What We Don't Like No unlimited storage option maxes out at 10 TB Doesn't back up all files continuously No option for a free plan Missing options to control bandwidth usage No offline restore or backup option You can't add new files to the backup from Explorer No easy way to restore files to their original locations.

Despite all this functionality, the ability to create subaccounts for your storage space and a straightforward web-based management console helps you keep track of what's going on. All MyPCBackup plans can be had for several dollars less per month if a full year or even two is paid up front. Tom's Guide. Our Review of Livedrive. The package can watch for new documents in your chosen folders, for instance, ensuring files are protected as soon as possible. Acronis True Image Carbonite Safe does deliver plenty for your money. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

Another plan offered by Livedrive is called "Briefcase," and is just an online storage plan that offers 2 TB of space—it doesn't back up your files like a regular backup plan. Memopal is an online backup service with support for a wide range of operating systems, both desktop, and mobile. TechRadar pro IT insights for business. File versioning works a bit differently with Jottacloud. It convinced me to go with iDrive for my needs. To get those functions, you'll have to trade up to the point where Carbonite Safe is no longer competitive. Best seller 2. Low-priced consumer-grade products may be tempting, but if your business depends on access to your data, reliability is essential. The package can watch for new documents in your chosen folders, for instance, ensuring files are protected as soon as possible.

Also available through the link below are "additional services" like a 5 GB sync folder, network drive support, bigger maximum file size limit, and other things, each of which come with an additional yearly payment. Below are reviews of the best cloud backup services. But backing up your data and keeping it in your home may not be the best option. What We Don't Like Restoration is different for large files vs small ones The forever version history option costs extra. Some back up smartphones and tablets. Our Review of Zoolz Cloud. Encryption is vital in keeping data safe once it has left your system, and Carbonite uses multiple technologies, including TLS during transfer and bit Blowfish when stored. Our Review of SugarSync. One last thing: Cloud backup services aren't the same as cloud-based file-syncing services like Dropbox or Microsoft OneDrive.

SOS Online Backup includes a host of features which are premium add-ons elsewhere. Another critical consideration when choosing a cloud backup provider is where, specifically, your backups are stored. How is access to your data managed? Bonus features include versioning, where file changes are kept for four weeks. He writes troubleshooting content and is the General Manager of Lifewire. What options are there for managing your users, seeing what they're doing, making sure they're complying with your policies and procedures? Every plan also supports an unlimited number of iOS and Android devices. Our Review of Carbonite. SpiderOak is famed for its security and encrypts your data with a unique key that only you have. Best price.

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. Sign up for Zoolz Cloud. There's considerable control over file sharing. Another critical consideration when choosing a cloud backup provider is where, specifically, your backups are stored. But backing up your data and keeping it in your home may not be the best option. Unusually, the Business plan allows three free backups per year. This is the best cloud backup service if you have a single computer and don't want to worry about the details. We've been trying for months to get an answer about what's going on. Insist on secure data transfer to and from the cloud storage location, data encryption, and role-based access that ensures only authorized personnel can access or restore data. You could try to protect yourself by copying files to USB flash drives or to external hard drives , but that takes time and effort.

SugarSync Business is a convenient file sync and cloud backup service with one or two handy enterprise-friendly extensions. Cloud-archiving services can be dirt-cheap, sometimes as little as a few pennies per month per gigabyte, but there's often a fee to download files again. There might be cheaper packages than CrashPlan for Small Business around, but on an overall level, they don't get close to its power and functionality. It's time to backup your data. Bonus features include versioning, where file changes are kept for four weeks. As for Zoolz Cloud Storage, we can't recommend it because the company no longer lists the service on its website. You could try to protect yourself by copying files to USB flash drives or to external hard drives , but that takes time and effort. Each supports unlimited users. The plan pricing is simple to understand and the service itself is secure, quick, and not difficult to use.

Backblaze Summary Backblaze makes backing up easy! Our Review of Livedrive. There are dozens of online backup services out there today. These are the ones we've deemed to be the best options. The package works on Linux, as well as PCs and Macs, for instance. There's also a Business plan that supports anywhere from three to 50 users. You can create public links to share data, invite specific people only, allow file viewing only, or give them editing permission, too. Maybe the best thing about IDrive is that it comes with a free offline backup option, something we haven't seen with any other service and should come in really really handy for large initial backups.

