8.5Editorial score 8.5 out of 10Per-workload pricing; editions vary — check AcronisIndicativeRead review
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Best Backup & Recovery
Automatic, off-site backups for computers, servers and SaaS data so you can recover from mistakes and ransomware.
Read the full buying guide: Best Cloud Backup Software for Small BusinessTL;DR — quick picks
- Best overall: Acronis Cyber Protect (8.5/10) — full-image backup.
- Best value: Backblaze (value 9.2/10).
- Easiest to adopt: Backblaze (ease 9.4/10).
- Best with a free plan: Veeam Data Platform.
Ranked shortlist
Ranked by overall score, calculated from six weighted criteria for security products. “Best for” labels come from our buying guide.
Best for servers and virtual machines
Veeam Data Platform Researched
The standard for VM, server and Microsoft 365 backup.
8.5Editorial score 8.5 out of 10Free Community Edition; paid by quote / per workloadIndicativeRead review
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Best simple cloud backup
Backblaze Researched
Simple, unlimited computer backup and low-cost cloud storage.
8.4Editorial score 8.4 out of 10Computer backup around $9 / computer / month (billed annually for less)IndicativeRead review
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8.2Editorial score 8.2 out of 10Business from around $100 / year for 250 GBIndicativeRead review
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Carbonite Researched
Automatic cloud backup for computers and servers, now part of OpenText.
7.9Editorial score 7.9 out of 10From around $6 / month per computer (billed annually)IndicativeRead review
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Best for endpoint backup
CrashPlan Researched
Unlimited endpoint backup per computer with long version retention.
Comparison table
| Tool | Score | Best for | Starting price (indicative) | Free plan | ≈ 10 seats / mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acronis Cyber Protect | 8.5 | Best all-in-one | Per-workload pricing; editions vary — check Acronis | No | — |
| Veeam Data Platform | 8.5 | Best for servers and virtual machines | Free Community Edition; paid by quote / per workload | Yes | — |
| Backblaze | 8.4 | Best simple cloud backup | Computer backup around $9 / computer / month (billed annually for less) | No | $6 |
| IDrive | 8.2 | Best value | Business from around $100 / year for 250 GB | Yes | — |
| CCarbonite | 7.9 | Small offices wanting simple backup | From around $6 / month per computer (billed annually) | No | $60 |
| CrashPlan | 7.9 | Best for endpoint backup | Around $10 / device / month | No | $100 |
“≈ 10 seats” is the cheapest paid plan that fits ten users at indicative list prices. Flat-priced products show “—”.
Build your own decision matrix
Our ranking uses fixed weights. Your priorities may differ — re-weight the six criteria and the shortlist re-orders instantly. Print it or download a CSV to share with your team.
| Tool | Features | Ease | Value | Support | Security | Integrations | Your score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Veeam Data Platform | 9.2 | 7.0 | 7.8 | 8.2 | 9.2 | 8.6 | 8.53 |
| 2. Acronis Cyber Protect | 9.2 | 7.6 | 7.8 | 7.6 | 9.0 | 7.8 | 8.46 |
| 3. Backblaze | 7.8 | 9.4 | 9.2 | 8.0 | 8.4 | 7.2 | 8.42 |
| 4. IDrive | 8.2 | 7.6 | 9.0 | 7.6 | 8.4 | 7.6 | 8.20 |
| 5. Carbonite | 7.6 | 8.4 | 7.4 | 7.6 | 8.4 | 7.0 | 7.90 |
| 6. CrashPlan | 7.4 | 8.2 | 8.2 | 7.4 | 8.4 | 6.6 | 7.90 |
Drag the sliders to match your priorities. Scores are our editorial sub-scores; weights start at the values we publish on the methodology page. Nothing you change is stored or sent anywhere.
Buyer’s guide: choosing a backup service
Follow the 3-2-1 principle
Keep three copies of important data, on two different media, with one off-site. Cloud backup typically provides the off-site copy.
Know what is not backed up
SaaS apps such as email and file storage are not always backed up in the way you might expect. Check whether you need a dedicated SaaS backup.
Test restores
Restore a file and a full machine during your trial. Recovery speed and simplicity matter more than backup speed.
Follow the 3-2-1 rule
Keep three copies of important data, on two different types of storage, with one copy off-site. Add immutability so ransomware cannot delete your backups.
Key features to look for
Automatic, continuous backup
Backups run without anyone remembering.
Versioning & retention
Restore earlier versions after ransomware or mistakes.
Immutability
Backups that cannot be altered or deleted for a set period.
Fast restore options
File-level, full-system and courier restore for large datasets.
SaaS backup
Back up Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace data.
How backup service pricing works
| Pricing model | What to know |
|---|---|
| Per device | Flat price per computer, often with unlimited data. |
| Per TB | Storage-based pricing for servers and cloud data. |
| Per user (SaaS) | Seat pricing for Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace backup. |
Run the numbers: Small Business Security Checklist · Data Breach Cost Estimator · Website & System Downtime Cost Calculator · Cloud Storage Cost Calculator
Evaluation checklist
- Automatic, continuous backup
- Version history and retention
- Immutable or ransomware-protected storage
- Simple restore workflow
- Transparent storage pricing
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming file sync (Dropbox, OneDrive) is a backup.
- Never testing a restore.
- Keeping backups on the same network as the data.
- Short retention that misses slow-burn ransomware.
- Forgetting SaaS data in email and cloud drives.
backup service comparisons
Frequently asked questions
Isn't cloud storage already backed up?
Cloud providers protect their infrastructure, not your data from deletion, ransomware or account compromise. A separate backup is still needed.
How often should I test backups?
At least quarterly, restoring both a single file and a complete device or system.
Is file sync (like cloud drives) the same as backup?
No. Sync replicates deletions and ransomware encryption. Backup keeps historic versions you can restore.
How long should backups be kept?
Base retention on your regulatory requirements and how long it might take to notice a problem — often months rather than days.