5 Best pCloud Alternatives in 2025
Last updated: February 2026 • 17 min read
pCloud is a popular tool for privacy-conscious users wanting lifetime storage. While it offers a free tier (Up to 10 GB), its paid plans start at $49.99/yr. Whether you're looking for a cheaper option, better features, or an open-source solution, we've compiled the 5 best pCloud alternatives to help you find the right fit.
📋 Quick Summary
- Total alternatives: 5
- Free alternatives: 5 (Dropbox, Google Drive, Sync.com)
- Open-source options: Nextcloud
- Best overall: Dropbox
- Best free: Dropbox
Why Look for pCloud Alternatives?
People commonly look for pCloud alternatives for several reasons:
- Cost: While pCloud has a free tier, its paid plans starting at $49.99/yr can add up quickly for growing teams.
- Feature gaps: Encryption costs extra and smaller ecosystem are common complaints.
- Simplicity: Some users find pCloud overly complex for their needs and prefer simpler solutions.
- Data ownership: Organizations wanting data sovereignty prefer open-source, self-hosted alternatives.
- Better fit: Different tools excel at different use cases — you may find a tool that's specifically built for your workflow.
📊 Quick Comparison Table
| Tool | Free Tier | Starting Price | Rating | Open Source | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| pCloud | ✓ Up to 10 GB | $49.99/yr | ⭐ 4.3 | No | Privacy-conscious users wanting lifetime storage |
| Dropbox | ✓ 2 GB storage | $11.99/mo | ⭐ 4.2 | No | Individuals and teams needing reliable file sync |
| Google Drive | ✓ 15 GB free | $1.99/mo (100 GB) | ⭐ 4.4 | No | Google Workspace users |
| Sync.com | ✓ 5 GB free | $8/mo (2 TB) | ⭐ 4.2 | No | Privacy-focused individuals and businesses |
| MEGA | ✓ 20 GB free | €4.99/mo | ⭐ 4.1 | No | Users wanting encrypted cloud storage with large free tier |
| Nextcloud | ✓ Free (self-hosted) | Free | ⭐ 4.2 | ✓ Yes | Organizations wanting self-hosted cloud storage |
Detailed Reviews of Each Alternative
Dropbox
Cloud storage and file synchronization service.
Dropbox is one of the original cloud storage services, offering file syncing, sharing, and collaboration features. While it pioneered the cloud storage category, Dropbox has evolved into a broader collaboration platform with features like Paper, Transfer, and Replay.
Pros
- ✓ Reliable sync
- ✓ Great desktop app
- ✓ Widely used
- ✓ Good sharing features
Cons
- ✗ Expensive for storage
- ✗ Small free tier
- ✗ Privacy concerns
- ✗ Limited editing tools
Google Drive
Cloud storage service integrated with Google Workspace.
Google Drive is a cloud storage service that's part of the Google Workspace ecosystem. It offers 15 GB of free storage shared across Gmail, Drive, and Photos. With tight integration with Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, it's the default storage solution for the Google ecosystem.
Pros
- ✓ 15 GB free
- ✓ Google ecosystem integration
- ✓ Real-time collaboration
- ✓ Powerful search
Cons
- ✗ Privacy concerns
- ✗ Confusing organization
- ✗ Limited offline
- ✗ Google ecosystem lock-in
Sync.com
Encrypted cloud storage focused on privacy and compliance.
Sync.com is a Canadian cloud storage provider that offers zero-knowledge encryption by default. All files are encrypted end-to-end, meaning not even Sync can access your data. It's HIPAA, GDPR, and PIPEDA compliant, making it suitable for businesses with strict privacy requirements.
Pros
- ✓ Zero-knowledge encryption
- ✓ HIPAA compliant
- ✓ Good value
- ✓ Canadian privacy laws
Cons
- ✗ Slower sync
- ✗ Limited features
- ✗ No collaboration tools
- ✗ Basic interface
MEGA
Secure cloud storage with end-to-end encryption and 20 GB free.
MEGA is a secure cloud storage service that provides end-to-end encryption by default. Founded by Kim Dotcom, MEGA offers a generous 20 GB free plan and strong privacy features. All files are encrypted before being uploaded, ensuring that only you can access your data.
Pros
- ✓ 20 GB free
- ✓ End-to-end encryption
- ✓ Privacy focused
- ✓ Good sync client
Cons
- ✗ Transfer limits
- ✗ Bandwidth quotas
- ✗ Controversial history
- ✗ Limited integrations
Nextcloud
Open-source, self-hosted cloud storage and collaboration platform.
Nextcloud is the most popular open-source, self-hosted cloud storage solution. It provides file sharing, calendar, contacts, email, and collaboration features that you host on your own server. Nextcloud offers complete data sovereignty and can be extended with hundreds of apps.
Pros
- ✓ Open source
- ✓ Self-hosted
- ✓ Feature rich
- ✓ Data sovereignty
- ✓ Active community
Cons
- ✗ Requires hosting
- ✗ Setup complexity
- ✗ Performance varies
- ✗ Maintenance needed
🏆 Our Recommendations
❓ FAQ
What is the best free alternative to pCloud?
The best free alternative to pCloud is Dropbox, which offers 2 GB storage.
Is there an open-source alternative to pCloud?
Yes! Nextcloud is open-source alternative to pCloud that you can self-host for free.
What is the cheapest alternative to pCloud?
The cheapest alternatives are the free options: Dropbox, Google Drive, Sync.com. For paid alternatives, prices start from as low as $1.991/mo.
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