They also let you encrypt your data again with your own private key if you choose — but if you lose that key, the service can't help you. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. Right now, it's IDrive. The best move for security would be to keep the original copy of your data on the original device, create a local backup on an external hard drive or network-attached storage , and keep a remote backup saved in the cloud. They automatically copy your files to offsite cloud storage servers that you can reach from anywhere. But just because they're well-known, does it mean they're the best solution? MyPCBackup is another online backup service with a really user-friendly web interface and a good selection of backup plans. Also available through the link below are "additional services" like a 5 GB sync folder, network drive support, bigger maximum file size limit, and other things, each of which come with an additional yearly payment. We're trying to get an answer from Zoolz about exactly what kind of cloud backup solutions it now offers to home users.

You can't browse or access files from the web, and if you lose the key there's no way to recover them at all. Backblaze even lets you locate a lost or stolen computer by geolocating the Wi-Fi network it connects to. SOS Online Backup. If you buy something through this post, IGN may get a share of the sale. It convinced me to go with iDrive for my needs. Best price. You can use the same account on multiple computers so that everybody can share in the cloud storage. You're covered on PCs running anything from Windows up.

Updated on October 01, Read our full Backblaze review. All MyPCBackup plans can be had for several dollars less per month if a full year or even two is paid up front. Backblaze Best Cloud Storage. IDrive is the best choice if you have multiple computers and phones to back up. All ADrive backup plans can be had at deeply discounted prices if you prepay for a longer time period, up to three years. Plus, they each have a few extras over the base service like external hard drive and mirror image support. You can create public links to share data, invite specific people only, allow file viewing only, or give them editing permission, too.

Number of devices: Up to 5 computers, but no volume discount Storage limit: Unlimited External drive backups: Not with basic plan Mobile device backups: No System and application backups: No Two factor authentication: Yes Drive shipping: Restore only. No problem at all. Backblaze Best Cloud Storage. SOS Online Backup includes a host of features which are premium add-ons elsewhere. OneDrive Cloud backups for your office files. However, if their unique features are high on your priority list, IDrive may be just what you're looking for in an online backup service. There's also a Jottacloud Business plan for small and large companies that supports 1 TB of space for anywhere from two to an unlimited number of users. Think of the syncing service as the hub on a spoked wheel, with all your linked devices at the ends of the spokes. Unlimited backups for just

Our Review of Livedrive. While OneDrive from Microsoft only offers 10GB of free space with the free user plan, when combined with an Office subscription OneDrive becomes a juggernaut of cloud storage for your office files. Carbonite is all of these. Backblaze The best value in cloud storage services. IDrive Summary IDrive is an online storage provider that has both affordability and support on its side. Jessica Kormos. The best cloud backup services, also known as online-backup services, will help you dodge data-loss disasters. Norton, the makers of popular computer security and antivirus software, provides automatic online backup in its security software. If you're after a service run by a company that takes their lack of access to your files very seriously, you're going to love SpiderOak!

It doesn't help that the Zoolz mobile apps are next to useless. SpiderOak is famed for its security and encrypts your data with a unique key that only you have. On the plus side, the software is attractive and easy to use. Zoolz Cloud Storage. Our Review of Backblaze. Read our full IDrive Personal review. There's no server backup or subaccounts, but the basic features and 5GB of storage can be yours for free. The service is hugely customisable. But Backblaze is not ideal for anyone who has multiple machines to back up, unless you have nearly unlimited storage needs.

Simple system for verifying which files are backed up One There's a day free trial if you're interested in taking a look. Was this article informative? Send the drive back within 30 days and they'll refund the price in full. Our Review of Backblaze. Many online backup services only allow backup from your approved devices and only via their proprietary software. In day-to-day use, the SOS Online Backup clients don't always deliver quite as much functionality as we'd like. Unlimited backups for just The service is hugely customisable. What We Don't Like There are lots of files that it won't back up File versioning is limited to 30 days Doesn't support offline backup or restore Lets you back up folders only, not specific files or entire hard drives Not every plan supports file sharing Deleted files are gone forever after 30 days The web app can only restore files, not folders.

