A cloud backup service copies your files, or your business apps' data, to off-site servers and keeps past versions, so you can restore after a failed drive, theft or ransomware. It isn't the same as sync. The ten below cover three kinds, subscription backup, software where you hold the keys and SaaS app backup, in no particular order.
Most people find out their backup isn't a backup on the day they need it. A folder that syncs to the cloud feels safe until a deleted file or a ransomware attack syncs straight through to every copy.
This list sticks to backup, not sync, so file-sync services are left out. The ten services are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and every description comes from each company's own website, read as of Nov 2026.
Cloud backup services compared
| Tool | Type | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Acronis | Backup and security software | Whole-machine backups and disk cloning |
| Arq | Backup software you control | Backups where you keep control of the data |
| Backblaze | Cloud storage and computer backup | Unlimited computer backup beside cloud storage |
| Carbonite | Backup for home and business | Unlimited cloud backup with simple restores |
| CrashPlan | Backup and recovery platform | Versioned backup to its cloud or yours |
| Duplicati | Open-source backup engine | Encrypted backups to storage you bring |
| IDrive | Cloud backup for home and business | Computers, phones, servers and NAS together |
| Livedrive | UK cloud backup provider | Backups kept in UK data centres |
| Rewind | SaaS app backup | Restoring data inside the apps you use |
| Zoolz | Business cloud backup | Business backup with cold storage options |
Ten backup services and tools
Acronis
Best for: Home users who want a complete machine or chosen folders backed up locally or to the cloud, with disk cloning for moving to a new drive.
Arq
Best for: Mac and Windows users who want point-in-time backups made from filesystem snapshots, with an open-source restore tool for reaching the data directly.
Backblaze
Best for: Businesses or households wanting automatic, unlimited cloud backup for Macs and PCs, from a company whose home page leads with cloud storage.
Carbonite
Best for: Households and small firms after unlimited cloud backup with built-in encryption, file access from a browser or mobile app, and server backup for business.
CrashPlan
Best for: Teams that want every file version and its metadata backed up automatically to the vendor's cloud, their own Azure, a local drive or another cloud.
Duplicati
Best for: Technical users who'd rather bring their own storage, sending encrypted backups to S3, WebDAV, SFTP or local hardware from one console.
IDrive
Best for: Anyone backing up several computers, phones, servers and NAS drives in one account, with past file versions kept and snapshots for rolling back after ransomware.
Livedrive
Best for: UK users who want an automatic copy of their files in UK data centres, two-factor login and a Briefcase folder for files on the go.
Rewind
Best for: Businesses that run on SaaS apps such as Jira and need to restore exactly what broke, from a single issue to a whole project.
Zoolz
Best for: Small businesses that want incremental cloud backup of new or changed files, with cold storage options and support on Windows and Mac.
Your computer, your apps, or your own storage?
Reading the vendor pages, three different products turn up under 'cloud backup'. Most back up your computer. IDrive's title is 'Cloud Backup and Storage solutions for home and business', CrashPlan's is 'Backup & Recovery Solutions for Businesses & Individuals', Acronis calls its product an 'Integrated Backup and Security Solution', and Livedrive offers 'Unlimited Cloud Backup Storage'. Backblaze's home page leads with 'High-Performance Cloud Storage for AI Workloads', with its computer backup further down the page.
Then come the outliers. Rewind 'backs up the data and workflows inside the apps your team works in every day', which is a different job from backing up a laptop. Arq's page opens with 'You control your data.' And Duplicati describes itself as an alternative to the big backup suites, with 'Zero Vendor Lock-In' and an open-source engine.
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So the split a buyer wouldn't guess is that some of these back up your computer, one backs up the apps your business runs on, and one is a bring-your-own-storage tool. Picking the right kind matters more than picking a brand. A laptop backup won't save a deleted project in a SaaS app, and an app backup won't bring back your photos.
Backup and sync aren't the same thing
A sync service mirrors a folder across your devices. That's handy for working, but if you delete a file or ransomware encrypts it, the change copies everywhere within seconds. A backup keeps history: earlier versions of each file, stored away from your own hardware, so you can go back to the version from before things went wrong. If you're weighing sync tools as well, my guide to Dropbox alternatives covers that side.
Many people also follow the 3-2-1 idea: three copies of your data, on two kinds of storage, with one copy off-site. A cloud backup service is the easiest way to cover the off-site copy without carrying drives around.
What to look for in a backup service
- Version history. How many past versions of a file are kept, and for how long? This is what rescues you from ransomware or an accidental overwrite.
- What it covers. One computer or several, phones, servers, external drives, NAS boxes or SaaS apps. Match the service to the devices and data you've got.
- Encryption and keys. Check whether files are encrypted before they leave your machine, and whether you can set a private key the provider can't see.
- Restore options. Downloading a few files is easy. Restoring a whole machine can take days over the internet, so ask whether the service offers a full-system restore or can send your data on a drive.
- Where the data lives. If your business has data residency rules, look for a provider that names its data centre locations.
Five questions before you trust a backup
- Does it back up automatically, or do I need to remember to run it?
- How long are deleted files and old versions kept?
- Can I choose my own encryption key?
- How do I restore a single file, and how do I restore everything?
- What happens to my backups if I stop my subscription?
Do you make a cloud backup service? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My advice on choosing cloud backup
Work out what you'd lose first. If it's the files on a laptop or two, a subscription computer backup is the simplest fix, and you can set it up in an afternoon. If you're technical and want control, backup software that sends encrypted copies to storage you choose gives you the keys. If your business lives in SaaS apps, back those up separately, because a laptop backup won't cover them. Whatever you pick, do a test restore in the first week. A backup you've never restored from is a guess.
Running short of space already? My guide on freeing up space on Google Drive helps, and my explainer on email archiving versus email backup covers the inbox side.
Want your tool on this list? Featured spots and reviews here are paid partnerships. Here's how to partner with me.
Frequently asked questions
What is a cloud backup service?
It's a service that copies your files or app data to off-site servers on a schedule and keeps past versions, so you can restore after a failed drive, theft, deletion or ransomware.
Is cloud storage the same as cloud backup?
No. Cloud storage and sync tools mirror your files, so deletions and encrypted files copy across too. Backup keeps older versions separately so you can go back to a good copy.
Do I still need backup if I use Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace?
Those services keep your files available, but deleted or overwritten data can still be lost once their retention windows pass. A separate backup of the app data gives you your own restore point.
How often should cloud backup run?
Most services back up continuously or on a schedule you set. For files you change every day, daily or continuous backup means you'll lose very little if something goes wrong.
Can I back up a NAS or server to the cloud?
Yes, several services back up servers and NAS drives as well as computers. Check the vendor's own page for the devices it supports before you sign up.
How do I know my backup works?
Restore something. Pick a few files or a folder, restore them to a different location and open them. Do it when you set up and again every few months.
