pCloud

pCloud positions itself as a major player in the free cloud storage landscape in 2025, with a Swiss solution renowned for its security. Unlike Drime which generously offers 20 GB of free space, pCloud initially provides 2 GB but allows users to expand this capacity up to 10 GB at no cost by completing certain actions such as following the beginner's tutorial or inviting friends.

pCloud Features

pCloud offers a range of features enabling efficient management of stored files. The service includes a comprehensive search system accessible through both the web interface and mobile applications, allowing users to instantly locate their documents. Additionally, the ability to filter files by format (documents, images, audio, video, and archives) simplifies the organization of your online storage space.

Synchronization stands out as one of pCloud's key strengths. It enables access to all your synchronized files from any device. This feature proves particularly valuable while traveling, allowing you to view specific documents stored on your PC from your phone.

Unlike Drime, which offers integrated editing tools for your documents and media, pCloud primarily focuses on storage and sharing. The service nonetheless provides:

• Large file sharing with customization options

• Playlist creation for music playback

• Access to files even in offline mode

• Automatic synchronization across all devices

pCloud also features a trash bin where deleted files are retained for 15 days on free accounts and 30 days on premium accounts. Furthermore, the service offers a file version restoration function, though this feature is limited to 30 days for premium users and 15 days for free users.

A notable advantage of pCloud compared to some competitors is the absence of limitations on the size of files you can transfer. However, the service imposes limits on the total monthly upload volume depending on your plan. These restrictions remain more flexible than those of certain competitors like MEGA, which limits transfers to 12TB in its cheapest plan.

pCloud Security

Security represents a fundamental aspect at pCloud. The service employs TLS/SSL encryption when transferring data to its servers, thus ensuring the protection of your information during transit. Additionally, pCloud stores five copies of your files on at least three different servers in a highly secure storage center, monitored 24/7.

As a Swiss-based company, pCloud benefits from the country's strict personal data protection laws. This location constitutes a major advantage for users concerned about their information's confidentiality, even though it differs from Drime's approach of hosting data exclusively in Europe in compliance with GDPR.

pCloud offers two locations for its data centers:

• Dallas, Texas (United States)

• Luxembourg (Europe)

This option allows users to choose the region that best matches their preferences or regulatory requirements, although the French solution Drime only offers European hosting for complete compliance with European regulations.

For particularly sensitive data, pCloud offers a paid complementary service called "pCloud Crypto". This feature adds a client-side encryption layer, meaning that only the user holds the decryption keys. This "zero-knowledge" approach ensures that even pCloud cannot access your encrypted files, unlike Drime which integrates standard AES 256-bit encryption in all its plans, including the free offer.

Limitations of pCloud's Free Offer

While pCloud's free offer presents certain advantages, it also comes with several limitations. The initial storage space of 2 GB, expandable to 10 GB through various actions, remains considerably lower than the 20 GB offered by Drime without conditions.

Download traffic for shared links is limited to 50 GB per month for free users, which can be restrictive for those who frequently share large files. Moreover, the retention period for deleted files is only 15 days for free accounts, compared to 30 days for premium accounts.

A particularly constraining aspect concerns the tolerated inactivity period. If no activity is detected on a free account for 12 months, pCloud sends several email notifications before closing the account and scheduling file deletion. This policy differs significantly from Drime's approach, which applies no time restrictions on the use of its free space.

For users seeking more storage space and features, pCloud offers various paid plans:

• Premium: 500 GB at $47.70 per year or $189.89 lifetime

• Premium Plus: 2 TB at $95.41 per year or $333.97 lifetime

• Ultra: 10 TB at $1,135.51 lifetime

These prices contrast with Drime's offerings, whose Starter plan begins at just $2.39 per month for 500 GB. However, pCloud distinguishes itself with its "lifetime" offers, providing service access through a one-time payment.

Unlike Drime, which includes document editing and electronic signature capabilities in its free plan, pCloud requires additional subscriptions for certain advanced features, such as extended file history or client-side encryption with pCloud Crypto.

Internxt

Internxt represents an interesting alternative in the field of free cloud storage. This service primarily distinguishes itself through its focus on data privacy and security, although its free offering is notably less generous than Drime's in terms of storage space.

Internxt Features

Internxt offers a clean and intuitive interface that allows users to easily manage their files in the cloud. Unlike Drime, which provides integrated editing tools, Internxt focuses more on secure storage and file sharing.

The application supports multiple platforms, including versions for desktop computers, mobile devices, and tablets, with automatic synchronization across all your devices. This functionality enables you to access your documents from any device, even in offline mode.

Among Internxt's notable features are:

• WebDAV and Rclone support for advanced users

• File organization in folders with renaming capabilities

• Secure file sharing with download control

• Automatic backup of computer folders

Additionally, Internxt offers a tool called "Internxt Photo" that automatically synchronizes photos from your phone to the cloud. This feature proves particularly useful for freeing up space on your mobile device, although the free space limited to 1 GB significantly restricts its utility compared to the 20 GB offered by Drime.

Internxt also includes a file sharing service called "Internxt Send," enabling users to easily send large files securely. However, this service has certain performance limitations. Indeed, the encryption process notably slows down upload times and share link generation.

Internxt Security

Security is undoubtedly Internxt's strong point. The service employs zero-knowledge encryption technology, meaning that only the user can access their data. Files are encrypted on the device before being sent to servers, using AES-256 encryption.

Internxt also stands out through its use of post-quantum cryptography, an advanced technology designed to protect data against potential future threats from quantum computers. This approach demonstrates a long-term vision for security, although Drime also offers a high level of protection with its AES 256-bit encryption for all users.

A unique characteristic of Internxt lies in its file fragmentation technique, known as "file sharding." This method divides your encrypted files into fragments that are then distributed across different servers. As a result, no server ever contains a complete file, but only an encrypted fragment that only you can decrypt.

Internxt's commitment to transparency is demonstrated through its entirely open-source code, available on GitHub. This approach allows anyone to examine, audit, and verify the service's security. Furthermore, Internxt has been independently audited by Securitum, a leading European penetration testing company.

Limitations of Internxt's Free Offer

Internxt's free offer has several significant limitations, particularly when compared to Drime's. First, storage space is limited to only 1 GB, which represents barely 5% of the 20 GB offered free by Drime.

Recently, Internxt even reduced its free space from 2 GB (or up to 10 GB through various promotions) to just 1 GB for all users. This decision, effective July 1, 2024, is part of a strategy to build a more sustainable business, according to Internxt's official communications.

If you exceed this 1 GB limit, you won't be able to upload new files unless you free up space or upgrade to a premium plan. However, unlike pCloud which closes inactive accounts after 12 months, Internxt doesn't seem to implement an inactivity deletion policy.

For users requiring more space, Internxt offers several paid plans:

• Essential: 1 TB of storage with VPN limited to 1 location.

• Premium: 3 TB of storage with VPN access for 3 locations and integrated antivirus protection

• Ultimate: 5 TB of storage with VPN coverage for 5 locations and additional premium services

These subscription plans also include enhanced features such as automatic backups, built-in antivirus protection, and VPN services. However, these options come at a higher price point compared to Drime's more competitive packages, which offer 500 GB for just $2.99 per month or 2 TB for $5.50 monthly.

In conclusion, while Internxt distinguishes itself through its security-first approach and privacy-focused features, its extremely limited free tier (1 GB) positions it significantly behind both Drime (20 GB) and MEGA (20 GB) for users seeking generous free online storage. Its main strength lies in its advanced security technologies rather than the amount of free space provided.