Product Comparison: Koofr vs. pCloud

Koofr and pCloud often end up on the same shortlist. Both are European-rooted, both take privacy more seriously than the big tech clouds, and both offer client-side encryption. But they differ a lot once you look at pricing, encryption costs, integrations and how each company treats your data.

This updated comparison sticks to the facts: current prices, what users praise and complain about, and which service fits which kind of user.

Koofr vs pCloud at a glance

Koofr is a Slovenian company that stores all files in the EU (Germany). It offers 10 GB free, forever, paid plans from 10 GB for 6 € per year, and a Loyalty Discount of up to 50%. Its zero-knowledge encryption (Koofr Vault) is open source and included in every plan, including free. Koofr also connects your Dropbox, Google Drive and OneDrive accounts, supports Microsoft Office for the web, WebDAV and rclone, and has apps for Windows, macOS and Linux. It scores 4.3 / 5 on Trustpilot.

Welcome to Koofr. First 10 GB are free forever.

pCloud, a Swiss-registered company with origins in Bulgaria, lets you store files in either the EU (Luxembourg) or the US (Dallas). It offers up to 10 GB free, with paid plans starting at 500 GB for $49.99 per year and one-time lifetime options. Its zero-knowledge encryption is a paid, closed-source add-on, WebDAV is available on paid plans only, and it doesn't connect to other clouds. pCloud also supports rclone and Linux, and scores 3.1 / 5 on Trustpilot.

Koofr tip: If you want to test both services, start with free accounts. Koofr’s 10 GB is available immediately, with no tasks to complete. See what users say about Koofr on Trustpilot.

Pricing: Koofr vs pCloud

The two services take very different approaches to pricing.

Koofr pricing is built around small, flexible plans billed yearly. You can start at 10 GB for 6 EUR per year and move up in small steps, so you never pay for terabytes you don’t need.

Koofr prices as listed in November 2026, billed yearly, including 22% VAT. Every paid plan includes additional 10 GB free allowance.

pCloud pricing starts at 500 GB and is sold monthly, yearly or as a one-time lifetime payment:

pCloud prices as listed in November 2026, before tax. Lifetime prices are often discounted during sales.

What this means in practice:

• If you need less than 500 GB, Koofr is cheaper. 100 GB costs 24 EUR per year and 250 GB costs 48 EUR per year. With pCloud, the minimum is the 500 GB plan.
• If you need several terabytes, pCloud’s large plans have a lower price per terabyte, especially if you buy a lifetime plan during a sale.
• If you want zero-knowledge encryption, add $49.99 per year (or $150 lifetime) to any pCloud plan. Koofr Vault costs nothing extra.
• If you plan to stay long-term, Koofr’s Loyalty Discount grows every year, from 5% after the first year to 50% after five years (plans L and above).

Koofr tip: Koofr plans do not renew automatically, so you decide if you want to extend the subscription.

Privacy: Koofr vs pCloud

Koofr is a European company based in Slovenia. All files are stored in ISO 27001-certified data centres in Germany, and the service is fully GDPR compliant. Koofr:

• uses no third-party trackers, no analytics tools and no ads
• sends no marketing emails
• collects only the data it needs to run the service
• does not use your files to train AI

Online tracking and why Koofr doesn’t do it
Why Koofr doesn’t employ AI or use your data for AI training

pCloud is registered in Switzerland with origins in Bulgaria. When you sign up, you choose a data region: Luxembourg (EU) or Dallas (US). If you choose the US region, your files are stored under US jurisdiction.

Less data collected means less data that can be leaked, sold or requested by third parties. And with Koofr, there is no region to choose and no risk of getting it wrong: your data is in the EU by default.

Encryption: Koofr vs pCloud

Both services encrypt your files in transit and on their servers. The difference is in client-side (zero-knowledge) encryption, where files are encrypted on your device, and the provider cannot read them.

Koofr uses a hybrid model:

1. Server-side encryption protects all your files. You can share, search, preview and edit them, and recover your account if you forget your password.
2. Koofr Vault adds open-source, zero-knowledge encryption for your most sensitive files: ID documents, contracts, medical records. Vault is included in every Koofr plan, including the free one.

Why a hybrid model is useful: full zero-knowledge encryption on everything has trade-offs. If you lose your key, your files are gone for good, and features like sharing, previews and online editing stop working. A hybrid model lets you decide which files need maximum protection and which need convenience.

Read more about the benefits of a hybrid model: Adjust the Level of Cloud Storage Security and Take Advantage of its Full benefits

pCloud follows a similar idea with its Crypto folder, but zero-knowledge encryption is only available as a paid add-on, and its code is closed source, so it can’t be independently reviewed.

Koofr vs pCloud: integrations, WebDAV and rclone

This is where Koofr stands out most clearly.

Koofr as a pCloud alternative

Choose pCloud if:

• you need several terabytes and want a one-time lifetime payment
• you mainly want to stream your own music and video collection

Choose Koofr if:

• you want zero-knowledge encryption without paying extra
• you need less than 500 GB and don’t want to pay for space you won’t use
• you want your files stored in the EU by default, with no trackers
• you also use Dropbox, Google Drive or OneDrive
• you rely on WebDAV, rclone or Office for the web

How is Koofr different from other cloud storage solutions?

Koofr vs pCloud: frequently asked questions

Which offers more free storage, Koofr or pCloud?
Both offer up to 10 GB. Koofr gives you the full 10 GB free, forever as soon as you sign up. On pCloud, part of the free space depends on completing setup tasks and referrals.

Which paid plan has the best price per terabyte, Koofr or pCloud?
pCloud is cheaper per terabyte on its large plans (2 TB and up), especially lifetime plans bought on sale. Koofr is cheaper for smaller amounts of storage, and its Loyalty Discount cuts the price by up to 50% for long-term users. pCloud also charges extra for zero-knowledge encryption.

Do Koofr and pCloud offer zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption?
Yes, both do. Koofr includes zero-knowledge, open-source encryption (Koofr Vault) in every plan, including free. pCloud offers it as a paid, closed-source add-on.

Why Does Koofr Offer a Client-Side Encryption Add-On?

Are Koofr and pCloud headquartered in the EU and GDPR compliant?
Koofr is headquartered in Slovenia, stores all files in the EU (Germany) and is fully GDPR compliant. pCloud is registered in Switzerland, which is outside the EU, and lets users store files either in Luxembourg (EU) or in the US.

Conclusion

pCloud is a solid choice for users who want large amounts of storage on a lifetime deal. But if you care about privacy by default, encryption that doesn’t cost extra, and a cloud that connects to the rest of your digital life, Koofr gives you more for your money.

You don't have Koofr yet? Try it for free.

Compare more cloud storage providers: Koofr vs Dropbox, Koofr vs Google Drive and Koofr vs Icedrive.

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Editor's Note: This post was first published in 2022. We've updated and enhanced the content to improve clarity and detail. Whether you're revisiting or reading it for the first time, we hope this improved version offers an even better experience.