pCloud Review: Secure, Fast, and Flexible Cloud Storage

If you’re new to the online storage world, you’ll be interested in our pCloud review for 2024. This provider emerged in 2013 and is still gaining popularity. No doubt, we’re talking about a great pick if you want security and lots of cloud storage.

The company prides itself on its Swiss jurisdiction that guarantees privacy. With the option to use zero-knowledge encryption, pCloud cemented its place as one of the safest choices in 2024. As we speak, more than 14 million users enjoy it, which tells volumes about pCloud.

Now, we’ve been using pCloud since its inception, so we’ve spent more than 10 years with it. Our experts still use it, and in this pCloud review, we’ll tell you everything about our experience with this cloud storage.

Ease of Use & Compatibility

We’ll start this in-depth review of pCloud with ease of use. It’s a strong point for this cloud storage, as it works on every device and sports nice-looking apps. We prefer its web app because it’s extremely simple and easy to access on desktops and laptops.

The left side houses your folders like Crypto Folder, Trash, Bookmarks, Audio, and so on. The rest is occupied with your files that you can share, preview, and manipulate in other ways. pCloud’s desktop app works similarly – you get your pCloud drive.

It’s accessible like any other folder on your computer. If you copy and paste the file into that folder, it’s immediately synced with the cloud. In our pCloud test, we liked the Linux app that works pretty well on multiple distros like Ubuntu and Mint.

pCloud also works on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Its mobile apps are practical and allow for auto-uploads, which is handy when you’re taking photos and videos and want them backed to the cloud right away.

pCloud Features Review

This cloud storage provider’s features are numerous, making it a favorite of millions of people around the world. Having tested pCloud for years now, we’ll discuss our experience with all of its features in this review.

File Sharing

Apart from storing your files, pCloud can be used to share them effortlessly. It’s an amazing choice for sharing documents, photos, videos, audio, and other files. Once you click on Share, you have four options. The first isn’t our recommended.

It’s the option that lets anyone with the link preview and download the file. You then have password protection, which means the recipient would need to enter the password before accessing the file. A handy feature is the expiration date.

It’s an additional security measure if you want your file to be accessible for a brief period. When the link expires, it’s lost to oblivion and inaccessible. Companies and businesses can take advantage of Branding, which translates to link personalization.

Each link can come with a bespoke logo, message, and cover. In this pCloud review, we discovered that you can apply multiple settings to your link. For example, you can add an expiration date AND password protection for maximum control over the link.

Try pCloud Now

Moreover, pCloud lets you use shorter links for easier sharing. More importantly, you can track your shared link stats by discovering the number of downloads and total traffic in a week or month. This, again, gives you full control over your shared links and files.

Syncing & Backups

Syncing is one of the most vital features we’ll talk about in this pCloud review. After trying out its Sync function for the 100th time at this point, we were impressed at how simple it is. We used pCloud primarily on our Windows PC where it’s also the simplest.

You click on Sync, select “Add New Sync“, and choose either the folder from your PC or pCloud. Once the folder is selected, it’ll be synced across your computer and pCloud. The same goes for your phone, which can be fully synced to pCloud as well.

We love how fast pCloud is for syncing – easily the fastest online storage we tested. This means you can access ALL synced files on any device. For example, if you’re traveling and need a specific document from your PC, go to pCloud and download it.

While not a backup service, pCloud’s backup capabilities are stellar. Using the Backup menu, you can select a folder or drives to back up to the cloud and recover old file versions in up to a year. As said, we love the option to back up the entire drives.

That is if you have enough space on your pCloud online storage – it offers 500 GB to 10 TB – more about that a bit in the pCloud review. Good to mention is that backup speed is also pretty fast, so you’ll have your drives and/or folders on the cloud in no time.

One more thing we haven’t mentioned in this review. pCloud is friendly to third-party cloud services and supports backups from them. If you’re migrating from Dropbox, Google Drive, or One Drive, you can swiftly transfer your files and folder from these services to pCloud.

Unlimited Transfers

pCloud’s speed comes in handy when you have unlimited transfers. Did you know that it offers unlimited file sizes? By this, we mean transferring even the largest files and folders with ease. For example, MEGA limits you to 12 TB of transfer in its cheapest plan.

However, pCloud imposes no limits – the only limit is the amount of storage you have. pCloud also lets you throttle your transfer speeds but by default, they’re unlimited. While they depend on your ISP, pCloud does not influence how fast everything will go.

