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File Storage & Backup · head to head

Arq Backup vs pCloud

Arq Backup logo

Arq Backup

File Storage & Backup

Mac and Windows backup to your own cloud storage

From
$50/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
pCloud logo

pCloud

File Storage & Backup

Prices are final. No setup fees or other hidden charges

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Arq Backup runs on Mac and Windows only; pCloud headline lifetime prices are discounted promotional prices; the Premium 500GB lifetime plan is listed at $299 struck through down to $199, and Ultra 10TB at $1,890 down to $1,190, so the full non-promotional price is materially higher

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Arq Backup and pCloud actually diverge.

Attributes where Arq Backup and pCloud differ
AttributeArq BackuppCloud
Starting price$50/yearOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionone-time
PlatformsWindows, MacWeb
Founded2009Unknown

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (File Storage & Backup).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Arq Backup

  • Client-side encryption
  • Hourly backups
  • Network backup
  • Deduplication
  • Immutable backups
  • Budget controls
  • AWS S3
  • Google Cloud

Only in pCloud

Nothing recorded that Arq Backup does not also cover.

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Arq Backup

  • Data protectionnot pCloud
  • Disaster recoverynot pCloud
  • Business continuitynot pCloud
  • Ransomware protectionnot pCloud
  • Compliancenot pCloud

pCloud

No use cases recorded yet. See the pCloud review.

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Arq Backup

  • Runs on Mac and Windows only
  • Arq 7 is licensed per computer, and continuing to receive updates after the first year costs $25 per year per computer
  • Arq Premium covers up to 5 computers, so larger households or teams need more than one subscription
  • Arq Premium includes 1TB of storage and charges $0.0059 per GB per month beyond it

pCloud

  • Headline lifetime prices are discounted promotional prices; the Premium 500GB lifetime plan is listed at $299 struck through down to $199, and Ultra 10TB at $1,890 down to $1,190, so the full non-promotional price is materially higher
  • Ultra 10TB plan's download link traffic is capped at 2TB, the same limit as the much smaller Premium Plus 2TB plan, despite the 5x storage difference

Pricing, plan by plan

Arq Backup

$50/year
  • Arq Premium$50/year
    • 5 computers
    • Arq Cloud storage option
    • Email support

pCloud

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the pCloud review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Arq Backup if

  • You need client-side encryption.
  • You work on Windows, Mac.
  • You also want hourly backups.
Arq Backup review

Choose pCloud if

Nothing in the data separates pCloud from Arq Backup on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

pCloud review

Questions people ask

Is Arq Backup or pCloud better?
Neither clearly leads. Arq Backup starts at $50/year and pCloud at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Arq Backup or pCloud?
Arq Backup starts at $50/year and pCloud at On request.
Does Arq Backup or pCloud run on more platforms?
Arq Backup runs on Windows, Mac. pCloud runs on Web.
What is Arq Backup best used for?
Arq Backup is most often used for data protection, disaster recovery, business continuity, ransomware protection. Of those, data protection and disaster recovery are not what pCloud is typically brought in for.
What can Arq Backup do that pCloud cannot?
Arq Backup covers Client-side encryption, Hourly backups, Network backup, Deduplication.
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Related pages

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