Losing important files can be a major headache, whether it’s precious family photos, critical work documents, or your entire digital life. Thankfully, dealing with potential data loss has become significantly easier with Cloud Based Backup Services. Imagine having a safety net for all your valuable digital assets. By installing one of these services on your computer, you gain peace of mind knowing that an extra copy of your most important files is always securely stored in the cloud, ready to be recovered should anything go wrong.
Unlike cloud storage solutions that require manual file uploads, cloud based backup services automate the entire process. They work continuously in the background, diligently copying your data from your computer to their secure cloud servers. This constant synchronization ensures that your files, photos, and more are backed up in real-time or at scheduled intervals. The beauty of this system is that you can access and retrieve your data from anywhere in the world, as long as you have an internet connection.
To bolster your data protection strategy even further, consider combining cloud based backup with cloud storage and a best external hard drive for local backups. This approach aligns with the robust 3-2-1 backup rule, a best practice for ensuring data resilience.
Whether you need to protect a single computer or multiple devices, the market offers a wide array of cloud based backup services. We’ve rigorously tested and reviewed the leading options available today to help you navigate this landscape and find the perfect solution tailored to your specific needs, workflow, and budget.
Top Cloud Based Backup Solutions for 2024: Quick Picks
Before diving into detailed reviews, here are our top recommendations for the best cloud based backup services at a glance:
- IDrive: Best Overall Cloud Backup Solution
- Backblaze: Easiest to Use Cloud Backup Solution
- Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office: Most Powerful and Versatile Backup Option
These services stand out for their reliability, features, and value. Let’s explore each of these top picks in more detail, followed by other excellent cloud based backup contenders.
1. IDrive: The Best Overall Cloud Backup Service
IDrive Interface showcasing backup and restore options
IDrive consistently earns top rankings in reviews, and for good reason. It offers a comprehensive suite of features combined with competitive pricing, making it our top pick for cloud based backup services. IDrive provides software compatibility across major platforms including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. For users running Linux, command-line scripts are also available, broadening its accessibility.
One of the most compelling aspects of IDrive is its generous offer for new users. For a limited time, new subscribers can access a massive 10TB plan at a significantly reduced price for the first year. This exceptional value makes IDrive an even more attractive option for those seeking substantial cloud based backup capacity.
Key Features of IDrive:
- Pros:
- Fast upload speeds ensure efficient backup processes.
- Supports backup for mobile devices, extending protection beyond computers.
- Offers a generous file syncing option, enhancing file accessibility across devices.
- Provides a unique disk-shipping data transfer option for initial backups and restores, saving time and bandwidth.
- Cons:
- Does not offer unlimited storage plans, requiring users to manage storage within plan limits.
Why IDrive is the Best Overall:
IDrive strikes an excellent balance between features, performance, and cost. Its ability to back up an unlimited number of devices to a substantial storage limit (up to 10TB) caters to households with multiple computers and mobile devices. The fast upload speeds, mobile backup capabilities, and file syncing features make it a versatile and user-friendly cloud based backup service. The inclusion of two-factor authentication adds an essential layer of security to protect your backed-up data.
2. Backblaze: The Easiest Cloud Backup Solution for Set-and-Forget Simplicity
Backblaze user interface highlighting ease of use
Backblaze distinguishes itself as the epitome of ease of use in cloud based backup services. Its straightforward setup and automatic background operation make it a truly “set it and forget it” solution. Once installed, Backblaze works silently in the background, continuously backing up your data without requiring constant attention.
Beyond its user-friendliness, Backblaze also offers a valuable restore-by-mail feature, providing an alternative data recovery option. Its rapid upload speeds further enhance the backup experience, ensuring efficient and timely data protection. For users prioritizing simplicity and ease of management, Backblaze is an excellent choice.
Key Features of Backblaze:
- Pros:
- Extremely easy to use, ideal for users seeking a hassle-free backup solution.
- Offers unlimited storage, allowing users to back up vast amounts of data without worrying about storage limits.
- Provides a convenient restore-by-mail service for efficient data recovery.
- Known for its fast upload speeds, minimizing backup time.
- Cons:
- Plans are limited to backing up only one computer per subscription.
- Mobile app functionality is less developed compared to some competitors.
