Best Online Cloud Backup Services

Taking a backup of your data online is a much better option than taking a backup on a local device. Cloud backup prevents you from losing your data in case your device dies out on you. Any cloud backup service that you choose copies your data on your computer to a remote cloud server somewhere. All you have to do to restore your data is to log in to the service.

Cloud backup is convenient, secure, and easy to use. In today’s time, we’re connected to the internet every second of the day. With cloud backup service, you can access your data any minute of the day.

While a lot of businesses rely on local backups, they’re not safe to use. Even if you’re using external local data drives for saving your data, it’s still not secure. External drivers can also face issues, and run into issues.

Cloud Backup is essential to have as it’s not ideal to keep a local backup of data. This is why many businesses rely on cloud backup storage. Cloud backup services offer peace of mind to consumers. Each of these cloud backup services we’ve thoroughly tested and reviewed uses great encryption on its own servers to make sure data is protected.

Why Should Businesses Use Online Cloud Backup Services?

Businesses today have become globally connected. Employees work from home, some employees work from other countries, which makes data management really important. Moreover, there are chances to become a victim of cyberattacks, spyware, malware, ransomware, or situations that lead to loss of data.

Basic protection tools like anti-virus software aren’t enough. Sometimes, even virtual private networks (VPNs) aren’t reliable enough for such distributed work environments.

Online cloud backup and restore software helps businesses keep their data safe, and restore lost data in case of data theft.

Top 7 Cloud Backup Services 2026

idrive

IDrive

  • 1995
  •  Calabasas, California, U.S
  •  Free – $75.90/year

IDrive is one of the easiest cloud backup services to use that’s jam-packed with powerful features.

IDrive is excellent in every possible aspect. It provides a range of features that have a reasonable price tag. It supports almost every kind of device. The list of supported devices includes servers, NAS, smartphones, external drives, and computers.

IDrive uses a block-level algorithm to make sure you don’t waste bandwidth while uploading your files to the cloud. This is why IDrive has earned the award of fastest cloud backup service a lot of times. IDrive mobile app on android and iOS also allows you to back up your mobile devices.

The data protection services are incredible. IDrive uses AES 256-bit encryption to protect your files. Moreover, the SSL/TLS protocols ensure the data is safe from any external threats.

Pros and Cons of IDrive

Pros

  • Incredible security and privacy features
  • Unlimited device support
  • Free plan is pretty great
  • Fast and seamless data backup
  • AES 256-bit encryption

Cons

  • No unlimited backup plan
  • No monthly plan
backblaze

Backblaze

  • 2007
  • San Mateo, California, U.S
  • $7/month for unlimited storage

If you want a simple cloud backup service that prioritizes user experience, then choose Backblaze.

Backblaze is the complete opposite of IDrive in terms of its approach to data backup. As soon as you open the Backblaze backup client, you’ll see that it is simple and doesn’t have any fancy bells and whistles.

All the features you could ask for are stored in 2 basic panels. One shows you the status of your backup and gives you some adjustable features. While this makes Backblaze an amazing option, it also makes it a bit rigid.

Backblaze offers robust security, utilizing strong encryption and two-factor authentication. it makes sure that your data is safe from accidents or theft.

The recovery process of Backblaze is not as good as it should be. Instead of offering the recovery directly through the client, users have to upload their encryption key to Backvblaze’s website. While Backblaze claims that they delete the encryption key as soon as you restore data, there’s no proof backing this claim.

Pros and Cons of Backblaze

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Unlimited storage plan
  • Offers decent speeds
  • Great security

Cons

  • Flawed private encryption process
  • Rigid backup process
  • No mobile backup
acronis

Acronics

  • 2003
  • Schaffhausen, Switzerland
  • $4.17 – $69.92/month

If you want a data backup client with tons of features, then go for Acronis. Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office is similar to IDrive in terms of features. It offers features like NAS, server, mobile, and hybrid backup, complete copy of your system using disk imaging.