Back to School All three of SugarSync's cloud backup plans offer support for an unlimited number of devices , meaning you can back up your smartphones, laptops, tablets, and desktop computers all on the same account without any extra fees! CrashPlan used to have a plan called CrashPlan Home, targeted at home users. Encryption is vital in keeping data safe once it has left your system, and Carbonite uses multiple technologies, including TLS during transfer and bit Blowfish when stored. This means having access to the 1TB per user cloud storage through OneDrive, which has to be a great relief due to Office documents autosaving to the cloud. What We Don't Like There are lots of files that it won't back up File versioning is limited to 30 days Doesn't support offline backup or restore Lets you back up folders only, not specific files or entire hard drives Not every plan supports file sharing Deleted files are gone forever after 30 days The web app can only restore files, not folders. And 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. Cloud backup services work much like traditional backup software. Lifewire Tech Review Board Member. While some people swear by the individual Dropbox plan, it's really the business plans we'll focus on here.

OpenDrive also has a free plan, offering 5 GB of storage, but since this plan doesn't offer file versioning or any kind of encryption, we'd stick to Personal Unlimited if you're looking for a true cloud backup solution from this company. Jottacloud is another online backup service with a free plan, as well as an unlimited one, plus support for Windows and Mac, as well as iOS and Android. There are dozens of online backup services out there today. They automatically copy your files to offsite cloud storage servers that you can reach from anywhere. IDrive Basic is completely free and gives you up to 5 GB of storage. SOS is a big player in the cloud backup world, and for good reason. Until then, we can't recommend this service. What We Don't Like You can't restore really large files via the web app There isn't an offline backup or restore option Doesn't support file sharing. Summary Backblaze makes backing up easy! SpiderOak One.

Zoolz has a lot of features and an attractive, easy-to-use interface. Unlimited devices and users are supported, so this is great for families where everyone needs backup space. Cloud backup services work much like traditional backup software. Cloud-backup services are simpler. Carbonite can manage just about every aspect of your backups, keeping training and other hassles to a minimum. Choose the online backup space you need, how much bandwidth you expect to use each day, and the number of users that should have access to the backups. All ADrive backup plans can be had at deeply discounted prices if you prepay for a longer time period, up to three years. The core of the package is its powerful and configurable sync service.

Think of the syncing service as the hub on a spoked wheel, with all your linked devices at the ends of the spokes. That way, in an accident, you have a local backup handy for easy access and restoration, and in a disaster, your vital data is still safe in the cloud. Dropbox Business is another popular cloud storage provider that has options for individuals or business. IDrive Personal comes in two tiers and offers support for backup from an unlimited number of computers:. Admins can assign users to separate groups for custom billing, view details about their backup status and settings, and receive alerts on problems. It's time to backup your data. Low-priced consumer-grade products may be tempting, but if your business depends on access to your data, reliability is essential. The service now includes some handy central management tools. You can use the same account on multiple computers so that everybody can share in the cloud storage. For many, this is an ideal online backup solution - just a few clicks and the service is installed and backing up your computer.

The service is hugely customisable. While some people swear by the individual Dropbox plan, it's really the business plans we'll focus on here. Sign up for SpiderOak. Your data is then accessible online via a web interface and mobile app. The service combines a low price with a lengthy list of features and controls, including some that are rarely found elsewhere. How should this be managed? But for some, Backblaze may be too simple. Do you know how long the current offer will be in effect, when it will expire? Updated on October 01, You can enter any number of users you want, up to

Any exceptional backup service should be easy to use, automatic, reliable, and easy to restore from. A free account does not include zero-knowledge encryption and can only back up files from one computer. Norton, the makers of popular computer security and antivirus software, provides automatic online backup in its security software. Tom's Guide. Top Cloud Backup Services. Our Review of Carbonite. Keep in mind that these backup services are usually heavily discounted for the first year. SugarSync is different I am considering replacing my cloud backup solution when my current term expires in December and read your article to plan ahead.

