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It can be confusing to deal with the problems that come up when you lose data, but thankfully, I’ve found that the best way to solve these problems is to use cloud backup. Now picture this: you won’t have to worry about losing data or having trouble sleeping. These cloud backup services look after your important files like digital guardians, keeping them safe in the cloud beneath a thick blanket of security.
No more worrying about lost or stolen hard drives; cloud backup services make it easy to move your data between your computer and safe servers around the world. You could get to your files from anywhere in the world as long as you had an internet connection. It’s like having a safety net that goes across the world.
Certainly, you’ve thought about using external hard drives as a local backup solution. But let’s face it: a physical drive can be lost, stolen, or damaged, leaving you without a backup in an emergency. My own plan, on the other hand, combines the best of both worlds by using both local and cloud storage. Following this not only follows the 3-2-1 backup rule, but it also protects your data in a complete way. Let local and cloud storage work together, and you won’t have to worry about losing your data anymore.
Best Cloud Backup for Personal Use Comparison Table
Despite the fact that every cloud backup service that we tested is difficult to use for a variety of reasons, we still recommend that you make use of one. It is recommended that a good backup system begin with a local backup, but that it conclude with a subscription to an online backup service service.
Feature | Backblaze | iDrive Online Cloud Backup | Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office | CrashPlan for Small Business | SpiderOak One |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Storage | Unlimited | Up to 10 TB | Up to 5 TB | Unlimited | Up to 5 TB |
Device Support | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Pricing | $60/year | $69.50/year for 5 TB | $149/year for 5 TB | $129/year for unlimited | $125/year for 5 TB |
Backup Features | File and disk image | File, disk image, system image | File, disk image, system image, ransomware protection, anti-malware | File, disk image, system image, ransomware protection, anti-malware | File, disk image, system image, ransomware protection |
Security | 256-bit AES encryption | 256-bit AES encryption | 256-bit AES encryption, zero-knowledge encryption | 256-bit AES encryption | Zero-knowledge encryption |
Ease of Use | Simple and user-friendly | Simple and user-friendly | More complex, requires some technical knowledge | Simple and user-friendly | More complex, requires some technical knowledge |
Best Cloud Backup for Personal Use
Online backup is a must if you want to protect your data from physical disaster. You never know when all the files and folders you have on your PC will be at risk, whether it’s because of a technical glitch, someone being mean, or something natural. A local backup is always a good idea for quick restores, but uploading your data to an online backup service can be a safe way to be safe. The “backup rule of three” is there for a reason, after all.
Backblaze

Feature | Description |
---|---|
Automatic Backup | Backblaze provides seamless automatic backups. |
Unlimited Storage | Enjoy unlimited cloud storage for your data. |
File Versioning | Easily recover previous versions of your files. |
Mobile Access | Access your backed-up data on the go. |
Two-Factor Authentication | Enhance the security of your account. |
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Even though the price went up recently, Backblaze is still one of the cheapest cloud backup services when you compare gigabyte for gigabyte. It is definitely the easiest to use—all you have to do is set Backblaze and forget about it. We also enjoy the fast upload speeds and the helpful restore-by-mail feature. Backblaze even lets you find a computer that has been lost or stolen by finding the Wi-Fi network it is connected to.
But competitors are starting to catch up to Backblaze by adding cloud sync, file sharing, and backups of networked drives, among other things. You shouldn’t use it either if you need to back up more than one computer, unless you have almost unlimited space. Then the reasonable cost of backing up each computer once a year might be enough to pay for more than one Backblaze plan.
The Good
- Unlimited storage for your data.
- Automatic and continuous backups.
- Affordable pricing plans.
- User-friendly interface.
- Two-factor authentication for added security.
The Bad
- Limited advanced features compared to some competitors.
- No local backup options.
iDrive Online Cloud Backup

Feature | Description |
---|---|
Hybrid Backup | Combine cloud and local backups for flexibility. |
Continuous Data Backup | Real-time backup ensures no data loss. |
Disk Image Backup | Create a complete image of your system. |
Cross-Platform Support | Compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. |
Sync and Share | Easily sync and share files across devices. |
You can take your online backup experience to the next level with iDrive, which places a strong emphasis on privacy and security. Encryption of a military-grade standard and data center located in Switzerland offer an additional layer of protection. When it comes to my personal usage, the additional advantages of ransomware protection and file versioning contribute to an increased sense of overall security.
The Good
- Hybrid backup solution for added flexibility.
- Continuous data backup in real-time.
- Disk image backup for complete system recovery.
- Cross-platform support for various devices.
- File syncing and sharing capabilities.
The Bad
- Limited storage on basic plans.
- Some advanced features may be overwhelming for casual users.
Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office

