Best Cloud Backup (2024): Box vs Dropbox vs Google Drive vs OneDrive vs iDrive vs Backblaze vs Carbonite & More
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Are you working on a big project and afraid you could lose all your hard work? We’ve all been there. You’ve spent hours upon hours on a crucial presentation, report, or proposal; your computer crashes, and you lose everything—all because you only saved your files on your computer’s hard drive. Even worse, ALL other files on your hard drive were also wiped out.
If you’re not backing up your files elsewhere, you’re putting yourself at considerable risk. So, what’s the best way to back up computers?
Our experts review a whopping 24 online backup providers to help you decide.
Winner | Runner-Up | Third Place |
---|---|---|
What Is Cloud Storage?
Cloud storage is an excellent option if you’re looking for an easy, inexpensive place to store your files. But what exactly is cloud storage? Think of cloud storage as, well, a virtual space (like a cloud) that’s grounded by remote servers that keep your files and data safe and secure.
Cloud Storage vs External Hard Drive
What’s the difference between storing your files in “the cloud” versus using an external hard drive? An external hard drive is a separate device you hook up to your computer to store all your files. The main difference? You have the external hard drive physically in your hands, whereas the cloud is virtual.
An external hard drive is more of an old-school approach to backing up your files, but some people prefer to have their files in their possession. With an external hard drive, however, you still run the risk of it getting lost, damaged, or dying entirely. You must have a hard drive with you to access your files, unlike the cloud, where you can get your files from any device or location.
The cloud has proven itself safe and secure. Still, with the quirkiness of technology, it’s probably a good idea to use both the cloud and an external hard drive, especially if you have irreplaceable data like family photos and other records. Using both methods gives you two completely separate backup plans if your computer crashes.
4 Reasons Your Business Needs Online Backup
Whether it’s your company’s logos and photos, or more critical corporate data such as accounting records and file archives, cloud storage services are often seen as a disaster-proof way to store your data.
Rarely do we stop to think about what would happen to our data if something happened to our hardware, like one of the following:
- Technological disasters occur all the time. Floods, fires, and tornadoes rip apart offices and leave no discernible trace of technology behind.
- Thieves can break into your office and steal laptops, personal computers, hard drives, and servers (or employees can misplace laptops while traveling).
- Disgruntled ex-employees can open, alter, or destroy files.
- Viruses can completely wipe out every trace of data.
3 Types Of Businesses That Need Backup The Most
From small businesses to large corporations with hundreds of employees, online backup benefits a wide range of people and their precious data. Here are a few examples of who might benefit from it.
- Non-Profit Organization – to have the ability to host and share files
- Photographers– to safely have a place to organize high-res images
- Lawyers – to store contracts and access documents on the go
Even if your company isn’t technology-based, there are ways you can utilize this service daily. Why should it be a high priority for you?
Cloud storage services are designed as a way for you to store your data without having to worry about what happens if your hardware is lost or destroyed.
How Cloud Storage Services Disaster-Proof Your Data
Cloud storage services allow you to take all your important data and store it in a secondary location, away from your hardware. Your data is stored at off-site server locations, so even if your computer hardware is stolen or completely destroyed, you can still access your data on the off-site server.
9 Factors To Consider In Choosing Your Cloud Storage Provider
Since the introduction of “cloud computing,” an overwhelming number of cloud storage services have surfaced, and it can be challenging to decide which service offers the best features for you.
Depending upon your needs, you may find one service to suit your needs perfectly for personal data and a different corporate data service. There are several things to look for:
- Your budget
- Your space allowance versus how much space you need
- Whether the system is compatible with a Windows, Linux, or Mac
- Whether it offers file synchronization
- Whether it allows for person-to-person sharing
- How many devices it covers
- The maximum per file size of data
- Whether the service provides a free trial
- Whether the service offers external hard drive support
Best Cloud Storage/Online Backup Winners (Overall)
Below are our picks for the best cloud backup solutions for small business. We list the pros and cons for each and the pricing for individual and business plans.
Winner: SugarSync Review
SugarSync stands out because it syncs across all mobile devices and has automatic backup around the clock. It offers full, continuous, and incremental backups to choose the best backup style for your workflow. SugarSync keeps all your devices synced (mobile phones, laptops, and tablets) and offers real-time, 24/7 backup with no interruptions or scheduling.
