pCloud
Swiss cloud storage known for lifetime plans (2 TB for $499 one-time) and business plans from $9.99 per user a month.
- Lifetime plans
- Per user (business)
- Cloud
- Swiss provider
- Independent sources
- Verified 10 Nov 2026Sources are dated on this profile
- 3 sourcesLinked, typed and dated
- Independent third-party sourcesHow this profile was compiled
- Not an endorsementStack18 has not tested this product
What is pCloud?
pCloud is a Swiss cloud storage provider offering monthly, annual and one-time lifetime plans for individuals, business plans for teams, and optional client-side encryption.
- Best forIndividuals and small teams wanting to pay once for storage
- Team size fitSmall teams, Mid-size teams
- PricingLifetime 500 GB $219, 2 TB $499, 10 TB $1,499; Business $9.99 per user a month (monthly), 3-user minimum.
- Main limitationEncryption costs extra.
- AlternativesSync.com, MEGA, Google Drive, Dropbox · compare all
pCloud overview: who it is for and what it does.
pCloud stands out for lifetime storage plans that are paid once, alongside regular subscriptions and business plans.
An October 2026 guide lists lifetime plans of 500 GB for $219, 2 TB for $499 and 10 TB for $1,499, and notes client-side encryption (pCloud Encryption) is a paid add-on.
A September 2026 guide lists Business at $9.99 per user a month monthly (1 TB per user) and Business Pro at $19.98 (unlimited storage, with a limited-time $14.98 offer), both with a 3-user minimum.
Main problem it solves
Lets people buy storage once instead of renting it.
Typical customer segment
Individuals and small teams.
Target users
- Photographers and creators
- Individuals archiving files
- Small businesses
Primary use cases
- Personal storage
- Media archives
- Team storage
What makes it distinct
- Lifetime plans.
- Encryption as an add-on.
- Swiss company.
pCloud features explained.
Lifetime (one-time)
- 500 GB
- $219.
- 2 TB
- $499.
- 10 TB
- $1,499.
Business (monthly per user)
- Business
- $9.99; 1 TB per user.
- Business Pro
- $19.98; unlimited.
- Minimum
- 3 users.
Security
- pCloud Encryption
- Paid add-on.
- Default
- Not zero-knowledge.
- Risk
- Lifetime depends on company survival.
pCloud pricing and plans.
Figures reported by independent sources; vendor page not reviewed directly. Checked 10 Nov 2026 against Dupple · Rework.
Pricing model
Lifetime one-time purchases, subscriptions and per-user business plans.
Free plan
Not stated
Free trial
Not documented
pCloud plans and prices (USD)
Lifetime 500 GB
$219 one-time
One-time
Individual.
Lifetime 2 TB
$499 one-time
One-time
Individual.
Business
$9.99 per user per month
Monthly
1 TB per user; 3-user min.
Business Pro
$19.98 per user per month
Monthly
Unlimited.
Dupple (October 2026) and Rework (September 2026); lifetime prices differ in a June 2026 guide.
Prices change. Confirm current plans and terms on the vendor's site before you decide.
Visit official website (external) ↗See alternativespCloud integrations, API and platforms.
Important integrations
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
Supported platforms
- Web
- Windows
- macOS
- iOS
- Android
API
Not reviewed for this profile.
Data import and export
Not reviewed for this profile.
Integration coverage was not assessed in full. Check pCloud's integrations directory and documentation for your tools.
pCloud pros and cons.
Strengths, limitations and best fit. Each point cites a source; editorial summaries are not customer reviews.
Strengths
Limitations
Best for
- Individuals and small teams wanting to pay once for storage
- Creators archiving media
- Users avoiding subscriptions
May be less suited to
- Enterprises needing governance
- Users wanting default zero-knowledge encryption
Top pCloud alternatives and competitors.
