It’s a cumbersome drag, and it seems like Backblaze could fix both this process and the private-key issue by moving restoration to the desktop software instead of keeping it in the web portal. If you aren’t sure where to start, or if you find problems, Backblaze has well-organized online documentation that covers many issues you may encounter, as well as guides for how to use the service. The company doesn’t provide phone support, but it does have live chat and email support, and we received responses to our questions within three hours during normal business hours. IDrive had a similar response time via email and also offers phone support, while Arq Premium offers support only over email and doesn’t have searchable documentation.

A cloud backup service provides continuous versioning and backup of all the file history on your device. They will continuously and automatically back up every specified file on a device. Cloud backup service providers also offer additional data security measures such as end-to-end encryption. As noted above, the performance of online backup services will vary wildly according to their location and cloud backup services for business the network equipment between you and the data depository. We installed the software and backed up the same 2GB data set to check for any major issues or glitches in the client software. Make sure to follow a cloud storage checklist when looking for a provider, and consider the most important factors when selecting an online storage service, as well as these tips for data backup and recovery.

Google Drive

Backblaze is ideal for novice users who want a full backup of a single Windows or macOS computer without a lot of complicated options. Power users, who like to fine-tweak the way their backups perform, might find themselves frustrated. Backing up your data to the cloud means trusting the company not to access that data—unless you use SpiderOak One Backup. The company’s no-knowledge policy means no one at the company can access your files, which are fully encrypted before you upload them and which remain encrypted on SpiderOak’s server. IDrive also keeps old copies of each file forever, which is handy, but you’ll have to mind those storage caps. It also has two-factor authentication, which is an essential feature every online service provider should offer.

There’s no file syncing, no clever collaboration tools, only the simplest of file sharing options. But smart system integration and simple apps make it easy to set up Backblaze, and the minimal web interface provides basic tools for browsing your files and restoring whatever you need. There are many other reasons to pay for cloud storage, from getting a lot more space (a terabyte really doesn’t cost all that much anymore) to being able to upload huge files.

Best Cloud Backup Services

ShadowProtect SPX Desktop is for tech-savvy Windows and Linux users who want a local full-disk backup they can set up and then not think about. We recommend it for people who are at least a little bit tech savvy, as the setup can be slightly complicated, but it’s rock solid. I’ve been reviewing software for PCMag since 2008, and I still get a kick out of seeing what’s new in video and photo editing software, and how operating systems change over time. I was privileged to byline the cover story of the last print issue of PC Magazine, the Windows 7 review, and I’ve witnessed every Microsoft win and misstep up to the latest Windows 11. We recommend that everyone enable a private encryption key, which adds to your backup another password that only you know.

Acronis is notable for evolving its cloud backup capabilities into a full-fledged security suite that includes anti-ransomware protection. Its three-pronged attack on the modern threat scenario focuses on cybersecurity, backup and recovery, and integrated protection management. In addition to other data security features, it can scan data located in third-party public clouds for malware. Backing up your company’s valuable data is essential, and the cloud makes keeping an offsite copy of your information easier than ever. We test and rank leading cloud backup solutions to help you decide how to best keep your data secure.

Best Cloud Backup Services 2023: Free & Cheap Backup Storage

All device types are supported, and there’s multithreading and speed throttling. Jottacloud also comes with extensive file syncing and sharing functionality. This makes https://www.globalcloudteam.com/ it another service that becomes much more attractive if you’re looking for something that’s more of a hybrid between traditional cloud storage and dedicated backup.

For that price, however, IDrive allows you to back up multiple computers, something Backblaze doesn’t do. IDrive is also a little clunkier to use than Backblaze, but it’s more flexible, with more options for you to change how IDrive works than Backblaze has. IDrive keeps up to 30 versions of files indefinitely, which means if you delete a file on your local storage drive you can (theoretically) pull it up years later in IDrive. Keeping so many iterations of files can lead to massive amounts of storage usage, but IDrive sends you a notification email if you get close to your quota. Customer service is uneven, with Wirecutter readers reporting it to be slow at best and unresponsive at worst.

Common Problems With Microsoft OneDrive and How to Fix Them

It’s also worth remembering that TechRadar readers can get 10TB of cloud storage for $3.98 for the first year. Check out our in-depth IDrive review for a closer look at the service, and see why it’s our top cloud storage pick for 2023. Other controls might include bandwidth throttling, where the backup software can decrease or set the amount of bandwidth it’ll use. That will keep bandwidth needs low, too, but it’ll directly affect performance. You might also consider running backups over their own virtual LAN (VLAN) or using some form of Quality of Service (QoS). This will manage the bandwidth a backup operation uses, so you know those backups are happening.

• It’s becoming a popular feature that vendors use to differentiate themselves, but the capabilities can wildly vary.
• Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews.
• The intermittent climate phenomenon can have wide-ranging effects on weather around the world, and it typically impedes the formation of Atlantic hurricanes.
• Another great perk is that all of Internxt’s plans, regardless of cost, offer the exact same features.
• And there are occasionally silly UI choices, like requiring you to tag specific folders for storage and recovery.
• The $99.99 upgrade to Google One doesn’t just get you 2TB of storage but also includes 10% off Google Store purchases, access to Google experts, and even an Android and iOS VPN.
• Windows users can browse their storage space from Explorer, for example, moving, renaming, opening, and even editing files, just like working on a local drive.

If you’re someone who uses Apple devices and doesn’t intend to migrate to Windows or Android anytime soon, iCloud might be the cloud storage provider for you. Once you run out of that space, you can upgrade to a premium plan for $79.50 (5TB) and $99.50 (10TB) per year. The pricing is quite reasonable, but tends to get more expensive as you explore higher-tier plans for business and enterprise users. For a limited time, it’s offering 10TB of personal storage for $3.98 a year, which is incredible value. However, while the cloud eliminates the risk of data being exposed to various technical failures and storage concerns, finding the best backup provider to manage these tasks has become a headache. Here’s a low-down of the best five cloud backup solutions to help your business carry out secure and seamless migration to the cloud.

Livedrive for Business

Any of the above online cloud backup services are going to deliver an extra layer of protection for your data, with strong transfer and storage encryption and intuitive apps for multiple devices. Services like Box, Dropbox, iCloud, OneDrive, and Sync can work as either cloud storage or cloud sync. They’re great for sharing and syncing files you’re working on, but they aren’t the right tools to keep updated backups online. Backblaze is one of the best cloud backup services with a strong focus on simplicity. Just install the app on Windows or Mac, it backs up all your files on hard drives and external drives. Our tests found Backblaze’s impressive upload speeds kept delays to a minimum compared to many rivals.

Some vendors allow you, as the customer, to retain control of encryption security keys. Sole access to the encryption key ensures you are the only person with the key to decrypt the data. The downside, though, is that if you lose the key, you also lose access to the encrypted data. Where possible, assuming that you are ready to accept the responsibility, prefer a vendor that allows you sole control of encryption keys. Each of the 11 solutions covered below offers a cloud-to-cloud backup service intended to serve business needs.

Compare SpecsThe Best Cloud Backup Services for Business for 2023

You also may want to estimate the total storage space required for backups. Backing up your data in our digital world is always a good idea, and for many people, an extra hard drive or two gets the job done. But what about having an extra failsafe in the form of secure online storage? Cloud backup services give you some extra peace of mind, and the best part is they’re accessible without the need to carry around any additional hardware. Although this makes Duplicati significantly more accessible to casual users than CloudBerry, it’s still quite a bit more involved than most of the other online backup services on this list. It also doesn’t offer any kind of mobile access, which is a problem for anyone who wants to be able to manage their backups remotely.