The 5 Best Alternatives to pCloud in 2026

Although pCloud is one of the most popular cloud storage services for saving photos, videos, and music, there are pCloud alternatives that offer zero-knowledge encryption at no extra cost, along with security and privacy tools.

The best pCloud alternatives in 2026 include Internxt Drive, ProtonDrive, Icedrive, NordLocker, and MEGA, with a clear focus on the security and privacy of your files.

Internxt is ranked as our best alternative to pCloud in 2026, thanks to its more advanced file encryption (post-quantum) and its competitive lifetime plans. Proton Drive is part of Proton’s comprehensive privacy suite, while Icedrive stands out for its zero-knowledge encryption based on TwoFish.

This guide will help you discover the best pCloud alternatives for storing files in the cloud, protecting your privacy, and syncing content across all your devices.

1. Internxt

Internxt ranks as the best alternative to pCloud in our rankings for encrypted cloud storage and lifetime cloud storage.

In our Internxt review, we highlight its intuitive interface, security features, and post-quantum encryption. Unlike pCloud, this encryption is included in both its free and premium plans and does not require any additional add-ons.

On the other hand, the desktop app (Internxt Drive) includes features that pCloud does not offer, such as a file cleaner to boost your computer’s speed, its own antivirus to detect malicious files, and an encrypted VPN extension to browse privately from multiple locations.

Finally, one of Internxt’s strongest points is its lifetime plans, which, compared to pCloud’s, are more affordable for purchasing 1 TB or 3 TB.

Why is Internxt the best alternative to pCloud?

• End-to-end encryption is included in all plans at no extra cost.
• Discounts of up to 87% on lifetime plans (1 TB, 3 TB, and 5 TB).
• Additional tools that pCloud does not offer include an antivirus, a PC cleaner, an encrypted video call service, and a VPN.
• Open source and audited by independent professionals.
• Previous version recovery for files in 3 TB and 5 TB plans.

Internxt Pricing

Regarding Internxt’s plans, there are 1 TB, 3 TB, and 5 TB plans available with either an annual or lifetime billing cycle. Depending on the plan you select, you will get more or fewer features.

It also offers an enterprise cloud store that uses the S3 protocol to securely store large volumes of data as objects.

2. Proton Drive

If Internxt does not convince you, another company that, like pCloud, falls under Swiss jurisdiction is Proton.

Its cloud storage (Proton Drive) is part of a private digital suite that includes Proton Mail, Proton VPN, Proton Pass, and much more. Therefore, it is an option for users who already use (or want to use) Proton Mail or Proton VPN and are looking for a platform to centralize all their digital privacy under a single provider.

ProtonDrive pricing: For its cloud storage plans, we find 200 GB, 500 GB, and 2 TB plans for individual users, with different tool packages depending on the storage tier.

You can start with 5 GB of free encrypted storage, a document editor (ProtonDocs), and a spreadsheet editor (ProtonSheets).

3. Icedrive

Icedrive is a cloud storage service known for its minimalist interface and for being the only provider to use TwoFish file encryption by default.

Another of its standout features is the virtual drive, which stores files synced with the cloud on your computer without taking up local disk space.

Icedrive makes sense if you don’t need to share many files and are simply looking for a cloud storage service for basic personal use, with access to a restricted folder for sensitive documents and file versioning.

Icedrive pricing: Like pCloud, Icedrive offers 10 GB for free. Encryption is only available on paid plans, which you can subscribe to monthly or annually, with storage options of 2 TB, 4 TB, or 6 TB.

You can also purchase a lifetime plan with 100 GB, 500 GB, or 1 TB for just $99, and forget about paying a monthly or annual subscription.

4. MEGA

MEGA is the best free cloud storage service of 2026, offering up to 20 GB of free storage when you complete just a few simple tasks.

It includes end-to-end encryption across all plans, as well as features that pCloud does not offer, such as its own VPN (MEGA VPN), an encrypted password manager (MEGA Pass), object storage, and an unrestricted chat and meeting service.

Although MEGA offers secure file sharing, vulnerabilities have been documented in the past, raising doubts about the service’s actual security. Additionally, the free plan’s data transfer limit may not be sufficient for frequent sharing of large files, so upgrading to a paid plan is advisable to download data from MEGA. You can check for MEGA alternatives in our guide.

MEGA pricing: Paid plans range from 2 TB for €9.99/month (Pro I) to 20 TB for €29.99/month (Pro III).

