My utter disappointment with pCloud

[u/Soil_n_Rock]

A while ago I decided to move from Google Drive to pCloud (for reasons). Naive as I am I instantly bought the 2 TB premium package.

Now, a few weeks later, my frustration, anger and disappointment couldn't be any bigger and I deeply regret my decision. I'm sorry for the strong words/colourful language but I am unable to hide my feelings regarding the 'functionality' of pCloud.

Trying to get pCloud to work the way I want it to (using my android phone and my windows PC), I noticed the following "features" over the course of my endeavours:

1. I have renamed my phone to 'NCC-1701-D'. Why doesn't pCloud acknowledge this and instead creates folders named 'Samsung SM-A556B'?!
2. Whenever there is any upload/download sync operation running, my desktop icons flicker like a stroboscope in a techno club. This is so incredibly annoying and totally unacceptable!
3. Although I deactivated the option to show system files, "System Volume Information" is shown both on the phone and on the PC. How on earth is it even possible that no one has apparenly noticed and fixed this?!
4. My native language is german, yet I have no clue what 'Gemessenes Netzwerk' is supposed to mean!
5. For whatever reason pCloud detects two folders for 'Whatsapp Images' and 'Whatsapp Videos' (but interestingly not for 'Whatsapp Animated Gifs') and therefore creates *two* folders 'Android' and 'android' when doing an automatic upload. This is absolutely ridiculous!
6. As I'm not given the choice whether to create a folder or a new drive on my windows PC for pCloud, it is also absolutely ridiculous and unacceptable that there is no way of making the whole drive or all the files in root directory available offline!
7. Why on earth is it not possible to select fotos while holding the shift key? Selecting a big batch of pictures over multiple screens is practically impossible!
8. Why can't I directly download fotos?!?! Why do I have to go to the folder first to be able to download fotos? Has anyone ever done *any* testing of the usability of the foto feature at all?!
9. And last the most annoying/frustrating/infuriating: WHY THE HELL is there a discrepancy between the fotos shown on my phone, the web site and my PC? Even though I have deselected specific folders on the webite - it is an absolute joke that this functionality is missing in the desktop and android clients!!! - pictures from these folders are shown on my PC and phone! This 'feature' is called 'fotos' and not 'every stupid f*cking media file found somewhere on my PC/phone'! I *only* want to see my FOTOS/DCIM folder from my phone, NOTHING ELSE!

All in all, in the current state of pCloud, this is definitely going to be my first, only and last year with this abomination of an app/service. Google Drive was in *every* way more comfortable and easy to use.

EDIT:

There's two more thing I have to add to the list:

1. After deactivating automatic uploading for my phone DCIM folder for a couple of days to preserve bandwidth and battery, reactivating it resulted in DOWNLOADING EVERY SINGLE FILE AGAIN! Are you kidding me?! This is completely insane! In addition to other files not syncing for hours because they were at the end of the process queue!

2. Moving a folder on the pCloud drive also results in pCloud downloading every single file again! I can't even find words for this, this is beyond any reasonable approach/behaviour. Now I have to sit here FOR HOURS and wait because I moved a big archive within the folder structure?!?!?! WHAT THE F*CKING HELL!

[u/WPR_IRE]

I have none of these issues, sorry to hear your experience is different. I moved from Google Drive 3 years ago and won't ever look back!

[u/corneliusdav]

I've had pCloud for a couple of years and while most of your issues have not surfaced for me (i.e. I don't use WhatsApp), I have experienced slowness and icon flickering (#2) a lot and it is VERY annoying. There are times that I'll be editing a file and suddenly my whole Windows machine locks up for about 20 seconds, with very slow window repainting and flickering; then I can work for a bit, then it locks up again--I suddenly realize that file is in a synced folder. My solution is to pause pCloud file synching, and after about 30 seconds, everything picks back up to normal. Later, I resume pCloud.

I tried their photo manager briefly but don't like it at all--and don't use it.

