Ben Moore Michael Muchmore The Best Online Backup Services of 2018 Whether from accidental deletion, hard drive failure, or ransomware, data loss occurs more often than you might think. You need to protect your PC with one of the best online backup services, and our guide can help you choose. Secure Your Data With Online Backup Software You can either tear out your hair when a disaster strikes your data or you can prepare for it ahead of time. But that disaster is going to happen eventually, either way. An online backup service is one of the best ways to protect yourself against the loss of precious data, whether it's the result of a crashed hard drive or an unintentional deletion. Natural disasters such as fires, floods, and earthquakes can also spell the end of your digital media and documents.
Even if you're among the very few who diligently perform local backups at regular intervals, you could still lose data if you don't store backups offsite. Online backup services scan your hard drive for files worthy of protecting, encrypt them for security, and send them up to the cloud. There's no such place as 'the cloud' of course; this just means powerful, secure, and high-storage-capacity remote server computers attached to the internet with fast connections.
Once your files are stored on those online servers, you can access and restore your data from anywhere, should a file go missing or a hard drive crash unexpectedly. Most services also let you view and download your files from a web browser or mobile device.
Though there's some overlap, online backup services shouldn't be confused with like Box, Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive. Those services do store files in the cloud, but they aren't designed to automatically protect all important documents and media files, let alone system files. Their strategy is generally to sync just one folder with all its subfolders to the cloud, and in some cases to offer online document editing. Many backup services now offer similar folder-syncing capabilities, but few syncing services offer full-scale backup functionality. How Much Does Online Backup Cost? Since you're probably going to be paying for a backup service for years, you should pay attention to its cost before you sign up.
They're all subscription-based, but the services partition their features and fees differently, so it's worth comparing plans closely before committing to one. Most construct pricing tiers based on the amount of cloud storage included, however, or by the number of devices you can use with an account. Some backup services list a low monthly price, but these rates often only apply if you commit to a one- or two-year contract. Others offer free accounts, but they also tend to impose paltry storage limits or restrict key features to the paid versions. Create a Backup Set and Schedule Uploads Backup services vary widely in how they set up and perform backups. For example, the totally hands-free Backblaze automatically encrypts and uploads all your important files without any input.
On the other hand, services such as IDrive and SpiderOak ONE, let you choose specific files you want from a file tree. Some services restrict you from backing up specific file types or using particular sources. For example, some don't let you protect system and program files, while others don't let you back up items from an external or network drive.
If you have any of those needs, make sure the service you choose supports them. Acronis True Image, for example, can back up your entire hard drive and any external drives—the best protection against a total system failure or a local disaster that takes out all your hardware. There are two main ways a service can determine when files should be sent up to its servers for safekeeping. The first is by using a fixed schedule, such as once a day, week, or month. The second, which we prefer, is to upload file changes as you make changes locally, in a continuous backup setup. With this system, services only transfer the modified part of the file, so as not to overburden your internet connection. A third way is simply to upload files on demand.
Some may appreciate this degree of control, but it assumes that you'll remember to assiduously back up important files, which isn't the case for most of us. How Fast and Secure Are Online Backup Services? Most services encrypt your files with strong systems such as before sending them up to the servers. Just how the encryption keys are generated is a big differentiator, however. Several services, such as SpiderOak ONE, offer a security-and-privacy option in which you alone possess the password, which is never stored on the service's server computers. Others, such as SOS Online let you set separate passwords for your main account and for encryption. The caveat for these higher levels of security and privacy is that, if you forget your encryption key, no one can help you restore your data.
This includes the provider's employees and applies even if they should be compelled to do so by law enforcement. Despite that risk, you should still choose a strong, hard-to-crack password, since it safeguards your digital life. Your best bet is to use a to keep track of it for you. An online backup service's speed depends on how quickly it can prep your files (generally encrypting and compressing them) and transfer them to their servers.
This should be of particular concern if you need to back up (or restore) a large amount of data. A high-performance backup service also minimizes its effect on network and system resources. Make sure to check out our speed test results in the review of any service you're contemplating using. Restoring Folders and Files An online backup service isn't much use if it doesn't make the process of restoring or recovering your data quick and simple. Look for a service that offers a search tool to find a particular file.