5. NordLocker

Like ProtonDrive, NordLocker is a product from another major player in the privacy world: NordVPN.

It is another cloud storage service that includes end-to-end encryption by default in its free plan, with which you can start with 3 GB of storage. NordLocker offers a simple way to protect your most confidential files through encryption, while also allowing you to share them easily when needed.

NordLocker pricing: For more storage, you can choose one of its Premium plans with 500 GB or 2 TB of cloud storage.

What to consider when choosing an alternative to pCloud

Not all storage services are equal. Here are five factors to consider when choosing a pCloud alternative.

• Encryption: If privacy matters to you, zero-knowledge encryption should be essential, where not even the provider can see your files. pCloud charges an additional $49.99 per month for its Crypto Folder. Internxt and Proton Drive include it in their paid plans at no extra cost.

• Free storage: If you have no budget, MEGA offers the most at 20 GB, followed by pCloud and Icedrive at 10 GB each, while Internxt offers only 1 GB.

• Price per TB: Its essential to compare the actual annual cost rather than the monthly price, and check whether advanced encryption comes at an extra cost or is included.

• Lifetime plans: If you plan to use a cloud storage service for 3–4 years or more, a lifetime plan can be more cost-effective than a monthly or annual subscription. Internxt, Icedrive, and pCloud all offer them at significant discounts.

• Integrations and collaboration: Do you need to edit documents in the cloud or share folders with a team? pCloud is unbeatable in this regard.

How we evaluate each cloud storage solution

For this comparison of pCloud alternatives, we prioritized the following features:

1. Data privacy and security (zero-knowledge encryption).
2. Additional tools (VPN, antivirus, encrypted call service, backups).
3. Plan flexibility (annual and lifetime) and value for money.

For this comparison, we have excluded storage services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive because they are not sufficiently private, and iCloud because it is too specialized.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below, you will find a series of frequently asked questions about finding alternatives to pCloud.

Is there anything better than pCloud?

According to our research, Internxt and ProtonDrive are two private digital suites that many users consider when searching for information about pCloud on forums and review websites, and that prioritize end-to-end encrypted cloud storage at no extra cost.

What is the cheapest alternative to pCloud?

After evaluating the prices of the different alternatives to pCloud, Icedrive emerges as the most affordable option for 2 TB plans, whether monthly or annual. However, it offers fewer features than pCloud.

Internxt is another affordable alternative to pCloud, offering a good balance of features, security, and price, with lifetime plans discounted by up to 87%.

What is the best European alternative to Dropbox?

Internxt is one of the best alternatives to pCloud for users in Europe, with servers across the EU and GDPR compliance.

Is pCloud really secure?

Although pCloud does not have zero-knowledge encryption by default, we have not found any vulnerabilities in it after our analysis. TLS/SSL data transfer from your computer to pCloud, along with AES-256 encryption, is enough for most users who just need to store files.

But if your business or use case requires an even more private space to store sensitive financial documents or other important files, you will need to purchase pCloud Crypto (at an extra $49.99 per month or $150 as a one-time payment) or consider other alternatives such as Internxt or ProtonDrive.

Is Internxt’s lifetime plan worth it compared to pCloud’s?

Internxt’s (1 TB, €247) and pCloud’s (2 TB, $399) lifetime plans pay for themselves in 3-4 years. Both companies have sufficient track record and stability to not be a concern in the medium and long term.

If you plan to use the service for more than 4 years and privacy is your priority, Internxt’s lifetime plan is the most affordable option on the market.

Internxt vs. pCloud: What is the main difference?

When comparing Internxt with pCloud, there is no doubt that pCloud has a longer track record in the industry, with over 20 million users.

However, Internxt’s offering may lead many users to prefer it, as it includes post-quantum encryption in all its plans and other features that add even more value, such as its own VPN, antivirus, and more.

In summary: Internxt for privacy and price, pCloud for stability and speed.

Which pCloud alternative should you choose?

If you are looking for a pCloud alternative in 2026, start by identifying what you value most when storing your files: upload speed, capacity, available cloud storage (such as lifetime plans), or privacy and provider access to your data.

The best alternative to pCloud will largely depend on how you use cloud storage. For most users focused on Europe and the UK, Internxt or ProtonDrive are good alternatives to pCloud, as their model is based on offering a complete ecosystem of privacy tools to keep your files secure.

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