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From the Cloud backup & online storage comparison

pCloud compared: pricing model, features, assessment

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S Sync B Backup Sh Sharing

Use cases

Sync and folder backup for computer and smartphone, storage for photo and project archives, sharing via password-protected link and target for NAS backups via WebDAV or rsync.

Our assessment

Suits you if you want storage in the EU, many apps and a one-time payment instead of a subscription. Before storing personal client data, clarify the availability and need for a data processing agreement.

  • EU or USA – selectable – not confirmed for the plan considered
  • Also as lifetime/one-off purchase
  • End-to-end encryption: Paid add-on only
Published
12 Oct 2026
Updated
12 Oct 2026
Provider
10
Stefan Petri Selection, review and responsibility

Strengths

  • EU data region (Luxembourg) selectable at sign-up[3][5]
  • Trash and file versions for 30 days on paid plans, up to 365 days with an add-on[11]
  • NAS access via WebDAV and rsync in all plans, including Synology and QNAP[13]
  • Lifetime plans with a one-time payment instead of a subscription[2]
  • Apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android[14]

Weaknesses

  • DPA availability not confirmed: pCloud considers an agreement unnecessary in its help article[6]
  • Zero-knowledge encryption only in the Crypto folder and as an add-on purchase[7][8]
  • The backup function also carries deletions over to the device[12]

Fact sheet

Product
pCloud (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android)
Vendor
pCloud International AG
Licence
proprietary
Pricing model
Subscription (monthly or yearly) · One-off purchase
Plan
Premium Plus 2 TB, yearly
Data location
EU, USA
Company headquarters
Switzerland
Location selectable
Yes
Location applies to this plan
not stated
Note on location
EU (Luxembourg) or USA (Dallas), chosen at sign-up; files, metadata and backups only in the selected region
Data processing agreement (GDPR Art. 28)
not published by the provider (Availability of a data processing agreement is not confirmed. pCloud considers a DPA unnecessary in its help article; this does not explicitly confirm or rule out provision of an agreement.)
End-to-end encryption
Paid add-on only
Note on encryption
Zero-knowledge encryption only for files in the Crypto folder, with the add-on pCloud Encryption. All other files are transferred via TLS/SSL and stored with 256-bit AES.
Two-factor authentication
Yes
Version history
File versions and Rewind up to 30 days back; 365 days with a paid add-on
Retention of deleted files
30 days; 365 days with a paid add-on
Behaviour after accidental deletion
Deleted files stay in the trash for 30 days on paid plans, up to 365 days with the paid Extended File History add-on. With Rewind you restore files to an earlier state. Note: if you delete a file in a backed-up folder, it is also removed from your device.
External drives and NAS
WebDAV, rsync, SFTP and SCP in all plans; WebDAV explicitly for Synology and QNAP, rsync recommended for large backups
Number of devices
not stated
Operating systems
Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Cancellation and term
not stated

Data region, GDPR and DPA

pCloud is run by pCloud International AG, based in Baar, Switzerland. When you sign up, you choose the data region: the European Union with a data centre in Luxembourg, or the USA with a location in Dallas. According to pCloud, your files, account metadata and backups are then stored exclusively in that region. Switching later is possible for a one-time fee, at most once every three months.

pCloud describes itself as GDPR-compliant. The available source does not confirm whether a data processing agreement is provided. pCloud states the following position in its help article: the service only provides storage infrastructure and does not process any content, so a DPA is not necessary. This is the provider’s position, not our legal assessment. The source does not explicitly state that pCloud offers or categorically refuses an agreement. Clarify the contract and requirements before storing personal client data.

Trash, versions and Rewind

On paid plans, deleted files stay in the trash for 30 days. You can also restore earlier versions of a file up to 30 days back. With Rewind you reset files and folders to a state within those 30 days – handy if ransomware has struck.

If 30 days aren't enough, there is the paid Extended File History add-on. It extends trash and versions to 365 days and can be added to any plan. The free plan has 15 days. For pCloud Business, the business page mentions file versions of up to 180 days.

Encryption and the Crypto folder

By default, pCloud transfers your data via TLS/SSL and stores it with 256-bit AES.

For zero-knowledge encryption you need the add-on pCloud Encryption. Files you put into the Crypto folder are then encrypted on your device before upload; only you know the key. Everything outside this folder is stored normally. Note: the Crypto folder cannot be reached via WebDAV or rsync, so not directly from your NAS either. According to the business page, client-side encryption is included in pCloud Business.