Even if you select its complimentary cloud storage plan with 10 GB of space, speeds and transfers remain the same – unlimited.

File Versioning

It’s easy to recommend pCloud because of this feature. File edits are kept on your cloud storage and you can restore previous versions not older than 30 days – or 15 for free users.

We liked how simple it was during our pCloud analysis. We used the “Revisions” menu to see all past versions of the file, and from there, we could pick the one we wanted to use. Apart from file versioning, pCloud comes with the Rewind tool.

It’s handy if you want to revert the entire account to one of its previous states. You can choose a specific date and time not older than 30 days (premium) or 15 days (free). pCloud’s EFH or Extended File History can also be purchased additionally.

It allows for up to 365 days of file history/versioning, which is 12 times more!

Visit pCloud

Social Media Integrations

Compared to Dropbox or even Google Drive, pCloud isn’t a productivity champ. It’s one of its weaknesses. However, it still lets you back up your photos and videos from Instagram or Facebook. Bear in mind it doesn’t include any productivity tools.

File Management & Other Conveniences

Since we mentioned it, let’s discuss file management a bit. pCloud is intuitive enough, allowing you to use a search bar to find specific files. Additionally, deleted files are stored in the trash for up to 30 days. Unlike Sync.com, whose web app is a bit “dull,” pCloud allows previewing files.

In pCloud’s app, we can open photos, watch videos, and even listen to music. We often used its Audio folder where we stored songs and downloaded podcasts. The option to create a playlist and listen to music is handy when you’re on a train or bus.

pCloud also separates your music according to its artist and album. Document editing isn’t allowed and you can only preview PDF and Word files. However, you can also share them directly and print them, which adds a bit to functionality.

While it’s great cloud storage for photos, music, and videos, document management capabilities could be improved.

Crypto Folder

Before discussing its security and privacy, let’s mention the Crypto Folder in this pCloud review. This folder comes with client-side encryption that fully protects your files, documents, videos, and photos. It uses zero-knowledge encryption.

As a result, pCloud will assign you encryption keys that only YOU will know and have access to. These keys are needed to access the Crypto Folder and decrypt the files within. The bad thing about it is that’s a bonus, so it’s paid additionally on top of your plan.

NordLocker is a zero-knowledge cloud storage option that includes this feature in every plan – even the free one. Simultaneously, it’s inferior to pCloud in performance, speed, and storage size. More about the price of zero-knowledge encryption soon.

pCloud Transfer Speed Tests

For now, we want to quickly review pCloud and its transfer speeds. Frankly, there’s not much to talk about. For this pCloud speed test, we used a 1 GB RAR file packed with random stuff, such as a few photos, documents, and some smaller videos.

We then tested pCloud by uploading the file to the cloud and then downloading it. For this test, we used its web app, which is also the most intuitive and functional. Before we show you our pCloud speed test results, let’s glance at our internet speed.

With these results in place, here’s how long it took for pCloud to upload our 1 GB file:

As you can see, the upload time is around 7 minutes. If we do the math, it’s around 143.5 Megabytes per minute, which is roughly 19.2 Megabits per second – our upload speed displayed above. Simply put, pCloud took full advantage of our internet connection.

Downloading the same file took much faster – roughly around 35 seconds. The download was just starting to pick up the pace but it downloaded so swiftly that the speed couldn’t reach its apex. Either way, the entire experience was blazing fast.

Our pCloud speed test results were the same for syncing and backups. Besides, these are also uploads that performed equally well across all our tests.

Get the best speeds with pCloud

Security & Privacy

Storage aside, security and privacy are some of the most important aspects that define cloud storage. pCloud shines in this regard, being better than more popular rivals like OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, and other, essentially non-secure options in comparison.

Data Centers

First of all, pCloud as a company is based in Switzerland. We know this country is brimming with stringent privacy laws that prevent data retention and privacy violation in any way. Switzerland’s data protection legislation is among the best in the world, ensuring pCloud is in good hands.

The provider offers data centers in two locations:

• Dallas, Texas (US)
• Luxembourg (Europe)

A great thing about these two is that you can choose any based on your preferences. We’re in Europe, so we used the center in Luxembourg. If you’re from the USA, using a Texas data center is smarter. These data centers have multiple protection layers.

For example, they have security measures like:

• VESDA (fire and very early smoke detection)
• Dark fiber connectivity
• Water leakage detection
• Electromagnetic protection
• Nitrogen fire suppression system
• Intrusion detection

All servers are monitored 24/7/365 to ensure they work properly. This prevents data loss and breaches that would compromise pCloud and thereby, its users. pCloud’s data centers possess SSAE certifications as well, making them some of the best in the world.

