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pCloud VS Dropbox

Compare pCloud VS Dropbox and see what are their differences

pCloud

Cloud storage service with up to 20GB for free! Store, share and send large files to anyone. Join now and have your files everywhere you go.

Rating
0 reviews
Alternatives Is it good?
Dropbox

Online Sync and File Sharing

Rating
5.0 · 1 review
Alternatives Is it good?
Axcrypt
AxCrypt is a powerful, easy-to-use encryption tool that protects your files, passwords, and personal information with strong AES-256 security. Available on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, it keeps your data safe wherever you go. sponsored

Which is more popular?

pCloud might be a bit more popular than Dropbox. We know about 36 links to it since March 2021 and only 28 links to Dropbox.

social mentions
36 vs 28
Cloud Storage popularity
22% vs 78%

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

pCloud
Dropbox
Website pcloud.com dropbox.com
Pricing
Official pricing
Official pricing
Company Startup from Switzerland · 100 - 249 employees · 2013 Startup from the United States
Listed in
Cloud Storage File Sharing Office Tools Encrypted Cloud Storage +1
Cloud Storage File Sharing Office Suites Encrypted Cloud Storage +1

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

pCloud 5 features
Dropbox 6 features
  • Security
    pCloud offers strong encryption for files, ensuring data is kept secure. They also offer optional pCloud Crypto service for even further encryption.
  • Lifetime Plans
    Users can pay a one-time fee for lifetime access to storage, which can be more cost-effective in the long run compared to monthly or annual subscriptions.
  • File Versioning
    pCloud keeps previous versions of files for up to 30 days (or extended time for premium plans). This is useful for retrieving older versions of documents and recovering from accidental deletions or changes.
  • Media Playback
    The service has built-in media playback options, allowing users to stream audio and video files directly from the cloud without needing to download them first.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    pCloud is available on multiple platforms including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android. This ensures users can access files from almost any device.

Possible disadvantages

  • Cost of pCloud Crypto
    The enhanced encryption service, pCloud Crypto, comes at an additional cost, which might be a downside for users wanting comprehensive security without extra fees.
  • No Document Editing
    Unlike some competitors, pCloud does not have integrated document editing capabilities. Users need to download documents, edit them, and upload them again.
  • Limited Collaboration Tools
    pCloud's collaboration tools are not as comprehensive as other cloud storage providers. For example, it lacks real-time collaborative editing features.
  • Customer Support
    Some users have reported that customer support response times can be slow, which can be frustrating if encountering urgent issues.
  • Free Plan Limitations
    The free plan offers limited storage (up to 10GB with bonuses for referrals and other activities), which may not be sufficient for users with larger storage needs.
  • Ease of Use
    Dropbox offers a user-friendly interface that makes file sharing, syncing, and storage simple for users of any technical skill level.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Dropbox supports multiple operating systems including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, making it accessible from almost any device.
  • Collaboration Features
    The service includes features like shared folders, file comments, and real-time collaboration on documents, which are ideal for team projects.
  • File Versioning
    Dropbox maintains previous versions of files, allowing users to recover older versions if needed, which is helpful in case of accidental deletions or edits.
  • Third-Party Integrations
    The platform integrates seamlessly with various third-party apps such as Microsoft Office, Slack, and Trello, enhancing its utility in workflow management.
  • Strong Security Measures
    Dropbox offers robust encryption both at rest and in transit, along with two-factor authentication to secure user data.

Possible disadvantages

  • Cost
    Dropbox can be expensive, especially for businesses or advanced individual users who require more storage than what is available in the free plan.
  • Privacy Concerns
    There have been concerns around Dropbox's privacy policies and data handling practices, which might not be ideal for users particularly concerned about privacy.
  • Storage Limits
    The free version of Dropbox offers limited storage capacity (only up to 2GB), which may not be sufficient for users with extensive storage needs.
  • Sync Performance Issues
    Some users have reported issues with the speed and reliability of file syncing, which can be disruptive, especially for large files or bulk uploads.
  • File Size Restrictions
    There are file size limitations for both free and certain paid plans, which may be inconvenient for users who need to store or share particularly large files.
  • Limited Offline Access
    While Dropbox allows files to be made available offline, the process is not always straightforward and can lead to accessibility issues when internet access is not available.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

pCloud
Dropbox

Overall verdict

  • Overall, pCloud is a good choice for users who prioritize security and flexibility in their cloud storage solutions. Its combination of features, affordability, and strong user feedback make it a competitive option in the market.

