Automatic Backup Service Reviews: Top Online Backup Services Compared
When choosing a remote backup service, you must decide which of the features and criteria are most important to you. Each of the backup services will offer different perks, so you must decide which criteria are most important for you before making a choice. We have reviewed the most popular online backup companies, and graded each using several factors. We hope our research will help you to make an informed decision when choosing a remote backup service. Please check our automatic backup reviews page for an overall side-by-side comparison of all the online backup services.Online Backup Review Results
*NOTE: In our review process, we chose the base level package of each service, so that we were making apples to apples comparisons.The Winners
 Carbonite | |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating |  |
| Base Price | $4.58/month |
| Storage Limit | Unlimited |
| Additional Storage Cost | N/A |
| Maximum Computers | 1 |
| Supported Operating Systems | Windows, Mac |
| BBB Rating | A |
| Free Trial | 15 days |
| Pros: One of the largest and most trusted names in online backup services, Carbonite offers simplicity, along with unlimited storage at the lowest price. Quick and easy to set up and get started with unlimited backup and storage, Carbonite has earned the "Best Overall Value" rating. | |
| Cons: None to mention | |
Read the full Carbonite review.
| |
| SpiderOak "Most Features" | |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | |
| Base Price | $10/month |
| Storage Limit | 100 GB |
| Additional Storage Cost | |
| Maximum Computers | Unlimited |
| Supported Operating Systems | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Additional Features Included | File Synching, File Sharing, Remote Access |
| BBB Rating | A- |
| Free Trial | 2 GB FREE - No Time Limit |
| Pros: Automatic backup, file synchronization, file sharing, remote access, unlimited computers, unlimited users, unlimited historical file versions, faster upload, along with Windows, Mac and Linux compatibility. SpiderOak offers the "kitchen sink" in available features. If you want a slew of extra features for a very reasonable price, SpiderOak is the way to go. | |
| Cons: None to mention | |
| Read the full SpiderOak review. | |
| SugarSync | |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | |
| Base Price | $4.95/month |
| Storage Limit | 30 GB |
| Additional Storage Cost | $4.95 / 30 GB |
| Maximum Computers | Unlimited |
| Supported Operating Systems | Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPod Touch, Android, Windows Mobile, Blackberry |
| Additional Features Included | File Synching, File Sharing, Remote Access |
| BBB Rating | No Complaints |
| Free Trial | 2 GB FREE - No Time Limit |
| Pros: The best plan for mobile and "on-the-go" users. Most robust support for mobile devices and remote file access. | |
| Cons: 30GB may be too little storage space for some users (however they have additional plans with higher storage limits). | |
| Read the full SugarSync Review. | |
| Mozy | |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | |
| Base Price | $4.95/month |
| Storage Limit | Unlimited |
| Additional Storage Cost | N/A |
| Maximum Computers | 1 (unlimited with business plan) |
| Supported Operating Systems | Windows, Mac |
| Additional Features | Exchange Server, SQL Server Backups (with business plan) |
| BBB Rating | A- |
| Free Trial | 2 GB FREE - No Time Limit |
| Pros: Unlimited backup for 1 computer. Low Price. Additional plans and features for business users. | |
Cons: Not as simple to set up as Carbonite. | |
| Read the full Mozy review. | |
The Losers
The following online backup services are not recommended based on our reviews:
 Remote Data Backups (Not Recommended) | |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | |
| Base Price | $24.95/month |
| Storage Limit | 1 GB |
| Additional Storage Cost | $5 per 3 GB |
| Maximum Computers | 1 |
| Supported Operating Systems | Windows, Mac |
| BBB Rating | Not Rated |
| Free Trial | 30 days |
Cons: The single most expensive backup service provider that we found. Way over-priced compared with similar services.
| |
| Remote Vault (Not Recommended) | |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | |
| Base Price | $10/month (5GB Max) |
| Storage Limit | 5 GB |
| Additional Storage Cost | $2 per GB |
| Number of Computers Allowed | 1 |
| Supported Operating Systems | Windows |
| BBB Rating | B |
| Free Trial | No |
| Cons: More expensive than others. Fewer feautures and less storage space. Each GB over the 5GB limit is charged an additional $2/month. Potential for expensive monthly bills. AT&T is notorious for bad customer support in general. | |
| Read the full Remote Vault review. | |
| Novosoft (Not Recommended) | |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | |
| Base Price | $10/month |
| Storage Limit | 5 GB |
| Additional Storage Cost | $10 / 5 GB |
| Maximum Computers | 1 |
| Supported Operating Systems | Windows |
| BBB Rating | B- |
| Free Trial | 10 days |
|
Cons: Low storage limits. Too expensive compared with other services with more features. | |
| Read the full Novosoft review. | |
Criteria for Evaluating an Online Backup Service
- Price per month
- Storage Limit allowed
- Ease of use
- Maximum Computers Allowed
- Integration with Operating Systems
- Feedback from previous users
- Better Business Bureau Reports
The Internet Backup Services Reviewed
- Carbonite
- SugarSync
- SpiderOak
- Mozy
- AT&T Remote Vault
- Novosoft
- Remote Data Backups
Which online backup service is right for you?
Here are some guidelines that will help you choose the best online backup service for you.-
Do you need the cheapest solution with unlimited storage?
Carbonite offers unlimited backup storage and has the lowest monthly price out of all online backup services. Carbonite was rated as "best overall value". -
Do you need a computer faxing service that provides the most bells and whistles, such as file synchronization and unlimited computers?
SpiderOak offers many premium features which aren't available from the other online backup services. It is a slightly more expensive service, but is more robust than other services. -
Are you an on-the-go user? Do you need a backup and synchronization service which is tailored towards mobile users? Do you use an iPhone, Blackberry, or other mobile device?
SugarSync offers many excellent features including backup, file synchronization, and supports the most numerous mobile platforms.