Why You Need Cloud Backup
Hard drives fail. Laptops get stolen. Ransomware encrypts your files. Accidental deletion happens to everyone. Cloud backup is your insurance policy against all of these scenarios, automatically protecting your data every day.
Cloud Backup vs Cloud Storage
Before choosing, understand the difference. Cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox) is for active file access and sharing. Cloud backup (Backblaze, IDrive) is for automatic, continuous protection of all your files. Think of storage as your filing cabinet and backup as your safety deposit box.
Step 1: Assess Your Data
How much data do you need to protect? A typical personal computer has 200GB-1TB of data. If you have extensive photo or video libraries, you might have several terabytes. Know your number before comparing plans.
Step 2: Decide on Device Coverage
Do you need to back up one computer or multiple devices? Backblaze charges per computer ($7/month unlimited). IDrive covers unlimited devices under one 10TB pool. For multi-device households, IDrive often provides better value.
Step 3: Consider Initial Backup Speed
If you have terabytes of data, the initial backup over the internet could take weeks. IDrive offers Express, a service that ships you a physical hard drive for fast initial backup. Backblaze does not offer seeded backup, so your initial upload happens entirely over the internet.
Step 4: Evaluate Restore Options
How will you get your data back in an emergency? Web download is standard but slow for large restores. Backblaze offers USB flash drive ($99 refundable) or hard drive ($189 refundable) shipping. IDrive also offers Express Restore with physical media shipping.
Step 5: Check Versioning and Retention
How far back can you recover previous versions of files? Backblaze keeps 30 days of versions. IDrive keeps up to 30 snapshots. For extended retention, consider whether the default policy meets your needs.
Step 6: Security Matters
Both Backblaze and IDrive offer optional private encryption keys for zero-knowledge security. If you enable this, even the backup provider cannot access your files. However, losing your key means losing access to your backups permanently.
Our Recommendations
For most individuals: Backblaze — the simplest, most affordable unlimited backup at $7/month. For multi-device families: IDrive — unlimited devices under one 10TB plan. For businesses needing S3 storage: Wasabi — the most affordable object storage at $6.99/TB/month.
