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pCloud Reviews

pCloud Reviews

By Daniel C.Daniel C. — Verified by Inês P.Inês P. — Last updated: November 25, 2024 — User Reviews (0)
Overall
4/5
(4)
Features
(4)
Price
(4)
Customer Service
Pros
  • Affordable cloud storage
  • 10GB free version
  • Multi-platform software
  • User-friendly
  • End-to-end encryption
Cons
  • Limited types of backups
  • Unable to restore full system
  • No live chat support

Based in Switzerland and founded in 2013, pCloud is one of the most secure cloud backup services on the market. It offers peace of mind with 256-bit AES end-to-end encryption and 30-day file revisions. Beyond privacy, pCloud’s ideal for both beginners and advanced users, and subscriptions cover an unlimited number of devices. The online backup service automatically syncs documents and folders from all devices and stores data in a logical file structure. Last but not least, sharing documents is a straightforward process. Users can share files by creating unique links on the website, desktop application, and mobile app. There are also no size limitations when it comes to uploading larger photos and videos. Prices start as low as $4.17 per month, but it’s possible to use pCloud’s services at zero cost by taking advantage of its 10GB free version.

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Back Up Your Data With pCloud

Backups

Backups
Automatic backups
Selective backups
Idle backups
Scheduled backups
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pCloud is the ultimate, user-friendly online backup service. It creates a separate drive on the computer, which looks like an external drive. When it comes to backing up files, there are two options: the first one is to manually add files and folders to pCloud’s Drive, whereas the second option is to include the folders in the software’s settings wherein the service will continue to back up changes automatically. Unfortunately, pCloud doesn’t offer different backup options and isn’t able to create full system recoveries. However, users can throttle bandwidth and disk usage in the settings so that the software doesn’t affect the overall performance of a computer.

Another impressive pCloud feature is file versioning, which stores multiple revisions of a file for up to 30 days. It lets users go back in time, meaning there’s no need to panic when a file is corrupted or overwritten by mistake. What’s more, the company keeps deleted files in the trash bin for 15 days in case documents need to be recovered later on.

File management

The service instantly synchronizes data across all devices, which guarantees quick file access. When it comes to uploading files, pCloud Drive automatically locates local folders like ‘My Pictures’ and ‘My Videos’ and adds them to the backup list, not to mention that additional folders may be added to the list from the settings. The software supports all file types, and there’s no restriction on the size of documents or videos which can be uploaded to the platform. While it lacks native editing capabilities, a preview of the files kept in the cloud is provided.

pCloud follows a similar file management structure to most modern operating systems, meaning it stores documents logically. Whatever the device, users can modify and delete files at the click of a button. Automatic backups are stored safely in the pCloud Backup folder, where the software uploads dedicated folders for each device that’s linked to the service. To make things easier, there’s a search function to find hidden files and folders.

File sharing

pCloud users can instantly share files with others at the touch of a button. It’s as straightforward as right-clicking on a file on pCloud Drive and selecting the share option, which creates a unique link that can be sent to others. The process is similarly uncomplicated for the online platform, which allows users to add expiration dates and password protection to each shareable link. Furthermore, sharing files on the go is convenient thanks to pCloud’s mobile app.

Security

Security
Geo-redundant storage
Data encryption
AES 256-bit
SSL

pCloud complies with general data protection regulations (GDPR). It uses TLS/SSL protocols to secure data with 256-bit AES encryption technology, and the company provides two-factor authentication (2FA) as an extra security measure. No one has access to the data that’s stored in the cloud – not even pCloud. But the best part is that the service has three highly secure, multi-tier data centers spread across the world, which store up to five copies of data on different servers. This guarantees that no files are lost in the event of a blackout or a natural disaster. Users seeking additional security can subscribe to pCloud’s Encryption plan that features client-side encryption, meaning file encryption takes place on the device before it’s uploaded to the cloud.pCloud crypto folder

Platforms

Platform support
Web app
Mobile optimized
macOS
Linux
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pCloud works on virtually anything, supporting Windows (from XP to the latest version), macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android devices. The desktop application automatically creates a pCloud drive where files and folders can be dragged and dropped with ease. On pCloud’s web interface, users can access file revisions and restore deleted documents directly from the trash bin. Documents and pictures can be manually uploaded directly from a mobile browser since the web version is optimized for smartphones and tablets. But the easiest way to keep files secure is by installing the dedicated mobile app, which allows for quick and easy file sharing on the go. It automatically uploads photos and videos to the cloud, which frees up device storage. pCloud’s add-on browser extension makes it relatively simple to save videos, text, and images from the web, but the crowning point is that the service supports an unlimited number of devices for seamless syncing of files and folders across multiple pieces of equipment.