Why Backblaze is the Easiest to Use:
Backblaze’s strength lies in its simplicity. It eliminates complexities often associated with backup software, making cloud based backup accessible to users of all technical levels. The unlimited storage offering is a major advantage for users with large data volumes. While it may lack some advanced features found in other services, Backblaze excels at providing reliable and effortless cloud based backup, perfect for those who want data protection without any fuss.
3. Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office: A Powerful and Feature-Rich Option for Advanced Users
Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office interface showcasing advanced features
Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office, formerly known as Acronis True Image, is positioned as the most powerful and versatile online-backup solution available for home users. It goes beyond basic backup, incorporating advanced features like antivirus and ransomware protection into a single, comprehensive package. Acronis caters to users who demand robust protection and extensive control over their backup processes.
This service provides a wealth of features, including full system image backups, mobile device backup, and even social media backup. Its comprehensive feature set makes it a compelling choice for users seeking an all-in-one data protection and security solution.
Key Features of Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office:
- Pros:
- Offers an exceptionally extensive and unique feature set, including backup, antivirus, and security tools.
- Features a modern and intuitive user interface, despite its feature-rich nature.
- Has an extremely small impact on system performance, ensuring backups run smoothly in the background.
- Cons:
- Can be expensive, especially as you add more devices or storage.
- Pricing structure can be complex, requiring careful plan selection.
- Many advanced features may be unnecessary for basic home users.
Why Acronis is Best for Power Users:
Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office is designed for users who want maximum control and a wide array of features. Its ability to create full system image backups, coupled with integrated antivirus and security features, makes it a powerhouse in cloud based backup. While it might be overkill for users with basic needs, its extensive capabilities and robust performance make it the top choice for power users and those seeking comprehensive digital protection.
Exploring Other Excellent Cloud Based Backup Services
Beyond our top three picks, several other cloud based backup services offer unique strengths and cater to different needs. Here’s a look at some additional noteworthy options:
4. CrashPlan for Small Business: Best Cloud Backup for SMBs
CrashPlan for Small Business interface targeting business users
CrashPlan for Small Business focuses exclusively on the business market, offering robust cloud based backup solutions for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). While it no longer serves individual consumers, its business offering retains the speed and reliability that made its consumer version popular.
CrashPlan for Small Business provides unlimited storage and supports multiple computers, making it scalable for growing businesses. Its business-centric features, such as support for Linux servers and comprehensive security options, make it a strong contender for SMB cloud based backup needs.
Key Features of CrashPlan for Small Business:
- Pros:
- Unlimited storage capacity, ideal for businesses with large data volumes.
- Fast upload and download speeds, ensuring efficient backup and recovery processes.
- Offers extensive security and backup scheduling options, customizable for business needs.
- Cons:
- Can be relatively expensive compared to consumer-grade services.
- May consume significant system resources during backups, potentially impacting performance on older machines.
Why CrashPlan is Best for SMBs:
CrashPlan for Small Business is tailored to the specific requirements of businesses. Its unlimited storage, fast performance, and business-focused features like centralized management and compliance options make it a reliable cloud based backup service for SMBs. While it might be pricier than consumer options, the value it provides in terms of scalability and business-grade features makes it a worthwhile investment for data protection.
5. SpiderOak One: Top Choice for Security-Focused Cloud Backup
SpiderOak One interface emphasizing security and privacy
SpiderOak One prioritizes security and privacy above all else in the realm of cloud based backup services. It was a pioneer in offering private encryption keys to customers, ensuring that only the user can access their backed-up data. This focus on zero-knowledge encryption makes SpiderOak One a standout choice for users with heightened security concerns.
Beyond security, SpiderOak One also supports backing up unlimited devices and offers file sharing and syncing features. However, its pricing is on the higher end, reflecting its premium security focus.
Key Features of SpiderOak One:
- Pros:
- Strong emphasis on security and privacy with zero-knowledge encryption.
- Supports backup for unlimited devices, suitable for households with multiple computers.
- Includes robust file sharing and syncing capabilities, enhancing collaboration and accessibility.
- Cons:
- Has a steeper learning curve compared to simpler backup services.
- User interface can be less intuitive and somewhat confusing.
- Storage space pricing is relatively high compared to competitors.
Why SpiderOak One is Best for Security:
SpiderOak One’s unwavering commitment to security makes it the best cloud based backup service for privacy-conscious users. Its zero-knowledge encryption ensures that your data remains private and protected from unauthorized access. While it may come with a higher price tag and a slightly less user-friendly interface, the peace of mind it offers in terms of security is invaluable for those who prioritize data privacy above all else.