While you do get unlimited versioning, there’s no multithread support. Upload and download speeds are what you would expect. Acronis protects your data with zero-knowledge encryption and multi-factor authentication.

Acronis is not just a data backup service, it also offers a range of data security features. You can use it to scan for viruses and malware. You can choose on which server you want to store your data. Most users prefer Switzerland due to the privacy-friendly rules.

Pros and Cons of Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office

Pros

  • Flexible server location
  • Feature-rich offering
  • Unlimited versioning feature

Cons

  • Interface needs improvement
  • The backup client is slow and laggy
  • Pricing scheme is a headache
pcloud

pCloud

  • 2013
  • Baar, Zug, Switzerland
  • Free – $9.99/month

The first and foremost thing you need to know about pCloud is that isn’t a dedicated backup service. It’s a cloud storage provider first. pCloud recently updated its business models to include a cloud backup service as well.

Being so new in the market, they’re doing a great job. It lacks some features that you would find with other cloud backup service providers. Regardless of the missing features, pCloud manages to find itself on almost all the lists of cloud backup services on the web.

The plans on pCloud are a bit more expensive than its alternatives, but you’re getting both cloud storage, and cloud backup, so it’s worth it.

Pros and Cons of pCloud

Pros

  • Easy-to-use backup services
  • Cloud storage & online backup
  • Wide range of plans

Cons

  • Not as many features
  • Zero-knowledge encryption costs extra
spideroak one backup

SpiderOak

  • 2007
  • Lanexa, Kansas, U.S.
  • $3.58/month – $29/month

SpiderOak is another hybrid backup service. If you want to keep your data secure and private, SpiderOak can do that for you.

SpiderOak offers both online backup and basic cloud storage services. There are incredible file-sharing and syncing features. Perfect for hybrid teams and teams who collaborate on a daily basis.

When it comes to security, SpiderOak does great. There’s a clear privacy policy, and they rely on Zero-Knowledge Encryption. This ensures that no one can access your data except you.

The problem with SpiderOak is its expensive pricing. For just 5GB of mobile-only storage, you’ll have to pay $3.58 per month. Compared to this other providers are giving 10GB of free storage.

Pros and Cons of SpiderOak

Pros

  • Unlimited versioning feature
  • Excellent download speeds
  • 10/10 on security and privacy

Cons

  • Expensive compared to other alternatives
  • No mobile backup or disk imaging
  • Slow upload speeds
carbonite

Carbonite

  • 2005
  • Boston, MA, U.S.
  • $6/month – $83.34

If you don’t like Backblaze’s encryption policy, then go with Carbonite. We consider Carbonite to be one of the best NAS cloud backup solutions. Carbonite is a no-bs cloud backup service, and it does the john well.

You will miss out on Hybrid, image-based, and mobile backup services, but you may end up satisfied with external drives, servers, and NAS devices on some plans.

Carbonite uses strong AES 256-bit and SSL/TLS to protect your files from cyber criminals. The pricing scheme is another place where Carbonite fails to hit the mark. But you do get access to an affordable plan with unlimited storage space. If you want additional features in backup plans, you’ll have to choose more expensive plans.

Pros and Cons of Carbonite

Pros

  • Cheap unlimited backup plan
  • Easy-to-Use
  • Offers great security and privacy

Cons

  • Download speeds are annoyingly slow
  • Limited number of features
cloudberry backup

CloudBerry

  • 2011
  • Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.
  • Free – $15/month

If you want complete control over your backups, then try out CloudBerry. Although we recommend CloudBerry to businesses who are already paying for some kind of business storage service. CloudBerry provides incredible control to users over their backup.

CloudBerry is a feature-rich platform offering unlimited versioning, advanced scheduling, block-level uploads, multithreading, and multiple-device support. Based on the type of storage provider you have, CloudBerry offers client-side encryption and two-factor authentication.

CloudBerry doesn’t have its own data centers, so they need to be partnered with a third-party storage provider. The service is more compatible with only business-focused storage such as Amazon S3, Backblaze B2, and Microsoft Azure.

