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 | 399 € | 80 € | Add-on | Switzerland | |
Sync.com | 480 € | 96 € | Zero-knowledge | Canada | |
pCloud (subscription) | 500 € | 100 € | Add-on | Switzerland | |
Google Drive | 539 € | 108 € | Non | USA | |
Proton Drive | 599 € | 120 € | Zero-knowledge | Switzerland | |
Dropbox | 719 € | 144 € | Non | USA | |
Tresorit | 959 € | 192 € | Zero-knowledge | Switzerland |
How 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 is verified in June 2026 on each service's official website.
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 €399 — with the zero-knowledge Crypto add-on — pays off in 2.8 years vs Dropbox Plus.
Frequently asked questions
Is pCloud Lifetime really worth it?
Yes, over any period longer than 14 months vs Dropbox Plus. The 2 TB Lifetime at €399 gives unlimited-time access to 2 TB. Over 5 years, that's about €80/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 €125 lifetime). If you want full zero-knowledge on pCloud, add €125 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.