Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

pCloud VS rsync

Compare pCloud VS rsync and see what are their differences

pCloud logo 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.

rsync logo rsync

rsync is a file transfer program for Unix systems. rsync uses the "rsync algorithm" which provides a very fast method for bringing remote files into sync.
  • pCloud Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-18
  • rsync Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-31

pCloud

Website
pcloud.com
$ Details
-
Release Date
2013 January
Startup details
Country
Switzerland
City
Baar
Employees
100 - 249

pCloud features and specs

  • 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 of pCloud

  • 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.

rsync features and specs

  • Efficient Data Transfer
    Rsync uses a delta-transfer algorithm which allows it to update files by only sending the differences between the source and destination, greatly reducing the amount of data transferred.
  • Bandwidth Throttling
    Rsync provides an option to limit the bandwidth used during the transfer, helping to manage network resources and avoid congestion.
  • Compression
    Rsync supports compression of data during transfer, which can further reduce the amount of data sent over the network.
  • Secure Transfer
    Rsync can utilize SSH for secure data transfer, adding a layer of encryption to protect data as it moves between systems.
  • Versatile
    Rsync can be used for a variety of tasks such as backups, mirroring, and synchronization, making it a versatile tool for different data management needs.
  • Preserves File Attributes
    Rsync preserves file permissions, timestamps, ownerships, and symbolic links during the transfer, ensuring that all file attributes remain intact.
  • Widely Supported
    Rsync is available on most Unix-like operating systems and there are ports available for Windows, making it accessible across different platforms.
  • Open Source
    Rsync is free and open-source software, allowing anyone to use, modify, and distribute it without licensing fees.

Possible disadvantages of rsync

  • Complex Syntax
    The rsync command line options can be complex and difficult to master, especially for users who are not familiar with command-line interfaces.
  • Initial Setup
    Setting up rsync for the first time can be cumbersome, particularly when dealing with SSH keys, excluding files, and setting up cron jobs for automation.
  • Resource Intensive
    During large data transfers, rsync can be resource-intensive, consuming a considerable amount of CPU and RAM, which might affect system performance.
  • Limited Incremental Backup Support
    Rsync's incremental backup feature is somewhat limited and less sophisticated compared to dedicated backup solutions, requiring additional scripting for effective implementation.
  • Remote File System Compatibility
    Rsync may encounter issues with certain remote file systems that have different characteristics or limitations, such as differing maximum file path lengths or unsupported special characters.
  • No Native GUI
    Rsync does not have a native graphical user interface (GUI), which may make it less accessible to users who prefer or require a visual interaction.
  • No Built-in Scheduling
    Rsync lacks built-in scheduling capabilities, necessitating the use of external tools like cron (Linux/Unix) or Task Scheduler (Windows) to automate scheduled tasks.

Analysis of pCloud

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.

pCloud videos

pCloud Lifetime Deal cloud storage

More videos:

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

rsync videos

Rsync Backup on Linux

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to Properly Use Cloud Storage | Rsync Encrypt Tutorial
  • Review - Setup OpenMediaVault 5.0 beta NAS on Raspberry Pi 4: RPi4 NAS + Configure RSync with x2 shares OMV5

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to pCloud and rsync)
Cloud Storage
78 78%
22% 22
File Sharing And Backup
0 0%
100% 100
File Sharing
64 64%
36% 36
Encrypted Cloud Storage
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare pCloud and rsync

pCloud Reviews

Best MEGA Alternatives in 2024ย : These 5 Are Much Better!
You can, therefore, adapt pCloud to suit your needs and pay exclusively for what youโ€™ll use. Unlike MEGA, pCloud has no security issues and is among the safest options on the market. Not to mention its file versioning and the ability to access your photos, videos, and documents directly from the app.
Source: www.01net.com
Best Free Cloud Storage for 2024: What Cloud Storage Providers Offer the Most Free Storage?
The only features youรขย€ย™ll be missing on pCloudรขย€ย™s free cloud storage plan are password protection for files, expiry dates for publicly shared files and zero-knowledge encryption for your important documents. If this is a problem, you can upgrade to pCloud Premium with either or of storage, starting at per month. Thereรขย€ย™s also a pCloud Lifetime plan.
Best Cloud Storage Services for Linux
pCloud is a company based in Switzerland that focuses on security and privacy. They have an option to choose what server location youโ€™d like to use โ€“ either a US (Dallas, Texax) or an EU (Luxembourg) one.
Source: linuxstans.com
Best Top 12 MEGA Alternatives in 2024
pCloud is a versatile cloud storage solution that competes head-to-head with MEGA. With user-friendly features and robust security measures, it provides an excellent alternative for those looking to safeguard their files.
The Best Free Backup Software and Why it is Difficult to Find One
Following the same logic as with the aforementioned Google Drive, pCloud is not a backup software per se, but it can act as one by providing limited cloud storage to its users for free. It offers file sharing for multiple devices and different users, as well as collaboration within those files, data encryption, the ability to set individual or group permissions, as well as a...
Source: www.bacula.org