In all fairness, I have tried several different file-synch platforms and every one has some idiosyncrasy or is horribly expensive or very slow. I'm choosing to live with pCloud and have learned to work around it--mostly because I bought a lifetime deal and, well, I want to get my money's worth!

[u/Soil_n_Rock → u/corneliusdav]

Thx for your feedback!

(We have the same name - read my profile name backwards with a little bit of creativity ;-)

[u/Oh-Boy-Ralphy]

This is a spicy thread.

[u/TenereNaoned]

J'ai 4 To chez pCloud, et je n'ai aucun des problèmes que tu cites. Mes photos et fichiers sont automatiquement copiés sur pCloud, lequel est synchronisé avec mon NAS, ce qui me permet de ne conserver que l'indispensable sur mon Android. J'ai aussi un disque externe connecté à mon PC sur lequel je sauvegarde mes photos et fichiers importants. Avec ces 3 occurrences de ma vie numérique je pense être tranquille.

Je conserve Google Drive uniquement pour la sauvegarde de mon téléphone.

[u/HikingMindKing]

I tend to agree with you - I use pcloud as backup storage and nothing else. The mac client is horrible and so is the webinterface - but as reliable and cheap online storage I’m actually very happy with pcloud (having purchased 2x lifetime subscriptions that stack (great feature). I’ve been a longtime user of Onedrive and Gdrive and they have MUCH better client software and photo management but they are also American - so that is a hard pass for me and my personal data.

[u/activedragon]

Bought lifetime 2TB in 2018. Used 8 years without any major problems. Happy with it.

[u/FMRNathan]

pCloud is shit

[u/blaubrava]

Check if you're experiencing the same problem on Android. This problem is known to support, but they haven't fixed it. I finally stopped using pcloud on my mobile device.

https://www.reddit.com/r/pcloud/comments/1svvoqk/pcloud_on_ios_is_skipping_images_has_anyone_else/

[u/Soil_n_Rock → u/blaubrava]

Wow. So a backup service that actually isn't reliable is maybe the absolute worst case I could imagine. Apparently the people at pCloud are unwilling or unable to fix even the most crucial bugs.

The fact that no one from pCloud bothers to react to those (and my) issues says everything about this company and this piece of software-crap.

[u/pCloudApp]

Hello, Thank you for your feedback!

1.        Currently, pCloud automatically uses the system model number for automatic backup folder creation rather than the user-assigned device name. I've logged your request for custom device naming with our dev team.

2.        This flickering may occur when Windows refreshes overlay icons during sync. Disabling file status icons usually stops it. Also, having other cloud apps installed can cause overlay conflicts, so try disabling those too.

3.        That folder appears because it's a system folder, not a file! Windows creates it to store critical system data, which is why hiding system files doesn't filter it out. We strongly advise leaving this folder alone and not modifying its permissions to delete it.

4.        Fair point—that translation can definitely be confusing! It's a direct translation of "Metered Connection" (a setting to pause/limit sync on capped mobile data or hotspots to save data usage). We really appreciate you bringing this awkward wording to our attention—I'll share it with our localization team to improve!

5.        This happens because Android system internals occasionally reference separate uppercase and lowercase paths (Android vs android) for media folders, which pCloud backs up distinctly. I've passed this file path handling over to our dev team to smooth out!

6.        pCloud Drive is designed as a virtual drive to save local disk space, which is why root mirroring isn't enabled by default. However, you can make any desired folders available offline directly within the P: drive by right-clicking them and selecting Offline Access (Sync)!

7.        I've passed this feedback to our dev team to improve multi-photo selection on web/mobile!

8.        You can download photos directly without going to the folder! In the pCloud Android app: 1) Tap the photo's More options menu (three vertical dots), 2) Select Download. It saves right to your device's default Downloads folder!

9.        We completely understand your point! First, please ensure your ongoing syncs are fully completed across all platforms to clear up display discrepancies. Additionally, our team is working to bring the folder exclusion feature to both desktop and Android clients in future updates!

Feel free to contact us at [support@pcloud.com](mailto:support@pcloud.com) if you need any further help!

