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Carbonite Professional is the stronger fit for small teams that need Windows server backup, bare-metal recovery, policy controls, or support for listed compliance frameworks. Backblaze Business Backup is a better fit for teams protecting Mac and Windows computers that want unlimited backup per device, one-year version history, and a straightforward per-computer price. The key difference is the model: Carbonite sells shared-capacity bundles that include multiple computers, while Backblaze charges for each computer and does not set a storage limit per device. These recommendations reflect the vendors’ published features and listed pricing as of October 25, 2026; check current terms before buying.
Which is better for a small business, Carbonite or Backblaze?
Neither service is the universal winner. Start with what you need to protect and how your organization manages it: Carbonite’s Professional tiers cover multiple computers under a shared storage allowance and include server-focused options; Backblaze Business Backup is priced per computer and offers unlimited backup per device.
For a team with servers, a need for bare-metal image backup and restore, or a preference for managing policies across groups, Carbonite Professional has the more relevant published features. Its business matrix also lists support for HIPAA, FERPA, and GLBA. For a distributed team that primarily backs up employee Macs and Windows PCs, Backblaze Business Backup is easier to budget by device, particularly when some computers hold far more data than others.
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- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
How do pricing and storage compare?
Carbonite bundles computers and shared capacity into annual tiers. Backblaze Business Backup charges annually for each computer and lists unlimited backup per device, without storage overage fees.
| Service or tier | Listed price | Included coverage or storage | What the pricing means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbonite Professional Core | $287.99 per year | 250 GB shared storage; up to 25 computers; external drives and NAS | One tier price covers the listed computers and shared capacity. Additional storage is listed at $99 per 100 GB increment. |
| Carbonite Professional Power | $799.99 per year | 500 GB shared storage; one server; up to 25 computers | Includes a server in addition to the computer coverage. Additional storage is listed at $99 per 100 GB increment. |
| Carbonite Professional Ultimate | $1,299.99 per year | 500 GB shared storage; unlimited servers; 25 computers | Includes the largest listed server allowance; additional storage is listed at $99 per 100 GB increment. |
| Backblaze Business Backup | $99 per year per computer | Unlimited backup per device | Annual cost scales with the number of computers, not the amount of backed-up data on each one; the vendor says there are no storage overage fees. |
These are vendor-listed prices, not a quote for a particular team. The Carbonite tiers combine computers and a shared pool, while Backblaze’s price is multiplied by computer count. They are not directly equivalent units, so an apparent per-computer comparison can conceal the cost of shared storage, server coverage, or a device with unusually large data needs. The listed material does not establish taxes, discounts, or whether the additional-storage increment recurs on a particular billing schedule; confirm those terms with the vendor.
When a Carbonite bundle can be economical
A shared tier may suit a group with many computers whose combined protected data fits within the allowance. For example, Core’s annual price covers up to 25 computers, but those computers share 250 GB; reaching the computer limit does not create 25 separate 250 GB allowances. Power adds one server and raises the shared capacity to 500 GB. Ultimate keeps the listed 500 GB capacity while raising the server allowance to unlimited.
That means the included computer count alone is not enough to choose a Carbonite tier. Estimate the total data to protect across the covered computers and server workloads, then compare it with the tier’s capacity and the listed cost of additional storage.
When Backblaze’s per-computer model is easier to budget
Backblaze’s listed $99 per year per computer makes the base calculation simple: multiply the annual rate by the number of computers to protect. Because the vendor lists unlimited backup per device, teams do not have to fit each endpoint into a shared capacity pool or budget for storage overages under that offer.
The per-device model can be attractive when endpoint data volumes vary widely. It is less suited to a decision based only on a single bundle price: a team with many computers should calculate the total annual per-computer cost and verify that the endpoint-focused service covers its actual workloads.
Rank #2
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- 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.
Does Backblaze really offer unlimited business backup?
Backblaze lists unlimited backup per device for Business Backup, with no storage tiers, overages, or surprise bills stated on its business page. “Unlimited” here describes the amount backed up per computer under that service; it should not be read as unlimited time to retain every version.
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The same offer lists one-year version history. Capacity and history are different limits: unlimited backup per device addresses how much data can be backed up, while the one-year history describes the stated period for accessing older versions. If a team’s retention policy requires a longer history, the listed one-year feature by itself does not establish that requirement is met.
Backblaze describes automatic protection for Mac and Windows computers and centralized management. Its Business Backup page focuses on those endpoints, so teams that need server backup should confirm server coverage directly rather than assume the endpoint offer includes it.
Does Carbonite back up servers and support bare-metal recovery?
Yes, the listed Carbonite Professional tiers distinguish themselves in part by server coverage. Power includes one server, while Ultimate lists unlimited servers; Carbonite’s business matrix lists Windows server support and bare-metal image backup and restore for server-oriented workloads.
Bare-metal image backup and restore is relevant when a team needs more than individual file recovery: it concerns restoring a machine from an image rather than rebuilding it file by file. Carbonite’s matrix lists both image backup and restore, along with instant recovery. A business should still confirm which systems, configurations, and recovery procedures apply to its environment before relying on a feature label as a complete recovery plan.
Core lists up to 25 computers, external drives, and NAS, but does not list server coverage as part of that tier in the cited business matrix. A team that needs server protection should compare Power and Ultimate rather than assume Core’s computer allowance includes a server.
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.
Which service offers stronger administration and compliance controls?
