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The best Backblaze alternative depends on what you need to back up. Choose Carbonite if you want unlimited storage for one computer and, on Plus or Prime, one external drive. Choose IDrive if you need one account to cover multiple devices or want features such as mobile backup and disk imaging. If you mainly want unlimited computer backup, Backblaze may still be the better fit—especially if its coverage and file-history terms suit your needs.
Which Backblaze alternative fits your backup needs?
| Service | Best fit | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Backblaze Personal Backup | Unlimited backup for one computer, including locally connected external drives | Its service is not designed for archiving or file syncing and sharing; standard deleted-file retention is 30 days |
| Carbonite | Unlimited storage for one computer, with external-drive coverage on Plus and Prime | The listed plans are organized around one computer, and displayed prices are promotional |
| IDrive | Several devices under one account, plus broader backup features | The available information does not establish that its storage is unlimited; check current plan capacity and terms |
These are different approaches, not interchangeable versions of the same plan. Compare device coverage, what gets included automatically, retention, and how you would restore a large backup—not only the word “unlimited.”
How the services compare
Device coverage and storage
Backblaze Personal Backup is centered on a single computer and offers unlimited data backup. Backblaze describes automatic coverage for computer files and locally connected external drives. Its service is not intended to be a cold-storage archive, so unlimited capacity should not be read as a promise to preserve files indefinitely after they disappear from the backed-up computer. See Backblaze’s coverage details and its Personal Backup page.
Carbonite lists unlimited storage for Basic, Plus, and Prime. Basic covers one computer; Plus and Prime cover one computer plus one external hard drive, according to Carbonite’s plan page. Check the plan’s current exclusions and drive rules before relying on it for a particular file set.
#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.
IDrive is the better fit when the priority is backing up multiple devices from one account rather than unlimited capacity on one computer. Its current device limits and storage allowance depend on the plan, so verify them directly before choosing.
External drives and network storage
Backblaze’s stated coverage includes locally connected external drives. Carbonite’s listed external-drive coverage begins with Plus and Prime. The available information does not establish comparable network-drive coverage across these services; if your backup source is a NAS or network share, confirm support and exclusions with the provider rather than assuming local-drive rules apply.
A separate external hard drive can also serve as a local backup destination or additional copy. Match its capacity and connection type to your data and computer; no particular size or model is right for every user.
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Deleted files and version history
Backblaze’s help article states a 30-day retention period for deleted, lost, or damaged files. The pricing page also lists an optional Forever version-retention feature for an additional fee. Review the current account setting and terms before depending on either period: retention determines how long an older or deleted file remains recoverable, not just how much storage the plan offers. Details are on Backblaze’s version-history page.
Rank #2
- 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.
The information available here does not establish equivalent retention periods for Carbonite or IDrive. Check each provider’s current retention rules, including whether the clock differs for deleted files, changed versions, or disconnected drives.
Restore options and large recoveries
A backup is useful only if you can restore the files you need. Backblaze describes Computer Backup as a recoverable additional copy, but the sources here do not establish a like-for-like comparison of restore costs, delivery options, or time for large restores across all three services. Before committing, check the provider’s current restore methods and any fees or conditions for physical recovery media. For a large data set, also consider your download speed and whether waiting for a cloud download is practical.
Platforms and broader features
TechRadar’s IDrive review describes support for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, as well as mobile-data backup and disk-image functionality. Those features may make IDrive more suitable for a household with several kinds of device or someone who wants more than file-level computer backup. This is secondary-source information, not a hands-on comparison here; confirm current platform support and feature availability with IDrive. The evidence available does not establish a comparable mobile or disk-image feature set for Backblaze and Carbonite.
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Security depends on more than a provider’s encryption options: account access, recovery procedures, and how encryption keys are handled also matter. The information available here does not establish comparable encryption settings or security controls across these services. Review each provider’s current security documentation and decide whether you need a private encryption key, which can affect how account recovery works.
Rank #3
- High capacity in a small enclosure – The small, lightweight design offers up to 6TB* capacity, making WD Elements portable hard drives the ideal companion for consumers on the go.
- Plug-and-play expandability
- Vast capacities up to 6TB[1] to store your photos, videos, music, important documents and more
- SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps)
What do the plans cost in 2026?
The figures below are provider-listed prices or a secondary review’s reported price, accessed in 2026. They can change; Carbonite’s figures are explicitly promotional, and IDrive’s reported figure should not be treated as a guaranteed checkout price.
| Service and plan | Price reported | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Backblaze Personal Backup | $99 per year; also listed as $9 per month or $189 for two years | Backblaze provider pricing, accessed 2026; verify current checkout terms |
| Carbonite Basic | $76.79 per year | Carbonite promotional price displayed in 2026; not an established renewal price |
| Carbonite Plus | $85.79 per year | Carbonite promotional price displayed in 2026; not an established renewal price |
| Carbonite Prime | $105.29 per year | Carbonite promotional price displayed in 2026; not an established renewal price |
| IDrive Personal, 5 TB | Just under $70 per year | Price reported by TechRadar in its 2026 review; secondary, time-sensitive, and may reflect an offer |
Compare the renewal amount, billing term, device count, storage allowance, and retention at checkout. A discounted first term can make a service look cheaper while obscuring what it will cost later. Provider comparison pages are useful for plan details, but they are provider-authored and may frame competitors selectively.
How to choose based on your backup pattern
- One computer, lots of data: Start with Backblaze if unlimited computer backup is the main requirement. Check whether its external-drive coverage and 30-day standard retention match your needs.
- One computer plus an external drive: Compare Backblaze with Carbonite Plus or Prime. Confirm that the specific drive and file types are eligible under the current plan.
- Several devices, including phones: Consider IDrive and verify the device limit, storage allowance, and mobile features for the plan you intend to buy.
- Long-term access to older or deleted files: Compare retention rules directly. Backblaze offers optional Forever version retention for an additional fee, but confirm current terms and settings.
- Need a full-system image or broader recovery workflow: IDrive may be the more relevant candidate based on the disk-image feature described in TechRadar’s review. Verify that the feature is available on your platform and plan.
- Cannot afford a slow, large download: Check each service’s current restore choices and costs, and consider keeping a separate local copy on an external hard drive.
Is Backblaze still the best unlimited backup service?
It can be, if you want unlimited backup centered on one computer and its connected external drives, and its retention and restore terms meet your requirements. Carbonite is a reasonable alternative for a one-computer setup where its external-drive tier or plan structure fits better. IDrive is the stronger candidate when multiple-device coverage and features such as mobile backup or disk imaging matter more than unlimited storage.
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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.