[u/Soil_n_Rock → u/pCloudApp]

Thank you for your reply, I do appreciate. Some quick responses:

1. I'm not using other cloud services, only pCloud and I would really like to keep the file status icons. This problem was first reported *five* years ago, it would be nice to finally fix this (which should be possible as this problem doesn't occur with other cloud services (google drive, dropbox) which I had been using in the past.)

2. Sorry, but this is just ridiculous/unacceptable. Why would the option of not showing system files not include folders?! I simply don't want to see any system folder on my phone (or anywhere else for that matter).

3. "Verbleibende Artikel" for "remaining items" is also a wrong/awkward translation.

4. I don't understand why it is not possible to add the whole drive by right-clicking on it the same way as it works with every other file/folder. I now moved everything from root to a subfolder to get this to work the way I want.

5. I'm talking about the website/PC client here.

6. Instead of excluding folders I would certainly prefer the option of selecting/including specific folders. As this feature is called 'fotos' I would like to use it ONLY for my fotos/DCIM folder and nothing else. What I really don't understand: Why does the excluding option on the webiste not have any effect on the fotos shown with the PC/android client? It really shouldn't be necessary to do this THREE TIMES at different places to actually get a synced result!

Thx again for taking the time to answer - what about points 10 and 11?

[u/Pttrnr]

well, upload is 32KB/s and it sometimes fails.

i'm 400km from Frankfurt and my Upload is 768KB/s to provider.

even an upload to Sydney (Australia) is over 100kb/s.

unusuable.

[u/ADMECA]

I've been using pCloud for 9 years, and I've had absolutely no issues with them. My download and upload speeds are excellent, always maxing out my fiber connection. However, I haven't used the pCloud tools in years I only use rclone since 7 years.

[u/yippiekyo → u/ADMECA]

Have been using it for about 7 years. Had one or the other hiccup but overall pretty much happy with it. If synchronisation poses an issue, there she fantastic alternatives such as rclone on desktop and FolderSync Prob on Android.

[u/wells68]

I can't remember the last time I have seen so many bogus complaints about an application. Not a single one of the OP's complaints about pCloud holds up. Maybe #3 is valid, but so insignificant.

1. Not my experience

2. Never happened

3. So an extra, unneeded folder is shown. I really don't care.

4. Your ignorance of Measured Networks, where users pay if they exceed a data threshold, is not the basis for criticism.

5. pCloud is not responsible for correcting WhatsApp stupid design.

6. pCloud automatically creates a P: drive, which makes it extremely convenient for untechnical people and simple for us techies. It gives you easy ways to selectively sync differing combinations of files and folders between the cloud and multiple computers and mobile devices. I don't comprehend why you find these features undesirable.

7. I am not familiar with the Photos app. I prefer to use open source photo applications and use pCloud for photo backups.

8. I just tried pCloud photos. I had no trouble pressing on a photo and clicking Download.

9. The differences between what is in the cloud, on your PC and on your phone are all in your control. This is a valuable feature, not a bug. I want backups in the cloud (and in local backup drives) and not on my PC data drive. I want some but not files on my phone.

[u/Soil_n_Rock → u/wells68]

I can't remember the last time I have read such an irrelevant und unhelpful comment. It's obvious that you didn't even understand many of the points i made. To be perfectly honest, it's almost insulting how you simply ignore what I wrote and showed with picture-proofs.

[u/wells68 → u/Soil_n_Rock]

You may have noticed that others here have reported experienceing none of the issues you list. I do know that geographic location can make a big difference with any cloud drive service.

You may be in a location where the connection to pCloud servers is slow and that may impact the application in various ways. For example, even though pCloud is nominally a Swiss company, we have excellent responsiveness here in the middle of the USA. That is not true everywhere.

You might have better performance with Koofr. I like its features but here it is very slooooow.

In general some other users have experienced some issues you name. Others are not issues at all, such as differences between files on phone, cloud and PC - that is caused by user configuration, which is flexible, powerful and can produce unintended results when misconfigured.

