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A backup service is only useful if it protects the files you actually care about and lets you recover them when something goes wrong. That sounds obvious, but the products below make very different trade-offs: some protect one computer with unlimited cloud storage, some cover several devices, and others create complete disk images that can restore an entire Windows or Linux installation.
Our current 2026 recommendations focus on storage limits, device limits, version history, recovery options, encryption, scheduling, and the details that are easy to miss during setup. The short version: IDrive is the strongest all-around value, ShadowProtect SPX is the choice for full disk imaging, Acronis True Image offers the broadest feature set, and Backblaze remains the simplest option for unlimited file backup on one computer.
Best backup software and services compared
| Product | Best for | Rating | Key limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| IDrive | Best value and multi-device backup | 4.5/5 | Storage capacity depends on the plan |
| Arcserve ShadowProtect SPX | Disk imaging and full-system recovery | 4.5/5 | More complex setup and maintenance |
| Acronis True Image | Flexible backup plus security features | 3.5/5 | Subscription-only, with cloud storage restricted by plan |
| Backblaze | Unlimited backup for one computer | 3.5/5 | Does not create a bootable system image |
How to choose backup software
Start by deciding what you need to restore. There are three common scenarios:
- Individual files: You want to recover documents, photos, projects, or accidentally deleted files.
- A computer after a drive failure: You need the operating system, applications, settings, and files restored together.
- Several computers and phones: You want one account to protect multiple devices or mobile camera rolls.
File backup is usually easier and cheaper. Disk imaging is more comprehensive, but image files consume more storage and require a recovery environment. Version history matters in both cases because a backup that contains only the latest copy may preserve a ransomware-encrypted file or a mistake that has already synchronized everywhere.
#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.
Also keep device limits separate from storage limits. “Unlimited backup” generally means unlimited data for the computers covered by the plan—not unlimited computers. Backblaze Personal Backup covers one Windows or macOS computer, while IDrive’s Personal plan is designed to cover multiple computers under one account.
IDrive: Best value
Rating: 4.5/5
IDrive offers the most balanced package for households and small offices that need to protect several devices without buying separate subscriptions. It supports computer and mobile backup, folder synchronization, file sharing, private-key encryption, third-party cloud backup, and local backup to an external or network drive.
The service also keeps up to 30 previous file versions and gives deleted files a 30-day Trash recovery period. Its True Archiving behavior can be useful when you have files that should remain in the online account even after they disappear from the source computer. Files are not automatically removed from the account unless you delete them or run Archive Cleanup.
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One pricing detail deserves attention. IDrive Basic provides 10GB free, while the current paid IDrive Personal offering starts at 5TB. Older descriptions that call the 10GB tier the paid “base plan” are out of date.
Why IDrive stands out
- One account can cover multiple computers.
- There is a 10GB free tier for testing the service.
- Real-Time backup is available in the desktop client in addition to the default daily schedule.
- You can select folders before the first backup instead of configuring a whole-computer backup and then excluding folders.
- Local backup and IDrive Express physical-transfer recovery provide alternatives when downloading a large backup would take too long.
IDrive is a good fit if you have a desktop, laptop, phones, and perhaps a NAS or cloud account to protect. It is less attractive if you have one computer with several terabytes of data and want the simplest possible unlimited-storage plan.
Arcserve ShadowProtect SPX: Best for disk imaging
Rating: 4.5/5
ShadowProtect SPX is the specialist choice in this group. It creates full-volume images for Windows and Linux, allowing you to restore a complete system to the same hardware or different hardware. You can also mount an image to recover individual files and use VirtualBoot to start an image as a virtual machine in Hyper-V, VirtualBox, or VMware vSphere.
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.
Images can be compressed and encrypted, and the product supports extensive version retention. This is the type of software to choose when reinstalling Windows, applications, drivers, and settings after a failed drive is unacceptable.
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Creating a ShadowProtect job
- Open ShadowProtect SPX and create a destination under Destinations.
- Choose New Job, or use Backup > New Job.
- Select the source volume and destination.
- Configure the job using the Settings, Schedule, and Advanced tabs.
- Run a test recovery or mount a newly created image before trusting the job.
ShadowProtect is powerful, but scheduled jobs have operational failure modes. A job is skipped if the computer is off or unavailable at the scheduled time. It can also be skipped when another backup job is already running for the same volume. A volume can belong to no more than one scheduled incremental job.
The Continuous schedule defaults to an hourly interval. Continuous incremental chains need ImageManager for retention and consolidation. Without consolidation, the chain can grow until it becomes difficult and slow to restore. For a small business, include image verification, destination capacity, and retention cleanup in the backup procedure—not just the initial job setup.
Acronis True Image: Best for backup flexibility
Rating: 3.5/5
Acronis True Image combines local backup, cloud backup, full-disk imaging, file synchronization, ransomware protection, vulnerability scanning, and antivirus features. It is the broadest product here if you want backup and security tools in one application.
The current editions are Essentials, Advanced, and Premium. Starting prices listed by Acronis are $49.99 per year for Essentials, $72.99 per year for Advanced, and $124.99 per year for Premium. Essentials is local-storage-only. Advanced includes 50GB of cloud storage, while Premium includes 1TB and can be expanded to 5TB.