SugarSync offers a 30-day file restoration for deleted files and even keeps the five most recent versions of all files just in case you accidentally save the wrong version. Chances are good that you can sign up and start running with this program with zero issues. There are very few complaints about this service, so there is a good chance you would never even need customer support, which is available via email, phone, knowledge base articles, or live chat.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
30-day free trial | No Linux support |
Strong privacy features | No simultaneous co-editing capability |
PIN code for additional security on mobile devices | No password protection or timeout for shared items |
Automatic photo/video backup on mobile devices | |
Offline mode to edit files |
SugarSync Pricing
SugarSync offers individual and business plans. Custom plans are also available.
Individual Plans
Storage Space | Price |
---|---|
100 GB | $7.49 per month |
250 GB | $9.99 per month |
500 GB | $18.95 per month |
Business Plans
Storage Space | Price |
---|---|
1000 GB | $55 per month (3 users) |
In-Depth SugarSync Review
Runner-Up: SpiderOak One Backup Review
If your biggest priority is data protection, you can’t beat SpiderOak’s SpiderOakONE. This service is one of the few that offers zero-knowledge storage, meaning that data is only accessible to the data’s owner and not to the service provider. Also called end-to-end encryption, zero-knowledge storage is achieved by encrypting raw data on the client’s side without disclosing the password to the provider. Neither the service provider nor any third party can intercept or decrypt the data without permission. SpiderOak pioneered this no-knowledge technique and continues to be a leader in data encryption.
The downside to no-knowledge encryption is that if users lose their password, their data cannot be decrypted. These systems are designed to make client data inaccessible, so there is no easy resolution for a lost password.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Zero-knowledge, end-to-end encryption | Personal backup solutions are not easily located on website |
21-day free trial | No longer getting new features |
No file size limit | No longer offers mobile backups for individuals |
Permanent record of deleted files – all file versions are kept | Free storage not available |
30% discount for non-profit organizations |
SpiderOak One Pricing
Storage Space | Price |
---|---|
150 GB | $6 per month or $69 per year |
400 GB | $11 per month or $115 per year |
2 TB | $14 per month or $149 per year |
5 TB | $29 per month or $320 per year |
In-Depth SpiderOak Review
Third Place: Dropbox Review
You’ve likely heard of Dropbox. Thanks to its user-friendly interface and clean design, it is one of the most widely used services out there. Dropbox offers a free account with limited storage (2 GB), but you can upgrade to a pro account if you need more space. Dropbox strongly emphasizes its digital workspace, offering file sharing, comments, e-signatures, and other collaboration tools.
Why isn’t Dropbox in one of our top two positions? Dropbox’s privacy features are lacking. While the backup service does offer encrypted storage—both in transit and at rest—Dropbox also shares user information with a long list of third-party services. For the client with privacy in mind, consider a different cloud backup.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Free for individual users up to 2 GB | High costs for large teams |
30-day free trial for paid plans | Shares personal information with third-party services |
Multi-factor authentication | |
E-signatures | |
Video tools |
Dropbox Pricing
Dropbox offer individual, business, and enterprise plans. You must contact Dropbox for enterprise pricing.
Individual Plans
Storage Space | Price |
---|---|
2 TB | $11.99 per month or $9.99 per month billed annually |
3 TB | $22 per month or $18 per month billed annually |
Business Plans
Storage Space | Price |
---|---|
9 TB | $24/user/month or $20/user/month billed yearly |
15 TB | $32/user/month or $26/user/month billed yearly |
Comparison Table
Our comprehensive comparison table compares pricing, storage, and device options for each cloud storage provider.
