Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

pCloud VS Cryptomator

Compare pCloud VS Cryptomator and see what are their differences

pCloud logo pCloud

Cloud storage service with up to 20GB for free! Store, share and send large files to anyone. Join now and have your files everywhere you go.

Cryptomator logo Cryptomator

When it comes to saving your files on a cloud server, it is important to ensure the security of those files. Keeping your delicate files out of the wrong hands can save you a lot of time and hassle. Read more about Cryptomator.
  • pCloud Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-18
  • Cryptomator Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-12

pCloud

Website
pcloud.com
$ Details
-
Release Date
2013 January
Startup details
Country
Switzerland
City
Baar
Employees
100 - 249

pCloud features and specs

  • Security
    pCloud offers strong encryption for files, ensuring data is kept secure. They also offer optional pCloud Crypto service for even further encryption.
  • Lifetime Plans
    Users can pay a one-time fee for lifetime access to storage, which can be more cost-effective in the long run compared to monthly or annual subscriptions.
  • File Versioning
    pCloud keeps previous versions of files for up to 30 days (or extended time for premium plans). This is useful for retrieving older versions of documents and recovering from accidental deletions or changes.
  • Media Playback
    The service has built-in media playback options, allowing users to stream audio and video files directly from the cloud without needing to download them first.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    pCloud is available on multiple platforms including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android. This ensures users can access files from almost any device.

Possible disadvantages of pCloud

  • Cost of pCloud Crypto
    The enhanced encryption service, pCloud Crypto, comes at an additional cost, which might be a downside for users wanting comprehensive security without extra fees.
  • No Document Editing
    Unlike some competitors, pCloud does not have integrated document editing capabilities. Users need to download documents, edit them, and upload them again.
  • Limited Collaboration Tools
    pCloud's collaboration tools are not as comprehensive as other cloud storage providers. For example, it lacks real-time collaborative editing features.
  • Customer Support
    Some users have reported that customer support response times can be slow, which can be frustrating if encountering urgent issues.
  • Free Plan Limitations
    The free plan offers limited storage (up to 10GB with bonuses for referrals and other activities), which may not be sufficient for users with larger storage needs.

Cryptomator features and specs

  • Open Source
    Cryptomator is open source, meaning its source code is available for review and audit by the community, ensuring transparency and trustworthiness.
  • User-Friendly
    The application has an intuitive and easy-to-use interface, making it accessible for users with varying levels of technical skill.
  • Encryption Standard
    Cryptomator uses AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) with 256-bit key length to secure your data, providing robust protection against unauthorized access.
  • Cross-Platform
    It supports multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, allowing for seamless synchronization across devices.
  • No Account Required
    Users do not need to create an account to use Cryptomator, enhancing user privacy and data protection.
  • Integration with Cloud Services
    Cryptomator can integrate with various cloud storage solutions like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive, providing an extra layer of security for your cloud-stored files.

Possible disadvantages of Cryptomator

  • Performance Limitations
    Because files are encrypted and decrypted on-the-fly, the application may experience slower performance, especially for large files or folders.
  • Mobile App Cost
    While the desktop version is free, the mobile apps require a one-time purchase, which might deter some users.
  • No Native Cloud Backup
    Cryptomator itself does not offer native cloud backup services. Users must rely on third-party cloud providers for storing encrypted files.
  • No Live Collaboration Features
    The application does not support live collaboration on encrypted documents, limiting its utility for team-based projects.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Certain cloud providers may occasionally change their APIs or policies, potentially causing compatibility issues until updates are made.

Analysis of pCloud

Overall verdict

  • Overall, pCloud is a good choice for users who prioritize security and flexibility in their cloud storage solutions. Its combination of features, affordability, and strong user feedback make it a competitive option in the market.

Why this product is good

  • pCloud is considered a reliable cloud storage service due to its strong emphasis on security, including client-side encryption, and its flexible storage options that cater to both personal and business needs. It offers a lifetime plan, which is an attractive option for users looking for long-term storage solutions without recurring subscription fees. Additionally, it has cross-platform compatibility, making it accessible on various devices and operating systems. The service also provides ease of use with its intuitive interface and useful features such as file versioning, media playback, and extensive sharing options.