Sync.com
Canadian zero-knowledge encrypted cloud storage with 5 GB free and Teams plans from $6 per user a month…
Explore →Related productMEGA
Encrypted cloud storage with about 20 GB free and paid plans priced in euros, including Pro Flexi from…
Explore →Related productGoogle Drive
Google's cloud storage, with 15 GB free and business storage via Google Workspace from $7 per user a…
Explore →Related productDropbox
The file sync pioneer, with 2 GB free and team plans from $15 per user a month (Standard, annual)…
Explore →pCloud compared with similar cloud storage and file sharing software.
Summaries come from each profile. This is a side-by-side aid, not a ranking.
| Product | Pricing model | Starting price | Free plan | Encryption | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| pCloud | Lifetime or subscription | $219 one-time (500 GB) | Not stated | E2E add-on | Pay-once storage |
| Backblaze | Pay as you go | $6.95/TB/mo (B2) | Yes (10 GB B2) | Provider-managed | Backup, object storage |
| Box | Per user | $5/user/mo (annual) | Not documented | Provider-managed | Regulated enterprises |
| Dropbox | Per user | $15/user/mo (annual) | Yes (2 GB) | Server-side | Sync and sharing |
| Egnyte | Per user (annual) | $22/user/mo | No | Provider-managed | Hybrid governance |
| Google Drive | Per user (Workspace) | $7/user/mo (annual) | Yes (15 GB) | Provider-managed | Google Workspace teams |
pCloud vs competitors: head-to-head comparisons.
Each comparison has a feature table, pricing side by side, strengths and limits, and best-fit scenarios.
pCloud discussions and buying questions.
No published discussions mention this product yet.
pCloud questions and answers
What is pCloud used for?
pCloud is a Swiss cloud storage provider offering monthly, annual and one-time lifetime plans for individuals, business plans for teams, and optional client-side encryption. Typical uses include personal storage, media archives, team storage.
How much is pCloud lifetime?
An October 2026 guide lists 500 GB for $219, 2 TB for $499 and 10 TB for $1,499.
Does pCloud have business plans?
Yes, Business at $9.99 per user a month (monthly) with a 3-user minimum.
Is pCloud end-to-end encrypted?
Client-side encryption is a paid add-on.
How does pCloud compare with its competitors?
Stack18 publishes head-to-head comparisons of Backblaze vs pCloud and pCloud vs Sync.com, each with a feature table, pricing and best-fit scenarios.
What are the main alternatives to pCloud?
The main alternatives to pCloud covered on Stack18 are Sync.com, MEGA, Google Drive and Dropbox. Sync.com may suit privacy-focused small businesses wanting encrypted storage. MEGA may suit users sharing large files who want a big free tier. Google Drive may suit teams working in Google Docs, Sheets and Slides. See the pCloud alternatives guide for a side-by-side table.
What are the pros and cons of pCloud?
Strengths: Lifetime plans avoid subscriptions. Business plans with unlimited option. Limitations: Encryption costs extra. Lifetime value depends on the company surviving.
Who is pCloud best for?
pCloud may suit individuals and small teams wanting to pay once for storage; creators archiving media; users avoiding subscriptions. It may be less suited to enterprises needing governance; users wanting default zero-knowledge encryption.
What integrations does pCloud support?
Documented integrations and ecosystem items include Windows, macOS, Linux. API: Not reviewed for this profile.
When was the pCloud profile last verified?
Sources for this profile were last reviewed on 10 Nov 2026. 3 sources are listed under Sources, and prices and plans can change, so confirm with the vendor.
Where this information comes from.
- Best Cloud Storage in 2026 (updated October 2026) Dupple Third-party Accessed 10 Nov 2026
- Best OneDrive Alternatives in 2026 (updated 4 September 2026) Rework Third-party Accessed 10 Nov 2026
- Best Dropbox Alternatives in 2026 (updated 6 June 2026) Rework Third-party Accessed 10 Nov 2026
Secondary-source profile. Vendor pages were not reviewed directly for this profile. Facts and prices are taken from independent third-party sources and may differ from the vendor's current pages. Confirm with the vendor before buying.
Facts come from Dupple (October 2026) and Rework (September 2026). Capabilities were not tested.
Stack18 has not tested this product or received anything from the vendor for this profile. Editorial summaries of vendor information are not endorsements. Confirm details with the vendor before buying.
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