Provider | Free Trial | Free Storage | Encryption For File Transfers | Encrypted Storage (At-Rest) | Zero Knowledge | Deleted File Restoration | Syncing Across Devices | Digital Workspace | Operating Systems | Base Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SugarSync | 30 Days | 30 Days | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS | $7.49/mo. (100 GB) *$0.075/GB | ||||||
SpiderOak | 21 Days | Unlimited | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS | $6/mo. per user (150 GB) *$0.04/GB | ||||||
Dropbox | 30 Days | 2 GB | 180 Days | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS | $11.99/mo. per user (2 TB) *$0.006/GB | |||||
Acronis | 15 Days | 30 Days | With Integration | Windows, Mac, Linux, Andriod, iOS | $38.49/year (50 GB) *$0.77/GB | |||||
ADrive | 60 Days | Unlimited | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS | $2.50/mo. (100 GB) *$0.025/GB | ||||||
ASUS Web Storage | 30 Days | 30 Days | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS | $6/mo. (1 TB), billed annually *$0.006/GB | ||||||
Backblaze | 15 Days | 10 GB | 30 Days | With Integration | With Integration | Windows, Mac, Linux (with integration) | $9/mo. (unlimited storage) | |||
Barracuda Backup | Custom | Windows, Mac, Linux | Must contact sales | |||||||
Box | 10 GB | Custom (30-day default) | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS | $14/mo. (100 GB) *$0.14/GB | ||||||
Carbonite | 15-30 Days | 30-60 Days | Windows, Mac | $4.75/mo. (unlimited), billed annually | ||||||
CrashPlan | 30 Days | With Integration | Windows, Mac, Linux | $2.99/mo. (200 GB) *$0.015/GB | ||||||
DollyDrive | 14 Days | Unlimited | Mac, iOS | $5/mo. (500 GB) $0.01/GB | ||||||
ElephantDrive | 30 Days | 30 Days | Windows, Mac, Linux | $10/mo. (15,000 GB) *$0.0007/GB | ||||||
Google Drive | 14 Days | 15 GB | 30 Days | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS | $1.99/mo. (100 GB) *$0.02/GB | |||||
Hightail | 14 Days | 2 GB | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS | $12/mo. (unlimited) | ||||||
IBackup | 15 Days | 30 Days | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS | $9.95/mo. (10 GB) *$0.995/GB | ||||||
IDrive | 30 Days | 10 GB | Unlimited | With Integration | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS | $2.95/year (100 GB) *$0.0295 | ||||
JustCloud | 1 GB | 24 Hours | Add-on | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS | $21.38/mo. (250 GB) *$0.086/GB | |||||
Livedrive | 14 Days | 30 Days | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS | $8.99/mo. (unlimited) | ||||||
MiMedia | 10 GB | 30 Days | Windows | $7.99/mo. (500 GB) *$0.016/GB | ||||||
OpenDrive | 7 Days | 5 GB | 90 Days | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS | $9.95/mo. (unlimited) | |||||
pCloud | 30 Days | 10 GB | 15-30 Days | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS | $49.99/year (500GB) *$0.0999/GB | |||||
PennyBackup | 14 Days | Windows, Mac, Linux | $50/ TB *$0.05/GB | |||||||
SOS Online Backup | Unlimited | Windows, Mac, Andriod, iOS | Must contact sales |
More Cloud Storage/ Online Backup Provider Reviews (Alphabetical)
Based on reader demand, our researchers have also reviewed the following cloud storage providers. Don’t see yours? Ask us in the comments.
Acronis | ADrive | ASUS Web Storage | Backblaze | Barracuda Backup | Box | Carbonite | CrashPlan | DollyDrive | ElephantDrive | Google Drive | Hightail | IBackup | IDrive | JustCloud | Livedrive | MiMedia | OpenDrive | pCloud | PennyBackup | SOS Online Backup
Acronis Review
Acronis is a backup and recovery software that offers complete cybersecurity protection against data loss, cyberattacks, and identity theft. The service provides a wide range of backup options—full, incremental, and differential—to ensure you can protect your data in a way that suits your needs and workflow.
Unfortunately, Acronis is relatively expensive, and users report slow or failed backups.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
15-day free trial | 1-year commitment |
Comprehensive backup features | Slow backup speed |
Advanced security features | Limited support |
Easy-to-use interface | Users report error messages from failed backups |
Detailed versioning |
Acronis Pricing
Acronis pricing increases by number of devices and security features.
Storage Space | Price |
---|---|
50 GB | Starting at $38.49 per year |
1 TB | Starting at $87.49 per year |
ADrive Review
ADrive is another backup service boasting superior security and storage space. There is also a digital editing feature called “Zoho” that allows you to upload a file and make necessary changes without having to go back and re-upload a newer version of the file. ADrive also now allows users to set expiration dates for shared files.