Recommended for

  • Individuals seeking long-term cloud storage solutions without monthly fees.
  • Users who need a secure platform for sensitive data, thanks to its optional zero-knowledge encryption feature (pCloud Crypto).
  • Professionals and small businesses looking for reliable storage with collaboration tools.
  • Anyone who requires access to their files across multiple devices and operating systems.
  • Media enthusiasts who want easy media streaming from their cloud storage.

Analysis of Cryptomator

Overall verdict

  • Cryptomator is a highly recommended tool for individuals seeking a secure and private method of encrypting files before uploading them to cloud storage. It strikes a balance between security and usability, making it appealing for both technical and non-technical users.

Why this product is good

  • Cryptomator is considered good because it provides client-side encryption, ensuring that only you have access to your files. It is open-source, which means its code is transparent and has been reviewed by the community, enhancing its security credibility. It's also user-friendly, allowing seamless integration with cloud storage providers and offering a zero-knowledge architecture, which means even their developers cannot access your data.

Recommended for

  • Individuals concerned about privacy and security of their data in the cloud.
  • Users looking for an open-source, community-reviewed encryption tool.
  • People who need a user-friendly encryption solution that works with various cloud storage services.
  • Those who prefer a service with a zero-knowledge policy, ensuring complete data confidentiality.

pCloud videos

pCloud Lifetime Deal cloud storage

More videos:

  • Review - pCloud Review - Dropbox Alternative With a Twist - Online Hard Drive | Cloud Storage Service
  • Review - Sync.com vs pCloud: Battle of the best cloud storage providers of 2020
  • Review - pCloud Review: The Best Lifetime Cloud Storage?
  • Review - 5 things to you should know about pCloud... the BEST cloud storage? REVIEW
  • Review - Pcloud Review - Features, Security & Plans

Cryptomator videos

Cryptomator Tutorial: Get Started

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How To Easily Encrypt Anything - Cryptomator The Best FREE Encryption Software! (multiplatform)
  • Review - Cryptomator and Nextcloud

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to pCloud and Cryptomator)
Cloud Storage
45 45%
55% 55
File Sharing
51 51%
49% 49
Encrypted Cloud Storage
100 100%
0% 0
Security & Privacy
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare pCloud and Cryptomator

pCloud Reviews

Best MEGA Alternatives in 2024 : These 5 Are Much Better!
You can, therefore, adapt pCloud to suit your needs and pay exclusively for what you’ll use. Unlike MEGA, pCloud has no security issues and is among the safest options on the market. Not to mention its file versioning and the ability to access your photos, videos, and documents directly from the app.
Source: www.01net.com
Best Free Cloud Storage for 2024: What Cloud Storage Providers Offer the Most Free Storage?
The only features you’ll be missing on pCloud’s free cloud storage plan are password protection for files, expiry dates for publicly shared files and zero-knowledge encryption for your important documents. If this is a problem, you can upgrade to pCloud Premium with either or of storage, starting at per month. There’s also a pCloud Lifetime plan.
Best Cloud Storage Services for Linux
pCloud is a company based in Switzerland that focuses on security and privacy. They have an option to choose what server location you’d like to use – either a US (Dallas, Texax) or an EU (Luxembourg) one.
Source: linuxstans.com
Best Top 12 MEGA Alternatives in 2024
pCloud is a versatile cloud storage solution that competes head-to-head with MEGA. With user-friendly features and robust security measures, it provides an excellent alternative for those looking to safeguard their files.
The Best Free Backup Software and Why it is Difficult to Find One
Following the same logic as with the aforementioned Google Drive, pCloud is not a backup software per se, but it can act as one by providing limited cloud storage to its users for free. It offers file sharing for multiple devices and different users, as well as collaboration within those files, data encryption, the ability to set individual or group permissions, as well as a...
Source: www.bacula.org

