pCloud vs. Dropbox: Which One is Better?

Pcloud vs Dropbox is a hot topic among tech enthusiasts recently. On one hand, Dropbox is a renowned name in the cloud storage industry with over 500 million users. On the other hand, pCloud has managed to amass over 10 million users in a short span. Both services are vying for attention by introducing exciting new features that reshape the cloud storage landscape. This article from Tools will delve into a hands-on comparison of Pcloud versus Dropbox.

pCloud and Dropbox at a Glance

With plenty of storage space and support for end-to-end encryption, PCloud is a solid choice. For added security, you can also enable client-side encryption. Other features like file syncing, versioning, and a recycle bin, as well as sharing options, are top-notch.

DropBox, a pioneer in data storage, has simple and effective software that works seamlessly with a variety of third-party applications for formal collaboration, making it particularly useful for professional document management.

This blog will compare all the important features of pCloud and Dropbox to help you make the right choice. Let's get started.

Dropbox vs pCloud: A Deep Dive Comparison

In this part, we'll compare Dropbox and PCloud in several aspects.

Here's a breakdown of pCloud vs. Dropbox's key features.

Note: Checkmarks indicate that the software performs better in that category.

Here are more details:

1. Price

The free version of PCloud comes with 3 GB of storage. It has three paid tiers: 500 GB, 2 TB, and a business plan. Each can be purchased on a monthly or annual basis. The 500 GB tier costs $4.99 per month, the 1 TB tier costs $9.99 per month, and the business plan also costs $9.99 per month.

While its free tier offers only 2GB of storage, fewer than pCloud, Dropbox makes up for it with a variety of options for its paid subscriptions. You can choose between the Personal Plus plan, at $11.99 per month, or a Family plan (for up to six people), at $19.99 per month.

It offers professional, standard, and advanced versions for more complex tasks, at $9.99, $15, and $25 per user per month, respectively.

2. Safety

PCloud is one of the safest cloud storage choices out there today. It follows zero-knowledge cloud storage encryption for data at rest. That means users have total control over their info, and nobody can lay a finger on it without explicit permission. The system uses a TLS/SSL encrypted connection for safe data transfer, making sure nothing gets messed with while it's being sent.

With data centers in the USA and Europe, pCloud ensures high security and faster speed. Your data is stored three times across these channels. In short, your pCloud is 100% secure.

Dropbox doesn't offer zero-knowledge encryption. It relies on 256-bit AES encryption and two-factor authentication for security. You can also add a Dropbox Vault for extra security. However, your files are still vulnerable to hacking.

When it comes to data security, pCloud has an edge.

3. File Format

PCloud supports most major file formats. It can open and edit MP4, PSD, RAR, SVG, and ZLP files. However, it can only view – not edit – CSV, DOCX, and XLS files. Since most professional documents are in DOCX or XLS format, this makes it unsuitable for work purposes.

Dropbox can open and edit MP4, PSD, RAR, SVG, ZIP, DOCX, and XLSX files. It integrates with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace, making it a go-to option for professionals.

Dropbox wins when it comes to file formats.

4. Supported Platforms

PCloud is available on all major operating systems. It works on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. In contrast, Dropbox supports Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and Windows Phone.

5. Interfaces

The interface is an essential part of the user experience. A comprehensible interface promotes easy operation and customer satisfaction. PCloud has a simple interface with all data files displayed at the center. The left side provides all pCloud services. You can choose any of these operations and perform them on the data files.

Dropbox's interface is more polished and detailed. Recent and favorite files are on the home screen. The middle displays a list of files and options to upload or create new ones. More advanced options require closer inspection.

Next up, we only need the translation into American English for the sentence:

6. File Syncing

With PCloud, a virtual drive is created to store all your files, without taking up space on your hard drive. You can add, edit, and delete files within this space. Thanks to its excellent syncing capabilities, any changes made to the virtual drive are applied to your device and web dashboard.

PCloud also lets you sync any specific folder on your computer, storing its contents in the cloud without copying it to a virtual drive. You can share files directly with colleagues through pCloud.

Dropbox offers selective syncing, which means you can choose which files to store on your hard drive and in the cloud, and which to keep only in the cloud. However, Dropbox doesn't support syncing specific folders. You can share stored files directly from your desktop.

7. File Sharing

Pcloud offers an extremely intuitive file-sharing option. You can invite individuals or groups to share while maintaining full control. You can set passwords, expiration dates, link stats, short links, and upload limits for shared files/links.

With them, you can share files in three ways.

• Invite to folder: You can invite collaborators to a folder you wish to share and grant them permissions to view, edit, delete, or download its contents as needed.
• Share link: You can create a hyperlink to share files with others. Recipients can access the files through the link without needing to have the pCloud app installed.
• Request files: This comes in handy when you need to receive data files from others. You can generate a pCloud folder link for your team, and they can open it to upload the required files directly.

For file sharing, there's Dropbox, which lets you password-protect, set expiration dates, add watermarks, and track analytics for shared files. You can also choose whether to allow others to view or edit them.

There are now only two major file-sharing services left standing.

• Share Link: You can generate a link to a selected file or folder that others can open to view/edit the contents.
• Invite to Folder: You can invite individuals or teams to join a specific folder. They can then upload and edit data within the folder based on your granted permissions.