Beyond that, however, there is little to impress in ADrive’s functionality and feature list. ADrive does not offer encryption for files at rest, which has become an industry standard. It also doesn’t offer free storage or syncing across devices.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Low costs for basic plans | No encryption at rest |
Online file editing | Very basic feature list |
60-day free trial | No syncing |
No free storage plan | |
Higher storage plans get very expensive |
ADrive Pricing
Size | Monthly Cost | Yearly Cost | 2 Year | 3 Year |
---|---|---|---|---|
100 GB | $2.50 | $25.00 | $45.00 | $60.00 |
250 GB | $6.25 | $62.50 | $112.50 | $150.00 |
500 GB | $12.50 | $125.00 | $225.00 | $300.00 |
1 TB | $25.00 | $250.00 | $450.00 | $600.00 |
2 TB | $50.00 | $500.00 | $900.00 | $1,200.00 |
3 TB | $75.00 | $750.00 | $1,350.00 | Contact ADrive |
4 TB | $100.00 | $1,000.00 | $1,800.00 | Contact ADrive |
5 TB | $125.00 | $1,250.00 | $2,250.00 | Contact ADrive |
6 TB | $150.00 | $1,500.00 | $2,700.00 | Contact ADrive |
7 TB | $175.00 | $1,750.00 | $3,150.00 | Contact ADrive |
8 TB | $200.00 | $2000.00 | $3,600.00 | Contact ADrive |
9 TB | $225.00 | $2,250.00 | $4,050.00 | Contact ADrive |
10 TB | $250.00 | $2,500.00 | $4,500.00 | Contact ADrive |
ASUS WebStorage Review
ASUS WebStorage excels as a cloud storage space option to keep your files, photos, and videos safe. It offers quality encryption for files in transit and at rest to protect your data. ASUS also has a digital workplace for collaboration and allows syncing across devices.
Unfortunately, nothing in particular sets ASUS apart from the competition. If anything, ASUS needs to be improved in a few places. It does not offer free storage, requires a one-year commitment, and only provides auto backups with specific plans.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Access your cloud storage on all devices for no extra fee | 1-year commitment |
Version history to keep track of all past versions of a file | No free storage |
Enable ASUS WebStorage mobile upload to send a copy of your photo to the cloud when you press the shutter | Limited customer service |
30-day free trial |
ASUS WebStorage Pricing
Below is the pricing for the ASUS Secure Auto-Backup plan.
Storage Space | Price |
---|---|
1 TB | $71.99 per year |
2 TB | $125.99 per year |
3+ TB | Contact ASUS for pricing |
Backblaze Review
Backblaze is a streamlined online backup service that simplifies data protection, even for novices. The service offers free storage (10 GB) and a 15-day free trial for paid plans. It supports multi-factor authentication and private encryption keys, though it’s not entirely zero-knowledge encryption because users must provide their passphrase (to the private key) to Backblaze.
Overall, Backblaze is a reliable cloud backup service with fast upload speeds. It has an A+ BBB rating. Still, Backblaze only offers basic features compared to other services on this list. Backblaze does not provide syncing across devices or a digital workspace without using a third-party integration, which requires extra steps to set up.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Unlimited backup | Not compatible with Linux without third-party integration |
Good encryption that can be adjusted on a per-user basis. | No person-to-person file sharing |
fast upload speeds | No synchronization feature |
10 GB free storage | |
15-day free trial |
Backblaze Pricing
Backblaze keeps its pricing simple. Single users get unlimited backups for $9 monthly or $99 yearly. Multiple users pay by the workstation. Backblaze charges $9 monthly per computer. You can also pay monthly or for two years.
Barracuda Backup Review
Barracuda is an integrated local and offsite data backup best suited for businesses due to the robust feature set and the accompanying high startup cost. Users praise Barracuda’s user interface and easy navigation. The service allows you to tailor each source backup to include/exclude whatever you want. You can also choose between daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly backups. Data recovery is quick and reliable.
