Can Proton access my files if I forget my password?

No. Because Proton Drive uses end-to-end encryption, only you hold the keys to decrypt your data. If you lose your password, we can’t read or restore your files. But you can set up recovery options in your Proton Account [/support/set-account-recovery-methods] for added safety.

Can I migrate my files from pCloud to Proton Drive?

Yes, you can easily move your files from pCloud to Proton Drive in just a few steps: 1. Download your files from pCloud. 2. Upload them to Proton Drive using the web, desktop, or mobile app. For large libraries [/drive/file-sharing/send-large-files], use the desktop sync client for a faster transfer. 3. Access your Drive files anywhere — your data stays end-to-end encrypted and ready on any device. Securely share files and folders [/drive/file-sharing] on your terms, with full control over who sees what. 4. Once everything’s safely stored in Proton Drive, you can delete your pCloud account knowing your files are protected.

What else do I get with a Proton for Business account?

Proton for Business [/business/try] gives you full access to our encrypted ecosystem, designed to help teams stay compliant while working productively and privately. Your account includes: * Proton Mail for secure business email [/business/mail] communications and domain management * Proton Calendar for secure team scheduling [/business/mail/team-calendar] * Proton Drive for private business cloud storage [/business/drive] and collaboration * Proton Docs and Sheets for collaborating on documents [/drive/docs] and spreadsheets [/business/drive/sheets]/business/drive/docs * Proton VPN for encrypted connections and remote work [/business/vpn] * Proton Pass for secure password and credential management [/business/pass] Try Proton for Business and see how a fully private workspace fits your team’s way of working.

Does Proton Drive meet business compliance standards?

Yes, Proton Drive helps your business stay compliant [/business/trust] with industry standards including GDPR, HIPAA, ISO 27001, and SOC 2 Type 2.

A free, transparent, encrypted pCloud alternative

Protect your photos, videos, memories, and confidential files with end-to-end encrypted cloud storage. Back up, store, share, and work securely — anywhere. No ads, no AI training, no sharing of your data.

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Proton Drive vs pCloud

	undefined	undefined
	Create a free account
No ads or sharing of your personal data
Explicitly rules out AI training on your data
Part of an all-in-one secure collaboration suite
Files protected with end-to-end encryption	Always on to keep your files secure and private	Only with a paid add-on
Verified encryption	Open-source and independently audited	Found vulnerable*
Where your data is stored	EU and Switzerland	EU and US
Free and paid plans
Easy file sharing
No limits on file size or transfer speed
Swiss jurisdiction

*A 2024 study(new window) by ETH Zurich researchers found severe encryption flaws in several cloud storage services, including pCloud. One of these vulnerabilities could have allowed attackers to access user files. Despite being notified, pCloud did not respond to the disclosure.

A free pCloud alternative where privacy isn't optional

Proton Drive uses end-to-end encryption (E2EE) to give you stronger protection than pCloud. Your files are encrypted on your device and can only be decrypted by you and the people you choose to share them with. No one else — not even Proton — can access your files or metadata.

Protect files with always-on encryption

pCloud offers E2EE as a paid add-on, with no clarity on what happens to your encrypted files if you stop paying. E2EE is built into all Proton apps, including Drive, so your data always stays private and secure whether you're a free or a paying subscriber.

Keep files unreadable in a breach

If a cloud provider can see your files, a breach can expose them. Proton Drive can't. In the unlikely event that our servers are compromised, our E2EE ensures your data stays unreadable to anyone but you and the people you choose to share it with.

Check our security for yourself

Unlike pCloud, Proton Drive's apps and encryption are open source and independently audited, so anyone can verify how their data is protected — not just take our word for it.

Keep data out of AI training

pCloud doesn’t explicitly rule out using your data to train AI, and since the company can read files unprotected by E2EE, that risk can’t be dismissed. Since Proton Drive never has access to your data, we can't use it for AI training. And we don't want to.

