Comparison of the best clouds used in Switzerland: which one to choose?

Choosing the right cloud service is a tricky business, for individuals and SMEs alike. In Switzerland, there are a multitude of solutions, ranging from international giants like Google Drive or iCloud to local players like Infomaniak, pCloud or Swisscom.

Smart You guides you in selecting the best cloud service for your needs: security, performance, functionality, and compliance with Swiss standards. Discover our clear and up-to-date comparison of the best cloud solutions available in Switzerland.

Overview of popular clouds in Switzerland

The following table compares the best cloud services in Switzerland.

Service	Hosting	Highlights	Weaknesses / Limitations	Compliance	Ideal for…
myCloud (Swisscom)	Switzerland	Simplicity, 100% Swiss hosting	Limited functionality, few advanced options	LPD compliant, RGPD compliant if necessary	Swiss individuals, basic use
Google Drive	USA / World	Simplicity, broad compatibility	Hosting USA, Cloud Act, limited privacy	Theoretically RGPD compliant, but Cloud Act compliant	Individuals and professionals using Google Workspace
kDrive (Infomaniak)	Switzerland	Swiss hosting, ethical, RGPD-friendly	Less well-known than GDrive, fewer third-party integrations	LPD compliant, RGPD compatible	Data- and location-aware individuals/professionals
Proton Drive	Switzerland	End-to-end encryption, maximum confidentiality	Limited functionality, fee-based storage	LPD compliant, RGPD compatible	Users highly sensitive to privacy
iCloud	USA / Europe (partial)	Integrated into the Apple ecosystem, easy to use	Data potentially outside Europe, little personalization	Theoretically RGPD compliant, but Cloud Act compliant	Apple users, personal use
pCloud	Switzerland / Luxembourg	Good price/feature balance, optional encryption	Hosting not 100% Swiss, limited freemium	LPD compliant, RGPD compatible	Individuals/SMEs, affordable secure storage

Top 6 clouds used in Switzerland

Choosing the right cloud storage solution is essential to guarantee security, reliability and compliance.

myCloud (Swisscom)

myCloud is Swisscom’s consumer cloud service. Easy to use and hosted in Switzerland, it remains limited in terms of advanced features, with an interface that can seem rather unergonomic and performance that is sometimes criticized. myCloud is above all suitable for basic use.

The 3 key features of Swisscom myCloud

• Automatic backup of photos and videos from the smartphone
• File storage and synchronization between devices (computer, smartphone, tablet)
• Share files and folders via simple links (without advanced collaboration)

Price guide

• 10 GB: free, but with advertising
• 100 GB: CHF 1.90 / month, ad-free, image content search
• 250 GB: CHF 3.90 / month, same benefits
• 2 TB: CHF 9.90 / month, same benefits

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Google Drive

Google Drive is Google’s cloud storage service, available free of charge (15 GB) to all users with a Google account. It is also integrated into the paid Google Workspace business suite. Extremely popular in Switzerland and elsewhere, Drive’s appeal lies in its ease of use, universal compatibility and real-time collaboration capabilities. However, most data is hosted in the USA.

The 3 key features of Google Drive

• Real-time creation and collaboration on documents, spreadsheets and presentations
• File storage and synchronization on all types of device
• Advanced file and folder sharing, with permissions management (read, write, comment)

Guide prices for a Google Workspace subscription

• Business Starter: CHF 7 per user/month for 30 GB.
• Business Standard: 14 per user/month for 2TB.
• Business Plus: CHF 22 (per user/month for 5 TB.
• Enterprise: price on request. Unlimited storage (subject to conditions).

iCloud Drive

Apple’s cloud service integrates seamlessly into the Apple ecosystem and is available free of charge (5 GB). Simple and automated, it seduces with its ease of use, but remains limited in terms of advanced collaboration and customization options.

iCloud Drive’s 3 key features

• Automatic file synchronization on all Apple devices
• Accessing and organizing files in the Files application (or Finder on Mac)
• Sharing files and folders via iCloud Drive links

Guide prices

• 5 G0: free for all users
• 50 GB: CHF 1 / month
• 200 GB: CHF 3 / month
• 2 TB: CHF 10 / month

kDrive (Infomaniak)

