pCloud
Perfect balance of speed, price and ease of use, with lifetime plans.
- Free or from US$8.33/mo
- Free storage: 10 GB
- AES-256 (E2E optional)
Perfect balance of speed, price and ease of use, with lifetime plans.
Open source, zero-knowledge encryption and a Spanish company (GDPR).
Cheap 1 TB, open source and a European company (GDPR).
TABLE
| Product | Price | Free storage | Encryption | Paid plan from | Lifetime plan | Open source | Headquarters | Type | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() RecommendedpCloud | Free or fromUS$8.33/mo | 10 GB | AES-256 (E2E optional) | $49.99/yr (500 GB) | Yes | No | Switzerland | — | Visit site |
| Free or fromUS$8/mo | 5 GB | E2E zero-knowledge | $8/mo (2 TB) | No | No | Canada | — | Visit ↗ | |
| Free or fromUS$9.99/moEssential 1 TB · 119,88 $/Jahr (Verläng.; US-Preis) | 1 GB | E2E (zero-knowledge) | $1.25/mo (1 TB) | Yes | Yes (audited) | Spain (Valencia) | — | Visit ↗ | |
| Free or fromUS$3.99/mo | Up to 5 GB | E2E zero-knowledge | $3.99/mo (200 GB) | No | Yes (audited) | Switzerland | — | Visit ↗ | |
| fromUS$11.99/moPersonal Essential 1 TB · 143,88 $/Jahr ÷12 (Leitwährung USD) | No (trial) | E2E zero-knowledge | From $11.99/mo (1 TB) | No | No | Switzerland | — | Visit ↗ | |
| fromUS$99/yr | No (15-day trial) | AES-256 (private key optional) | $99/yr (unlimited) | No | — | USA | Backup (1 computer) | Visit ↗ | |
| Free or from€8.33/moPro I · 99,99 €/Jahr ÷12 (Leitwährung EUR) | 20 GB | E2E (zero-knowledge) | $5.95/mo (400 GB) | No | Partial (public apps) | New Zealand | — | Visit ↗ | |
| Free or fromUS$4.92/moPro I 1 TB · 59 $/Jahr ÷12 (Leitwährung USD) | 10 GB | E2E zero-knowledge (Twofish) | $4.92/mo (1 TB) | Yes | No | United Kingdom | — | Visit ↗ | |
| Free or fromUS$9.99/moPersonal 5 TB (Verläng. ~9,99 $/mo; Leitwährung USD) | 10 GB | AES-256 (optional E2E) | From $69.66/yr (5 TB) | No | No | USA | — | Visit ↗ | |
| Free or fromUS$14.99/moPremium 2 TB (Verläng. ~14,99 $; Leitwährung USD) | 3 GB | E2E zero-knowledge (all plans) | $2.99/mo (500 GB) | No | No | Lithuania (Nord Security) | — | Visit ↗ |
Last verified: July 2026. Prices can change — always check them on the provider’s official website before you buy.
QUIZ
Answer 4 questions and we'll tell you which one suits you.
Question 1 of 4
What matters most to you?
What will you mainly use it for?
How much do you want to spend?
What do you value most?
Your ideal pick is:
ANALYSIS
An honest breakdown of all 10: the good, the bad, and who each one is for.
#1 · Best overall
US$8.33/mo
pCloud is the most well-rounded cloud storage: fast, easy to use and based in Switzerland. Its big draw is the lifetime plans (pay once and it is yours forever) plus a built-in media player. End-to-end encryption (pCloud Crypto) is an optional extra.
#2 · Best Canadian pick
US$8/mo
Sync.com is the zero-knowledge cloud from Canada: end-to-end encrypted storage and sharing at a great price, with a generous free plan. A privacy-first Dropbox alternative.
#3 · Best for privacy
US$9.99/mo (Essential 1 TB · 119,88 $/Jahr (Verläng.; US-Preis))
Internxt is the Spanish cloud (Valencia) focused on privacy: open source, zero-knowledge encryption by default and GDPR compliant. An ethical European alternative to Google Drive, with lifetime plans and extra privacy tools.
#4 · Best for privacy
US$3.99/mo
Proton Drive is the privacy-first cloud from the makers of Proton Mail: end-to-end encrypted, open source and based in Switzerland. Ideal if you already value Proton's privacy ecosystem.
#5 · Most secure
US$11.99/mo (Personal Essential 1 TB · 143,88 $/Jahr ÷12 (Leitwährung USD))
Tresorit is the Swiss security specialist: end-to-end zero-knowledge encryption, data centres in the EU/Switzerland and majority-owned by Swiss Post. A top choice for confidential and business files.
#6 · Best for backup
US$99/yr
Backblaze is the simplest unlimited backup: for one flat yearly price it backs up everything on your computer automatically, with no storage caps. A US favourite for set-and-forget backup.
#7 · Most free storage
€8.33/mo (Pro I · 99,99 €/Jahr ÷12 (Leitwährung EUR))
MEGA is known for its generous free plan (20 GB) and for encrypting all files end-to-end by default. Based in New Zealand, it is a strong privacy option, though it carries some controversy from its past.
