The short answer (prices checked 23 October and 4 November 2026): Internxt lifetime is cheaper and encrypts every file on your device by default; pCloud encrypts only one folder, and only if you add pCloud Encryption for €150. For 2 TB with end-to-end encryption, pCloud costs €649 (€499 + €150) and Internxt €435, or €377 in the Black Friday sale its lifetime page showed on 4 November. pCloud is the only one of the two that sells more than 5 TB (10 TB, €1,499); pCloud, founded in 2013, also has the longer track record. ShieldFive's Founding Lifetime is 5 TB for $279 (€249) once with every file encrypted on your device, and is the youngest of the three.
pCloud vs Internxt vs ShieldFive lifetime
| pCloud | Internxt | ShieldFive | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sizes and prices, once | 500 GB €219, 2 TB €499, 10 TB €1,499 | 1 TB €285, 2 TB €435, 5 TB €585; in the sale on 4 November: €247, €377, €507 | 5 TB for $279 (€249) |
| Files encrypted on your device | Only the Crypto folder, with pCloud Encryption (+€150) | Every file, by default | Every file and file name, by default |
| 2 TB with end-to-end encryption | €649 | €435 (€377 on sale) | 5 TB for $279 (€249) |
| 5 TB or more with end-to-end encryption | 10 TB: €1,649 | 5 TB: €585 (€507 on sale) | 5 TB: $279 (€249) |
| What "lifetime" means | The account owner's lifetime or 99 years, whichever is shorter; non-transferable | Until the account holder reaches 99; 12 months with no activity can end the plan if you do not answer Internxt's email within 30 days | 99 years or the owner's lifetime, whichever is shorter; 12 months' notice and a full export if ShieldFive closes; non-transferable |
| Refund | 14 days | 30 days | 30 days |
| Apps | Web, desktop sync and virtual drive, iOS, Android | Web, desktop, iOS, Android, CLI | Web, Android (Google Play), Windows (Microsoft Store) and Mac now; iOS app in testing, not yet available; no sync client |
| Independent testing | No third-party audit published; ISO 27001 certified | Penetration test by Securitum; ISO/IEC 27001 | None completed yet |
Sources: pCloud pricing, pCloud Encryption and pCloud terms; Internxt lifetime and Internxt terms; ShieldFive Lifetime and Terms §5.3 and §5.4. Regular prices read on 23 October 2026, Internxt's sale prices on 4 November 2026, Internxt's terms on 8 November 2026. Both providers show their prices as discounts from higher list prices and change them often, so check the live price before you buy.
Encryption: the real difference
pCloud encrypts files on its servers with keys it holds. Only files you move into the Crypto folder, after buying pCloud Encryption, are encrypted on your device with a key pCloud never sees. Camera uploads, synced folders and anything you forget to move stay outside it.
Internxt encrypts every file on your device before upload, on every plan, with no add-on. ShieldFive does the same and also encrypts file names; we store only ciphertext and never hold your keys. The limit for any web app, ShieldFive included: the guarantee holds for the code you are served. Our security model explains it.
The terms: what happens if you go quiet
pCloud's lifetime ends at the owner's death or after 99 years. Internxt's ends when the holder reaches 99, and because Internxt cannot check your age, 12 months without a login, upload or download triggers an email; no reply within 30 days and it may end the plan (Internxt terms). If you plan to use lifetime storage as a cold archive opened every year or two, set a reminder at Internxt. More detail in Internxt lifetime vs ShieldFive.
Which one to pick
pCloud if you need more than 5 TB, want the most mature sync apps and the longest track record, and only a few files need to be private from the provider.
Internxt if you want every file encrypted by default with desktop and iOS apps today, and 5 TB or less is enough. It is cheapest during its sales; see Internxt Black Friday.
ShieldFive if you want every file and file name encrypted by default for less than either for the same storage, and can work through the web app, Android, Windows or Mac today. Its limits: iOS app in testing, not yet available, no desktop sync client, no external audit, closed-source apps on an open crypto core.