Not to mention its file redundancy. pCloud stores 5 (or more) copies of your files in different locations. If one copy is lost, the other 4 or more are available at any moment. This essentially means you’ll always have files at your fingertips no matter what happens “under the hood.”

Encryption

We haven’t discussed encryption in this pCloud review for 2024. This provider uses 256-bit AES encryption for per-folder and per-file keys. Users’ private keys are protected by 4096-bit RSA encryption. What if you want to use the Crpyto Folder we mentioned in the review?

Well, you’re looking at zero-knowledge encryption in that case. It lets you encrypt all your files and “cover” more important data with the said encryption. Zero-knowledge privacy is different because you’re holding your encryption keys – not pCloud or anyone else.

This has a benefit and a downside. The former is that you’re the only one who can access your files – not even pCloud can see and modify them. The latter is that if you lose your encryption keys, they can’t be recovered and your files are lost forever.

Without these keys, you can’t decrypt these files and they stay locked within the Crypto Folder indefinitely.

pCloud Pricing Plans: How Much Does it Cost?

pCloud has flexible subscription plans so that you can find something for yourself. If you’re less demanding and need only up to 10 GB of storage, you can opt for its free version. Simply sign up, download pCloud, and enjoy a limited experience.

Individual Plans

If not, you’ll likely prefer its premium offers. To make it clear in this pCloud review, we’re not talking about a cheap cloud storage service. However, the service isn’t too expensive either, especially if you select one of its many Lifetime plans.

Our sweet spot is the 2 TB plan at around $399. However, if your storage demands are sky-high, there’s a 10 TB Lifetime plan at $1,190. The 500 GB plan at $199 is also quite interesting. pCloud’s Individual plans can be paid annually.

In that case, you’re looking at two of them – 500 GB at $49.99 and 2 TB at $99.99. Monthly plans are hidden away but if you opt for these, you’ll pay $4.99 for 500 GB and $9.99 for 2 TB. All plans are covered by a 14-day money-back guarantee.

Get the best pCloud deal

Business Plans

Businesses can use pCloud and enjoy zero-knowledge encryption, secure file sharing, priority support, an administrator account, and 180-day file versioning. The great thing is that pCloud encryption is in both business plans for added security.

The Business plan is $7.99/mo for the annual variant, while the monthly subscription is $9.99. Each user gets 1 TB of storage and the plan is suited for 3+ users. The Business Pro plan bumps up the storage to 2 TB per user.

Family Plans

Our pCloud review of pricing is incomplete without its Family plans. Both plans are Lifetime, support up to 5 users, and allow for either 2 TB or 10 TB of storage distributed across these users. The 2 TB plan is $595, while the 10 TB one is a whopping $1.499.

Customer Support

pCloud’s customer support isn’t extraordinary, especially if you’re a free user or you’ve bought a low-tier plan. Unless you have priority support, you’ll be relying on email to get in touch with pCloud. Response times vary but they’re around a few hours – sometimes more.

Priority support for Business users is faster. However, we discovered that its customer support team is helpful. Despite being slower, pCloud will gladly answer your questions and requests thoroughly until you’re satisfied.

Its Help Center is full of helpful guides and FAQs to help you navigate pCloud’s apps and website. Recently, the company introduced its pCloud Assistant, which is a small icon in the bottom-right part of the screen. It looks like a live chat widget.

When you press it, you’re greeted with pCloud’s AI Chatbot which isn’t very smart, after all. Thus, we found its email support far more useful most of the time.

pCloud Review: Final Verdict

With our in-depth pCloud review for 2024 near its end, it’s a great time to answer the most important question. Should you buy and use this service? Well, our experience with pCloud was nothing short of excellent, especially in terms of accessibility, speed, and security.

It excels in sheer performance, lots of secure storage, apps for all devices, and protected data centers in Luxembourg and Dallas. It certainly lacks productivity apps that would enhance the experience further, such as document editing, for example.

We also found pCloud’s customer support response times to be average. These were slight inconveniences during our test of pCloud. Overall, this service surpasses many others, including Google Drive, Internxt, Dropbox, and OneDrive.

To answer your question, you should buy and use pCloud. Our experts advise the Lifetime plan of your choice because it turns out cheaper in the end. We’re confident you’ll like it in any case, so start by testing it for free and then pick the deal you like.

Visit pCloud