What is the Best Online Backup Service? In a world where our lives are increasingly digital, we store countless irreplaceable memories and crucial documents on our devices. But what happens when your hard drive fails, your laptop gets stolen, or ransomware encrypts all your files? That's where online backups come to the rescue - but with so many options available, finding the right service can be overwhelming.
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Founded in 2003, Acronis began as a company focusing on disk partitioning and has since grown into a full-featured data protection company. They've been around for about 20 years now and offer a range of services like local and cloud backups, disk cloning, and protection against ransomware and other cyber threats through their Acronis True Image product. It's a good fit if you're running a small- or medium-sized business or if you're an individual who knows their way around technology and wants solid backup options with added security. This online backup solution works well but can be a bit complicated to set up and use compared to simpler alternatives on the market.
Cloud storage not included in Essentials
When talking about Acronis's cloud storage options, there's an important distinction to make between online backup and cloud storage. Online backup typically refers to creating copies of your files on remote servers, while cloud storage is the actual space where those copies are kept. Acronis offers different levels of cloud storage across its plans: none with Essentials (meaning you can only back up locally to your own drives), 250GB with Advanced, and a generous 1TB with Premium. While the Essentials plan is technically an "online backup" service without cloud storage, it still provides the software needed for creating backups - you just store those backups locally instead of in Acronis' cloud. Each subscription's base price covers 1 computer with up to 5 available for an additional cost. Here's the breakdown:
Full backup suite with advanced disk imaging capabilities
Acronis shines when it comes to disk imaging features - it's actually one of the most comprehensive backup solutions for creating complete system images. You can create full disk images, clone active disks while they're in use, and restore your system to different hardware (a lifesaver when upgrading computers). However, Acronis doesn't seem to offer any disk mailing service for those who prefer physical backup delivery, so you'll need to rely entirely on their online backup features or create your own local copies.
Mobile backup through well-designed apps, despite mixed user reviews
Acronis provides mobile apps for both iOS and Android devices, allowing you to back up your photos, videos, contacts, and calendars on the go. The Android app has a mediocre 3-star rating average on Google Play, with users complaining about authentication issues and backup failures. The iOS version fares better with a 4.1-star average, though recent reviews are sparse. If mobile backup is crucial to your online backup strategy, you might want to test Acronis' mobile functionality thoroughly before committing.
Security features that go far beyond basic online backup protection
Acronis takes security seriously with AES-256 bit encryption for stored files and SSL/TLS encryption for data in transit. What sets Acronis apart is the option for zero-knowledge encryption - you create your own encryption key that not even Acronis can access. The service doesn't stop there; it includes active ransomware protection, antivirus capabilities, web filtering, and vulnerability assessment tools. For the security-conscious user, Acronis offers some of the most comprehensive protection features in the online backup space, though it surprisingly appears to lack two-factor authentication.
24/7 support with multiple contact options
Acronis stands behind its online backup service with customer support through several channels. When you need assistance, you can first browse their knowledge base and user forums for quick fixes to common issues. For more personalized help, Acronis offers live chat support (though users report it's not always available despite claims of 24/7 service), email support via tickets (with responses typically within one day), and round-the-clock phone support for all active subscribers. Most customer interactions with Acronis support are positive, with representatives described as helpful and thorough.
Loyal customers praise reliability while critics find complexity frustrating
Acronis has cultivated a dedicated user base that appreciates its powerful online backup capabilities. Long-term customers frequently mention the software's reliability, with one 9-year user noting, "I restored a backup several times. All worked well." Many also praise Acronis' support team, with one customer sharing how they received "clear instructions" and follow-up emails checking if their issue was resolved - an uncommon level of attentiveness in the tech support world. However, not everyone finds Acronis user-friendly. Critics point to its "complicated pricing structure," "mediocre upload speeds," and a "learning curve barrier" that keeps it from wider adoption. As one candid user explained, "The best I can say about Acronis is it makes me feel safe," before adding that simplification would greatly improve the experience. For advanced users who value comprehensive backup features over simplicity, Acronis remains a powerful choice despite its complexity.
A solid score as an online backup service with impressive security features
Acronis earns high marks for providing comprehensive online backup with exceptional security features that go well beyond basic protection. We particularly appreciate its robust disk imaging capabilities, active ransomware protection, and the flexible backup options that let you choose between local and cloud storage. However, the complicated interface and steeper learning curve keep it from reaching 5-star territory. Acronis is ideal for tech-savvy individuals and small businesses who prioritize security and advanced backup features over simplicity - if you're looking for a set-it-and-forget-it online backup solution, you might find Acronis' power comes with more complexity than you need.
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In a world where our lives are increasingly digital, we store countless irreplaceable memories and crucial documents on our devices. But what happens when your hard drive fails, your laptop gets stolen, or ransomware encrypts all your files? That's where online backups come to the rescue - but with so many options available, finding the right service can be overwhelming.
Everyone with digital data needs an online backup solution. From photographers safeguarding thousands of client photos to small business owners protecting financial records, or even families preserving decades of precious memories - online backups provide the peace of mind that comes from knowing your data is secure. When disaster strikes, whether it's a coffee spill on your laptop or a full-blown system crash, online backups ensure you can quickly recover everything that matters.
Not all online backup services are created equal. Some focus on unlimited storage for a single device, offering simplicity at the expense of flexibility. Others provide robust multi-device support with sophisticated encryption, but they cap your storage. The most comprehensive solutions include additional security features like ransomware protection and antivirus capabilities, transforming your backup into a complete data protection system.
The pricing models vary dramatically too. Some services charge per computer with unlimited storage, while others offer fixed storage amounts across multiple devices. Many tempt you with dramatic "discounts" that mysteriously remain available year-round, while others offer genuinely competitive pricing with substantial savings for annual commitments. The difference between paying $6 monthly for a single device versus $10 monthly for unlimited devices can add up significantly for multi-device households.
When selecting the ideal online backup service for your needs, here are the key factors to consider:
Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked the best online backup services available today. We've thoroughly tested each option to help you find the perfect balance of features, security, and value. We hope our research helps you find the best online backup service for your unique needs - because when it comes to protecting your irreplaceable digital memories and crucial files, you deserve nothing less than complete peace of mind.
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Why You Should Backup Your Computer
It used to be that fire or flood could destroy an entire lifetime's worth of paper files and other personal items like photos, music, home movies, business records, and so on. This is still true. But now more and more valuable family and business documents exist primarily on hard drives in our computers, or as digital versions in smart phones or tablets. So in addition to fire, flood, or other environmental threat we can add hardware failure and computer theft to the list of threats that could remove these important items from us.
In the early days of personal computers, all PC files were recorded on floppy disks; hard drives were large, expensive devices only found in the clean, secure, and climate-controlled computer rooms of large companies or governments. This allowed the storage of personal files in cases on a shelf. Hardly more secure than paper files, but at least not susceptible to hardware failure. Now, if the hard drive in a computer fails, chances are that all the information stored there will be lost forever. This could include:
Individuals, families, small businesses, and even larger enterprises sometimes have no backup copies of these valuable and often irreplaceable files. Or they might occasionally copy them to a DVD. Or they might have an external hard drive attached to the computer. Any copy is better than no copy. But copies that are kept at the same location as the computer are subject to the same environmental threats as the computer. And an external hard drive is just as subject to failure as the one inside the desktop or laptop system. Copies on optical disks, like DVDs, are likely outdated in as short a time as a week or two. So files must be manually backed up again and again, in an ever-increasing stack of disks.
What are the characteristics of a solution to this dilemma? Consider a solution that would provide:
These statements all describe online computer backup systems.
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