It's also desirable for a service to be able to replicate an entire folder-tree structure so that it can help you recover from bigger data losses, too. Keep in mind that if you bought a plan that covers just one computer, you may have to transfer the account to a new PC if you ever switch your main device, or if you need restore data from a damaged computer to a replacement. Many services also offer a feature called versioning. This capability lets you access earlier versions of a file in case you made unwanted edits. Services vary widely in how many versions they keep and how long they are saved. Some, like IDrive and SOS Online Backup, save every version forever.
Those two even permanently save files you've deleted from the source computer—accidentally or otherwise. Livedrive, on the other hand, lets you keep up to 30 previous version of a file for as long as you like. Some providers don't consider this an online backup function, but rather an archiving function. Call it what you like, it can save your bacon if you need an earlier file version you overwrite or one that you deleted by mistake. Web and Mobile Backup Apps One of the biggest advantages of using an online backup service is that it lets you access your files from anywhere. Most online backup providers let you view and download files from a web browser, but that should be the bare minimum.
More advanced web interfaces let you view documents or photos and play music or videos. Many also include file-sharing options, the best of which even let you specify a password for access and a timeout period for the shared item.
Most online backup services also offer Android and iOS apps, but the quality and utility of those apps vary widely. Some just offer simple document and media file downloads, but the most feature-complete include remote backup management, automatic photo and video backup, and built-in media viewers. Many also offer the same file-sharing capabilities on mobile, as they do on the web.
Disaster Recovery and Bulk Data Some services go above and beyond, including extra capabilities that improve the experience. For example, a few offer disk courier services for bulk uploads and restores via an external drive that the company ships and manages. A couple of these services throw in a component, too. If you go that route, you should take a look at our roundup of as well. Others can track your device's location and let you remotely wipe it in case it's lost or stolen.
To find out which service best suits your needs, click through to the full reviews for our in-depth impressions. If you need a larger-scale cloud solution for your company, check out our roundup of the best. Pros: Unlimited online backup storage for one PC or Mac. File Explorer integration. Continuous backup option.
Easy guided setup. Good mobile apps. Cons: Slow web interface.
No file tree in the desktop client. Base version doesn't back up external drives or videos. No free account level. Lacks sharing and collaboration features. Bottom Line: Carbonite is an easy-to-use, reasonably priced online backup service with unlimited storage and good mobile apps, but the desktop and web interfaces lack advanced backup options and sharing features.
Show More Online backup is an essential hedge against physical data disaster. Whether it’s an act of theft or an act of God (earthquakes, floods, hard-drive devouring locusts), you never know what could hit your PC or phone, and when. This is especially important for mobile-centric users, who stand to lose a lot of digital stuff if their device disappears. Online backup cheat sheet Our quick-hit recommendations:. Best overall online backup:.
Best budget online backup:. Most streamlined online backup: Uploading your data to an online service covers a lot of the bases. Some people call these “cloud” services, but in reality, your data is stored on servers at the other end of the connection—that is, someone else’s hard drives. But that’s part of the plan!
The backup Rule of Three says you should maintain three copies of your data: the original, a copy, and a copy of the copy. One copy should be in a safe place away from the original and secondary.
We always recommend keeping a local backup for quick restores (see our roundup for desktop solutions), but online can actually serve as both the second and third copies—assuming the vendor keeps its servers backed up, or adequately redundant. We’ve reviewed the major online backup services and picked the best below—and we’ll keep updating our reviews as services come and go (!). Our primary concern here is backup, but we will note other roles that a service can fulfill, whether to share it with others or have it handy when working from multiple devices or varied locations.
All the services we tested work well, so feel free to kick the tires and pick the one that suits your fancy. That said, there are some obvious best choices depending on what your needs are. Editor's note: Last updated April 24, 2018 to include in our list of reviewed services. Best overall online backup: iDrive. On iDrive iDrive has you covered six ways to Sunday when it comes to backup.
Online, local, sync, snapshots, shipping hard drives to you for quicker recovery. You name, the company does it. Not the cheapest service, but easily the most comprehensive. There’s no more complete online backup storage service than. And though it’s not the cheapest, it’s still affordable and comes with backup clients for nearly every PC and device, including Windows Phone—a rarity these days.