Infomaniak is an independent Swiss hosting company committed to data protection and local hosting. It positions itself as an ethical alternative to large international platforms, with integrated collaboration features. It offers a modern interface.

kDrive’s 3 key features

• Collaborative document creation and editing (Docs, Spreadsheets, Presentations)
• File synchronization on computer and mobile
• Secure file and folder sharing with authorization management

Guide prices

• kDrive Solo: CHF 5/month → 3TB storage, 1 user
• kDrive Team: CHF 10/month → 6 users included, 3TB storage (expandable to 18TB)
• kDrive Pro: CHF 7 / user / month → from 3 users, 6TB storage (expandable to 106TB)

All packages include file editing with OnlyOffice (and Microsoft Office Online for Pro), shared corporate folders, and advanced user management for Team and Pro.

Proton Drive

Proton Drive is the cloud storage service developed by Proton, a Swiss company specializing in privacy protection (best known for Proton Mail). The service stands out for its end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only the user can access his or her files. However, its functionalities remain limited compared to more popular consumer solutions, and free storage is restricted (1 GB).

Proton Drive’s 3 key features

• End-to-end file encryption (maximum confidentiality)
• Secure storage and synchronization accessible via the web or mobile applications
• Secure file sharing via password-protected links (for paying accounts)

Guide prices

• Proton Free : 5 GB – Free
• Drive Plus: 200 GB – CHF 2.49 / month
• Proton Unlimited: 500 GB – CHF 9.99 / month
• Proton Duo : 1 TB (up to 2 users) – 14.99 CHF / month
• Proton Family : 3Tb (up to 6 users) – 23.99 CHF / month
• Drive Professional: 1 TB / user – 5.99 CHF / user

pCloud

Although pCloud is a Swiss company, its data is split between servers in Switzerland and Luxembourg. This offers a certain guarantee of confidentiality, but does not correspond to a 100% Swiss solution. pCloud is appreciated for its flexibility, its ability to store large files (up to 5TB) and its ability to purchase a lifetime plan, a rare option on the market. However, its freemium model is limited, and some advanced features (such as encryption) are not free.

pCloud’s 3 key features

• File storage and synchronization on all devices
• Secure file and folder sharing, with protection options (password, expiration)
• Client-side file encryption (pCloud Crypto, available at extra cost)

Guide prices

• 5 G0: free for all users
• 2 TB: CHF 10 / month
• 10 TB: CHF 20 / month

Will Dropbox still be useful in 2025?

This historic cloud player, hosted in the USA, is now less popular than Google Drive or iCloud for the general public. Dropbox nevertheless remains an interesting option for SMEs and freelancers looking for a reliable storage solution, with advanced features such as :

• File sharing with authorization control
• Selective synchronization
• Integration with numerous third-party applications.

Cloud, cloud computing, hosting provider, what’s the difference?

Cloud vocabulary can seem technical. Here are some simple definitions to help you better understand the essential concepts discussed in this article.

What is the cloud?

The cloud (or “cloud computing”) refers to a method of storing and accessing data that relies on remote servers, accessible via the Internet. This means that your files are not stored solely on a local device (such as a computer or hard drive), but are hosted on external servers and can be accessed from any connected device.

What is cloud computing?

Cloud computing refers to all IT services that can be accessed remotely via the Internet. These include not only storage, but also applications, software, calculations and technical resources (such as servers and databases) offered by specialized service providers. Cloud computing thus enables you to use IT services without having to install or manage them yourself on your own hardware.

What is a hosting provider?

A hosting company provides technical infrastructure (servers, storage, bandwidth) to store and make accessible data, websites or applications.

In the cloud context, a hosting provider is responsible for managing the servers on which your files are stored, and guarantees their accessibility, security and backup.

Among the hosts mentioned in this article are :

• Infomaniak (hosting company) offers kDrive (cloud service).
• Proton (hosting provider) offers Proton Drive (cloud service).
• Google (host) offers Google Drive (cloud service).
• pCloud (host + brand) offers pCloud (cloud service).

Other popular cloud services such as Google Drive and iCloud rely on their own international infrastructures, mainly located in the USA and Europe.

What are the different types of cloud?