#8
US$4.92/mo (Pro I 1 TB · 59 $/Jahr ÷12 (Leitwährung USD))
Icedrive stands out for its modern interface and its virtual drive, which mounts the cloud as just another disk on your machine. It offers zero-knowledge encryption (Twofish) on its paid plans and attractive lifetime plans, with excellent value for money.
#9 · Best value
US$9.99/mo (Personal 5 TB (Verläng. ~9,99 $/mo; Leitwährung USD))
IDrive is the US backup specialist: it backs up multiple devices in one account and offers a lot of storage for the money (5 TB). AES-256 encryption with an optional private (zero-knowledge) key.
#10 · Best encryption
US$14.99/mo (Premium 2 TB (Verläng. ~14,99 $; Leitwährung USD))
NordLocker, from Nord Security (NordVPN, NordPass), is the encryption-focused option: it protects your files with zero-knowledge encryption on every plan, including the free one. More a secure vault than a full cloud, ideal for sensitive files.
FAQ
For most people in Canada, pCloud is the best all-rounder: fast, polished apps, optional client-side encryption and unique lifetime plans that replace subscriptions with a one-time payment. If you want your data under Canadian law, Sync.com (Toronto) is the hometown pick with zero-knowledge encryption by default. Privacy-first users should look at Proton Drive or Tresorit; pure computer backup is Backblaze's specialty. The right answer depends on whether you're syncing files, sharing them or backing up a whole machine.
Around US$4–8 per month on annual plans across this comparison — for example Sync.com starts near US$3.50/month for 1–2 TB, Internxt's 1 TB tier runs about €18/year on promotion, and pCloud's ~2 TB annual plan is in the same band. Two ways to pay less: lifetime plans (pCloud and Icedrive sell 1–2 TB for a one-time payment, which beats subscriptions after ~3–4 years) and first-year promotions — just check the renewal price.
Sync.com deserves the first look: it's a Canadian company (Toronto) with zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption by default and pricing from about US$3.50/month — keeping your files with a provider under Canadian privacy law (PIPEDA). Our overall winner pCloud (Switzerland) edges it on app polish and lifetime plans, but if 'Canadian' is part of your requirement, Sync.com is the answer and loses almost nothing in the comparison.
Per gigabyte over time, two answers: MEGA gives you the most for free (20 GB, end-to-end encrypted), and pCloud or Icedrive lifetime plans are the cheapest long-term paid storage — a one-time payment that undercuts every subscription after a few years. Among subscriptions, NordLocker (from ~US$3/month) and Sync.com (~US$3.50/month for big storage) lead. Beware 'cheap' unknown providers outside comparisons like this: with your files, trustworthiness is part of the price.
Sync.com — founded and headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. It stores data in Canadian data centres under Canadian privacy law, with zero-knowledge encryption so not even Sync.com can read your files. That combination (domestic jurisdiction + true end-to-end encryption) is why it carries our Best-Canadian-pick badge and is the default recommendation when data residency matters.
Honestly: no reputable provider gives 200 GB away permanently — offers claiming that are usually trials, phone-carrier promos or bait. What you can get free and safely: MEGA's 20 GB (the biggest genuine free tier here), pCloud's 10 GB, Sync.com's and Icedrive's free plans, plus referral bonuses that grow some of them. Stacking several free accounts across providers gets you 40–60 GB legitimately; for a real 200 GB+ in one place, a paid plan (from ~US$3/month) is the honest route.
METHOD
We analyze each VPN using official information, independent audits, and tests published by specialized sources. We don't rely on the brands' marketing, but on verifiable data.
We always mention each provider's weak points, not just the good. If a VPN has a serious drawback (price, jurisdiction, limits), you'll read it here.
We may earn a commission if you subscribe through our links, but that doesn't change our ratings or the order of the comparison. We recommend what we'd recommend to a friend.
We review this comparison every few months so the prices and data stay correct. You'll see the date of the last update at the top.
— Arne, Cryvor
BUYING GUIDE
Choosing a cloud storage service depends above all on what you value most. If privacy is a concern, look for zero-knowledge encryption (so not even the company can read your files) and check the provider's jurisdiction: the European Union (GDPR) and Switzerland offer better guarantees than countries inside surveillance alliances like the «Five Eyes».
Then weigh the practical side: how much space you really need, whether you prefer a monthly fee or a one-time lifetime plan (more cost-effective in the long run) and whether the apps sync well across all your devices. Also check the size of the free plan so you can try the service with no commitment.
Our general recommendation is pCloud
pCloud Visit website → View profile → for its balance of price, speed and ease of use; if you prioritize privacy and open source, Internxt
Internxt Visit website → View profile → is an excellent European alternative. The best choice is always the one that fits your needs.
MORE GUIDES
What is the best cloud storage for a small business? The criteria that matter — team folders, versioning, encryption, real backup — and honest picks.
How to access cloud storage on your phone: set up the app on iPhone, iPad or Android, back up photos automatically and deal with a full quota.
Is Proton Drive better than Google Drive? For privacy, clearly yes; for collaboration and free space, no. An honest comparison of both models.