Comparison

SugarSync vs pCloud

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

SugarSync

Securely back up and sync files, photos, and music across all your devices. Protect your digital life with advanced encryption and easily share or restore files. Offers automatic syncing and remote data wiping for enhanced security and convenience.

Highlights
  • Secure file backup
  • Automatic cloud syncing
  • Cross-device synchronization
  • Remote data wipe
  • File sharing and collaboration
  • Easy file restoration
Read full description

SugarSync lets you securely backup your files, photos, music, and more, on any device. We add a layer of security to all of your file syncing and storing so you can keep your digital life private and organized. Easily sync and send files from one device to another, collaborate with team members, and enjoy seamless file syncing across your devices with minimal effort. Features: Automatically sync your files to the cloud Instantly backup photos taken on your iPhone Sync multiple folders at once Remotely wipe your data in the case of device theft or loss Complete Data Security SugarSync makes security a priority. We use industry-standard encryption to protect your files and data while they sync to our servers, and store them in the cloud in an encrypted format. iPhone Photo Syncing Skip using iCloud or a cable to upload your iPhone photos. SugarSync lets you automatically upload photos from your iPhone to your computer so you can have all of your important memories and more in one secure place. Auto-Syncing Across Devices SugarSync makes it easy to keep all of your devices synced. You can automatically sync files across computers, devices, and platforms, and all changes made in the cloud will be automatically applied to all of your synced devices. Flexible File Sharing Sharing files and folders has never been easier. SugarSync lets you control how and what you want to share, whether it’s a small read-only file or a large folder with editing permissions — it’s up to you. Easy Restoration Never worry about losing your important files, photos, and documents again. Our Protected Folders option lets you easily roll back your folder to a previous date in time so you can recover all files within it at once. Enjoy a free 30-day trial when you sign up for SugarSync. Choose from our 100 GB, 250 GB, and 500 GB personal plan options, or choose our business plan which offers 10000 GB of space. We also offer custom business plans for teams looking for the right cloud storage for their needs. Learn more about SugarSync here: https://www.sugarsync.com/ Terms of Service: https://www.sugarsync.com/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://www.sugarsync.com/privacy/

About

pCloud

Securely store and access your photos, videos, and documents from any device. Automatically back up media to free up phone space and stream content on the go. Share large files easily with others.

Highlights
  • Up to 10 GB free storage
  • Automatic photo and video backup
  • Stream HD videos and music
  • Send and receive large files
  • Offline file access
  • Military-grade encryption
Features
Read full description

pCloud - Secure Cloud Storage for Your Files pCloud is the secure place for your photos, videos, and documents - all in one app. Access your files anytime, anywhere, and keep everything safely stored and organized across all your devices. Back up your memories automatically, free up space on your phone, and enjoy your content on the go. Preview and edit your photos, stream HD videos, and listen to your music without downloading. Easily share large files with anyone, even if they don’t use pCloud. Start with up to 10 GB of free storage. Optionally, you can expand up to 10 TB of storage with monthly, annual or lifetime plans. Features: • Up to 10 GB free storage upon registration • Store and access photos, videos, and files • Automatic photo and video backup • Access your files anytime, anywhere • Stream videos and music instantly • Share large files with a link • Sync across all your devices • Simple, intuitive and easy to use • Add zero-knowledge encryption Terms of service: https://www.pcloud.com/terms_and_conditions.html Privacy policy: https://www.pcloud.com/privacy_policy.html

Screenshots

SugarSync4 screens
pCloud4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: pCloud at 4.7 against SugarSync's 3.2. pCloud also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 5 months). SugarSync's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 13) and review sentiment (81% vs 62%). On price, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. pCloud sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. SugarSync asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

pCloud holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: pCloud has 8.1K ratings behind it against 109, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 81% of SugarSync's written reviews are positive against 62% of pCloud's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SugarSync ships an update every 5 months, pCloud every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
SugarSync versus pCloud: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSugarSyncpCloud
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.2 (109 ratings)4.7 (8.1K ratings) — better
Positive reviews80.5% of reviews — better62.4% of reviews
Number of ratings1098.1K — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#188 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS10.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size33 MB112 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSugarSync, Inc.PCLOUD LTD

Customer experience

SugarSync

All ratings103 ratings
Positive51.5%
Neutral8.7%
Negative39.8%
Written reviews1,536 reviews
Positive80.5%
Neutral4.8%
Negative14.6%

pCloud

All ratings8,149 ratings
Positive92.1%
Neutral2.8%
Negative5.1%
Written reviews822 reviews
Positive62.4%
Neutral11.3%
Negative26.3%

User reviews

SugarSync

From 109 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Seamless syncing across devices
  • 🔒 Secure cloud storage
  • 👍 Easy to use and navigate
  • 💡 Ability to access files remotely
  • 👍 Reliable backup solution

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezes
  • 🐛 Syncing issues and unreliable file access
  • 🔋 High resource consumption on mobile devices
  • 👎 Poor customer support and lack of response
  • 👎 Expensive pricing compared to alternatives

pCloud

From 8.1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast uploads and downloads
  • 🔒 Secure and encrypted storage
  • 👍 Convenient app integration across devices
  • 💰 Affordable lifetime plans
  • 📂 Flexible file organization

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Unreliable auto-upload feature
  • 🔍 Lacking advanced search and organization tools
  • 🔇 Subpar media player functionality
  • 🔒 Encryption features behind paywall
  • 🤔 Confusing free storage limits

Bugs and requests

SugarSync

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Login issues and account problems
  • Incompatibility with newer iOS versions
  • Slow upload and download speeds

Requested features

4 requests
  • Offline file access and editing
  • Integration with more third-party apps
  • Improved photo management and viewing
  • Ability to selectively sync folders/files

pCloud

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Frequent app crashes and freezes
  • Inconsistent file syncing across devices
  • Issues with downloading and sharing files
  • Missing metadata and HEIC file support

Requested features

5 requests
  • Improved photo/video management and viewing
  • Background sync and auto-upload
  • Sorting and filtering options for files
  • Built-in text editor and note-taking
  • Gapless audio playback

In-app purchases

None

SugarSync

No in-app purchases

13 purchases

pCloud

Subscriptions9
  • Premium$4.991 Month
  • pCloud Encryption$4.991 Month
  • Premium7 Days trial$4.991 Month
Show 6 more
  • Premium1 Month trial$4.991 Month
  • Premium Plus$9.991 Month
  • Ultra 10TB Monthly$29.991 Month
  • Premium$49.991 Year
  • pCloud Encryption$49.991 Year
  • Premium Plus$99.991 Year
One-time4
  • pCloud Encryption$149.99
  • Premium$219.00
  • Add Extra 2TB Lifetime Storage$279.00
Show 1 more
  • Premium Plus$499.00

Questions

Is SugarSync free?
SugarSync is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is pCloud free?
pCloud is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SugarSync or pCloud?
pCloud is rated higher. SugarSync averages 3.2 out of 5 from 109 ratings, while pCloud averages 4.7 from 8.1K ratings.
Do SugarSync or pCloud have ads?
SugarSync shows ads; pCloud does not.
Which is updated more often, SugarSync or pCloud?
SugarSync ships an update every 5 months, and pCloud every 3 weeks. Most recently, SugarSync was updated on September 10, 2026 and pCloud on September 28, 2026.

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