
PCloud offers a generous 500 GB of free cloud storage, which is a great starting point for anyone looking to store their files online. This is a significant amount of space, especially considering that many other cloud storage services offer much less.
One of the standout features of PCloud is its high level of security. With end-to-end encryption, your files are protected from unauthorized access.
PCloud also offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to upload, download, and manage your files. This is a big plus for those who are new to cloud storage or prefer a hassle-free experience.
PCloud's mobile app is available for both iOS and Android devices, allowing you to access your files on the go.
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Authentication
Authentication is a crucial part of using PCloud, and there are a few ways to do it.
You can use the client secret, which is a string that can be found in the config or set as an environment variable.
If you prefer a more secure option, you can use the client credentials OAuth flow, which is a bool option that can be set to true to enable it. This is not supported by all backends, so be sure to check before using it.
Here are the details of the authentication options:
You can also use an auth server URL, which can be left blank to use the provider defaults.
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Client Id
Authentication involves multiple components, and one of them is the Client Id.
The Client Id is used for OAuth authentication. It's a string that's usually left blank normally.
You can configure the Client Id through the "client_id" setting. Alternatively, you can also use an environment variable named "RCLONE_PCLOUD_CLIENT_ID".
The Client Id is a required field in some cases, but in others, it's not necessary.
auth-url
The auth-url setting is used to specify the Auth server URL for pcloud. It can be left blank to use the provider defaults.
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If you need to customize the auth-url, you can do so by setting the config value "auth_url" or by using the environment variable "RCLONE_PCLOUD_AUTH_URL".
The type of value required for auth-url is a string. This means you'll need to enter a URL in the format of a web address.
Here are the details of the auth-url setting:
- Config: auth_url
- Env Var: RCLONE_PCLOUD_AUTH_URL
- Type: string
- Required: false
This means you don't have to set the auth-url if you don't need to, and you can leave it blank if you're using the provider defaults.
Client Credentials
You can use client credentials OAuth flow with rclone by specifying the `--pcloud-client-credentials` option.
This option uses the OAUTH2 client Credentials Flow as described in RFC 6749.
Note that this option is NOT supported by all backends.
The `--pcloud-client-credentials` option has the following configuration settings:
- Config: client_credentials
- Env Var: RCLONE_PCLOUD_CLIENT_CREDENTIALS
- Type: bool
- Default: false
This option is a boolean value, meaning it can be either true or false. The default value is false.
You can set this option to true by using the `--pcloud-client-credentials` option when running rclone.
By using client credentials OAuth flow, you can authenticate with rclone without needing to enter a client secret.
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Password
Authentication requires various methods to ensure secure access. A password is a common form of authentication.
In the context of pcloud, a password is used for authentication. The password can be specified as a command-line argument, denoted by the "--pcloud-password" option.
If the password is not provided as a command-line argument, it can be set as an environment variable named "RCLONE_PCLOUD_PASSWORD". This allows for secure storage and management of sensitive information.
The password is a string type of data and is not required for authentication. This means that authentication can be performed using other methods if a password is not available or desired.
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Advanced Options
In Pcloud, you can access advanced options that give you more control over your account and files.
One such option is OAuth Access Token as a JSON blob, which is specific to Pcloud and allows for more flexibility in how you use the service.
This feature is particularly useful for developers who want to integrate Pcloud into their own applications.
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You can use OAuth Access Token as a JSON blob to authenticate and authorize users, making it easier to build secure and scalable applications.
For instance, you can use this feature to create a custom login system that integrates with Pcloud, giving users a seamless experience across multiple platforms.
By leveraging advanced options like OAuth Access Token as a JSON blob, you can unlock new possibilities for your Pcloud account and take your online storage to the next level.
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Features and Benefits
pCloud offers an intuitive web interface, desktop clients for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and mobile apps for Android and iOS, making it easy to access your files from anywhere.
The service allows you to share individual or groups of files and folders without restrictions on file size, as long as you stay within your storage limits. You can also upload and download files without any speed restrictions.
pCloud's desktop app enables you to sync any local folder from your desktop to your account, but be aware that deleted files will also be removed from their primary location on your computer.
