Head-to-head · Continuous Data Protection Software
IDrive vs Live File Backup
IDrive leads on 1 check, Live File Backup on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreIDrive · 8.6/10
- Free planonly IDrive
- Most featuresLive File Backup · 1 of 4
IDrive scores higher on our rubric for continuous data protection software: 8.6 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #8.
IDrive offers free plan; Live File Backup doesn't.
IDrive is the better fit for budget-conscious teams needing broad device coverage. Live File Backup is the better fit for windows users needing continuous file versioning.
- IDrive fits best
Budget-conscious teams needing broad device coverage
- Live File Backup fits best
Windows users needing continuous file versioning
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 | IDrive 8.6/10 Visit ↗ | Live File Backup 8.3/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.6 | 8.3 |
| Ranking | #5 in Continuous Data Protection Software | #8 in Continuous Data Protection Software |
| Best for | Budget-conscious teams needing broad device coverage | Windows users needing continuous file versioning |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Paid |
| Starting price | — | — |
| Free plan | ✓ (best) | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Desktop, Mobile | Desktop |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows |
| Support | Email, Live chat, Phone · 24/7 | |
| Integrations | 13 integrations | 3 integrations |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business, Mid-market |
| Features IDrive 0/4 · Live File Backup 1/4 | ||
| Point-in-time recovery | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Immutable storage | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| VM protection | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Database protection | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Specs | ||
| Minimum RPO | Not checked yet | 60 seconds |
| Retention period | Not checked yet | 9999 days |
| Deployment model | Not checked yet | Self_hosted |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
| Our verdict | IDrive is a cloud backup and storage service for individuals, small teams, and businesses. It supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and web access, with coverage for computers, mobile devices, servers, NAS devices, and selected… Read the review → |
Live File Backup is self-hosted Windows software for continuously protecting working files. It suits home users, office PCs, laptops, and small or mid-sized companies that need background backup, configurable intervals, multiple file… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
IDrive — where it wins
- Free plan plus paid entry from $0.25 per month
- Covers computers, mobile devices, servers, and databases
- Supports disk imaging, bare-metal restore, and ransomware recovery
Where it doesn't
- Team plans are limited to five computers and five users
- Advanced server and business application backups use separate pricing
- The broad feature set may exceed the needs of simple file backup
Live File Backup — where it wins
- Continuous backup with configurable intervals and multiple file generations
- Supports local, USB, network, NAS, FTP, and cloud-drive destinations
- Includes point-in-time recovery, filters, compression, and encryption
Where it doesn't
- Windows-only, with no broader workload coverage
- Focused on files rather than full-system or application backup
- The trial stops backup after two hours and retains data for two days
- IDrive8.6/10 · Free plan
Broad device and recovery coverage at a low-cost entry point, with a free plan.
Visit IDriveFull verdict → - Live File Backup8.3/10 · Paid
A focused Windows backup tool for continuous file versioning and point-in-time recovery.
Visit INFONAUTICSFull verdict →
More comparisons
- Zerto vs IDrive
- Zerto vs Live File Backup
- JetStream DR vs IDrive
- JetStream DR vs Live File Backup
- Atempo Lina vs IDrive
- Atempo Lina vs Live File Backup
- DataCore SANsymphony vs IDrive
- DataCore SANsymphony vs Live File Backup
All continuous data protection software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update




