pCloud vs Google Drive: 2 TB cost, photo tools and free storage

pCloud vs Google Drive at 2 TB

At 2 TB, pCloud and Google Drive cost the same on a subscription: both list $99.99 a year billed yearly and $9.99 a month billed monthly. Only pCloud also sells 2 TB once, as a $499 Lifetime plan. The pCloud prices are as listed on 3 October 2026 and the Google prices on 5 October 2026. Google sells Drive storage through Google One, and its 2 TB plan is named Google AI Plus.

One storage pool or a separate photo archive

Google keeps one pool. Its help center says storage is shared across Google Drive, Gmail, WhatsApp backups and Google Photos, and photos backed up in Original quality count toward it, so a photo library shares its space with Gmail and Drive.

pCloud's phone Automatic upload copies photos one way at original quality, so photos deleted from the phone stay in pCloud and keep using its storage. pCloud Photos shows them on a timeline or a map.

Free storage and sharing with family

Google says every Google account comes with up to 15 GB. pCloud's free Basic account starts at 2 GB and reaches up to 10 GB only after the tutorial and invitations, and it is deleted after 12 months without activity. pCloud free has the numbers.

On Google One, a plan from Basic (100 GB) upward can be shared with up to 5 others at no extra cost. Members share one quota, files are not shared with the rest of the family, and invitees must live in the plan manager's country. On pCloud, Family is Lifetime only: the owner and up to 4 family members each get a private space, and only the owner sets each member's storage.

Refunds and canceling at pCloud and Google

Google's plans page says cancel anytime and states no money-back guarantee; its footnotes mention free trials of the AI plans without a length. pCloud's 14-day money-back window is the closest thing it has to a trial: it needs a written request, canceling brings no refund for unused days, and a refund can be declined on a discounted purchase.

Pick pCloud to pay once for 2 TB, or to keep a photo archive that Gmail and WhatsApp backups do not fill. Pick Google Drive for one pool across Gmail, Photos and Drive, with up to 15 GB free. The Google Drive alternative guide lists other picks, and pCloud pricing has every pCloud plan.