Why this product is good

  • pCloud is considered a reliable cloud storage service due to its strong emphasis on security, including client-side encryption, and its flexible storage options that cater to both personal and business needs. It offers a lifetime plan, which is an attractive option for users looking for long-term storage solutions without recurring subscription fees. Additionally, it has cross-platform compatibility, making it accessible on various devices and operating systems. The service also provides ease of use with its intuitive interface and useful features such as file versioning, media playback, and extensive sharing options.

Recommended for

  • Individuals seeking long-term cloud storage solutions without monthly fees.
  • Users who need a secure platform for sensitive data, thanks to its optional zero-knowledge encryption feature (pCloud Crypto).
  • Professionals and small businesses looking for reliable storage with collaboration tools.
  • Anyone who requires access to their files across multiple devices and operating systems.
  • Media enthusiasts who want easy media streaming from their cloud storage.

No analysis of Dropbox yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

pCloud 6 videos + Add
Dropbox 8 videos + Add

pCloud Lifetime Deal cloud storage

More videos

  • - pCloud Review - Dropbox Alternative With a Twist - Online Hard Drive | Cloud Storage Service
  • - Sync.com vs pCloud: Battle of the best cloud storage providers of 2020
  • - pCloud Review: The Best Lifetime Cloud Storage?
  • - 5 things to you should know about pCloud... the BEST cloud storage? REVIEW
  • - Pcloud Review - Features, Security & Plans

Dropbox Update 2019 - Is it Worth It?

More videos

  • - Dropbox API / JavaScript ES6 Tutorial - Expense Organizer
  • - How To Build With Dropbox Webinar October 2020 | Dropbox API | Dropbox
  • - Everything You Need to Know: The NEW Dropbox 📦
  • - Dropbox Paper: Full Review (2019)
  • - Dropbox Review: Best Cloud Storage for File Sharing?
  • - Dropbox vs Google Drive vs OneDrive: The Ultimate Cloud Storage Showdown
  • - 2021 Best Cloud Storage | Dropbox vs OneDrive vs Google Drive vs iCloud vs Box vs Mega

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
pCloud
Dropbox
22% 22%
Cloud Storage
78% 78%
22% 22%
File Sharing
78% 78%
25% 25%
Encrypted Cloud Storage
75% 75%
100% 100%
Backup & Sync
0% 0%

User comments

Share your experience with using pCloud and Dropbox. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

pCloud no reviews yet
Dropbox 5.0 · 1 review

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

pCloud 36 mentions
Dropbox 28 mentions
  • Need new cloud service
    If you want Lifetime however, pCloud is a really popular option, with tons of features and good speeds (I typically get at least 160+ Mbps with them). They tend to run promos on their Lifetime deals around days like Black Friday,... Source: almost 3 years ago
  • How best to store mixed file sizes in cloud storage?
    Why not just put everything in a virtual drive (like what pCloud does) so that way it doesn't matter how much storage each computer has - every computer will have, say, 2 TB to use (if you got their 2 TB plan). Source: over 3 years ago
  • Cannot launch pcloud on ArchLinux with Sway
    Anyone experienced a problem running pcloud on ArchLinux with Sway? I recently did a system update, and now whenever I try to start the app (even if I download the binary direct from pcloud.com and run that) I get this error: ```. Source: over 3 years ago

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  • Excel What if Analysis Issue
    Even better: upload an example Excel file to a file-sharing website (box.net/files, dropbox.com, onedrive.live.com, etc), and post a download link that does not require that we log in. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • How to save data on Obsidian? Worried about data loss
    Note that Dropbox automatically backs up all your files. So if you delete a file, you can recover it on dropbox.com, even 6 months later. Source: about 3 years ago
  • How long would a USB stick last in storage?
    Upload what is on that stick to a cloud based system that is not vulnerable to degradation of hardware, you can get a lot of storage for free on sites like dropbox.com, mega.nz, or icloud. You can also always make multiple backups. Source: about 3 years ago

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Alternatives to pCloud and Dropbox

When comparing pCloud and Dropbox, you can also consider the following products.

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