Updated September 28, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
pCloud vs Sync.com
What sets them apart
| Compare |  pCloud |  Sync.com |
|---|---|---|
| Free storage | 10Higher | 5 |
| Price per TB per year | $50Lower | $144 |
| Jurisdiction | CH | CA |
| Compliance certifications | ISO 9001:2008, ISO 27001:2013, SSAE 18 SOC 2 Type II, SSAE 16 SOC 2 Type II, GDPR | SOC 2 Type 1, HIPAA, GDPR, PIPEDA |
Same on both: Zero-knowledge encryption (Yes).
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Key differences
- pCloud scores higher overall: 9.1 vs 8.8.
- Free storage is higher at pCloud: 10 vs 5.
- Price per TB per year is lower at pCloud: $50 vs $144.
- Support channels: only Sync.com offers Email, Phone.
- Compliance certifications: only pCloud offers ISO 9001:2008, ISO 27001:2013, SSAE 18 SOC 2 Type II.
- Compliance certifications: only Sync.com offers SOC 2 Type 1, HIPAA, PIPEDA.
- Founded is lower at Sync.com: 2011 vs 2013.
Our verdict on each
pCloud
pCloud suits people who want stored files kept out of the provider's reach while spend stays small. The free plan holds 10, long-term storage runs at $50 per terabyte per year, and the operator is pCloud International AG under CH.
Sync.com
Sync.com suits people who want private cloud storage with a free plan to try and a low entry price. The catch is storage pricing, since $144 for a terabyte each year sits above the €82.87 site median, and heavy storage buyers pay more.
Score breakdown
| Area | pCloud | Sync.com |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.4HigherEntry is €4.99 a month, and long-term cost is $50 per terabyte per year. | 8.4Costs start at $4 with a free plan available, yet $144 per terabyte runs above the €82.87 site median. |
| Offer | 8.7A free plan holds 10 and certifications include ISO 9001:2008, ISO 27001:2013 and SSAE 18 SOC 2 Type II. | 8.9HigherA free plan, encryption that leaves files unreadable to the provider. |
| Privacy | 9.2 | 9.2 |
Licences and countries
| Country | pCloud | Sync.com |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Switzerland | Canada |
The numbers side by side
| Fact | pCloud | Sync.com |
|---|---|---|
| Free storage | 10 | 5 |
| Price per TB per year | $50 | $144 |
How they place
| Ranking | pCloud | Sync.com |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy tools | 110 of 280 | 176 of 280 |
| Secure cloud storage and backup | 27 of 70 | 40 of 70 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | pCloud | Sync.com |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free, Budget | Free, Budget |
| Legal entity | pCloud International AG | Sync.com Inc. |
| Headquarters | Switzerland | Canada |
| Founded | 2013 | 2011Lower |
| Support channels | Help centre | Email, Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Privacy tools
| Fact | pCloud | Sync.com |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | €4.99 | $4 |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan limits | Not confirmed | 5 GB storage, up to 5 own devices, 3 password protected links, 3 team shared folders, 5 GB data transfer, 30-day version history |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Add on | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Web |
| Logging policy | Collects IP address, browser type and version, operating system, referral source, device information, visit length, page views and navigation paths; cookies deleted after 1 year | No third-party tracking; app usage data is not tracked, shared or sold |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | pCloud | Sync.com | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free storage | 10above the median | 5at the median | 5 |
| Price per TB per year | $50below the median | $144above the median | $94.50 |
Median across 36 listed providers.
Pros and cons
pCloud
Pros
- Client-side encryption means the provider does not hold the keys to stored files.
- Certifications on record include ISO 9001:2008, ISO 27001:2013 and SSAE 18 SOC 2 Type II.
- Coverage spans Windows, macOS and Linux, so the same storage carries across desktop and mobile.
Cons
- The free plan holds 10, below MEGA and Degoo at 20 each.
- Support runs on help centre only, so phone and chat are not among the listed routes.
- The logging policy records network and device details along with referral data, visit length, page views and navigation paths, so browsing activity is kept on file.
Sync.com
Pros
- Encryption that leaves files unreadable to the provider, backed by SOC 2 Type 1, HIPAA and GDPR.
- A free plan with 5 of storage to start on.
- Support on email, phone and help centre and apps for Windows, macOS and iOS.
Cons
- $144 a year for a terabyte sits above the €82.87 site median and the $119.88 listed for Apple Inc.
- The free plan holds 5, well under the 20 at MEGA and the 20 at Degoo.
- Price per terabyte ranks 24 of 31 on the site, and free storage ranks 16 of 36.
Who each suits
pCloud
Who it suits
- People who want cloud storage encrypted on their own side and a free plan they can keep using.
- Users moving between desktop and mobile, since coverage spans Windows, macOS and Linux.
- Anyone who puts audited credentials first, with ISO 9001:2008, ISO 27001:2013 and SSAE 18 SOC 2 Type II on record.
Who should look elsewhere
- People chasing the largest free allowance: MEGA and Degoo each list 20.
- Apple Inc. customers, who already hold 5 of free storage with the account they own.
- Buyers who want another jurisdiction or a live support line, since pCloud lists CH and handles help through help centre only, so MEGA or Degoo is worth a look.
Sync.com
Who it suits
- People who want encrypted private storage and a free plan to try first
- Users on Windows, macOS and iOS who want the same account across desktop, mobile and web
- Small groups that need password protected links and shared team folders
Who should look elsewhere
- MEGA or Degoo, if a larger free storage allowance matters more than $144 a year per terabyte
- Apple Inc., if a lower $119.88 per terabyte per year matters more than having a free plan
Current offers
pCloud
Current offer
Discount code
Lifetime Encryption plan price reduction: 150 EUR one-time, reduced from 229 EUR
Prices are final. No setup fees or other hidden charges! Applies to the optional pCloud Encryption (Crypto) add-on.
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Sync.com
Current offer
Discount code
Save 50% off for 1 year: 50% off the first year
Offered on Personal 1TB, Pro Solo 5TB and Teams plans; coupon id 50Off1YearPromo in buy-now links
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Free trial
30-day free trial: 30 days
Start anytime and cancel anytime; full 30-day money back guarantee
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Questions about each
pCloud
How much space does the pCloud free plan give me?+
pCloud does offer a free plan, and it holds 10 of storage. For context, MEGA and Degoo both list 20, so the free tier is smaller here, and either of those fits better if the free allowance decides the purchase.
What does pCloud cost, and what does a terabyte come to?+
Paid plans start at €4.99 a month, and long-term storage works out at $50 per terabyte per year. The published monthly figure is the plan's list price, so check the current pricing for your own term before committing to anything longer.
Sync.com
How much does Sync.com cost to start?+
Sync.com has a free plan, so entry cost can be nothing. Paid storage starts at $4, and a terabyte costs $144 a year. That per-terabyte figure is above the €82.87 site median, so buyers who fill a drive should weigh it before committing.
What does the free plan include?+
The free plan holds 5 of storage, a set of your own devices, a few password protected links, team shared folders, a set amount of data transfer and version history. Enough for a short trial or light backup, though a terabyte of paid storage runs at $144 a year.