FAQ Lifetime cloud storage

A lifetime cloud storage offer works like a permanent purchase, rather than a monthly or annual rental. Instead of paying a recurring subscription fee, you pay just once for storage space that you can use for an unlimited period of time.

It’s like buying a virtual hard disk instead of renting temporary space. Once you’ve paid, you can store your files online for as long as the service is active, at no extra cost. It’s a great way to save money over the long term while keeping your data secure.

The main advantage is the savings you make over several years: after 2 to 4 years, a lifetime offer generally becomes more cost-effective than a subscription.
You also avoid price hikes and remain independent of monthly subscriptions. The downside is that a higher initial payment is required, and you need to choose a reliable service to guarantee long-term continuity.

Opting for cloud storage with a lifetime offer can be an excellent financial decision, but you still need to know whether it’s worth it compared with a subscription.

Here’s a simple method for calculating the profitability of a lifetime offer:
1.Know the price of the equivalent subscription: Look at the monthly or annual price of the service you’re considering.
2.Divide the lifetime offer price by the annual cost: This will give you the number of years required for the purchase to become profitable.
3.Compare with your expected period of use: If you expect to use the service for longer than the break-even period, the lifetime offer is a good deal.
Example:
If an annual subscription costs €100 and the lifetime offer is €300, the break-even period is:
€300 ÷ €100 = 3 years
If you expect to use the service for more than 3 years, then the lifetime offer is a better deal.

Which services offer the best return?
Internxt: The most affordable lifetime offer, paying for itself in around 2 years.
pCloud: More expensive, paying for itself in around 3 to 4 years.
Icedrive: An alternative, but of more limited financial interest.

Conclusion: The longer you plan to use a service, the more profitable a lifetime offer becomes. If you use your cloud storage for long-term needs (backup of important files, photos, videos, etc.), then a lifetime offer is often the most economical choice.

The choice between a monthly, annual or lifetime subscription depends on your budget and your long-term vision.

– Monthly subscription: maximum flexibility, but more expensive over time. Prices may also increase in the future.
– Yearly subscription: Generally 10-20% cheaper than monthly, but more expensive if you use it for several years.
– Lifetime offer: Higher initial investment, but becomes profitable after only a few years. For example, Internxt’s current lifetime offer pays for itself in just 2 years. Another advantage is that a lifetime offer is not affected by future price increases.

If you’re using cloud storage on a long-term basis, a lifetime offer offers considerable savings. Internxt is the most affordable choice, pCloud is a premium choice.

Three services currently stand out: Internxt, pCloud and Icedrive.
Internxt is the most affordable option, and the most secure thanks to its Zero-knowledge encryption. pCloud is an excellent general-purpose service with a robust infrastructure, but a little more expensive.
Icedrive also offers a lifetime deal, although its appeal is more limited compared with the other two.

Yes, in theory, a lifetime offer means unlimited access over time. However, it depends on the sustainability of the company offering it.
Established services such as pCloud or Internxt have a solid business model, guaranteeing greater reliability over the long term. It is always advisable to choose a reputable service to avoid unpleasant surprises.

As with any online service, there is a risk that a provider will go out of business. That’s why it’s important to choose a reliable company with a good reputation. Internxt, pCloud and Icedrive are well established and are investing in their development. For added security, it’s always advisable to have a local backup to complement the cloud.

That said, even if a service were to close down, it wouldn’t happen overnight. In the past, storage services that have gone out of business have given users time to recover their files before shutting down for good.
As long as you’ve used your storage long enough to make your purchase worthwhile (usually between 2 and 4 years), you’re still a winner economically, even if the service does shut down.

Yes, in the majority of cases, lifetime packages offer the same features as classic subscriptions.
However, some services may offer premium options as extras, such as advanced encryption (pCloud Crypto) or specific features. It is therefore advisable to check the details of each offer before buying in our article on the best lifetime cloud storage.

Internxt is the most affordable and secure option with Zero-knowledge encryption. pCloud is a more robust choice, with a proven infrastructure and more features, but a higher price tag. Icedrive is an interesting alternative, but its positioning is less attractive than the other two.

Yes, provided you choose a reliable service. Internxt is particularly secure thanks to its Zero-knowledge encryption, which ensures that no-one but you can access your files (not even Internxt).
pCloud and Icedrive also offer a good level of protection. To maximize your security, we always recommend activating two-factor authentication and making regular backups.