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IDrive is the strongest broad-use pick in two current 2026 editorial roundups, particularly for people backing up several computers or devices through one account. For a simpler plan built around unlimited backup of one computer, consider Backblaze—but its device and recovery limits matter. Neither service is a universal winner: the right choice depends on how many devices you have, what you need to restore, and whether you want backup, file sync, or both.
PCWorld names IDrive its best overall online backup, and TechRadar selects it as best cloud backup overall. Those are each publication’s conclusions, not an objective ranking that applies to every household. PCWorld’s 2026 roundup · TechRadar’s 2026 roundup
Which online backup service should you choose?
Start with your devices and recovery needs, not a headline storage figure. IDrive is a sensible first comparison for multiple computers and devices, local-backup options, and a choice of storage tiers. Backblaze is worth comparing if you want straightforward, unlimited computer backup and only need to cover one computer under a license. CrashPlan is a business-oriented alternative to consider when continuous or scheduled backup is important; its restore workflow may feel cumbersome.
The phrases “best online backup,” “best cloud backup service,” and “best continuous cloud backup service” appear in the reviewed search results. They are examples of how readers phrase the question, not search-volume measurements. TechRadar · PCWorld
#1 Best Overall
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Compare the services by what they actually cover
| Service | Best fit | Notable strengths | Important limits or checks |
|---|---|---|---|
| IDrive | People backing up several devices, or seeking online and local backup options | PCWorld highlights multiple PCs and devices on one account, NAS support, local backup, and basic imaging and disaster recovery. | PCWorld notes shortcomings in imaging and disaster-recovery implementation. Storage tiers, prices, and renewal terms vary; verify current terms for your region and plan. |
| Backblaze | People seeking simple, unlimited computer backup | TechRadar describes simple operation and several recovery methods. | TechRadar reports one computer per license, no full disk image backup, no network-drive support, no file sync between computers, and version retention of up to 30 days. Check current vendor terms. |
| CrashPlan | Readers evaluating business-oriented backup with continuous or scheduled backups | TechRadar describes online and local backup destinations and continuous and scheduled options. | TechRadar found setup customization and restores somewhat cumbersome in its review, although it reported improved performance on a later revisit. That review does not establish it as the best household choice. |
| Acronis True Image | Readers interested in a backup-and-security bundle | PCWorld describes cloud backup alongside protection against viruses and malware; Acronis positions the product as an integrated backup and security solution. | Current storage, device coverage, plan details, and price should be checked on the product page before comparison. |
These are editorial descriptions, not a like-for-like technical test. Feature names alone do not guarantee that a service will meet your recovery needs. TechRadar · PCWorld · Acronis
What to check before paying
- Device and operating-system coverage: Confirm which computers and devices a plan covers, and whether one subscription can protect all of yours.
- Storage allowance and renewal price: Compare the quota with the amount you need to protect. Check the vendor’s checkout terms, including renewal charges; roundup prices may be discounted, outdated, or vary by geography.
- Version history: Find out how long older copies remain available. A version window can be crucial if you need to recover an earlier file rather than the latest edited or deleted version.
- Recovery process and speed: Check how you can restore files and whether the available methods suit your connection, urgency, and amount of data.
- External drives and NAS: Verify whether the service backs up the external drives or network storage you actually use.
- Encryption and account recovery: Review the provider’s current encryption and account-recovery controls. Make sure you understand what happens if you lose access to your account or credentials.
- Disk imaging and local backup: If you need a fuller system recovery or a copy that does not depend on an internet connection, confirm that the service supports the specific imaging or local-backup workflow you want.
