Ente vs pCloud: Encryption, Photo Features and Price
Updated
Ente Photos and pCloud both store photos and show them as a library. pCloud does that inside general file storage. Ente encrypts every photo before upload.
pCloud encrypts files with AES-256 at rest and TLS/SSL in transit. On a standard account it still holds the keys. End-to-end encryption is pCloud Crypto, a paid add-on.
The short answer
pCloud is file storage, with lifetime plans if you want to pay once. End-to-end encryption is the paid Crypto folder, not the default. Ente encrypts every photo, and face grouping runs on your device. pCloud can group faces too, if you turn Photos AI on. That runs on pCloud's servers.
How pCloud compares with Ente
This table covers encryption, photo features and plans. Prices are further down.
| Feature | pCloud |  Ente Photos |
|---|---|---|
| End-to-end encrypted photos | Available: Yes, in the paid Crypto folder | Available: Yes, every photo |
| Open source | Not available: No, apps and server closed | Available: Yes, apps and server |
| Face grouping | Available: Yes, on pCloud's servers, opt-in | Available: Yes, on your device |
| Memories | Available: Yes, on iOS | Available: Yes, in the Ente apps |
| Map and timeline | Available: Yes | Available: Yes |
| Linux desktop app | Available: Yes | Available: Yes, official app |
| Files as well as photos | Available: Yes, cloud files and Photos | Available: Yes, documents in Ente Locker |
| Free storage | Available: Yes, 2 GB, up to 10 GB | Available: Yes, 10 GB |
| Family plan | Available: Yes, Lifetime plans, 5 people | Available: Yes, 6 people, any paid plan |
| Where files are stored | Available: Yes, EU or US, your choice | Available: Yes, three EU providers on paid plans |
Who holds the keys
pCloud encrypts your files on its servers, but on standard storage pCloud holds the keys, so it can access what you upload. That's what lets its Photos AI search and group your photos.
If you want end-to-end encryption on pCloud, you need pCloud Crypto, a paid add-on that only covers the files you put in the Crypto folder.
Ente encrypts every photo on your device before upload, so only you hold the keys, and the apps and server are open source. The architecture page explains how it works.
Ente Photos vs. pCloud: Which Is Better for You?
Choose Ente Photos if:
- You want end-to-end encryption included by default, not sold as an add-on.
- You want a service designed specifically around a photo library.
- You want on-device face recognition, Magic Search, and memories.
- You prefer open-source software that can be independently inspected.
- You want dedicated encrypted photo-sharing and collaboration features.
- You value access to human support.
Choose pCloud if:
- You need general-purpose file storage, not just photos.
- You want more storage per dollar and are comfortable paying separately for zero-knowledge encryption.
- A one-time lifetime plan appeals to you more than a subscription.
- pCloud's built-in photo editor and file-sharing options fit your needs.
Storage & pricing
Current Ente Photos plans are on the pricing page.
Ente Photos
10 GB free
- Extra 10 GB with a referral code for new users.
- Earn 10 GB when a friend upgrades to a paid plan.
50 GB for $2.99/month
Billed monthly
pCloud
2 GB free
Up to 10 GB with the tutorial and invites.
500 GB for $4.99/month
or $49.99/year
Prices are in USD unless otherwise indicated. Local prices and taxes may differ.
Move from pCloud to Ente
Read the full upload guide. pCloud Drive is the usual way to get the files onto the computer.
- 1
Unlock the Crypto folder.
If photos you care about are in the Crypto folder, unlock it in pCloud Drive so those files are readable on your computer. Photos AI can't analyze them, and a locked folder won't copy.
- 2
Copy the folders out of pCloud Drive.
Let pCloud Drive finish syncing, then copy the photo folders to the computer.
- 3
Upload the folders to Ente.
In the Ente desktop app, click Upload → Folder, choose Separate albums to turn each folder into an album, review the counts and click Start upload.
- 4
Turn on phone backup and save the recovery key.
Turn on backup in Ente Photos. If you lose both your password and your recovery key, Ente can't unlock the photos for you.
Try Ente alongside pCloud. Uploading to Ente doesn't delete anything from pCloud. Check your albums and dates before you clean anything up.
Frequently asked questions
Is pCloud end-to-end encrypted?
Not by default. pCloud encrypts ordinary files on its servers, and those servers can still read them. The paid Crypto folder is client-side encryption, and only you hold that key. Ente encrypts every photo on your device.
Is pCloud encryption worth it?
If the photos have to stay unreadable to pCloud, yes: use the Crypto folder, or use Ente. The Crypto folder is extra, as a subscription in pCloud's apps or a one-time lifetime fee on pcloud.com. Lifetime 2 TB plus lifetime Encryption (up to $229) is at most $728 once, about three years of Ente's 2 TB plan at $239.88 a year. Photos inside the Crypto folder are left out of Photos AI.
Is pCloud open source?
The apps and server are closed. pCloud has published a few older components under a BSD license. Ente's apps and server are open source.
Does pCloud recognize faces?
Yes, if you turn on Photos AI. It is off by default, it runs on pCloud's servers, and Crypto-folder files are excluded. Ente groups faces on your device.
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