pCloud vs Google Drive
Last updated October 2026
Looking for a European alternative to Google Drive? 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
EU data residency
Yes, for all customers
Available on some plansEU data residency available on request for Google Workspace Enterprise plans.
DSGVO / GDPR
Yes
Yes
Certifications
ISO 27001:2013, ISO 9001:2015
ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 27701
Price from
€199/yr
$6/user/mo
Free plan
Yes
No
Open Source
No
No
Integrations
No
Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Gmail, Meet, etc.), Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Office (via plugins), Trello +5
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
Google Drive
Strengths
- +Seamless integration with Google Workspace apps
- +Real-time collaboration features are highly effective
- +Strong security and compliance measures
- +Generous storage allowances on higher-tier plans
Limitations
- −Limited offline functionality compared to desktop apps
- −Can be expensive for large teams
- −Learning curve for advanced features
- −Privacy concerns due to data processing in the US
Data residency & compliance
pCloud
Google Drive
EU data residency
Yes, for all customers
Available on some plansEU data residency available on request for Google Workspace Enterprise plans.
Transfer mechanism
Not required — data stays in the EU
Standard Contractual Clauses
Certifications
ISO 27001:2013, ISO 9001:2015
ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 27701
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.
Google Drive
- Business Starter $6 per user/month30 GB cloud storage per user · Business email through Gmail · Security and management controls
- Business Standard $12 per user/month2 TB cloud storage per user · Cloud Search functionality · Enhanced security and management controls
- Business Plus $18 per user/month5 TB cloud storage per user · Advanced security, compliance, and management controls · eDiscovery and retention policies
- Enterprise On request per user/monthCustomizable storage (up to 30 TB per user) · Advanced security, compliance, and management controls · Data loss prevention (DLP)
Pricing varies by plan and region. Enterprise plan requires custom quote. Billed annually.
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
Google Drive
- Storage and Collaboration
- Store and share files securely in the cloud, Real-time co-editing of documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, Version history and file recovery, Granular sharing permissions (view, comment, edit)
- Security and Compliance
- Two-factor authentication (2FA) and SSO support, Encryption of data at rest and in transit, Compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, and other regulations, Data loss prevention (DLP) for sensitive content
- Productivity and Integration
- Search across all files with powerful OCR and text recognition, Automated workflows with Google Apps Script, Third-party app integrations (Slack, Zoom, etc.), AI-powered features like Smart Reply and grammar suggestions