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File Storage & Backup · head to head

pCloud vs Arq Backup

pCloud logo

pCloud

File Storage & Backup

Prices are final. No setup fees or other hidden charges

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Arq Backup logo

Arq Backup

File Storage & Backup

Mac and Windows backup to your own cloud storage

From
$50/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 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; Arq Backup runs on Mac and Windows only

Where they differ

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

Attributes where pCloud and Arq Backup differ
AttributepCloudArq Backup
Starting priceOn request$50/year
Pricing modelone-timesubscription
PlatformsWebWindows, Mac
FoundedUnknown2009

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 pCloud

Nothing recorded that Arq Backup does not also cover.

Only in Arq Backup

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

What people use each for

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

pCloud

No use cases recorded yet. See the pCloud review.

Arq Backup

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

Where each one falls short

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

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

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

Pricing, plan by plan

pCloud

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the pCloud review.

Arq Backup

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

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Arq Backup if

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

Questions people ask

Is pCloud or Arq Backup better?
Neither clearly leads. pCloud starts at On request and Arq Backup at $50/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, pCloud or Arq Backup?
pCloud starts at On request and Arq Backup at $50/year.
Does pCloud or Arq Backup run on more platforms?
pCloud runs on Web. Arq Backup runs on Windows, Mac.
What can pCloud do that Arq Backup cannot?
Arq Backup covers Client-side encryption, Hourly backups, Network backup, Deduplication.
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Related pages

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