pCloud – European cloud storage
Swiss cloud storage with an optional client-side encryption layer. Lifetime plans available, EU data region.
Quick facts
A one-time lifetime payment instead of a subscription is a rare option in cloud storage, and the built-in media player streams video and audio straight from your account without downloading first.
Files aren't encrypted by default – the zero-knowledge layer is a separate paid add-on – so out of the box this is convenient storage rather than a privacy tool.
Why does it score 93?
Incorporated in Baar, Switzerland – an EFTA country, not a full EU member state, which caps the legal score a little below EU-based rivals.
Privately held and independent, with no VC investors or parent company steering decisions.
pCloud runs its own storage infrastructure across Switzerland and an EU region in Luxembourg rather than renting space from a big cloud provider.
It's GDPR-compliant but not open source, and the strong zero-knowledge encryption is only available as a paid add-on rather than switched on by default.
See how they compare
pCloudWhat does it replace?
Box 
Dropbox 
Google Drive 
Icloud More European Cloud storage alternatives
Spanish zero-knowledge cloud storage founded in Valencia in 2020. Open-source, end-to-end encrypted, ISO 27001:2022 certified. Audited by Securitum in 2025. 1M+ users, EU data centres via OVHcloud, post-quantum encryption. Also offers VPN and antivirus.
French company offering /e/OS, a de-Googled Android operating system, and Murena Cloud, a privacy-respecting alternative to Google Workspace. Founded by Gaël Duval, creator of Mandrake Linux. Phones shipped with zero Google services. EU-hosted cloud.
End-to-end encrypted cloud storage from a small German team, with all servers in Germany. Zero-knowledge AES-256 encryption, open-source apps, and one of the most generous free tiers in the category at 10GB - a genuinely private alternative to Dropbox and Google Drive.
Swiss cloud storage from an ethical hosting company. 100% renewable energy, full data sovereignty, no investor pressure.
End-to-end encrypted cloud storage from Proton AG in Geneva. Zero-knowledge architecture means even Proton cannot access your files. Own servers in Switzerland and Germany, ISO 27001 certified. Part of the Proton ecosystem alongside Mail, VPN, and Pass.
Zero-knowledge encrypted cloud storage built by a Welsh team. Client-side Twofish encryption, a slick drive-style interface, and a generous 10GB free tier - a British alternative to Dropbox and Google Drive that can't read your files.
French cloud provider with data centres in Paris and Amsterdam. Eco-friendly infrastructure, GDPR-native, competitive pricing.
End-to-end encrypted cloud storage. Swiss-based with zero-knowledge architecture.