Last verified: September 2026
Ente Photos and pCloud both let you back up, store, access, and share photos across devices.
A key difference is what each service is designed for: Ente is a dedicated photo storage and management service with end-to-end encryption by default. pCloud is a general-purpose cloud storage service with a dedicated photo gallery, where true end-to-end (zero-knowledge) encryption is available only as a paid add-on.
Quick Comparison
Questions | Ente Photos | pCloud |
|---|---|---|
Are my photos end-to-end encrypted? | Yes, by default | Only with pCloud Crypto |
Is it open source? | Yes, independently audited | No |
Is it designed specifically for photos? | Yes | No, general file storage |
Does it recognize faces? | Yes, on-device | No |
Does it have memories? | Yes | No |
Does it have map/location features? | Yes | Yes |
How much free storage do I get? | 10 GB (20 GB with referral) | 2 GB (Up to 10 GB, through tasks and referral) |
Does it have an official Linux desktop app? | Yes | Yes |
Can I automatically back up phone photos? | Yes | Yes |
Privacy & Security
Both Ente and pCloud encrypt data, but they use different models by default.
With Ente, your photos are end-to-end encrypted on your device before upload. Ente does not have the keys required to decrypt your photos. This means Ente cannot access the contents of your photo library.
Read about Ente's encryption architecture →
Ente's apps are also open source, and its architecture and source code have undergone an independent security audit.
Read about Ente's security audit →
pCloud encrypts files with AES-256 at rest and TLS/SSL in transit, but pCloud holds the encryption keys on standard accounts, meaning it can technically access file contents. True end-to-end (zero-knowledge) encryption is available only through pCloud Crypto, a separate paid add-on.
Features, AI & Sharing
Both services let you back up, browse, and share photos, but they're built for different jobs: Ente is a photo library, while pCloud is general-purpose file storage with a dedicated photo section.
Ente includes face recognition, Magic Search, similar-image detection, curated memories, map views, albums, and organization by date and location. Face recognition and Magic Search run on your device.
Learn more about Ente's features →
pCloud's Photos section automatically organizes your library into a timeline gallery with map view and a built-in photo editor. It does not currently offer face recognition or a memories feature.
Learn more about pCloud Photos →
Photo editing
Ente currently provides basic editing tools. pCloud includes a built-in photo editor as part of its Photos section.
Sharing & collaboration
Ente supports shared and collaborative albums, comments and likes, Collect links, Trip layouts, embedded albums, and custom domains. Recipients can view or contribute to albums without creating an Ente account. Ente's shared albums, collaborative albums, comments, and likes are also end-to-end encrypted.
pCloud lets you share files and folders through links, with options like password protection and download limits, but it doesn't have a dedicated collaborative-album experience the way Ente does.
Pricing & Storage
Plan | Ente Photos | pCloud |
|---|---|---|
Free | 10 GB (20 GB with referral) | 2 GB (Up to 10 GB through |
Entry paid plan | 50 GB – $2.49/month | 500 GB – $4.99/month |
Zero-knowledge encryption | Included by default | pCloud Crypto add-on – $49.99/year |
Family sharing | Up to 6 people total | Up to 5 people, lifetime plans only |
Data replication | 3 copies across 3 cloud providers in the EU | Multiple copies within a single chosen region (EU or US) |
Customer support | Human support team | Email and phone support |
Prices shown are monthly equivalents based on the plans available at the time of verification. Pricing and plan availability may vary by region.
Check current pricing: Ente | pCloud
Why does Ente cost more than pCloud?
pCloud offers more storage per dollar at its entry tier - 500 GB for $4.99/month, versus Ente's 50 GB for $2.49/month. But that price doesn't include real end-to-end encryption: pCloud's standard plans give it the keys to your files, and getting zero-knowledge encryption means adding pCloud Crypto for another $49.99/year.
With a paid Ente plan, end-to-end encryption, three-country data replication, and human support are included by default, not sold separately. You're paying for a photo library built around privacy from the start, not a general storage plan with privacy as an optional upgrade.
Read about Ente's reliability and replication →
Backup & Data Control
Both services let you export your photos, but Ente places greater emphasis on keeping your library portable.
Ente provides one-click in-app exports, CLI tools, continuous local copies through its desktop app, and support across Windows, macOS, and Linux. Album structure and metadata can be preserved.
Learn more about exporting from Ente→
pCloud syncs files to a local pCloud Drive folder and lets you download files through its desktop and web apps.
Learn about downloading from pCloud →
What if I want true end-to-end encryption on pCloud?
pCloud's standard storage plans are not end-to-end encrypted — pCloud holds the keys needed to decrypt your files. Getting zero-knowledge encryption means adding pCloud Crypto, which costs $49.99/year (or $150 as a one-time purchase) on top of your storage plan.
With Ente, end-to-end encryption is included on every plan, free or paid, at no extra cost.
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.
Switching From pCloud to Ente
You can move your photo library from pCloud to Ente in a few steps.
Download your photos from pCloud, then import the resulting folder into Ente using the desktop app.
Your photos are then uploaded to your end-to-end encrypted Ente library.
Import photos from your computer→
Frequently Asked Questions
Is pCloud end-to-end encrypted?
Not by default. Standard pCloud accounts use AES-256 encryption at rest and TLS/SSL in transit, but pCloud holds the encryption keys. True end-to-end (zero-knowledge) encryption requires pCloud Crypto, a paid add-on. Ente Photos uses end-to-end encryption by default, on every plan.
Does pCloud have a Linux app?
Yes. pCloud provides an official desktop app for Linux, as well as Windows and macOS — the same platform coverage as Ente.
Does pCloud have face recognition?
No. pCloud's Photos section organizes your library by timeline and location but does not currently offer face recognition. Ente provides face recognition that runs on your device.
Which has more free storage: Ente or pCloud?
Ente offers 10 GB free, with an additional 10GB through referral. pCloud offers just a 2 GB free base. Users can get up to 10 GB by completing setup tasks and by referring friends.
Can I use pCloud just for photos?
Yes, but you'd be using a general file storage service for photo management. pCloud's Photos section provides a gallery, map view, and photo editor, but it doesn't have face recognition, memories, or Ente's dedicated sharing features.
Does pCloud have a family plan?
Yes, but only as a one-time lifetime purchase (2 TB or 10 TB for up to 5 people) — there's no monthly or annual family subscription. Ente's family plan is available on any paid plan, for up to 6 people.
Can I share albums with people who don't use Ente?
Yes. Ente allows you to share albums via encrypted links. Recipients don't need an Ente account to view the photos, and they can even add photos to your albums without creating an account.
Does Ente compress my photos?
No. Ente stores your photos in their original quality without compression. All photo metadata (EXIF, dates, location) is preserved.
What happens to my photos if I cancel my subscription?
With Ente, you can export all your photos with one click before canceling. After cancellation, you have a 30-day grace period before data is deleted. Check pCloud's terms for their cancellation and data-retention policy.
Have more questions? Visit the Ente Photos Help Center for guides on backup, sharing, security, account recovery, migration, and more.
Ready to Try Ente?
Get 10 GB of free storage (20 GB with referral) and try Ente Photos.