Not all cloud storage providers were created equal.

The ability to store precious files such as photos, videos and music seamlessly in the cloud is an alluring prospect, particularly with the (relatively) paltry memory in mobile devices and the high cost of additional memory.

But what should you look for when choosing a cloud storage and file-sharing solution? Here, we break down the five things everyone should consider before deciding where to put their data.

#1 Is my data secure?

No cloud storage provider would flag themselves as vulnerable, but there have been many high-profile instances where big tech firms have fallen foul of cyber-attacks. We lead the way in this field by operating to military grade standards. Further, we offer client-side encryption, which means the data is encrypted before it reaches our servers. Building on this theme of control, it means we cannot harvest your data for commercial gain.

Personal information means a lot to people – memories in pictures, letters, full of joy, sorrow, or even some presentations, created for freelance work hidden from the current employer. That’s why we created pCloud Encryption that protects the most sensitive information on any device.

pCloud takes your data security a step further with its client-side encryption making your data encrypted in transit and at rest. Importantly, the decryption key stays with the user and is never saved in the server or shared with anyone else. With Zero Knowledge protocol and Swiss data protection laws, nobody but the user has access to the encrypted data and nobody knows what data you have stored in the cloud.

#2 Am I in control?

One of the downsides to trusting your most precious memories to a third party is that you lose control over where things are stored. It may not be something everybody considers, but data laws in the US differ greatly from Europe, for instance. Not only that, but the ability for cloud storage providers to harvest your information for commercial purposes can be an unknown and unwanted trade off.

#3 How much am I paying?

One of initial attractions to cloud storage providers is the relatively cheap entry cost, particularly when split monthly. The trouble is how quickly users burn through this small amount of storage – and very quickly become reliant on the provider and pay ever-increasing amounts. At pCloud, for instance, we offer a range of subscription models including a lifetime plan, guaranteeing data storage without the need for a monthly plan.

#4 It is easy to use?

Particularly for those making their first steps in the cloud storage market, there is the potential to get lost among the jargon. We pride ourselves on our ease of use whether via our app or on desktop. Simply put, we make it easy to share files with family, friends and colleagues.

#5 Can I recover files?

Sadly, cyberattacks are an ever-increasing threat, which puts files at risk of corruption. We offer users the ability to access previous versions of files, meaning that things such as ransomware need not destroy previous memories stored on the platform.

With local, national and even international lockdowns separating people like never before, the reliance on cloud storage and file-sharing platforms to keep people connected has never been greater. We believe that by looking at these key questions, consumers will have all they need to keep connected through the most challenging of times.