rsync Reviews

Linux File Backup - 5 Best Softeware for Linux Desktop and Server
Rsync(secured URL: https://linux.die.net/man/1/rsync) is a famous software among Linux desktop users since it offers command-line system backup services. Besides featuring incremental backups, you can update the complete file directory tree inside the system. Even it is possible to protect file ownership, permissions, links, etc.
Source: www.easeus.com
The Best Free Backup Software and Why it is Difficult to Find One
Rsync is the very definition of bare-bones backup software. It is a backup tool that is made for Unix systems with the ability to operate it both via the graphic interface and the command line. It allows for its users to perform local and remote backups on multiple devices, including incremental backups. Rsync also has the capability to sync systems across the internet with...
Source: www.bacula.org
The Top 17 Free and Open Source Backup Solutions
Rsync is a command line Linux backup tool, but it also offers a graphical user interface. With this software, IT administrators are able to perform incremental backups, as well as local and remote backups. Rsync enables users to update their whole directory tree and file system. The solution is built for UNIX-like systems, and is recommended to users looking to locally back...
11 Best Linux Backup Solutions
Rsync is another feature-rich backup solution available for Linux. It allows for incremental backups, update whole directory tree and file system, both local and remote backups, preserve file permissions, ownership, links, privileges, automated scripts and much more. Rsync is a command-line tool but there GUI or frontends such as Grsync available. Rsync is very popular in...
25 Outstanding Backup Utilities for Linux Systems in 2020
It also has a graphical user interface called Grsync but one advantage with the rsync is that backups can be automated using scripts and cron jobs when used by experienced System Administrators on the command line.
Source: www.tecmint.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, pCloud should be more popular than rsync. It has been mentiond 36 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

pCloud mentions (36)

  • 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, Christmas/New Year's, 4th of July, etc. They've already been around over a decade, so have shown thus far they can hold up against the test of time. Source: over 2 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: about 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: about 3 years ago
  • Way to issue different passwords to different users
    pCloud can do at least 3 of those 4, and as an additional plus you can create your own custom "Branded Links" (some examples on this page) โ€“ where you can have a custom cover, title image and even message for links that you share with people. So if you want to create a tailored look for your client, you can do that. Source: about 3 years ago
  • i want to journal to help my mental health but my partner would read it
    If you don't want to keep the document on your computer, use a free cloud space such us pcloud.com for the entries. Source: over 3 years ago
View more

rsync mentions (17)

  • Openrsync: A BSD-licensed implementation of rsync, by the OpenBSD team
    Ubuntu's rsync is samba rsync. It's not part of the samba project per se, but it is made by the same guy and the official url is https://rsync.samba.org/ so it's entirely fair to call it samba rsync in my opinion. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago
  • CDC File Transfer
    Please bear in mind that there are [now] two distinct rsync codebases. The original is the GPL variant [today displaying "Upgrade required"]: https://rsync.samba.org/ The second is the BSD clone: https://www.openrsync.org/ The BSD version would be used on platforms that are intolerant of later versions of the GPL (Apple, Android, etc.). - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • Down the Rabbit Hole of creating a Home Lab
    Rsync - Fast file copying and syncing. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • Researchers have identified a total of 6 vulnerabilities in rsync
    Does this apply to the GPL or BSD codebase? There are (now) two rsync codebases. GPL: https://rsync.samba.org/ BSD: https://www.openrsync.org/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Which synchronization tool are you using together with the pCloud Crypto Folder?
    Rsync can be used to synchronize a local disk to the pCloud drive p. Works similarly as the Sync option of the pCloud Drive app. May be useful if one prefers a bulk upload once a day over a continuous synchronization. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

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

Dropbox - Online Sync and File Sharing

FreeFileSync - FreeFileSync is a free open source data backup software that helps you synchronize files and folders on Windows, Linux and macOS.

Google Drive - Access and sync your files anywhere

Duplicati - Free backup software to store backups online with strong encryption. Works with FTP, SSH, WebDAV, OneDrive, Amazon S3, Google Drive and many others.

Mega - Secure File Storage and collaboration

GoodSync - GoodSync provides highly reliable file backup and synchronization for both individuals and businesses.