Best Crashplan alternative: a review of cloud backup software

In this review, I’ll pay attention to the services, which can become an alternative to CrashPlan. But before that, I’d like to briefly describe the CrashPlan main features and use cases.

What is Crashplan?

Crashplan is an information loss protection service for endpoint devices.

The software runs in the background without slowing down your computer and includes the following features:

  • advanced secure encryption with 256-bit long key;
  • capability to restore files using the desktop as well as browser application;
  • data storage duration control;
  • external drive backup, etc.

Reason for using CrashPlan

By protecting you from data loss, the platform allows you to:

  • minimize the downtime and revenue lost;
  • maintains stable productivity.

Quick Summary 

Before all, I would like to show you my personal Top 3 Crashplan alternative software:

  1. Backblaze is one of the fastest solutions for individuals that offers unlimited storage for a low price.
  1. Cloudberry Backup is the service that allows you to choose different storage providers with advanced security options.
  1. Carbonite is one of the most easy-to-use backup software that provides block-level file copying.

Review of 10 best Crashplan alternative software 

Backblaze

Backblaze is an easy-to-use service that provides you with unlimited backup like CrashPlan. This software is aimed at both individuals and businesses.

Using the platform, you can backup servers as well as desktop machines.

Also, Backblaze offers backup for network-attached storage or mobile devices. You can use Backblaze for restoring any type of external hard drive, while most backup software doesn’t have this option.

Detailed restoring data guides. Backblaze.
Detailed restoring data guides. Source: Backblaze.

If we speak about the available file versions, the service keeps changed, deleted or updated files for 30 days. At the same time, it’s possible to extend this period for a year for an additional fee.

Another Backblaze feature unusual for most backup services is the ability to detect your computer or mobile device in case of loss or theft.

Backblaze doesn’t have any file size limitations. The platform has a website, mobile application, and works stable on Windows as well as on Mac OSs.

Pricing plans (per 1 device):

  • $7 per month; 
  • $70 per year;
  • $130 per 2 years.

Also, the platform offers a 15-day free trial.

Cloudberry Backup

First of all, I want to point out that CloudBerry Backup is a former name of the platform. Currently, it’s called MSP 360. But  I’ll use the old name to avoid confusion.

This service allows you to choose the cloud server for storing your files, so you can control all data from one place. This is a useful option that isn’t implemented in most cloud backup software.

The platform supports Windows, Mac, and Linux OSs. Also, it has a mobile application that gives you access to your files on the computer but doesn’t allow you to backup data on mobile devices.

The service supports hybrid as well as image-based backup. Both backup types can be managed manually or continuously. In the second case, the system scans information on your device and runs a backup if changes are detected.

The platform can be customized according to the available disk space, memory usage, or bandwidth.

The service implements the block-level algorithm: it means you don’t need to re-upload data in case of minor changes. Also, CloudBerry Backup uses multithreading by default.

The system allows you to control the files that should be stored and their storage time. The platform has inbuilt tools for disk capacity analysis and bootable USB drives or ISO files creation. At the same time, CloudBerry Backup doesn’t come up with a Courier Recovery option.

When it comes to security, the service provides you with:

  • SSL/TLS within its environment;
  • Encryption at rest;
  • In-transit encryption;
  • 256-bit advanced encryption standard;
  • 2FA.

The platform has 17 pricing plans, which are grouped into 5 categories. Here, I’ll describe only the commonly used ones. For more information, you can visit the pricing page and try the inbuilt product cost calculator.

  • Desktop Pro $49,99;
  • Windows Server $119,99;
  • MS SQL Server $149,99;
  • MS Exchange $299,99.

Also, you can try a free plan but it’s pretty limited and doesn’t support:

  • image-based backup;
  • 256-bit encryption.
The pricing page with cost calculator. CloudBerry Backup.
The pricing page with cost calculator. Source: CloudBerry Backup.

Carbonite

Carbonite is a backup service that offers fewer features than the above-mentioned services have.

