It's no coincidence that World Backup Day is right before April Fools' Day. The implication is clear: If you're not backed up, there's all the chance in the world that you could end up looking like a fool. All foolishness aside, the point of the faux holiday is an important one: We're creating vast amounts of digital content—photos, videos, music, and documents—all of which is just a hard drive crash away from obliteration. Other data-ending events threaten, as well: You could be the victim of a fire or flood, or you may just delete data unintentionally.
While it's not a bad idea to simply back your precious files up to an external hard drive, an online backup service offers the advantage of securely store your files at off-site server locations, so that your data stays intact and available even if your local disks are stolen or your premises are struck by damage. And with more and more emphasis on "cloud computing," it only makes sense that backup should take advantage of this hot trend in technology. Below we take a close look at ten of the most popular and innovative cloud backup services to help you choose the one that's right for your needs and budget.
Though it seems like a simple proposition—regularly upload important files to a secure server—there are a surprising number of factors and features to consider when choosing an online backup service: Does it upload new and changed files immediately? Does it allow syncing or sharing of data? Can it back up files while you have them open? Is there a Web client for restoring? Is there a mobile client? A Mac client? For some, the most important question is "How much will it cost?" In the next section, we'll offer guidelines to just that.
Pricing Changes
The biggest question to ask when trying to figure out pricing for an online backup service is this: Do you need unlimited storage because you have a huge disk full of large files? Or is it more important for you to cover multiple computers? The first group should look to unlimited plans offered by some of the services, such as Carbonite which, offers an unlimited storage plan for $59 a year (raised from $55 last March), and IDrive offers a very affordable unlimited storage plan at $49.99 a year.
The biggest question to ask when trying to figure out pricing for an online backup service is this: Do you need unlimited storage because you have a huge disk full of large files? Or is it more important for you to cover multiple computers? The first group should look to unlimited plans offered by some of the services, such as Carbonite which, offers an unlimited storage plan for $59 a year (raised from $55 last March), and IDrive offers a very affordable unlimited storage plan at $49.99 a year.
"Unlimited" isn't exactly infinite, though. These plans limit you to the amount of storage on the covered computer's hard disk, and both of them slow your transfer speed if you exceed 200GB or 150GB respectively. Carbonite has new $99 per year and $150 per year plans that maintain fast upload speed to 200GB. But all these plans limit you to a single PC at those price points.
Perhaps of more interest is a plans ability to cover more than one computer. A common scenario I use when comparing the pricing of different online backup services is to consider how much it would cost to back up 50GB of data on three machines for a year. Here's a table of how the services stack up in this scenario:
Mobile Access
Many of the services now have mobile apps for devices like iPhones, iPads, and Android phones and tablets. Some, like SOS Online Backup offer not only access to your online backed-up files, but also the ability to send links for file downloads to your contacts. IDrive offers a separate iPhone app that doesn't offer that capability, but does let you back up your phone's contacts and photos—for free. KineticD has a remote control capability to its iPhone and Web versions, which makes sense, since you're likely to have the backup app running on your main PC all the time.
Many of the services now have mobile apps for devices like iPhones, iPads, and Android phones and tablets. Some, like SOS Online Backup offer not only access to your online backed-up files, but also the ability to send links for file downloads to your contacts. IDrive offers a separate iPhone app that doesn't offer that capability, but does let you back up your phone's contacts and photos—for free. KineticD has a remote control capability to its iPhone and Web versions, which makes sense, since you're likely to have the backup app running on your main PC all the time.
Folder Syncing
Another pairing with online backup is folder syncing, which services like MiMedia, Nomadesk, and SpiderOak offer. These let you designate folders on multiple systems that will automatically be updated whenever you add or change a file in either. But perhaps the most fascinating twist on online backup comes from CrashPlan, which actually lets you specify a friend's computer as your online backup target, saving you from paying for server storage.
Another pairing with online backup is folder syncing, which services like MiMedia, Nomadesk, and SpiderOak offer. These let you designate folders on multiple systems that will automatically be updated whenever you add or change a file in either. But perhaps the most fascinating twist on online backup comes from CrashPlan, which actually lets you specify a friend's computer as your online backup target, saving you from paying for server storage.
Where Should You Store Your Files?
Whether you're looking for whizz-bang new features or just want a safe place to keep your valuable documents and media, our reviews below will help you make the choice that best fits your needs—and your budget. Browse the descriptions below (or page through our slideshow) and click the links to read our in-depth reviews of online backup services.
Whether you're looking for whizz-bang new features or just want a safe place to keep your valuable documents and media, our reviews below will help you make the choice that best fits your needs—and your budget. Browse the descriptions below (or page through our slideshow) and click the links to read our in-depth reviews of online backup services.
One final thing to keep in mind: Choosing any of these services is far better than not backing up at all. Don't be an April Fool when it comes to your irreplaceable digital assets!
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