10 GB Free Storage for Important Files

You can get up to 10GB of free storage with pCloud, which is more than enough space to create backup copies of your most valuable files.
This free storage is ideal for keeping your content synchronized and accessing it from multiple devices, wherever you are.
Signing up to pCloud gives you the flexibility to store your files on servers in the United States or in the European Union, according to your privacy and compliance preferences.
Having this option is especially useful when traveling or in case of emergencies, as you can mark files as favorites to access them even when you don't have an Internet connection.
The Backups page in the web interface lets you connect your pCloud storage with other cloud services, such as Google Drive or Dropbox, to back up your files.
Apps
pCloud offers a range of apps to suit different needs. You can use the service on desktop with clients for Windows, macOS, and Linux, with the latter available in AppImage format.

The service is also available on mobile devices with apps for Android and iOS. I've personally used the app on my iPhone X and found it to be well-rounded and easy to use.
You can access your cloud-stored folders and files on the go, and view photos full screen. The app also allows you to play music files and access your Crypto folder with a password.
One thing to note is that you can't edit Word documents directly from the app, but you can view them. Share links are also available from the app for folders and files, and you can see activity for the links' usage.
Pricing and Plans
pCloud offers a free account with 10GB storage, which is a great starting point for anyone looking to get started with cloud storage.
You can upgrade to a paid plan, which starts from $47.88 a year for the premium plan, giving you 500GB of storage.
The 2TB premium plan costs $95.88 a year, making it a great option for those who need more storage space.
pCloud also offers a lifetime plan, where you can pay a single cost of $175 for the premium plan and $350 for the premium plus plan.
Here's a breakdown of the pricing plans:
Business users can opt for a subscription-based membership, which costs $10 a month or $96 per year per user, with a minimum of three users required.
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User Experience
Users appreciate the intuitive design making tasks straightforward. This means that even those who aren't tech-savvy can easily navigate and use PCloud.
The app fulfills all the necessary purposes for its users, making it a reliable choice. Whether you're storing, sharing, or collaborating, PCloud has got you covered.
It receives praise for its effectiveness and user-friendliness, making it a joy to use.
Select Server Location, Access Offline
Selecting the right server location is a crucial aspect of your user experience. pCloud gives you the flexibility to choose between servers in the United States or the European Union, allowing you to tailor your storage to your specific needs.

This means you can store your files in a location that aligns with your privacy and compliance preferences. I've found this to be particularly useful for individuals who work with sensitive information.
You can also mark files as favorites, which enables you to access them even without an internet connection. This is incredibly convenient for people who travel frequently or need to access important documents in emergency situations.
Interface & Experience
The interface and experience of pCloud is quite impressive. Users appreciate the intuitive design making tasks straightforward.
You can access pCloud on various platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, with a range of flexibility in terms of platform availability. There are cloud storage apps for Android and iOS, and web access is great, with extra functionality with the browser add-ons.
Users praise the effectiveness and user-friendliness of the app, which fulfills all the necessary purposes for its users. The mobile app is well-rounded and perfectly respectable, with a familiar interface that allows you to view your cloud-stored folders.
One thing to note is that the mobile app doesn't allow access to previous versions of files, but you can view, share, and access your files easily. The app also allows you to play music files and view photos full screen.
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Security and Control
pCloud ensures your data remains secure with all file transfers conducted over a TLS/SSL encrypted channel. This safeguard keeps your information safe from prying eyes.
The service also replicates your files in five different server locations to prevent data loss and ensure availability. This means your files are always accessible, no matter what.
pCloud offers two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security, giving you an extra layer of protection against unauthorized access. This feature helps keep your account safe, even if someone gets their hands on your password.
You can choose where to store your data - either in Luxembourg, part of the European Union, or in Texas, USA - giving you full control over your files. This flexibility is especially important for those concerned about data sovereignty.
pCloud's security is so robust that they offered a $100,000 challenge to anyone who could break their system, and none of the 2,860 participants succeeded. This speaks to the service's confidence in its security measures.
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Modification Times and Hashes
pCloud allows modification times to be set on objects accurate to 1 second, which helps detect whether objects need syncing or not. This requires the object to be re-uploaded.
