# IDrive Online Backup vs pCloud

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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | IDrive Online Backup | pCloud |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idrive-online-backup/id427956708/reviews) | **[4.7 (8.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pcloud-cloud-storage/id692002098/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 5K | **8.1K** |
| Positive reviews | 35.6% of reviews | **62.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 111 MB | 112 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [IDrive Incorporated](https://appshunter.io/developer/295113649) | [PCLOUD LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/692002101) |

## What reviewers say

### IDrive Online Backup

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idrive-online-backup/id427956708)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| IDrive Pro Mobile | $0.99 | one-time |
| IDrive 100GB at $2.99 | $2.99 | one-time |
| IDrive 100GB at $3.99 | $3.99 | one-time |
| IDrive Mobile Unlimited | $4.99 | one-time |
| IDrive 500GB at $9.99 | $9.99 | one-time |
| IDrive 1TB at $14.99 | $14.99 | one-time |
| IDrive 1TB at $15.99 | $15.99 | one-time |
| IDrive 2TB at $54.99 | $54.99 | one-time |
| IDrive 1TB at $59.99 | $59.99 | one-time |
| IDrive 5TB at $59.99 | $59.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- 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

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

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 | $199.99 | one-time |
| Add Extra 2TB Lifetime Storage | $279.00 | one-time |
| Premium Plus | $399.99 | 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 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*