Microsoft OneDrive vs pCloud
Microsoft OneDrive and pCloud are both file storage & sharing tools. Microsoft OneDrive is aimed at small businesses and enterprise, while pCloud is aimed at freelancers and small businesses. Microsoft OneDrive costs less, from $1.99/mo versus $4.99/mo for pCloud. Both have a free plan.
Microsoft's cloud storage and file sync, bundled with Microsoft 365
Swiss cloud storage with lifetime plans
| Pricing | Freemium · $2 | Freemium · $5 |
| Starting price | $1.99/mo | $4.99/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | 30 days | — |
| Built for | Small businesses, Enterprise, Freelancers | Freelancers, Small businesses |
| Platforms | web, windows, macos, ios, android | web, macos, windows, ios, android |
| Country | US · 2007 | CH · 2013 |
| Rating | — | — |
Choose Microsoft OneDrive if
Windows users and Microsoft 365 organizations that want storage tightly wired into Office and Teams.
- Included with Microsoft 365, so often no extra cost
- Deep integration with Windows and Office apps
- 1 TB per person on Personal and Family plans
Look elsewhere if: Linux users or teams standardized on other suites (Google Drive, Dropbox, Box).
Choose pCloud if
Individuals preferring one-time payment.
- Lifetime pricing
- Swiss privacy
- Virtual drive
Look elsewhere if: Team collaboration.
Microsoft OneDrive vs pCloud pricing
Microsoft OneDrive
- Microsoft 365 Free$05 GB cloud storage and web Office apps
- Microsoft 365 Basic$1.99/mo$19.99/yr; 100 GB, ad-free Outlook
- Microsoft 365 Personal$9.99/mo$99.99/yr; 1 TB, desktop Office apps, Copilot
- Microsoft 365 Family$12.99/mo$129.99/yr; up to 6 people, 1 TB each
- Microsoft 365 Business Basic$7/user/moAnnual commitment; 1 TB per user, web Office apps, Teams
pCloud
- Free$0Up to 10 GB (per help.pcloud.com plan details)
- Premium 500 GB$4.99/mo$49.99/yr; lifetime $219
- Premium Plus 2 TB$9.99/mo$99.99/yr; lifetime $499
- Ultra 10 TB$29.99/mo$299.99/yr; lifetime $1,499
Microsoft OneDrive · Key features
- Files On-Demand shows every cloud file without using local disk space
- Automatic backup of Windows Desktop, Documents and Pictures folders
- Real-time co-authoring in Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Personal Vault with extra identity verification for sensitive files
- Version history and ransomware detection with whole-drive restore
- Sharing links with view or edit rights, passwords and expiry dates
Cons
- No official Linux client
- Big jump from 100 GB to 1 TB with nothing in between
- Sharing permissions can confuse external guests
pCloud · Key features
- Virtual drive
- Lifetime plans
- File versioning
- Media streaming
- Client-side encryption add-on
- Sharing links
Cons
- Encryption is extra
- Team features limited
- Company longevity risk for lifetime
Microsoft OneDrive vs pCloud: FAQ
Which is cheaper, Microsoft OneDrive or pCloud?
Microsoft OneDrive starts at $1.99/mo and pCloud at $4.99/mo. Both prices are checked on the vendors' own pricing pages.
Do Microsoft OneDrive and pCloud have a free plan?
Yes, both Microsoft OneDrive and pCloud have a free plan; paid plans add more usage and features.