Comparison

pCloud vs Semaphor

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

Head to head
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

About

Semaphor

This app offers secure team communication and collaboration with end-to-end encryption and private blockchain technology. It provides features like direct messaging, file sharing, and project-specific channels for real-time teamwork.

Highlights
  • End-to-end encryption
  • Secure file sharing
  • Private direct messaging
  • Unlimited project channels
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Native offline mode
Features
Read full description

Semaphor combines the best features of collaboration apps and encrypted messaging apps. Your team can work together through team messages, direct messages, and file sharing. Semaphor is secured by the power of private blockchain and end-to-end encryption. Semaphor brings you and your team: › End-to-end encryption to protect every file and conversation › Fast file uploads › Secure file sharing › Private direct messaging › Unlimited, project-specific channels › Real-time communication and collaboration › Password-less account creation › Native offline mode › Mobile and desktop friendly › Enterprise and LDAP ready › Supports bots and integrations › HIPAA/FINRA/FIRPA compliant › Reviewable source code To find out more about Semaphor, visit our website or send us an email. We always welcome your feedback and suggestions. ----- Subscriptions: - Basic: Free 30-day conversation history - Standard: Unlimited conversation history and access to Standard channels. $8.99/month - Pro: Unlimited conversation history and access to Pro channels. Team admin pays for all team members. $8.99/user/month - Payments will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. - Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. - Your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal. - Subscriptions may be managed by you and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the your Account Settings after purchase. ----- By installing this app you agree to SpiderOak's: Privacy Policy, https://spideroak.com/policy/privacy-policy Term of Use, https://spideroak.com/policy/terms-of-use Service Agreement, https://spideroak.com/policy/service-agreement

Screenshots

pCloud4 screens
Semaphor3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: pCloud at 62% against Semaphor's 15%. pCloud also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.5) and ratings volume (8.1K vs 15). Semaphor's advantage is iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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 and Semaphor sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $8.99 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 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: pCloud has 8.1K ratings behind it against 15, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 62% of pCloud's written reviews are positive against 15% of Semaphor's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and June 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
pCloud versus Semaphor: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterpCloudSemaphor
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (8.1K ratings) — better3.5 (15 ratings)
Positive reviews62.4% of reviews — better15.4% of reviews
Number of ratings8.1K — better15
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.010.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size112 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPCLOUD LTDSpiderOak, Inc.

Customer experience

pCloud

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

Semaphor

All ratings15 ratings
Positive60.0%
Neutral6.7%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive15.4%
Neutral38.5%
Negative46.2%

Bugs and requests

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

Semaphor

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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
1 purchases

Semaphor

Subscriptions1
  • Personal Plan Monthly$8.991 Month

Questions

Is pCloud free?
pCloud is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Semaphor free?
Semaphor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, pCloud or Semaphor?
pCloud is rated higher. pCloud averages 4.7 out of 5 from 8.1K ratings, while Semaphor averages 3.5 from 15 ratings.
Do pCloud or Semaphor have ads?
Neither pCloud nor Semaphor shows ads.
Which is updated more often, pCloud or Semaphor?
pCloud ships an update every 3 weeks, and Semaphor every 3 weeks. Most recently, pCloud was updated on October 1, 2026 and Semaphor on June 1, 2026.

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