Backblaze vs Carbonite: Which Cloud Backup Service is Best?
Imagine losing all the precious photos, important documents, and valuable files on your computer. Terrifying, right? Unfortunately, it happens far too often. Hard drives fail, laptops get stolen, coffee gets spilled on keyboards – and poof, your irreplaceable data is gone forever.
Unless you have a backup. And these days, cloud backup services like Backblaze and Carbonite are the most convenient, affordable way to make sure your files stay safe no matter what happens to your computer. But how do these two popular options stack up? Let‘s take an in-depth look at Backblaze vs Carbonite and see which one comes out on top.
What is Backblaze?
Backblaze is a cloud backup service that earns our pick as the best value in online backup. For just $6/month, you get unlimited storage to back up a single computer (including external hard drives). The service is easy to set up and runs quietly in the background continually backing up your files. It‘s available for both Windows and Mac.
Some standout features of Backblaze:
- Truly unlimited storage with no file size or type restrictions
- Backup of external hard drives at no extra cost
- Strong security with end-to-end encryption and optional private key
- Simple, user-friendly software that‘s a breeze to install and use
- Multiple restore options including web download, USB flash drive, or USB hard drive
What is Carbonite?
Carbonite is another well-known cloud backup service that offers a wider range of plans and pricing than Backblaze. The entry-level Carbonite Safe Basic plan, at $6/month, is comparable to Backblaze. It backs up one computer with no storage limits. Higher tier plans add features like external hard drive backup, courier recovery service, and backup for multiple computers.
Key features of Carbonite:
- Unlimited storage for one computer starting at $6/month
- Automatic, continuous backup
- Easy setup and user-friendly apps for PC and Mac
- Remote file access and sharing capabilities
- Courier recovery with annual subscription (not available for Mac)
Backblaze vs Carbonite: Head-to-Head Comparison
Now that we have an overview of what Backblaze and Carbonite each offer, let‘s see how they compare in a few key areas that matter most when choosing a cloud backup service.
1. Supported Platforms
Both Backblaze and Carbonite offer software to back up Windows and Mac computers. However, neither can directly back up smartphones or tablets. Mobile apps are available for viewing and accessing backed up files, but not actually backing up the contents of your phone.
One limitation is that Carbonite‘s Mac software lacks a couple features found in the Windows version – most notably the ability to use a private encryption key.
Winner: Backblaze. While both cover Windows and Mac, Carbonite‘s Mac app has a few missing features compared to Windows.
2. Security & Reliability
Robust security and dependable infrastructure are essential for any cloud backup service. After all, you‘re trusting them to store your most important data. Fortunately, both Backblaze and Carbonite take security and reliability very seriously.
Both encrypt your data during transfer and storage, using industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption. Backblaze goes a step further by offering an optional private encryption key. This means you can set a password that only you know. Even Backblaze employees can‘t access your data, although it also means they can‘t help you if you lose the key.
Carbonite offers private keys with its Windows app but not Mac. So for Mac users, Backblaze has the edge security-wise. Both services have a solid track record of reliability, with multiple data centers and redundant storage to safeguard your files.
Winner: Backblaze, especially for Mac users who can use a private encryption key. But both are very secure and dependable.
3. Ease of Setup & Use
For many people, the idea of setting up a backup system is intimidating. But Backblaze and Carbonite both make it surprisingly painless.
I tested both and found the setup process very similar. You download the app, install it, and enter your account info. The software then analyzes your hard drive and starts backing up.
Backblaze does the analysis first, then backs up starting with the smallest files. Carbonite analyzes and starts uploading simultaneously, so you see both numbers climbing. But in both cases, it‘s really a "set it and forget it" process.
Both also provide customization options for power users who want more control. You can select folders to include/exclude, throttle speeds, set up a private encryption key, etc. But most users can just let it run on autopilot.
Winner: Tie. Both Backblaze and Carbonite make setup and ongoing backups incredibly easy.
4. Storage Limits & Restrictions
Backblaze and Carbonite both offer "unlimited" storage plans, but with a couple caveats to be aware of:
First, the unlimited storage only applies to a single computer. If you need to back up multiple machines, you‘ll need multiple licenses with Backblaze. Carbonite does offer a pricier plan that covers up to 25 computers with 250GB of storage each.
Second, external hard drives. Backblaze will back up any external/USB drives you have connected to your computer, at no extra charge. To get this functionality with Carbonite, you need to step up to the Safe Plus plan which costs an extra $4.50/month.
Winner: Backblaze offers unlimited backup of one computer, including any attached external drives, for a lower price than Carbonite‘s single-computer plan with external drive support.
5. Backup Speed
Backup speed is tough to measure definitively since everyone‘s computer and internet connection is different. But in general, initial backups with either service are going to take a long time – think days or weeks. It just comes with the territory when you‘re uploading hundreds of gigabytes.
That said, I gave the edge to Backblaze here for two reasons:
- In my testing, Backblaze did seem to make faster overall progress. One reason is that it prioritizes smaller files first. So you see a big initial jump in the % completed.
- Backblaze has a slight technical advantage because its backup client supports multi-threaded uploads. This allows it to upload multiple files at once for a bit of a speed boost.
Carbonite, while plenty fast for most purposes, typically sees slightly slower upload speeds according to third-party testing.
Ongoing backups after the initial upload are much quicker with both services though, since it‘s just updating changes.
Winner: Backblaze. While speeds are similar, it seemed to have an edge in my testing.
6. Restore Options
A backup system is only as good as your ability to restore your files when needed. And both Backblaze and Carbonite offer multiple ways to do so:
With either service, you can log into the web interface, browse your backed up files, and download individual files/folders. For larger restores, Backblaze can zip up the files and send you a download link.
Both also offer a courier service where they‘ll ship you a flash drive or hard drive with your data, for an extra fee. Carbonite includes this in their Prime plan ($150/year) while Backblaze charges per restore ($99 for flash drive, $189 for hard drive).
Winner: Tie. The core functionality is very similar, with courier service available as a paid add-on.
7. Pricing & Value
Backblaze keeps pricing very simple: $6/month or $60/year for unlimited backup of one computer. That‘s it. You can add additional computers for another $6/month each.
Carbonite has three pricing tiers for individual computers:
- Basic: $6/month for one computer
- Plus: $9.34/month for one computer + external drive + automatic video backup
- Prime: $12.50/month for one computer + external drive + courier service + automatic video backup
They also have business plans for multiple computers and servers starting at $24/month.
Considering Backblaze includes unlimited external drive backup in its base $6/month plan, it‘s hard to beat from a value perspective. Carbonite is a bit more expensive for comparable features. Although if you need to back up 5+ computers, the economics start to shift in Carbonite‘s favor.
Winner: Backblaze offers the best value for most users. But Carbonite can be more cost-effective for backing up many computers.
The Bottom Line
While Backblaze and Carbonite both provide easy, reliable cloud backup, Backblaze is our overall pick. Its single $6/month plan offers unlimited backup for one computer and all connected drives. The software is top-notch, security is excellent, and restores are convenient. Simply put, it‘s the best value in cloud backup today.
However, Carbonite may be preferable in certain situations. Namely, if you need to back up more than 4 computers, Carbonite‘s Basic plan becomes more economical on a per-computer basis. And its Prime plan could appeal to some since it includes courier restores by default.
Really though, both services are solid choices that will serve you well. If you want to see for yourself, I recommend taking advantage of the free trials that Backblaze and Carbonite both offer. You‘ll be able to test the software and see which one you prefer. Because when it comes to backing up your irreplaceable files, the most important thing is to pick a service and start protecting your data today.