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Review: pCloud – A Storage Solution with a Lifetime Plan

Pcloud Review

pCloud is a cloud service that I have been using for some time. It offers many important features, such as sharing, collaboration, file versioning, automatic backup, and more. But the main attraction is the lifetime subscription, which is equivalent to the prices you pay elsewhere for one year of cloud storage. What’s the catch? Probably nowhere. In this review, I’ll tell you whether it makes sense to use pCloud.

To be honest, I came across pCloud completely by accident. I don’t like subscription services, and I don’t want to pay 170 CZK per month for cloud storage for the rest of my life. I have been stingy with money since birth. However, I urgently needed to pay for some cloud because my OneDrive was full, so I had to act quickly. I cast a wide net and looked for services that offer the most advantageous storage with ample space.

When I went through the usual companies like Google, Box, iCloud, Dropbox, Mega, iDrive, and the like, I was resigned to having to pay for cloud storage somewhere. Then I read a post in a discussion where one user mentioned pCloud with a lifetime subscription and disk space starting from 500 GB.

1 Pcloud Review Lifetime Cloud

Although I don’t like monthly subscriptions, I understand them from a business perspective. The company needs to make a living somehow. For this reason, I started to be suspicious of pCloud. What if I send them โ‚ฌ200 now and they go out of business in 3 years because they miscalculated? It can happen, but it is not very likely. I’ll explain further why it isn’t.

What is pCloud

pCloud is a cloud service that was founded in 2013 in Switzerland. At that time, they started offering classic subscriptions, like Dropbox did. They gave you some space for free and a bonus for meeting conditions. This was, of course, complemented by paid plans. Thanks to this, pCloud has gathered over 20 million users to date and continues to grow. It is therefore not very likely that they will go out of business, because with such a number of users, someone would be happy to take over this company.

The purpose of the cloud is to offer an innovative and reliable cloud service that would compete with established players on the market. The company is constantly evolving and bringing new features that respond to the needs of the modern user. For example, in 2014 pCloud introduced the pCloud Crypto service, which offers client-side file encryption, significantly increasing the level of user data security. This is a sign that the service is not lagging behind others.

Features – nothing will be missing

A picture below is worth a thousand words. These features make pCloud a versatile and user-friendly cloud service that satisfies the needs of both individuals and businesses. Of course, it was important for me to choose a cloud where nothing would be missing – sharing, collaboration, automatic synchronization, backups, and applications for all the devices I use. That is really important to me. pCloud has all of this.

2 Pcloud Features

Storage and Synchronization

pCloud offers a decent amount of storage space for the price-performance ratio, which can be used for storing documents, photos, videos, and other types of files. Synchronization between different devices is fast and reliable. You can easily sync files between your computer, phone, and tablet, so you always have access to the most up-to-date versions of your files.

An advantage is the option to set selective synchronization, where you can choose which folders to sync with specific devices. This way, my photos are automatically backed up from my phone to the cloud. I back up my ongoing work from my work computer to other devices.

It works simply like other clouds. You can access your storage through a browser, but you gain much more by installing the app on your device. The app ensures automatic synchronization of files from the device to the cloud and vice versa.

3 Pcloud Backup
Selection of folders for automatic backup.

File Sharing and Collaboration

One of the key features of pCloud is the ability to easily share files and folders with other users. You can create share links that allow others to download or upload files to your folder. Various levels of access rights are available, so you can restrict who can view or edit your files. Simply ideal for teams and projects where file sharing in real-time is needed.

4 Pcloud Collaborations

pCloud allows for easy sharing of files and folders with other users through several methods. One of the simplest options is creating share links. When you create a share link, you can send it to anyone, and they can then download the files directly from your pCloud storage.

One of the features I really appreciate is the ability to collaborate in real-time. pCloud allows multiple users to work on the same file simultaneously. This feature allows me to see changes my colleagues are making in real-time and respond to them. However, don’t expect it to be like Google Docs; pCloud is not trying to compete with that, so it really is just about sharing files and folders within a team. You can collaborate on documents here, but it’s just about adding notes or highlighting.

pCloud Crypto

The main principle of pCloud Crypto is encrypting files directly on your device before they are uploaded to the cloud. This means that the files are encrypted before they leave your computer or mobile device. The decryption keys for these files are stored only with you, so neither pCloud nor any third party has access to your data. This client-side encryption uses AES 256-bit encryption, which is one of the most secure encryption standards available.