Carbonite homepage.
Carbonite homepage. Source: Carbonite.

On the one hand, it’s easy to use due to minimal customization. But this also imposes certain limitations on the backup process. 

Carbonite’s pricing plans allow you to select what you’re going to backup: server, external hard drives, personal computer, etc.

The platform supports Windows and Mac OS but doesn’t work on Linux. Also, Carbonite doesn’t have a mobile application for a remote backup control.

While the service implies a block-level algorithm, it doesn’t support multithreading. It means you can’t upload more than 1 file at a time. Also, Carbonite doesn’t come up with a hybrid backup and a throttling option.

The platform supports file versioning, but you’re limited to using only 12 recent versions of files. Plus, the system can keep them for no longer than 30 days.

Unlike the above-mentioned software, Carbonite has a list of unsupported files. For more details, you can visit the support page.

Carbonite users can’t create a copy of the entire system, because the service doesn’t support an image-based backup. When it comes to encryption, Carbonite provides the same security functionality as CloudBerry Backup except for the ability to change the proxy server settings. Also, some of the pricing plans imply only AES 128-bit encryption.

If you are looking for full control over the backup process, this service isn’t the option for you. The reason is that Carbonite doesn’t support manual backup (you can use only scheduled or continuous backup).

Carbonite’s pricing plans:

  • From 1 to 3 computers: $6 per month;
  • Up to 25 computers: $24 per month;
  • Computers plus servers: $50 per month.

Also, you may try a full-fledged free version for 15 days.

iDrive

iDrive is a platform that combines a rich set of features, reasonable prices, and usability.

A list of iDrive features.
A list of available features. Source: iDrive.

iDrive is a service that can be used for 2 purposes: cloud backup and cloud storage with identical available space.

This service offers file sharing and synchronization options. It means you can choose folders, which content will be synchronized between different devices. iDrive’s users feel free to customize the sync option. For example, they can choose the files and devices to synchronize.

In case users want to share their data, they just need to right-click on the file and select the “share” option from the sub-menu. Before that, it’s necessary to configure the users’ access options. You can allow them to view your information or bring changes. Keep in mind that the sharing option is available only if you use the default encryption settings. Plus, you’re able to share files only through email.

The iDrive client works well with Windows and Mac but doesn’t support Linux OS like Carbonite.

Using this service, you may restore information from external hard drives. The service has a full-fledged mobile application that allows you to get remote access to your files. Moreover, it gives you an opportunity to back up information on mobile devices as well. The mobile application supports both Android and iOS.

If you’re a Business plan subscriber, it’s possible to get access to SSO (single sign-on). Also, this type of subscription permits you to backup data on an unlimited number of computers and such network drivers as Hyper-V, Windows Server, Oracle Server, etc.

The system allows you to restore up to 30 recent versions of files and provides true archiving using Bare-Metal Disaster Recovery. BMR can help you to backup not only the files but also the configuration of OS and applications.

Pricing plans:

  • Free (you’re limited by using only 5 GB of storage);
  • Personal $59,62 annually; 
  • Team $74,62 annually;
  • Business $74.62 annually.

Duplicati

Duplicati is an open-source backup software that doesn’t have a lot of customization options. However, it still shows a stable operation and can be a solution for newbies. The main difference is that this software doesn’t allow you to use a space for backup. Instead of this, it provides you with backup tools and the cloud servers available (currently, Duplicati supports over 20 cloud providers).

The service uses standard, JSON data formats, and Zip compression to store your files.

The information storage process scheme. Duplicati.
The information storage process scheme. Source: Duplicati.

Despite the fact that it’s open-source software, it provides strong encryption. 

Duplicati is free software that means there is no support team who can help you to solve issues, you’ll have to learn it yourself. Of course, you can visit the Duplicati forum, but it’s not always helpful.

If available cloud servers don’t meet your needs, it’s possible to set your own server using the following protocols:

Along with this, the service allows you to backup to external drives. Like most of its competitors, Duplicati supports continuous and scheduled types of backups. You can modify the zip encryption level, design scripts for different files, or emails that are sent when a backup is finished.