Feature | Description |
---|---|
All-in-One Protection | Integrates cybersecurity and backup solutions. |
AI-Based Ransomware | Uses AI to detect and prevent ransomware attacks. |
Full Disk Image Backup | Backup entire disks for comprehensive protection. |
Active Protection | Real-time protection against evolving threats. |
Secure Online Storage | Cloud storage with encryption for data security. |
Investigate the possibility of utilising an all-in-one solution that not only includes backup capabilities but also includes antivirus and anti-malware capabilities. My own personal experience has shown that the integration with mobile devices and social media platforms adds a sense of convenience. This option comes at a higher price point compared to some alternatives, which is something that should be taken into consideration, despite the fact that the features are quite powerful.
The Good
- Comprehensive all-in-one protection.
- AI-based ransomware detection.
- Full disk image backup for complete recovery.
- Active protection against evolving threats.
- Secure online storage with encryption.
The Bad
- Pricing may be higher compared to basic backup solutions.
- Some users might find the interface complex.
CrashPlan

Feature | Description |
---|---|
Continuous Cloud Backup | Back up files in real-time without interruptions. |
Unlimited Storage | Enjoy unlimited cloud storage for your data. |
External Drive Support | Backup data from external drives for convenience. |
Customizable Retention | Set retention policies for your backup data. |
Centralized Management | Manage backups for all devices from one central hub. |
The CrashPlan software provides centralised management and user-friendly restore options, and it is designed specifically for businesses that have multiple computers. It is essential to be aware of any storage limits that may be applicable, despite the fact that the competitive pricing structure is based on my own subjective observations.
The Good
- Continuous cloud backup for real-time protection.
- Unlimited storage for all your business data.
- External drive support for added convenience.
- Customizable retention policies.
- Centralized management for easy administration.
The Bad
- Pricing may be higher for small businesses on a tight budget.
- Advanced features might be unnecessary for some users.
SpiderOak One

Feature | Description |
---|---|
Zero-Knowledge Privacy | Your data is end-to-end encrypted and private. |
Cross-Platform Support | Compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android. |
Versioning and Syncing | Easily access previous versions and sync files. |
Share Rooms | Collaborate securely with encrypted Share Rooms. |
Backup Network Drives | Back up data from network drives for completeness. |
Through the use of SpiderOak One, which offers zero-knowledge encryption and guarantees that no user data is stored on company servers, you can give privacy and security the highest priority. From my own personal experience, I can attest to the fact that the storage capacity is somewhat restricted, but the file-sharing features are truly unique.
The Good
- Zero-knowledge privacy ensures maximum data security.
- Cross-platform support for versatile use.
- Versioning and syncing for file management.
- Secure collaboration with encrypted Share Rooms.
- Backup support for network drives.
The Bad
- Limited storage on basic plans.
- May have a steeper learning curve for new users.
How to Choose the Right Cloud Backup Service for You
Picking the right cloud backup service is important to keep your data safe and easy to access. When choosing a cloud backup service, here are some important things to keep in mind:
- Safety of Data: Put data security features like encryption during transfer (in-transit) and encryption at rest at the top of your list. Select a cloud backup service that uses strong security measures to keep your private data safe.
- Certifications and following the rules: Check to see if the cloud backup service follows the rules and regulations that apply to your industry. Getting certifications like SOC 2, ISO 27001, and HIPAA compliance can show that you care about data security and protection.
- Storage Space and the Ability to Grow: Check to see how much space the cloud backup service gives you and make sure it fits your needs now and in the future. Also, look at the scalability options to make sure they can meet your growing data storage needs.
- Backup Policies and How Often They Should Be Made: Think about how often the service lets you schedule backups and whether that fits with the needs of your business. Also, look at the retention policies to find out how long backup copies are kept. This is especially important if you need to get back data from a certain point in time.
- Ease of Use and Interface for Users: Opt for a cloud backup service that has an easy-to-use interface. How well you can manage backups, restore files, and check on the overall health of your backup solution will depend on how easy it is to use.
- Cross-Platform Support: Make sure that the cloud backup service works with the platforms and operating systems that your company uses. The service should work with your current infrastructure without any problems, no matter what platform you use.
- Speed of Data Recovery: Check how fast the cloud backup service can get your data back. To keep downtime to a minimum in case of data loss or system failure, recovery times must be sped up.
- Versioning and getting back lost files: Check to see if the service supports versioning, which lets you get back to older versions of files. This feature is very important for getting back data to a certain point in time and keeping data from getting lost or deleted by accident.
- Bandwidth and performance on the network: Think about how backups might affect the speed of your network. Some cloud backup services let you schedule backups or limit your bandwidth to get the best performance during times of high usage.
Questions and Answers
In the same way that it was when we first reviewed all of the major online backup services, iDrive continues to be the most comprehensive online backup service. And despite the fact that it is not the most inexpensive option, it is still economical and comes with backup clients for almost every computer and electronic device.
Because of its extensive feature set and user-friendly collaboration tools, the vast majority of people will discover that Google Drive is the best option available to them. If, on the other hand, you are working with a limited budget, iDrive might be a more attractive alternative for you to consider. However, alternatives such as Backblaze and OneDrive offer features that may make them more appealing to particular users. Backblaze and OneDrive are two examples of such alternatives.