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Head-to-head · Backup Software

Cove Data Protection vs IDrive

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Cove Data Protection #6 in Backup Software 8.5/10 Pricing on request · 30-day trial Free trial✓ 3 of 4 features Visit N-able
IDrive #7 in Backup Software 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit IDrive

Cove Data Protection leads on 0 checks, IDrive on 1, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreCove Data Protection · 8.5/10
  • Free planonly IDrive
  • Free trialonly Cove Data Protection
  • Most featuresIDrive · 4 of 4

Cove Data Protection scores higher on our rubric for backup software: 8.5 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #7.

IDrive offers free plan; Cove Data Protection doesn't.

Cove Data Protection is the better fit for service providers needing cloud-managed recovery. IDrive is the better fit for broad personal, business, and mobile coverage.

  • Cove Data Protection fits best

    Service providers needing cloud-managed recovery

  • IDrive fits best

    Broad personal, business, and mobile coverage

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Cove Data Protection 8.5/10 Visit ↗ IDrive 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.5 8.4
Ranking #6 in Backup Software #7 in Backup Software
Best for Service providers needing cloud-managed recovery Broad personal, business, and mobile coverage
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price Pricing on request · 30-day trial —
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Integrations 2 integrations 13 integrations
Features Cove Data Protection 3/4 · IDrive 4/4
Computer backup ✓ ✓
Mobile backup Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Server backup ✓ ✓
Ransomware protection ✓ ✓
Specs
Backup scope Mixed Mixed
Restore modes Mixed Mixed
Supported platforms web, windows, macos, linux web, windows, macos, linux, ios, android
Our review
Pros
  • Covers physical and virtual servers, workstations, and Microsoft 365
  • Includes immutable isolated copies and cloud storage
  • Automates recovery testing and supports bare-metal restores
  • Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and web access
  • Offers file, system-image, volume-level, and bare-metal restore
  • Covers computers, mobile devices, servers, databases, NAS, and cloud apps
Cons
  • Pricing requires contacting sales for a quote
  • Listed integrations are limited to RMM and PSA platforms
  • No free plan; the 30-day trial is time-limited
  • Business storage is 1.25 TB on the listed $59.99 monthly plan
  • Server backup is an add-on for some plans
  • The wide feature set may exceed the needs of simple personal backups
Our verdict

Cove Data Protection is a cloud-first backup, disaster recovery, and archiving service from N-able for managed service providers and IT teams. A web-based dashboard manages protection for physical and virtual servers, workstations, and…

Read the review →

IDrive is a cloud backup and storage service for individuals, teams, businesses, and organizations. It brings computers, mobile devices, external drives, NAS devices, servers, and selected cloud applications into one backup service.…

Read the review →
  1. Cove Data ProtectionBackup Software 8.5Pricing on request · 30-day trial
  2. IDriveBackup Software 8.4Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Cove Data Protection — where it wins

    • Covers physical and virtual servers, workstations, and Microsoft 365
    • Includes immutable isolated copies and cloud storage
    • Automates recovery testing and supports bare-metal restores

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contacting sales for a quote
    • Listed integrations are limited to RMM and PSA platforms
    • No free plan; the 30-day trial is time-limited

  • IDrive — where it wins

    • Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and web access
    • Offers file, system-image, volume-level, and bare-metal restore
    • Covers computers, mobile devices, servers, databases, NAS, and cloud apps

    Where it doesn't

    • Business storage is 1.25 TB on the listed $59.99 monthly plan
    • Server backup is an add-on for some plans
    • The wide feature set may exceed the needs of simple personal backups
  • Cove Data Protection8.5/10 · Pricing on request · 30-day trial

    A broad backup and recovery service for IT teams and providers, with cloud storage included.

    Visit N-ableFull verdict →
  • IDrive8.4/10 · Free plan

    A flexible backup service spanning personal devices, business systems, and mobile platforms.

    Visit IDriveFull verdict →

More comparisons

All backup software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update