It’s possible to save the restored files using the original or different path, leave them unchanged or overwrite, etc. Due to the handy progress bar, you may track the backup process in real-time.

When it comes to security, Duplicati is a zero-knowledge service that supports 256-bit advanced encryption standards and GPG.

Also, Duplicati’s users are protected against MITM attacks.

Acronis True Image

Acronis True Image is a zero-knowledge backup service with powerful cybersecurity features.

The software allows you to use detailed backup scheduling. Thus, you may configure the backup after turning the system on/off, during utilizing an external hard disk, etc.

The service permits you to use multithreading based on operation priority. Also, users are free to upload almost any type of file from different sources and operating systems (except Linux OS). 

Acronis True Image users can easily synchronize their files and folders between their computers or Acronis’s cloud storage. 
Currently, the platform offers up to 50 integrations: Kaseya, Microsoft 365, ConnectWise, HostBill, etc.

The full list of available integrations. Acronis True Image.
The full list of available integrations. Source: Acronis True Image.

Along with that, Acronis has a lot of minor features like a hard drive cleaner, functionality for system cleanup, tool for archiving, digital signature creation, etc. You may copy the whole disk and transfer it to another one, create a “secure zone” inside your disk, etc.

At the same time, it doesn’t support a courier recovery option and 2FA.

Pricing plans:

  • Essential $49,99 per year;
  • Advanced $89.99 per year;
  • Premium $124,99 per year.

Acronis doesn’t have a free version. At the same time, you may start a 30-days free trial.

ElephantDrive

This backup software permits you not only to back up files but also to sync and share them across your devices. Thus, you can change files on one device and see the same changes on all the other connected devices in real-time. 

At the same time, ElephantDrive users are limited with the number of devices to synchronize.

File synchronization using the“Everywhere” folder. ElephantDrive.
File synchronization using the“Everywhere” folder. Source: ElephantDrive.

ElephantDrive users may switch between manual and automatic backup modes. As for file versioning, the platform has rather standard functionality: you can recover previous file versions, choose certain files to keep, etc. The deleted files do not disappear but are sent to the trash from where you can either restore or delete them permanently.

If we speak about security, this service offers all features as its competitors (SSL certificates, private and At-Rest encryption, 2FA) command line. But it doesn’t permit you to modify proxy server settings.

What I don’t like about ElephantDrive, is its limit for uploading files. If you’re a Home plan subscriber, you can’t upload files with a size of more than 2GB. If you’re a Business plan user, the size can’t be more than 15GB.

Plus, you’re able to restore files only through the web client. Besides, it’s impossible to use mobile devices to get remote access to the data from your computer or get a courier recovery service.

Pricing plans:

  • Home $10 per month;
  • Business $20 per month;
  • Enterprise $30 per month.

The service doesn’t have a free trial but offers a free version.

SpiderOak

SpiderOak is a backup provider with powerful cloud storage features. The platform has a clear user interface. Also, experienced users may control the backup process through the command line. The platform supports Windows, Mac, and Linux OSs. 

SpiderOak allows you to customize the backup process and set it up as continuous (this is a default option) or scheduled. Also, you can manually modify the bandwidth and set up the number of bytes per second. The backup process uses a block-level algorithm. It means that only changed parts of files are uploaded.

What I don’t like about this service is that it doesn’t support disk cloning, courier recovery service, hybrid backup, and 2FA.

At the same time, this platform has a powerful sharing option. You can create “share rooms”, invite people there, and give them access to certain data. Keep in mind that all information you share in rooms isn’t encrypted. 

The platform’s encryption and security options. SpiderOak.
The platform’s encryption and security options. Source: SpiderOak.

Another SpiderOak’s advantage is that it allows you to connect through an HTTP proxy server. 

SpiderOak pricing plans:

  • 150GB $6 per month;
  • 400GB $11 per month;
  • 2TB $14 per month;
  • 5TB $29 per month.