The better choice depends on the kind of control the team needs. Carbonite lists policy management and support for HIPAA, FERPA, and GLBA on its business plans. Backblaze Enterprise Control lists legal hold, OIDC single sign-on, granular restore and access permissions, centralized user and device management, and backup lockdown controls.
| Need | Published capability | Service to examine |
|---|---|---|
| Manage backup policies | Policy management in the Carbonite business matrix | Carbonite Professional |
| Compliance framework support | HIPAA, FERPA, and GLBA listed on Carbonite business plans | Carbonite Professional |
| Legal hold | Listed as an Enterprise Control feature | Backblaze Enterprise Control |
| OIDC single sign-on | Listed as an Enterprise Control feature | Backblaze Enterprise Control |
| Granular restore or access permissions | Listed as an Enterprise Control feature | Backblaze Enterprise Control |
| Backup lockdown | Listed as an Enterprise Control feature | Backblaze Enterprise Control |
These are different administration priorities, not interchangeable checkboxes. Carbonite’s listed compliance support does not, by itself, establish that a customer’s deployment meets its legal or regulatory obligations. Likewise, Backblaze’s Enterprise Control features are not listed as part of the standard Business Backup offer in the cited materials. Confirm which plan and settings are needed for the organization’s policies.
How do retention and ransomware recovery compare?
Backblaze Business Backup lists one-year version history. Carbonite’s support documentation gives retention periods for specific products: Safe Backup retention is 30 days, Safe Backup Pro retention is 60 days, and server retention is user-defined. Those figures should not be transferred automatically to Carbonite Professional without confirming which product and workload the support page covers.
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For ransomware readiness, compare more than the number of days shown for version history or retention. Determine which versions remain available, how long they can be restored, who can authorize restores, and whether administrative controls can protect backups from being altered. Backblaze lists backup lockdown under Enterprise Control, while Carbonite lists bare-metal restore and policy management on its business plans. The available feature descriptions do not establish identical retention mechanics or recovery guarantees across the two services.
How should you choose between the plans?
Make the decision from an inventory of workloads and constraints, not from the headline price alone. Use the following sequence before committing to a plan.
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.
- Count computers and identify operating systems. Backblaze Business Backup is described for Mac and Windows endpoints. Record how many computers need protection and check whether any devices fall outside that scope.
- List servers separately. If server backup is required, note how many servers and whether image-based bare-metal recovery matters. Carbonite Power lists one server; Ultimate lists unlimited servers. Do not treat endpoint backup as server coverage without confirmation.
- Estimate Carbonite’s shared storage need. Add the data to be protected across the computers and applicable server workloads. Compare the total with Core’s 250 GB or Power and Ultimate’s 500 GB, and account for the listed $99-per-100-GB additional-storage increment if needed.
- Check administration requirements. If policy management or the listed HIPAA, FERPA, or GLBA support is central, review Carbonite’s Professional business plans. If legal hold, OIDC SSO, granular restore permissions, centralized device management, or lockdown controls are requirements, ask about Backblaze Enterprise Control.
- Set the required history and recovery outcome. Compare Backblaze’s one-year version history with the specific Carbonite retention documentation that applies to your chosen product. Define the acceptable recovery process and verify any vendor-stated ransomware assistance against your needs.
- Get a current written quote and scope confirmation. Verify current pricing, the billing treatment of added storage, supported systems, plan-specific feature availability, and recovery terms. Vendor pricing and features can change.
What are the main trade-offs?
- Carbonite Professional favors bundled coverage. A single annual tier can cover up to 25 computers, with storage shared across the covered data; higher tiers add server capacity.
- Backblaze Business Backup favors per-device predictability. The listed annual price scales by computer, and each device has unlimited backup capacity without storage overage fees.
- Carbonite has the clearer server and image-recovery fit. Its Professional matrix lists Windows server support and bare-metal image backup and restore.
- Backblaze separates endpoint backup from advanced controls. The standard Business Backup offer is endpoint-focused; Enterprise Control is the feature set to examine for legal hold, single sign-on, permissions, and lockdown.
- Retention labels need careful interpretation. Backblaze lists one-year version history, while Carbonite support documents different periods for named products and user-defined server retention.
As of October 25, 2026, the practical dividing line is therefore straightforward: choose a Carbonite Professional tier when its bundled computer, storage, server, and policy features match the environment; choose Backblaze Business Backup when endpoint coverage with per-computer pricing and unlimited per-device backup is the priority. Recheck the vendors’ current plan details before purchase because price and feature availability can change.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Backblaze’s one-year version history the same as keeping a separate archive forever?
No. The listed feature is one-year version history, not a promise of permanent archival storage. If your records policy requires retention beyond that period, confirm an appropriate retention option with the vendor.
Does Carbonite’s HIPAA support automatically make a business compliant?
No. The business matrix lists support for HIPAA, FERPA, and GLBA, but a vendor feature listing does not establish that a particular company’s configuration, access practices, or procedures satisfy its obligations. Review the applicable requirements and contract terms with your compliance lead.
Can I compare these services by multiplying each price by the number of employees?
Only if each employee maps to one protected computer, which is not always true. Backblaze’s listed rate is per computer, and Carbonite’s bundles count computers while pooling storage; build the estimate from devices and workloads rather than headcount.
What should I confirm before relying on ransomware recovery assistance?
Ask the provider what qualifies as an eligible incident, which files or systems are covered, who can initiate restoration, and what timing is promised contractually. Carbonite’s public statement about recovering uninfected files within two weeks is not described as a universal recovery guarantee.
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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.
