If you do not want to lose crucial documents, photos, videos, or your entire music collection, you can make a local backup or use convenient online services. Of course, there are several benefits to online backup:
- You can access your data from anywhere globally, which is especially relevant if you use mobile devices.
- The service makes it easy to set up regular backups.
- The files are stored securely in a professional data center, in most cases protected against theft or other threats.
- A ransomware attack is not that worrisome since the information is stored securely in a data center and not on your local computer.
In recent years, the number of cloud backup providers has been increasing. If you want to know which provider best suits your needs, take a look at the comparison that we offer below, where the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of each offer are also indicated.
01. Carbonite
If you choose Carbonite for online backups, you do not have to think about how much space you need because the packages only differ according to the type and number of devices backed up. The simplest offer includes a computer, although you can even choose to make copies of multiple servers.
In addition, the service provider offers several additional packages: for example, smaller companies may be interested in backing up Microsoft 365 data. All data generated by the suite’s programs are stored in the cloud. In addition to being practical as a backup, it also allows you to work from different devices.
Carbonite provides software for Mac and Windows that allows you to create online backups without problems and automatically. The program automatically searches for newly created files within folders that have been added to monitoring. There are also apps for making backup copies in the cloud for iOS and Android.
Advantage
- Software for different computers and mobile devices
- 128-bit and 256-bit Blowfish encryption
- Unlimited storage space
Disadvantages
- Only Windows users can create a private key
- Data centers in the US only.
02. Backblaze
Backblaze also does not limit the offer to its users either in terms of memory or file size. It provides software that either constantly monitors the computer and takes care of all changes directly or works according to a schedule programmed by the user himself.
In addition, it is not necessary to specify in advance what you want to backup since the program automatically includes all the files on the system. You can also choose the upload speed or have it reduced automatically when you do not want to use all the bandwidth to do the backup in the cloud. Backblaze uses SSL and AES for encryption. Plus, it includes two-factor authentication.
Backblaze stands out for two characteristics. On the one hand, there are the memory modules known as Storage Pods, with which the company delivers its own hardware. Its architecture is open source and is freely available on the Backblaze blog.
On the other hand, Backblaze stands out from other cloud backup providers for its data recovery method: although the user can download the data, as usual, Backblaze also offers the possibility to send the data as memory 256GB flash or 8TB hard drive.
Advantage
- Software for macOS and Windows
- Unlimited storage space
- Schedule regular backups
- Encryption with AES
- Two-factor authentication
- Own open-source hardware
- Data can also be sent in physical units
- Recovery of lost or stolen computers
Disadvantages
- No smartphone backups
- Data centers in the US only.
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03. IONOS Backup Cloud
IONOS Backup Cloud allows you to back up all your data to your computer, smartphone, tablet, laptop, or cloud infrastructure using a single provider. The backup agent configured by default allows you to adjust the backup characteristics in the cloud easily.
You will be able to determine when and how often the copies will be carried out and the time they must remain stored on the servers from IONOS.
In turn, the incremental approach of this online backup service allows only copies of new or changed data to be made since the last backup. These copies can also be compressed to make the most of the available storage space.
IONOS is among the best providers of cloud backup services because its high-performance data centers are among the most secure in the world. They are ISO certified, firewall, and SIEM, and IDS / IPS technology
In addition, both the data transmission to the server where the online backup is stored (SSL / TLS) and the data itself (256-bit AES) are encrypted.
For its part, when it comes to storage capacity, you have maximum freedom: together with the storage offers with a fixed capacity of 50, 100, or 250 GB, IONOS offers you the Backup Cloud Flex tariff, with them that you will pay monthly only for the space used (measured in Gigabytes).
Advantage
- Software for computers and mobile devices
- Data centers in Germany
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Flex rate with exact payment after use of storage
Disadvantages
- Storage space available at the standard rate is limited
04. IDrive
Despite what its name might suggest, IDrive has nothing to do with Apple products. If you finally decide to opt for a plan offered by the American company to perform backups in the cloud, you have to bear in mind that a single package covers all devices. Still, you need to select the required storage capacity in advance.
In the offer for individuals, called “Personal,” you can select between 5 and 10 TB, although a free version is also offered in which each user has 5 GB.
IDrive software is available for Windows, macOS, Linux (for business), iOS, and Android. In addition, this is truly unique – the company also offers an offline storage alternative with IDrive Express, an external device that IDrive sends to users and where large sets of data can be stored without an Internet connection.
After the backup is complete, the device is returned to the company, which will add the data to the cloud backup. This feature is especially useful for initial backups where the entire system must be saved.
Advantage
- Software for many computers and mobile devices
- Offline storage
- Encryption with AES
- Files can be made available to others
Disadvantages
- Data centers in the US only.
- Storage limitation
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05. Acronis
Acronis offers backup software for individuals that allows you to organize both backups in the provider’s cloud, as well as in local storage. Depending on the subscription, the user can have between 500 GB and 5 TB. With this, the company seeks 3-2-1 backup, that is, triple storage of all data in two different technologies, one of which must be external.
For corporate customers, Acronis even has on-premises solutions that can be used alongside a hybrid disaster recovery service, for example.
For home users, Acronis True Image software also includes protection against ransomware. Using artificial intelligence, it constantly examines the system for suspicious activity and alerts if it detects threats.
The software also offers the ability to convert a full backup into a virtual drive, creating a test environment in which, for example, you can test new software. In the Premium version, Acronis also includes electronic signature and blockchain certification.
Advantage
- Software for many computers and mobile devices
- Encryption with AES
- 3-2-1 Safety
- Data center location can be chosen
- Active protection against ransomware
- Test environments
- Planning periodic backups
Disadvantages
- Storage limitation
06. IONOS MyBackup
While IONOS Backup Cloud targets larger business customers, individuals and smaller companies can find MyBackup a very successful solution. It should be noted that this backup option in the cloud has a simple configuration and management.
You can keep control of all the elements from the user interface, although, after installation, you don’t need to pay special attention, as the cloud copies run automatically.
IONOS offers you four packages: 10GB, 100GB, 200GB or 500GB. If you need more storage, just exceed these limits and pay a small extra fee per gigabyte used per month. In addition, since you can unsubscribe from the contract on a monthly basis, you can change your rate without problems.
IONOS MyBackup software is available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android operating systems. However, Windows users get a dual benefit, as they have protection against ransomware. While uploading the Windows files, they are checked for viruses, ensuring that the backup is safe.
MyBackup has high-security standards. All data centers are ISO certified and operate as per European data protection standards. In principle, all data is protected with an AES 256-bit certificate.
Advantage
- Software for different computers and mobile devices
- Data centers in Europe
- AES 256 encryption
- Easy drive
Drawbacks
- Excess volume generates additional costs
07. SugarSync
SugarSync goes beyond what is considered a service to use online backups because, in addition to online backups, it allows you to synchronize files on all devices. As a user, you can select to back up specific folders or make cloud copies of all directories. Any changes made locally are also synced to the cloud.
With this function, it is possible to start a document on one device and finish it on another, and, as all files are in the cloud, you can easily share them with friends or colleagues. This backup program is compatible with PC, Mac, iOS, and Android.
Home users can choose from 100GB, 250GB, and 500GB storage space. Business customers can register multiple users, with storage capacity starting at 1 TB. In the cloud, all data is stored with 256-bit AES encryption and transferred exclusively via TLS, as is the case with most providers.
Advantage
- Software for many computers and mobile devices
- Synchronization of multiple devices
- Encryption with AES
- Share files through shared folders
Disadvantages
- Storage limitation
- Data centers in the US only.
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