NAS access and backup function

pCloud supports WebDAV, rsync, SFTP and SCP connections in all plans, including the free one. For NAS devices from Synology and QNAP, pCloud explicitly mentions WebDAV; for large, recurring backups pCloud recommends rsync, as WebDAV is not intended for that.

The desktop app includes a backup function that automatically transfers selected folders to the cloud. According to the help pages, it syncs changes in real time – including deletions: if you remove a file from a backed-up folder, it also disappears from the device. According to the pCloud blog, there is currently no one-click one-way backup. The trash catches accidental deletions for 30 days; according to pCloud, you shouldn't back up system files or frequently changing files this way.

Subscription or lifetime

The individual plans come with 500 GB (Premium), 2 TB (Premium Plus) and 10 TB (Ultra). You pay monthly, yearly or once as a lifetime plan. According to pCloud, lifetime means a term of 99 years or the account holder's lifetime, whichever is shorter. There are also family plans, offered only as lifetime, and business plans billed per user. Whether prices include VAT is stated inconsistently; you'll find current amounts on pCloud's pricing page.

Who pCloud suits

In our view, pCloud suits you if you are looking for convenient online storage with apps for all your devices and want your data stored in the EU. The lifetime plans are interesting if you plan long-term and don't want a subscription.

If you work a lot with personal client data, clarify the question of the data processing agreement first. And if you need a true one-way backup of your computer, add a backup program to pCloud or back up your NAS via rsync.

Who is pCloud suitable for?

Editorial assessment

  • For photographers partly suited

    Photo archive in the EU, also with a one-time payment

    EU region, large plans and lifetime option fit; for client images the DPA is missing.

  • For designers well suited

    Sync project files and restore versions

    Sync apps for all systems, 30 days of versions and Rewind cover everyday project work.

  • For freelancers and small teams partly suited

    Team and NAS storage

    NAS access and business plans available; without a DPA, check beforehand whether this is acceptable for client data.

Conclusion

pCloud offers a lot of convenience: apps for all major systems, a selectable EU region, trash and file versions for 30 days and NAS access via WebDAV and rsync in all plans. The lifetime plans are a special feature if you don't want a subscription. Two points you should know: availability of a data processing agreement is not confirmed; pCloud considers a DPA unnecessary in its help article, and zero-knowledge encryption is only available in the Crypto folder as an add-on, which cannot be reached via WebDAV and rsync.

Visit provider – pCloud. Opens the provider’s website in a new tab affiliate link(affiliate link: TutKit earns a commission on purchases)

Sources

  1. pCloud Preise | Lifetime- & Abonnement-Pläne (jährlich) · provider · Pricing page, "Jährlich" tab, plan card · As of 11 Oct 2026
  2. pCloud Hilfecenter - Zahlungsmethoden und Abrechnungszeiträume · provider · As of 11 Oct 2026
  3. pCloud Datenregionen | Datenspeicherung in EU oder USA · provider · As of 11 Oct 2026
  4. pCloud Nutzungsbedingungen | Servicevereinbarung · provider · As of 11 Oct 2026
  5. pCloud Hilfecenter - Auswahl & Änderung der Datenregionen · provider · As of 11 Oct 2026
  6. pCloud Hilfecenter - DSGVO & Datenschutz · provider · As of 11 Oct 2026
  7. pCloud Encryption | Zero-Knowledge-Verschlüsselung · provider · As of 11 Oct 2026
  8. pCloud Encryption | Zero-Knowledge-Verschlüsselung · provider · As of 11 Oct 2026
  9. pCloud Preise | Lifetime- & Abonnement-Pläne · provider · As of 11 Oct 2026
  10. pCloud Help center - Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) · provider · As of 11 Oct 2026
  11. pCloud Hilfecenter - Dateiwiederherstellung und Verlauf - Papierkorb, Versionen, Rückspulen, Erweiterter Dateiverlauf · provider · As of 11 Oct 2026
  12. pCloud Hilfecenter - Verwendung der Backup-Funktion in pCloud Drive · provider · As of 11 Oct 2026
  13. Mit pCloud über WebDAV und rsync verbinden · provider · As of 11 Oct 2026
  14. pCloud Apps herunterladen | Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS & Android · provider · As of 11 Oct 2026
  15. pCloud Preise | Lifetime- & Abonnement-Pläne (monatlich) · provider · Pricing page, "Monatlich" tab, plan card · As of 11 Oct 2026
  16. pCloud Preise | Lifetime- & Abonnement-Pläne · provider · Pricing page, "Lifetime" tab, plan card (higher amount struck through) · As of 11 Oct 2026
  17. pCloud Backup | Automatisches Cloud-Backup für PC und Mac · provider · As of 11 Oct 2026

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