Stop ads and third-party data sharing

pCloud may use your personal data to personalize ads or share it with third parties for marketing purposes. We never show ads, track your activity, or share information with anyone. Our business model is simple: your payment supports us, not your data.

Stay safe under European privacy laws

When you sign up for pCloud, you can choose to store your data in the EU or the US. But data under US jurisdiction can be accessed through warrantless surveillance laws. Proton Drive stores all your data exclusively in Europe, protected by privacy laws that put your rights first.

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Store, share, and collaborate securely

Proton Drive gives you a secure place to keep everything safe — from family memories to creative projects and business files. Access your data anywhere and share it easily with the people who matter.

For your personal and family life

Keep your digital life organized and protected. Back up photos, videos, and important documents automatically, and share albums or folders privately with friends and family. No compression, no loss of quality, no tracking.

For creative professionals

Store, organize, and share large media projects without compromising on privacy. Whether you're a designer, photographer, or filmmaker, Proton Drive gives you private storage and full control over who can view your work.

For small businesses

Equip your team with secure file storage and easy collaboration. Manage shared folders, track file versions, and control permissions while protecting your business data from leaks or unauthorized access.

For tech companies

Protect your code, projects, and client data with end-to-end encryption. Proton Drive lets your team edit documents and spreadsheets together, manage versions, and stay compliant — all in one workspace.

Switch to the cloud that can't see your data

Proton Drive gives you complete privacy by design, not by setting. Your files, folders, and metadata are encrypted end to end, so only you can access your data.

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Take full control of your files

Control who sees what

Share files on your terms. Send a secure, public link or email invite, decide who can view or edit, and protect everything with passwords or expiration dates that you control.

Revoke access anytime

If you changed your mind or don’t need to share anymore, you can view all shared links in a dedicated space, turn them off, remove access, or update permissions easily.

Restore and recover easily

Made a mistake? Proton Drive lets you restore earlier versions or recover deleted files in seconds with built-in version history and a recoverable trash folder.

Collect files securely

Need someone to send you files? Create a secure upload link so friends, clients, or collaborators can drop files straight into your folder with a free Proton Account.

Collaborate in real time

Get things done together in a shared, fully encrypted workspace. Docs and Sheets (built into Proton Drive) let you collaborate in real time on documents and spreadsheets.

Work across devices

Your files go wherever you do. Access and edit them on your laptop, phone, in your browser, and even offline — everything stays synced, secure, and ready when you are.

Proton Drive vs. OneDrive: frequently asked questions

Can Proton access my files if I forget my password?: No. Because Proton Drive uses end-to-end encryption, only you hold the keys to decrypt your data. If you lose your password, we can’t read or restore your files. But you can set up recovery options in your Proton Account for added safety.
Can I migrate my files from pCloud to Proton Drive?: Yes, you can easily move your files from pCloud to Proton Drive in just a few steps:
Download your files from pCloud.
Upload them to Proton Drive using the web, desktop, or mobile app. For large libraries, use the desktop sync client for a faster transfer.
Access your Drive files anywhere — your data stays end-to-end encrypted and ready on any device. Securely share files and folders on your terms, with full control over who sees what.
Once everything’s safely stored in Proton Drive, you can delete your pCloud account knowing your files are protected.
What else do I get with a Proton for Business account?: Proton for Business gives you full access to our encrypted ecosystem, designed to help teams stay compliant while working productively and privately. Your account includes:
Proton Mail for secure business email communications and domain management
Proton Calendar for secure team scheduling
Proton Drive for private business cloud storage and collaboration
Proton Docs and Sheets for collaborating on documents and spreadsheets
Proton VPN for encrypted connections and remote work
Proton Pass for secure password and credential management
Try Proton for Business and see how a fully private workspace fits your team’s way of working.
Does Proton Drive meet business compliance standards?: Yes, Proton Drive helps your business stay compliant with industry standards including GDPR, HIPAA, ISO 27001, and SOC 2 Type 2.