We’ve tested our share of cloud backup services that will help protect your data, whether it’s a few gigabytes or several terabytes. These are the ones that we considered the best options.
TL; DR – Here is the best cloud storage:
1. Backblaze
Better cloud storage
For just about any cloud storage need, Backblaze (read our review) has you covered at one of the most affordable rates in terms of price per gigabyte. The principle is simple: once you have installed Backblaze and you have subscribed for $ 6 / month or $ 60 / year, you will have your entire computer backed up. There is not much fuss for you. You won’t have to decide to back up some files here and not back up other files there. It will just make the whole computer with unlimited storage.
Backblaze starts backing up your local files as soon as it starts up, and it recovers all the files on all of your local drives, including external USB drives. Just note that it will not back up your system files or programs. So, should the worst happen to your computer, you will be on your own to re-download the programs and configure your system as you wish. But, when it comes to your important files, you will be able to recover them directly from Backblaze.
2. IDrive
Best Value Cloud Storage
While we still prefer Backblaze in most cases and it offers compelling value, there are some situations where you might be able to save a little or get more for your money with IDrive (read our review). This is enough for it to gain its place as a high added value option. You’ll envision a price tag around $ 60 per year, which isn’t bad. There are often discounts on your first year as well, including a 75% first year discount for IGN readers which can take your first year down to just $ 14.88 when you sign up using our link.
The basic plan includes 1TB of cloud storage, giving you a decent amount of space to save backups. IDrive also doesn’t have a device limit, so you can use that 1TB of storage to back up multiple computers and phones. There are also plans that increase storage space up to 5TB and 10TB. IDrive backups support AES 256-bit encryption and you can create a private encryption key. You also have the option to perform backups to external and network drives. And, if you want multiple backups of the same system, IDrive Snapshots lets you restore up to 30 different file versions. IDrive’s service could use a bit more refinement, but you should expect tradeoffs with a budget offer.
3. Acronis True Image 2021
Best cloud storage for local and cloud backup
Acronis True Image (read our review) isn’t the most affordable service on this list, but it’s an easy-to-use program with plenty of options and serious local backup benefits. Acronis True Image costs $ 50 per year with no cloud storage included. Spending up to $ 90 will give you 500GB of storage for a single machine, while $ 125 will get you up to 1TB, with each additional terabyte costing an additional $ 40 afterwards.
If you want to back up some files to the cloud but prioritize local backups, you need to be in good shape. Acronis’ desktop program is incredibly easy to use and the most advanced and professional we have tested. So you can easily configure it to back up your local files and folders, secure your entire system with full disk images, and even copy your social media content. If you want this data to be secure, you will be delighted to see end-to-end encryption with this software.
4. Backing up SpiderOak One
Best secure cloud storage
While all of the above services allow you to encrypt your backups with a private key, IDrive and Backblaze of them require you to give your key to the service when you want to restore your files. They both erase your key as soon as the process is complete, and it’s better than no encryption at all, but some people want their data to be 100% secure at all times. If you’re one of those people and want a truly ‘unconscious’ service that will never be able to see your files, SpiderOak One (read our review) was made for you.
The program itself is well designed and easy to use, but the security is the banner feature here: everything you save is end-to-end encrypted, so your files are completely private, even if the government forces SpiderOak to transmit. your data . Acronis has similar security, but SpiderOak is the only service that puts it front and center as a banner feature.
That peace of mind comes at a cost, however – $ 149 per year for 2TB, not to mention slower speeds compared to the competition – but if you care about your privacy and security above all else, it’s worth it. the glance.
5. SOS online backup
Best cloud storage for unlimited version control
SOS Online Backup (read our review) is a decent program, but it has very few advantages over the competition except for a very unique feature. Unlike other backup services, SOS never purges old and deleted files. This means that if you accidentally delete a file and find out you need it a year later, it will still be there. If you need the original version of a file that you’ve since updated several times, it will always be there.
Most of the services have some kind of limitation here – some can only store deleted files for 30 days, while others can store files indefinitely but only keep the last 10-20 versions. This is why SOS stands out.
There is a downside though: SOS is extremely expensive, costing $ 40 per month for 1TB of space (or $ 480 per year – almost five times more than Acronis and SpiderOak, the next more expensive options). The rest of the program is nothing to write home about either, so most people would be better served elsewhere. But if you absolutely need unlimited version control, SOS Online Backup is here for you.
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Whitson Gordon is a writer, gamer, and tech nerd who has been building PCs for the past 10 years. He eats chips with chopsticks so as not to grease his mechanical keyboard.
Mark Knapp is a regular contributor to IGN and an irregular tweeter on Twitter @ Techn0Mark