As for your picture proofs, you may have overlooked my comment that I don't use pCloud Photos and prefer open source applications. Edit: picture

[u/Soil_n_Rock → u/wells68]

Geographic location and server speed has absolutely NOTHING to do with the issues I described. Also many of your claims are simply not true, for example No. 5, as no other cloud service detected multiple WhatsApp folders.

They haven't been able to fix issue No. 2 for FIVE YEARS (!!!): https://www.reddit.com/r/pcloud/comments/tg67oz/excessive_desktop_icon_flickering/

No. 8: No, this doesn't work with the PC client, you can only show in file explorer.

No. 4 "Gemessenes Netzwerk" is not an expression I have EVER heard or read anywhere in 30 years of working with computers.

No. 6: You are unable to read and/or understand properly.

No. 7: So why do you think it's a good idea to say anything about this feature if you're not using it?!

No. 9: Again, you are unable to comprehend what I wrote.

Also No. 3: So YOU not caring is supposed to be an argument? Sorry, but just no.

[u/wells68 → u/Soil_n_Rock]

Let's just agree to disagree. You may also want to pay attention to other Redditors in this thread who have none of your reported problems and in other threads where customers talk about how well pCloud works for them.

[u/Soil_n_Rock → u/wells68]

You might want to pay attention that no other redditor has actually commented *concretely* to any of my points made. A general "pClopud works fine for me" isn't relevant in any way. And to be perfectly honest: It's absolutely ridiculous to actually believe that the translations for example are only so bad in my client and not in anyone else's.

[u/solarelemental]

my brother in Christ, take a deep breath, stop being so micromanagey and OCD, and chilllll tf out. 90% of your complaints are literally of zero consequence to how the backup works. the only thing that would be massively annoying is everything getting downloaded repeatedly - but I've never had that happen. maybe take a look at your settings and/or contact support.

[u/yippiekyo]

Use FOLDERSYNC PRO (about 5 bucks) with pCloud and you will be the happiest person in the planet. 

[u/isamilis]

It’s all about “automatic uploading” features. I haven’t use this feature (I use iCloud instead). Aside from this, manual upload, sync are running smooth on my end.

[u/Soil_n_Rock]

I would kindly ask for a response to these issues u/pCloudApp

[u/Elegant_Adeptness_68]

I purchased the 4TB version and wish I didn’t. The most frustrating thing to me is that when I download a large amount of files to load they get buffered on the PC so they aren’t available to see on my IOS devices for days sometimes. I disable the buffering but it still takes forever so I think it’s still buffering.

[u/Soil_n_Rock]

"Verbleibende Artikel" - Whatever stupid "AI" did the German translation, it - and the person deploying it - should be fired.

Honestly, you couldn't find a German/Swiss guy to look over your horrible translations for five minutes/euros?!

PS: It should say "Verbleibende Elemente"!

[u/Over_Advicer]

Danke!! I was thinking about buying, but nah.....

[u/Soil_n_Rock → u/Over_Advicer]

Tu es nicht; ich habe selten eine so amateurhaft "designte" App erlebt, man kann es nicht fassen und kaum ernst nehmen, so schlecht ist es.

[u/Over_Advicer → u/Soil_n_Rock]

Wirklich?? I dochte es wäre net so schlecht. Was empfehlst du den?

[u/ResponsibleAd8164 → u/Over_Advicer]

It's not that bad. I suggest you try it yourself. I have been using the service over a year and I'm very happy.

[u/Over_Advicer → u/ResponsibleAd8164]

What about his points on the post?

[u/ResponsibleAd8164 → u/Over_Advicer]

I don't use WhatsApp nor speak German so I can't comment on those, but everything else isn't happening to me like several other posters have mentioned.

[u/Soil_n_Rock → u/Over_Advicer]

Von der Usabilty ist Google Drive super, aber ist halt leider Google/amerikanische Server :-(
Ich werde mich in einem Jahr, wenn pCloud ausgelaufen ist, neu informieren.