The short answer (checked 13 October 2026): for storage alone pCloud lifetime is cheaper — 2 TB is €499 against Icedrive's €599 — and it sells up to 10 TB. Once you add end-to-end encryption, Icedrive is cheaper: its lifetime plans include the Encrypted folder, while pCloud charges €150 for pCloud Encryption, making 2 TB €649. Both encrypt on your device only inside one folder. ShieldFive's Lifetime Vault encrypts every file by default, 2 TB for €199 once, and is the youngest of the three.
pCloud vs Icedrive vs ShieldFive lifetime
| pCloud | Icedrive | ShieldFive | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 GB once | €219 | €349 | — |
| 2 TB once | €499 | €599 | €199 |
| Largest lifetime plan | 10 TB, €1,499 | 2 TB | 2 TB |
| End-to-end encryption | One folder, +€150 | One folder, included | Every file and file name, included |
| "Lifetime" means | Owner's lifetime or 99 years, shorter; non-transferable | Not defined on the lifetime page | 99 years or until ShieldFive stops operating; non-transferable |
| Refund | Check pCloud's page | 30 days | 30 days |
| Desktop sync and iOS app | Yes | Yes | Not yet |
| External security audit | No third-party audit published; ISO 27001 certified | None published | None completed |
| On sale since | 2013 (company) | 2019 (company) | 2026 |
Sources, read 13 October 2026: pCloud pricing, pCloud Encryption, pCloud terms, Icedrive lifetime plans, ShieldFive Lifetime Vault. pCloud and Icedrive show these prices as discounts from higher list prices.
Which one to pick
pCloud if you need more than 2 TB, want the longest track record, and only a few files need to be private from the provider.
Icedrive if you want end-to-end encryption for some files without paying an add-on, and native apps on every platform.
ShieldFive if you want every file encrypted on your device without sorting files into a special folder, 2 TB is enough, and you can work through the web app or Android today. Its limits: no desktop sync client or iOS app yet, no external audit, closed-source apps on an open crypto core, and the guarantee holds for the web code you are served. Read the security model first.
Related
- Is pCloud lifetime worth it?
- Is Icedrive lifetime worth it?
- Every provider still selling lifetime storage
Facts checked on each vendor's own page on 13 October 2026 and updated as the plans change.