pCloud Review: Is this Swiss-based Cloud Provider Worth Using in 2024?

pCloud is a relatively new entrant in the cloud storage industry but is already rubbing shoulders with well-known brands like Dropbox. This is because of the unique features it offers and reasonably priced packages to cater to all needs.

The provider lets you choose the files to protect with zero-knowledge encryption. However, you will have to pay a fee to use the feature, which is a major disadvantage as other services offer it for free.

We set out to prove the claims that it is the most secure cloud storage service. This unbiased pCloud review covers everything from features to ease of use, support, and much more.

pCloud quick review

Our rating	9/10
File encryption	Yes
Pricing	Free + $49.99/year
Customer support	Email and blogs
Money-back guarantee	14-days money-back guarantee

pCloud pros and cons

Security

Is pCloud safe? Nowadays, data breaches have become rampant, so security is essential. pCloud uses state-of-the-art features to protect your data. On the downside, you’ll have to pay extra cash to enjoy some of the features.

When it comes to data security with cloud storage providers, we mean zero-knowledge encryption. The best thing about this encryption is that you’ll have control over the encryption keys, while the provider doesn’t. This means that only you can decrypt the files – not even pCloud or any other third party can do it.

pCloud Crypto (the vault)

This is the name pCloud has given its zero-knowledge encryption. The shortcoming is that it isn’t standard, and you’ll have to pay $49.99 annually. However, you’ll get it for free if you are on the business plan.

We raise an issue with pCloud charging for encryption because its competitors offer it for free. On the positive side, though, pCloud Crypto (which we will discuss below) gives you the freedom to choose the files to encrypt. The servers cannot read the files you keep in the Crypto folder, and you can’t even play music/videos or see previews. This less access to your files is helpful to protect your sensitive data.

pCloud still safeguards files in the Crypto folder with military-grade AES 256-bit encryption. It also uses the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol to minimize man-in-the-middle attacks.

The service also allows you to use two-factor authentication (2FA) to prevent unauthorized access to your account. Besides your password, 2FA adds extra verification to log in successfully. Even if someone gets hold of your password, they can’t access your account unless they have your phone.

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Privacy

pCloud is an excellent cloud storage service if you are concerned with your data’s privacy. As we have previously mentioned, the files in the Crypto folder will be protected with zero-knowledge encryption. However, everything else will be at risk, but you can add extra defenses such as 2FA.

Moreover, the pCloud provider is based in Switzerland, a privacy-friendly jurisdiction with stringent privacy laws. That’s why it hosts numerous other companies like ProtonMail.

Initially, pCloud kept data only in the US, a founding member of the 14-Eye Alliance. However, the company has recently introduced an option to store files in Europe.

pCloud tracking

According to pCloud’s privacy policy, the provider retains your information like IP address, operating system, device information, and browser type. It also uses trackers to record the pages you visit, how long you stay, and your usage patterns. Except for the IP address, the rest of the information cannot be linked back to you.

The company can share your data with third parties if government agencies force it. If pCloud stores your information in the US, it must give access to authorities under the Patriot Act. However, remember, nobody can access the files in the Crypto folder (the pCloud Vault).

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pCloud key features

pCloud offers many additional features to improve your experience. The cloud service is user-friendly and lets you store up to 10GB of data on the cloud for free. Here are its key attributes:

Music player

Well, only a handful of cloud storage services offer a music player. The pCloud audio player allows you to play your music files within the mobile app or web interface.

It has many valuable features, such as the ability to search songs by artist name or album. Moreover, you can create and edit playlists, shuffle songs, and loop playlists or albums.

The best part is that these features are also available on the mobile app. In fact, you can download music into your phone to listen offline. Besides audio files, pCloud lets you also watch videos. It will convert the video to the appropriate format before playing.

You’ll be impressed to know that pCloud is compatible with Kodi if you’d like to store your media collection on pCloud. An unofficial Kodi add-on lets you stream straight from your pCloud account.

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pCloud rewind

This unique feature allows you to restore files that you had previously deleted or become corrupted. It is unavailable on the pCloud free account but only on the Premium and Premium Plus accounts. However, you can rewind your account for up to 15 days. As a result, you can access your content at a precise date and time.

With this feature, restoring files and folders from a previous date. pCloud even has an option to either download the items you want to restore as a whole or individually.

Remember that restoring the files and folders does not mean they’ll be arranged neatly as they were previously. On the contrary, it will dump everything into a folder haphazardly. If it is a large file, you will spend considerable time to organize to your liking.

