pCloud vs Dropbox: Comparing Pricing, Collaboration Tools and Security

pCloud and Dropbox are both cloud-based document management tools that allow companies to securely collaborate on and store files.

We’ve compared pCloud and Dropbox to highlight key differences and factors to consider when making a purchasing decision.

Product Overviews

Here are excerpts from our pCloud and Dropbox reviews that summarize each tool:

 pCloud: pCloud stores documents in a cloud-repository, making all of your files easily accessible on your PC, on the mobile app or via any device connected to the internet. Users can share files and folders with others to view and edit, making collaboration with teams or clients simple and efficient.

pCloud offers plans for both individuals and businesses, as well as its pCloud Crypto option for companies that require a high level of data security.

Dropbox: Dropbox is described as a modern workplace designed to reduce busywork. It securely stores all your files in the cloud and is available via the web, as a desktop application, and on Windows, Android, iOS and Linux devices. It has many features for simple sharing and collaboration, such as Dropbox Paper, a centralized place to keep notes and discuss ideas with your team or client.

Dropbox also offers a variety of plans that suit the needs of individual users and businesses.

How They Stack Up

Pricing

pCloud: pCloud offers three plans: Free, Premium and Business. The free plan allows for up to 20 GB of storage for users.

The Premium plan has two versions: Premium and Premium Plus. Premium is $3.99 per month when paid annually with 500 GB of storage and download link traffic. The Premium Plus plan is $7.99 per month when paid annually and includes 2 TB of storage and download link traffic. If you’d like to add the additional encryption with Crypto, it is $4.99 per month with a discount offered if you pay annually.

For pCloud’s business plan, you’ll need to contact them directly for a quote.

Dropbox: Dropbox offers six different price options for businesses: Professional, Professional + eSign, Standard, Advanced and Enterprise. The Professional plan costs $16.58 per month for single user if billed yearly and includes 3 TB of storage and many basic Dropbox features. There’s a separate plan, Dropbox One, that includes eSignature functionality for $24.99 per month if billed yearly.

The Standard plan includes 5 TB of storage and costs $15 per user per month when paid annually. The Standard + DocSend plan has all of the features of the Standard plan, plus the features of the DocSend solution. It’s priced at $50 per user, per month.

The Advanced plan costs $24 per user per month when paid annually. Those wanting Dropbox Enterprise must contact the company for a quote.

Dropbox also has a free plan for individuals that includes up to 2 GB of storage, as well as a 30-day free trial of its paid plans.

Bottom Line: With the free plan, pCloud offers considerably more storage at 20 GB versus Dropbox’s 2 GB. pCloud is overall more economical for individuals.

Collaboration

pCloud: Users can invite others via email or direct links to view or edit specific files or folders. The user is able to modify these permissions at any time. They can also generate upload and download links that can be provided to anyone so they can download the file onto their computer or mobile device or upload files directly to your pCloud account.

pCloud also offers the ability to separate users into teams and set group permissions and access levels. All users with access can comment on relevant files and folders.

Dropbox: Dropbox also allows users to send files or folders to anyone via shared links. It adds the extra protection of letting users set password protection and expiration dates for any links.  Teams can be invited to collaborate on files or folders as well. If any users are reading or editing a file, Dropbox adds a badge to show you that others are currently active.

Dropbox Paper is a newer collaboration feature similar to a comprehensive notes app and is included with all accounts. Paper can hold every type of file from music to code to images and users can write, share comments, embed pictures and more in real time together.

Bottom Line: Both Dropbox and pCloud have very similar collaboration features, such as link sharing and comment abilities. However, Dropbox has the advantage because it also includes Paper, which gives teams more ability to share ideas and collaborate than simply commenting on a file or folder.

Security

pCloud: pCloud uses Transport Layer Security (TLS)/Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption when information is transferred from a user’s device to the pCloud servers. Files are stored on at least three server locations in a highly secure data storage area. pCloud also offers pCloud Crypto that encrypts and password protects any chosen files. These files are encrypted via client-side encryption rather than server-side so only the client is able to decrypt the files – even pCloud is unable to decrypt any of these files.

Users can also recover any deleted or old versions of files for up to 30 days with pCloud Rewind. This includes both files you created and those that were shared.

Dropbox: Dropbox file data at rest is encrypted with 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). Data is protected in transit between Dropbox apps and servers with TLS/SSL for data transfer. This creates a secure tunnel protected by 128-bit or higher AE) encryption.

Users are also able to recover deleted or previous versions of files for up to 30 days or 120 days for Dropbox Business customers. Dropbox also undergoes rigorous security testing with third-party specialists, industry security teams, and the security research community.

Bottom Line: Data transfers have similar security with both Dropbox and pCloud, although pCloud doesn’t elaborate on their security for files at rest. Dropbox is a very secure option, but pCloud Crypto slightly surpasses it with the client-side encryption.

Support

pCloud: pCloud only allows users to contact them via email or a contact form. It has an extensive FAQ section, but no community forum.

Dropbox: Dropbox customers have different support depending on their plan. All have access to a forum, a guided troubleshooting tool, and a business guide for the essentials. The Individual Plus plan has priority email support, and the Professional plan has priority chat support. The Business Standard plan has live chat support, the Advanced plan has phone support during business hours and the Enterprise plan has 24/7 phone support.

Bottom Line: Both pCloud and Dropbox offer limited support. However, if you buy a plan that gives you better support access, Dropbox has the edge here.

Takeaways

pCloud and Dropbox are similar document management systems. Both are based in the cloud, offer exceptional security, include mobile and web apps, and have collaboration features. For unlimited storage space, Dropbox Advanced plan is the best choice. Dropbox also has a lead when it comes to collaboration because of its Dropbox Paper feature.

Although Dropbox has excellent security, if you’re looking for heightened safety for certain files that even the company has no way to access, you might want to opt for pCloud Crypto.

The key is to evaluate each solution to determine which one best fits your company’s needs.

If you’re entirely new to DMS tools, take a look at our DMS Definitive Guide. It offers a full overview of market trends, must-have features and common challenges to avoid.

Finally, if you’re looking for software alternatives, our detailed reviews is a good place to start.