6. Carbonite Safe: Best for Simple, Single-PC Cloud Backup
Carbonite Safe interface focusing on single PC backup simplicity
Carbonite Safe is designed for straightforward cloud based backup, particularly for users who primarily need to back up a single PC. Its pricing structure is based on the number of computers you need to protect, making it a cost-effective option for single-user scenarios. Carbonite Safe offers unlimited storage, providing ample space for backing up your entire PC.
While Carbonite Safe excels in simplicity, it’s important to note that some features, like external drive backup and automatic video backup, are reserved for higher-tier plans. Its basic plan is best suited for essential file backup of a single computer.
Key Features of Carbonite Safe:
- Pros:
- Unlimited storage capacity, providing ample space for single PC backups.
- Intuitive user interface with clear backup status indicators.
- Cons:
- Upload speeds can be slower compared to some competitors.
- Some features, like external drive backup, are only available in more expensive plans.
- Mobile apps are currently unavailable, limiting mobile access to backups.
Why Carbonite Safe is Best for a Single PC:
Carbonite Safe simplifies cloud based backup for single PC users. Its unlimited storage and user-friendly interface make it easy to set up and maintain backups. While it may lack some of the advanced features and speed of other services, Carbonite Safe provides a reliable and affordable cloud based backup solution for individuals primarily concerned with protecting a single computer’s data.
Understanding the Differences: Online Backup vs. Online Syncing vs. Online Archiving
It’s crucial to distinguish cloud based backup services from online syncing services like Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud, or OneDrive, and online archiving services. While all operate in the cloud, their functionalities and purposes differ significantly.
Online syncing services create a live, cloud-based mirror of selected files and folders. Changes made on one device are instantly synchronized across all linked devices, facilitating real-time collaboration and file access. Think of syncing as keeping files readily available and up-to-date across your devices.
Network cables connected to server ports in a data center
Cloud based backup services, on the other hand, are designed for data protection and disaster recovery. They create copies of your files and folders and store them securely in the cloud. The primary goal is to have a backup copy to restore from in case of data loss events like hardware failure, accidental deletion, or cyberattacks. Backup services are less about immediate file access and more about long-term data safety.
Cloud archiving services, such as Box or Google Cloud, are designed for long-term storage of data you don’t need to access frequently. Archiving is about freeing up local storage space by moving less-used files to the cloud. Retrieving archived files may involve fees or longer wait times, as the focus is on cost-effective storage rather than immediate access.
Understanding these distinctions is key to choosing the right cloud based solution for your needs. If you need real-time file access and collaboration, syncing services are ideal. If your priority is data protection and recovery, cloud based backup services are the way to go. And if you need to offload infrequently accessed data for long-term storage, archiving services are the most suitable.
How We Test and Evaluate Cloud Based Backup Services
Our evaluations of the best cloud based backup services involve rigorous testing across several key factors to provide you with comprehensive and reliable recommendations. We consider:
- Storage Costs: We analyze pricing plans and storage capacities to assess the value and affordability of each service.
- Ease of File Restoration: We test the file restoration process to evaluate its speed, ease of use, and reliability in recovering backed-up data.
- Computer-Resource Usage: We monitor CPU and memory usage during backups to assess the impact on system performance.
- Unique Features: We examine any unique features offered by each service, such as disk shipping, advanced security options, or integrated tools.
- Ease of Use and Installation: We evaluate the setup process, user interface intuitiveness, and overall user experience.
- Upload Speed: We measure upload speeds to determine the efficiency of the initial backup process.
We also award bonus points for services that offer convenient features like mailing in a hard drive for initial backups or sending a drive for data restoration, as these can significantly expedite large data transfers.
Our testing is conducted on a standardized setup, including a 15-inch Apple MacBook Pro running Windows 10 and a Google Pixel XL 2 running Android. We use tools like GlassWire to monitor data transfer rates and Windows Resource Monitor to track CPU usage. Our test data consists of a diverse 16.8GB dataset of documents, photos, videos, and music. We upload this data to each service and then restore a 1.12GB subset to simulate real-world backup and recovery scenarios. Our internet environment is a home network with typical speeds of 280 Mbps download and 120 Mbps upload.
For a deeper dive into our testing methodology, please visit our how we test page on Tom’s Guide.
By considering these factors and conducting thorough testing, we aim to provide you with the information you need to confidently choose the best cloud based backup service to protect your valuable digital data.
