Comparison

IDrive Online Backup vs pCloud

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

Head to head
About

IDrive Online Backup

Securely back up and sync your mobile data with private key encryption for maximum security. Access your files from anywhere, on any device, and share them easily. Protect photos and videos automatically as they are taken.

Highlights
  • Private key encryption
  • Backup and restore contacts, photos, videos, calendars
  • Sync files across devices
  • Access data from anywhere
  • Selective backup and restore
  • Share files and folders securely
  • Automatic photo/video upload
Features
Read full description

Protect your digital life with IDrive! Securely backup your mobile data with private key encryption – the highest level of data security available – so only you can access your files. You can backup multiple devices to one account, and sync files across devices to access your data from anywhere. IDrive for iOS is the winner of PCMag Editors’ Choice Award. "There's a heck of a lot to like about IDrive ... it can do things that none of the alternatives can." - PC Mag, September 2013 Features: • Backup and restore contacts, photos, videos, and calendars with a single tap. • Easily sync files between all linked devices. • Link your devices to a single account and access data from anywhere. • Selectively backup and restore files. • Share files and folders over a single, secure link. • Automatic upload option protects photos and videos as soon as they are taken via Wi-Fi or cellular data. • Gallery View allows you to easily slide through pictures and videos. Security features: • Private key encryption ensures only you have access to your data. • Lock app with a passcode. • Easily unlink devices, which are lost or stolen.

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

IDrive Online Backup4 screens
pCloud4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: pCloud at 4.7 against IDrive Online Backup's 4.3. pCloud also leads on review sentiment (62% vs 36%). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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. IDrive Online Backup sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and pCloud sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

pCloud holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5K and 8.1K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 36% of IDrive Online Backup's written reviews are positive against 62% of pCloud's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
IDrive Online Backup versus pCloud: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIDrive Online BackuppCloud
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (5K ratings)4.7 (8.1K ratings) — better
Positive reviews35.6% of reviews62.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings5K8.1K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size111 MB112 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIDrive IncorporatedPCLOUD LTD

Customer experience

IDrive Online Backup

All ratings4,954 ratings
Positive82.1%
Neutral5.0%
Negative12.8%
Written reviews374 reviews
Positive35.6%
Neutral11.2%
Negative53.2%

pCloud

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

User reviews

IDrive Online Backup

From 5K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Simple and efficient
  • 🚀 Great backup solution
  • 🔒 Secure backup
  • 💰 Affordable pricing

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy app, crashes frequently
  • 🔍 Difficult to navigate and find backed up files
  • 🔋 Drains battery when running in the background
  • 🤖 Poor customer support

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

IDrive Online Backup

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App crashes when trying to access backed up data
  • Inconsistent backup progress reporting
  • Fails to backup all photos and videos
  • Sync issues between devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add option to view backed up files in folder structure
  • Improve upload and download speeds
  • Allow background uploads without pausing
  • Add facial recognition and photo organization features

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

10 purchases

IDrive Online Backup

One-time10
  • IDrive Pro Mobile$0.99
  • IDrive 100GB at $2.99$2.99
  • IDrive 100GB at $3.99$3.99
Show 7 more
  • IDrive Mobile Unlimited$4.99
  • IDrive 500GB at $9.99$9.99
  • IDrive 1TB at $14.99$14.99
  • IDrive 1TB at $15.99$15.99
  • IDrive 2TB at $54.99$54.99
  • IDrive 1TB at $59.99$59.99
  • IDrive 5TB at $59.99$59.99
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$199.99
  • Add Extra 2TB Lifetime Storage$279.00
Show 1 more
  • Premium Plus$399.99

Questions

Is IDrive Online Backup free?
IDrive Online Backup is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is pCloud free?
pCloud is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, IDrive Online Backup or pCloud?
pCloud is rated higher. IDrive Online Backup averages 4.3 out of 5 from 5K ratings, while pCloud averages 4.7 from 8.1K ratings.
Do IDrive Online Backup or pCloud have ads?
Neither IDrive Online Backup nor pCloud shows ads.
Which is updated more often, IDrive Online Backup or pCloud?
IDrive Online Backup ships an update every 3 weeks, and pCloud every 3 weeks. Most recently, IDrive Online Backup was updated on September 22, 2026 and pCloud on September 24, 2026.

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