Barracuda supports Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems but not Android or iOS. Its storage is encrypted, though not with zero-knowledge encryption. Barracuda’s biggest con is its sizeable initial cost.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Automatic backups | Large initial cost |
Microsoft Exchange support | No monthly plan |
Multiple layers of encryption for super secure data storage | |
Covers a wide range of industry-specific regulations | |
One local backup and two offsite backups |
Barracuda Pricing
Barracuda offers a build-your-own backup system, so prices vary greatly. Use its customized configuration tool to receive an estimate based on your requirements.
Box Review
Cloud storage service Box gives you an impressive 10 GB of space for free. Couple that with their extensive file-sharing and syncing capabilities, and you’ve got a lot to work with for a free service. Geared more toward professionals than personal use, Box offers excellent features in its paid versions.
These pricing plans, however, get expensive quickly for less storage space than other high-end plans offer. Given its good reputation and storage space, Box’s free version is a solid option.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Generous free 10 GB of space | Limited offline capability |
Excellent sync and sharing capabilities | Syncing can be buggy |
1,500+ integrations | |
E-signature | |
Document watermarking | |
Two-factor authentication |
Box Pricing
Box offers individual, business, and custom plans.
Individual Plans
Plan | Price |
---|---|
Personal Pro (100 GB storage, 5 GB uploads) | $14 per month or $10 per month paid annually |
Business Starter (100 GB storage, 2 GB uploads) | $7 per month or $5 per month paid annually |
Business Plans
Plan | Price |
---|---|
Business (unlimited storage, 5 GB uploads) | $20/user/month or $15/user/month paid annually |
Business Plus (unlimited storage, 15 GB uploads) | $33/user/month or $25/user/month paid annually |
Enterprise (unlimited storage, 50 GB uploads) | $47/user/month or $35/user/month paid annually |
Carbonite Review
Acquired by Canadian software company OpenText in 2019, Carbonite continues to offer a quality backup service for Windows and Mac users. While Carbonite offers quality data protection, it lacks additional features.
Carbonite does not offer a free plan, but you can try a 15-day personal plan or 30-business plan to test the service.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Strong encryption | Not compatible with Linux |
Free trial | No free storage |
Unlimited backup plan available | No syncing across devices |
Servers are located within the United States | No digital workspace |
Data can be restored on physical media | Poor download speeds |
Optional zero-knowledge encryption | Minimal user control |
Carbonite Pricing
Carbonite offers various individual plans, with pricier plans providing additional features. Pricing for individual plans starts at $4.75 per month, billed annually. Carbonite also offers professional, business, and partner plans. Visit Carbonite’s website to view all pricing.
In-Depth Carbonite Review
CrashPlan Review
CrashPlan is an online backup service that backs up your data automatically and encrypts all data. CrashPlan is one of the few services that offers zero-knowledge encryption for superior data protection. It encrypts your data during transfer and at rest.
Another bonus of choosing CrashPlan is that it has no individual file size limits for uploads. It includes syncing across devices and integrates with Amazon Workspace for file sharing, commenting, and collaboration.
While CrashPlan does not offer free storage, you can get a feel for the service using a free trial, ranging from seven days to one month.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Zero-knowledge encryption | Tricky user interface |
Two-factor authentication | No free plan |
Good Android and iOS apps for remote access to files | |
Unlimited filer versioning and deleted file retention | |
Up to 30-day free trial |
CrashPlan Pricing
Plan | Price |
---|---|
CrashPlan Essential (200 GB, 2 devices) | $2.99 per month |
CrashPlan Professional (unlimited storage, 2 devices) | $88 per year |
CrashPlan Enterprise (unlimited storage, 4 devices) | $120 per year |
DollyDrive Review
DollyDrive is a Mac-only program designed to work with Apple’s Time Machine. The service offers auto backups, syncing across devices, and a digital workspace.
DollyDrive’s base price is $5 per month for 500 GB. This plan includes unlimited devices. To get started with DollyDrive, sign up for its 14-day free trial.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Works seamlessly with Time Machine | Initial backups are slow |
Data encryption for high security | Shares personal information with third parties |
Many different size/price plans –allows for customization to meet your unique needs | |
Free Trial |
DollyDrive Pricing
Storage Space | Price |
---|---|
500 GB | $5 per month |
1 TB | $10 per month |
5 TB | $25 per month |
Unlimited storage | $6 per month |
DollyDrive also offers small business plans, starting at $300, and HIPAA backup solutions, starting at $125.
