Sync services like OneDrive and iCloud keep chosen folders the same on every device, which is convenient but not a full backup. Dedicated backup services such as Backblaze and IDrive copy your files to the cloud automatically and keep older versions. One computer with lots of data suits a flat-rate service like Backblaze; several computers sharing a storage pool suits a plan like IDrive’s.
Whatever you choose, keep a local copy too, and test a restore after setup. A backup you have never restored from is only a hope.
Sync is not the same as backup
Sync services (OneDrive, iCloud Drive, Google Drive, Dropbox) mirror selected folders across devices. Delete or damage a file on one device and the change spreads everywhere. Most keep a recycle bin and some version history, but they mainly cover the folders you choose to sync.
Backup services copy your files to separate storage on a schedule or continuously and keep earlier versions. If ransomware scrambles your documents or you overwrite a file, you restore an older copy. Many also cover external drives and folders outside Documents.
A good plan follows the 3-2-1 idea explained in our backup guide: three copies, on two kinds of storage, one kept off-site. A cloud backup is the easy way to get that off-site copy.
The services at a glance
| Service | Type | Best fit | Notes when we checked (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backblaze Personal Backup | Backup | One computer with lots of data | Listed at $99 per year per computer with unlimited data, including connected external drives. Extended version history available for an added fee. |
| IDrive Personal | Backup | Several computers sharing one storage pool | Personal plan listed with 5 TB for one user across multiple computers; a free 10 GB tier exists. Multi-year discounts were shown. |
| OneDrive (Microsoft 365) | Sync, with folder backup | Windows users who already pay for Microsoft 365 | Can back up Desktop, Documents and Pictures folders. Storage depends on your plan. |
| iCloud Drive | Sync | Mac and iPhone households | Desktop and Documents sync on Mac; pair with Time Machine for a local backup. |
| Google Drive | Sync | Households built around Google accounts | Storage shared with Gmail and Google Photos. |
Prices and plan details change often. Always confirm current terms on the provider’s own pricing page before you buy.
Backblaze: simple and flat-rate
Backblaze’s personal service is built around a single idea: install it, and it backs up the user data on that computer and its connected external drives without you picking folders. Pricing is per computer, with no cap on how much data that computer holds. That makes it attractive for photographers, families with large photo libraries, or anyone with a big external drive.
Things to understand before signing up: an external drive needs to be connected regularly to stay in the backup, and standard version history is limited unless you pay for extended retention. Large restores can be downloaded, and Backblaze also offers restores shipped on a drive. Check the current terms for that option.
IDrive: one pool for many devices
IDrive sells storage by capacity instead of per computer. One account can back up several computers into the same pool, which can work out cheaper for a household with three or four modest computers than paying per machine. A small free tier lets you try the app before paying. Read the plan details for how many earlier versions of each file are kept.
The trade-off is that you have to watch the capacity limit, and the app has more settings to understand. Choose the folders and drives carefully during setup, then confirm the first backup finished.
Using what you already pay for
If you already have Microsoft 365, turning on OneDrive folder backup for Desktop, Documents and Pictures protects the files most people care about. Mac users with iCloud storage can sync Desktop and Documents, then add Time Machine to an external drive for a true versioned backup.
This is often enough for a light user. It falls short if you keep important files elsewhere, such as an external drive full of photos, a video project folder or an email archive stored on the computer. That is where a dedicated backup service fills the gap.
Choose in three questions
- How many computers? One big one points to a per-computer unlimited plan; several smaller ones point to a shared pool.
- Where do your files live? If everything is in Documents and Pictures, sync with folder backup may do. External drives and odd folders need a real backup app.
- How far back might you need to go? Ransomware or a slowly corrupted file can go unnoticed for weeks. Longer version history is worth paying for if your files are irreplaceable.
After setup, restore one file from last week and one photo from an external drive. Put a reminder in your calendar to repeat that test every few months, and keep a local backup on an external drive for fast recovery.
Common questions
Is OneDrive a backup?
Partly. OneDrive folder backup protects Desktop, Documents and Pictures, but changes sync everywhere and other folders are not covered. Pair it with a local backup.
Does Backblaze back up external drives?
Backblaze says personal backup covers user data on the computer and connected external drives. The drive needs to be connected regularly.
Are cloud backups private?
Reputable services encrypt data in transit and at rest; some offer a private encryption key so only you can unlock your files. If you lose that key, the provider cannot recover your data.
Sources and further help
Official and primary sources used to check this guide. Menus, prices and plan details can change; confirm current terms with the provider.