SOS Online Backup : Control Window
The newfangled user interface gives simple access to backup and restore options.
Backblaze 2.0 : Control Panel
Backblaze's control panel is nice and simple. Luckily, I could change the selection of files being backed up by clicking the Settings button.
Carbonite
Carbonite
$54.95/year
Carbonite is a mature online backup service, but it lacks many desirable features you'll find in the competition.
$54.95/year
Carbonite is a mature online backup service, but it lacks many desirable features you'll find in the competition.
CrashPlan 3.0
CrashPlan 3.0
$50/year
CrashPlan offers unique capabilities, like multiple backup sets and backing up to friends' computers. We like its unlimited storage in the $50-a-year plan, the ability to back up attached devices, and multiplatform compatibility. Multiple computer accounts are expensive, however, and you don't get file sharing or mobile clients.
$50/year
CrashPlan offers unique capabilities, like multiple backup sets and backing up to friends' computers. We like its unlimited storage in the $50-a-year plan, the ability to back up attached devices, and multiplatform compatibility. Multiple computer accounts are expensive, however, and you don't get file sharing or mobile clients.
IDrive (2011)
IDrive (2011)
$4.95/month per PC with 150GB
IDrive offers generous storage plans and a powerful Web interface, but it still doesn't let you mix Macs and PCs in one account, the mobile app doesn't give access to your backed up files, and there's no sharing via secure download links.
$4.95/month per PC with 150GB
IDrive offers generous storage plans and a powerful Web interface, but it still doesn't let you mix Macs and PCs in one account, the mobile app doesn't give access to your backed up files, and there's no sharing via secure download links.
Jungle Disk 3.1
Jungle Disk 3.1
$3/month plus storage fee
Jungle Disk offers a lot, with scheduled online backups, folder syncing, and a shared drive, but it's a bit more confusing and complicated than it needs to be.
$3/month plus storage fee
Jungle Disk offers a lot, with scheduled online backups, folder syncing, and a shared drive, but it's a bit more confusing and complicated than it needs to be.
KineticD
KineticD
$2/GB/year
KineticD offers most of what I look for in an online backup product, including constant monitoring for changed or added files, version saving, open-file backup, and multiple PC support. For its relatively high price, however, I expect a slicker, more capable interface.
$2/GB/year
KineticD offers most of what I look for in an online backup product, including constant monitoring for changed or added files, version saving, open-file backup, and multiple PC support. For its relatively high price, however, I expect a slicker, more capable interface.
MiMedia
MiMedia
$10/month for 50GB on unlimited PCs
Already-impressive beta service MiMedia offers hands-off, automated backup, the ability to play media files online, and a cloud-based disk drive. For more control over the upload process and backup set, SOS has it beat, and for simple syncing, DropBox is a better bet. But if you want anywhere access to your digital media, you could do a lot worse than the reasonably priced and well-designed MiMedia.
$10/month for 50GB on unlimited PCs
Already-impressive beta service MiMedia offers hands-off, automated backup, the ability to play media files online, and a cloud-based disk drive. For more control over the upload process and backup set, SOS has it beat, and for simple syncing, DropBox is a better bet. But if you want anywhere access to your digital media, you could do a lot worse than the reasonably priced and well-designed MiMedia.
MozyHome 2.0
MozyHome 2.0
$54.45/year
Mozy improves ease of use and setup, but still supports just one computer per account and doesn't let you back up network or removable drives. That keeps it a step behind the competition.
$54.45/year
Mozy improves ease of use and setup, but still supports just one computer per account and doesn't let you back up network or removable drives. That keeps it a step behind the competition.
Nomadesk 4.0
Nomadesk 4.0
$50/year
Nomadesk goes beyond other syncing and file-sharing services, creating a complete virtual disk. But it doesn't automate the process or automatically save versions the way "traditional" online backup services do. If you just want a virtual drive synced to your PCs and the cloud, Nomadesk is worth a look.
$50/year
Nomadesk goes beyond other syncing and file-sharing services, creating a complete virtual disk. But it doesn't automate the process or automatically save versions the way "traditional" online backup services do. If you just want a virtual drive synced to your PCs and the cloud, Nomadesk is worth a look.
Norton Online Backup 2.0
Norton Online Backup 2.0
$50 for 25GB on up to 5 PCs
With this release, Norton has brought its online backup service's features into the mainstream. Support for multiple PCs, including Macs, in one account and a slick Web-based user interface make this a Norton Online Backup 2.0 a real contender.
$50 for 25GB on up to 5 PCs
With this release, Norton has brought its online backup service's features into the mainstream. Support for multiple PCs, including Macs, in one account and a slick Web-based user interface make this a Norton Online Backup 2.0 a real contender.