As there’s no storage service offered by CloudBerry, there’s no recurring subscription. You just have to pay for the service one time, and that’s it.

Pros and Cons of CloudBerry Backup

Pros

  • More flexible than other providers
  • Wide range of features

Cons

  • Requires a third-party storage provider
  • Complicated to understand and use

FAQs

What exactly is a cloud backup service and how does it work?

A cloud backup service automatically copies your files, folders, or entire system to remote servers over the internet — so if your device crashes, gets stolen, or is hit by ransomware, your data is safe and recoverable. Most online cloud backup solutions run quietly in the background, syncing changes at scheduled intervals or in real time, without you having to do anything manually. Think of it as an always-on safety net for your data that lives somewhere other than your desk.

Is online cloud backup safe enough for sensitive business data?

Yes, provided you choose the right provider. Reputable cloud backup services use AES 256-bit encryption both during transfer and at rest, which is the same encryption standard used by banks and government agencies. Many also offer zero-knowledge encryption, meaning even the provider cannot access your files. For businesses handling sensitive data, look for services that also offer multi-factor authentication and compliance with standards like GDPR, HIPAA, or SOC 2.

How is cloud backup different from cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox?

This is a common point of confusion. Cloud storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox are designed for file access and sharing — they sync files, but they don’t protect your entire system. Cloud backup solutions, on the other hand, are built specifically for recovery. They create versioned copies of your data, often including system images and server-level backups, so you can restore everything to a specific point in time. If you accidentally delete a file on Dropbox, it may just disappear. With a dedicated online cloud backup service, you can go back in time and retrieve it.

Do cloud backup solutions work for online server backup as well?

Yes, most enterprise-grade cloud backup solutions support online server backup — including physical servers, virtual machines, and NAS devices. Services like IDrive and Acronis, for example, let you back up Windows and Linux servers directly to the cloud, schedule automated backups, and restore individual files or full server images remotely. If your business runs critical operations on a server, this is a non-negotiable feature to look for in any cloud backup service.

How much storage do I actually need from a cloud backup service?

It depends on what you’re backing up. For a typical small business backing up workstations and documents, 1–5TB is usually sufficient. If you’re doing online server backup or backing up databases, media files, and virtual machines, you’ll want significantly more — or an unlimited storage plan like Backblaze offers. A good rule of thumb: estimate your current total data size, then multiply by 1.5 to account for versioned copies and future growth.

How long does the initial backup take with an online cloud backup service?

The first backup — often called the “seed backup” — can take anywhere from a few hours to several days depending on the size of your data and the speed of your internet connection. After that initial upload, most cloud backup services switch to incremental backups, meaning only new or changed files are uploaded. This makes ongoing backups much faster. Some providers also offer physical seeding options where you ship a hard drive to their data center to speed up the initial process.

Can I access and restore my files from anywhere with an online cloud backup?

The first backup — often called the “seed backup” — can take anywhere from a few hours to several days depending on the size of your data and the speed of your internet connection. After that initial upload, most cloud backup services switch to incremental backups, meaning only new or changed files are uploaded. This Yes — that’s one of the core advantages of online cloud backup over local backup methods. As long as you have internet access and your account credentials, you can log in and restore individual files, folders, or full system images from any device and any location. This is especially useful for distributed teams or businesses that need fast disaster recovery without being physically present at an office.ongoing backups much faster. Some providers also offer physical seeding options where you ship a hard drive to their data center to speed up the initial process.

Manjit Singh

Manjit Singh has spent 15 years working across digital marketing, SaaS, and content strategy — giving him hands-on familiarity with the tools he reviews at CompareGiants. Before writing about software, he used it: managing campaigns across analytics platforms, CRM stacks, and marketing tooling for clients ranging from startups to enterprise teams. At CompareGiants, every review goes through a structured evaluation — features, real-world pricing, aggregated user sentiment, and honest comparison against alternatives. His goal is simple: cut through vendor marketing so buyers can make faster, better decisions.