ElephantDrive Review
ElephantDrive offers a user-friendly experience with easy drop and drag file capabilities. However, don’t be fooled by the simplicity of the interface; it’s also a solid and secure online backup service.
This system will integrate seamlessly with all your existing computer operations, and it’s an excellent choice for backing up sensitive data. ElephantDrive has optional zero-knowledge encryption for ultimate data protection.
On the flip side, Elephant Drive does use your personal data, which is provided to its partners, who include Google, Paypal, Amazon Web Services, and Zendesk.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Large data options | No free storage |
Simple Interface – just drag and drop files | No digital workspace |
Online ‘Trunk’ stores all deleted files for 30 days | Does not support mobile devices |
Free 30-day trial | Shares personal data with 8 other companies |
ElephantDrive Pricing
Plan | Price |
---|---|
Solo Plan (15,000 GB) | $10 per month |
Family Plan (50,000 GB) | $20 per month |
Business Plan (unlimited storage) | $40 per month |
Google Drive Review
Google Drive is one of the fullest-featured cloud backup services, offering a full suite of storage, syncing, sharing, and collaboration features. It also provides one of the most generous free storage plans at 15 GB. It has a sleek user interface, many third-party integrations, and offline access to edit documents.
Does Google Drive have any drawbacks? Well, the service is not designed for full hard drive backups. It also has some privacy concerns. There is no password protection when sharing files, and while it has encrypted storage, it isn’t zero-knowledge encryption.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Generous free storage | Limit on how much you can upload per day (750 GB bandwidth) |
Quality user interface | File size limits for documents |
Easy sharing | Privacy concerns |
14-day free trial for Google Workplace |
Google Drive Pricing
Google Drive offers individual plans (Google One) and business plans (Google Workplace). Enterprise options are also available.
Google One
Storage Space | Price |
---|---|
100 GB | $1.99/month or $19.99/year |
200 GB | $2.99/month or $29.99/year |
2 TB | $9.99/month or $99.99/year |
Google Workplace
Storage Space | Price |
---|---|
30 GB | $7.20/user/month or $6/user/month 1-year contract |
2 TB | $14.40/user/month or $12/user/month 1-year contract |
5 TB | $21.60/user/month or $18/user/month 1-year contract |
Hightail Review
Acquired by OpenText in 2018, Hightail is an excellent choice for small, medium, and even enterprise-level businesses. Its strengths lie in its file-sharing and digital workspace capabilities, unlimited storage and bandwidth, and ability to quickly store and share large files.
You can transmit sensitive files thanks to their advanced encryption levels, and we love their e-signature feature that makes signing and sending important documents a breeze.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Free storage (2 GB) | Security is based on the plan you purchase |
14-day free trial | Customer support via ticket only with free plan |
Unlimited storage | No weekend customer support |
Digital workspace lets you have shared folders, automatic syncing, and comments stored | |
E-signatures | |
Two-factor authentication |
Hightail Pricing
Plan | Price |
---|---|
Pro Plan (25 GB file size send limit) | $12 per month |
Teams (50 GB file size send limit) | $24/user/month |
Business (500 GB file size send limit) | $36/user/month |
IBackup Review
IBackup is easy to use for novice customers. Support is generally addressed through email, and the rate at which IBackup responds to customer inquiries is reported as slow.
However, the interface is easy to understand, and the security is top-notch. We were not impressed with the pricing, which can quickly get pricey for higher storage space.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Easy to use and strong security features | Low overall storage space |
Optional zero-knowledge encryption | High-priced packages |
Hybrid backup for speedy backups and restores | Slow support and customer service |
Unlimited devices per plan | |
15 day trial (up to 50 GB space) |
IBackup Pricing
Storage Space | Monthly Price | Yearly Price | 2-Year Price |
---|---|---|---|
10 GB | $9.95 | $99.50 | $149.25 |
20 GB | $19.95 | $199.50 | $299.25 |
50 GB | $49.95 | $499.50 | $749.25 |
100 GB | $99.95 | $999.50 | $1,499.25 |
200 GB | $199.95 | $1,999.50 | $2,999.25 |
300 GB | $299.95 | $2,999.50 | $4499.25 |
400 GB | $399.95 | $3,999.50 | $5,999.25 |
500 GB | $499.95 | $4,999.50 | $7,499.25 |
IDrive Review
IDrive is an excellent choice for an online backup service. We were very impressed with its range of tools, and users can schedule backups however often they want.
