The best cloud backup services, also known as online backup services, help you dodge data catastrophes. They automatically copy your files to offsite cloud storage servers that can be reached from anywhere.
Fact it, you can't always count on backing up to an external hard drive attached to your PC. The computer and backup drive could be lost in a single theft, flood or fire. Cloud backup services solve this problem.
All of the services we tested — Acronis True Image, Backblaze, Carbonite Safe, IDrive Personal, SpiderOak One and Zoolz Cloud Backup — protect your backed-up data on their servers with industry-standard encryption. They also let you encrypt your data again with your own private key. But if you lose that key, the service can't help you.
Otherwise, cloud-backup services vary greatly. A few let you back up operating-system files and applications. Some backup smartphones and tablets. Most can back up to a local drive, and some let you share files with other people or provide file-syncing or dead-storage functions.
Because backing up the entire computer for the first time can take days, a couple of these services let you mail in a hard drive with your data on it.
But while some online backup services let you back up an unlimited number of devices, and others give you unlimited online storage space, none of them gives you unlimited space for an unlimited number of devices.
One last thing: Cloud backup services aren't the same as cloud-based file-syncing services like Dropbox or Microsoft OneDrive. Nor are they archiving services like Box or Amazon Glacier. We explain the differences at the end of this buying guide.
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What are the best cloud backup services?
Our value pick is Backblaze, which gives you unlimited storage for just $60 per year but backs up only one machine (and an external drive) per account. This is the best cloud backup service if you have a single computer and don't want to worry about the details.
Acronis True Image is the best choice for power users, offering a nearly infinite assortment of features and pricing combinations. But it's rather complicated and expensive for the average home computer user.
SpiderOak is famed for its security and encrypts your data with a unique key that only you have. (Don't lose it.) However, it's quite pricey, so get SpiderOak only if protecting your data from prying eyes is your top priority.
Carbonite was once synonymous with cloud-backup software. Its consumer offerings seem affordable but read the fine print: To get anything like iDrive or Backblaze's level of service, you'll have to pay a lot more.As for Zoolz Cloud Storage, we can't recommend it because the company no longer lists the service on its website. You can still buy a subscription, but it's not clear what you'll get. We're trying to get an answer about what's going on. For now, hold off.The Best Cloud Backup Service You can get today
1. iDrive Personal
The best cloud storage service overall
Number of devices: Unlimited | Storage limit: 10TB | External drive backups: Yes | Mobile device backups: Yes | System and application backups: Yes, but not by default | Two factor authentication: Yes | Drive shipping: Seed and restore
- Free disk-shipping data-transfer option
- Fast upload speeds
- Backs up mobile devices
- Generous syncing option
- No unlimited storage option
IDrive offers the most bang for the buck, backing up an unlimited number of machines to either a 5TB ($3.48 for the first year for Tom's Guide readers) or a 10TB limit, which should be enough for most people.
IDrive's upload speeds are fast, its mobile apps actually back up the devices they run on (and recognize faces in photos for easy tagging), it provides a generous file-syncing option and it even lets you mail in a full drive instead of spending days uploading data.
IDrive also keeps old copies of each file forever, which is handy, but you'll have to mind those storage caps. It also has two-factor authentication, which is an essential feature every online service provider should offer.2. Backblaze
The best value in cloud storage services
Number of devices: 1 computer | Storage limit: Unlimited | External drive backups: Yes | Mobile device backups: No | System and application backups: No | Two-factor authentication: Yes | Drive shipping: Restore only
- Cheap, fast, easy and simple
- Unlimited storage
- Generous drive-shipping policy
- No multiple-computer plans
- Few extra features
Backblaze is still the cheapest online-storage solution, gigabyte for gigabyte, and it's the easiest to use — you literally can just set it and forget it. We also like the generous restore-my-mail feature and its rapid upload speeds. Backblaze even lets you locate a lost or stolen computer by geolocating the Wi-Fi network it connects to.
But Backblaze is not ideal for anyone who has multiple machines to back up, unless you have nearly unlimited storage needs. In that case, the reasonable yearly cost to back up each machine may be worth it.
Published By: Global SNI