8. Recycling

Pcloud boasts both a Time Machine and Trash feature. The Time Machine allows users to access all their files from the past 30 days for free. For instance, if you can't find a certain file, you can look it up in your browsing history from the day you last opened it.

Trash allows for the recovery of deleted data. Like Rewind, it can restore files from up to 30 days ago. For recoveries older than that, you'll need to pay extra.

Dropbox also offers a 30-day file recovery service. Longer recovery periods are available with paid plans.

After our analysis, our final judgment is as follows:

Both pCloud and Dropbox are high-quality cloud storage services that can keep your important data safe. However, each has its strengths. In terms of data security, file sharing, file syncing, and cost-to-benefit ratio, pCloud outperforms its competitor, making it great for individual use. Dropbox shines when it comes to supporting various file formats, operating systems, interface options, and data recovery, making it a slightly better choice for professionals and businesses.

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How to Backup Files to the Cloud 1. **Choose a Cloud Storage Service**: First, you'll need to pick a cloud storage provider. There are several options like Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, iCloud, and more. Choose based on your needs such as storage space, pricing, and platform compatibility. 2. **Create an Account**: Visit the service's official website and follow the instructions to create a new account. This usually involves providing an email address and setting a password. 3. **Download and Install the App**: Most cloud storage services have desktop or mobile apps. Download and install the app on your computer or phone. 4. **Log In**: Open the app and log in using your account details. 5. **Select the Files to Backup**: Within the app, you can choose specific files or folders to back up. You can typically do this by dragging and dropping or clicking an "Add" button. 6. **Set Backup Preferences**: Some services let you set backup frequency (like backing up every time a file is saved or daily/weekly). You can also choose to back up only when connected to Wi-Fi to save data. 7. **Start the Backup**: Once all settings are confirmed, click "Start Backup" or a similar option. The upload might take some time depending on file size and internet speed. 8. **Verify the Backup**: After it's done, you can check these files on the web version or the app of your cloud storage service. Make sure they've uploaded correctly and are accessible. 9. **Keep Synchronized**: To ensure the latest versions of your files are always in the cloud, keep the cloud app running with sync enabled. 10. **Regularly Check and Update**: Remember to regularly review your cloud backups to ensure files are up-to-date and add or remove files as needed. Remember, while cloud backup offers convenience, be mindful of data security and privacy. Ensure your service has robust security measures and handle sensitive information cautiously.

So far, we've discussed the comparison between pCloud and Dropbox cloud storage. To back up data to any cloud, you need backup software. We recommend using the award-winning Todo Backup Home, an excellent backup software with high-quality and efficient transfer rates. The software is compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11.

offers one-click backup for an instant recovery option on your Windows PC. You can store your files, disks/partitions, and system backup to cloud storage. The software also provides disk imaging and system cloning services. All data is 100% secure and recoverable from anywhere in the world. Here are some other valuable features of this backup software:

• Install Windows on a New SSD Without a USB
• Offers 250GB of free cloud storage space
• Transfer Operating System from One Computer to Another
• Mount backup images to extract individual files
• Provides options for creating full backups, differential backups, and incremental backups

Now, back up your files to the cloud by following these steps:

Step 1: To start the backup process, click the Select Backup Items button.

Step 2. Identify four categories of backups: files, disks, operating systems, and email.

Step 3: A list of both local and network files will appear on the left-hand side of the screen. Browse through the folders and select the files you want to back up.

Step 4: Choose where you want to save your backup, following the on-screen instructions.

Make sure the backups are encrypted, and set up a backup schedule by clicking on "Options" within "Backup Options." You can also choose to start a backup at a specific time by clicking "Options" within "Backup Schedule." There are many other customizable options for you to explore.

Step 5: You can store the backup file on your computer, in the tool's cloud service, or on a network-attached storage (NAS) device.

Step Six: Todo Backup allows clients to store backup copies of their files on third-party cloud drives or on the company's own cloud storage.

If you want to back up to a third-party cloud drive, choose “Local Disk,” then scroll down and add a “Cloud Device.” Enter your account information.

Tap Cloud Backup, then sign up for and log in to your account with the tool to store the backup file in the tool's cloud storage service.

Step 7. Click Backup Now to start the backup process. When it's done, it'll appear as a card on the left side of the screen. Right-clicking it gives you more options to dig into what the backup job entails.

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In short

"PCloud vs Dropbox" is a clash between two giants in the cloud storage industry. This article delves into a detailed comparison of both services. We've compared their pricing, security, file formats, supported platforms, interface, file synchronization, file sharing, and recovery options. Read on to choose the best fit for you.

You can use the Todo Backup tool to store your data in any software, ensuring comprehensive protection for your files, drives, and operating system. Install Todo Backup today and say goodbye to the worries of data loss.

Frequently Asked Questions about pCloud vs Dropbox

These are the most common questions found online about pCloud vs Dropbox comparisons.

Which is better, pCloud or Dropbox?

It depends on your needs. If it's for personal use, pCloud might be better due to its strong security and versatility. If it's for professional or business purposes, you should opt for Dropbox, as it works seamlessly with all file formats and operating systems.

Is pCloud more secure than Google Drive?

pCloud uses 256-bit AES encryption for data at rest, while Google Drive only uses 128-bit AES encryption. This makes pCloud the more secure option of the two.

3. Is pCloud better than OneDrive?

In terms of storage and data security, pCloud is the superior option. If integration with Microsoft Office or Google Workspace is a priority, though, OneDrive is a good choice.