However, if you're part of a smaller business you may be trying to save costs with cheaper alternatives to Microsoft Office , while paying through the nose for a backup solution - in which case, consider joining both together with an Office subscription, as it really does make it easier to have all of your office documents saved in the same cloud account. Zoolz Cloud Storage. Backups are a must for any computer user. Our Review of SugarSync. Carbonite was once synonymous with cloud-backup software. Whether you're running or employed by a large business, or any other large organization, chances are you're working with Microsoft Office via a subscription with Office Summary Backblaze makes backing up easy! We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

Carbonite Safe does deliver plenty for your money. SpiderOak is one of the better choices overall among the online backup services out there, especially when it comes to security. You're able to choose any folder or folder tree, and have everything backed up and synced in the same way. Every plan also supports an unlimited number of iOS and Android devices. Summary IDrive is an online storage provider that has both affordability and support on its side. There's also a 6-month option for all three plans. Maybe the best thing about IDrive is that it comes with a free offline backup option, something we haven't seen with any other service and should come in really really handy for large initial backups. What We Like Unlimited storage No file size limits Relatively inexpensive Can back up automatically Supports previewing images before restoring them Can keep old versions of files forever Offline restore is an option Includes mobile apps. All your files are visible from a web interface, iOS and Android apps, and there are various ways to restore them: individually, or all, and everything in-between, along with deleted files or previous versions for up to a month , or everything that's changed after a point in time handy if you've been hit by ransomware.

MyPCBackup is another online backup service with a really user-friendly web interface and a good selection of backup plans. How much storage space do you really need, for instance? Acronis, maker of the popular True Image Home backup software program, is also in the online backup business. If you're concerned about backing up online being complicated or confusing, you're going to love Backblaze. What We Like Four storage plans are available It's a zero-knowledge backup provider Zero file size limits Free trial lasts three weeks You save when you buy a year at once Lets you back up from an unlimited number of devices Supports backup from external and mapped drives Duplicate files don't take up extra space Supports file sharing Customizable backup schedules Unlimited file versioning Mobile apps run on iOS and Android. Our Review of Carbonite. Bonus features include versioning, where file changes are kept for four weeks. However, if you're part of a smaller business you may be trying to save costs with cheaper alternatives to Microsoft Office , while paying through the nose for a backup solution - in which case, consider joining both together with an Office subscription, as it really does make it easier to have all of your office documents saved in the same cloud account.

It even includes antivirus software, ransomware protection and a "survival kit" that quickly creates a bootable file-restoration tool. Pricing is pretty straightforward at SpiderOak. One really cool feature with ElephantDrive's service is their "Web Explorer" that you can use to upload files via a web browser from wherever you may be. Simple system for verifying which files are backed up One We also like the generous restore-my-mail feature and its rapid upload speeds. But backing up your data and keeping it in your home may not be the best option. While some people swear by the individual Dropbox plan, it's really the business plans we'll focus on here. But Backblaze is not ideal for anyone who has multiple machines to back up, unless you have nearly unlimited storage needs.

You can create public links to share data, invite specific people only, allow file viewing only, or give them editing permission, too. The core product removes many of the annoying restrictions you'll find elsewhere. SugarSync Business SugarSync's business spin is a compelling offering. Topics Accessories. SpiderOak One. All your files are visible from a web interface, iOS and Android apps, and there are various ways to restore them: individually, or all, and everything in-between, along with deleted files or previous versions for up to a month , or everything that's changed after a point in time handy if you've been hit by ransomware. Right now, it's IDrive. CrashPlan used to have a plan called CrashPlan Home, targeted at home users. Pricing is pretty straightforward at SpiderOak. How is access to your data managed?

Sign up for SugarSync. We uploaded this data to each service's cloud servers, then restored a 1. IGN Logo Recommends. Jottacloud Personal and Home plans are available, too. TechRadar pro IT insights for business. Carbonite has mobile apps available for iPhone and Android systems and is one of the few cloud backup services with a BlackBerry app. Best price. There's considerable control over file sharing. The assumption is that you will never need to download all the archived files. The package can watch for new documents in your chosen folders, for instance, ensuring files are protected as soon as possible.

