA is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- MEGA also covers video calls.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
13
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is pCloud free?
pCloud has a free plan. Free account with up to 10 GB of storage.
How much does pCloud cost?
pCloud lists 6 plans. Free: $0.
What platforms does pCloud work on?
pCloud is available on Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android. It also has a browser extension.
Does pCloud offer any discounts?
pCloud publicly lists the following: Lifetime plans for a one-time payment; Family lifetime plans for up to 5 users; About 17% lower with yearly billing.
How is pCloud rated?
pCloud's iPhone and iPad app averages 4.7 out of 5 from 8,183 ratings on the App Store in the United States, as read on Oct 6, 2026.
Is pCloud open source?
pCloud is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 5, 2026.
What does pCloud integrate with?
pCloud's listing names Dropbox, Google Drive, Google Photos, OneDrive and Facebook.
Does pCloud have a free trial?
Yes. 30-day free trial of pCloud Business; other paid plans carry a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Who makes pCloud?
pCloud is made by pCloud International AG. It dates from 2013.
What are the alternatives to pCloud?
The closest alternatives to pCloud in our directory are Icedrive, Internxt, Koofr, Sync.com and MEGA.
How does pCloud compare with other file storage and sync services?
pCloud's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 4 of the 17 other file storage and sync services we grade, and level with 3.
Is pCloud good value for money?
ToolGPA grades pCloud C for value for money. Its paid plans start at $4.17 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $4.17 for the category: 8 of the 16 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of pCloud?
To replace pCloud you would be making files kept in step across devices without losing one.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from pCloud’s own pages on Oct 5, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Based on pCloud's home, pricing, lifetime, family, business, encryption, download, backup, security, data regions and terms pages and its help centre as of 9 October 2026, its App Store listing and reviews, and Hacker News comments about it. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-04-11.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by pCloud International AG. Prices change, so check pcloud.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- pCloud, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/pcloud
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "pCloud: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 5, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/pcloud
Know someone choosing between file storage and sync services?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/pcloud/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded file storage and sync services after pCloud, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- File Storage & Sync Insider's GuideEvery one of the 18 file storage and sync services we grade, compared
- Google Drive Insider's GuideCloud storage tied to Google Docs, Gmail and Photos3.6 GPA
- Filen Insider's GuideEnd-to-end encrypted cloud storage from Germany with open source apps3.4 GPA
- Microsoft OneDrive Insider's GuideMicrosoft's cloud storage, bundled with Microsoft 365 plans3.4 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what pCloud’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. pCloud is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by pCloud International AG. Prices and plans change: check pcloud.com before you buy.