5 Pcloud Crypto

pCloud Crypto provides a special folder within your storage where you can place sensitive files that require additional protection. This folder is separated from the rest of your storage, and access to it is protected by your personal Crypto Pass (password). Without this password, the files cannot be decrypted or viewed. It sounds great, but this feature is additionally charged beyond the lifetime tariff.

Multimedia Features

pCloud includes a built-in media player that allows you to play music and videos directly from the cloud storage. This feature is particularly useful when you want to have your multimedia files always at hand and view or play them directly in the browser without having to download them to the device. Support for video and audio streaming from pCloud is smooth and high quality. I have no complaints.

Integration with Other Services

pCloud integrates with a number of other cloud services and applications, making data migration easier. Besides integrating with Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive, pCloud also supports backing up photos and videos from social networks like Facebook and Instagram, which personally surprised me because I didn’t know such a thing was possible.

Integration with third parties is very useful when you want to consolidate your files in one place. If data is lost or damaged, pCloud offers file recovery tools. Your data is always protected and accessible. Another thing I appreciated here is that pCloud allows easy transfer from other clouds. In practice, this means you don’t have to copy files manually.

6 Pcloud Transfer

Security and Trustworthiness

pCloud takes the security of its users very seriously and boasts several certifications that confirm its commitment to providing quality and secure services. The company is certified according to ISO 9001:2015, an international standard for quality management systems. This certification ensures that pCloud has established processes and procedures for delivering consistent and quality services.

Another important certification is ISO 27001:2013, which focuses on information security management systems. This certification confirms that pCloud has implemented strict security protocols to protect user data. It ensures that all data is managed and protected in accordance with the highest standards of information security.

Encryption and Data Protection

To ensure the security of data transfer between users and servers, pCloud uses TLS/SSL encryption. This encryption guarantees that information is protected from unauthorized access during transmission. All user data is also stored on at least three different servers, ensuring its availability and protection against data loss. For those who need an even higher level of security, pCloud offers the Crypto service, which I mentioned above.

Data Centers and Physical Security

User data is stored in top-tier data centers that are certified according to the SSAE 16 SOC 2 Type II standard, ensuring the highest level of physical and technical security. These data centers are located in the USA and Europe, allowing users to choose their preferred location for data storage. The data centers are equipped with advanced security measures such as physical security, redundant power supplies, fire protection, and continuous monitoring. This ensures that your data is protected from physical threats and technical failures.

Pricing

One of the biggest attractions of pCloud is its offer of lifetime plans available for a one-time fee. This option is unique because most cloud services require regular monthly or annual subscriptions. With pCloud, you can pay once and have storage for life (99 years), which can be very advantageous in the long run. I won’t mention the monthly and annual plans because I find them somewhat meaningless.

7 Pcloud Price

pCloud also offers family plans that allow sharing storage space among up to 5 family members. Each family member has their own private space, and the shared storage space can be easily managed.

pCloud offers a 14-day money-back guarantee on all its plans. This means you can try the service risk-free. If you are not satisfied, you can request a refund within 14 days of purchasing the plan. In fact, you can try it all completely risk-free, as pCloud offers up to 10 GB of space for free. If you want to get the full 10 GB, you need to meet a few simple conditions, but then you can use your space unlimitedly with all the aforementioned features.

Pros and Cons

Pros (+)Cons (-)
+ Free storage with upgrade bonuses.- No document editor.
+ Lifetime plan with a one-time payment.ย 
+ Social media media backup.ย 
+ Simple UX.ย 

Final Verdict

After using pCloud for a longer period, I can confidently say that this service meets all my cloud storage needs. The biggest advantage is definitely the lifetime subscription for a one-time payment, which is incredibly advantageous compared to monthly or yearly fees of other clouds. For us frugal folks, it is a dream come true.

Of course, pCloud is not without its flaws. It lacks an integrated document editor, which can be a disadvantage for some users. However, for me personally, it is a small compromise considering all the other benefits this service offers. After all, I was looking for something mainly for backing up photos and other personal matters. Here, pCloud helped me transfer all files from various clouds and consolidate them in one place. For collaboration and work, I use Google Drive because collaboration in documents is easier there, so I won’t lie, but I don’t use pCloud for work.

Given that pCloud has been on the market since 2013 and has over 20 million users, I feel confident with this choice. The certifications and security standards that pCloud boasts convince me that my data is in good hands.

If you are looking for reliable, secure, and cost-effective cloud storage with a lifetime subscription, pCloud is definitely a service you should consider. The ability to try pCloud for free and the 14-day money-back guarantee allow you to test the service risk-free. For me, pCloud is a great and, above all, affordable choice.

5/5 - (1 vote)

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