Internxt vs pCloud
Both are free/open-source alternatives to Dropbox. Here's how they stack up — verified facts, no spin.
Internxt
Open-source, zero-knowledge encrypted storage with lifetime plans.
Internxt is an open-source, zero-knowledge cloud storage service — every file is end-to-end encrypted with AES-256 (and, since 2026, post-quantum Kyber), and the code is public on GitHub. It's a hosted service rather than something you self-host, so it sits between Nextcloud's full ownership and Dropbox's convenience: open, encrypted, EU-based storage with zero setup. There's a 10GB free tier and one-time lifetime plans if you'd rather not pay monthly.
pCloud
Swiss hosted storage with true lifetime plans — the commercial pick.
pCloud is a polished, proprietary cloud storage service from Switzerland, best known for genuine one-time lifetime plans — pay once, keep the storage for good. It's the honest “I just want reliable storage and hate subscriptions” pick. It's closed-source, and zero-knowledge encryption is a paid Crypto add-on rather than the default (files outside the Crypto folder use standard server-side encryption). If lifetime pricing and a slick app matter more to you than open-source, it's a strong commercial option below the open picks.
Side by side
| Internxt | pCloud | |
|---|---|---|
| Sovereignty Score | 68 | 38 |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No |
| Local-first | No | No |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | Proprietary |
| Pricing | 10GB free; 200GB ~€3.49/mo; 2TB ~€8.99/mo; lifetime plans from ~€135 one-time | 500GB & 2TB subscriptions; lifetime plans from ~€199 one-time; zero-knowledge Crypto add-on costs extra |
Internxt edges it on the Sovereignty Score, but the right pick depends on the trade-offs below.
Internxt
Strengths
- +Open-source apps; zero-knowledge AES-256 plus post-quantum encryption
- +EU-based (GDPR), privacy-first
- +Free tier and one-time lifetime options
Trade-offs
- −A hosted service — you don't self-host it
- −Newer and smaller than Dropbox; fewer integrations
- −Desktop sync less mature than the incumbents
pCloud
Strengths
- +True one-time lifetime plans (pay once)
- +Swiss jurisdiction; polished apps on every platform
- +Built-in media playback and easy file sharing
Trade-offs
- −Closed-source (proprietary)
- −Zero-knowledge encryption is a paid add-on, not the default
- −Best value locked behind a large upfront lifetime payment
More Dropbox head-to-heads
Facts verified 2026-07-04. Licenses and pricing change — spotted something out of date? That's a correction we want.