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pCloud Save

pCloud Save is a browser extension for Chrome, Opera, and Firefox. It enables you to download the images you want directly to your account in a particular folder dubbed ‘pCloud Save.’

The major complaint with these extensions is that you cannot access pCloud Save if you have two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled. You will have to switch it off and try to open the extension again.

You can transfer your data directly to pCloud using other cloud services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or Microsoft OneDrive. It is very effortless to do so. You’ll need to choose the provider to back up from and link your account, and your files will start to copy promptly.

It even allows you to back up photos from social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram. Unfortunately, the service doesn’t work with Microsoft OneDrive Business and Dropbox Business.

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Public folder

The pCloud public folder feature is helpful in many ways. You can create direct links to files, embed images, and host static HTML pages. However, you must upgrade to a paid package as it is unavailable on the free pCloud account.

Nonetheless, one of the most impressive features is the pCloud Crypto. It enables you to safeguard some of your files with end-to-end encryption. I’ll cover more about this later in this pCloud review.

Besides the public folder, the ‘fair share’ feature lets you collaborate with other pCloud users. You will share a folder, and the recipient can add anything to the folder without eating into their space. Interestingly, the shared folder will use your space allocation as you originally shared it.

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Flexible file manager

The biggest advantage of pCloud is that it is compatible with all popular operating systems, including Windows, Android, macOS, Linux, and iOS. Its auto-sync feature will let you access your files with multiple devices simultaneously.

Picture a scenario where you are working on a presentation on your desktop at home. However, while attending an appointment away from home, you get new information that you need to add to your slides.

With the interconnection, you can easily access your PowerPoint file with your smartphone and make the necessary changes. So you’ll be in the loop the next time you access your PC. Some providers limit your account to only one connection.

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File sharing and syncing

File sharing and syncing are other crucial factors when choosing cloud storage. Fortunately, it’s pCloud’s strongest side as it allows you to share and sync files and folders seamlessly in various ways.

This cloud storage service uses the virtual drive model to sync any file on your PC. These are some of the features that put pCloud ahead of its competitors.

pCloud drive

Normally, you won’t interact with pCloud if you select not to sync everything with your computer. It uses a virtual drive (pCloud Drive) that will not eat any of your PC’s disk space.

The pCloud Drive allows you to access your files and folders like they were within your computer’s Drive. This will expand your storage space to approximately 2TB.

After you close the files and folders you opened, they’ll go back to the cloud. The downside is that you need an internet connection to use this system.

There are additional folders in your hard Drive known as sync folders that you can sync with your pCloud account. Unlike other services, pCloud lets you assign any folder to a sync folder. In fact, you can create as many as you want. This means you don’t have to interfere with your current folder structure as you add more storage.

Creating a new folder is straightforward. You’ll only need to go to your Explorer, right-click on the folder and click the ‘sync to pCloud’ button. On the other hand, the desktop app allows you to add new sync files. Remember that the sync folders in your computer will mirror those in the cloud. Therefore, if you erase the files on your PC, they’ll also be deleted on the cloud.

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Sharing files

Sharing files is also simple with pCloud. You can do it through the desktop app, mobile app, web interface, or from within Explorer. Furthermore, it allows you to share links and even invite other pCloud users via email.

pCloud allows you to enable read-and-write or read-only access to the link you share. Actually, you can set an expiration date or create a password to protect the link.

In the sharing window, you’ll see a ‘statistics’ button. It lets you see the total download traffic, the number of downloads you have made, and the time when you created the link. Since pCloud has a maximum limit per month of download link traffic, the metric to track your usage is very helpful.

Sharing through mobile apps is also easy. A sharing icon beneath each folder allows you to send an invitation or generate download or upload links. Similar to the desktop app, you can give permission to view or edit but cannot set expiration dates or set passwords.

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Speed

Many pCloud reviews say that its file sync speed is excellent. We tested it to see if it is true. Our download speed was 68Mbps and our upload speed was 12Mbps from a UK location. Remarkably, pCloud speed is great, and the file was uploaded and downloaded within a short time.

	First attempt	Second attempt	Third attempt
Upload time	12.32	11.59	11.46
Download time	1.12	1.24	1.31

We advise you to limit your download and upload speeds before sharing large files or moving many files. This will help you significantly improve the speed. You can easily do this in the settings area.

pCloud has a feature dubbed as block-level sync that fastens the syncing process, especially for edited files. Normally, your files are stored in broken bits, and the software only syncs the changed pieces. This means that if you are editing a file, the syncing process will take a few seconds. It will make a major difference if you are working with many large files.