Cryptomator Reviews

6 TrueCrypt Alternatives for Reliable Data Encryption
Cryptomator is a great free encryption software tool for users looking to encrypt individual files rather than a large volume of data as seen with TrueCrypt or other alternatives mentioned here. This makes sense if you update only a few files regularly and the rest of your files remain relatively unchanged. Cryptomator is supported on Windows, Mac, and Linux operating...
15 Best Rclone Alternatives 2022
With Cryptomator, what you get is a simple digital protection tool. Rclone syncs your files to cloud storage, while Cryptomator syncs and locks your files to cloud storage. Cryptomator gives you access to your files on any device and only you hold the keys to access them.
5 Best TrueCrypt Alternatives - Open source encryption apps
Cryptomator for the desktop works on a pay what you want model. It can be had for free, but users are encouraged to donate towards its development. The mobile apps (which support fingerprint unlock) cost $8.99 at time of writing.
Source: proprivacy.com
16 Tresorit Alternatives
Cryptomator will be giving you the full permission in which you can choose to encrypt the whole of your data on your series of workstations or top of any cloud devices or any storage media. It will be working all through the creation of the virtual device right through which the encrypted content can be readily displayed.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Cryptomator should be more popular than pCloud. It has been mentiond 298 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

pCloud mentions (36)

  • Need new cloud service
    If you want Lifetime however, pCloud is a really popular option, with tons of features and good speeds (I typically get at least 160+ Mbps with them). They tend to run promos on their Lifetime deals around days like Black Friday, Christmas/New Year's, 4th of July, etc. They've already been around over a decade, so have shown thus far they can hold up against the test of time. Source: over 1 year ago
  • How best to store mixed file sizes in cloud storage?
    Why not just put everything in a virtual drive (like what pCloud does) so that way it doesn't matter how much storage each computer has - every computer will have, say, 2 TB to use (if you got their 2 TB plan). Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Cannot launch pcloud on ArchLinux with Sway
    Anyone experienced a problem running pcloud on ArchLinux with Sway? I recently did a system update, and now whenever I try to start the app (even if I download the binary direct from pcloud.com and run that) I get this error: ```. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Way to issue different passwords to different users
    pCloud can do at least 3 of those 4, and as an additional plus you can create your own custom "Branded Links" (some examples on this page) – where you can have a custom cover, title image and even message for links that you share with people. So if you want to create a tailored look for your client, you can do that. Source: about 2 years ago
  • i want to journal to help my mental health but my partner would read it
    If you don't want to keep the document on your computer, use a free cloud space such us pcloud.com for the entries. Source: about 2 years ago
View more

Cryptomator mentions (298)

  • Owning my own data, part 1: Integrating a self-hosted calendar solution
    I know this is not what people want to hear, but your data will never be safer than it is in the cloud. No setup you can dream up at home with in a reasonable budget will ever come close to the resilience and redundancy you have in the cloud. Ownership is not about storing everything at home (or well, it's part of it), but having control over your data, which you can easily have while at the same time using the... - Source: Hacker News / about 2 months ago
  • Apple pulls data protection tool after UK government security row
    It's a drag that we're seeing this crap happen, but authoritarians will be authoritarians. What's the general opinion of tools like Cryptomator? [^1] [^1]: https://cryptomator.org. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Cryptomator: end-to-end encrypt files in any cloud
    To prevent this from happening, you can use a tool like Cryptomator to automatically encrypt your files before uploading them to the cloud. - Source: dev.to / 11 months ago
  • Dropbox: How to opt out of 3rd party AI partner access to your Dropbox
    The best way to do this is with https://cryptomator.org. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Is it private if I lock my pdf
    Before putting anything on a cloud service I would recommend 3rd party tools, like Cryptomator, to encrypt folders and such, then upload to a cloud service. Source: over 1 year ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing pCloud and Cryptomator, you can also consider the following products

Dropbox - Online Sync and File Sharing

VeraCrypt - VeraCrypt is a free open source disk encryption software for Windows, Mac OSX and Linux.

Google Drive - Access and sync your files anywhere

BoxCryptor - Boxcryptor encrypts your sensitive files before uploading them to cloud storage services like Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Box, and many others.

Mega - Secure File Storage and collaboration

Microsoft OneDrive - Secure access, sharing & file storage

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