Cloud Storage Cost Calculator - compare the real cost over 5 years
Enter your storage need and usage duration. The tool calculates the real total cost (not monthly) for pCloud Lifetime, Proton Drive, Tresorit, Sync.com, Internxt, Google Drive and Dropbox - and shows how much you save by choosing encrypted storage.
| Provider | Total cost | Cost / year | Encryption | Jurisdiction | - |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Internxt | 239 € | 48 € | Zero-knowledge | Spain (EU) | |
pCloud (lifetime)Lifetime | 499 € | 100 € | Add-on | Switzerland | |
pCloud (subscription) | 500 € | 100 € | Add-on | Switzerland | |
Google Drive | 539 € | 108 € | Non | USA | |
Dropbox | 719 € | 144 € | Non | USA | |
Proton Drive | 899 € | 180 € | Zero-knowledge | Switzerland | |
Tresorit | 1 439 € | 288 € | Zero-knowledge | Switzerland | |
Sync.com | 1 680 € | 336 € | Zero-knowledge | Canada |
See pCloud - Lifetime deal
Swiss · one-time lifetime payment · 10 GB free tier
View offerHow does this calculator work?
Select your storage need (from 200 GB to 5 TB, or custom) and planned duration (1 to 5 years). The calculator shows the total cost over that period - not the monthly rate shown in marketing. For pCloud, two lines are shown: the classic annual subscription and the Lifetime deal (one-time payment, valid forever). Price data for pCloud, Proton Drive, Internxt, Tresorit and Sync.com was re-checked on each official website on 16-18 October 2026; Google Drive and Dropbox figures date from June 2026.
Why encrypted cloud storage is worth the extra cost
Google Drive and Dropbox do not offer client-side encryption. Your files are readable by the provider - and by any US judicial authority via the CLOUD Act. Proton Drive, Tresorit, Sync.com and Internxt use zero-knowledge encryption: only you hold the key, even under a court order. The extra cost is marginal: Proton Drive 200 GB costs €3.99/month, less than €48/year. And pCloud Lifetime 2 TB at €499 - with the zero-knowledge Crypto add-on - pays off in 4.5 years vs Dropbox Plus.
Frequently asked questions
Is pCloud Lifetime really worth it?
Yes, over any period longer than ~42 months vs Dropbox Plus. The 2 TB Lifetime (€499 shown on 16 Oct 2026) gives unlimited-time access to 2 TB. Over 5 years, that's about €100/year - vs €143.88/year for Dropbox. Swiss company pCloud AG has been active since 2013 (16M+ users). Short-term bankruptcy risk considered low.
Is Proton Drive truly zero-knowledge?
Yes. Proton Drive encrypts all files client-side before uploading to its servers. The key is derived from your Proton password: Proton cannot decrypt your data. This is the main advantage vs pCloud (where zero-knowledge requires the paid Crypto add-on module). Proton AG is headquartered in Geneva, under strict Swiss law.
What's the difference between standard encryption and zero-knowledge?
Standard encryption (AES-256 in transit + at rest) protects against third parties, but the provider holds the keys and can decrypt. Zero-knowledge (Proton Drive, Tresorit, Sync.com, Internxt) means encryption/decryption happens only on your device: the provider doesn't hold the keys and technically cannot access files in cleartext, even under legal compulsion.
Does the calculator include pCloud Crypto add-on costs?
No - to simplify the comparison, the pCloud line does not include the Crypto module (€49.99/year or €150 lifetime). If you want full zero-knowledge on pCloud, add €150 to the lifetime cost or €49.99/year to the annual cost. Even with this extra cost, pCloud Lifetime + Crypto remains cheaper than Tresorit over 5 years.
How to migrate from Google Drive to encrypted storage?
pCloud provides a built-in migration tool (OAuth, automatic copy). Proton Drive offers manual import via its desktop client. For large volumes (over 100 GB), expect a few hours to a few days depending on your bandwidth. File metadata (dates, names) is generally preserved.