The company also provides additional storage for syncing all your devices and PCs, allows sharing of files with anyone, and has the ability to back up to a local drive. IDrive has two personal plans that cover one user with unlimited computers and devices: $69.50 a year for 2.5TB, and $99.50 a year for 5TB. Business plans allow unlimited users and computers, but significantly less storage per dollar, starting at $99.50 for 250GB. For all the details, read our. Best budget online backup service: Backblaze.
On Backblaze If you’re not sure what you want to back up, or where it is, or just don’t want the pressure of trying to figure it all out— is the online backup service you want. It offers unlimited storage, and backs up everything except items you explicitly exclude. Given all that, it’s ridiculously inexpensive compared to the competition: $5 a month, $50 a year, or $95 for two years for unlimited storage. It’s the same for business PCs.
Read our for more details. Most streamlined online backup: Carbonite. On Carbonite Carbonite is the best backup service for those who want constant, yet subtle feedback on the state of their backup. Integrating data selection and status into the operating system's context menus and icons is a stroke of genius. We also appreciate the simple scheduling.
A bit pricey, but good stuff always is. Carbonite Online backup is, in its own way, as simple as Backblaze.
The only real difference is that doesn’t back up everything by default. It selects what it thinks you need to back up, then leaves the rest up to you. It’s pretty successful selecting data if you use the standard locations (My Documents, etc.), so most users won’t need to provide additional input.
The price of elegance is a little steeper: Basic online-only backup is $60 for one computer for one year, $114 for two years, and $162 for three years. If you want the ability to duplicate the backup to a local hard drive and back up videos, then you’re talking $75, $190, and $270, respectively. If you want the ability to retrieve your data via a hard drive couriered to you (much faster than downloading when there’s a lot of data), the rates rise to $150, $285, and $405, respectively.
Best Cloud Backup For Mac
To find out why it’s worth the money, read our. What to look for in online storage and backup Capacity: Obviously, you’ll need as much storage as you have data, plus a little or possibly a lot more if you want to track changes and save previous versions of files. Some services keep multiple versions of files, some don’t.
In many cases there’s a time limit. Cost: Nearly all online services charge for a maximum allowable amount of data, and generally uploads are free. Aside from the free tiers available from a service like Dropbox, pricing is fairly consistent across services, though you definitely get more capacity for your money from some vendors, notably Backblaze. However, there may be additional charges or limitations on downloads. For instance, Amazon’s Glacier is intended solely for backup and archiving. It’s very cheap per GB and uploads are free, but you’re charged for downloading—a service you hopefully will never need.
Features: As we mentioned previously, in addition to backup, you may want to share your files with others, work with them from mobile devices, or even edit them with office applications such as those available with Dropbox, Google, and OneDrive. If you do intend to work online, we recommend that you maintain a local copy as backup, and a hedge against Internet downtime. OS and device support: Most services provide client backup software for the major operating systems (Linux, OS X, and Windows) and both Android and iOS. Make sure the service you sign up for supports your entire panoply of computers and devices. Note: iDrive even supports Windows Phone. Privacy: If you’re concerned about the privacy of your data, make sure you use a service that allows the use of a personal encryption key that you define. Do NOT lose it, as it is absolutely required to restore your data.
Sadly, using your own key often limits the types of services (e.g., no mobile backup) available. If private encryption keys aren’t available, read the privacy policy, especially with the free services—there are significant differences.
Reliability: Generally speaking, data centers are backed up to the hilt, and some of the larger ones even back up to different geographical locations. Availability (hopefully 24/7) can also be important. Check for news of outages and the vendor’s own service blogs. If there are too many outages in service, buy accordingly. In truth, all the services we’re aware of are near-100% reliable. Speed: Speed in many cases is far more dependent upon your broadband connection than that of the online service, though the geographical location of the storage and the equipment in between can make a significant difference. Check the location of the data servers if speed is important to you.
Best Backup Solution For Mac
Or, just give the trial a whirl and see if you can live with it. How we tested As noted above, the performance of online backup services will vary wildly according to their location and 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. These are noted in the reviews.