Backblaze (opens in new tab) started in 2007 to backup a friend’s computer online. Fast forward to the present, and it is in 175 countries, in excess of 50 billion files backed up, encompassing over two exabytes (that’s two million terabytes in case you were wondering) of data stored.
In other words, it is a serious contender for best cloud backup (opens in new tab). Additionally, it has managed to build an efficient outreach program as it publishes every quarter a detailed analysis of the failure rates of hard disk drives and SSD that it uses.
Backblaze also operates another service called B2, which it describes as an “enterprise-grade, S3 compatible storage used to store and serve data while improving companies’ cloud OpEx vs. Amazon S3 and others”.
A major advantage of this service is that it offers no tiers, instead just providing a single unlimited data backup locker, so even as the amount of data you’ve got keeps on growing, you’re still paying the same amount.
However, do be aware that Backblaze is a backup service-only, and that it’s not a place to store and sync your files like an ordinary cloud storage (opens in new tab) service might provide.
Backblaze features
Backblaze does not bother you with the details of your backup plan, just that it is occurring: when you initially install the desktop client, it doesn’t require you to select files and folders, but rather just grabs all the files and folders it considers important and starts transferring them to your Backblaze cloud backup.
By default, Backblaze copies everything for an ISO, DMG (Mac disk image), a virtual drive, system files or executables. You have the option to exclude other file types if you wish, but unless exclusively told to ignore them, it will include all other file types. We find it very simple and straightforward, and you can rest easy that your entire computer can be recovered if needed.
We consider it a set-it-and-forget-it solution: Backblaze is there to help you recover data such as if your hard drive catastrophically fails or your laptop fails to boot. However, realize that Backblaze is not for syncing files between computers, or getting at your music and video files in the cloud. You can include external hard drives and (on a business plan) servers in your backups, but networked drives can’t be included.
Backups can be continuous, once a day, or initiated manually. Some extra variety with those timescales would be nice, but we expect the majority of users will leave it set to continuous backup mode. It’s worth noting that while you can backup an unlimited amount of data, you are restricted to one computer for each Backblaze account, and mobile devices aren’t included.
As standard, unlimited versions of files are kept, though only for a period of 30 days. This can be somewhat limiting, especially as weeks can pass before you realize that you are missing an important document. Given the reasonable price for the standard plan, combined with the fact that an unlimited amount of storage could hold thousands of folders filled with documents, images and videos, we think the extra $2 per month (or $14 per year) for extended file history is a no-brainer. This extends it to one year.
While only one computer is supported per license, totally unlimited data storage with no file size limits means that BackBlaze should never be the restricting element to your backing-up needs, which makes this a hugely valuable tool that is also affordable compared to many of its key rivals such as Polar Backup, LiveDrive and Carbonite, all of which offering unlimited storage plans that are currently more expensive.
Because there are no subscription tiers, every account benefits from otherwise premium features. Uploading and downloading when using the desktop client is unthrottled, which means superquick backups up to the maximum speed of your ISP and router. In order to give users more control, manual throttling can limit the amount of bandwidth used by BackBlaze in order to prioritize other tasks. This can be useful for workers who often find themselves on video calls, as it allows backups to continue automatically in the background while providing optimal speeds for your workload.
Backblaze interface
The Backblaze desktop client targets simplicity over power or flash. The options of the Backblaze package are limited, so the software doesn’t have to do much except focus on the job at hand- to make sure that your files are getting continuously backed up in the background.
There is an option to exclude certain files and folders from a Backblaze backup, but it could be more straightforward. Considering you get an unlimited amount of space in the cloud, it’s easier to just let Backblaze backup everything, just in case. Transferring data from an entire computer to the web is potentially a lengthy process, but the speeds Backblaze managed were impressive. You can also choose to pause or throttle the upload process if you think Backblaze is taking up too much bandwidth to override the automatic throttling.
We like its integration within the operating system that helps to simplify the backup process – or at least, for those rare events that users need to modify controls. In this case, Backblaze sits neatly in System Preferences within macOS.
Like the desktop client, the web interface is also cut down and minimal, letting you review backed up files and restore them if needed. There’s also a mechanism for sharing stored files to others that is exclusive to the web interface. Unfortunately, in terms of web functionality, Backblaze falls short of Dropbox, Google Drive or iCloud when it comes to sharing files, however it is ultimately a different proposition so this comparison is unfair.
In the event of a system failure or loss, files can be downloaded for free, or Backblaze will put them on a USB hard drive for $189 and ship your data to your door. While it may not do much beyond suck up all the files on a computer and let you restore them, Backblaze does these core jobs very well. The almost $200 spent on backing up your files should be seen more as a holding fee for the value of the large hard drive (up to 8TB), as when the restore is complete you can return it by mail and receive a full refund.
Backups are limited to PCs and Macs, however alongside the web interface there are iOS and Android apps that allow you to access your data from anywhere. Backblaze Mobile 6.0 – released on December 20th – has a new feel to it with authentication improvements for both platforms plus a bunch of teaks and updates.
While Backblaze focuses on backups rather than cloud storage, backing up a file from your computer will allow you to use it for cloud storage in a rather ‘round about’ way.
Backblaze security
Backblaze gets high marks from a security perspective: not only can you enable two-step authentication on your account, but you can also rely on AES 128-bit encryption and an SSL connection to avoid your data being intercepted as it travels through the internet. While it’s not full end-to-end encryption, it’s certainly safe enough for most users.
There is also the option to set up a private encryption key, known only to you, which adds an extra layer of protection to your data, for those worried about Backblaze staff prying into their affairs. The downside of this is that Backblaze can’t help you if you forget the key, and you need to share it with Backblaze if you ever need to restore your data.
Also worth noting is that users can pick between EU and US data centers.
Backblaze pricing
You can try Backblaze for free for 15 days without giving up any payment card information, but there’s no free tier (as you would expect, because you’re getting unlimited cloud backup). Personal plans currently cost $7 per month, also payable annually ($70) or every two years ($130), which is an increase of $1 per month since last year. There is also the $2 monthly charge in order to upgrade file version history from 30 days to one year, which in our opinion is a must.
Business customers get the same pricing, although you can contact Backblaze directly for different quotes for backing up multiple computers and servers, and on putting more of your data in the cloud for long-term storage (to replace tape backups). It’s refreshing to see this sort of flexible pricing, but it does make it more difficult to compare Backblaze against competing services.
Backblaze verdict
Backblaze has a large user base, and even some fans, and it’s easy to see why – if you want to back up everything from one computer and its external drives, simply and securely, without spending too much, then it’s hard to beat. We appreciate that there are no limits on file sizes and no limits on the amount of data you can send to the cloud.
Just be certain you know exactly what Backblaze is before you part with any cash: it’s not for syncing files between computers or getting easy access to your files through a web browser. It’s a comprehensive, set-it-and-forget it backup solution for protecting your data should the worst happen, and at that task it provides a great solution.
As such, Backblaze is our favorite backup service thanks to its unlimited storage at a reasonable cost, aided by its array of restoration methods and ease of use.
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