Carbonite review: affordable backup for files and devices

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In the time that I’ve spent using it, Carbonite has shown to be a reliable cloud backup service for me, and in this respect, it’s pretty comparable to Backblaze. It is a wonderful approach for guaranteeing the security of all of your vital data, which may be distributed over a number of different computers. It may not have the very user-friendly interface and real-time synchronisation features that other applications, such as Dropbox, have, but it is still rather successful in achieving what it sets out to do.

Through the course of its existence, Carbonite has expanded the range of services it provides, as well as the number of those services. Now, in addition to catering to personal customers like myself, they now provide highly developed hybrid backup and disaster recovery solutions for commercial companies. This is something that was previously only available to personal users. Permit me to take you on a tour of what you can expect from a Carbonite plan, as well as how I’ve been putting it to use in my own life, so that you can make an informed decision.

Carbonite review Specifications

In general, customers seeking a feature-rich, cost-effective cloud backup service will find what they need in Carbonite. Users seeking a cloud backup solution with ransomware protection might also benefit from using this option.

Specification	Feature
Type	Cloud backup
Pricing	Starts at $4.99 per month for 150GB of storage
Free trial	Yes, 14-day free trial
Supported devices	Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and external hard drives
Features	Automatic backup, continuous backup, file versioning, file recovery, ransomware protection, and mobile app

What is Carbonite Safe cloud backup?

Regardless of the quantity of my files and data, I have discovered that using the cloud backup service provided by Carbonite Safe is an extremely helpful tool in maintaining their safety. It has given me peace of mind to know that even in the event of unanticipated catastrophes, such as the theft of my device, its being damaged beyond repair, or its being lost entirely, none of my most treasured photographs or most important files will be lost to me. Because I have Carbonite Safe, I am able to have peace of mind in the knowledge that all of my digital recollections and essential documents are constantly being backed up and secured.

Carbonite review: Interface

Carbonite may not offer the most user-friendly interface that we have come across; the process of selecting files from the disc to back up or ignore might take a few minutes to get used to. However, in general, the desktop applications get the job done in a simple and uncomplicated manner. If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to restore some or all of your files, Carbonite can either download them all to a single folder or make an attempt to put them back in their original location on your computer.

Again, you won’t have to waste time searching through help screens because these settings are easy to obtain and simple to go through. If you are attempting to restore a large amount of data while just having a slow broadband connection, you will find that the top-tier personal memberships, which are termed Prime, include an additional courier delivery service of recovered files.

Carbonite review: Security and Privacy

Carbonite claims that “all data is encrypted before it leaves a customer’s computer using time-tested technologies like Blowfish and Triple DES encryption.” Furthermore, 128-bit Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology enhances data transmission security.” Keep a secret encryption key locally or let Carbonite manage it. The private-key option lets only you decode your backup. Carbonite cannot retrieve your backup if you lose the private encryption key. Private encryption keys prevent usage of the Carbonite online interface, mobile app, and courier recovery service.

If Carbonite holds your encryption key, these restrictions don’t apply. We like that Carbonite requires security questions and installs multi-factor authentication (MFA) upon account creation. Web logins using MFA are available from IDrive, Backblaze, and OpenDrive. Although lengthy, Carbonite’s privacy policy clearly outlines what data company collects. It notes that Carbonite owner Open Text “does not sell personal information.” For context, Carbonite is in Boston and Open Text in Waterloo, Ontario.

Carbonite review: Setting Up an Account

It won’t take you long to have your Carbonite account up and running. The installation process only takes a few minutes, and if you select Automatic Settings throughout the installation process, Carbonite will immediately begin its first automatic backup as soon as the program is loaded and operational. If you go into the Settings menu and select Advanced, you will be given the option to manually choose which directories will be saved up.

In the event that you change your mind about your backup settings at a later time, the process may be cumbersome, but it is not impossible. After completing the installation of the desktop application, I went online and logged into my Carbonite account to finish setting up my account.

Carbonite review: Pricing

Carbonite costs $95.99 per year for individuals. That enables you back up unlimited data from a single computer, but external drives cost $131.99 per year and encryption is restricted to 128-bit. Top-tier Prime memberships, at $161.99 per year, provide courier delivery for recovered files. No free trial or account is available anymore. Carbonite offers deals, and all personal plans are 40% off at $66.99, $91.99, and $112.99 per year.

If you pay yearly, the small office backup package costs $6 a month for basic computer backups and 128-bit encryption on one to three computers, $24 for backups on up to 25 computers, and $50 for server backup and optional 256-bit encryption. Businesses can test these plans for free to ensure they chose the proper one.

Final Words

From what I’ve seen, Carbonite seems to mostly go after big businesses by providing strong technology like endpoint protection. But it might not be the best choice for regular people like you and me. iCloud and OneDrive are easier to use than Carbonite. Carbonite doesn’t have mobile backups and its design isn’t as clear.

However, Carbonite might still be a good choice if you need endless backups for a single computer. It has pretty reasonable prices, especially when you take advantage of the deals that come up from time to time. In that case, it’s worth taking a closer look if its backup features match your wants.

Carbonite review: The Good and Bad

Carbonite provides safe, unlimited cloud backup for one machine. Its slow uploads are offset by automatic backups and user-friendly features. It offers affordable plans for home users and small enterprises.

Questions and Answers