# SugarSync vs pCloud

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.

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

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | SugarSync | pCloud |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.2 (109 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sugarsync/id288491637/reviews) | **[4.7 (8.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pcloud-cloud-storage/id692002098/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 109 | **8.1K** |
| Positive reviews | **80.5% of reviews** | 62.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#188** |
| Size | 33 MB | 112 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [SugarSync, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/288491640) | [PCLOUD LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/692002101) |

## What reviewers say

### SugarSync

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sugarsync/id288491637)

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

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


### pCloud

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pcloud-cloud-storage/id692002098)

**Currently charting:** #188 Top Free · Productivity (US App Store)

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:** iMessage stickers, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium | $4.99 | per month |
| pCloud Encryption | $4.99 | per month |
| Premium | $4.99 | per month |
| Premium | $4.99 | per month |
| Premium Plus | $9.99 | per month |
| Ultra 10TB Monthly | $29.99 | per month |
| Premium | $49.99 | per year |
| pCloud Encryption | $49.99 | per year |
| Premium Plus | $99.99 | per year |
| pCloud Encryption | $149.99 | one-time |
| Premium | $219.00 | one-time |
| Add Extra 2TB Lifetime Storage | $279.00 | one-time |
| Premium Plus | $499.00 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- 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


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*