Ease of use

Signing up for pCloud is a breeze. To create an account, users just need to pick a storage plan and provide the relevant payment information. From there, they can log in to the website immediately or download the desktop and mobile app. The pCloud app is straightforward and comes with dedicated tutorials. Everything is quite intuitive, which is further improved by the app’s modern user interface. The service handles file management like a pro, allowing users to search for files and filter search results based on file types. As an added bonus, the mobile app prompts customers to automatically delete files that have been backed up to the cloud to free up space on their smartphone or tablet.

Pricing

pCloud offers a generous free plan with 10GB of cloud storage. To benefit from more space, the company has three main plans: Individual, Family, and Business that can be billed monthly, yearly, or as a one-time purchase. Under Individual, there are Premium, Premium Plus, and Custom subscriptions that offer different benefits. While only the Business version comes with a 30-day free trial, all paid subscriptions are covered by a 10-day money-back guarantee for peace of mind.

Free
$0
Free forever
1 user
10GB
Unlimited devices
File encryption
File syncing
File sharing
30-day file versioning
Premium
$4.17/mo
Billed annually
1 user
500GB
Unlimited devices
File encryption
File syncing
File sharing
30-day file versioning
Premium Plus
$8.33/mo
Billed annually
1 user
2TB
Unlimited devices
File encryption
File syncing
File sharing
30-day file versioning
Family
$595
One-time payment
Up to 5 users
2TB
Unlimited devices
File encryption
File syncing
File sharing
30-day file versioning

Although several features are common across pCloud’s subscriptions, the amount of storage varies depending on the chosen plan. The most impressive option is the Premium Plus subscription which costs $99.99 a year or $8.33 per month. It allows unlimited device access and boasts 2TB of cloud storage. The Family plan is ideal for larger households as it supports up to five users and includes 2TB of online storage for a once-off fee of $595. pCloud also caters to businesses by offering subscriptions that feature unlimited storage, 180-day file versioning, and pCloud encryption.

With pCloud, users can save up to 17% on subscriptions and 80% on lifetime plans. The company lets everyone conveniently and securely pay via wire transfers, major credit cards, and PayPal, so there’s no need to worry about payment options.

Payment options
Visa
Mastercard
American Express
Discover
Show all

Customer service

Customer support
24/7
Live chat
Email
Phone
Show all

Software needs to be backed up with excellent client service. Fortunately, that’s exactly the case with pCloud, which offers 24/7 customer support via phone or email. Although live chat isn’t an option, the service provides plenty of resources on its website. From an impressive FAQ section to thorough guides and video tutorials, the company helps users solve simple issues without the need for a support call. In addition, pCloud is active on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, where it replies to customers’ posts and instant messages. Its YouTube channel is also packed with videos that keep customers up to date with the latest product news and provide handy tips and tricks on new features.

Bottom line

pCloud is a great backup solution suitable for all types of users. Its modern-looking app for desktop and mobile, as well as its logical file structuring, make it user-friendly and painless to set up. With some plans offering up to 2TBs of cloud storage, users have plenty of space to store important documents, pictures, and other file types. Although the software features impressive encryption technology, it’s rather limited in terms of backups and isn’t capable of replicating servers or an entire operating system. Still, pCloud does an excellent job with everything else, such as file sharing and syncing. Moreover, the online backup service is cross-platform and works on any electronic device. pCloud offers 10GB of free cloud storage and, as a cherry on top, its affordable cloud storage solutions are backed by a 10-day money-back guarantee.

pCloud website

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