The reviewed services differ across these features, so compare the precise plan rather than assuming that “cloud backup” means the same thing everywhere. TechRadar · PCWorld · TechRadar’s IDrive review
Rank #2
- Easily store and access 5TB of content on the go with the Seagate portable drive, a USB external hard Drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Why IDrive is the broad-use pick
Two current editorial roundups put IDrive first overall. Its multi-device coverage and local-backup option make it especially relevant if you want to protect more than one computer without treating each as an entirely separate backup setup. PCWorld also lists NAS support and basic imaging and disaster recovery, while warning that imaging and disaster-recovery implementation have shortcomings. Treat those as features to investigate—not as a promise that IDrive will restore every system exactly as you expect. TechRadar · PCWorld
Recommended Free Tools
Storage tiers and pricing
TechRadar’s detailed IDrive review listed Personal storage options of 5TB, 10TB, 20TB, 50TB, and 100TB when it was accessed. That list is not a guarantee of current availability or price: quotas, discounts, renewal charges, and geographic terms can change. Check the plan and renewal amount shown by IDrive before buying. TechRadar’s IDrive review
Rank #3
- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Backup is not document collaboration
IDrive is oriented toward backup and recovery, not live online document editing. If you need shared documents or simultaneous collaboration, compare a separate sync-and-storage service for that job rather than expecting a backup plan to act as a shared workspace. TechRadar’s IDrive review
When Backblaze is a better fit—and when it is not
Backblaze’s appeal is simplicity and unlimited computer backup. But TechRadar’s reviewed terms and feature description impose important boundaries: one computer per license, no full disk image backup, no network-drive support, no file sync between computers, and previous versions retained for up to 30 days. That can make it a poor fit for a household protecting several computers under one license or for someone who depends on imaging, network-drive backup, or a longer version history. Confirm current eligibility and retention directly with Backblaze. TechRadar’s roundup
Rank #4
- Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Backblaze’s official Personal page describes a cloud-backup offer for personal Mac and PC users. Use the vendor page to check current price and detailed eligibility rather than relying on a roundup’s price. Backblaze Personal
Where CrashPlan and Acronis fit
CrashPlan for business-oriented backup
TechRadar describes CrashPlan as a business backup service with continuous and scheduled backup, using online and local destinations. Its reviewers found setup customization and restores somewhat cumbersome, then reported improved performance on a later revisit. Consider it when those backup modes and destinations align with your needs, but do not read that business-focused comparison as a recommendation for every home user. TechRadar’s roundup
Best Value
- [Upgraded Version] - This external hard drive features a mirrored logo stripe combined with a striped anti-slip design, and the rounded corners of the casing make it easier to grip. The stripes also have a heat dissipation function, ensuring stable and fast data transfer.
- 【Ultra-thin and quiet】 - The motherboard adopts JMicron 578 noise-free solution, giving you a quiet working environment. Lightweight and portable size designed to fit in your pocket for easy portability.
- 【Ultra-Fast Data Transfers】 - Pairing this external hard drive with JMicron 578 solution USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 interfaces enables blazing-fast data transfer. It boasts theoretical read speeds of up to 125MB/s and write speeds of up to 103MB/s.
- 【Plug and Play】 - With no software to install, just plug it in and the drive is ready to use.The hard disk chip is wrapped with an aluminum anti-interference layer to increase heat dissipation and protect data.
- 【What You Get】 - 1 x Portable Hard Drive, 1 x USB 3.0 Cable, 1 x User Manual, Gift-type shell packaging ,Three-year manufacturer's warranty and free technical support services.
Acronis True Image for a combined backup-and-security approach
PCWorld describes Acronis True Image as combining cloud backup with protection against viruses and malware, and Acronis’s product page presents it as an integrated backup and security solution. If that bundle is appealing, verify the current plan’s storage, supported devices, and price before comparing it with services focused primarily on backup. PCWorld · Acronis True Image
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Online backup and sync solve different problems
Sync keeps files consistent across locations or devices, which can be convenient for active work. But a deletion or unwanted edit may also propagate. Backup is designed to preserve copies for recovery; versioning may let you retrieve an earlier state. PCWorld explains this distinction in its roundup. If you need both collaboration and recovery, check that your chosen tools cover both jobs rather than assuming a sync folder is a complete backup. PCWorld’s 2026 roundup
Should you add a local backup drive?
A USB external drive can provide a local copy alongside online backup. It is an optional complement, not a substitute for an off-site copy: a drive stored with the computer can be exposed to the same theft or physical damage. The reviewed comparison supports local backup as a use case, but does not establish a particular drive brand, capacity, or model as best. Choose capacity and a backup workflow based on the data you need to protect. PCWorld
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- Count the devices and storage locations. Include computers, external drives, and NAS devices you expect to protect.
- Write down the recovery you need. Decide whether ordinary file restores are enough or whether you need version history, full-disk imaging, local recovery, or network-drive support.
- Compare eligible plans. Check each vendor’s current device limits, storage allowance, version window, and recovery methods against that list.
- Check the total cost at checkout. Confirm the price for your region and plan, plus the renewal amount; do not assume a roundup offer will still apply.
- Test the workflow with a noncritical file. After setup, confirm that the file is backed up and that you can locate and restore it. Do not wait for a device failure to discover that an expected folder was excluded.
For these services, the reviewed evidence supports relative positioning, not a universal winner or a current price comparison. Vendor terms, offers, bundles, and feature limits can change; confirm them before purchase. TechRadar · PCWorld · TechRadar’s IDrive review
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