Cloud computing is divided into several models, each meeting specific needs in terms of management, control and flexibility:

• Public cloud : resources (storage, servers, software) are shared between several customers and accessible via the Internet. This is the most common and affordable model. All the services we have discussed (Google Drive, iCloud Drive, Swisscom myCloud, kDrive, Proton Drive, pCloud) are public clouds.
• Private cloud : the infrastructure is dedicated to a single company or organization. This gives greater control over data and security, but generally involves higher costs.
• Hybrid cloud: combines a public and a private cloud to offer greater flexibility. For example, a company can store its sensitive data in a private cloud while using public services for less critical tasks.

Read our article “What are the differences between public cloud, private cloud and hybrid cloud?” to find out more.

💡 What about multi-cloud? Multi-cloud is not a type of cloud per se, but rather a usage strategy. It doesn’t describe a technical infrastructure, but a way of using several cloud services in parallel. For example, a company or individual may use Google Drive for collaborative storage, Proton Drive for sensitive files, and pCloud for long-term backups. They are then said to have a multi-cloud strategy.

How do you choose your cloud service?

To choose a cloud, you need to consider several criteria:

Security

The security of a cloud service is an essential criterion, and is based on several aspects.

Firstly, confidentiality means that no third party, including the supplier itself, can view your data without your consent.

Secondly, encryption protects your files by making them unreadable to anyone who doesn’t have the decryption key. Some services offer end-to-end encryption, where not even the provider can access your data. Others simply encrypt data during transfer or storage, which is less secure.

Finally, security also depends on the technical infrastructure used. The supplier must put in place robust protection measures (firewalls, intrusion detection systems, regular backups) to avoid any risk of incident or hacking.

Who are the “good performers” among the clouds analyzed?

Proton Drive, Infomaniak kDrive and pCloud (with the Crypto option) are among the most secure services. On the other hand, Google Drive, iCloud and Swisscom myCloud do not offer end-to-end encryption, which means that the provider can, in theory, access your files.

Reliability

The reliability of a cloud service is its ability to guarantee access to your files at all times, without breakdowns, without loss of data, and without prolonged interruption.

In concrete terms, this is based on :

• Service availability: does the supplier guarantee an availability rate close to 100%? (Often expressed as an SLA, such as 99.9% or 99.99%).
• Infrastructure robustness: is the service well protected against breakdowns (redundant servers, regular backups)?
• Supplier reputation: failure history, major incidents, and user experience.
• The ability to restore data in the event of accidental deletion or technical problems.

In this respect, Google Drive and iCloud Drive are considered particularly reliable, thanks to their global infrastructure and long experience. The other services presented in this article (kDrive, Proton Drive, Swisscom myCloud, pCloud) are also reliable, but their reliability may depend on the intensity of use or the nature of the files stored. In short, all the services mentioned offer a good level of reliability.

Features

The functionalities of a cloud service refer to all the additional tools and services it offers, beyond simple file storage. Indeed, the cloud has become a true productivity tool.

The main features to consider are :

• The ability to send files to other people, with security options such as a password or expiration date.
• The ability for several people to work on the same document.
• Control who can view, modify or comment on a file or folder.
• Retrieve previous versions of a document in the event of an error or unwanted modification.
• Automatically back up files on a device (e.g. all photos on a smartphone) to the cloud.
• The variety of compatible applications.

Cloud	Sharing with options (password, expiration)	Real-time collaboration	Access rights management	Previous versions	Automatic file backup	Compatible applications
Google Drive	✅	✅	✅	✅	⚠️ Partial (Google Photos for photos, not all files)	✅ Yes (web, mobile, desktop)
Infomaniak kDrive	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅ Yes (web, mobile, desktop)
pCloud	✅	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅ Yes (web, mobile, desktop)
Proton Drive	⚠️ Yes (limited)	❌	⚠️ Limited	✅	❌	✅ Yes (web, mobile)
iCloud Drive	⚠️ Yes (basic)	⚠️ Yes (Pages, Numbers…)	✅ Yes (limited)	✅	✅	✅ Yes (iOS, Mac, Windows)
Swisscom myCloud	⚠️ Yes (basic sharing, few options)	❌	⚠️ Limited	✅	✅	✅ Yes (web, mobile, desktop)

Performance

The performance of a cloud service encompasses several technical aspects:

• File access speed
• Fast synchronization between devices
• Fluid interface and applications
• Service responsiveness (no latency or bugs)
• Efficient management of large files

Service	Access speed (upload/download)	Real-time synchronization	Large file management	Application fluidity
Google Drive	✅ Excellent	✅ Very fast	✅ Very good	✅ Fluid and responsive
Infomaniak kDrive	✅ Good (servers in Switzerland)	✅ Very good	✅ Good	✅ Smooth and stable
pCloud	✅ Good	⚠️ Not real-time (slight latency)	✅ Very good (up to 5 TB)	✅ Smooth and fast
Proton Drive	✅ Good (for Switzerland)	❌ No real time	✅ Good	✅ Good, but basic
iCloud Drive	✅ Excellent (for Apple ecosystem)	⚠️ Correct (according to Apple network)	✅ Good	✅ Smooth on Mac/iOS, limited on Windows
Swisscom myCloud	✅ Correct in Switzerland	⚠️ Basic synchronization	✅ Good	⚠️ Slow, unergonomic interface

Storage and pricing

Here’s a summary of the different prices and storage capacities offered by the different clouds in our article. If you’re wondering which cloud is the cheapest, it’s kDrive, because 3TB for CHF 5 in Solo is unbeatable.

Service	5-10 GB (free)	~200 GB	2 To	>2 To
myCloud	10 GB (with ads)	CHF 3.90 (250 GB)	9.90 CHF	Not proposed
Google Drive	15 GB	–	CHF 14 (2TB)	22 CHF (5 TB)
iCloud Drive	5 GB	3 CHF	10 CHF	Not proposed
kDrive	–	–	5 CHF (3 TB)	10.70 CHF (3Tb, 6 users)
Proton Drive	5 GB	CHF 2.49 (200 GB)	CHF 9.99 (500 GB)	CHF 14.99 (1 TB, 2 users)
pCloud	5 GB	–	CHF 10 (2TB)	CHF 20 (10 TB)

Hosting country and ethics

The country in which a cloud service is hosted determines which legislation applies to your data. A file stored on a server in Switzerland is subject to the Swiss Data Protection Act (DPA). On the other hand, a file stored in the USA is subject to the US Cloud Act, which allows authorities to access data even without the owner’s consent.

In addition to the country, some suppliers stand out for their ethical commitment, particularly with regard to data confidentiality, transparency and environmental impact.

Service	Country of residence	Main legislation	Ethical commitment
Infomaniak kDrive	100% Swiss	Swiss LPD	Strong (ecology, confidentiality, independent)
Proton Drive	100% Swiss	Swiss LPD	Very strong (confidentiality, transparency, security)
Swisscom myCloud	100% Swiss	Swiss LPD	Medium (large company, little specific commitment)
pCloud	Switzerland + Luxembourg	Swiss LPD / RGPD	Medium (paid encryption option, not 100% Swiss)
Google Drive	Mainly USA + worldwide	Cloud Act / RGPD	Low (Cloud Act, data-driven business model)
iCloud Drive	USA + Europe	Cloud Act / RGPD	Medium to low (Cloud Act, Apple dependency)

Install the best cloud for your business in Switzerland with SmartYou

Choosing the right cloud service is essential to optimize the management of your digital environments and benefit from a reliable contractual service commitment. SmartYou, with its 20 years of expertise and customer-centric approach, offers an integrated solution to the complex challenges of IT infrastructure. Our offering covers everything from infrastructure management and security to data backup and disaster recovery, ensuring optimum performance and enhanced security. Would you like to migrate to the cloud? SmartYou is here to help. You can also read our article:“How to achieve a successful cloud migration strategy”.

Our customizable managed services enable us to adapt precisely to your needs, guaranteeing a solution that combines quality and cost-effectiveness. With SmartYou, you benefit from an IT infrastructure that grows with your business, backed by expert technical support and 24/7 monitoring. We’re with you every step of the way, from needs assessment to implementation and ongoing optimization, to ensure that your cloud infrastructure in Switzerland reaches its full potential.

In conclusion, evaluating Swiss cloud options reveals differences in terms of security, performance and local compliance. Smart You can help you make the right choice. Find out more about our Cloud and Managed Services.