pCloud on trial: testing its simple and secure cloud backup solution
Have you heard of pCloud ? This online storage service, launched in Switzerland in 2013, already boasts several million users worldwide. Its promise: to offer a simple, fast, and secure alternative to the American cloud giants. The service also has a very intriguing feature: the option to pay once to enjoy the service for life. Between automatic backup, intuitive sharing, and enhanced protection of sensitive files, pCloud has plenty to offer. We tried the Premium version to see if the experience really lives up to its promises.
The pCloud Premium Offer: The Good and Bad PointsThe pluses:
✅ Very fast uploads, even for large volumes. ✅ Instant synchronization between devices. ✅ Advanced and easy-to-use sharing options. ✅ Built-in media player with Chromecast. ✅ Crypto folder to protect your sensitive files. ✅ Various packages, from "monthly" to "lifetime", profitable over time.
✅ Easy import from other cloud services.
The disadvantages:
❌ Limited automatic ranking after mass saving. ❌ High initial investment for lifetime plans (even if profitable in the long run).
Installation and first steps: a guided startCreating a pCloud account takes just a few seconds using an email address and password. The app is easy to find on both desktop and mobile devices, and browser access requires no special configuration. From the first login, the service guides the user through small explanatory windows: they show how to add files, create a folder, or share a link.
The interface, identical on desktop, mobile, and web, is clear and uncluttered. It features a well-organized sidebar menu and pre-created folders ("My Music," "My Pictures," "My Videos") that serve as examples. A welcome document completes this tutorial by presenting the main functions. As a result, you quickly understand how to use the service, without having to search for long.
From this discovery phase, pCloud also highlights a very practical option: the ability to import files from other clouds like Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, or Google Photos in one click. This allows you to quickly centralize your existing data without having to resort to tedious manual downloads.
Daily user experience: easy, practical and intuitive
Synchronization between devices is one of pCloud's strong points. Sending a file from a computer and instantly opening it on your smartphone is done without any noticeable delay, even for large volumes.
Automatic backup from a phone is also effective. During our test, 2,360 photos and videos were uploaded in 13 minutes, or about 181 files per minute. A 3GB video was transferred in just two minutes via a fiber connection, proving that the service knows how to use the available bandwidth. The only downside: files don't always arrive automatically categorized, requiring manual sorting afterward.
File sharing is just as simple: one click is all it takes to generate a link. The advanced options are also valuable: password, expiration date, and even customization with branding. On the collaboration side, you can invite a contact by email to manage a shared folder, with the option to revoke access in an instant.
Additionally, pCloud offers the Rewind feature, which keeps a 30-day history of the entire account. This option allows you to restore previous versions of files, recover shared work that was accidentally modified, or even find a document moved to the recycle bin. Using it is simple: simply select a date to "go back in time" and return to the previous state of the account. Be careful, however, as permanently deleted files cannot be recovered.
Another handy feature is pCloud Save, a browser extension that lets you save images, videos, or text found on the web directly to your cloud storage. Once installed, simply right-click and select Save to pCloud to immediately back up your content. This simple and effective integration enhances your daily use.
We also like pCloud Drive, the desktop application (virtual hard drive) that allows you to use and work on your files directly from the cloud without using space on your computer.
Finally, the built-in media player lets you stream music and videos directly from the cloud. Playback is seamless, with Chromecast support, making it easy to share media.
Performance: Lightning-fast transfers!
pCloud offers a service that allows you to measure the quality of your connection to its servers. During our test with a fiber connection, we achieved a download speed of 194.8 Mb/s and an upload speed of 97.8 Mb/s, with a ping of 29 ms. These values confirm the service's ability to efficiently exploit good bandwidth.
In practice, the results are just as convincing. A batch of 2,360 photos and videos was uploaded in 13 minutes, or about 181 files per minute, without any slowdowns or interface freezes. The files appear almost instantly on other connected devices.
For large files, pCloud performed just as well: a 3GB video was uploaded in two minutes, for an average speed of around 25.6MB/s (205Mbps). Syncing between desktop, mobile, and web interface is seamless.
Overall, pCloud stands out as one of the fastest online storage services we've tested, both in terms of handling large volumes and stability in everyday use.
Security and confidentiality: better protected data
pCloud is a European cloud storage service based in Switzerland, with servers located in the EU. Its priority: protecting the privacy of its users, respecting both the GDPR and Swiss privacy laws. Users can also choose where to host their data (in Luxembourg or the United States).
Access to pCloud is secured via HTTPS and can be enhanced with two-factor authentication via Google Authenticator. From the settings, you can also view and manage the list of connected devices, with the option to revoke a session remotely.
The most notable feature remains the Crypto Folder, an encrypted space whose key is known only to the user. A Crypto Pass must be defined upon first use, and pCloud specifies that it is neither stored nor known to its servers. Files placed in this folder thus benefit from client-side encryption, guaranteeing maximum confidentiality. The service also allows you to change this password or reset the folder entirely if necessary.
In practice, the security options are therefore more comprehensive than expected: strong password, two-factor authentication, device management, and advanced encryption for sensitive data. pCloud also highlights its Swiss base and servers located in Europe and the United States, even if this is not directly displayed in the interface.
Pricing: A monthly, annual… or lifetime subscriptionFor this test, we subscribed to the monthly Premium version, which offers a substantial 2TB of storage space and advanced features like the Crypto folder and external backups, all for less than €10 per month.
But if you want to save more, pCloud stands out with its annual and lifetime plans! Yes, you read that right, pCloud offers a one-time payment to enjoy its services for life. A real plus compared to the competition's subscriptions, which can become expensive.
Our verdict on pCloud servicesFast, simple, and comprehensive, pCloud stands out as an effective everyday cloud service. Instant synchronization, automatic smartphone backup, and the Crypto folder make it a comprehensive and reassuring solution. Its "lifetime" business model represents a significant initial investment, but it quickly proves profitable compared to traditional subscriptions. pCloud thus presents itself as a credible and sustainable European alternative to the American cloud giants.
L'Internaute
