pCloud
BeginnerpCloud is a solid Google Drive alternative. Swiss cloud with lifetime licences. Data in Luxembourg or the United States, your choice. Zero-knowledge encryption is a paid add-on.
Information verified on October 12, 2026
Description
pCloud is a Swiss storage service (pCloud International AG, Baar) launched in 2013. When you sign up, you choose where your files live: Luxembourg (European Union) or Dallas (United States). Its signature is the lifetime licence: one payment for 500 GB, 2 TB or 10 TB instead of a subscription. Mind the word "lifetime": pCloud defines it as 99 years or the account holder's life, but in practice it means the company's lifetime. Second caveat: zero-knowledge encryption (pCloud Encryption) is not included. It is a paid add-on, limited to one dedicated folder. By default, pCloud can read your files.
My take
In the book, I file pCloud under reservations, for two reasons. "Lifetime" means the company's lifetime, not yours. And the encryption that really protects your files is a paid add-on, whereas Proton includes it as standard. If you go with pCloud anyway, pick the Luxembourg region and budget for the Encryption add-on.
Key features
- Choice of data region (Luxembourg or Dallas)
- Lifetime licences 500 GB, 2 TB, 10 TB
- pCloud Drive (virtual disk)
- Import from Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive
- Built-in audio and video player
- Optional zero-knowledge encryption (pCloud Encryption)
Strengths
- + Data region chosen at sign-up: Luxembourg or United States
- + Lifetime licence: one payment, no running subscription
- + pCloud Drive virtual disk: files take no space on your computer
- + Direct import from Google Drive, Google Photos, Dropbox and OneDrive
Weaknesses
- − Zero-knowledge encryption is a paid add-on, limited to one Crypto folder
- − "Lifetime" means as long as pCloud exists
- − No office suite, no collaborative editing
- − Proprietary apps, closed source
Recommended for
- Replacing Google Drive without a recurring subscription
- Storing lots of photos or videos at a fixed price
- Beginners who want a simple cloud hosted in Europe
pCloud vs Google Drive: the comparison
| Criterion | pCloud | Google Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (up to 10 GB, unlocked in steps). Premium 500 GB at €49.99/year, Premium Plus 2 TB at €99.99/year. Lifetime licences: €219 (500 GB), €499 (2 TB), €1,499 (10 TB), shown as promotional prices. Zero-knowledge encryption add-on: €150 lifetime or about €50/year. | Free up to 15 GB, then Google One subscription |
| Targeted ads on your data | No | Yes (Google ad profile) |
| Source code | Proprietary | Proprietary |
| Migration difficulty | Easy (2/5) | — |
Comparison
pCloud plays the fixed-price, simplicity card. Proton Drive encrypts everything end to end, as standard. kDrive adds the office suite and collaboration. Tresorit targets professionals with built-in zero-knowledge.
This topic is chapter 6 of my book
It answers these questions, among others:
- how do you empty Google Drive without losing anything, Google Docs included?
- encrypted cloud, NAS or personal server: which one fits your profile?
- and what does a NAS at home really involve, day to day?
Published 22/10/2026 by Éditions Eyrolles
Frequently asked questions
How much does pCloud cost?
Free (up to 10 GB, unlocked in steps). Premium 500 GB at €49.99/year, Premium Plus 2 TB at €99.99/year. Lifetime licences: €219 (500 GB), €499 (2 TB), €1,499 (10 TB), shown as promotional prices. Zero-knowledge encryption add-on: €150 lifetime or about €50/year.
How do you switch from Google Drive to pCloud?
Estimated difficulty: Easy (2/5). pCloud imports Google Drive and Google Photos content directly from its interface, no Takeout needed. Allow transfer time for large volumes. Interface and apps available in French.
Who is pCloud for?
Individuals who want to leave Google Drive for a simple cloud hosted in Europe, and would rather pay once than subscribe.
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Similar alternatives
Proton Drive
BeginnerEnd-to-end encrypted cloud storage, integrated with the Proton suite. Simple as Google Drive, private as a vault.
Infomaniak kDrive
BeginnerSwiss cloud by Infomaniak. 15 GB free, integrated office suite, hosted in Switzerland.
Tresorit
IntermediateZero-knowledge encrypted cloud for professionals. Your files remain unreadable, even to Tresorit.