Cheapest Cloud Storage per Terabyte

What separates the cheapest cloud storage picks on this page?

Three services, three different jobs. pCloud scores 8.7 and costs $99.99. Sync.com scores 8.4 and costs $96. Backblaze Personal Backup scores 7.9 and costs $99.

The scores come from sync speed and reliability (25 points), privacy and encryption (25), features and sharing (20), platform coverage (10) and value (20). That weighting explains the order. pCloud uploaded 10 GB in 16 minutes, the second-fastest in the test, and its pCloud Drive mounts as a network drive, so 2 TB costs no local disk space. Sync.com was the slowest upload at 24 minutes, but end-to-end encryption is on by default with no add-on to buy. Backblaze backed up 4 TB from one machine for $99, yet it is not a sync service at all.

What should I check before buying cheap cloud storage?

Start with the job. If you need the same live files on several devices, a backup tool will disappoint you. Backblaze has no shared folders and no multi-device access to the same live files, and it charges $99 per computer, with external drives required to stay connected.

Then look at encryption. Sync.com includes it by default and offers HIPAA, GDPR and PIPEDA compliance documentation plus 180 days of file history on the personal plan. pCloud treats zero-knowledge encryption as a $49.99-a-year add-on, not the default.

Check platform coverage too. Sync.com has no Linux client. And weigh collaboration: pCloud's collaborative editing is weaker than Google or Dropbox.

• pCloud: lifetime plan pays back after about four years
• Sync.com: slowest upload at 24 minutes, encryption costs time
• Backblaze: restore by download or a posted hard drive

pCloud

For anyone who wants fast sync, a network drive that does not fill the disk, and the only credible lifetime plan in the category. Budget the $49.99-a-year add-on if you want zero-knowledge encryption.

Sync.com

For buyers who want zero-knowledge encryption on everything by default, Canadian jurisdiction, and compliance paperwork most consumer services do not offer. Accept the 24-minute upload and no Linux client.

Backblaze Personal Backup

For the person who says cloud storage but means backup: every file on the machine, no size limit, for a flat $99 a year. Skip it if you need shared folders or live multi-device files.

pCloud suits fast sync and a network drive that does not fill your disk, with a lifetime plan that pays back after about four years. Sync.com suits buyers who want zero-knowledge encryption by default and compliance documentation. Backblaze Personal Backup suits anyone who needs every file on one machine backed up for a flat $99 a year, not synced.