pCloud

Overview

pCloud is a cloud storage service for people who want files reachable across phones and computers, with backup, offline access and controlled sharing. It is best suited to individuals who need room to grow beyond a small free allowance, and to teams that want shared storage with administrative tools. Its strongest case is the mix of broad platform support and useful sharing controls; the 10 GB free ceiling and paid prices that vary by plan make the long-term cost worth checking.

Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Baar, Switzerland, pCloud lets customers choose storage in the United States or European Union. It supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android and my.pCloud.com.

Key features

Backup, access and sharing

Automatic phone backup covers photos and videos, while offline access keeps selected important files available without a connection. Together, those features suit people who want a cloud copy of mobile media and a way to reach priority files when connectivity is unreliable. Shared files and folders can be protected with passwords and expiration dates, useful controls for time-limited or restricted sharing.

Privacy and version history

The Crypto folder uses client-side encryption and zero-knowledge privacy, giving users a more private place for selected files. That protection is specifically tied to Crypto folder files, rather than a reason to assume every file receives the same treatment. File versioning is supported; Business plans specify recovery of previous versions from up to 180 days ago, a meaningful safeguard for teams that need a longer restoration window.

Business tools

Business adds access levels, teams, shared folders, comments and activity logs, plus personalized sharing links with a logo, cover and message. Business storage is GDPR-compliant and ISO-27001 certified. These controls are a better fit for collaborative work than a personal plan, although the more advanced team features do not make pCloud a substitute for a dedicated file-transfer server.

Pricing

The freemium structure gives new users up to 10 GB at no charge, with no credit card required to start. That is a practical way to try personal backup and sharing, but a modest ceiling for anyone storing a large photo library or relying on cloud storage as a primary file home.

• Free: free, with 10 GB of storage and no credit card required. Best for light use or an initial evaluation.
• Premium 500 GB: custom pricing for 500 GB. It is the lower-capacity paid option for users who have outgrown the free plan but do not need 2 TB.
• Premium Plus 2 TB: custom pricing for 2 TB, a better capacity fit for larger personal collections.
• Ultra 10 TB: custom pricing for 10 TB, aimed at users with substantial storage needs. pCloud also describes paid capacity as extending up to 2 TB, so the 10 TB plan is a distinct listed tier rather than a general capacity promise.
• Business: custom pricing for 3 users, 1 TB per user and 180 days of version history.
• Business Pro: custom pricing for 3 users, 2 TB per user and 180 days of version history.
• Business 3 Users / 3 TB: $29.97 a month, with a 30-day free trial, no setup fees and cancellation anytime.
• Business 3 Users / 6 TB: $44.94 a month; a 25% discount is offered for new pCloud Business Pro accounts.

Business plans include a 14-day money-back period, and the business trial lasts 30 days. The published monthly team options make seat count and storage per user clear, but prospective buyers should weigh the three-user starting point against their team size. The cheaper personal tiers trade capacity for a lower commitment; their prices are custom pricing. The broader pricing note says paid plans start at 9.99 /user/mo.

Platforms

pCloud covers the major desktop and mobile platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android, with browser access through my.pCloud.com. A desktop app is available. That breadth makes it suitable for mixed-device households or teams, though no platform-specific feature differences are established.

Who it's for

Choose pCloud for cross-device storage when phone backup, offline files and password- or expiry-protected sharing matter. It is also worth considering for a small team that can use its shared folders, access levels and activity logs. Look elsewhere if you need more than three seats at a clearly priced entry point, or if your priority is dedicated file-transfer infrastructure rather than general-purpose storage.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Up to 10 GB free without a credit card makes it possible to start without an upfront payment.
• Pros: Phone media backup, offline access and expiring, password-protected shares address distinct everyday storage needs.
• Pros: Crypto folder files get client-side encryption and zero-knowledge privacy, with a choice of US or EU storage location.
• Pros: Business combines team administration with 180-day version recovery and certified, GDPR-compliant storage.
• Cons: The free allowance is capped at 10 GB, which limits it as a long-term home for large libraries.
• Cons: Prices for the personal 500 GB, 2 TB and 10 TB plans are custom pricing, making direct budget comparison harder.
• Cons: Published business plans begin at three users, which may be more than a solo user or very small group needs.

Alternatives

For focused transfer workflows, consider SendSafely: its Personal plan is limited to 50 MB per month, while Basic costs $10 a month for 250 MB/month and adds expiration control. AWS Transfer Family is a paid option with a protocol-enabled SFTP, FTPS or FTP endpoint priced at $0.30 a month in the US East (N. Virginia) example; choose it when endpoint-based transfer is the need. rclone is a free, open-source project for readers who prefer that model over a freemium storage service.

Wing FTP Server has a free edition with one domain, 10 user accounts per domain and 10 connections per domain. Progress MOVEit Transfer is a paid transfer product that offers a free trial. SFTPGo is a freemium alternative with a Tiny plan priced at €50 a month. Files.com is a paid option whose Starter plan costs $199 a month and includes 10 Full Users, 50 System Users, two outbound connections and 1 TB of monthly storage. ExaVault offers a free self-hosted appliance for up to 50 users.

Browse more options in File transfer services, File Sharing Software, Cloud Storage Services and Password Managers.

Verdict

pCloud is a strong fit for people who want cloud storage across mobile and desktop devices, especially when automatic phone backup, offline access and controlled sharing are central. Teams get more meaningful recovery and administration tools, but the three-user minimum and custom-priced tiers call for a careful budget check. Choose it for flexible storage and sharing; look elsewhere for a dedicated transfer endpoint or a clearly priced low-capacity paid plan.