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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.
Upgrading in the application
- Open Acronis True Image and select Account > Upgrade.
- Choose the number of computers and subscription type.
- Click Upgrade now.
An internet connection is required to activate Essentials, Advanced, and Premium subscriptions. Acronis is most compelling for users who want image backups, cloud copies, device coverage, and security monitoring in one interface. Its lower rating reflects the subscription model and the fact that meaningful cloud capacity requires a higher-tier plan.
Backblaze: Best for unlimited backups
Rating: 3.5/5
Backblaze Personal Backup is the easiest recommendation for someone who wants automatic cloud backup of one Windows or macOS computer without calculating how much storage will be needed. The current price is $99 per year, and the plan provides unlimited backup storage for that one computer.
It includes automatic backup, multifactor authentication, private-key support, 30-day version history, and a mailed-drive recovery option. You can enable one-year version history at no extra charge. Forever Version History costs $0.006 per GB per month for files older than one year.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallBackblaze is not a disk-imaging product. It backs up user files, but it does not produce a bootable full-system image. After a failed drive, you reinstall the operating system and applications, then restore your files. Choose ShadowProtect SPX or an imaging-capable IDrive option if bare-metal recovery is important.
Important Backblaze exclusions
Backblaze’s client uses a whole-computer backup model with exclusions rather than a simple “select only these folders” model. In version 9.2.2.877, it began excluding popular cloud-storage providers, including OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, and IDrive. The exclusions apply to both mount points and cache directories.
Therefore, a locally visible cloud-synced folder should not automatically be treated as protected by Backblaze. Check the exclusion list and use the cloud provider’s own export or backup controls when necessary.
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.
To configure exclusions:
- Open the Backblaze application.
- On Windows, open Backblaze Control Panel > Settings > Exclusions. On macOS, open the Backblaze system preference and select Settings > Exclusions.
- On macOS, click +; on Windows, click Add Folder….
- Add folders, file types, or maximum file sizes to exclude.
- Click OK.
Exclusions apply across all drives. If the same folder name appears on another drive, it may also be excluded. This makes the exclusion-first design easy to misconfigure when you are trying to approximate an include-only backup.
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Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, and similar services synchronize selected folders; they are not automatically complete backup systems. Synchronization can propagate deletions, accidental edits, or corrupted files to other devices. Some services provide recovery history, but that does not replace a deliberate backup schedule and independent retention policy.
A proper backup plan should preserve multiple versions and keep at least one copy separate from the computer. For valuable data, follow the 3-2-1 rule: keep three copies, on two different types of storage, with at least one copy off-site. A cloud backup plus an external drive is a practical starting point.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Encryption and recovery testing
Private-key encryption improves privacy because the provider does not hold the key needed to decrypt your backup. It also creates a serious failure mode: if you lose the key, customer support cannot reset it and the backup may be unrecoverable.
Store a private encryption key in a reputable password manager and keep a secure offline copy where appropriate. Do not leave the only copy on the computer being backed up.
Test recovery before disaster strikes. Restore several individual files, open them, and check their contents. If you use imaging software, boot recovery media or mount an image and confirm that the recovery destination, encryption password, drivers, and retention settings work as expected. An untested backup is only an assumption that recovery will work.
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.
Which backup service should you buy?
Choose IDrive if you need strong features and coverage for several devices at a reasonable price. Choose ShadowProtect SPX when restoring a complete Windows or Linux system is the priority. Choose Acronis True Image if you want cloud backup, disk imaging, synchronization, and security features in one subscription. Choose Backblaze if you want the least complicated way to back up a large amount of data from one computer.
For the strongest setup, do not rely on a single product or a sync folder alone. Pair an automatic off-site backup with a local external-drive or network backup, retain older versions, protect the encryption credentials, and perform recovery tests several times a year.
FAQ
Is Backblaze really unlimited?
Backblaze Personal Backup provides unlimited data storage, but the subscription covers one Windows or macOS computer. It also has exclusions, including several cloud-storage mount points and cache directories, so unlimited does not mean every locally visible file is included.
Which backup software can restore an entire computer?
Arcserve ShadowProtect SPX and Acronis True Image support disk imaging and full-system recovery. IDrive also offers disk-imaging capabilities on applicable plans. Backblaze Personal Backup protects user files but does not create a bootable full-system image.
Is IDrive better than Backblaze?
It depends on the use case. IDrive is better for multiple computers, folder selection, local backup, mobile backup, and broader backup controls. Backblaze is simpler and provides unlimited storage for one computer, but it does not cover unlimited devices or create a system image.
How often should I test a backup?
Restore a few files after setup and repeat the test at least several times a year. For disk images, also test the recovery media or mount an image. Verify that restored files open correctly and that encryption keys and retention settings are available.
The Bottom Line
IDrive is the best overall value for most households, while ShadowProtect SPX is the strongest choice for complete system images. Backblaze remains excellent for simple, unlimited file backup on one computer, and Acronis True Image is the most feature-packed option for users comfortable with an ongoing subscription. Whichever service you choose, add a separate local or off-site copy and test the restore process.
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