Backups are only as good as your last successful restore. The right tool protects laptops, servers and SaaS data, keeps copies safe from ransomware, and makes recovery fast when you need it.
Follow the 3-2-1 rule: three copies of your data, on two different media, with one copy off-site. Our picks help you get there.
The bottom line
Acronis is the best all-in-one backup for small businesses that want backup and endpoint protection together. Veeam is the best for servers, virtual machines and Microsoft 365, Backblaze is the simplest unlimited computer backup, IDrive is the best value for many devices and CrashPlan suits laptop-heavy teams that need long version history.
Our top picks
- 1
Best all-in-oneAcronis Cyber Protect8.5Editorial score 8.5 out of 10 - 2
Best for servers and virtual machinesVeeam Data Platform8.5Editorial score 8.5 out of 10 - 3
Best simple cloud backupBackblaze8.4Editorial score 8.4 out of 10 - 4
Best valueIDrive8.2Editorial score 8.2 out of 10 - 5
Best for endpoint backupCrashPlan7.9Editorial score 7.9 out of 10
Scores are editorial assessments based on research. Prices are indicative.
Acronis Cyber Protect
ResearchedBackup combined with anti-malware and management, covering endpoints, servers and Microsoft 365.
Acronis Cyber Protect integrates full-image backup, disaster recovery, anti-malware and patch management, plus Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace backup options.
Not for you if: Users wanting very simple backup only.
Pros
- Image-level backup
- Integrated anti-malware
- SaaS backup available
Cons
- Complex licensing
- Learning curve
Veeam Data Platform
ResearchedMature, widely used backup for VMs, servers and Microsoft 365 with flexible storage targets.
Veeam is widely used for backing up virtual machines, physical servers, cloud workloads and Microsoft 365, with immutability, instant recovery and replication. A free Community Edition covers small environments, and many MSPs offer Veeam-based services.
Not for you if: Laptop-only teams.
Pros
- Mature and widely supported
- Immutable backups
- Instant recovery
Cons
- Technical to deploy
- Quote-based pricing
Backblaze
ResearchedStraightforward unlimited computer backup and low-cost cloud storage.
Backblaze offers unlimited computer backup for Windows and Mac plus B2 cloud storage for servers and NAS. Business accounts add central management and group billing.
Not for you if: SaaS app backup.
Pros
- Unlimited data per computer
- Very easy setup
- Low storage costs
Cons
- No SaaS app backup
- Limited server features
IDrive
ResearchedMulti-device backup with generous storage tiers at competitive prices.
IDrive backs up unlimited computers, phones and servers to a single storage pool, with versioning, snapshots and courier-based seed and restore. Business plans add server and Microsoft 365 / Google Workspace backup, and IDrive e2 offers low-cost object storage.
Not for you if: Users wanting unlimited storage per device.
Pros
- Unlimited devices per account
- Snapshots and versioning
- Courier seed and restore
Cons
- Storage capped by plan
- Dated interface
CrashPlan
ResearchedContinuous, versioned backup for laptops and desktops with long file retention.
CrashPlan for Small Business backs up computers automatically with unlimited storage per device and unlimited version retention. Its focus on endpoints makes it a straightforward choice for protecting laptops and desktops.
Not for you if: Server or VM backup.
Pros
- Unlimited storage per device
- Unlimited versions
- Simple admin
Cons
- Endpoint-focused only
- Restores can be slow for large data
Comparison table
| Tool | Best for | Score | From (indicative) | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acronis Cyber Protect | Best all-in-one | 8.5 | Per-workload pricing; editions vary — check Acronis | No |
| Veeam Data Platform | Best for servers and virtual machines | 8.5 | Free Community Edition; paid by quote / per workload | Yes |
| Backblaze | Best simple cloud backup | 8.4 | Computer backup around $9 / computer / month (billed annually for less) | No |
| IDrive | Best value | 8.2 | Business from around $100 / year for 250 GB | Yes |
| CrashPlan | Best for endpoint backup | 7.9 | Around $10 / device / month | No |
Feature matrix
| Feature | Acronis Cyber Protect | Veeam Data Platform | Backblaze | IDrive | CrashPlan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Per workload | Free (10 workloads) / quote | ~ $9 / computer (unlimited) | ~ $100 / year (storage pool) | ~ $10 / device |
| Computers | Yes | Agents | Yes, core | Yes | Yes, core |
| Servers and VMs | Yes | Yes, core | Via B2 storage | Yes | Limited |
| Microsoft 365 / Google Workspace | Yes | Microsoft 365 | No | Yes | No |
| Built-in security | Anti-malware | Malware detection | No | No | No |
| Best for | All-in-one | Virtualised IT | Simplicity | Many devices | Laptop fleets |
Based on vendor documentation and public plan pages; features change often, so confirm on the plan you intend to buy.
How we chose
- We built a longlist of backup products from vendor documentation, public pricing pages, security and trust pages, and the products small teams most often ask us about.
- Each product was scored against our published, weighted criteria (see the methodology page). The overall score is calculated from those sub-scores — it is never typed in by hand.
- We priced every product at 5, 10 and 25 seats using the publicly listed tiers, and penalised products whose essential features sit behind expensive plans.
- Products marked 'Researched' have been assessed from documentation and public information rather than hands-on testing. Prices are indicative, dated, and should be confirmed with the vendor.
Read our full scoring methodology →
Test restores, not just backups
Schedule a restore test at least quarterly. A backup you cannot restore is not a backup.
Protect against ransomware
Look for immutable or air-gapped copies so attackers who compromise your network cannot delete your backups.
Don't forget SaaS data
Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace keep limited retention. A third-party SaaS backup protects against deletion and account compromise.
Understand storage pricing
Check per-device versus per-terabyte pricing, and any egress or restore fees.
See every option we rank in Backup & Recovery.
Buying checklist
Before you commit, confirm each of these on the exact plan you will buy:
- Automatic, continuous backup
- Version history and retention
- Immutable or ransomware-protected storage
- Simple restore workflow
- Transparent storage pricing
Avoid these mistakes: Assuming file sync (Dropbox, OneDrive) is a backup. Never testing a restore. Keeping backups on the same network as the data.
Frequently asked questions
Is cloud sync the same as backup?
No. Sync tools such as Dropbox or OneDrive replicate deletions and ransomware encryption. Backup keeps independent, versioned copies you can restore from.
How often should a small business back up?
At least daily for important data, with continuous backup for frequently changing files. Match frequency to how much data you can afford to lose.
What is the 3-2-1 backup rule?
Keep three copies of your data, on two different types of storage, with one copy off-site — for example, in the cloud.
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