We also like that IDrive pays special attention to data protection. It offers full storage encryption and optional zero-knowledge encryption.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Optional zero-knowledge encryption | Limited file sharing from account to account |
Free plan (10 GB) | Storage isn’t unlimited |
Easy setup | |
Quick upload speeds | |
Fantastic value |
IDrive Pricing
IDrive’s plans vary based on number of users, computers, and servers/Exchange/SQL/NAS devices.
Storage Space | Price |
---|---|
100 GB | $2.95 per year |
500 GB | $9.95 per year |
5 TB | $69.65 first year, $149.25 for two years |
10 TB | $104.65 first year, $224.25 for two years |
20 TB | $174.65 first year, $374.25 for two years |
50 TB | $349.65 first year, $749.25 for two years |
100 TB | $699..65 first year, $1,499.25 for two years |
JustCloud Review
There are many excellent cloud backup solutions for your business, but JustCloud isn’t one of them. Users complain of unreliable backups and hidden charges. The owners of JustCloud by JDI Backup own many cloud services, including MyPCBackup, Zip Cloud, and Backup Genie. We’ll keep an eye out for JustCloud—and JDI Backup’s other brands—in the future, but as it stands, we recommend staying away.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Free plan | Expensive |
Supports most operating systems, including older operating systems | Unreliable backup |
Data isn’t stored encrypted | |
Relies on third party for security | |
Additional features cost extra | |
No versioning | |
Limited support |
JustCloud Pricing
Below is JustCloud’s pricing per month. The service offers discounted rates for six-, 12-, and 24-month subscriptions.
Plan | Price |
---|---|
Home/Pro Plan (250 GB) | $21.38 per month |
Premium Plan (1 TB) | $23.88 per month |
Ultimate Plan (4 TB) | $28.88 per month |
Livedrive Review
Livedrive is a cloud backup option that has a plan for everyone. It keeps your files safe and available on every device. With unlimited file storage, this is a good option if you have a lot of photos, videos, or other large data.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
14-day free trial | No Linux support |
Unlimited backup | Restrictions between the pricing options can be confusing |
Unlimited file upload size | No encryption for data at rest |
30-day file versioning | Syncing across devices only available with certain plans |
Livedrive Pricing
Choose between Livedrive’s individual and business pricing.
Individual Plans
Plan | Price |
---|---|
Backup (1 Computer) | $8.99/month or $89.90/year |
Pro Suite, including Backup & Briefcase (for files syncing all devices, everywhere you go) | $25/month or $240/year |
Business Plans
Plan | Price |
---|---|
Business Express (3 users, 2,000 GB storage, and collaboration features) | $50/month |
Business Standard (10 users, 10,000 GB storage, and collaboration features) | $160/month |
MiMedia Review
MiMedia is an online backup service known for being able to watch and stream your media on demand. It provides automatic online backup and effortless file sharing. Mi Media also offers 10 GB of storage for free.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Free storage option (10 GB) | Doesn’t support Mac or Linux |
Media playing and viewing online | No file version saving |
Unlimited devices | Unfriendly user interface |
No media editing abilities |
MiMedia Pricing
Storage Space | Price |
---|---|
500 GB | $7.99/month or $85/year |
1 TB | $9.99/month or $100/year |
2 TB | $15.99/month or $160/year |
OpenDrive Review
OpenDrive is an option for users looking for low monthly costs, and there is even a free version you can download, but the storage space for the free plan is limited. Where OpenDrive stands out is its zero-knowledge encryption for ultimate data security.
