pCloud vs Dropbox
Last updated October 2026
Looking for a European alternative to Dropbox? Here's how pCloud compares, on EU hosting, GDPR and what it does.
Our pick for a European buyer: pCloud. We weight data residency, GDPR and EU jurisdiction above everything else — that is the constraint this directory exists to solve.
What it is
Swiss cloud storage with client-side encryption and EU data residency in Luxembourg.
Cloud storage and file synchronization service for teams and individuals.
Headquarters
🇨🇭 CH
🇺🇸 US · 2007
EU data residency
Yes, for all customers
Available on some plansEU data residency available on Enterprise plans or by request.
DSGVO / GDPR
Yes
Yes
Certifications
ISO 27001:2013, ISO 9001:2015
ISO 27001, ISO 27017, ISO 27018, ISO 27701, ISO 22301
Price from
€199/yr
$9.99/user/mo
Free plan
Yes
Yes
Open Source
No
No
Integrations
No
Slack, Zoom, Trello, Asana, Adobe Creative Cloud +6
Where each one wins
pCloud
Strengths
- +Clean, intuitive interface with seamless OS integration (Windows Explorer, Mac Finder, Linux)
- +Affordable pricing with unique lifetime plans and generous free storage (up to 15 GB)
- +Strong security features including optional client-side zero-knowledge encryption (pCloud Crypto) and Swiss data privacy laws
- +Fast upload/sync speeds and reliable performance for large files and multimedia streaming
- +Comprehensive file management with versioning, rewind, and granular permissions for business users
Limitations
- −Recurring reports of data loss, corrupted files, and unreliable sync (especially on macOS)
- −Customer support often slow, unresponsive, or unable to resolve critical issues
- −Limited collaboration features (no real-time document editing, weak office suite integration)
- −Key security features like client-side encryption and 2FA require paid add-ons
Dropbox
Strengths
- +Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- +Reliable file synchronization across devices
- +Strong collaboration features with Dropbox Paper
- +Seamless integrations with third-party apps
Limitations
- −Limited free storage (2 GB)
- −Higher-tier plans can be expensive for small teams
- −Occasional sync delays reported by users
- −Advanced features locked behind higher-priced plans
Data residency & compliance
pCloud
Dropbox
EU data residency
Yes, for all customers
Available on some plansEU data residency available on Enterprise plans or by request.
Transfer mechanism
Not required — data stays in the EU
Standard Contractual Clauses
Certifications
ISO 27001:2013, ISO 9001:2015
ISO 27001, ISO 27017, ISO 27018, ISO 27701, ISO 22301
Pricing
pCloud
- Free Free 10 GB secure cloud storage · No credit card required · Basic file sharing and sync
- Premium 500 GB (Lifetime) €299 one-time payment500 GB storage · Lifetime access with one-time payment · 14-day money-back guarantee
- Premium 500 GB (Annual) €199 per year500 GB storage · Annual billing · 14-day money-back guarantee
- Premium Plus 2 TB (Lifetime) €599 one-time payment2 TB storage · Lifetime access with one-time payment · 14-day money-back guarantee
- Premium Plus 2 TB (Annual) €399 per year2 TB storage · Annual billing · 14-day money-back guarantee
- Ultra 10 TB (Lifetime) €1890 one-time payment10 TB storage · Lifetime access with one-time payment · 14-day money-back guarantee
- Ultra 10 TB (Annual) €1190 per year10 TB storage · Annual billing · 14-day money-back guarantee
Lifetime plans are one-time payments with no recurring fees. All plans include a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Dropbox
- Basic Free per user/month2 GB storage · Limited file sharing · Basic collaboration tools
- Plus $9.99 per user/month2 TB storage · Advanced sharing controls · Priority email support
- Professional $16.58 per user/month3 TB storage · Full-text search · 180-day file recovery
- Standard $15 per user/month (min 3 users)5 TB shared storage · Team management tools · Admin console for user management
- Advanced $25 per user/month (min 3 users)Unlimited storage · Advanced security controls · Audit logs
- Enterprise On request CustomUnlimited storage · Enterprise-grade security · Dedicated support
Pricing varies by region and plan. Enterprise pricing is custom and requires contacting sales.
Features
pCloud
- Access & Flexibility
- Access files from any device (desktop, mobile, tablet) anywhere, Offline access with automatic sync when back online, Choose data storage location: Europe or USA
- Sharing & Collaboration
- Share files and folders via secure links, Control access with view/download permissions, expiration dates, and passwords, Invite team members to folders with custom permissions, Request files from others without exposing folder contents
- Storage & Backup
- Free up device storage by moving files to the cloud, Store files of any size with unlimited upload/download speed, Automatic backup of selected folders and mobile galleries, Instant backup of file changes
- Data Recovery & History
- Rewind feature to restore entire account or folders to a previous state, Trash for deleted files (15 days free, 30 days paid plans), Extended File History add-on for up to 365 days recovery
- Security & Compliance
- Swiss-based with strict privacy laws (GDPR-compliant), TLS/SSL channel protection and 256-bit AES encryption, No tracking or third-party access to data
Dropbox
- File Management
- Store and sync files across devices, Version history and file recovery, Large file transfers via shared links, Granular access permissions
- Security & Compliance
- Two-factor authentication (2FA), Encryption at rest and in transit, Compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, and others, Audit logs for enterprise plans
- Collaboration
- Real-time co-editing in Dropbox Paper, Commenting and task assignments, Team folders for shared access, Integration with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
- Administration
- User and group management, Device approval and remote wipe, Single sign-on (SSO) support, Custom branding for enterprise
- Integrations
- Slack, Zoom, Trello, Asana