☁️ Cloud Backup Comparison

The 3-2-1 Backup Rule

Before comparing tools, understand the rule: 3 copies of your data, on 2 different types of media, with 1 copy off-site. A NAS in your office is not off-site. An external hard drive next to your computer is not off-site. Cloud backup satisfies the "1 off-site" requirement and — crucially — does it automatically. If backup requires manual action, it will not happen consistently.

Detailed Reviews

1. Backblaze — Simplest Setup, Best Value

Backblaze is the "set it and forget it" champion. Install it, and it silently backs up everything continuously. At $7/month per device with unlimited storage, it is the simplest and most affordable option for backing up individual computers. The 30-day version history means if ransomware encrypts your files and the encrypted versions get backed up, you have 30 days to restore the clean versions. The main limitation: Backblaze backs up individual computers, not servers or NAS devices. For those, use Backblaze B2 ($6/TB/month) with a separate backup tool.

2. Acronis Cyber Protect — Backup + Security Combined

Acronis uniquely combines backup with built-in anti-malware and ransomware protection. Its Active Protection technology monitors for ransomware behavior and can automatically restore affected files from backup if an attack is detected. This integration means you get two critical services (backup + endpoint protection) in one console. The downside: storage is capped (250GB-1TB depending on plan), and overage fees apply. If your total backup data exceeds a few hundred GB, Backblaze's unlimited model is cheaper.

3. IDrive — Best for Multiple Devices

IDrive Business supports unlimited users, servers, and computers under one account, with pooled storage from 250GB to 12.5TB. It also offers IDrive Express — they physically ship you a drive for fast initial backup seeding or full restore (much faster than downloading terabytes). This is valuable if you have a large initial dataset. Snapshots and 30-day version history protect against ransomware. Good middle-ground for businesses with moderate storage needs and multiple devices to protect.

4. CrashPlan — Unlimited Version History

CrashPlan's killer feature is unlimited file version history — it keeps every version of every file forever by default. If you discover that a critical spreadsheet was corrupted 6 months ago, you can restore the version from 6 months and 1 day ago. Most other backup services delete old versions after 30 days. At $10/month/device with unlimited storage, it is pricier than Backblaze, but the infinite version history may be worth it for businesses where file integrity over long periods matters (legal, accounting, engineering).

5. MSP360 — Maximum Flexibility, Requires IT Skills

MSP360 (formerly CloudBerry) is different: the software costs $6/month, and you bring your own cloud storage (AWS S3, Backblaze B2, Wasabi, etc.). This means you control where your data lives and what it costs. The flexibility is unmatched — you can set granular backup schedules, retention policies, and encryption settings. The trade-off: you need more technical skill to set it up properly. MSP360 is best for businesses with someone IT-savvy on staff who wants full control over their backup architecture.

Our Recommendation