Among other options, you can also encrypt your files with a password, schedule the backup to run at a later time, and choose a specific country for the data center where the files will be stored. With a cloud backup service, however, your important data is transmitted over the internet and securely stored on a server in a professional data center. Multiple machines are supported on a single account, but each costs as much as the first. What We Don't Like No free online backup option Doesn't back up large files by default you have to select them manually File versioning is limited to 30 days Only one plan supports offline restoration You can't control the specific amount of bandwidth the program is allowed to use. Your data is then accessible online via a web interface and mobile app. To get those functions, you'll have to trade up to the point where Carbonite Safe is no longer competitive. There's unlimited storage space, including unlimited versioning, and it's easy to find documents by date, time or version such a useful feature that it could be a reason for choosing this product in itself. Another critical consideration when choosing a cloud backup provider is where, specifically, your backups are stored.

Many businesses must comply with regulatory requirements about keeping data in country, so be sure your vendor can meet your requirements around data sovereignty. However, if their unique features are high on your priority list, IDrive may be just what you're looking for in an online backup service. MiMedia has four backup plans, but they're severely limited in what you can back up. Acronis True Image is the best choice for power users, offering a nearly infinite assortment of features and pricing combinations. We took into consideration several factors: storage costs, ease of file restoration, computer-resource usage , unique features and ease of use and of installation. Zoolz Cloud is an online backup service with just about every limitation removed, but with a small trade-off. On balance, SugarSync Business doesn't have quite as many features as other products, but the strong sync and file sharing technologies have kept it on our shortlist. But Backblaze is not ideal for anyone who has multiple machines to back up, unless you have nearly unlimited storage needs.

Read our full Backblaze review. There's an option in the desktop program to keep files in your Degoo account even if you delete them from your computer. There's considerable control over file sharing. Cheapest of all are cloud-archiving services such as Box or Google Cloud. One really cool feature with ElephantDrive's service is their "Web Explorer" that you can use to upload files via a web browser from wherever you may be. Cloud backup services work much like traditional backup software. Acronis True Image is the best choice for power users, offering a nearly infinite assortment of features and pricing combinations. Some other features that make IDrive stand out among the competition include mapped drive support and excellent mobile apps. Best seller 2. A one-year prepayment of any of the plans mentioned above will save you a little over the listed prices.

Zoolz Cloud is an online backup service with just about every limitation removed, but with a small trade-off. This means having access to the 1TB per user cloud storage through OneDrive, which has to be a great relief due to Office documents autosaving to the cloud. A few let you back up operating-system files and applications. Every user starts off with 1 GB of free storage. Otherwise, cloud-backup services vary greatly. If the static plans of other online backup services don't appeal to you, Jungle Disk's pay-for-what-you-use plans might be an excellent fit. Read our full SpiderOak One review. A one-year prepayment of any of the plans mentioned above will save you a little over the listed prices. There's also a Business plan that supports anywhere from three to 50 users.

If something goes wrong, how much downtime can you afford before your business is seriously impacted? Cloud-archiving services can be dirt-cheap, sometimes as little as a few pennies per month per gigabyte, but there's often a fee to download files again. Overall it's a likeable package, and if your budget is non-existent then also consider IDrive Personal. Jessica Kormos is a writer and editor with 15 years' experience writing articles, copy, and UX content for Tecca. MiMedia's can be purchased at a slight discount if you prepay for a year at once. Memopal is an online backup service with support for a wide range of operating systems, both desktop, and mobile. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. SOS Online Backup includes a host of features which are premium add-ons elsewhere.

ElephantDrive also offers business online backup plans. These are all of MiMedia's plans:. It convinced me to go with iDrive for my needs. What options are there for managing your users, seeing what they're doing, making sure they're complying with your policies and procedures? Encryption is vital in keeping data safe once it has left your system, and Carbonite uses multiple technologies, including TLS during transfer and bit Blowfish when stored. They automatically copy your files to offsite cloud storage servers that you can reach from anywhere. CrashPlan has always been a favorite backup service. Backblaze Business A simple and wallet-friendly backup solution.