These modification times are crucial for ensuring your files are up to date across all your devices. You can set them accurate to 1 second, which is a pretty precise level of control.
pCloud also supports various types of hashes, including MD5, SHA1, and SHA256, depending on your region. In the US region, you can use MD5 and SHA1 hashes, while in the EU region, you can use SHA1 and SHA256 hashes.
Using hashes like MD5 and SHA1 can provide an extra layer of security and integrity for your files. You can use the --checksum flag to enable this feature.
Advanced Data Protection and Control
pCloud offers advanced protection for your files, including encryption during file transfer and storage.
You can choose to store your data in either Luxembourg or Texas, USA, giving you control over where your information is kept.
The service uses a TLS/SSL encrypted channel to ensure secure file transfers, and replicates your files in five different server locations to safeguard against data loss.
pCloud also offers two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security, and has even offered a $100,000 challenge to anyone who could break their encryption system, which none of 2,860 participants could do.
You can protect your files with passwords, share content for a limited time with expiration dates, and encrypt your data with pCloud Encryption, an additional layer of protection that keeps your documents safe even when you share your link.
pCloud is confident in their security, but it would be even better if they publicly released the source code for their client-side encryption feature so it can be constantly reviewed and updated by the community.
The company is fully GDPR-compliant, which means they adhere to strict data protection regulations.
Pros and Cons
pCloud offers some great benefits, but let's take a closer look at the pros and cons.
You'll get 10GB of free online storage, which is a generous starting point for any cloud storage service.
The service also allows you to play media files online, which is a convenient feature for streaming your favorite movies and music.
File versioning is another useful feature that helps you keep track of changes to your files over time.
Locally encrypted secure option is a great feature for those who want an extra layer of security for their files.
One thing to keep in mind is that some of the useful features are not available in the free version.
If you do decide to use the service, be aware that it will appear as a Removable Disk in File Explorer.
Our Review
PCloud offers a generous 500 GB of free storage space, which is a great starting point for anyone looking to store their files online. This is a significant amount of space, especially considering that it's free.
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The upload speed is also impressive, with a maximum speed of 100 MB/s, making it possible to upload large files quickly. This is a major advantage for users who need to transfer large files frequently.
With PCloud, you can access your files from anywhere, thanks to the mobile app and web interface. This means you can easily access your files on-the-go, which is a huge convenience for people who are always on the move.
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The Bottom Line
pCloud is reasonably priced, making it a great option for those on a budget.
The service supports all major platforms, ensuring that you can access your files from anywhere, on any device.
pCloud's extra secure option is a nice touch, but it's not as integrated as Google Drive and OneDrive.
You can get a lifetime subscription for a low price, which is especially great if you need a lot of storage.
However, 2TB of storage may not be enough for some users, especially those who need to store large files or videos.
Adding client-side encryption for $4.99 a month is a reasonable price, but it's disappointing that it's not included in all lifetime plans for free.
Despite its limitations, pCloud is a solid choice for personal use, with great value and extensive features.
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Our Tests
pCloud's syncing speed is impressive, syncing a 619MB folder in just over 40 seconds on our Windows 11 virtual machine.
The virtual machine was connected to the internet through a fiber broadband connection via a VPN server, which maintained an average upload speed of 2328 Mbps.
This performance puts pCloud on par with iDrive, Internxt, and Apple iCloud in terms of syncing speed and efficiency.
We tested pCloud's file recovery feature by deleting a folder from the application directory and then checking if it was possible to recover it.
Despite a warning that files removed from our device would also be removed from the cloud, the folder was still in the pCloud network drive.
We also deleted a folder from My Documents while syncing it with pCloud, and were able to recover it without issues using the Trash option in the web interface.
File versioning is crucial to prevent significant changes, and pCloud makes it easy to revert to a previous version.

We uploaded a test Microsoft Word document and let it sync, then deleted all the text except for the introduction and let the updated file sync with pCloud.
Upon accessing the web interface, the Word document appeared under 'Files' with both the current version and the original under "Revisions."
We restored the undamaged original document to the network drive with just two clicks.
It's worth noting that the free version of pCloud only keeps file revisions for up to 15 days, requiring a paid plan to extend this timeframe.
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