Note: Many cloud storage providers do not offer this feature. You can check out OneDrive and Dropbox if you want alternatives.

Interface and use

Nowadays, there are hundreds of cloud storage options, so little-known providers need to work with the ease of use. Luckily, pCloud is not that bad, although it needs a few improvements.

Creating a pCloud account requires an email address and password. Alternatively, you can sign up with your Apple, Facebook, or Google accounts. Next, you will have to download the pCloud Drive to create a virtual drive, which is a very easy process. This will change your documents folder to become a sync folder, syncing your files to pCloud automatically.

pCloud storage mode is tried-and-tested with a sync folder on your device and a tray icon to tweak the settings. Some providers like Dropbox lets you access and explore your content within the app. However, the pCloud desktop app is basic, and you can only make changes to your account.

The links at the upper part of the pCloud desktop app are for switching between your sync folders, account information, etc. Its interface may not be appealing, but it is easy to navigate.

Mobile app

pCloud also offers mobile apps for iOS and Android devices with a menu system identical to the web interface. It is also easy to upload files to the cloud. Just click the plus sign and choose the files you want to upload. There is no option to drag and drop, so moving files may be a bit harder.

Regardless, the experience of using mobile apps is smooth. If your phone storage is insufficient, pCloud will ask you to free up some space. The biggest advantage of the mobile app is that you can make files available offline to listen on the go.

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Web interface

You can also use the web interface to access your files and folders. Similar to the pCloud app, it has menu links, the Rewind feature, and access to the public folder.

Adding files to the web interface is straightforward.  Although it is a bit clunky, you will only need to drag and drop. There is a client for Windows, Linux, and macOS.

With other cloud services, you will only need to hover over specific folders to drop the files. However, pCloud opens a popup screen that shows the file uploading to the open folder.

It doesn’t have an option to drag a file from pCloud into your desktop. Instead, you have to select the file you want to drop and click the download button. Other providers such as Microsoft OneDrive enable you to drop files into specific folders. This is much quicker and efficient. 

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Customer service

pCloud does not offer a live chat option like its competitors. Instead, you have to send a ticket query. In our experience, the response time is desired. Nonetheless, the ‘Help’ page is comprehensive, covering common issues.

You can make a phone call to talk directly to a customer agent. The problem is that the company provides a Swiss number that only works during Swiss business hours. This may be a challenge if you live in a different time zone. For instance, the US is nine hours behind Switzerland, which might be inconvenient.

The best way pCloud can fix this is by introducing a 24/7 live chat option. You can access this at any time from anywhere. After all, its competitors, such as Google Drive and Dropbox, have this feature.

pCloud pricing

pCloud is a good value for money as it’s reasonably priced, a price that’s hard to beat in the best cloud storage deals league.

If you wish to try pCloud, you can use its free account. The service tops our best free cloud storage providers list for good reasons.

pCloud offers multiple plans for personal, family, and business reasons.

Personal plans

• Premium 500GB – $49.99/year
• Premium Plus 2TB – $99.99/year

Family plans

• Family 2TB – $595 (lifetime)
• Family 10TB – $1499 (lifetime)

Business plans

• Business monthly – $9.99 (per user per month)
• Business yearly – $7.99 (per user per month)
• Business pro monthly – $19.98 (per user per month)
• Business pro yearly – $15.98 (per user per month)

The pCloud Business plan is that it comes with Crypto at no extra cost. In addition, the service comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee, so you don’t have to worry about losing money. You can ask for a refund if you don’t like the service.

The cloud storage provider also offers additional team tools, including allowing admin to set individual access levels alongside enabling users to comment on shared folders and files. However, it’s worth noting that other cloud storage services, like Egnyte and Sync.com, offer more features to enterprises.

Our thoughts about pCloud

pCloud is a reputable cloud storage and file-sharing solution with high encryption levels. It also offers unique features you’ll rarely see in other cloud storage packages. Its Virtual Drive is an excellent way to view your files without wasting your PC’s space.

Additionally, pCloud Crypto will help you protect your content with zero-knowledge encryption, although you’ll have to pay for it.

We recommend trying pCloud, as it is a good cloud service in terms of overall quality. However, if you value your privacy as almost all the readers at PrivacySavvy do, we suggest you pick the provider’s European data centers for your files’ storage instead of the ones in the US.

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