Also, SpiderOak allows you to activate a 21-day free trial. 

BigMIND

This backup software has a user-friendly interface and supports third-party integrations. At the same time, BigMIND doesn’t allow you to share files or synchronize your devices.

The platform supports continuous and scheduled backups. Using BigMIND, you can get remote access to your files on PC and launch a mobile backup as well. Mobile backup works for both Android and iOS (video and audio files, contacts, text messages, etc.)

For more control over the files uploading, you may use multithreading and throttling.

Besides, BigMIND has a tool for image management powered by artificial intelligence.

Info about AI-powered image management. BigMIND.
Info about AI-powered image management. Source: BigMIND.

In turn, it doesn’t have a manual backup option. Also, the platform doesn’t support image-based backup, so it’s impossible to clone the whole system.

Such features as NAS and server backups and courier recovery service are also missing.

Pricing plans:

  • Starter $15 per month;
  • Standard $20 per month;
  • Premium $37,5 per month;
  • Smart Archive $40 per month.

Also, the service offers a free 14-days trial.

Jottacloud

Jottacloud is a backup solution that balances an impressive set of features with reasonable cost.

Unlike BigMIND, this platform has a synchronization option and file sharing functionality. It supports all types of files and offers unlimited backup space. The service doesn’t compress video files and images, so their quality remains unchanged. Also, it’s possible to stream your uploaded media files to a browser or any type of device. 

How to upload files to the platform. Jottacloud.
How to upload files to the platform. Source: Jottacloud.

Jottacloud allows you to get access to your files from anywhere starting from mobile devices, tablets to computers. The platform lets you backup NAS devices as well as external hard drivers. If you need to free up hard disk space, Jottacloud provides an online archive feature.

Jottacloud supports an AI-powered text and face detection that makes it stand out from its competitors.

Pricing plans:

  • Free (limited to 5GB of storage space);
  • Personal €7,99 per month;
  • Home: 1TB (€6,5 per month), 5TB (€13,5 per month), 10TB (€49,5 per month), 20 (€99,5 per month);
  • Business: Small (€10,99 per month), Medium (€15,99 per month), Large (€39,99 per month). 

FAQ

Does Backblaze support integrations?

Yes, you may connect up to 100 integrations. You may see the full list on the official website.

Can I use Bare-Metal Disaster Recovery on CloudBerry Backup?

Yes, this option is available.

Is it possible to use PayPal to get a subscription on Carbonite?

Currently, the service doesn’t support this financial gateway.

Does iDrive allow users to create sub-accounts?

Yes, they can do it. Business plan subscribers can create an unlimited number of sub-accounts.

Does Duplicati have file synchronization functionality?

No, this option isn’t available.

Is Acronis True Image a multilingual platform?

Yes, it supports 10 languages.

Does ElephantDrive support network-attached storage?

Yes, it does.

Is it possible to use cryptocurrency to pay for a SpiderOak subscription?

Unfortunately, this option is currently unavailable. 

What files does BigMIND support to backup?

You can backup all types of files.

What type of encryption does Jottacloud use?

The platform implements AES 256-bit encryption.

Summing up

I’m sure that if you’ve read my review up to this point, you have no doubts about what service to choose.

Nevertheless, I offer you to take a look at today’s competitors one more time. I decided to put the main characteristics that I was guided by during the comparison in the table below and calculate the final points. 

CostBackup functionalityEase of useEncryption
Backblaze5555
CloudBerry Backup4554
Carbonite5454
iDrive4555
Duplicati5545
Acronis True Image4555
ElephantDrive5554
SpiderOak5455
BigMIND4555
Jottacloud4555

As you can see, Backblaze got the maximum number of points and became the winner of today’s review.

by Kseniia Goldovska

Last modified: August 27, 2021

Hi, I’m Kseniia and I’m here to guide you through the tools that may be helpful for your business. Having 8 years of development and start up experience I always try to find new ways of getting things done with less effort and cost. Looking forward to your comments (especially negative ones :D)!