All plans are offered in one-year and two-year prepayment forms, both of which are usually discounted for the first year. Those are priced by the month-to-month option. The core of the package is its powerful and configurable sync service. The best move for security would be to keep the original copy of your data on the original device, create a local backup on an external hard drive or network-attached storage , and keep a remote backup saved in the cloud. As for Zoolz Cloud Storage, we can't recommend it because the company no longer lists the service on its website. Carbonite can manage just about every aspect of your backups, keeping training and other hassles to a minimum. It convinced me to go with iDrive for my needs. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn. This is necessary because you can't always count on an external hard drive attached to your PC to provide the safest backup.

How can you tell which is the one for you? How should this be managed? Every user starts off with 1 GB of free storage. Wondering why some popular online storage sites aren't listed here? In that case, the reasonable yearly cost to back up each machine may be worth it. Another plan offered by Livedrive is called "Briefcase," and is just an online storage plan that offers 2 TB of space—it doesn't back up your files like a regular backup plan. Keep in mind that these backup services are usually heavily discounted for the first year. One last thing: Cloud backup services aren't the same as cloud-based file-syncing services like Dropbox or Microsoft OneDrive. Jottacloud Personal and Home plans are available, too. Using cloud backups for your important files can help you avoid that scenario.

There's a free day trial option before you buy either plan. It's a bit cheaper if you decide to pay for a full year at once. User rating:. It even includes antivirus software, ransomware protection and a "survival kit" that quickly creates a bootable file-restoration tool. Sign up for Backblaze. Read our full SpiderOak One review. What sort of encryption options do you get? Memopal is an online backup service with support for a wide range of operating systems, both desktop, and mobile. Summary Backblaze makes backing up easy! Choosing the right backup solution can seem tricky, as there's a lot to consider.

SOS Online Backup. Until then, we can't recommend this service. What do their customers say? MyPCBackup is another online backup service with a really user-friendly web interface and a good selection of backup plans. It's time to backup your data. However, if you don't currently have an antivirus program on your computer, then getting one with backup included is a nice deal. However, subscriptions are quite pricey, so get SpiderOak only if protecting your data from prying eyes is your top priority. OpenDrive also has a free plan, offering 5 GB of storage, but since this plan doesn't offer file versioning or any kind of encryption, we'd stick to Personal Unlimited if you're looking for a true cloud backup solution from this company.

It doesn't help that the Zoolz mobile apps are next to useless. Lifewire uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. But Backblaze is not ideal for anyone who has multiple machines to back up, unless you have nearly unlimited storage needs. We explain the differences between these categories at the end of this buying guide. Sign up for CrashPlan. Below are reviews of the best cloud backup services. Carbonite Safe. But just because they're well-known, does it mean they're the best solution? Read our full Acronis True Image review.

OpenDrive is yet another online backup service that we hear good things about. What We Don't Like Restoration is different for large files vs small ones The forever version history option costs extra. All ADrive backup plans can be had at deeply discounted prices if you prepay for a longer time period, up to three years. They also let you encrypt your data again with your own private key if you choose — but if you lose that key, the service can't help you. We give bonus points to those online backup services that let you mail in a hard drive full of data to start the process or send you one to restore your data. You're probably not going to get by with a free account for business, but there are plenty of business providers covering all sorts of different scales, ready to deliver the extras you and your company need. It is ridiculously cheap, not to mention that 5TB should go a very long way in covering your storage needs. 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.

You can have continuous or scheduled backups. All in all, Dropbox offers a great range of tools and a huge amount of storage, which makes it an option worth considering for whatever type of cloud storage needs you have. It convinced me to go with iDrive for my needs. Unlimited devices and users are supported, so this is great for families where everyone needs backup space. Cloud Backup Reviews. On the plus side, the software is attractive and easy to use. If you purchase the "Pro Suite" plan, you get 5 TB of the "Briefcase" plan included, plus its added features. A few let you back up operating-system files and applications.

YES NO. Send the drive back within 30 days and they'll refund the price in full. We've tested our share of cloud backup services that'll help you keep your data safe, whether it's a few gigabytes or several terabytes. SpiderOak One. These let you offload files you don't immediately need to online servers, freeing up space on your hard drive. Tweet Share Email. Sign up for CrashPlan. SOS Online Backup includes a host of features which are premium add-ons elsewhere.