OpenDrive offers solid online storage and backup on its own custom servers, which they monitor in-house. There are hidden costs associated with this product; however, if you want to sync between multiple users or use advanced features offered by OpenDrive, such as hotlinking.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Free plan (5 GM) | Limited storage and daily bandwidth limitations on some plans |
Unlimited storage options | Limited access for users per month |
Zero-knowledge encryption | Requires upgrade or ad space on your website if you wish to enable hotlinking |
Digital workspace with projects, notes, comments, task lists, and sharing | Support is difficult to navigate on website |
OpenDrive Pricing
Below is unlimited storage pricing for individuals and businesses. OpenDrive also offers custom plans for individuals and businesses and pricing for enterprise plans.
Plan | Price |
---|---|
Personal Unlimited | $9.95 per month |
Business Unlimited | $29.95 per month |
Reseller Unlimited | $59.95 per month |
pCloud Review
pCloud is a quality cloud storage option that offers all the features you’re looking for, including a free storage option, client-side encryption, and file versioning. Its free account provides 10 GB of storage, which is more generous than many competitors.
pCloud supports all major platforms and offers annual or lifetime pricing plans.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Free plan (10 GB) | Not all features are available with free version |
Zero-knowledge encryption | |
Plays media files online | |
Shared link branding and tracking |
pCloud Pricing
Plan | Price |
---|---|
Premium (500 GB) | $49.99/year or $199 for lifetime use |
Premium Plus (2 TB) | $99.99/year or $399 for lifetime use |
Custom Plan (10 TB) | $1,190 one-time payment for lifetime use |
PennyBackup Review
PennyBackup compresses all of your files to tiny sizes that allow you to maximize your storage space. Unlike many other programs, there is no installation fee, and you can set up PennyBackup on as many computers as you like at no charge and access your files anywhere.
Pricing at PennyBackup depends on how much storage you use. This pricing model can become costly if you have an account with multiple users. You can negotiate pricing if you plan on uploading lots of data, but we recommend looking elsewhere if you plan on doing so. There is also no availability on mobile devices.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
No licensing fees for users | Not available on smartphones or tablets |
Data is compressed to save your storage space and money | No mobile support |
4 levels of security (your files are secured via Asigra) | Must download software to be able to view files |
Viewable status window that lets you pause and restart downloads | Limited storage space |
14-day free trial | No file sharing between multiple accounts |
The website is not secure, which is odd for a company touting security |
PennyBackup Pricing
PennyBackup charges $50 per TB.
SOS Online Backup Review
SOS is an online backup service that claims to be ‘The All-In-One Solution To Secure Your Data.’ It is a speedy service and offers true archiving of your files. SOS was once one of the popular online backup choices; however, its services and pricing have become a bit outdated.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Quality security options | Live protection is only available on individual files |
Client-side encryption | Expensive |
Unlimited file versions | Outdated user interfaces |
Great online support | No free storage option or free trial |
SOS Online Backup Pricing
SOS Online Backup offers customizable pricing solutions. New users must contact the sales team for pricing.
What Are The Odds Of The Cloud Crashing?
It has already been established that just like any other method of data storage, the digital cloud can be compromised, but is there a possibility that the entire digital cloud will ever crash? The general consensus is that the entirety of the digital cloud will never be brought to its knees completely. That said, there is a likelihood for specific sectors of the cloud to be brought down.
Think of the digital cloud as made up of millions of storage companies; each is allotted a particular set of storage units. The allotted storage units are located throughout the virtual globe. There is a potential that the company that you rent your storage unit from is going to be broken into or experience a disaster (flood, fire, etc.) that results in damage to or loss of your property being stored. This is precisely why renters have insurance or a backup of their personal data.
The potential that the same disastrous situation will happen to every company that owns storage units throughout the entirety of the digital cloud is slim. That is not to say that one significant worldwide event could not wipe out the cloud for good, but in the minor scheme of things, the chance for complete eradication of the cloud is minute. Considering how much of the world runs on the cloud now, we’ve got more significant problems if that ever happens.
Back Up Your Website
Could you imagine what would happen if one day you woke up and the data from your website was completely gone? We’ve chosen the best WordPress backup plugins to ensure you never lose crucial site content.
Which backup provider (if any) are you leaning towards? Let us know in the comments!
Why Trust We Rock Your Web?
This article was a labor of love. Tara spent months vetting different cloud backup services to bring our readers the best picks. The hours that went into this article ensure that you’re getting the most informed information you need to make the right choice for you or your small business.